I do not own One Tree Hill or anything, otherwise I'd force a decent haircut upon the chad.

This story might actually be finished for once, but i need encouragement so reviews would be nice, also i desperately need a beta because i always have so many errors and i can never catch them in my own writing. I suck like that. So anyhow enjoy.

Its hard to explain

They're kissing again. Right in front of me. Like I'm not even here. Except they know I'm here because just a minute ago we were all talking. Together. Now I'm sitting across from the most disgusting display of public affection since, well since i caught my parents going at it in out local supermarket, but thats an entirely different story. Ugh, don't they need to come up for air? Ugh whatever, screw it I'm leaving.

"Bye guys, i have to get to class" I said as i picked up my lunch tray and tried to flee as quickly as possible. This, miraculously got there attention.

"Wait, Hales, class doesn't start for another 10 minutes" I heard my best friend Brooke call. Luckily i had my back to her at this point so she couldn't see me cringe. Damn it, i almost got away as well!

"I know but... um, I'm tutor girl remember... I ugh, need to get to class early and get some extra notes for one of my students" I said, fake smiling my way through the speech.

"Oh cool, I'll come with you" Nathan said getting up also.

"Nah, thats ok, you stay and... hang out"

Nathan kissed his girlfriends on the cheek, grabbed his bag and then followed me out of Tree Hills very own high school cafeteria.

"What's wrong?"

We walked down the hall to my locker. I turned to look at him and just shrugged.

"Nothing, i just needed to get to bio early" i mumble while pulling out the mounds of books i need.

"Okay, here's the thing Hales, we have been friends since.."

I turn back and smile at him, "Forever" I conclude. We have basically lived next door to each other since infancy. One day we played a game of hide and seek (which he soooo cheated at,but i let him because my mum always told me it was important not to fracture the male ego)and the rest,as they say, is history.

"Yeah, so i know your feeling a little uncomfortable about the whole me and Brooke thing." He said leaning against the locker next to mine, and gave me his most heart meltingly sincere look.

I had to admit i stare a little longer then was really necessary. I then looked back at my locker and shock my head."No, not really, your my best friends, why would I"

"How about cause last week we couldn't even stand to be in the same room together" He said while running a hand through his newly cut hair. Last week he went to the barbers and got his hair cut absurdly short. When he told me about it, i sort of freaked, but he it looks great on him.

Next day he went to a party, came back home with a girlfriend. In someways, i blame the damn haircut. Which is totally irrational i know, but seriously, Brooke hated him before he had no hair. Damn barber! Ruin my life why don't ya!

"Yes, but you two had this whole, passionate hatred thing, machos sexual tension, it didn't surprise me all that much" I say in the most casual tone possible. Considering how much I'm lying and all.

He smirks at me as i slam my locker and walk down the hall to the science labs."Well, you think you could give me a heads up next time"

I grin up at him, "What, don't tell me she's wearing you out already" I giggle and punch him playfully.

He chuckles and glances at me for a second and then back down at the floor,"Nah, i got a couple more weeks in me yet"

I half smile up at him,did i mention hes tall? Like 6"2 or something, i am only 5"3 so were kind of an odd couple. Of friends. Yep, friends.

"Good... cause Brooke? She too is my best friend, so if you do your usual assy things to her, then i have to pick up the pieces, and mister, I'll kick your ass if that happens"

He laughs genuinely loud this time.

I huff in indignation,"What? You don't believe me?"I say smacking his chest.

Hes still laughing at me so i hit him again and this time and he manages to restrain himself into just a smile.

"No i believe you, thats whats so funny"

I roll my eyes,"Sure"

"Honestly, i wont hurt her, Brooke's great, it just took me a while to see that-"

"Thats for damn sure" I mutter, thankfully he didn't hear.

"-And don't you dare tell anyone I'm scared of you"

I laugh and push him into class with me,"Don't worry your secretes safe with me"

"Haley James what would i do with out you?" Now thats something a girl never tires of hearing.

Me and Peyton stumble into my house later that day, were having a very intellectual debate about weather we would rather screw the entire football team, (Not all are lookers, believe me) Or the male faculty members of the glorious establishment that is Tree Hill High;

"I'm telling you, you get Mr Rivers out of the plaid, he could be kind of cute" I say as i unlocked the door and wondered down my hallway.

"Yes except for the serious lack of hygiene, a hair cut from the 70's and those impossibly thick rimed glasses, he is by far the greatest catch in our school" Peyton nods and heads into my living room.

"Not unless your into mullets" I call as i throw my bag next to the stairs and jump onto the couch next to her.

"Or Nathan" She says giving me a pointed look.

I turn to her shocked,"What is that supposed to mean?"

Peyton shakes her head ruefully," I dunno, you just seem a bit...off"

I shake my head,"Well then of course, why didn't i see it before, i MUST be in love with Nathan"

"Who said anything about love?" She says with a sly grin.

"Peyton, you better then anyone know that i do not have feelings for Nathan Scott"

She shlumps back in her seat and shakes her head at me,"Do i now"

"Pey, I don't," I was very sincere about it as well.

"Then why have you been in a foul mood ever since Brathan?"She asked while grabbing the nearest magazine.

"I haven't" I snap at her.

She turns to me and gives me another Peyton like told you so look.

"Fine, so maybe i am but, its not cause i like Nate, its... Don't you think its weird?"

"What's weird?" She says while flipping casually through Elle.

"Brathan, as you so colorfully put," I say rolling my eyes.

"What, that they swore they hated each other one minute and then the next minute, i turn around and there sucking face in the nearest closet, in a word; Yes." She says and shrugs.

I turn back and stare out the window,"So what do you think caused it?"

She raises her eyebrow,"My guess, a hell of a lot of beer"

I smirk,"If that were true then they wouldn't still be making out in hallways,"And cafeteria's and backs of cars and parks and malls and the clincher, my bedroom. Eww!

"I dunno, there hormonal teenagers, they get to make out with someone mildly attractive or a while, why not?"

"So you don't think its serious?"

"Lord knows with those two"

I lean back on the sofa and sigh,"Great"

"So we go into the kitchen to get some drinks and guess who we found making out in the kitchen?"

"Peyton please, i do not want to relive last nights event again, don't you think i have enough mental scares as a result of my parents never ending lust?"I say dropping into the seat opposite her in English the next day.

This seems to not have affected Peyton at all who just shrugs and continues her story completely enrapturing Brooke and Jake.

I roll my eyes again and pull out Withering Heights from my bag and start flipping through the book, blocking out the giggles coming from around me.

"Hey Hales," A gruff male voice whispers in my ear. I smile instantly.

"Hey... um Fred? or was it James?" I smirk at him.

"Har-de har- har" Luke says as he takes the seat behind me.

"So, you like the book?" He asks pulling out his own copy.

"Oh i loved it, though i couldn't stand Nelly, she described Heathcliff like he was a complete monster,"

Luke smiled slightly at me,"Oh you haven't fallen for that tortured soul crap have you, the man was a genuine ass"

I shake my head urgently,"No way, he was a product of his environment, if he wasn't treated so poorly he would never have acted out like that, besides he was nice to the people who cared about him,"

Luke smirked and nodded,"Well i give in, you obviously feel very strongly about it" he said giving me an odd look, which seemed to be spreading because Peyton and Brooke were sending there very own odd looks in my direction as well.

"What was that in English?" Brooke asks as she and Nathan sit down in our usual table.

I look up from my lunch and give her a confused look.

"With Lucas," She says in that whispery tone of hers and leans forward.

I roll my eyes and it occurs to me how many times i do that a day and after a slight moment of pondering that, i finally reply with;"Nothing, we were just talking," And shrug and start eating my pudding again.

Brooke smirks and gives Nathan her-"yeah right, i bet shes already screwed him"-look. Nathan just stares blankly at his sandwich.

"Well, whatever you say, but i think you too would make a really cute couple," She says and smiles at me so sweetly that i can't help but feel guilty for being off with her lately.

I nod and just keep eating my pudding.

"And he is so into you, i bet by the end of the week, we'll have boyfriends, that way we can like, triple date, wont that be fun!" She says nudging Nathan who looks up at me confusedly just shake my head at him and he smiles at Brooke and then goes back to giving his sandwich his full attention.

"I don't think so Brooke, were just friends and besides, i work for his mom. How wired would that be, anyway, its not gonna happen, he is not interested in me like that," I say while mashing up my dessert with my spoon.

Brooke frowns,"Why the hell wouldn't he? Haley James, your like the hottest girl in this school!" She tells me forcedly before leaning back and grinning,"Besides me of course,"

I grin at her tilt my head sideways,"Brooke, that sweets... sort of-but you know thats not true, I'm just a nerd, i mean, I'm not hideously unattractive but-"

She nudges Nathan again who looks between her and me and frowns.

"What?" He asks Brooke annoyed.

"Haley says that she's just a nerd and that Lucas could never find her attractive-"

"I didn't say that exactly-"

Nathan raises his hands to stop the inevitable bickering and we both fall silently.

"Haley, while yes , you are a nerd, that is one of the most lovable things about you, as is your complete inability to see how stunning you are, and quite frankly I'd prefer it if you stayed that way, I don't have to kick so many peoples ass' for looking at you, so if you could, could you please forget this last speech and everything Brooke has said and just go back to being Hales?"

Brooke shook her head,"Ignore that last part, he said you were stunning,"

I smiled at him and blushed,"I know, but -"

"No buts! Unless it's Lucas'"Brooke said giggling at her own infantile joke.

Nathan looked alarmed,"Haley is not going anywhere near Lucas' butt!"

I smirked at him and raised my eyebrow,"With Brooke around, i seriously doubt that!" I said before taking a gulp of my drink

"Hello?"

"Hale's, its Nate"

"Oh hey, um since when do you ring me?"

"I ring you plenty"

"Nate, you live next door. You never ring me,"

"Well, get used to it, I'm gonna start phoning you"

"Why?"

"I dunno, i apparently don't do it enough,"

"Well thats not a very good reason,"

"Well what reason would you prefer,"

"Oh i dunno, how about you like the sound of my voice,"

"Ugh, sure ...go with that"

"So why'd you call me?"

"Oh yeah... so Brooke made me talk to Lucas about you-"

"WHAT!"

"Hey, again, not my idea-"

"I'm still gonna kill you, you and Brooke, I'm gonna ..ugh ...PAIN.. LOTS AND LOTS OF PAIN!-"

"Hey breath their James,"

"SHUT UP!"

"Hale's its OK , you know me, king of tact"

"HA-"

"Besides, Luke ... seems to be really into you,"

I gasp,"Really? Wow.."

"...Yeah, well, i have to go,"

"Oh Ok, thanks Nate,"

"Wow, you thanked me... you like him or something?"

"Or something,"

"Bye Hales"

"Bye Nate"