Chapter 5: A Tree Hill Raven always learns the harder you try to fight something, say fate, the harder you get kicked in the ass.
Haley sat in her last period classroom, waiting for the bell to ring and excited to start the last class of her first day of school. As her foot tapped on the floor in anticipation the familiar hum of the bell began and just as it ended a familiar figure ran into the room.
"Oh god," Haley said rolling her eyes, watching as the figure approached her.
"Haley James we meet again," Nathan stated, a smirk plastered across his devilishly handsome face as he took the only available seat left in the class, which much to Haley's dismay, was right behind her.
"We meet again Nathan or you're stalking me again."
"Or maybe you're stalking me. I mean, I know you wanted to have a great school year here, but really, making your schedule so you have four out of your six classes with the hottest guy in school? That's a bit excessive."
"Puh-lease. Don't flatter yourself. Actually, keep daydreaming about that, because in your dreams is the only place it'll be true," Haley stated, turning to face the front, a proud smile across her face.
"Mr. Scott and Ms… uh, James. Are you ready to allow us to start class?"
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"Sorry," Haley added in.
"Alright. Good. By the way, both of you should see me after class. Now, let's begin. Welcome to Junior Year health class…" the teacher began to drone on as Haley sat in her seat, her face blushed while Nathan nodded off behind her. Before both of them knew it, class was over and the teacher called them up front as the other students left the room.
"Ah, Mr. Scott and Ms. James. Now, I know it's the first day of school and you're excited but please, don't interrupt my class. Keep your flirting for the halls or after school or basically anywhere but my class."
"Look-" Haley began to say before she was cut off.
"Ms. James, I know what it is like to be a teenager. I remember quite vividly chasing after the boys, but let's keep that for time outside of my classroom. Now go on, you're dismissed."
Haley's face turned beat red as she was ushered out the classroom, Nathan in tow trying not to laugh. "Don't even say it," she snapped, giving him a look.
"Say what? Say that I didn't know you were chasing me. Geez Haley if you wanted me that bad, you wouldn't have to chase. Just say the words and I'll stand perfectly still so you can catch up to me."
"Oh ha ha. Funny. I'm not a boy-chaser like Ms. Roe seems to think. And I am most definitely am not chasing after you," Haley stated as they continued to walk out of the building. "And did you here that little jab about 'flirting.' Please. Me and you were not flirting. Just some playful joking, that's what we do."
"Right…" Nathan said, sarcastically.
"What? You honestly think I was flirting with you? God no. Never. No way. And you flirting with me? That's impossible. Hilarious even. Brooke and Peyton are going to get a laugh out of this," Haley continued to ramble, her voice now flustered.
"Haley…"
"I've got to go Nathan. Try not to flirt with me okay?" She joked before going off to her dorm.
"I don't think I'll be able to do that," Nathan whispered to himself, watching her petite figure walk away.
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Haley was laying on her bed her feet swinging in the air behind her as she looked intently onto her English assignment. It was five o'clock and Brooke and Peyton had yet to reach the dorm.
"Flirting with Nathan. Hah," Haley giggled to herself. "That's a riot."
"What is?" Peyton questioned as her and Brooke made their way into the room.
"Oh, just some teacher said me and Nathan were flirting. Can you believe that? She must be cracked out or something."
"Of course I can see it," Peyton stated, giving her a look.
"You must be cracked out too then. I mean, is that why you just got back? Cause you were getting drugged up with Ms. Roe?"
"We've got a comedian in the house," Brooke said rolling her eyes before flopping down on her bed. "But seriously, I can totally see you doing that with Nathan."
"You guys are crazy."
"Haley, we've seen you flirt with him before."
"I do not!"
"The little jabs you make at each other? Totally playing the hard-to-get card."
"Guys, that's not flirting!" Haley exclaimed. "We're just joking around. You know, a love-hate relationship."
"Yeah, love-hate," Brooke pointed out.
"Oh you know what I mean! I have no feelings towards Nathan. He's so not my type and I'm not his. We're friends who poke fun. That's it."
"For just friends you guys have quite the connection. We saw you last night you know," Peyton chimed in.
"What are you talking about?" Haley asked startled.
"Oh you know, your little meeting out on the dark, deserted basketball court which can easily be seen by our window I might add. You seemed pretty cozy looking up at the stars together."
"Whatever! You guys are maniacs putting all these ideas into your head."
"Or you're just someone trying to push all the idea out," Peyton replied.
"Considering there was no idea to start, I don't think so. There must be something in the water here that makes people's perception off. Anyway, enough about me, I'm going to go see what's going on in the common room. See you guys later," Haley said waving before making her way out of the room.
"That girl is clueless," Brooke stated.
"Yep, she might as well be Cher and Denise's best friends," Peyton joked, noting the movie. "She'll open her eyes eventually."
"Or we'll force her to," Brooke added. "You can totally tell Nathan is dogging after her. I mean, just think back to this morning with Rachel. He's definitely got something with Haley. I think they'd be cute."
"Me too. She's not his normal type but maybe he's changed. Or maybe people have finally got rid of all that 'my type' crap and just went with their hearts. I always thought that whole way of thinking was BS anyway."
"I guess, we'll soon find out," Brooke replied before grabbing a magazine and beginning to read.
Meanwhile in the hallway, Haley was making her way to the common area when she saw a familiar face.
"GiGi!" She called after the tanned girl with a fitted vintage tee, jeans and converse.
"Haley! I haven't seen you since we got here," she giggled, giving her a hug. "How are you liking it?"
"It's actually not that bad. You wouldn't believe who my roommate is!"
"Oh I'm sure she can't be worse than mine. Who do you have?"
"Well two actually. Peyton and… Brooke."
"Oh man, maybe yours is just as bad as mine. I have Rachel this red-haired conceited bimbo.
"Actually me and Brooke have mended fences so it's pretty good. But uh, when you say Rachel, do you mean Rachel Gatina?"
"The one and only," GiGi replied through gritted teeth. "I don't know if I can make it through a whole year rooming with that bitch."
"Well feel free to come down to my room anytime. I wouldn't want to spend anymore time with that girl then I have to."
"Oh, do you know her?"
"You could say that. We've had a few run-ins that didn't exactly end well," Haley stated.
"Damn, you've been here what, two days and you already are on Rachel's bad side. Not that it takes much, but still. What did you do anyway?"
"She saw me talking to Nathan Scott."
"You talked to Nathan Scott?"
"Well, yeah. My first day here and now I see him like everywhere. He's an okay guy, cocky but nice enough."
"And damn fine! You're so lucky! I've been here since freshman year with him and have yet to talk to him. His hotness intimidates me I guess. How'd you end up talking to him?"
"I don't know. We were out back behind this dorm and all his friends left leaving just him on the court and me on the swing. He kind of caught me staring at him and just I don't know we started talking from there. That's all," Haley stated nonchalantly as GiGi laughed at her. "What?"
"Do you like him?"
"What? No!"
"Are you sure?" GiGi questioned, lifting her eyebrow.
"Yes, I wish everyone would stop saying that," Haley huffed.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop pestering you. Do you know what time it is?"
"Time for dinner! I'm starved," Haley stated linking her arm with GiGi and walking down the steps of the dorm. Once they finally reached the dining hall the girls went their separate ways and Haley made her way over to the buffet line. After piling on heaps of mashed potatoes, steak, green beans and much more, she finally made her way to the table which Brooke and Peyton had yet to be sitting at. Nathan, Lucas, and Jakes as always were their stuffing their faces, looking handsome in their designer polos and jeans.
"Hello boys," Haley said placing her tray on the table and taking a seat in the middle empty chair.
"Hello," Jake and Lucas said in unison before returning to their food.
"What Hales? You don't want to sit next to me?" Nathan asked sarcastically before giving her puppy dog eyes.
"Oh don't take it personally Nathan," Haley chided. "I don't want anyone to misconstrue us as flirting. That seems to be the new thing. Every damn time I talk to you I must be flirting with the infamous Nathan Scott."
"And is that so bad?"
"Well… no I guess not but, I mean, one, I'm not. And two, I want to make friends, not have people hate me for being connected with the supposed hot ticket. Not the best way to make friends with the girls in my dorm."
"Oh, so people talk about me in your dorm?"
"Ye-what? Okay so not the point and don't get all high and mighty about it. You have a reputation you're already aware of. I don't need to fuel that anymore," Haley said rolling her eyes before shoving a scoop of mashed potatoes into her mouth.
"Alright fine… but I've got one question for you."
"Okay…"
"Do you talk about me?" Nathan stated, his stupid smirk appearing yet again.
"Nathan!" Haley squealed giving him an annoyed look. "I'm not talking to you about all this anymore… you are such an as-" she began before lightly being tapped on the shoulder, Dean Hargrove standing behind her. "-tounding basketball player." She lied, her face becoming read.
"Haley James, I just came over to introduce myself. I hear from your transcripts that you are quite the student. Let's hope that continues here."
"Oh don't worry sir," Haley replied, the blush never leaving her face. "I intend to keep up with that."
"Very well. Are you enjoying Tree Hill Prep so far?"
"Yes, very much sir."
"Wonderful! I see you and Mr. Scott have met?" He inquired pointing to the dark haired boy with the perma-smirk on his face.
"You could say that."
"Good. Nathan here is a good kid, just a little rough around the edges."
"Uh, thanks Dean Hargrove," Nathan replied a bit confused, leaning his sculpted back against his chair before folding his arms across his chest.
"No problem. Now do me a favor. Look after Haley here the first couple weeks and make sure she is situated with everything, eh?"
"It would be my pleasure," Nathan stated smiling, giving Haley a glance.
Oh god, Haley inwardly groaned, rolling her eyes yet again.
"Well, I must be off. New students to see and such. You guys be good Ravens! Set the precedent," Dean Hargrove stated before scurrying off.
"Ass," Haley scoffed giving Nathan an annoyed look.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, ass. That's what I was going to say before the dean came over here."
"Interesting…" He said giving her a peculiar look. "Just keep on trying to hate me Haley… this little phase will pass."
"You're quiet the sure one, eh?' Haley said giving him a look.
"Oh, he always is," Jake laughed pointing a thumb over to Nathan.
"Yeah, his ego has grown and easily been deflated many a time," Lucas added in, causing a glare from Nathan.
"Good cause I plan on deflating it," Haley said the boys a wink. She then kept to herself, easily clearing the food off the plate. As the guys talk about sports and such, Haley sat quietly in her chair, shoveling food down her throat as she waited for the girls to arrive. Finally, towards the end of dinner, Peyton and Brooke took sides on either side of Haley, after hurrying into the dining hall.
"Where have you guys been?" Haley questioned, looking at the time.
"I feel asleep," Peyton stated, rubbing her eyeliner-lined eyelids, before pointing to Brooke. "And Ms. Always-Late, right here decided to take a shower and wake me up just now. Good thing we snatched up some pizza in the common room earlier today, otherwise I'd be starving right now."
"I'm sure you guys to rush up there and get something before our evening program star-," Haley began, looking at her two friends.
"Hello Ravens," Dean Hargrove spoke from the podium. "I'd ask that you clear your tables now so we can begin our first etiquette lesson."
"Scratch that idea, sorry guys," Haley stated before passing her plate over to the boys as they cleared the table. As she waited for the other students to finish clearing their table, Haley played with her pinky ring. Twisting it back and forth in anticipation.
"Alright my Ravens, tonight maybe be a bit boring, but we must take baby steps before we can get to the crucial stuff. You know our rule, 'a Tree Hill Raven always follows instructions.' Well, here is your first one. Taped to the bottom of each table near three of the place settings is an index card. And in wanting to keep make your etiquette partner random, we have placed a name on that index card of someone else sitting at your table. I would ask right now that you lift that card up and find your partner. Should your card say someone of the same gender, we ask that trade accordingly. All other partnerships are otherwise final. A teacher will be coming around shortly to record the partners from each table. Now, take five minutes to discover your partner and situate yourself next to them. Begin."
As soon as he finished his sentence, the students immediately reached beneath their table, searching and scraping until they finally found the index card below them. Jake was the first to find an index card beneath his table setting. He swiftly flipped it over and read the name out loud.
"Lucas Scott," he stated, a disgusted look on his face. "Of course, leave it to me to get a guy. Sorry Luke, but I'm not batting for that team."
"No worries Jake," Lucas stated laughing. "Now will someone find another card so we can trade!"
"I got one!" Brooke squealed, eagerly lifting the index card. "Peyton Sawyer."
"TRADE WITH ME!" Jake yelled, instantly coughing to calm his nerves. "I mean, trade with me please."
"I love you Peyton, but rules are rules," Brooke replied, blowing Peyton a kiss before trading cards with Jake. And that's when Haley felt it. Not only the scratch of the paper against her hand, but the churning in the pit of her stomach. It was inevitable who would be on the other side this card. She was a smart girl. However, just to make sure there was no mistake, or actually, in search for a mistake, she flipped the card over.
"Nathan Scott," she stated timidly, letting a long sigh out afterward; feeling his eyes bore holes into her head. She could here Peyton and Brooke let out a little giggle on either side of her.
"Bet you wish you didn't change your seat now eh?" Nathan stated, that damn cocky grin of his ever present. Haley just gave him a glare then her signature eye-roll before crossing her arms in a huff.
It seemed to her, that since she arrived at Tree Hill Prep, life has been throwing her nothing by curveballs. It's as if the big man upstairs is playing with her for fun. But she knew what this was… this was fate. This was fate pulling her by her little puppet strings having fun making her squirm. The harder she tried to fight fate, fight this thing that has suddenly appeared between her and the infamous Nathan Scott, the harder she was kicked in the ass and the closer they were brought together. My what a tangled web we weave!
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