E.E. Cummings once wrote; To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

-Lucas Scott

"Timeout!" Whitey shouted, gathering everyone together in the huddle.

The Ravens were down by two with less then thirty seconds left. It was time to make a play.

"Alright, we're running black for Nathan." Whitey explained. "If they double you, give it to Troy on the wing. Take your shot when there's five seconds left."

"Not happening." Nathan said proudly. "I'll take the shot."

Troy sighed, shaking his head at his friends arrogance as he put everyone's hands in the huddle.

"Alright boys, Ravens on three." He said.

"One, two, three, Ravens!"

Jake inbounded the ball after the huddle, passing it up to his brother as the clock continued to wind down.

Jordan bounced out to Nathan, who posted up to the net before taking his shot.

It missed.

As if by a stroke of luck, Issac grabbed the offensive rebound, jetting it over to Lucas beyond the three point line as the clock dwindled down.

Lucas took his shot, firing away as the clock hit zero. The season hanging in the balance with one last chance.

It went in.

The crowd went wild as the team swarmed towards to Lucas, the boy had saved their season by a miracle shot.

All besides Nathan, who stood in disappointment as he glared towards his half brother.

"Unbelievable!" The announcer bellowed. "Lucas Scott with the three pointer at the buzzer! The Tree Hill Ravens are still undefeated!"

"I tell you what, if you're going to play the Ravens this season, there is a new Scott in town!"

************************

"Not bad kid." Jack said to his son as Troy emerged from the locker room. "Although you were a bit slow getting back on defense."

"Shut it." Rose swatted her husband. "You did great honey."

"I was joking." Jack replied. "Seriously Troy, you did good."

"Thanks guys." Troy laughed. "Alright if I go to the Burning Boat tonight?"

"As long as you can pick up your sister at her friends house afterwards."

"Deal." Troy nodded as he walked towards his friends. "I'll see you guys later!"

Rose and Jack turned to leave the gym, intending on going out for the night until they were rudely intercepted away.

"Rose, Jack, hi!" The voice called to them.

It was Shari Smith, Tim's stepmom and the head of the Booster club.

"Shari." Rose smiled fakely. "It's so nice to see you."

"Well, I don't want to keep you." Shari began. "But I was wondering if you got my email about rejoining the booster club?"

"Well I can't recall that I have." Rose lied. "I must have accidentally deleted it."

"Well, as a Mother of one of the star players, we would love to have you back on board." Shari persisted.

"Shari, we both have jobs and two kids to take care of." Jack reasoned. "I don't think my wife has time to be joining your little club."

"Oh yeah." Shari said quietly. "Like that little girl of yours."

"What did you say?" Rose asked in an offended tone.

"Nothing honey." Shari smiled. "Just know that the offer is always open for you to come back!"

"I look forward to the many emails coming my way!" Rose said sarcastically.

"Go Ravens!" Shari said once more, walking back to her crowd of friends.

"Some people never change." Jack laughed.

"Oh give me a break."

************************

Karen Roe was in disbelief, she had been approached by Shari Smith after the game and had been offered to join the boosters, but the woman had also shot some subtile jabs her way.

"You don't have to join the boosters." She mocked. "Did I tell you about that dig she made about my 'little cafe?'"

"It's like she's back in high school." Jack said from the back seat of Keith's car.

"Yeah, like when she brought up cheerleading." Karen replied. "She just needs to let it go."

"Well that's good advice." Keith said from the front. "Maybe you should take it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well if I'm not mistaken, you still own your cheerleading sweater." Keith explained. "Memory lane is a two way street."

"It's not like that Keith." Karen replied before turning to the back of the car.

"Rose, why did you end up leaving the boosters anyway?"

"I joined when Troy made varsity freshmen year." Rose sighed. "I figured it would be a fun way to get involved, but I realized most of the Mom's including Shari think they're so much better than everyone else, as well as their kids. I couldn't be around those people anymore, so I left."

"Shari's been trying to get her to come back for the last year." Jack said as he sipped his drink. "It's really annoying."

"Karen, if you want to join the boosters that's your call." Rose spoke. "Just be careful, most of those women are snakes."

*************************

Sawyer Home

"I mean seriously, has he never paid attention once since we've been dating?" Peyton said angrily, continuing to dab at her drawing.

"I don't know what you want me to say Peyton." Jayden said, laying across her bed. "I've said many times we would have been better off together."

"Jay, we tried dating for one day." Peyton laughed. "You're more like a brother to me then anything."

"I am slightly offended." Jayden faked. "Ouch."

"You have a girlfriend." Peyton replied, tossing a pen at her friends face.

"Still though."

Suddenly, Peyton's phone rang. Glancing towards it, Peyton's immediately sent the message to voicemail, not wanting to disturb her vibe.

"Hi, this message is for Peyton." The voicemail said. "It's Judd Nelson from 'Thud' magazine. Your friend dropped off your sketches, and he was right they're terrific. Give me a call when you get a chance, we'd like to talk to you about......you know maybe doing a comic strip for the magazine."

"Well look at that!" Jayden exclaimed. "That's amazing news Peyton."

Amongst the excitement, Peyton's smirk quickly evaporated.

"But who turned in my sketches?"

************************

Burning Boat Festival

"What bad karma are we burning this year?" Troy said as they approached the burning boat with Issac and Jordan.

Issac reached into his pocket, pulling out a box of cigarettes before throwing them into the wooden vessel.

"Dude, I don't think putting a box of cigarettes in a fire is a good idea." Jordan said in concern.

"Relax man." Issac reassured. "It's just the box, I'm not a dumbass."

During their conversation, Reagan approached the group, wanting to speak to her ex boyfriend.

"Hey guys." Reagan waved as she stood behind them. "Troy, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Uh, sure." Troy said awkwardly. It was going to be the first time they've talked since their breakup.

And he wasn't look forward to it.

Excusing himself from his friends, Troy set off alongside Reagan. Weaving themselves through the crowd of residents checking out the festival.

"Enjoying the festival?" Reagan asked awkwardly.

"Yeah, its alright I guess." Troy replied. "Getting rid of bad karma and all that."

The former couple looked at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to say to each other.

"Listen Troy." Reagan spoke. "I wanted to talk about us and where we should go from here."

"Yeah? What's up?" Troy asked in curiosity.

"I want to get back together, I miss you, and I think you miss me too."

"Rea..." Troy sighed.

"I know it's been a while since we broke up, and I think we were really good together." Reagan defended. "Wouldn't you say?"

"Reagan." Troy interrupted. "I don't want to sound awful or anything, I think that's a bad idea. We were really horrible together."

"How could you say that?" Reagan asked in disbelief.

"How could I not say that?" Troy argued. "I was the only one who was committed to our relationship. All you ever cared for was the sex."

"That is not true...."

"It is true, Reagan." Troy interrupted. "Listen, you're a really nice girl and a good friend, but we were not good together and I think if we were to get back together, we'd both be miserable with each other and I don't want that."

Reagan was not going to accept this.

"Troy, I really do miss you." She said sadly. "You have no idea how hard it is right now."

"I get it, you have your Mom's issues to deal with." Troy sighed. "I'm really sorry about that, and if you want any support, I can do so as a friend, but not as your boyfriend."

Reagan looked to the ground in disappointment as Troy sighed.

"Listen, I need to go." He said. "I still care about you Reagan, don't ever forget that."

In the midst of everything, Haley James stood by the boat alongside Lucas, witnessing the former couple's conversation.

With a blush on her face, Haley watched Troy intently as he flipped his shiny blonde hair, walking towards his friends.

Haley shook her head, regaining herself as she realized what she was doing and how weird it was.

She liked the boy, but realized he would never go for a girl like her.

Sighing to herself, the James girl walked away, stealing glances every so often with each step she took.

***********************

Tree Hill High School

"Who's that girl he's always hanging around with?" Nathan asked as the boys set off for home room. Gesturing towards Haley.

"It's the waitress at Karen's." Jayden replied. "Why do you care so much?"

"Why don't you mind your business?" Nathan retorted as Tim laughed.

"Just calm down guys." Jordan sighed. "We gotta go to homeroom."

Before making their way to class, Peyton turned on her sneakers, walking quickly towards the Jagelski boy.

"Oh shit, Peyton doesn't seem too happy." Jayden said before leaving. "I'll catch you later man."

"It was you wasn't it?" Peyton asked, leaning against the lockers. "You turned in my sketches to Thud Magazine."

"You caught me." Jordan replied. "They liked them, didn't they?"

"Look, Jordan I really appreciate it." Peyton sighed. "But you shouldn't have done that without telling me first."

"Peyton, your art is good." Jordan reasoned. "Besides, you probably wouldn't have done it yourself."

"Well thanks to you, I have a meeting with them later this week." Peyton replied.

"Great!" Jordan said. "You're talented Peyton, it's time that people knew that."

"Whatever." Peyton smiled as she took her leave. A little appreciative of Jordan's words.

"You're welcome?" Jordan shook his head in disbelief.

**********************

"That's the Brooke Davis leopard bra," Kat laughed, walking alongside her sister. "that things like a welcome mat."

"I heard you were naked in Lucas's car." Reagan gestured towards Brooke.

"You didn't." Kat smiled in disbelief, shaking her head at her sisters actions.

"No!" Brooke defended. "I was partially naked. At one point I had mittens on because it was cold."

"Like that makes any difference." Reagan scoffed.

"Oh wait, did you guys see my—"

"Brooke!" Kat squealed, stopping her sister from pulling the leopard bra out of her backpack.

"Focus, your a slut with mittens in his car, then what happens?"

"Then nothing." Brooke smirked. "He was really sweet. He drove me home, said 'Goodnight', waited till I got inside."

"Are we sure he's not gay?" Reagan asked.

"I think he's just nice." Brooke reasoned. "Anyways, it's going to be so great when he sleeps with me!"

Kat giggled, following the others to their class.

**************************

Keith Scott's Body Shop

"How have things been since the game?" Keith asked, sliding underneath the truck they were working on.

"Different." Lucas sighed. "People I've never talked to say hello like they've always known me, the teachers smile more, cheerleaders strip in your car."

"I know all about that." Jayden smirked towards Mikayla. "It's the good life."

"Eh, not really." Lucas replied.

"How so?"

"The teams hazing me a bit." Lucas said.

"Believe it or not, I wouldn't take it personally." Keith said. "We did that when I played and unless it gets completely out of hand, just roll with it."

"What did they even do anyway?" Jayden asked.

"Stole my clothes while I was taking a shower."

"That's nothing." Jayden scoffed. "You ever have to get tied to a tree naked with duct tape?"

"Oh!" Lucas exclaimed. "The football team sounds brutal."

"Yeah, and remember that time I got dumped in the lake and had to swim all the way back to shore?"

"I do remember." Lucas said. "How did you handle that?"

"It's all apart of being a team Luke." Jayden shrugged. "Just roll with it and show them what you're made of."

***********************

"Nathan and Troy!" Whitey called his star players in the middle of practice. "Get over here, I need to talk to you both."

Troy and Nathan jogged to their coach, who looked deep in thought.

"I've been tinkering with the offense, you two will be playing more of the forward spots."

"Forget it!" Nathan scoffed. "I'm the shooting guard!"

"That's funny." Whitey retorted. "I thought I was the coach, in fact, you can call me that, and I'll call you small forward."

"Nathan Scott, small forward, has a nice ring to it." Whitey laughed before sending him off.

"What do you think, Troy?"

"I could try it." Troy replied. "But you think I can pull it off?"

"I wouldn't be asking you if I knew you couldn't do it."

"Alright." Troy replied. "Anything that can help the team."

Whitey smiled.

"Good answer kid." Whitey replied before going back to his practice.

"How are you okay with this?" Nathan asked his friend angrily. "He's just taking away all of our minutes!"

"You're still going to get your minutes Nate." Troy reasoned. "Just because you change positions doesn't mean you won't get the ball anymore."

Instead of agreeing with him, Nathan began to glare at Lucas, watching him take all of Whitey's attention.

This was not okay, and needed to be dealt with.

*********************

"Didn't I tell you this was gonna happen?" Dan asked his boys as they got ready for school.

"Whitey's using you to get back at me." He said. "And I apologize Nathan, because it's not your fault."

"What do you want me to do Dad?" Nathan argued. "It's Whitey's team."

"No it's not." Dan replied. "Whitey didn't understand when I was playing for him and he doesn't get it now, it isn't his team, it's your team."

"What position do you want to play?"

"We'll I think I'm a stronger shooting guard." Nathan replied.

"I agree." Dan said before turning to Jayden.

"Jayden, if your one of your teammates takes your spot as the starting quarterback, how do we handle that?"

Jayden stopped, wondering why Dan was suddenly taking an interest in him.

"Well, I go over the film and work harder." Jayden said. "So I can regain my position back."

"Wrong answer." Dan said before turning to Nathan. "You find your opponents weaknesses, and attack them."

Jayden sighed, of course Dan was using him to make a point to Nathan.

That's all he ever cared about now, his high school hay days and Nathan.

**************************

"Chapter 9 review is due on my desk tomorrow before class." Mrs. Green said to the class. "Remember to email me if you have any questions!"

As the students piled out of the classroom, Troy was intercepted by his teacher.

"Mr. Dawson, can you come see me please?" She said.

"Uh, sure." Troy replied awkwardly, walking towards the desk. "What's up?"

"I suppose that you haven't had a chance to look at your recent exam score?" Mrs. Green asked.

"You'd be correct on that." Troy said. "Why?"

Mrs Green placed a green test envelope facing her student, marked in various places.

56/100

"Oh." Troy sighed. "That's not good."

"Troy, at the rate your going, you won't be able to pass pre calculus this semester, Mrs. Green said sympathetically. "and i know you're better then this, what's going on?"

"This unit has been pretty difficult to say the least." Troy sighed. "Could I possibly retake the test?"

"As much as I would allow it, I can't keep allowing redos at this point in the year." She reasoned. "If you don't try to get your grade up soon, you might be ineligible to play basketball for the rest of the season. I'm sure Coach Durham doesn't want that."

Troy gasped, his struggle with math was really catching up to him. He didn't want to lose basketball.

"I'm sorry." Troy said sadly. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You're a good kid Troy." Mrs. Green smiled. "And I know you're trying really hard, that's why I think you should seek help from the tutoring center."

"But those run at the same time as practice." Troy said in confusion.

"Well it's a good thing they have sessions before school." Mrs Green said before pulling out a sheet of paper.

"Yeah, I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Troy said. "I can get up an hour earlier then normal."

Mrs Green wrote a few notes on a blank sheet of paper, handing it to the boy in front of her.

"There's a girl I want you to see." She said. "Her name is Haley James, she's one of my best students this quarter and I think it would be good if you were to get help from her. She should be in after school today."

"Alright, I can talk to her before practice today." Troy nodded. "Thanks for the help Mrs. Green."

"I'm glad you're accepting help Troy." Mrs. Green smiled. "Now if only I can get through to your friend Mr. Scott."

"Unfortunately I can't speak on his behalf." Troy sighed.

************************

Haley James was in the tutoring center, scrolling intently through her notes as she prepared to go home for the day.

Troy walked through the door, scanning the room before his eyes fell on the James girl.

She's the only one in here, and Kayla's also a tutor, so this girl must be Haley.

"Hey." Troy said, startling Haley, who turned red after seeing her longtime crush.

"H-hey." She stuttered. "C-can I help you?"

"You're Haley James right?" Troy asked as she nodded. "Mrs. Green said you would be able to help me, I kinda failed my last pre-calc test."

Haley grabbed the paper from Troy's hands rather quickly looking over the instructions closely.

"Sorry." Haley said quickly. "I can't help you."

"What?" Troy questioned. "Why not?"

"I-I just have too much going on." Haley said, gathering her things. "I can find you someone else if you'd want."

"Wait." Troy said as Haley stopped. "Listen, Mrs. Green said your the smartest kid in her class, and I'd really appreciate the help."

"Look, you're gonna be fine." Haley smiled. "But I really have to go, okay?"

Haley took her leave, leaving the Dawson boy in a state of confusion.

As much as Haley would love to tutor Troy, this was her crush. She couldn't risk embarrassing herself any more then she already has around him.

Sighing in defeat, Troy made his way to the locker room for practice.

**********************

Kat, Brooke, and Peyton were sitting in the waxing salon, waiting for Brooke to be done with her waxing appointment.

"How's your Lucas quest going?" Peyton asked, doodling away.

"Fine." Brooke smirked before cringing in pain at the waxing.

"Kat, hand." Brooke demanded as Kat squeezed her hand.

"Brooke, why are you being so persistent with this one?" Kat asked. "Normally you would have moved on by now."

"Are you jealous, Kat?" Peyton smirked.

"Not a chance." She laughed, turning to Peyton in a teasing matter. "I think you might feel differently."

"No." Peyton mocked. "See there's this guy named Nathan, who's also called my boyfriend."

"Well, maybe I want a boyfriend, too." Brooke said. "Someone reliable for once, steady. We should get Kat a boyfriend too so she can have some fun for once."

Smirking, Kat ripped a large piece of tape off Brooke's body, causing her twin to shout in pain.

**********************

"You hear what happened at the Rivercourt?" Peyton asked Jordan as she gave him a ride home from school.

"No, what happened?"

"Nathan and the team trashed it." She said. "Completely."

"Jesus Christ." Jordan sighed. "He's taking this way too far. Now he's committing felonies."

"Yeah, I saw Lucas there, he didn't take it well." Peyton said.

"Anyway." Jordan said. "Why did you ask me to drive with you after school?"

"I just wanted to tell you I'm not doing the comic strip." Peyton said. "They wanted me to change it into something completely different."

"Did you at least meet with them about it?" Jordan said as they pulled up to a red light.

"Yeah, they loved my stuff." She said. "The editor just wanted me to change it into something else."

"That editors wrong." Jordan said as they pulled up to his house.

"It's really not that big of a deal." She replied. "I just wanted to say thanks for giving my sketches to them."

"Peyton Sawyer saying thank you?" Jordan smirked. "Hell really has frozen over."

"Shut up." Peyton smiled. "I'll see you later."

Before Peyton, could pull out of his driveway, Jordan stopped her.

"Peyton!" He called, causing her to brake.

"What's up?"

"That editor has no idea what he's talking about."

Peyton simply smiled, waving towards the boy as she pulled onto the street.

***********************

Karen's Cafe

"Haley?" Karen asked in concern, Haley had been silent her entire shift, almost like something was on her mind. "What's up?"

"Nothing Karen." Haley said. "Just have a lot on my mind."

"I might be old, but I can tell when somethings bothering you." Karen smirked. "Talk to me."

Haley sighed, she wasn't letting this go.

"This guy wants me to tutor him." Haley said. "I said no, but I think I might have made a mistake with saying that."

"You know him?"

"N-no." Haley blushed. "I mean I've seen him around but I just know of him."

"This wouldn't happen to be Jack Dawson's son wouldn't it? Karen smirked.

"Yeah." Haley sighed. "Want to throw your two cents in?"

"I didn't say anything."

"You're giving me a look." Haley sighed. "What is it?"

"Haley, I see you're into that guy," Karen remarked. "Can't blame you. But think about lending a hand. If he's asking for tutoring, he's struggling. Helping him out could pay off for you too."

Karen smiled, putting down two pennies onto the counter as Haley took in her words carefully.

**********************

At school the next day, Nathan stormed up to Troy's locker.

"What the hell are you doing?" He asked angrily as Troy looked to him in confusion.

"Putting my books away?" Troy asked. "Why?"

"You went to Haley James at the tutor center, didn't you?"

"Yeah? Why do you care?"

"Do you want this kid to stay on the team? I had a great plan to get him off."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Nate, Lucas is Troy's new best friend." Tim interjected, taking the Scott's side. "He's betraying the team."

"Tim, fuck off." Troy and Nathan said simultaneously as Tim backed away.

"Got anything to say about that?" Nathan demanded. "Because I was going to use her to mess with-"

"Nate, I'm failing pre calc!" Troy said irritatedly. "Mrs. Green said that if I don't get my grade up I'm off the team."

Nathan stopped, listening to Troy as he explained.

"She suggested I got to Haley for help, she's obviously passing and could probably help me. I'm not getting in the way of your stupid vendetta against your half brother and I don't care about it."

Nathan looked away, feeling bad he accused his best friend of betraying him.

"Troy, listen-"

"I don't want your apology." Troy interrupted. "It's cool, just don't accuse me of ever doing something as ridiculous as that ever again."

Slamming his locker, Troy walked off to class, leaving Nathan alone with his thoughts.

"Can you believe this guy?" Tim laughed. "Are you actually going to believe that crap?"

"Tim, we told you to fuck off." Nathan said.

*********************

Later that day, in the biology classroom, Haley was thinking about her decision to not tutor Troy.

It wasn't because of preference, more so fear out of embarrassing herself in front of her crush.

But she felt bad, she's never turned someone down for tutoring before.

And maybe this could be a good thing, she could have some sort of relationship with her crush.

As the class bell rung, Troy stood up, gathering his things together as Nathan approached him.

"Troy, I'm sorry about this morning." He said. "You're my friend and I shouldn't have accused you like that."

"It's cool Nate." Troy dabbed him up. "Water under the bridge."

"Sweet." Nathan smirked. "I have to go to the tutoring center before practice, Mr. Kelly's on my ass about my grade."

"Alright, I'll see you in the gym." Troy said before taking off.

But before he could leave, a hand grabbed his upper arm gently, stopping him from moving.

It was Haley.

"Hey." She said, pulling her hand away from his arm slowly.

"Hey." Troy said. "I'm sorry about yesterday, If you still don't want to tutor me, I can find someone else. It's no big deal."

"No, no, don't do that." Haley said quickly. "I thought about it last night and you caught me at a bad time, can I at least think about it?"

"Yeah, sure." Troy said happily. "I'll see you later?"

"Y-yeah, that sounds great." She said in awe.

Haley was smiling all the way into her next class, until it suddenly dropped upon realization.

She had absolutely no way to contact the boy.

**********************

"Kat!" Nathan called to his friend as he entered the tutoring center.

"Nate?" She questioned, Nathan would never willingly walk into a school classroom unless he had too. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so." He said. "You're my tutor."

"Right, I don't think so." Kat said. "Tim definitely put you up to this, right?"

"Your name is Katherine Davis right?" Nathan joked.

"Yeah, Nate, you've known me for years." Kat said as she gestured towards the paper in Nathan's hand.

Nathan handed her the slip as Kat checked closely.

"I don't know, Nathan." Kayla said. "Are you sure you're actually going to take it seriously?"

"Well I kind of have to if I want to stay on the team." Nathan joked.

"That's what I expected." Kat said quietly as she gathered her things.

"Whoa," Nathan said. "Look, you're the smartest person I know, and probably the only one who will help me. I'd be fine if there was someone else."

"If there 'were' someone else." Kat corrected.

"See, you're helping me already." Nathan smirked.

Kat sighed, running her hands through her hair as she thought long and hard.

"Can I at least think about it?" She said. "I'm taking on a lot here."

"I don't know if I should be offended or not."

"Don't worry about it." She said. "I'll think about it tonight, but don't get your hopes up."

************************

Jordan wasn't sure what to think when Nathan and Tim invited him on a team bonding event later that night, but Jake was taking care of Jenny tonight and he had nothing to do so he went along with it.

"So where are we going anyway?" He asked as he slid into Tim's van.

"They won't tell me." Troy shrugged. "Must be secretive."

"Don't worry about it." Issac smirked. "We're already here."

Pulling up in the downtown area, Tim and a few members of the team jumped out of the car, walking towards a blonde kid on the sidewalk.

It was Lucas.

"Hey Luke." Tim called as Lucas turned around, only to have a bag thrown over his head.

Issac grabbed Lucas, picking him up as they carried him the the car.

"Get off me!" Lucas yelled as they threw him into the car.

"Hurry up, let's go!" Tim yelled, jumping into the drivers seat and speeding away.

"Dude, what the hell?" Troy asked. "I thought you said this was team bonding?"

"For us it is." Nathan smirked. "Someone tell him to stop squirming, it'll just make it worse."

*********************

Driving towards the back streets of Tree Hill, Tim stopped in front of a nearby creek.

"Let's go boys, get him out."

Issac and Tim grabbed Lucas, ripping the bag off of his head before throwing him into the lake.

"What are you doing?" Jordan asked.

"Don't worry about it." Tim replied angrily. "We're not gonna hurt him."

"He ain't on our team." Another boy said.

"Well, well." Nathan said smugly. "The gangs all here."

Lucas stared at him angrily, ripping the restraints off his wrists.

"I told you it was gonna get worse." Nathan said. "Normally, this is where you become part of the team. We have a keg, tell some war stories. You had to know that wasn't gonna happen right?"

"These guys made a choice to back me. But we're gonna be nice, and we're gonna let you walk away. Just quit the team man, otherwise it's gonna get ugly."

"Bye, Luke." Tim mocked as they got back into the car and drove away.

"Dude, you did not have to do that." Troy said.

"We did." Nathan replied. "Kid'd gotta learn one way or another."

Troy sighed in disgust, Nathan's obsession with ruining Lucas was getting way too out of hand.

**********************

Tree Hill Gym

Nathan's threat to make things worse for Lucas had transpired to the next day. The team had refused to pass him the ball once during practice.

"Set it up!" Tim called as he dribbled to the top of the key.

Lucas waited at the top, waiting for a pass as Tim continued to dribble.

But he made no attempt to pass the ball, instead continuing to dribble in place.

"Tim, pass the ball!" Troy called from the post.

Still no response.

In frustration, Lucas stole the ball from Tim, driving to the hill before dunking the ball.

"What the hell was that!" Tim shouted as he shoved Lucas.

"Tim calm down." Jordan said as he held him back, Jake doing the same with Lucas.

"Hey! Second team!" Whitey scolded.

"He stole the ball from his own team!" Tim argued.

"Maybe if you passed the damn ball every once in a while!" Troy fumed.

"Troy! Calm down!" Whitey yelled. "But he is right, that guy has hit seven in a row and you won't pass him the ball!"

"No wonder he doesn't start." Jordan whispered, making Troy chuckle.

Whitey turned towards Lucas.

"And you! This is a team game!" He shouted before looking around.

"If you guys don't get your heads out of your asses, I'll be forced to suspend my second team this season!" He scolded.

"Go home!"

********************

"Troy, can we start the movie now?" Chloe asked.

Jack and Rose were out tonight and Troy was in charge of watching his younger sister.

"We gotta wait till the pizza gets here munchkin," Troy reasoned. "you pick something out yet?"

"Atlantis the Lost Empire!" Chloe said happily, excited to spend some time with her brother.

"Wow, I haven't seen this one in a while." Troy said, gazing over the box. "Why don't you wait in the kitchen while I set everything up."

"Okay!" Chloe said, walking towards the kitchen as Troy began to work with the video player.

Minutes later, the doorbell rang, causing Chloe to jump up.

"I'll get it!" Chloe exclaimed as she ran to the door, reaching for the handle to reveal a brunette girl standing on the porch.

It was Haley.

"You're not the pizza guy." Chloe asked with her eyes furrowed.

"Hi." Haley said nervously. "Is Troy here?"

"Yeah?" Chloe questioned. "Are you my brothers new girlfriend?"

"What?" Haley asked. "Did h-he say that?"

"No," Chloe said cutely. "but you're really pretty."

"Thanks." Haley said awkwardly.

"Alright, how much do I owe you." Troy said as he rummaged around his wallet.

Haley observed the boy, who was wearing a sleeveless shirt that gave a good view of his arms.

Troy looked up, eyes widening as he saw who it was.

"Oh, Haley!" He exclaimed. "I didn't know you were coming by. How did you know where I live?"

"Yeah, sorry." Haley said. "I forgot to ask for your number and I found your address in the student files, can we talk?"

"Yeah sure." Troy smiled before looking at his sister.

"Chloe, why don't you go wait and we'll start the movie soon."

"Okay!" She smiled before turning to Haley. "It was nice meeting you!"

"Same." Haley giggled as the Dawson girl sped into the house.

"I'm sorry about her." Troy said. "My little sister can be quite the character."

"Don't worry about it." Haley said. "She's cute."

"So what's up?" Troy asked as Haley shifted awkwardly.

"I went through your last calculus exam with Mrs. Green, and I decided if you really want the help, I can tutor you."

"Alright!" Troy said. "That sounds good."

"But, I have two conditions." She spoke. "One, Lucas does not find out, okay? Ever."

"Okay?" Troy questioned.

Why would that matter?

"And number two.......you have to get Nathan to leave him alone."

Troy sighed, this girl was asking for a lot.

"I'll try my best." Troy said. "Nathan's got a mind of his own."

"That's all I ask." Haley said. "We can do Monday morning in Mrs. Greens room."

"What about the tutoring center?" Troy asked.

"Not a chance." Haley sighed. "Mrs. Greens classroom, tomorrow morning."

"Alright, sounds good." Troy smiled.

"Great!" Haley said enthusiastically.

"You wanna come inside for a bit?" Troy offered. "Chloe and I are just watching a movie and we've got pizza coming."

"Oh no." Haley said. "I should probably get home, but thanks for offering."

"Yeah, no problem." Troy replied. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah." Haley smiled as she walked off the porch.

Troy closed the door, watching Haley walk down the street before making his way to the living room.

"Troy, is she your girlfriend?" Chloe asked.

"No munchkin." Troy replied. "That's Haley, she's going to be helping me out with some school things."

"Are you sure?" She asked once more.

"Yes." Troy chuckled, turning on the DVD.

**********************

Burning Boat

At the Burning Boat Festival, Tim wasn't entirely convinced that Troy having Haley tutor him wasn't about sex.

"Are you sure you're not slumming it?" Tim asked as Jayden scoffed.

"Does everything have to be sex with you, Tim?" Mikayla asked. "But then again, you've never had any have you?"

Tim stayed pretty quiet after that.

The Burning Boat was all about "burning" away your bad karma and choices from the last year, setting off on a different path without the burden, and it was a big event every year in the town of Tree Hill.

Whitey was also tabbed to be the next speaker for the festival, after the previous one had passed away.

"I guess it's not every day we get a chance at starting over and putting our feet on the right path." He spoke. "That said, I guess we better get to the rat killing."

The crowd cheered as Whitey grabbed the torch, lighting the vessel on fire as the variety of bad items and choices burned away into the flames.

Angry over the constant hazing of the basketball team, Lucas stormed angrily up to the group, shoving a paint can into Nathan's hands

"You left that at the court." Lucas said.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Nathan glared.

"Then call it a gift, besides you're gonna need it to paint over your scoring title, cause I'm taking it."

"In your dreams." Tim laughed.

"I don't care what you do to me." Lucas continued. "Whatever you got, you better bring it. I'm not going anywhere."

Before leaving, Lucas grabbed once more thing out of his backpack, the same bag they covered his head with in the creek.

Handing it to Nathan, Lucas smirked.

"Burn this for me, would you?"

And in that moment, Lucas had partially gained the respect of some of his teammates.

Taking the high road does pay off.

**********************

Kat had pulled up to the Scott household, she had no idea why she decided to this, but somehow, she found herself parked out front of Nathan's house.

Rolling her eyes, Kat turned off her car, walking to the door before knocking lightly.

Nathan answered the door with a smirk.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey." Kat replied. "I looked over your English exam, and if you want to learn, I can help you."

"That's great." Nathan said. "Alright."

"I just really want you to take this seriously." Kat said. "I don't want to be wasting my time on someone who isn't going to care."

"I don't really have much of a choice, do I?" Nathan asked.

"Okay, um....tomorrow morning. 7am at the market street dock."

"Why not in school?" Nathan asked.

"Nope." Kat said. "Tomorrow morning, the dock, take it or leave it."

"Okay." Nathan smiled. "7 o'clock then."

"Yep." Kat nodded. "I'll see you then!"

Nathan smirked, watching Kat walk to her car before shutting the door.

**********************

The next morning, Kat had arrived at the dock, waiting patiently for Nathan to arrive.

"Breakfast of champions." Nathan said as he walked up with two cups of coffee. "You want some?"

"You're late." Kat said irritatedly. "But yes I'll take some."

Nathan sat down, digging into his Cracker Jack box.

"Please let this be a cheat sheet." He said as he ripped open the prize, revealing itself to be a stretchy bracelet. One with an assortment of beads with different colors.

Looking at the brunette focusing on her work, Nathan raised her hand up.

"It's for you." He said, gesturing towards her.

"Nate, stop it." Kat said.

"Come one." Nathan reassured as he slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

"Don't say I never gave you anything."

Deep down, Kat thought this was really sweet, and a side she's never seen of Nathan.

"Do you see this book?" Kayla said as she raised the pre calculus book to Nathan's sight. "This book is me, I am math."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathan chuckled.

"It's supposed to mean you can work the whole, 'I'm Nathan Scott, Mr. Big Shot scoring my touchdowns' on someone else, because-"

"Kat, you know I don't play football."

"Same thing." Kat flustered. "The point is all your bluster and BS don't mean anything to math. Math don't care, and neither do I!"

"Well does English care?" Nathan joked. "Because I really suck at that too."

"Please don't waste my time." Kat sighed, resting her head in her hand. "I'm taking a chance on you cause my instincts are screaming that your full of shit."

Nathan smiled, gesturing for Kat to continue.

"Page 81." Kat smiled back, pointing to the page. "In exercises 5-14 sketch the graph of the equation by plot pointing....."

Screencap by sybilish

A/N: Longest chapter yet! Hope you enjoyed!