Thank you for the lovely reviews and I hope you like this new chapter. I'm really sorry that it has been a while since I've updated.

CHAPTER 10

Beep beep beep beep. She woke up by the blaring noise of her alarm clock. Without even opening her eyes her hands slammed down on the offending object ruining her peaceful slumber. She turned back around and cuddled into the large warm body beside her but the person next to her seemed to be having other ideas as said person started caressing her bare side. She felt a shiver run through her as his fingers traced the underside of her breasts.

"Well someone's awake", she said as she opened her eyes slightly, he was smiling at her and she couldn't help but return it. He looked adorable with his dishevelled hair and sleepy eyes, "hey".

Instead of returning her greeting, he kissed her. The kiss started off slowly but within a few seconds it grew more heated. He pulled away the sheets from between them so he could have better access to her gorgeous body. His hands started caressing her all over and his tongue was exploring hers. She ran her hands along his lower back until she reached his backside and squeezed his. This action let him know what she wanted and he immediately positioned himself between her legs and thrust inside of her. They both lay still, getting accustomed to each other until he started moving again. She met him thrust for thrust. They drove each other through the edge and before long, they were screaming out in ecstasy.

... = ...

Haley stepped out of the shower, still thinking about this morning. She smiled to herself as she thought about the several mornings that started out like this ever since Nathan had moved into her house. Of course he had his own room but only to keep his things. He mostly slept over at her room or she went over to his room.

Nathan was quite hesitant at first since it was a big move on his part. He managed to get emancipation without going through much trouble. His father was furious with him as expected but his mother seems to oddly understand his actions. After all, he was taking a step and cutting ties with Dan, something she couldn't do after all these years.

Nathan thought a lot about his mother these days, about how much she has been through all these years and loving a man who loved another woman. He got finished with his shower, dressed up for school. He walked into the kitchen and upon noticing that Haley is still getting ready, started making breakfast.

Haley finished getting ready and decided to head to the kitchen. She was greeted with the sight of her gorgeous boyfriend making breakfast.

"Good morning", he smiled at her and gave her a chaste kiss. "I thought I'd make breakfast today".

Her smile started to fade away at that piece of information, "You're cooking?" she was trying not to panic.

Nathan looked up and laughed out loud at her expression, "relax it's just toaster waffles, I'm not gonna burn it this time".

"You sure? Because last time, you almost burned down the house trying to cook a meal"

"I did not! You're just exaggerating the situation". He was going to say more but the waffles popped out and he had to finish off with the butter and syrup. He set up a plate for both of them and they started eating their breakfast, talking about their classes.

Once they were done, Haley cleaned up the dishes and was about to get her bag when she spotted Nathan giving her an expectant look. "What?"

"Admit it"

"Admit what?" she knew exactly what he was talking about but decided to rile him up a bit.

The smile on her face let him know that she was playing him, "that those were the best toaster waffles ever".

She tapped a finger on her chin, pretending to be in deep thought, "Hmmm... I guess it was okay!"

Nathan narrowed his eyes at her. He knew she was just trying to rile him up, "just okay? Come on Haley admit it! That was the best breakfast ever" he asked as her walked closer to her.

"A little high on yourself aren't you?" she raised a brow at him. He just shrugged to which she let out a sigh, "I guess that was a pretty good breakfast".

"Yes! I knew it", he fist pumped the air and Haley just rolled her eyes at his antiques. Ever since he started working at the pretzel shop at the mall, he seemed to have taken an interest in coking. Nathan has this weird obsession in being good at what he does. She grabbed her bag and walked out with him taunting her about how amazing he was.

They reached school in Nathan's car and they got out. Haley missed her bike but she also enjoyed driving with Nathan. She hadn't taken five steps into the school premises when Brooke Davis screamed her name from a few feet away.

Haley, along with a few other people on campus turned their heads to the bubbly brunette. Brooke was making her way over to Nathan and Haley with Lucas on tow. It was evident that Lucas didn't want to come by the look on his face. "Hey weird married couple", ever since they started living together, Brooke had mercilessly teased Haley about secretly getting married because she was pregnant. Haley tried several times to correct her that they were living in separate room but to no avail. She finally gave up on correcting her friend.

"Hey Brooke", she turned her head towards her best friend who looked very uncomfortable, "Hey Luke". Ever since Nathan had moved in with her, Lukas' visits became less frequent. To her relief he still spoke to her at school though.

"Hey Haley", he gave her a hug and gave a Nathan a nod, "Nate".

"Luke", he greeted back. Things were still awkward between them and they were trying their best to get along for Haley's sake. The four teenagers started walking, Haley and Brooke engrossed in their conversation with Lucas and Nathan following them in silence.

"So Haley, let's go to Tric tonight, Fridays are open mike nights", suggested Brooke with a side glance at Nathan. She tried to appear as casual as possible.

At hearing Brooke's suggestion, Haley turned to Nathan with a knowing look, "I thought you would keep a secret", she turned back to Brooke, "and you suck at being subtle".

Nathan looked at her sheepishly, "come on Hales you're really talented and you have to try it out". A week ago he spotted Haley strumming her rusty old guitar and singing along. She had a beautiful voice and he asked her why she hadn't performed for anything yet. She just brushed it off by saying she wasn't good enough. Ever since then, he had approached several people who could convince Haley to sing at Tric. He even sucked up his pride and spoke to Lucas but even Luke couldn't change her mind.

"Come on Haley we've known each other for over two years now and you never sang for me", said Brooke, pouting her lips at Haley.

"I don't think this is a good idea Brooke, I already have enough attention for all the wrong reasons I don't want to get more attention for a nervous breakdown on-stage".

"Oh please! You are so dramatic! Nothing's going to happen plus we'll all be there to support you".

"Come on Haley it'll be fine, I know you have a beautiful voice. What's the worst that could happen?" Lucas chipped in. He had tried to convince her long before Nathan approached him. He had almost given up on convincing her but ever since she started dating Nathan, she seemed to be a lot bolder and also seemed to be caving in right now.

"Let's see, I could totally suck on stage, have people kill me by throwing rocks at me and since I'm such a wonderful person and since you guys love me sooooo much, you all die of depression which ultimately leads to a horribly year for basketball and cheerleading" she finishe off with a cheeky smile.

All three of them looked at her like she was crazy. It was Lucas who finally spoke up "seriously?"

Haley just shrugged in response and continued walking.

"Haley, trust me when I tell you that you have an amazing voice", said Lucas, "you have to come out sometime. I know why you are hesitant but you really need to step out of that shell".

"Yeah", Brooke chipped in, "plus you ride around town in a motorbike without giving a damn about what others think and yet you don't have the guts to sing in front of a small crowd? What happened to being bold?"

She hesitated a bit at first and looked at Nathan. He had an encouraging look on his face and she made her decision right then and there. "I hate you!" she exclaimed while narrowing her eyes at Nathan.

Nathan knew what that meant. "She'll be there", he smiled and gave her a hug. Brooke cheered out loud and Lucas came in to give her a side hug.

"You are gonna be great tonight", Nathan encouraged her further. She just wished his words were true or else she would be the laughing stock of Tree Hill.

... = ...

Tric was always crowded due to the fact that it is the only club in town. Haley was nervous as hell. She has never played in front of anyone other than her father and her music teacher. Of course Nathan had heard her play but that was against her will. He sneaked in on her. It was open mike night in Tric and each act was more horrible than the previous one. Haley was sure that she could easily outshine these amateurs if only she could get rid of her nervousness.

Nathan was standing behind her, running his hands along her shoulders in an attempt to soothe her. Haley was up next and the guy who was currently singing was pitiful, he knew she could do great but she was just too tense. "Up next, Haley James", announced Karen, who happens to be the owner of Tric. The crowd went a little silent. Everyone in Tree Hill knew about Haley and her unattractive history.

Nathan leaned down to her height. "You are going to do great, you just have to relax", he whispered into her ears. That was the last amount of courage she needed. She took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. Normally, when a performer steps onto the stage, the crowd applauds in an act of encouragement but this crowd was too curious to think about general politeness.

She looked utterly gorgeous in her emerald blue dress. Her dark hair was tied up in a messy bun and minimal make-up just to accentuate her eyes and lips. A lot of young men at the club appreciated the sight of the girl on stage and took a new interest in this performance especially a certain green-eyed shaggy haired man.

She took a seat in front of the keyboard, facing the audience, made some adjustments with the mike stand so as to bring it to her level and took one last look at the audience before she closed her eyes and started playing. Her fingers moved with such grace and surety, never hitting a wrong note and maintaining perfect tempo. It was blatantly obvious to the audience that she is not new to the instrument. The audience was pleasantly surprised at how this show was turning out to be.

Haley was in a trance, where she envisioned herself playing to her father and no-one else. Then she began singing. Her voice sounded like liquid gold, flowing with such ease. The natural crispiness in her voice added a dramatic effect on her singing style. She had her eyes closed and had no idea that the whole club was clinging onto every sound that comes out of her mouth.

Nathan couldn't get over the sight before him. As cheesy as it sounds, she looks and sounds like an angel. He couldn't believe that the girl on stage was the same girl who would shy away whenever he asked her to sing for him. Before he could wrap his head around the sense of pride he was feeling, the solid four minute act came to an end as she hit her last notes.

As she finished, she opened her eyes and looked at a very silent crowd, all with blank faces. Was I really that bad? She might not be a pro but she was pretty sure she sounded much, much better that the previous acts, yet they get applause? Before she could think too much about it, the crowd starting applauding, some eve shouted out and a certain shaggy haired guy just looked on with respect. She stepped out of stage and ran straight towards Nathan, who had his arms wide open for her. As she reached him, he scooped her up and spun around, both oblivious to the people watching them. He put her down and they shared a sweet kiss filled with affection.

"You were so great out there", he said as he kissed her forehead, "I am so proud of you, gosh you were so beautiful tonight", he looked her with complete and utter admiration for his girl.

She felt like she might turn into a puddle with the way Nathan was looking at her. He would never know how he had helped her. This was the first time, since her father's conviction, that she felt like Tree Hill has finally accepted her. She was always insecure that she couldn't be great at anything other than academics. His extreme measures to get her to perform are what made her realize how wrong she was. "Thank you so much for forcing me into this", she choked out, her eyes tearing up towards the end but the smile on her face showed that she was anything but sad.

They were about to kiss again when a voice interrupted than. "Haley James", called out a male voice. Haley turned around in Nathan's arms to come face to face with a tall, skinny guy with shaggy brown hair. "You have a wonderful talent you know", he held out his hand, "the kind of talent that pros possess", he smiled at her.

"Thank you so much", she shook his hand. She expected him to turn around and go but he had other plans.

"I'm currently working on an album, covers of some of the greatest hits", he said with pride.

"You're a producer?" Haley was elated by the prospects of this conversation.

"No I'm an artist", he corrected her, "my producers were looking for a female artist and I feel you would fit perfectly", he smiled at her again loving the look of shock and excitement written on her face. She looked so beautiful and her expressive eyes weren't helping either. The higher powers really took some time to create this one he thought.

Haley was stunned. She didn't expect people to like her performance much less get an offer to record. She looked at Nathan and he held the same excited look in his face. "Wow", she breathed out, "I don't know what to say".

"Say yes".

"Yes! Of course! Wow!" she couldn't believe how amazing this night has turned out to be.

The man held out his hand for her to shake, "the name's Chris Keller".

Please review and share your thoughts do you like it? Don't like it? Let me know!