So if I fail my test next week, and when I get a bad grade on my papers, I am blaming this fanfic. I wrote this during class because I had free time and I wanted to finish it. So far this is my favorite chapter. I know I say this every time but this will be the last update until the end of May, because I have a lot to do but I'm obsessed with this story and I can't stop writing it. Anyway this is the longest chapter so far so I hope it hold you off for a while. You will learn a lot about Naley in this. Drama is about to start! So enjoy! If you have questions/comments/concerts don't me afraid to let me know! I love feedback, especially on what you want or think is going to happen! I hope you like this chapter!
Haley was lying in her bed alone. She was staring at the ceiling finding it impossible to sleep. She tossed and turned all night. She picked her heard up at glanced at the clock. It was 4:32 am.
"Ugh" she groaned.
Finally at some point she fell asleep.
But about an hour later she was jostled from her bed and pulled to the floor.
It was him.
She screamed as loud as she could but nothing was coming out.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" She screeched. "I HATE YOU!"
The man dressed in all black squeezed her neck tightly and Haley started to choke. Her face turned blue, and her throat was dry. "SOMEONE HELP ME!" She tried to scream, but felt helpless. The man tried to pull her shirt off but Haley wouldn't let him. He pointed a gun at her. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. "Oh god please don't."
She lie there waiting for something to happen. She heard a gun shot and looked up. She wasn't bleeding. The man in black however, was. She saw Nathan with the gun pointed at the man in all black.
"Stay the hell away from my family." He shouted.
"NATHAN!" She shouted. "What's happening?"
Nathan rushed over to her and kissed her ferociously. "Baby it's okay. You're okay. I'm going to get rid of this jack ass once and for all." He said.
Haley looked up at him into his kind, loving blue eyes. She was about to kiss him again when in the corner of her eye she saw the man in black get up and charge at Nathan. "NATHAN! Look out!" She screamed. Everything went black.
...
Nathan was lying on his side of the bed about to fall asleep. He could hear Haley in the bathroom getting ready for bed. He tried waiting up for her but he was exhausted.
He was drifting off to sleep when he felt a small hand rub his bare back.
"Hey handsome." She purred.
"Mhmm hi baby." He replied.
"Is your back okay?" She asked.
"Yeah it's great."
"Oh because I would've given you a massage." Haley said.
Nathan perked up. "Actually... I need a massage."
Haley giggled "that's what I thought."
She straddled him and peppered kisses up down his bare back.
"You're so sexy babe." She murmured.
Nathan felt his body start to tremble. He loved a good old fashioned Haley James massage. He felt her hands wander further down his back and to the waist of his pants.
"How does this feel?" She whispered in his ear.
"Perfect." Nathan moaned.
Haley gently nibbled on Nathan's ear why continuing her ministrations. Nathan couldn't take it anymore and he flipped Haley over so he was on top.
"you're mine." He said as he pounced on her. Haley just giggled. He captured her lips into a fiery kiss which was getting more intense each minute. Haley's hand was getting dangerously close to Nathan's pants and just when she was about to go further Nathan's phone started to ring. "Haley!" He moaned.
...
"Ughhhhh!" Nathan moaned loudly as he was awoken from the best dream he had in his life. "What the hell?" He groaned. It was 1:23 am. "Dammit." He said reaching for his phone on the night table.
"Hello?" He mumbled in an angry voice.
"Na-nath-Nathan? Is is that you?" He heard a very emotional Haley say into the phone.
He suddenly jolted out of bed. "Haley are you okay? What's wrong?" He was now fully awake and worried about Haley.
Haley tried to stifle a sob. "I'm fine." She said as her voice cracked. "I just needed to hear your voice."
"Haley? What's going on?"
Haley didn't want to tell Nathan she had a Nightmare because she was embarrassed.
"It's nothing. I was just worried about you."
"Haley now I'm worried about you! If you don't tell me what's wrong I'm going to come over right now."
Before she could stop herself she blurted out "I had a dream that you died!" And she started to sob again. "He-he- he got you too!" She screamed.
Nathan was worried.
"Hales. Stay where you are, I'm coming over."
...
After a ten minute drive Nathan pulled up to Haley's house.
He knocked lightly on the door.
"Hales it's me. Open up." He called.
Two minutes later Haley opened the door in a white tank top, and short pink polka dot pajama shorts. Nathan's eyes swept over her body and he couldn't help but lick his lips. She was sexy even in pajamas. He instantly remembered his dream and felt like he needed a cold shower.
Before he could comprehend what was going on Haley wrapped her arms tightly around Nathan's neck.
"I'm so glad you're okay." She sobbed.
Nathan didn't know what happened but he felt the need to console Haley.
"Shh hales it's okay. Everything's okay. I'm okay, you're okay..." Before Nathan could finish Haley looked up sharply.
"Don't say that Nathan!" She shouted.
"Why? What do you mean?"
"You - you said that in my dream and then you died!" She cried even harder.
Nathan wrapped his arms tighter around Haley. "I promise you I'm not going anywhere. Okay?"
Haley sniffled and wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry you must think I'm crazy." She laughed while drying her tears.
"you're not crazy Haley. I was worried about you. Are you okay now?"
Haley nodded. "Yeah I just needed to see you. I'm sorry about your sweat shirt." She said referring to the wet tear stain on it.
Nathan chuckled. "It's okay. It's old anyway, this will dry. Besides I've had worse. Some lady spilt coffee on me once." Nathan joked and Haley gave him a small laugh.
"Sorry." She said weakly.
"It's okay, are you okay now?" He asked looking into her eyes.
Haley shook her head. "No, now I'm embarrassed because I made you come over because I had a nightmare. I feel like a three year old." Haley pouted.
Nathan chuckled. "It's okay Haley. I was worried about you. I'm glad you called me. You know I'll always be here for you. Always and forever." He smiled and Haley almost started to cry again.
"You're amazing you know that?" She asked and Nathan smirked.
"I know."
Haley ignored his comment. "Thank you Nathan. I'm sorry again. I know it's late."
"Don't worry. But really are you okay? Is there Something I should know?"
Haley's face turned white, and a lump formed in the back of her throat.
No way there's no way I can tell him!
"Uh no. No. I just wanted to make sure you're alive. Okay thanks for coming." Haley said quickly.
"Wait. Here" Nathan said while taking his Duke sweatshirt off and handing it to Haley. "I want you to have this just in case you have another nightmare. And don't be afraid to call me. I live ten minutes away. Goodnight hales. No more nightmares okay? Sweet dreams." He said as he quickly kissed her forehead. Haley stood there in shock. "Thanks again." She said as Nathan left, and she brought his sweatshirt to her face and inhaled his deep cologne smell and smiled. Everything was okay.
...
Haley woke up with a smile in her face. She was still wearing Nathan's sweatshirt, which smelt strongly of his cologne. The night flashed back in Haley's mind. She was scared. She hasn't had a night terror in two years, but last night they came back. This time was different though, Nathan was there and he saved her. Unfortunately in that nightmare Nathan died. Haley shivered. Last night she finally admitted to herself that she truly likes Nathan. Before last night Haley wasn't sure if she liked him. She didn't want to like him but she does. Last night she called him at 1:30 am and he actually came over to see if she was okay! Her heart hammered in her chest when she remembered how concerned he was.
She was confused, and scared because she was falling harder each day. She wanted to be friends with Nathan, but somehow it wasn't enough. She didn't want to date though because she didn't want to ruin their friendship and she was afraid of being vulnerable again. She knew that friends shouldn't feel this way but she proceeded to think that it was a silly crush. In the back of her mind she knew that it wasn't just an ordinary crush. There was no way Haley was going to tell Nathan how she felt because she knew he only thought of her as a friend.
It's better that way she thought.
She valued Nathan's friendship and she liked the way they could joke around, but he was always so sincere to her and Jackson. If Haley didn't have such a dark past, or Jackson to consider, and if she didn't work with Nathan she wouldn't even think twice about dating Nathan. But unfortunately she does have a dark past, a son, and she can't date a co-worker. Haley sighed deeply. She was going to have to get over Nathan and she knew it wouldn't be easy.
...
Haley sat at her desk anxiously waiting for her first class to arrive for the day. The bell rang and the students were pouring through the door.
"Hey guys. Take a seat, we'll get started right away." Haley told her class.
Since her first day, Haley's class made a dramatic change. They were rude and inappropriate but once Nathan yelled at them they cooperated. Her class really started to take a liking to Haley. She was young, beautiful, smart and funny. The students listened to her and liked her a lot. She was a great teacher, and she cared about her students a lot.
"Hey miss. James" Quentin said entering the class right as the bell rang.
Haley smiled. "Hi Que. glad to see you're here on time."
Quentin nodded and took a seat in the back. Haley didn't know what Nathan said to him but Quentin was respectful and started to do his work. Haley was happy.
It was about fifteen minutes in to the period and there was a knock on the door.
"Sorry." Haley said walking to the door and opening it.
There was a bouquet of yellow flowers on the ground. She knelt down and picked them up. They were beautiful and Haley couldn't help but smile. There was a small note that read 'just thinking about you. Hope you're having a great day.'
Haley smiled widely but still didn't know who they were from. A part of her was a little worried that maybe it was from a stalker but she quickly pushed that thought away.
"Flowers again?" One girl asked.
Haley nodded. "Yeah. There still isn't a name though. Does anyone know who they are from?" She asked.
Quentin raised his hand. "I think they're from coach."
Haley playfully rolled her eyes. "You guy are crazy. I don't know what goes through your minds."
Quentin laughed. "Coach likes you."
Haley smiled. "We're just friends Que."
"Do you like him though?"
"Yeah. We're friends."
"Naw I mean do you like-like him?"
Haley was getting tired of ring asked if she liked Nathan. She admitted it to herself but she wasn't ready to admit it to anyone else.
"No Que. That wouldn't be good, we work together."
Quentin frowned. "Well The whole team thinks he likes you. He's always checking his phone, and when we talk about you he listens carefully. He yelled at Derek the other day because he said you were hot, but coach said that it was disrespectful and that we should call women beautiful, and he gave us a whole speech!"
Haley laughed, and blushed a little. The class started to chatter wildly.
"I think he gave you the flowers!" A girl shouted.
"Me too!" A girl screamed.
Haley giggled. " I'm telling you, I know he didn't give them to me."
As if on cue a minute later, Nathan strolled in with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey. I'm off this period so I decided to crash this class. Not that it's fun or anything…" Nathan joked.
Haley rolled her eyes. "Glad you're here actually. We need your help with something."
Nathan smiled shyly. "Sure. What's up?"
Que stood up. "Miss. James got flowers but no one knows who it's from but we think it's from you because you like her."
Nathan turned a dark shade of red.
"Quentin don't start."
"Sorry. But you know it's true" He winked.
Nathan tried his best to lie. "I don't know who they're from. They're not from me. Sorry."
Haley nodded. "That's what I said but they didn't believe me!"
Nathan laughed. "Sorry. I'll try to help you figure out though."
"Thanks. Sorry to bother you."
"Aww! You're a cute couple."
Nathan felt the blood boil in his veins.
"Quentin outside now. I told you to stop. We aren't a couple. We're friends. Don't start rumors. I'm not going to ask you again."
"Puh-lease!" Quentin rolled his eyes. "It's so obvious you like her. I saw you check her out, and you always come to her class-"
Nathan pulled on Quentin's arm. "Let's go."
Haley's face turned a bright pink, and she bit her lip. She wasn't going to lie but what Nathan said hurt her a little to hear they were 'just friends'.
"Okay class, just forget about the flowers right now, we need to get back to 'Les Mis."
"Ugh that book sucks!" One girl groaned.
Nathan overheard the conversation and snickered. "It could be worse. My English teacher was 90 when she read it to us. You're lucky, Miss. James is the best teacher. I wish I had someone like her."
"Cough cough you like her cough cough." Quentin pretended to cough.
Nathan shot Quentin a dirty look. "I'll be right back, I need to talk to him."
"Okay." Haley said kindly.
Nathan dragged Quentin into the hall and looked him square in the eyes.
"What the hell are you doing Que?"
"Other than stating the obvious- nothing." Quentin challenged.
"Look. I don't know what you think but Miss. James and I are just friends. I don't like her, in fact, I have a girlfriend so stop this freaking nonsense."
Biggest lie I've ever told
Quentin looked shocked. "Well you better stop flirting with Miss. James because I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't like that." He spat.
"Que, you really need to mind your own business."
"Well I don't understand how you don't like Miss. James she's hot."
Nathan rolled his eyes.
I know
"First of all. That's disrespectful. She's your teacher, and second of all she's beau-" Nathan caught himself before he said the word beautiful.
Quentin smirked. "Nice slip up coach."
"Drop it." Nathan said clenching his jaw.
"I don't know why you're freaking out coach. Any guy would love to date Miss. James, so don't worry, I'm sure you're not the only one. In fact, I might even want a piece of dat fine piece of a-." Que smirked.
Nathan tried his best to control his anger, and he balled his fists to his sides. "Get back to class Que, and I better not hear from Ha- I mean Miss. James that you were being disrespectful or you're off the team. Understand me?"
Quentin smiled. "Whatever." And he walked back to class.
"Hey Mrs. Scott." Quentin joked, and the whole class erupted in a fit of laughter.
Haley luckily was writing something on the board so the class didn't see her face turn redder than a tomato.
"It's James." Haley corrected firmly.
"It won't be forever." Que muttered under his breath.
A&F
"Hey I got you a coffee. I figured you'd need it after last night. You must be tired." Nathan said entering Haley's classroom at lunch time.
He noticed she was putting on her jacket. "Where are you going?" Nathan asked her.
"It's a nice day out. I'm sick of this classroom. Let's eat lunch outside today." Haley smiled.
"Okay. Sounds good." Nathan replied while holding the door open for Haley.
The two of them walked together out to the school's quad. They found an empty table in the corner and sat down.
"This is just like when I was in high school. Sitting by myself in the corner at the loser table." Haley joked.
Nathan laughed, "Oh but this is not the loser table because the hot jock is sitting here."
Haley giggled like a school girl around her crush, which was actually the truth.
"But I hardly believe you sat at a loser table." Nathan said.
"I did. Luke was really my only friend in 9th and 10th grade, but sometimes he couldn't eat with me so I sat by myself." Haley pouted.
"I still don't know how you're friends with that loser." Nathan joked.
Haley playfully punched Nathan in the arm. "Hey! He was like my only friend, and we were total book worms so we bonded right away."
Nathan smiled listening to Haley talk about her past, which was something she rarely did.
"I don't understand how you never dated." Nathan thought a loud.
Haley almost choked on her water. "That's gross he's like my brother!"
Nathan chuckled. "Yeah but I mean I'm sure he found you attractive and you had a lot in common."
"Oh believe me I was not attractive at all in high school." Haley said.
"I don't believe that."
"I'm serious. Ask anyone in my grade. I was known as 'the-girl-who-wore-ugly-poncho- and-green-hats'."
Nathan snickered. "It doesn't matter what you wore, I bet you were the prettiest girl in the school."
Haley blushed. "No, that was Brooke. I was just tutor girl…" Haley said solemnly.
"Yeah but you were smart, pretty, and funny. That's a triple threat."
Haley laughed. "You didn't even know me back then!"
"I wish I did. I missed you by a year. But if I saw you in the school I bet- actually never mind."
"What?" Haley pressed.
Nathan took a deep breath. "I was a shallow, ass in high school. I'm glad you didn't know me. You would've hated me."
"I don't think that's possible." Haley smiled, and Nathan blushed like a girl.
"No you would've. I even hated myself. I was mean to everyone. All I did was party, and hook up with random girls. I used to wish I was Lucas." Nathan whispered.
Haley was honored that Nathan was revealing his past to her, because she knew he was very closed off. Nathan shocked himself when he told Haley how he felt. He never said this to anyone, but he felt comfortable around her.
"Why?" Haley asked intrigued.
Nathan took a deep breath. "He had it all. He was smart, not a jerk and still got the girls, and he had good parents."
Haley looked into his deep blue eyes. "What about your parents?"
"My mom was always traveling, and my dad was an ass. All he cared about was me playing basketball. He pressured me, that one day… I took drugs." Nathan said disgusted with himself.
Haley was shocked at this revelation. "You did?" She asked.
Nathan nodded, "Yeah. It was the biggest regret of my life. He was pressuring me so much to beat his scoring record, and I don't know why but I thought drugs would help me."
Haley saw a side of Nathan she never saw before- he was vulnerable. Everyone thought Nathan Scott was a cocky ass hole, but she saw this sensitive side of him, and she really liked how he opened up to her.
"I bet you think I'm an idiot now." Nathan murmured.
She put her hand over his. "No you're not Nathan. It wasn't a good idea, but you're not an idiot. You were a teenager, you didn't know any better."
In that moment Nathan wanted to kiss her senselessly. She wasn't yelling at him, and she didn't pity him- she cared about him. This was the first time he felt someone really cared about him.
"That's still not a good excuse Haley." Nathan shrugged. "I know if I ever had a son, I would never push him hard enough to make him want to take drugs."
Haley nodded. "I bet you'd be a great dad one day Nathan."
Nathan smiled, "I don't know."
"No I do. Jackson adores you! He talks about you every single day."
Nathan's smile grew larger. "He's the best."
Haley laughed. "I know."
"His dad doesn't know what he's missing out on." Nathan said.
Haley shut her eyes, and bit her lip.
"I'm sorry. I am. God I'm an idiot." Nathan cursed himself.
Haley looked up. "It's okay. I know you must have questions about that but I just don't want to talk about it, I'm sorry." Haley said.
"It's okay, I understand. I don't want to pressure you or anything. I was just saying how I felt, because I wish I had a son like Jackson."
Haley smiled. "Thank you for understanding."
Nathan nodded. 'Sure."
"You really are a great guy." Haley said.
"I guess so."
"Nathan, you need to be more confident with yourself!" Haley said.
Nathan smirked. "I'm confident."
"No- you're cocky." Haley laughed.
"Isn't it the same thing?"
Haley playfully rolled her eyes. "No."
"Okay whatever you say. I still can't believe you were a nerd in high school though. I want to see pictures."
"No way!"
"Why not?"
"I was ugly." Haley said shyly.
Nathan laughed. "No, I don't think that's possible. And if you looked like how you look now, then I bet you were gorgeous."
Haley knew Nathan was flirting with her but she didn't want to get sucked in to it. She was already blushing, and they were acting more like a couple than co-workers right now. If she wanted to get over him she couldn't flirt.
This will be impossible.
"Thanks, but trust me. You don't want to see."
"Fine, I'll ask Lucas."
"You better not!" Haley yelled.
"I'm kidding, jeesh!" Nathan smirked. "I am curious though."
"Yeah, I wonder what you looked like. I bet you had pimples." Haley joked.
Nathan pretended to have a hurt look on his face. "I did not! I was the hottest guy in the school."
"There's that cockiness again." Haley pointed out.
"Just stating the facts." Nathan smirked. "Seriously though, I'm so pissed Lucas got to go to school with you. Lucky bastard."
Haley laughed. "We were geeks, I doubt you'd want to be seen with us."
"I wish you were my tutor" Nathan said.
Haley smiled, "That would've been fun." She said sarcastically.
Nathan pouted, "You're a bully Haley James."
"Nope. I'm a nerd." She joked,
"Well then this is social suicide. This isn't good for my image."
Haley's mouth dropped open. "Hey! Now who's the bully?"
Nathan chuckled. "I'm kidding. This totally buys me cool points. I'm sitting with the prettiest girl in this place."
Haley said she wasn't going to give in to the flirting but she couldn't help it. She loved their playful banter. "Cool points? Really? That was lame Nate."
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Haley put her face in her hands. "Tell me more about when you were in high school."
Nathan took a bite of his lunch. "There's not much to tell. I don't want your opinion of me to change. Basically I was the popular jock who got all the girls. It was fun back then, but after a while it got boring. I wish I focused more on school. I was popular, but I never had a best friend. That's why I'm envious of Luke."
Haley gave Nathan a sad smile. "I'm sorry. But you're here now, and you turned out to be a great guy. I'm sure your parents are proud."
Nathan laughed sardonically. "Yeah right. I haven't talked to them in almost 8 months. I bet they don't even know how I am."
Haley knew there was more but didn't want to pressure Nathan. She couldn't imagine not speaking to her parents for 8 months. She talked to them every single day.
"Why don't you call them then?" Haley suggested.
Nathan shrugged. "I have nothing to say to them. As far as I know, my mom is in rehab for drinking, and my dad is probably with some slut he cheated on my mom with."
Haley was shocked. She never imagined Nathan had such a bad childhood.
"Oh Nathan…" She said compassionately.
"It's okay. I'm over it. Once my dad got what he wanted, he stopped caring. And my mom- once she found out my dad cheated on her she started to drink. It was bad Haley, but I'm over it. I have my Aunt and Uncle, Lucas, Brooke, Jake, Peyton, and you. It's all I need."
Haley smiled warmly. She couldn't help but blush when Nathan said he needed her.
"Well you know I'll always be here for you. Always and forever." Haley joked repeating his words from last night.
Nathan smiled. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
"Well it's the least I can do. I mean you always save me."
Nathan's smile faded. "Haley, about that. What happened last night?"
"I told you. I had a nightmare."
"Yeah but when you called me, you said that 'he' got to me. Who's 'he'?"
Haley's face drained of all the color, and she wore a stoic expression.
"No one." She said flatly.
"Hales, I'm really worried about you." Nathan said as his eyes bore into hers.
"You don't have to worry. I'd tell you if something was wrong. Thank you for caring though. You're a great friend." She forced the word friend out of her mouth.
Right, a friend… that sucks! Nathan thought sadly.
Nathan gave Haley a half smile. "Thanks."
"I really want to figure out who sent me these flowers!" Haley said changing the topic.
Nathan laughed. "Maybe you have a secret admirer."
"You think so?" Haley asked.
"Seems like it."
"But who?"
"I don't know. It could be anyone." Nathan smirked, loving this game they were playing. Haley had no idea they were from Nathan.
"Oh! I hope they're from someone cute!" Haley joked, and Nathan laughed.
"What if they're from a student, or a creepy old guy like Mr. Miller?"
"Well then it'd be a little weird, but I'm still flattered. I want to thank whoever sent them to me." Haley said.
"Whoever it is seems like a great guy, and it seems like he really likes you." Nathan smirked.
"What if it's a girl?" Haley asked scrunching her nose.
Nathan almost died laughing. "That would be hysterical!"
"Now I really want to know!"
"See if it happens again tomorrow." Nathan said.
"Yeah I guess. Hopefully they'll leave a name." Haley replied.
"I wish I had a secret admirer." Nathan pouted.
"I'm sure you had you're fair share of them." Haley joked.
Nathan decided he wanted to try and get to know Haley better. "So do you have any hidden talents?" Nathan pondered.
"Um that was random." Haley laughed.
"Sorry I was just curious."
"Well I like to sing, but I'm not very good."
"Really?" Nathan asked intrigued.
Haley nodded. "Yeah. When I was little I used to write songs and play piano. I haven't in a while though. I always hum or sing when I'm doing something though. It makes me happy." Haley smiled.
"I want to hear."
Haley blushed. "No way! I've never sung in front of anyone before."
"Well how will you know if you're good if no one ever listens?"
Haley shrugged. "I don't know. It's embarrassing though."
"I'm sure you're great." Nathan said in a genuine voice.
"Thanks."
"Would you ever want to record?" Nathan asked.
"I don't know. I've thought about it, but once I had Jackson, I focused on him, and getting my teachers degree, I always wanted to be a teacher but I also always dreamed of going on tour. I guess it's just a silly dream though."
"That's not silly. I think it's good to have dreams." Nathan said.
"What's your dream?" Haley asked.
Nathan swallowed hard, and took a deep breath. "I want to go back to the NBA."
Haley looked up from her food, and her eyebrows shot up. "I'm sorry, did you just say go back, as in you were already in the NBA?"
Nathan nodded. "Uh yeah."
"Nathan I'm gullible, but I'm not stupid! You weren't in the NBA."
"Well, gee, thanks for having faith Hales." Nathan joked. "I'm serious though, I was in the NBA."
"Really? Then how come you're not there right now?" She asked playing along.
Nathan cast his eyes down. "I got hurt." He mumbled.
"You're a good liar." Haley joked.
"You really don't believe me?" Nathan asked feeling a little hurt.
"I don't know. I've never watched an NBA game before in my life."
"Well I was on the Knicks for my first year. My dad was happy about that, but I wasn't. Then I got transferred to the Bobcats. I played for them for two years." Nathan took a deep breath.
"Then what happened?"
"I got hurt."
Haley didn't want to press him. "I'm sorry. I know what it's like to have a dream taken away."
Nathan shrugged. "Yeah. I guess I've learned to accept it."
"Well are you going to play again?" Haley asked concerned.
"I don't know. Right now I'm content with this job, but we'll see how it goes. It's still too early to tell."
"I can't believe you were in the NBA though Nathan, that's awesome! I'm sitting in front of a celebrity."
Nathan smiled. "I just assumed you knew…"
"No, I didn't sorry. I believe you now though."
"Yeah. Pretty much everyone in this town knows. No one knows the true story though, just what the media released, which is all lies by the way. I figured you were being humble when you met me. Usually girls know I'm in the NBA and they attack me." Nathan snickered.
Haley giggled. 'I can only imagine."
"You have heard of the Bobcats though right?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, my dad and brothers watch them."
"I told Jackson that me and Luke could take him to a game one day. Maybe you can come?" Nathan asked.
Does she even know I just asked her out?
"Sure that sounds fun." Haley smiled. "I would've liked to have seen you play though."
"Yeah as soon as I get to see you sing." Nathan joked.
"Touché." Haley said.
"Yeah well the Charity Function on Friday is actually for the Bobcats." Nathan explained.
"Oh, did you ever find out if the girl you like is going with you to the charity function?" Haley asked.
Nathan laughed. "No, she never got back to me. I don't think she likes me that way." He pouted.
"I'm sorry Nathan."
"It's okay."
Not
"Do I know her?" Haley asked curiously.
Nathan almost choked on his water. "Oh, uh, no, no I don't think so." He stuttered.
I'm such a chicken
"Well good luck." Haley gave Nathan a fake smile.
"Thanks. I might not even go though, Brooke said she was going to set me up with someone but all the girls she sets me up with are horrible." Nathan laughed.
I'm going to have to talk to her about that Haley thought.
Haley chuckled. "Yeah, she tried setting me up with someone once. It was horrible. The guy was a freak!"
"That sucks. Sorry." Nathan said.
"Well if you really need to go, I'll go with you." Haley said.
Nathan picked up his head and smiled. "Really?" He asked.
"Yeah, it sounds fun."
"Thanks so much! It means a lot."
"Well I owe you. You've been nothing but a great friend to me, so I owe you!" Haley said.
You said that already dumbass
Nathan gave Haley a fake smile. "Thanks."
Suddenly students started walking back toward the school building.
"I guess we better start heading back." Nathan said.
"Oh I love this song!" Haley screamed as a student walked by with an iPod playing music.
"What song is it?" Nathan asked.
"More than anyone. By Gavin DeGraw."
"Oh that's a good song. I love Gavin DeGraw."
"Really?" Haley asked surprised.
Nathan laughed. 'Yeah. I love rap, but I like some jazz, and pop too." Nathan said.
"My favorite is Sheryl Crow, and U2. I like Coldplay too." Haley said smiling.
"That's cool. I like Bono. I went out with his daughter Eve once."
Haley wanted to puke. "Oh, that's right I forgot you're celebrity."
Nathan laughed as he held the door open for Haley as they walked back into the school.
"Yeah she was a bitch though."
Haley laughed. "She's beautiful though."
"Eh, I've seen better." Nathan said as he stared at Haley's bottom while she walked in front of him.
"Isn't she a model?" Haley asked.
"I think so. I don't remember."
Haley laughed. "That's nice."
Before Nathan could say anything, the principal, Miss. Rumpkis bumped into them.
"Oh sorry Miss. Rumpkis." Nathan apologized.
"Oh Nathan Scott. Just the person I wanted to see. Come to my office right now." She said bitterly.
Nathan looked at Haley and gulped.
"I'll see you later Nathan, bye." Haley said as she walked away.
Nathan watched mesmerized as she walked down the hall. His mouth went dry when he watched her sway her hips.
"Nathan. Office. Now!" Miss. Rumpkis demanded.
Nathan cleared his throat. 'Oh uh right, sorry."
Nathan walked into the office and got the shivers. Whenever someone was called into her office, it was never a good thing.
"Okay, I'm just going to cut to the chase. What the hell do you think you're doing with Haley James?"
Nathan swallowed hard. "What do you mean ma'am?"
"Don't bull shit me Nathan. I know what you're doing, and won't tolerate it in this building. We have a strict policy. You think you're some NBA star coming in to this school to teach and you can do whatever you want but you can't."
Nathan sat there shaking his leg, confused as hell. "I don't know what you mean."
"You need to stop whatever it is that you and Haley have right this instant, or one of you will be fired."
'Nothing is going on. I swear. We're just friends."
"It has been brought to my attention that you have been flirting, and going to lunch every single day. I don't approve of this. You need to stop having lunch together."
"Are you kidding me? We're friends!" Nathan challenged.
"Students think you are dating and that is not appropriate. Don't challenge me Nathan, I'm serious."
"Did Lucas put you up to this?" Nathan shouted standing up.
"That is not your concern. Consider this a warning. If you keep this up, there will be problems. Have a good day." Miss. Rumpkis forced a smile and sat down at her desk.
Lucas is dead.