A/N: Thanks to all those that reviewed the last chapter. Glad you all liked it so I thought I would update early. Mels175 I haven't ironed out any couples yet but there are a few ideas.

So here's the next chapter

Pressure

Nathan had woken up early and was practicing outside his house. Years ago, his dad put a hoop up so he could practice his shooting outside school.

It became a ritual, get up, practice, eat breakfast, go to school, and practice some more at lunch or free period, training with the team, go home and practice some more. He was eating, breathing and living basketball.

There was always something telling him that he had to be better than his father that he shouldn't end up like him. He found it hard to be anyone else than Dan Scott's son. He was the force that was pushing him; whether it was the verbal digs or just a way to get away from him.

Dan didn't treat Nathan like a son but more like a legacy, a person to carry on the Scott name in basketball. Dan didn't acknowledge his other son, Lucas and spent most of his time fighting with his wife Deb. Nathan was sick of it all but didn't know how he could stop it.

Nathan had enough of practicing and flipped his phone out. 'Can we meet?' It wasn't long before he received a reply. 'Sure, usual place in 20.' Nathan had a quick shower and grabbed his bag for school.

A flurry of students descended on the front gates of Tree Hill High. Brooke stepped out of her car, parked in her spot, with a smile on her face. This was her usual look, confident, proud and happy.

To the outside world she was looking like a million dollars but inside, she felt dejected. She had a restless night filled with tossing and turning. Lots of things were on her mind and it couldn't switch off, so she could sleep. This wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last.

She didn't want to be at school but something pulled her in, that and she couldn't really miss a day; people would talk and she had to keep up appearances. She also had to plan the best party ever; people were looking to her to do exactly that.

She had pretty much finished the guest list but had decided that the next two days could make or break who could still have a chance of being invited or removed altogether.

Brooke was holding the party at her parents' beach house, seeing as they were on the other side of the world. She noticed that Nathan's car wasn't in his spot. It was unusual to her, as he would always get to school before her. He had been acting suspiciously lately, like he was hiding something and she was determined to find out why.

Lucas, Haley and Peyton were standing near the lockers when Brooke walked by. She stopped in front of them, in a cheerful manner.

"Hi Broody, Tutor girl." She looked over to Peyton and her voice was less welcoming. "Sawyer."

"Davis." Peyton spoke in an equally hostile tone.

The two of them were just staring at each other, waiting for the other to flinch.

"Hey Brooke, how are you?" Haley asked wanting to interrupt their staring contest.

Brooke's face softened as she answered. "I'm great and you." Brooke's eyes moved from Peyton's and met Haley's.

"I'm doing good." Haley answered.

Looking at both Lucas and Haley, Brooke spoke again. "I expect the two of you to be at the party. Invites aren't out yet but you'll be getting one."

"Sure, we'll be there." Lucas answered.

"What about Peyton?" Haley asked.

Brooke hadn't invited Peyton (not that anyone should be surprised) but she didn't want to tell Haley that. "I haven't finalised the guest list yet. Only got as far as cheerleaders and jocks." Brooke felt confident in her answer but wasn't ready for Haley's statement. "I'm neither."

Brooke had to think fast on her feet. "Well I only got as far as cheerleaders, jocks and Tutor girl. The list will be done soon, when others will work their way on. Got to go. See you guys later." Brooke sped off down the halls.

"Hey Brooke, wait up." Lucas said while trying to catch up with Brooke.

Peyton turned to Haley. "So when did you and her become best buds then?"

Haley shook her head. "I wouldn't call us best buds. We worked on a project together last year. She's a really lovely person with a good heart, once you get to know her."

"Are you sure we're both talking about the same person?" Peyton questioned.

"Yes and I would like some effort from you, please. She's my friend too." Haley pleaded.

"You gonna tell her too, not like she'll listen anyway." Peyton crossed her arms.

"Yes I will and don't under estimate the power of Haley James." Haley sounded very proud of herself. She had to make it sound like it would be an easy task but both girls knew that this would be far from the truth.

"Is there something else you're not telling me? Are you speaking the vagina monologues?" Peyton couldn't help the big grin that she was wearing.

Haley started looking flustered. "No, no. I'm strictly into guys. I … err…"

"Don't worry, I'm just kidding." Peyton couldn't stop laughing at Haley's reaction.

"Well I better get to class. Don't want to be late." Haley started to shift.

"The bell hasn't even gone yet." Peyton shouted as Haley had already bolted down to class.

Haley walked into the classroom and took her seat. She was never late to class and she didn't want to start now. She was Tutor girl from the tutoring centre and she was working towards being Valedictorian.

The other students that had pressure, it came from their parents but for Haley, her pressure was from herself. Her parents wanted her to be happy, they were free spirited, children of the 70s. Haley liked structure and plans, to know where she was going and she wanted to be the best that she could be.

Seated behind her was Brooke who had entered class early to sort out the invites. She had a list of all the seniors. Jocks and cheerleaders were an automatic pick but trials were coming up and there were spaces to fill.

Haley turned round to her. "It's unusual for anyone to beat me first to class."

Brooke looked up at the other girl. "I just had the list to finish off."

"Are you ok?" Haley asked, sensing something wasn't quite right with Brooke.

"I'm fine Tutor girl." She threw on one of her fake smiles just to appease the other girl.

"Listen, do you think you can do me a big favour please?" Haley asked, sounding a bit nervous.

"Depends on what that favour is and what's in it for me." Brooke was slightly intrigued by what Haley was going to ask.

"Not sure what I can possibly give you except for my eternal gratitude." Haley gulped before the next words came out of her mouth. "I need you to be nice to Peyton."

Brooke groaned. "I'll do anything but that. Her and I don't get on. It's the balance of nature and we can't go and upset that."

"That's bull crap and you know it. Please. She's my friend and I like to consider you and I friends too. Do you think you can be nice to her, just for me?" Haley held both her hands together like she was praying.

Brooke rolled her eyes and didn't say anything. "Brooke." Haley pleaded.

It wasn't long before Brooke caved in. "Ok, but you owe me big time and whatever I ask for, you have to do it, no questions asked."

Haley thought about it. 'What's the worst that can happen?' She smiled. "Ok, you've got a deal."

"I'm gonna hold you to that Tutor girl." A few ideas passed through Brooke's mind about what she could get Haley to do. The bell and the rest of the class entering broke her chain of thought.

Later in the afternoon Mr Chavez was addressing his class, droning on about something that most of the class wasn't paying attention to.

"I'm gonna put the names of those sitting on the right side of the class in the box. Everyone on the left side will pick a name out. There will be no trading. You will call out the name and show me the paper. I will then give you an envelope with full instructions on your project."

One by one, students picked names out of the box. Brooke had been silently praying that she wouldn't get Peyton. Nathan was sitting on the same side of the class as her so them doing the project together was out of the question. She pulled a piece of paper out and read it to herself first. Her eyes instantly rolled as she said the name out loud. "Peyton." Both girls locked eyes with each other.

"I'm going to give you a week to complete this." The teacher added as the last name was called.

Brooke covered her face with her hands and mumbled, "Could this be any worse."

The bell rang and Brooke quickly ran out of class before Peyton or anyone else had a chance to speak to her.