P.S I do not own anything.

CHAPTER 4

Haley was waiting for Nathan while her thoughts were sent into overdrive. She was sat at their usual spot at the docks. Nathan tried calling her several times last night but she didn't dare pick up the phone. Haley knew she was hurt because she was starting to like him and she felt stupid for falling for his charms. She came to the docks half an hour before their tutoring session starts because she was contemplating the idea of cutting all ties with him. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car being parked.

Nathan stepped out of his car and was glad to find Haley sitting at their usual spot. He didn't think she'd show up with the way she avoided his calls last night. He was wondering how to explain himself to her and grabbed some coffee and breakfast on the way to get on her good side.

"Hey. I uh... I brought you coffee", he was nervous as hell since he didn't know how she'd behave. He sat across from her "And breakfast" he said. He brought crack jacks and found a prize packet. He tore open the packet and found a pink plastic bracelet. He looked up at her and found her looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "It's for you", he said slipping the bracelet around her wrist. The fact that she hadn't uttered a word yet unnerved him.

"What are you doing Nathan?", she knew she had to clear things out and this was it "Look all this buster and BS don't mean anything to me so you need to drop the act"

"Haley, look that wasn't my intention"

"So you're saying you actually wanted to study when you approached me?", she asked. He remained silent at that question and that was all she needed. "My job is to tutor you and since that's not what you want, my work here is done". She packed up her things and left for school leaving behind a speechless Nathan.

... = ...

Nathan walked towards her locker with a determined stride. He had to clear things out between them. He liked her and even if she doesn't share the same feelings, he still needed her as his tutor. His grades have visibly improved and it's all because of her. He stopped right next to her and waited for her to acknowledge him since she was currently busy looking into her locker for something. As she noticed him standing next to her she was about to walk away when he grabbed her hand.

"I didn't apologise this morning" he said with a hint of a smile.

She looked up at him and examined his stature. He looked nervous and she found that cute but the events of last night invaded her mind and her body went stiff again. "for what? Trying to sleep with me or making a joke out of me among your friends?"

"Haley I admit, when I first approached you, I was trying to get back at Lucas but now..." he didn't know how to say this out loud.

"Now what?" she prodded.

"I like you", there I said it. Wait she doesn't look to happy about it dammit! " I know this is quite sudden but..."

"Are you and Peyton still together?"

"What? No!"

"Well she seemed pretty jealous last night and..."

"I don't know what had gotten into her last night but Haley you have to believe me, this isn't a game for me anymore" he said with hope that she would believe him "My improved grades are a proof of that"

Haley wanted to believe him but a part of her was scared. "Look I believe you but this is too messed up"

"What is?" he asked his voice laced with dread.

"I can't be your tutor anymore, I'll assign you to someone else if you are still interested", she got out.

"What? No! You're being unreasonable here"

"I'm being unreasonable? Look at the reasons you wanted a tutor in the first place... you wanted to sleep with me just so you could mess with Lucas"

"Okay initially I did want to sleep with you but not anymore", he clarified. Wait! That didn't sound right. When he saw the look on her face he felt the need to explain himself. "I mean I do want to sleep with you, I mean who wouldn't but not like that... wait... Haley...", he called out but she started walking away from him. He began to run after her when she turned around.

"Just stay away from", she said with a hurt but firm voice. There was finality to her voice and that stopped Nathan from going after her. At that, she walked away from him and he let her.

... = ...

Nathan was doing bench presses at his backyard. His body ached and he knew he was pushing his limits too much but he didn't care. He was too frustrated to say the least. It had been two days since he had that argument with Haley and he was already missing the mornings he got to spend with her. He had visited the docks the past two days in hopes that she would be there but he came back home disappointed. He knew he deserved it and that made him want to punch himself.

He was too occupied with his thoughts that he didn't notice a certain blonde come up next to his bench. "Working hard I see", said Peyton just to start up the conversation.

He stopped his work out and sat up, giving Peyton a hard glare. Everything would have been fine if it wasn't for her. "What do you want Peyton?" he spat out.

"Hmph, there was a time when you were actually glad to see me. How times have changed huh?" she tried joking but seeing Nathan's cold glare was her queue to stop. "Okay I'm sorry for what happened at the party".

"Whatever Peyton".

"Come on the situation is not really that bad considering you guys were speaking the very next day". She was feeling too guilty for her behaviour and he wasn't making this easier.

"Yes she spoke to me alright", his irritation growing "To say that she wants nothing to do with me so thank you Peyton for screwing it up".

Peyton took a moment to observe Nathan's behaviour. He has never been so bothered by one girl. Girls never got a chance to get to him, he always moved on. "You like her don't you?".

Nathan averted his eyes away from her. This is not the kind of conversation he wanted to have with his ex-girlfriend. He looked down, suddenly finding the ground very interesting. This action answered Peyton's question and that made her feel more horrible. She was going to set this right.

"I came here to set things right and I decided to help you out", she smiled. Nathan looked at her wearily wondering what she was up to. "You and Haley are going to go on a date planned by me".

"No offence Peyton but I don't think an evening listening to depressing music all day long is Haley's idea of a perfect date", he teased despite getting a little excited by her proposition.

"Which is why I'll be getting a little help from Brooke", she said "and I'll call you later today with the details".

"I don't know Peyton last time we spoke she made it pretty clear that she wants nothing to do with me". He really wanted to talk to her again but she seems to avoid him at all costs. She didn't even pick any of his calls.

"Don't worry leave the convincing to me", she said with determination "you just have to wait for my call and follow my instructions", she said while already heading towards her car. She's going to drive straight to Brooke's to plan this romantic evening and Brooke was the right candidate.

"Hey Peyton", he called out "Thanks". She smiled at him and drove off.

As he watched her drive off, he realised that this was the most decent conversation that he and Peyton ever had. Hmmm maybe we'd work out as friends after all.

Please review and share your thoughts