"So, I feel like we've gotten to know each other well over the last month. But I still don't know much about you.." Haley led on as they walked further down the docks. They were both eating an ice cream, even though it was chilly October outside. But neither cared, walking beside each other kept them warm on the inside. But neither wanted to admit that to the other.

"I have major trust issues, I can tell you that much.." Nathan reviled.

"Yeah, I've picked up on that" Haley commented as they shared a small laugh. "But, come on. Tell me something about yourself!"

"Such as?"

"Tell me about your life before you came to Tree Hill" She suggested, hoping he wouldn't close himself off again. It was clearly a hard subject for him, but she hoped they had built up enough trust to open themselves up that much.

"I don't know.." Nathan hesitated.

"You can trust me, Nathan.. I trust you, so I hope you'll do the same for me"

"All right.." He sighed deeply before continuing. "My life used to be great. I had everything I needed; a good home, great parents, good friends. Nothing fancy like you've got, but enough for me. I went to an okay school, played basketball. I was happy"

He stopped speaking and looked like he was struggling to continue.

"What happened?"

"My mum got diagnosed with breast cancer. They didn't catch it until it was far into development, full recovery wasn't possible. They gave her all kinds of treatments, but nothing worked. In the end they said she had three months left with us, but she died after about two weeks"

Nathan stopped again. He didn't trust his voice to continue. He hadn't cried in years, mostly because he'd never talked about it in years. But the second he started thinking about his mother, the memories came flooding back.

Haley decided not to push him this time, in stead they just walked and she just waited.

"I don't talk about it much. In fact, this is the first time I've spoken about her since she died. I've never even discussed it with my Dad. We're both the same, we don't like dealing with it through talking. So, aside from Lucas, you're the only one who knows now"

"And that changed everything?" Haley wondered.

"Yeah. I closed myself off from my friends, quit basketball and just focussed on school. My Dad was extremely worried, so he decided to move us here so we could be close to family. With my uncle Dan and Lucas living here, my Dad thought it would be good for me to have someone my own age I could share my problems with. Boy was he wrong about that!" Nathan let out a bitter laughter, but Haley didn't feel like joining in. The guilt within her grew larger and larger with every word he spoke.

What on earth was Lucas' problem? How could he be so incredibly cold and heartless? Nathan lost his mother and his life, and Lucas didn't even care. He just stepped on him and trashed him even further. Haley felt anger inside. She was just as bad! She was betraying Nathan by fooling him. She was secretly deceiving him in the worst possible way.. She felt the tears coming.. and they were coming fast..

"I never really understood why Lucas didn't like me. We used to be friends before I moved here. I guess he became protective over his life and didn't want me stealing the spotlight. So he made sure I didn't, and here we are"

When he finished his story, he took the time to look down at Haley who was now crying silent tears. He stopped and turned his body towards her. He could feel the protectiveness inside him awaken as he took in the image of the crying girl in front of him.

"Don't cry, Hales" He said as she let out a loud sob and buried her face in her hands. She felt so stupid, crying in front of him. He was the one who should be crying, this hadn't happened to her!

"I'm so sorry, Nathan! You must think I'm such a crybaby!" Haley whispered as she wiped her tears and looked up into his eyes. He shook his head and gave her a weak smile. Haley felt more tears coming as she decided to be a little bold. In a swift motion, she reached out her hands and pressed her body against his. He felt her arms circle around his waist as she clung to him. It was the first hug he had received from anyone in Tree Hill.. Ever..

He didn't know how long it lasted, but he knew he liked it. The feeling of Haley in his arms was something he could get used to.

Haley didn't want to let go. She was extremely embarrassed that she had been so bold with him, but she didn't regret it. And he didn't pull away, so that was a good sign! The butterflies were flying around like wild animals inside of her, and she couldn't control them. Being so close to Nathan felt great!

After a long time, Haley finally let go and stared up into his eyes once more.

"I can't believe you had to go through that, but I'm happy you told me. I wish I's have known sooner. I would have been there for you!.."

".. No," Nathan interrupted her. "I don't want you to be my friend because you feel sorry for me, Hales. It's better this way"

"Maybe you're right. But I still regret not befriending you earlier. You're a great guy, Nathan Scott. I admire your strength" Haley said sincerely as he flashed his dimple at her.

Nathan had enough of his sappy life story, he wanted to turn the tables around.

"Well, now that you know my story, tell me yours" He suggested as he watched Haley's eyes freeze.

"What do you mean?" She pretended not to understand his question.

"Come on, Hales! The first time I saw you, I could read the emptiness in your eyes. I bet your life hasn't exactly been easy either!" He pointed out, knowing he was right.

"No.. My life has never been like yours! I'm just spoiled.." Haley argued.

"Haley," Nathan started in a serious tone. "I can read you better than you know. You get good at that when you have to study people from afar. I know you're dealing with a lot of stuff, and I want to be there for you lie you've been for me. Besides, you made me skip school so I have nowhere else to be!"

"I doubt you'd be incredibly entertained" Haley stalled. Sharing her feelings with him was never the plan, but how could she not open up to him when he was so honest and open with her? It was weird how she felt so connected to him.

"Well, tell me anyway. I want to know everything about you, Haley James!"

Haley closed her eyes and breathed deeply before opening them again. It was all or nothing now..

"Okay, I guess you're right on some levels. Really, my life is more than many people would dream about. Fancy house, expensive clothes and cars, rich parents, hundreds of friends.. What more could I want?"

"Happiness?" Nathan suggested.

"So you don't think I'm happy?"

"A fancy house doesn't make a home, Hales. And expensive cars and clothes doesn't make them comfortable. Rich parents doesn't necessarily create love, and those friends you've got don't exactly represent trust, honesty and respect. As far as I can see, they're all fake and you deserve so much better"

"You realised you just trashed my life right?" Haley laughed.

"Maybe so, but you get my point" Nathan chuckled along with her.

"I guess you're right.. I'm not happy.. I haven't been for years! Everything has just always been the way it is, and I have to accept that. I have this life and I'm lucky to have everything I have. I feel selfish for wanting more"

"It's not selfish to search for something more, Hales" Nathan assured her.

"I know, in some way I've always known. I've just never been able to talk to anyone about it. Until now" She smiled at him, her eyes warmer now and with honesty shining through them.

"I used to be happy.." She started, and Nathan let her continue without interruptions. "Before my parents got divorced. My Dad left us without as much as a goodbye and I've never seen him since. It's been 10 years now, and the only thing he sends is money. I would gladly erase it all just to have him back. I would give anything just to have him here, tucking me in at night and telling me he loves me. I don't blame him though, my Mum is a bitch. I can understand why he wouldn't want to stay married to her!"

Haley stopped when she realised what she was saying. "Oh my God! Can't believe I'm being so inconsiderate. You lost your Mum, and I'm here trash talking mine and wishing she would go away. I'm such a horrible person!"

"Hey, hey, hey.. You're not a horrible person. You're a great girl, Haley James" Nathan joked, bringing back her words from earlier as her brought her in for another hug. It felt good to have her back in his arms, it was like she belonged there.

Haley didn't know why she had opened herself up so completely to him. She hadn't even told Brooke about her feeling towards her parents. Or how she really hated the popularity and the money she had. Only Nathan knew this about her.

"Let's talk about something else, something that doesn't involve me crying!" Haley laughed as she pulled away from him once more.

"I don't mind you crying, Hales. You're cute when you're emotional!" Nathan flirted, but felt extremely embarrassed when he realized what he had said. "Oh, God, I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to.."

"..It's okay, Nathan!" Haley laughed. "You're pretty cute yourself"

"So, why did you quit basketball?" Haley asked once they'd walked to the end of the docks. She had formed another idea in her head, hoping he would follow her along on that one as well.

"I don't know. I just lost my spark when my Mum died, you know.. It just wasn't the same without my number one fan there to cheer me on"

"Well, I'm considered the number one cheerleader at school. Would I do the trick?" Haley smiled sweetly.

"I don't think so.. Besides, we don't have a basketball hoop or a basketball here"

"Don't be so sure about that!" Haley said as she dragged him in a different direction. They walked for a few minutes before they arrived at an old, worn out basketball court near the water. Nathan stood silently and watched as Haley walked over to a couple of bushes and retrieved a basketball beneath the branches.

"Come on, Superstar. Show me what you've got!" Haley motioned for him to come closer.

"I don't know, Hales.. I haven't even tried to shoot in over four years. I'll just make a fool of myself!" He objected, but Haley was stubborn. She put the ball in his hands, letting him feel it against his palms. It seemed smaller then before, because his hands had grown in size compared to the ball.

"You'll never know unless you try, Nate.. Besides, you can't get much worse than me!" Haley laughed as she gave him a confident wink. He turned his eyes towards the old hoop and brought the ball into position. Haley watched him concentrate and jump as the ball left his hands..

His first shot in four years.. nothing but net..

"Wow! You say you haven't done that in four years, I don't believe you!" Haley objected as she watched him try again, still nothing but net..

"It feels weird.. But in my defence, I was a great player before! That's probably why it feels so natural" Nathan explained as he tried again. He wondered how he would have been if he hadn't quit. Maybe he would be better than Lucas? Maybe he would have a chance to be on the Ravens? It was too late now, basketball season started in a few weeks, but it was nice to dream.

"Well, you look pretty damn good to me!" Haley let out, realizing the outburst could be interpreted in different ways. Luckily, Nathan didn't seem to pick up on it, and she was glad.

"Show me your jump-shot!" Nathan demanded as he handed the ball over to her.

"What? No way! I suck, Nathan. I'll just embarrass myself in front of you!" Haley quickly declined.

"Hales, you've already cried twice in front of me in the last hour, and you're worried a stupid jump-shot is gonna be embarrassing?" He teased her as she gave him a sour look.

"Fine!" Haley huffed as she tried her best to his the hoop, of course missing it my miles of air. She could hear Nathan chuckle as the ball his the ground in front of them, it didn't even make it close to the rim.

"I told you I suck, there is no need to laugh!"

"You don't suck, Hales! You just need to work on your position a little" Nathan smiled as he brought the ball back to her. Before Haley knew what was going on, he had positioned himself behind her and spoke calmly into her ear.

"Just square your shoulder to the basket, and bring the ball right up past your nose like I did earlier" His breath felt hot against her ear, and it caused the butterflies to return. But Haley tried to block it out and did like he said, which led him to continue.

"All right, now bend your knees a little. And relax your hips" Nathan said as he placed his hands on her hips, pressing them lower with a slight force. He felt nervous, touching her that way, but he hoped she didn't mind. It felt good being so close to her. He liked it.

"Just shoot"

Haley felt her heart hammer as she gave her body a little boost and let the ball travel from her hands, towards the basket. It didn't make in all the way, but even Haley was impressed over how close it came. The ball bounced back from hitting the rim and right into Nathan's hands.

"That wasn't all that bad. A few more tries and you'll nail it!" He smiled as he turned his body towards her and stopped, feeling the insecurities return. Haley saw him hesitate and decided to be bold once more.

"Thanks, Nate. I told you you'd be a great teacher. Doesn't matter which subject you teach!" Haley saw Nathan's cheek become slightly redder, and decided to continue.

"And thanks, also, for spending time with me today. And for being so open with me. I'm so glad we're friends. It means a lot to me.. You mean a lot to me" Haley bit her lip as she saw the words sink in with Nathan. The walls he had built up around his heart were slowly tearing down. He couldn't help himself around her. There was just something about her that made him feel alive and wanted, a feeling he hadn't experienced in years.

"You mean a lot to me too, Hales" He replied as he once more brought her in for a hug, closing his eyes as he breathed in her scent. It felt so right, everything about her felt so right. But it scared him as well, because with all the rights.. there had to be a wrong..