Thank you all so much for your amazingly awesome reviews! Sorry this is a shorter chapter, but I only had a little time to write. And you "The Journal" readers, don't worry- a new chapter of that is coming! I've just had a lot to do!

Chapter 4: A Tree Hill Raven always has that itch that he or she can never quite scratch away.

As Nathan made his way up his dormitory stairs, thinking about his last interaction with Haley he brushed arms with someone going the opposite direction on the stairs.

"Dude, Tim? What are you doing out of our room, isn't curfew in a minute?"

"Uh yeah, but uh, I'm rooming with Vegas tonight," the short, brown haired boy in a polo returned.

"Why? I mean not that I mind having the room all to myself."

"Oh you won't have it all to yourself," Tim muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Nathan stated, giving him a quizzical look.

"I said uh, I've got to help Vegas put up a shelf. Bye!" He returned before scurrying down the stairs.

"I seriously don't get that kid," Nathan whispered to himself, shaking his head before continuing up the stairs to his room. It was dark when he entered and he instantly took off his Lacoste polo throwing it to the corner of the room. He began to unbuckle his pants, readying himself to change in his pajamas when he heard slight creek from the opposite side of the room near his bed.

"What the?" He muttered out loud, walking over to the light switch before illuminating the room.

"Hey Nate!" He heard someone coo from behind him, causing him to jump five feet from his position near the light switch.

"Jesus Rachel! What the fuck are you doing here?" He seethed, now seeing who was creeping around his room.

"I figured I could, ya know, welcome you back to school," she stated getting up from her spot on his bed, clad in the skimpiest of shorts and the tightest of tops, and making her way towards Nathan.

"Well you figured wrong," Nathan stated coldly, taking a step back only to be met with his wall.

"Oh, did I Nate?" Rachel stated seductively. This time last year you weren't saying the same thing.

"Yeah well, that was last year. This year I'm starting a clean slate. So do me a favor Rachel and just put some ice on it."

"You know what fine. I don't know what the hell you're thinking though. I'm a hot girl, a very hot girl might I add. And yet you won't even give me the time of day. I've got it Nathan… you're gay. That's it right? You're gay."

"Whoa, whoa Rachel. I am many things, gay is not one of them," Nathan stated, standing tall to flaunt his muscular body.

"Then prove it."

"Prove it?"

"Yeah, prove it. If you're such the man, than you're obviously attracted to my body," she stated, inching closer to Nathan, lifting her shirt up just enough to reveal his belly button ring.

"Rachel…" Nathan groaned trying to keep his restraint.

"I see your getting nervous. Is that because of me?" She stated, now just inches away from Nathan, running her finger down his chest.

"You know what Rachel. I don't have to deal with this," Nathan stated firmly, pulling her hand from his chest and trying to keep his cool. "Can you just leave?"

"You're really denying me."

"Yes."

"Denying us?"

"There never was an us Rachel. There were a couple of friends who benefited, but we were never a couple."

"Nathan you can't tell me you didn't feel what was going on between us."

"Rachel I told you this last year and I'll tell you this now. Maybe I'm an ass for this, but me and you, we were purely physical. I told you that from the beginning. I don't like you that way."

"You're right you are an ass. But lucky for you, that's not going to stop me. I'm going to prove to you that you're mine."

"No you won't. Rachel I don't like you like that. So I think it'd be best if we kept what happened last year, in last year. I'm not about to start stuff up with you again."

"Oh, you don't like me like that huh?" Rachel stated, cocking an eyebrow, and placing two hands on her tanned hips. "Well then there must be someone else. I mean, there has to be a reason you're passing me up."

"That's none of your business, but just for the record you're not this hotshot that you think you are Rachel. Wake up and get over yourself. That's a really big turn off."

"Whatever Nathan. Just please don't tell me you're going after nine-and-dime girl."

"What are you talking about Rachel?"

"Oh you know, that little poncho-ed girl you were talking to this afternoon. Normally you don't give a girl like her the time a day."

"That's not true."

"Deny all you want Nathan. But it's not going to work between you and her. You've got to know that. You come from two different worlds."

"That's not your call to make Rachel. Now do me a favor and take my advice from before… but some fucking ice on it. I'm tired and want to go to bed. So find you're way out and don't get caught. It's the first day back and I don't feel like dealing with discipline already."

"Fine," Rachel said in a huff making her way towards the door. "And don't worry… I won't get caught. You must remember that from all our sneaking around last year."

"Goodbye Rachel," Nathan said annoyed, finally flopping down on his bed after she closed the door. "Well that was unexpected," he muttered to himself before finally falling asleep.

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"Oh what another wonderful first day of classes," Peyton stated rolling her eyes as she slipped on her checkered Vans.

"P. Sawyer cheer up! Classes mean boys, and those will definitely brighten up a day," Brooke cooed, looking over herself in the mirror admiring her pink cashmere sweater-corduroy mini combo and her new pair of Jimmy Choos.

"You are pathetic my boy-crazed best friend."

"Oh come on Peyton. The first day of school isn't so bad. I mean, I love it. New classes, some new students, like say me this year, the fresh smell of notebooks, the first time use of your multicolored pens, the receiving of your official school agenda to write all your homework in… I live for that!" Haley exclaimed, hugging her jean-clad legs in excitement.

"Then you must live a sad life."

"Okay so I'm a nerd."

"And yet we still tolerate you," Brooke joked from the opposite side of the room. "Speaking of tolerable. It's the first day of school and I already can't stand Rachel."

"Um, Brooke when have you ever been able to stand her?" Peyton questioned.

"True. That girl always rubs me the wrong way. Whatever, enough about her. I'm starved! You guys ready for boy-fest, I mean breakfast."

"Brooke…" Haley and Peyton stated in unison rolling their eyes while following her out their dormitory room door. Once they reached the cafeteria the girls picked their breakfast up from the buffet line and then made their way to their seats. This time however, they were not the first ones there. They were met with the three boys stuffing their faces.

"Boys," Brooke said rolling her eyes before plopping herself down in the middle of the empty seats. Haley did her best to claim the one between Brooke and Jake, yet Peyton beat her to it, which of course meant she had to sit next to Nathan Scott yet again. Letting out a sigh, Haley placed her tray down on the table and then took her seat.

"Well aren't you little miss sunshine," Nathan remarked, looking over at Haley.

"For your information my day was going good, until was forced into this seat next to you."

"Haley James, you're breaking my heart. Am I really that bad?" Nathan stated mockingly, grabbing at his chest.

"If you must know, yes. Now if you excuse me I'd like to eat my food and resume my good starting day. It's the first day of school nothing is going to ruin it."

"Haley isn't that kind of an oxymoron?" Lucas questioned. "I mean, it being the first day of school kind of just ruins the whole day."

"No actually, that's the best part!"

"Please Lucas, don't get her started. Me and Brooke already got the first day of school excitement lecture this morning. Let's just put it this way, our little Haley is a nerd on the inside," Peyton kidded.

"And darn proud of it!" Haley exclaimed.

"Nerd on the inside Peyton? A do believe she's also a nerd on the outside," a sly voice came from behind the girls.

"Rachel!" Nathan hissed. "Why the hell would you say that?"

"Because it's the truth."

"No the truth is that you're a bitch," Brooke retorted.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Rachel questioned.

"Well here's mine… leave," Nathan stated, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Funny that's not what you used to say," Rachel seethed before walking away from the table.

"Haley…"

"It's okay Nathan."

"No listen, what she said about you it's…"

"I said it's okay," Haley stated solemnly, now just playing with her stack of pancakes.

"Hey Nate," Jake called from the other end of the table. "Are you you and Rachel, ya know, again?"

"Hell no."

"But Tim said…"

"Rachel sent Tim out of my room on wishful thinking. Let's just say she didn't leave happy. Whatever we were was last year and it's going to stay there."

"Good, cause I wasn't going to say it at the time… but man she's a bitch," Jake stated, letting out a little laugh.

"So I've seen," Haley finally chimed in, causing the rest of the table to let out a little laugh in agreement.

"Just don't let her get to you Haley," Peyton stated firmly, looking over at her.

"Oh don't worry… I won't. Trust me," Haley let out, twirling her fork in the syrup on her plate. I'm not going to let her get to me, Haley thought to herself. I'm not going to let her ruin my fresh start.

Okay, so not that much Naley as compared to other chapters... but you gotta love Nathan standing up for Haley to Rachel! This was kind of a filler chapter to give you background on the Nathan/Rachel past and whatnot. Hope you enjoyed! Leave reviews so I know what you think and I promise a good amount of Naley next chapter!