Almost There and Back Again

by Nancy

Chapter 1

First day of class and it’s rainy and windy and ugh, I would have to tromp halfway across campus just to get there. The umbrella she was desperately trying to keep over her head was not cooperating, the wind having turned it inside out twice already before it fell completely apart in her hands, leaving her to run the rest of the way in the pouring rain.

She crammed her tattered umbrella in the trash as soon as she came through the door. Slinging her arms around trying to shake off some of the excess water, she glanced down at her clothes, soaked through and clinging to her, and god could they turn the air conditioner down just a little lower she whined to herself as the goose bumps formed on her bare arms.

Taking a quick look at her watch – class starts in exactly two minutes- great she winced, as she dashed into the restroom to get some paper towels wiping her face, neck, arms, ringing the excess water out of her hair. The mirror was reflecting back a drown rat. Lookin’ hot there Hales – rolling her eyes at the messy face looking back at her.

God…my tits are on high beam – I’m cold and wet what do you expect! Taking her hands and rubbing them briskly over her breasts trying to tame the beasts – not working. “Cheap thrill for all today,” she groaned. Clutching her notebook to her chest she flung the door open and moved briskly down the hall to room 113 – English 103. Yippee!

Peeking through the window she saw the professor was already in there getting his things out of his briefcase. What the hell – I thought college professors were always supposed to be late – just my luck to get the punctual one.

The classroom was auditorium style seating, and it was almost full. Could this get any better, raising her head just enough to scan the room for an empty seat. Apparently, I’m the only idiot with a faulty umbrella she thought, as all the faces looking back at her were nice and dry and…staring holes through her soaked figure. Yeah I’m wet what of it!

She finally saw an empty chair six rows up – thankfully it was only three seats in so she didn’t have to climb over half the population to get to it.

“Excuse me…excuse me,” she smiled trying to scoot past the occupants who had managed to get to class on time – and dry. Dropping her notebook down from where she had it clutched to her chest as she went, she immediately noticed the smile that formed on the lips of the guy behind her as he took in her high beams up close. “Bite me,” she mumbled turning around dropping heavily into her seat just as the professor began to speak.

Slumped back in his seat he absently tapped his pen on his notebook while he checked the room for potential conquests. He always sat in the back of the room, or up high in these auditoriums, just for that purpose. It was much easier to take it all in from that vantage – he could check them out all during class instead of just hoping to catch a glimpse of them as they came in the room like he would if he was in the front.

~*~

He stretched his long legs out into the aisle – sitting on the end was a must too – clasping his hands behind his head while he watched. Blonde number one to the left…not bad, blonde number two, also to the left, but a couple rows further up…even better. Sultry brunette to the right, who was smiling at him over her shoulder this very minute by the way, receiving his patent smirk in return…yeah she’ll work.

Let’s get this thing cranked up, he thought, yawning for the third time in the last five minutes. Good god girl, ever think about using an umbrella, shaking his head as he watched the short, extremely wet brunette make her way across the front of the room and up the stairs - her eyes barely visible as she kept her head downward searching for a seat. Her hair was soaked and hung in ropy waves down her back, her mascara slightly smudged – now that’s attractive. Her clothes were clinging to her like saran wrap…now that might be worth a look he decided, tilting his head a little over into the aisle to get a better look. Not bad…not bad at all. He watched her move across to her seat three rows in front of him, letting her notebook down from where she’d had it clutched to her – somebody’s cold he thought not able to contain the smirk.

He almost laughed out loud as he saw her roll her eyes and mouth something to the grinning idiot sitting behind her before she whirled and dropped to her seat. Try to be more subtle next time nitwit.

~*~

Haley was still furiously writing notes when the class ended. People all around her slamming books shut as she just kept writing – those in her row giving her dirty looks as they tried to maneuver past her. Finally satisfied, she closed her book and notebook, neatly folding the syllabus before placing it in her book.

Glancing around, she noticed she was just about the last one left in the room save the girl two rows down who was talking on the phone, and the tall guy a few rows back who was busy smiling and acting interested in what the two blondes were murmuring to him. Yeah, you two aren’t obvious or anything.

She hadn’t taken five steps out the classroom door when she hit the wet spot on the floor – her legs coming completely out from under her, her books flying in all directions – landing flat on her ass.

“Shit!”

He came out the door just in time to hear her expletive – working overtime to contain his laughter.

“God, are you alright?” Concern in his voice as he bent down to where she sat sprawled on the floor.

She didn’t bother to look up, wishing whoever this voice was, they would just keeping going so she could endure her humiliation in peace, “If a broken ass is alright – then yeah I’m great,” she grimaced trying to maneuver herself up to her knees so she could gather her things. “Ow, ow, ow,” whining at the pain.

“Stay there, I’ll get your stuff,” gathering up her book and notebook, snatching up things along the floor that had escaped her purse as well – quickly shoving them back in.

The two blondes he’d been talking to just moments ago, snickered down at her as they sauntered by. “See ya,” they cooed at him.

“Huh? Yeah - see ya,” he nodded at them picking up the last wayward item. “Ready?” Smiling as he grasped her arm pulling her easily to her feet.

“God almighty my ass hurts,” groaning as she rubbed her butt.

“Doesn’t look broken to me,” he smirked, making an exaggerated tilt of his head to check out her butt.

“Thanks,” rolling her eyes at his antics, rubbing her arms briskly before reaching to take her things from him.

“Kind of cold in here huh?”

'Actually I have a rare skin disease that makes me always have huge bumps on my skin and shiver like this' she wanted to say, but held back.  After all he’d just helped her, he could have just stepped over her like everyone else had.

“No kidding. The fact that I’m soaked to the bone isn’t helping that situation either.”

“No umbrella?” This guy had a real knack for stating the obvious.

“Oh I had one…the wind pretty much tore it to shreds halfway over here – thus you have me…wet, cold, broken ass. I’m starting off my first day of college with a bang that’s for sure. Thanks for the help. I’ll see ya – I have another class to get to,” barely looking up enough to give him a slight smile, shuttering from the complete chill that had settled in her body, once again rubbing her arms as she moved away.

“Are you going out in the rain again?” he followed, trying to keep up with her steps. For a short thing she could really move.

“No, it’s in this same building thank god. Of course I may be a popsicle before I get out of it, but again – not my day,” her pace never slowing as she talked at a rapid fire rate.

“Geez slow down a second.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, looking up at him, puzzled as to why this guy that looked like he could be some sort of a model was still talking to her, of all people.

“Yeah?”

“I was going to offer you my shirt.”

“Your shirt?” Her eyebrow cocking at him as her mouth twisted into a near scowl.

“Not my shirt shirt,” laughing at the misunderstanding, and the crazy expression she was giving him. “I mean I have an extra t-shirt in my bag – I was going to work out after my next class, and I didn’t want to go back to my room to change so I just crammed some clothes in my bag. You’re welcome to it if you want something dry to wear.”

She stared up at him blankly, still bewildered as to why this guy was not only still talking to her, but was now offering her his clothes. “I don’t think you’re my size.”

“Yeah well it’s dry – and warmer than what you have on now.”

“Are you for real?” her tone disbelieving.

“What…yeah…it’s just a t-shirt.”

“And what are you going to wear to work out in if I have your shirt?” She was certain he had to have some angle working here, but was having a hard time figuring out what it was.

“Nothing. I mean not nothing…just no shirt.”

“Probably not a good idea – how am I going to get it back to you?”

“It’s just a t-shirt!” he was getting annoyed now. “If I don’t get it back I’ll live, but if you’re going to lose sleep over it just bring it to class next time. You’re really making a big deal out of nothing.” This wet rat was way overanalyzing the whole thing. He was just trying to be nice – totally out of character he knew, but what the heck, everybody has their moments.

“I am huh?” Studying his face for some sign of a joke - his face – holy crap this guy was good looking. He had about the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Crap he looked good…she was suddenly acutely aware of what a mess she must look. Her make-up smeared, her clothes soaked and wrinkled, her hair matted to her head…damn he was hot.

“You want it or not?”

“What?” She was staring at him her mouth agape. Man his eyes are…

“The t-shirt…?”

“Oh god – umm yeah that’d be great,” she stammered visibly shaking her head of her previous thoughts. “Thanks. I seem to have said that a lot to you in the last five minutes.”

“No problem,” he chuckled rummaging through his bag for the shirt. “Here you go.”

“Tarheel basketball?” groaning as she read the front of the shirt. “You like basketball huh?”

“You could say that,” laughing at her obvious disgust. “Not a basketball fan I take it.”

“Umm no…no it’s okay – I guess. Listen…I really need to go. I’ll get it back to you. Thanks.” suddenly seeming distracted as she turned and hurriedly moved down the hall.

Damn that’s one weird girl he mused as she walked away. Nice ass though, smiling appreciatively as he watched her go. Definitely a nice ass.

~*~

The full blown downpour had turned into a light drizzle by the time she got out of her next class. She was grateful for small favors, trudging back across campus to her room; her wet shirt waded up under her arm – the grey Tarheel basketball shirt hanging to her knees.

“Well don’t you look like something the dog dragged in,” Brooke laughed watching Haley’s unkempt figure unlock the room across the hall from hers.

“Thanks so much. My freakin’ umbrella got torn all to hell before I got to class this morning. I ended up sitting through two classes soaked to the bone.”

“Not completely – your shirts dry,” smiling as she leaned against the doorway to Haley’s room watching her peel the wet jeans off her body and rummage through her draws and closet for dry clothes. “Tarheel Basketball…23. Where’d you get that?” she asked coyly, knowing full well who it belonged to.

“23?” Haley questioned, looking to the spot Brooke was pointing to on her shirt – a square between the Tarheel and Basketball that had a 23 printed in it. “I didn’t notice the 23 before. I don’t know who it belongs to. I mean – I know who it belongs to – I just don’t know his name. He’s some guy in my English class. I fell on my ass coming out of class and he helped me pick up my junk. I guess he could tell I was freezing my ass off so he gave me this shirt to wear.”

“Really – he helped you?” she asked incredulous. Her mind scrambling to think of another time she saw Nathan help anybody when it didn’t benefit him directly…coming up with nothing. “What’d he look like?”

“Tall dark and handsome - like he fell off a magazine cover to be honest,” giggling as she pulled on a dry pair of panties – pulling her arms inside the shirt as she switched out bras. The shirt practically hung to her knees – who was going to see anything – it made the perfect dressing room.

“That good huh?”

“That good. Have you guys eaten lunch yet? I’m about starved.”

“If we can hang on for just a little bit Peyton should be back from class. Think you can make it?”

“Sure.”

Brooke shuffled back across the hall retaking the spot in front of her computer - Haley rummaging around under her bed for a dry pair of shoes.

They’d gotten in the habit of leaving their doors open since the first day they met. The three of them had hit it off immediately, and it was so much easier to leave the doors open so they could see each other and talk freely rather than keep knocking and traipsing back and forth to each others rooms.

“Hey,” Brooke heard the deep voice call from the doorway – looking up to see Nathan leaning in, his fingers hanging onto the top of the door jam. “I thought maybe Lucas was here.”

“Haven’t seen him.” Peering past him to see if Haley noticed him there – smiling at what she saw.

“What?” following Brooke’s eyes, he looked back over his shoulder. The girl across the hall was bent over on all fours digging around under her bed, now half her body was under there – her shirt had ridden up - her butt sticking out from under the bed – her pink panties in full view. “Damn,” he chuckled turning around to get a better view.

“Geez the dust bunnies are three inches thick under here,” they heard her muffled comment. Finally trapping her shoes, she dragged them out from under the bed, still on all fours, her shirt resting around her waist; drawing in sharp breaths as she began sneezing over and over. “Oh my god the dust,” she wheezed, sneezing again.

“Bless you,” he laughed, still not recognizing her as the girl he’d given his shirt to, but honestly, his eyes hadn’t really made it any further up her body than her pink covered butt that still held his full attention.

Her head shot up at the sound of the male voice - both of their eyes growing wide at the recognition of the other.

“Oh hi – we meet again,” she smiled up to see him hanging in Brooke’s doorway.

“Yeah,” he smirked, his eyes drifting back to her rear again.

She was aware he was looking at something other than her face…the feel of the cool air on her backside suddenly registering with her as she jumped quickly to her feet tugging the shirt down around her – causing him to laugh at her flustered actions. She glared back at him.

“I guess you won’t have to wait for your shirt after all,” she snapped her hands flying to her hips in a defiant stance against his obvious leering.

He let his eyes roam up and down her body. Her damp hair, bare legs, bare feet, just his t-shirt…, she looked down right sexy.

“No hurry…it looks better on you than me anyway,” a smile spreading across his face.

“No I insist,” she returned hotly, “just wait there,” she huffed before slamming the door on him.

Nathan turned around to find Brooke laughing as well.

“Somebody got busted,” she sing songed at him.

“It was worth it,” he chuckled back, moving further into her room flopping down on Peyton’s bed. “Why don’t you guys get some decent music?” he complained reaching over to turn the sound down.

“You play what you want, I’ll play what I want…and neither of us will ever play what Peyton wants,” she threw out at him, “turn it back up.”

Nathan ignored her request as he relaxed further into the bed, lacing his hands behind his head, closing his eyes. A little smile taking over his face as the vision of the pink panties replayed in his mind.

“Why are you on my bed?” Peyton griped dropping her bag in the middle of his stomach, enjoying the pained groan it brought out of him.

“He’s waiting on Haley.”

“Who’s Haley?” he asked confused, not budging from his spot on the bed.

“The neighbor girl…hello…anybody in there Nathan?” Brooke cracked, rolling her eyes at him. If he had half a brain he’d be dangerous, she thought.

“Oh…little miss pink panties,” he laughed lightly, “I didn’t know her name. Haley…okay cool.”

“Little miss pink panties?” Peyton questioned, a smile playing on her lips at the silly reference.

“Where’d you go?” they heard her bark from across the hall.

“In here…” he cheerfully called back just adding to her aggravation with him.

“Here’s your shirt. Thank you again,” she said as politely as she could muster, handing him the neatly folded t-shirt.

“You’re welcome,” pushing himself up on his elbows he gave her the once over again.  She cleans up pretty good, “I guess you like everything to match – inside and out,” he smirked taking note of her pink tank top and pink flip flops, noting just a hint of the strap on her pink bra - receiving an exaggerated eye roll and heavy sigh in return.

She wanted to scream at him – just because you’re good looking as hell doesn’t mean you can do and say whatever you want asshole. “You guys aren’t really friends with this cretin are you?”

“Cretin? I gave you my shirt out of the goodness of my heart,” trying to sound offended. She was getting cuter by the minute…annoyance definitely looked good on her.

“And I said thank you, but that doesn’t mean you can gawk at my ass,” she threw back.

“Sorry, but it was a little hard to miss.”

“Are you saying I have a big ass?” shocked at his insinuation. She was getting that defiant stance again - this guy was headed for a beating.

“No…no you don’t have a big ass at all,” he stuttered.  This girl really was crazy. “You’ve got a great ass…I mean…it’s…oh hell…you’ve got a great ass. There,” he finished frustrated by the whole thing. Pushing himself off Peyton’s bed towering over the lot of them, he shook his head at her trying to regain his composure. “And it especially looks hot in pink panties – how’d ya like that?” bugging his eyes at her, fighting the urge to stick his tongue out, as he moved toward the door. “Your neighbor's a nut,” he nodded to Brooke and Peyton as he made his exit.

Brooke and Peyton couldn’t hold back the laughter any longer. Most girls would give their right arm to have Nathan tell them they had a great ass. In fact, most would probably offer to give him a personal tour of their ass, but not Haley. She’d acted insulted – earning her definite brownie points with them.

“What a pig! What’s his name anyway?”

“Nathan,” they answered together.

Chapter 2

The first week of school was getting better every day. Considering the first day had completely sucked there was no where to go but up.

She was really warming up to Peyton and Brooke; they were like a comedy team. Peyton the straight man while Brooke…well Brooke was just out there sometimes. She was grateful they had so easily let her into their circle.

Her own roommate was practically non-existent. She showed up every so often, mostly to crash between classes. Her name was Carrie Wojciehowicz. What the hell kind of name was Wojciehowicz? She was certain she had to be from another country or at the very least another state – no one from North Carolina, or certainly the south, would dare have the name Wojciehowicz – until she met her, and her southern twang told her different. She’d pronounced her name for her several times – Haley deciding she’d just stick with Carrie.

She was a senior from Charleston. Her parents wouldn’t let her live off campus, so of course they paid for her dorm room, and she lived off campus with her boyfriend anyway. She gave Haley explicit instructions on what to say to them if the room phone rang and it was her parents. If it was this time say this, if it was that time say that, then she was supposed to call her cell phone and let her know so she could call them back - Haley’s mind swimming trying to keep straight which lie she was supposed to tell to who and when.

She felt extremely lucky to get the room practically to herself. She was shocked she’d not ended up on a housing waiting list since she’d applied so late - changing her mind at the last minute opting for UNC instead of NC State. She just couldn’t go to State, not after…well she just couldn’t go there that’s all. After getting her head wrapped around the drastic change of plans, she set off for Chapel Hill; so far it was going great. She’d met some new friends, and had a couple of her closest friends from home there too. She decided moving on was working out well for her.

She made sure she got to English early this time. She wanted to stare at the stragglers this time instead of being the straggler stared at. She settled into a seat, getting out her notebook and pen, ready to take down every word the professor might utter that even remotely sounded like a piece of information she may have to regurgitate on some future test.

And here comes porky himself. The same two blondes that had cuddled up to him the other day were panting after him again today. He wasn’t even pretending to be listening anymore, turning his back on them, his eyes scanning the room as he climbed the stairs.

He had a hard time hiding the smirk when he saw Haley sitting there, so obvious in her attempt to avoid making eye contact with him. Her head hung down, her hair falling around her face as she dug through her purse for…there had to be something in there she wanted. Gum. Yeah gum, that sounds good. Unwrapping it, popping it in her mouth without ever lifting her head.

She saw him coming, that stupid smirk beginning to cross his face. Pig. Maybe if she kept her head down he wouldn’t see her, and be tempted to open his mouth and utter what she knew would be something…ignorant.

She let her eyes drift up, peering out through the hairs that hung across her face…Smiling to herself…ha - it worked, never saw me. Letting a sigh cross her lips, she raised her head shaking the hair back out of her face.

“Hey – pinky – let me have a piece,” came the voice from behind her, right before his big hand showed up in front of her shoulder.

She audibly sighed at the sound of his voice. Crap! Doing a double take at the hand that was practically in front of her face, now wiggling its long fingers in a hurry it up manner.

If he starts snapping I’m going to jab my pen all the way through his hand! She stared at the wiggling fingers for a beat before twisting around in her chair to glare at him.

“Pinky? Are you stupid? You want something from me after you just called me pinky? Not to mention the fact that you didn’t even say please,” staring with disgust at the hand he still hadn’t removed from her shoulder, his fingers ever closer to her face. She could smell the cologne that lingered on his hand. He may be a pig, but he was a good smelling pig - a damn good smelling pig, trying to take a deep whiff of him without being obvious. Mmm that’s nice…snap out of it…pig alert! “You can move your big hand now,” she ordered.

“Please,” he smiled down at her, wiggling his fingers again.

“God!” once again digging in her purse for gum, “Here!” slamming a piece in his palm.

“Thanks pinky.” He couldn’t resist. The way she fumed over nothing tickled him for some reason.

She was ready to scream! He’d been popping bubbles all during class. His legs stretched down beside her chair, crossing his feet, the big white Nike’s on his big feet clapping together now. She could hear him shifting repeatedly in his chair. Boredom had set in.

“What is your problem?” huffing under her breath at him over her shoulder.

He leaned over to her ear, the smell of her hair filling his senses. He resisted the urge to take a handful of it up to his face to savor it more fully. It smelled like…hmmm…like apple candy. Sweet.

“I’m bored,” he mumbled in her ear, lingering there before deciding he best move back before her hand found his head.

“Well be bored more quietly, some of us are trying to pay attention,” turning her head sideways to mumble back. Re-tucking the hair behind her ear where his warm breath had brushed it away when he was whispering in her ear. She pulled her sweater more tightly around her to ward off the chill that his voice had caused to run through her.

The professor glanced over at the clock – finally calling it quits - ten minutes early. The best thing about college…when the professor was done - he was done – not a slave to the clock like high school. Today it was a definite advantage.

Haley once again kept writing after he’d finished talking. Nathan hadn’t bothered to move either, giving the stream of girls that spoke as they filed past him a nod or a semi-interested ‘hey’.

She stood up stacking her books on her notebook, dropping her pen in her purse before slinging it over her shoulder. Stepping over his feet, not bothering to acknowledge him further as she began her descent down the stairs. Two steps and he was close behind her, slipping his arm through his bag as he went.

“Hey…,” she stopped abruptly, turning to face him with a completely readable ‘I dare you’ scowl on her face, “Haley,” he finished with a smile.

“Yes?” she questioned.

“Nathan?” the Barbie’s hot on his trail called to him before he could get out another word to Haley.

He stopped, rolling his eyes, groaning as he turned around to face them, “Yeah?”

Haley took this as her chance to escape whatever inane comment he was about to impart on her, hustling down the stairs while he was distracted by his fans. Two Barbie’s and a Ken – how appropriate she thought.

She raced down the hall when she saw him coming out of the classroom at the other end, practically squealing as she launched herself into his arms.

“JAAAKKKE!” she shrieked laughing as he tried to keep from stumbling backward from the surprise weight of her body landing on his.

“Hey! Where have you been, I’ve been trying to get you for days, Greg too.”

“I’ve been around. You should have left a message. I was beginning to think you guys were ignoring me.”

“Not hardly – just been kind of busy getting ramped up for basketball, and meeting the guys, and yada, yada, yada,” he smiled, draping an arm around her shoulders as they made their way back down the hall.

“You have to come over to see my room – and meet the girls across the hall. They are both gorgeous. You would definitely like,” she giggled.

“Really…well that’s an invitation I don’t think I can resist…hey man,” he greeted, bumping fists with Nathan when they reached him standing in the hall, flanked by yet another girl.

“So you know pinky too huh?” he smirked down at her, turning his back on the girl who was talking to him, taking in how Jake’s arm was wrapped around her, not being able to help wondering what that was all about.

“Pinky?” Jake chuckled glancing down at Haley.

“Ignore him, he’s an idiot.”

“Oh she loves me, just can’t admit it yet,” he winked, “already flashed me and everything.”

“See…like I said – an idiot,” folding her arms across her chest as she glared up at him.

“Flashing people? Huh, I see you’re making friends already Hales,” Jake laughing at her expression.

“So how do you know him anyway?” she asked continuing her staring contest with Nathan.

“We play…” Nathan started.

“VIDEO games,” Jake jumped in quickly, “we play video games together in the dorm. Nathan lives next door. You know how guys are Hales – they love their video games.”

Nathan was looking at Jake like he’d lost his mind. Video games? What the hell? Somehow I think playing basketball together takes precedence over video games…but whatever.

“Yeah right…we play video games, and…” he repeated Jake's story, stopping from going further when Jake gave him a quick ‘no’ shake of his head.

“Boys and their toys,” she scoffed. “I’ve got to get to my next class…come by okay?  And bring Greg if he can break away from all that football crap,” she smiled hugging him, throwing an unenthusiastic wave at Nathan as she left them alone.

“What the hell was that?” Nathan asked confused by what had just happened.

“If you want a chance with her, I’d hold off on letting her know you play basketball as long as I could.”

“What’s her deal with basketball, and who said I wanted a chance with her anyway? She’s a little on the nutso side if you ask me.”

“She’s not nutso, she’s….ummm…unique…quirky…”

“Nutso.”

Jake laughed.  Okay maybe she was a little nutso.

“What’s her grudge against basketball? Didn’t make the team in junior high or something?” he prodded as they walked back toward their dorm.

“I don’t know that it’s basketball so much as basketball players – and all that surrounds them. Long story – let’s just say that old song ‘One Bad Apple Don’t Spoil the Whole Bunch’ is bullshit to her. One bad apple fucked it up for everybody.”

“One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch? You’re a freak, Jake.”

~*~

It was already nearing eleven o’clock and she still needed to get to the library to do some research for her English paper. These teachers that insisted they get resources from books – which meant ventures to the library - made her crazy. She knew everything she needed was on the internet, right at the tips of her fingers, what was their problem anyway?

She’d frittered away half the evening with Brooke and Peyton. They’d debated the merits of who had the better butt Brad Pitt or George Clooney as they watched Oceans Eleven. It was getting heated, finally reaching the consensus that Brad had the better butt, but George was probably better in bed – Brooke assuring them that some day she’d be able to give them a first hand account of both their techniques – neither Peyton nor Haley doubting she was at least going to make an honest attempt at finding out.

She wandered through the aisles of books, searching out the ones she’d made note of needing. She was amazed at how crowded the place was this late. She figured she’d be one of the only ones there – save the ever present nerds – she wasn’t a nerd, no matter what people said…she wasn’t…honest!

She pulled a book here, wandering further pulling a book there; till she was sufficiently satisfied she could glean something from the four she had precariously balanced in her arms. Now if she could just find a quiet spot…

Oh crap! There he was again – stopping in her tracks – peering between the books at him. She’d think he was stalking her if she wasn’t the one that saw him first. He was sitting by himself at a back table, his laptop perched on the table in front of him. He was staring blankly at the screen, hands poised over the keys like he was waiting for something…a thought to come in his head probably – giggling to herself at her own humor. Yeah she was a nerd!

He looked…tired, pensive even. His expression much more serious than she’d seen him display before. He must have felt her eyes on him – his head tilting up, looking around, before sighing and rubbing his hand across his face, holding it there across his mouth as he once again stared…seemingly irritated at the screen.

He may have been a smart ass, but damn it he was good looking she noticed for the umpteenth time. His hair was always coifed just so, his clothes showing off his perfect body, his eyes…geez they were blue. She could even tell from here.

Once again she glanced at herself – completely dissatisfied with her appearance. At least she hadn’t put on her pajama pants like she’d been tempted to do. She had left her make-up on too…what the hell am I thinking – why do I care what I look like – he’s a smart ass pig. Ugh – running a quick hand over her hair to smooth it out, she crept out of the aisle, trying her best to not make a noise. It was a library, how hard was that.

And there it went – one of her books toppling off the stack as she turned the corner too quickly. It landed with a thud…a thud heard round the world – geez!

“You have problems hanging on to things don’t you?” she heard him chuckle behind her.

“Oh hi,” she half smiled bending to pick up her book, “didn’t see you there.”

“I’ll bet,” he returned.

“Are you trying to imply I was avoiding you?”

“Yes,” he laughed.

“And why would I do that?”

“Maybe because you don’t like me?”

“Don’t like you – why would I not like you – I don’t know anything about you…except you like to stare at girls butts without them knowing.”

“Hey you put it out there – I’m going to look…especially when it looks like yours,” he smirked.

Her shoulders slumped as she rolled her eyes at him, shaking her head like he was a lost cause.

“Okay…truce okay. I’ll quit talking about your butt if you quit rolling your eyes and glaring at me like I was some sort of perv or something. Okay? Deal?”

“Fine. Deal,” she sighed turning to go.

“Hey…don’t go yet. Sit down a minute. I swear I don’t bite…well - I have been known to nibble a little,” he chuckled.

She couldn’t stop the smile, he was so…full of himself. Still…he was hot looking. It wouldn’t hurt to sit and stare at him for a few minutes.

“Okay, just keep the teeth over there mister.”

“For now,” he smiled. “So…Haley – what’s your last name anyway?”

“James.”

“Haley James. I’m Nathan Scott, nice to meet you Haley James,” he smirked holding his hand out to her.

“Likewise I’m sure,” she giggled shaking his hand.

“So, where are you from Haley?”

“Well…Nathan – I’m from the same place as Jake, Mount Airy.”

“Oh yeah…Jake. Mount Airy – Andy Griffith and all that stuff huh?”

“Yeah,” she groaned rolling her eyes, “I’m seriously thinking about just telling people I’m from Mayberry – it has the same effect as saying Mount Airy.”

He had to laugh. Everybody from North Carolina and probably half the country knew Mount Airy was where Andy Griffith was from, and was sort of the backdrop for his old show. Still, meeting people that were actually from there was kind of…neat - in a stupid sort of way.

“Where are you from?”

“Tree Hill by way of Charlotte, ever hear of it?”

“Everybody’s heard of Charlotte, Nathan.”

“I meant Tree Hill,” he laughed.

“Not till I met Brooke and Peyton. It’s near the coast right?”

“Yeah. It’s small – everybody knows everybody else’s business. Kind of annoying.”

“So what’s the by way of Charlotte part?”

“Nothing really, we moved to Tree Hill when I was in the seventh grade.”

“Must have been quite a change moving from the big city to such a small town. Why’d you guys move?”

“My father…my mother…long story – best left for another day…or not at all,” he mumbled quickly.

“Okay,” Haley said, perplexed by how he suddenly seemed so uncomfortable with the topic.

“So…what do you like to do for fun Haley?”

“Fun? Oh, well…”

“You do like to have fun?”

“Sure. I’m just a fun loving kind of gal – can’t you tell?” she laughed lightly.

“Honestly…you seem wound a little tight to me, need to loosen up a little I’d say. Keep hanging with Brooke and Peyton and you’ll be corrupted in no time.”

His eyes kept drifting back to her mouth every time she would speak…or smile. She has a gorgeous mouth…an alluring mouth. She was really cute…more like pretty. Naturally pretty – not made up pretty like the girls that usually hung around him. Concentrate…

“For fun I…I don’t know. I kind of goof around with music a little. I like to read…I don’t know,” she shrugged, suddenly aware that she was…boring. Damn I’m boring – a frown forming on her face.

“Well all that sounds exciting,” he chuckled. “Why the frown?”

“Huh? I didn’t realize I was frowning. Sorry. What’s your fun – besides chasing girls,” she laughed.

“Girls? Oh I don’t chase girls, Haley…they chase me.”

“Oh. My. God! Your ego knows no bounds does it!” Of course if I looked like you I’d be an ego maniac too I guess, she thought. She knew there was a lot of truth in his words, but did he have to be so…so cocky about it. Geez!

“When you’ve got it you’ve got it – why deny it,” laughing at her flabbergasted expression.

“You…oh my god, you really are something else,” she retorted shaking her head in dismay. “I may have to leave - I’m beginning to feel claustrophobic with all the space your big head is taking up.”

He was enjoying her fluster. It was one more cute thing about her. The way her beautiful brown eyes flew open at his words, the way he made her stammer over her own words…it was cute as hell. Most girls would have been trying to move their chair closer to his by now, flipping their hair, touching him playfully, trying to be all coy with him…but not her – she acted like he was a…jerk – this was different – totally fun!

“Okay…I’ll stop,” still laughing at her expression.

“You are so…, anyway…back to what you do for fun, and if you mention your god like hold over girls in any of your answers I’m gone,” she giggled.

“That may be hard but…besides partying – and all that goes along with that,” he smirked, “I play…”, crap…basketball – Jake’s warning flashing through his head – I can’t say basketball? How the hell am I supposed to tell her about myself if I can’t say basketball? Only if I want a chance with her I can’t say I play basketball…what do I care…I don’t want a chance with her – I have chances galore without worrying about little pinky here…still…

“You play…what?”

“I play video games – remember?”

“Yeah…right.” She knew that wasn’t what he wanted to say, but was too worn out from the whole conversation to try and fill in what it actually may have been.

“And other stuff,” waving offhanded as if to signal he was done with this topic. “So you and Jake seem pretty tight – is he your boyfriend or something?”

“Jake?” she said with a hearty laugh. “Hell no he’s not my boyfriend! Good god no! He’s lived across the street from me since we were like five or something. We’ve been friends since forever, but god no he’s not my boyfriend,” she laughed again – the thought of it totally preposterous to her. “I was actually thinking of trying to set him up with Brooke or Peyton.”

“Why – I thought he was your friend? You trying to kill the poor guy or something?”

“What’s wrong with them? They’re both beautiful, and fun, and I think they’d hit it off really good. Although…I met this guy that was in their room the other day, I’m not sure if he’s into one of them or not. Peyton didn’t pay much attention to him, but Brooke was all flirty – but then Brooke’s always all flirty – so it was hard to tell if there was something there or not.”

It was Lucas – he was almost sure of it…”What’d he look like?”

“Hot. He looked hot,” she laughed.

He fought the urge to mock her ‘hot’. Lucas…hot – what fucking ever!

“I don’t see guys as hot, so give me a little more to work with will ya,” he said, much more annoyed than he intended.

“Okay…he’s sort of blonde – his hairs kind of buzzed off – thin, slump shouldered, really pretty squinty blue eyes…I can’t remember…Luke…Lucas that’s it – his name is Lucas. You know him too?”

“You could have stopped at slump shouldered and squinty eyed,” he laughed. “Yeah I know him – he’s my brother.”

“No way! Really – wow. He’s really good looking.” What a gene pool these two had, she marveled.

“Yeah I got that from the ‘hot’ reference before,” he grumbled.

“Are he and one of them an item or what?”

“An item?” he chuckled at the way she put it. “He and Peyton were an item at one time, but that’s been a pretty long time ago. He and Brooke…hmmm they were an item too…still are…sometimes…I think – hell I can’t keep up with those two. If he’s hanging out over there they may be on…or not. I don’t bother to keep track anymore – it made my head hurt trying to keep up.”

“What about you – they’re pretty – just your type – what’s your history with them?” she asked – confused as to why she really didn’t think she wanted to hear the answer.

“My history – with those two,” he laughed. “Well let’s see…me and Peyton – that would just be gross considering she’s my cousin – and Brooke – while I’ll agree she’s hot – she’s a little psycho. I never needed that kind of aggravation – so no history there – then, now, or ever,” he laughed again.

“You and Peyton are cousins? And she and Lucas used to be…together?” her mouth beginning to gape. “Ummm, I know there’s this…thing out there that people from the south are…you know - prone to hook up with relatives – but I always preferred to think it was a myth,” her face contorting with the thoughts running through her head, “but if Lucas is your brother and Peyton is your cousin…doesn’t that spell incest to you?” she leaned closer practically whispering.

He roared with laughter. This girl was a scream. The disgusted look on her face was priceless – he fought the urge to whip out his camera phone and snap her picture just so she could see herself.

“Ya think? Not into incest huh?” trying to hold back more laughter.

“Not especially. You know…I think I better get going,” she mumbled trying to gather her books.

“Wait, wait, wait,” he said quickly, reaching out to grasp her arm. Damn her arms are thin…tiny feeling…and…soft – his eyes drifting down to where his hand held her arm in place – his thumb absently rubbing against her skin.

Her own eyes glanced down to where his hand held her. His hand looked huge against her arm…and warm…and he was rubbing her skin…and oh god, she gulped – it felt good.

What he was doing seemed to suddenly register in his head because he quickly jerked his hand back. “Ummm – it’s not like that,” he chuckled lightly, holding his hands tightly together in his lap; afraid to let them loose…he was acutely aware he couldn’t trust them at the moment.

“Lucas and I are half brothers. We have the same father. Peyton’s mom and my mom were sisters. Lucas and Peyton aren’t related so it’s okay…we’re not as freaky as you thought.”

“Well - that’s a relief!” she sighed smiling again.

The silence hung between them now. Both looking everywhere but at each other. It had been so comfortable, so natural before – and then he had to touch her and now…shit – he wanted to touch her again. He looked back at his computer screen – staring at….what…nothing…waiting for some…words…shit something to come into his stupid head besides the feel of her soft skin.

She tapped her fingers distractedly on the table, glancing around the room to see…see…anybody…’anybody else in here’ she wanted to yell. Would someone please make some noise so I can quit listening to the sound of my stupid heart banging in my chest? Please…somebody…anybody.

“So..,” they said at the same time, both of them laughing lightly at themselves. “Go ahead,” he jumped in first.

“I’m not sure what I was going to say. Are you working on something for school?” she asked pointing to his computer. Well that was totally lame she thought.

“No. Just kind of messing around.”

“You have to come to the library to mess around with your computer? Don’t want anybody to see you looking at porn huh?” she laughed – regretting it immediately when she saw the glint flash in his eyes, and that damn smirk show up again.

“Porn? We actually gather in groups to look at porn – rate the girls – positions, get ideas…I’m sure you know what I mean,” he chuckled.

“I’m sorry I brought it up,” she groaned. “I withdraw the question.”

He couldn’t help smiling at the blush that was covering her face. “You’re blushing.”

“No kidding.”

“Never looked at porn?”

“I have brothers,” rolling her eyes at him. “I’ve seen porn – it’s just not – god can we change the subject,” she huffed fanning herself trying to ease the heat that had taken over her face.

“Sure,” he laughed.

“So what are you doing here anyway – if you’re not doing school work.”

“It’s quiet. The noise in the dorm gets to me sometimes. I can be by myself and think and shut everybody and everything out in here. It’s kind of…I don’t know…quiet therapy or something,” he shrugged.

“You can just surf the net in peace huh?”

“I’m not surfing the net,” he said eyeing her. Trust her…or don’t trust her…Trust – it wasn’t one of his strong suits. It took effort, and most of the time it came back to slap you in the face. Just a way to get yourself screwed over as far as he was concerned. Still…she seemed…

“I…ummm, I kind of keep a journal – of sorts – I guess,” he stuttered.

“Really!” genuine excitement in her voice. “So you like to write?”

“No. I keep a journal.”

“That’s writing…isn’t it?”

“Kind of…I guess…but I don’t write stories or stuff like that.”

“Oh okay. Like a diary then.”

“I prefer journal – diary sounds too girly,” he chuckled.

“Yeah I guess it does,” she agreed smiling at him. “That’s so cool. What kind of stuff do you write?”

“I don’t know. Just about things…what happened that day or what I’m pissed about – there’s a lot of that. I don’t know – just stuff I guess. You’re in here,” he chuckled.

“ME! Really! What did you say…can I see? I don’t think anyone’s ever written about me in a journal before.”

“Oh I doubt that,” he smiled. “Let’s see,” he mumbled tapping the keys on his computer, “here we go…’Peyton and Brooke have a girl that lives across the hall from them that wears pink panties. I got a good view of them today…she has a hot ass.’ What’d ya think – do I have potential?” he said biting his lip to keep from laughing.

She gasped, her mouth flying open, “You did not write that! Please tell me you did not write that!”

“See for yourself,” he smirked turning the screen so she could see it.

“Shit – you did write that! What a jerk!” she wailed smacking him in the arm.

“Ow…you’re strong for a pip squeak,” he groaned, rubbing the spot she’d just hit.

“You need to erase that.”

“I will not. It’s my journal, Haley – I can write whatever I want. If I want to write you have a hot ass, I’ll write it. Why don’t you just accept it – you have a nice ass – be happy. I’m sure I’m not the first to notice.”

“God – whatever!”

“Why is that so hard for you to believe?” he asked confused.

“I don’t know!” she blew back. “I’m…I don’t know - guys just don’t go around telling me I have a hot anything. It’s just too weird!”

“Nobody? I don’t believe that. No boyfriend ever said…”

“NO! No boyfriend ever said shit to me. I need to go,” she snapped trying to grab up her things.

“What’d I say? Geez Haley – I’m sorry – I wasn’t trying to piss you off – sorry okay?”

“Whatever Nathan – just…I’ll see ya,” turning quickly to walk away – another book sailing out of her arms, skittering across the carpet. “Damn it!”

“Hang on,” he sighed slapping his computer shut and coming over to help her.

“I don’t need your help,” she bit out, both of them grabbing for the book at the same time, her eyes challenging his, before he jerked it from her grasp.

“Too bad – I’m helping anyway. That’s the second time you’ve dropped one – obviously you do need some help,” holding the book over his head when she tried to snatch it back from him.

“Give it!” she barked, giving him a quick slap to the stomach.

“Quit that! Didn’t anybody ever teach you it’s not nice to hit? You’re a mean little sucker you know that,” he barked back. “I’m helping – get your hot ass moving.”

“AHHH!” she growled at him, giving him a hard glare before giving in and stomping away.

They walked back toward her dorm in virtual silence. Haley hoping the cool air would calm her down. The days were still pretty warm, but the nights had rapidly gotten cooler – it was refreshing – of course the fact that it was after midnight may have had something to do with the coolness. She was trying to breathe deeply. She knew she’d bitten his head off for no reason really. So he thought she had a nice butt – he even wrote about it – she should be flattered. The more she thought about it…it was kind of flattering. I mean this hot guy thought she had a nice butt. Go figure.

“I’m sorry,” she contritely mumbled.

“For what?”

“For biting your head off. You think I have a nice butt – I should be grateful somebody does. Thanks.”

“Your enthusiasm is killing me Haley,” he chuckled, “but you’re welcome.”

They were rapidly approaching her dorm when a group of loud, giggling girls came barreling around the corner. They were either drunk or had just heard the funniest joke ever because they were laughing hysterically and shoving each other as they approached them.

“Ewww look girls – it’s none other than Nathan Scott,” the first blonde with the perfect makeup squealed. Haley wondering how someone so drunk could look that put together at this time of night. She didn’t look that put together at any time – it wasn’t fair!

All the other girls squealing in kind as they blocked his path, jostling Haley aside. “What are you doing out this time of night – especially with books in your hand?” she cooed, running her fake red nail down his chest. “You missed a great party. Everybody was asking where you were.”

“Really,” he chuckled nervously, glancing at Haley, who was watching the show with a disgusted face. “Sorry I missed it – looks like you guys drank my share though, so it wasn’t a total loss for you huh.”

“There’s another one Saturday at Charlie’s place. He has the best parties don’t you think? I guess that means you’ll be there too? I’m sure all the basketball players will be there,” she pouted clasping her arms around his neck.

He shifted the books to his other arm, securing them on top of his laptop before gently pulling her arms one by one from around his neck.

“I don’t know – we’ll see. Listen I need to go. You girls have fun,” he half smiled, side stepping the whole group – giving Haley a fast head nod trying to get her to start moving. She was still staring in disbelief at their forwardness – Nathan lightly grabbing her arm pulling her along – Haley turning her head back to look at them once more before getting in step with him.

“You know them I guess?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” he chuckled. “I guess they think they know me though.”

“Oh I see – random girls coming up to you and wrapping their arms around your neck is a common occurrence then,” she laughed.

“Not quite like they just did, but…nevermind.”

“No – go ahead,” she smiled, “I’d like to hear how the other half live.”

“The other half?”

“You know – the popular crowd. Looks like you must have to beat them off with a stick,” giggling at the vision of him with girls draped all over him, a big stick in his hand beating them away as they tear at his clothes.

“Whatever.”

“Oh come on don’t get modest on me now Nathan.” He didn’t want to pursue this conversation – at all. He knew she already thought he was all ego – he didn’t need to feed that impression by giving her information on his female conquests.

“Sounds like you hang out with the basketball crowd.”

He shrugged.

“So Jake goes to these parties too then I guess.” She knew Jake wasn’t all that big of a partier, but he wasn’t a complete dullard either. He had no problem in the female department either – though she knew he didn’t compare to what she assumed Nathan routinely experienced.

“Sometimes. Why you jealous?” he challenged. What the hell was that! Where did that come from? That was stupid Scott – god you sounded like you were jealous she’d be jealous of Jake – just shut up before you say something else stupid.

“Jealous?” looking at him perplexed. “I told you Jake and I are just friends. What he does with some other girl makes no difference to me. Hopefully he’s not stupid enough to get somebody pregnant or come home with some disease or something, but really I’m not too concerned with who Jake’s spending his time with.”

He didn’t say another word. He’d touched her, and now he was saying ignorant stuff. He was rapidly descending into utter stupidity – he knew it was best to just keep his trap shut.

“I think I can get it from here,” she smiled when they got to the dorm’s elevator, holding her stack out to him so he could place his on top of hers.

“Just get on,” he mumbled when the door opened.

“What’s the matter with you? You act like somebody stole your candy or something,” she questioned when the door shut, looking up into his sullen face.

“Nothing.”

“Okay,” she shrugged, completely confused by his sudden change in demeanor. He’s moodier than a damn girl she thought.

“Hey hey,” Brooke sang out when she saw Haley appear. “Somebody’s following you Haley,” she said in a mock whisper when she saw Nathan show up behind her - Nathan shooting her a go to hell look.

“Will the real Nathan Scott please stand up,” she groused at his obvious crabby mood, waving a dismissive hand his way.

“Thank you – such the gentleman,” Haley smiled up at him, taking the books from him dropping them on her desk.

“Yeah that’s me. I’ll see ya,” he grumbled.

“You want a Coke or water or something – I think Brooke and Peyton even stashed some of their beer in my fridge,” Haley quickly threw out before he could get out the door. “I mean it’s the least I could do after you lugged my books all the way over here.”

He paused in the door, turning back to her, he just couldn’t help himself – his eyes moved over every inch of her, in his mind she didn’t have many clothes left on before his eyes returned to hers – eyes smiling at him waiting for his response…god she was pretty – and that body…he licked his lips, suddenly aware he was breathing a little too fast.

“Ummm – no – no thanks – maybe some other time. I’ll umm, I’ll see ya Haley,” he finished quietly, making a hasty exit.

“Sure,” she responded back – to no one. Of course he doesn’t want to stay for a drink you dweeb. He probably thought you were trying to hit on him and was repulsed by the whole idea. Geez it’s just a Coke – I wasn’t inviting him into my bed for god’s sake. Although…oh shut up idiot.

She called goodnight to Brooke and Peyton before closing her door, flopping back on her bed with her clothes still on, staring at the ceiling. Nathan’s piercing blue eyes and annoyingly appealing smirk dancing through her head as she finally drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 3

Haley was trying desperately to concentrate, but the racket coming from across the hall was deafening. She’d introduced Jake to Peyton and Brooke, and judging by the peels of laughter coming from their room they were hitting it off. Brooke had dragged Peyton back to their room when Jake first got there telling her she’d give her first dibs on him, but she was on the clock, so if she didn’t reel him in soon…Brooke was going to.

Haley finally shooed them back across the hall so she could get her English paper done. Jake had invited them to come to a party, but Haley was hell bent on getting her paper done even if it was Saturday night. Besides it was at that Charlie guys place –the one she’d heard those girls talking to Nathan about – it meant all Jake’s basketball buddies would be there – not a scene she was anxious to delve into.

“Come on Hales go with us – please,” Jake begged. “It’ll be fun…I’ll keep the wolves off you I promise.”

“No thanks. I really want to get this paper done. If I can get it done tonight that’ll gives me Sunday to do absolutely nothing. Besides – I need to run back to the library for a couple more things. You guys go ahead – go have fun,” she smiled at him.

Jake sat down across from her taking in her smile, and overly happy demeanor – he knew it was all fake. She needed to get past all this crap that happened – he just couldn’t seem to find a way to help her. He’d tried spending more time with her over the summer, making her go with him everywhere he went – not wanting to let her stew in her own thoughts. It seemed to help - a little – she’d at least starting smiling and talking again – though she didn’t seem to have much enthusiasm for anything anymore.

“Haley…you can’t keep letting the bullshit that happened keep you from living. Don’t let it keep this…this hold over you Hales. Let it go, please. I’m worried about you. I want the real Haley back – not this guarded, afraid of life Haley.”

“God - quit worrying about me already Jake.  I’m not guarded and I’m not afraid. It’s in the past. I don’t care anymore – what happened happened – live and learn right?” shrugging as she smiled at him again.

“You’re a terrible liar. Don’t let it keep screwing you over Haley by not getting out there. So there’s going to be basketball players, athletes, at this thing – big deal. You don’t have to talk to any of them – I mean it won’t be hard to figure out which ones play basketball now will it?” he chuckled. “I’m begging you Hales – please go with us.”

“You’ll have two beautiful girls on your arm Jake.  Be grateful,” she laughed. “Aren’t they everything I said they were? Which one are you going to go for?”

“They are everything you said – but why do I have to choose?” he smiled. “And I noticed the subject change by the way.”

“Damn you’re fast Jake,” she giggled.

“Okay I give. Here’s the address where the party’s going to be – if you change your mind, and I hope you do, we’ll be there. I love you Hales.”

“Yeah? Well I love you too. Have fun – just remember – one girl at a time. I don’t want be breaking up any hair pulling fights across the hall.”

“Okay,” he laughed, “besides - you know I’ve always been partial to blondes,” he winked.

She worked on her paper some more, finally getting it to an acceptable place. She had to get back to that stupid library though. She’d forgotten some reference things in the books she’d used, and if she could just get those she could give it her blessing, print the thing, and get some sleep. Hallelujah!

~*~

When Jake and the girls arrived at the party, half the place was already plastered. How this Charlie guy got by with having loud, out of control parties at his house without the cops being called day in and day out was nothing short of amazing. Obviously his neighbors were students too – or at least invited guests.

Brooke headed straight for Lucas when she hit the door. She was going to give Peyton a chance with Jake – for now anyway. She wasn’t about to be totally alone. Lucas could always take care of things – if she didn’t get a better offer. He was already surrounded by a group of girls – no matter – she nudged her way through – dropping a wet kiss on his lips – Lucas chuckling at her attempt to ward off the other girls.

“Hello to you too,” he laughed.

“Hey,” she beamed taking a drink of his beer, scanning the room over the rim as she did.

“So what do you see?”

“Not much…yet. I like tall guys – but really - some of these guys are just ridiculous. I’d feel like I’d need a megaphone for them to hear me way up there. Oh…and here comes king asshole himself,” she snipped, watching Nathan come down the stairs, beer in hand, shirttail flapping free, the bleach blonde trailing behind him adjusting her clothes. “I guess he’s done one already tonight.”

Lucas just laughed, “Looks that way.”

Nathan never gave the girl behind him a second look. He headed straight for the keg – refilling his cup – drinking it down before filling it again… and again. His head was swimming. He couldn’t figure out what the hell his problem was. He’d just been in bed with this hard bodied blonde, and he’d never enjoyed sex less. He’d definitely just been going through the motions – it was ridiculous actually – just going at her till – well till he was done, and she was practically screaming at the top of her lungs. He’d had the urge to clamp his hand over her mouth – it couldn’t have been that great…it sure as hell wasn’t for him.

He looked around the room. Maybe I just need to give it another try, he thought. Maybe someone more…short…less blonde for a change…brown eyes, beautiful mouth…stop it you idiot! Gulping down yet another cup of beer – she is so not your type.

“So who’s the bimbo?” Peyton asked, she and Jake filling their cups, nodding at the blonde standing in the corner giggling with a group of girls that were eyeing Nathan from across the room.

“I don’t know.”

“You just came from screwing her Nathan – how can you not know!” Peyton blew out – Jake’s eyes growing wide at her flash of temper.

“Her name's…Stephanie or Stacy or shit I don’t know something with an ‘S’ – Stephanie I think. She said she was a Kappa – how’s that - Did I get enough details for ya Peyton?”

“You are so freakin’ pathetic. Can’t even get the damn girl's name straight before you screw her. You suck – you know that Nathan?”

“You’re not seriously here with her are you Jake?” Nathan asked matching Peyton’s glare.

“Well yeah – I came with her and Brooke – and Brooke looks a little busy – so I guess Peyton’s stuck with me,” he smiled winking at Peyton – Peyton blushing in return.

“What’d you do with your neighbor?” Nathan asked scanning discreetly around the room for some sign of Haley.

“I couldn’t get her to come,” Jake shrugged.

“What – she doesn’t party or something?”

“No – she parties – sometimes - been in a slump the last few months though. She’s probably at the library right now – just had to finish her English paper you know – Saturday night be damned,” he groused.

“The library? Who the hell goes to the library on a Saturday?”

“Obviously Haley does jackass,” Peyton bit out, “come on Jake – the urge to smack him is overwhelming me at the moment – I better move,” she smiled at Jake, snarling at Nathan, as she pulled Jake away with her.

“Bitch,” Nathan mumbled – Peyton’s head snapping back at him – Nathan sticking his tongue out at her. Yep – they’re related alright.

He slumped in a chair, letting himself peruse the room for potential partners; someone in here was bound to be able to get these crazy thoughts out of his head. He could taste her…his hands rubbing that ass…kissing that mouth… “Shit I need some air,” he muttered to himself, filling his cup yet again, heading out the door.

He breathed in the night air. It would have been just the trick if everywhere he looked – in the yard, on the porch – there weren’t couples mauling each other. Guys hands were groping girls, lips, and tongues, and moaning and groaning…and crap can’t you people find more private places to feel each other up he wanted to scream! God!

He started walking; he had to get away from there. He had to…damn it he had to get away from there. He was opening the door to the library before he’d even realized where he was. The bright lights blinding him as he came in – waking him up to where he was – stopping to rub his eyes, letting them adjust before walking in further.

There were actually more than a few people in there – it was Saturday, it was late…okay these people had problems he was convinced. He walked up and down the rows…maybe she’s already done he thought when he couldn’t find her…nope – there she is. He smiled to himself.

She was in the back corner, her finger running along in the book, then typing on her computer. Her brow knitted in complete concentration. Awww, she looks so cute…god who just said that, he thought – actually turning his head in all directions like someone besides him had run the thought through his head. Too much to drink…definitely too much to drink.

“Hey,” he smiled, dropping in a chair.

Her head shot up, “Well hey,” she smiled back. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged.

She couldn’t stop the smile. He is so drunk. She wanted to laugh at his unkempt appearance. His shirttail out, stubble on his face, his hair a mess, and the goofy grin that adorned his perfect face – he is so cute!

“Just wandered in huh?”

“Guess so.”

“Okay…did you go to the party?”

“Yep.”

“You’re just full of conversation tonight,” she giggled. “Not the babbling type of drunk I guess.”

“Who says I’m drunk?”

“Hmmm well, you smell like a brewery for one. You’re not quite as put together as normal either – Are you telling me you’re not drunk?” smiling as she rested her chin on her fist.

“No.”

“So…you are drunk?”

“Yep.”

“Well that’s settled. So what brings a drunken Nathan to the library on a Saturday night?”

He shrugged.

She shook her head, smiling at him. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since he sat down. “Okay…just hold that thought,” she chuckled, going back to typing.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice husky from the night air and alcohol, moving to the chair next to her.

Her eyes slowly shifted up to him – man he sounds sexy drunk. Wow – who sounds like that when they’re drunk? Shaking her head of the thoughts.

“I’m just putting the finishing touches to my English paper. What about you, did you finish yours yet?”

“Yep.”

“Yep…okay,” she had to bite her lip to keep from letting out a full blown laugh. “You’re a better man than me then.”

“You’re not a man though.”

“Even drunk you noticed that. Good Nathan,” she smiled at him. The fact that he was staring at her didn’t escape her notice. He’d stretched his arm across the back of her chair, leaning in to look at her computer, now his eyes had settled on her face. He couldn’t help staring at her full mouth, her eyes, and back again. She felt herself licking her lips. “Ummm…”

“You smell good,” he said with a husky whisper – leaning in to nuzzle his nose in her hair, “like apple candy.”

“Oh…really,” you’re making me really nervous here, she wanted to say, “must be the shampoo – I actually think it is apple something or other,” she nervously uttered, slowly pulling her head back from him, running a hand through her hair.

“Sorry,” he mumbled sitting back in his chair, never taking his eyes off hers.

“No, no that’s okay. I smell like apple candy…you smell like beer. What a combo,” she laughed nervously, getting more ruffled by the second.

She closed her book, then her laptop. She could still feel his eyes boring into her. “You…I’m just going to go put this book back – I’ll umm, I’ll be right back.” God you’re making me nervous! If you’d just quit staring like I was some sort of item on the food bar…those eyes…god they’re so gorgeous. Her palms were sweating like crazy; she kept wiping them on her jeans as she made her way back to the table.

“I guess I’m done…you want to leave or are you just going to hang out in the library…or…”

“Can I walk back with you?”

“Sure,” she smiled trying not to sound unnerved. “I still owe you a drink if you want to come up…or not. I mean you probably want to get back to the party…or…”

“Okay.”

“Okay – you’ll come up for that drink?”

“Yep.”

“And there it is again,” she giggled, even Nathan letting a chuckle escape.

The sounds of silence were deafening. Their footsteps ringing in her ears, the step step step – broken up by the occasional crunch of a leaf or nut or rock or something else under foot. Nathan walked in silence beside her, his hands shoved down in his pockets, his face registering…frustration, or confusion, or maybe just utter boredom. She didn’t know him well enough to tell yet she decided.

They reached the corner waiting for the passing cars to get by. He glanced down at her, she up at him – a small smile on her lips – before she looked down the street at the oncoming traffic, twisting her mouth up again, shaking her head, baffled as to why he was there instead of the party.

He reached down taking her hand in his, intertwining their fingers just before they stepped off the curb to cross the street.

Okay…I guess his mother must have been big on the ‘hold hands when you cross the street’ thing. Whatever.

“So ummm,” she began once they’d reached the other side of the street – his hand not releasing hers as they continued on, “how was the party?”

“It was a party – same as always.”

“Sounds fun,” she chuckled, “did you see your friends from the other night there?”

“What friends?”

“The girls we ran into the other night.”

“They’re not my friends, but no I didn’t see them. It was pretty crowded.”

“So how were Jake and the girls getting along? I really think he and Peyton would make a good match. What do you think?”

“I don’t,” he mumbled. Don’t turn into an ass Scott – he warned himself.

“You don’t what – think they’d make a good match?” this was tiring…dragging every word out of him. Geez. He talks more sober than drunk – who the heck does that, she wondered.

“They’re fine I guess. I wouldn’t wish Peyton on anybody – least of all someone as nice as Jake.”

“Peyton’s sweet – you just don’t like her ‘cause you’re related to her. Jake could do a lot worse – in fact he has,” she giggled.

“If you say so.”

Why was he getting so grumpy? I didn’t ask him to show up, or walk me back, or talk to me, or anything. If you want to go back to the party – go I’m not going to stop you.  And why are you still holding my hand? Ugh you’re moody!

She stopped in her tracks, her hand lurching forward with Nathan as he kept going, unaware she’d stopped.

“Did I do something to piss you off?”

“No.”

“Then why are you so grumpy now? You don’t have to come up Nathan – it’s okay – really. If you want to go back to the party – go – it won’t bother me. We can just do it some other time.”

He stepped back to her, tightening his grip on her hand. Her eyes were searching his, he gazed back – they were beautiful. Her mouth was…beautiful – her lips so full and soft looking and pink and – he couldn’t take his eyes off them. The way her tongue had just licked them – they looked even more enticing damp…he unconsciously licked his own. They were calling to him. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me they kept chanting…

He’s staring at my lips…why is he staring at my lips? I haven’t been eating so I can’t have crumbs around them…can I? Oh god – do I have a crumb – please say I don’t have a crumb - fighting off the intense urge to wipe at her mouth.

“I don’t want to go back to the party,” oh god - there’s that sexy voice again…who sounds like that! It wasn’t fair he should sound like that, and look like that and… “I want to kiss you,” his free hand sliding up her jaw, his fingers splayed in her hair, his mouth landing softly on hers.

And kiss like that. She was stunned, her eyes wide, darting back and forth, before landing on his closed ones - her mouth not moving…not moving…not moving – shit close your eyes and get with it stupid!

I’m drunk – I must be even more drunk than I thought. What the hell am I doing? I’m kissing her…holy crap I’ve lost it! She’s not enjoying this…pull back…hurry before she slaps you. And then…her mouth began to move lightly with his. Relaxing with his, letting her lips move with his.

He reluctantly pulled his mouth away after a few moments of tasting her lips. Sighing and biting his lip as he turned his eyes to the sky – Haley biting her own, looking at the ground. His hand still resting on her jaw, finally letting it slide slowly from her face.

I could go for some more of that, he thought.

“So…ummm, you’re really drunk I guess,” she said with a small shrug, a slightly embarrassed little smile on her lips, her eyes drifting back up to his.

“Not so drunk I didn’t know what I was doing,” an embarrassed little smile of his own gracing his face.

“Oh…well…okay then…ummm…okay – well now don’t I sound stupid,” she babbled out, “I guess…ummm – you know we should just…kind of…just keep going then,” smiling shaking her head up and down – stop with the bobble head already!

Walking again, at a faster clip than before, her hand lurching Nathan forward this time as he still held tightly to her hand – don’t stop, don’t freakin’ stop she told herself.

“Still want to come up?” she asked nervously punching the elevator button again.

“If it’s okay. I won’t attack you, don’t worry,” a husky chuckle escaping.

She wanted to beg him to stop talking, stop making noise of any kind, because it was sending chills up her spine. The husky, sexy sound of his voice was killing her.

“Oh no – I’m not worried…besides I have pepper spray,” she joked.

“Thanks for the warning.”

They stood at her door, Haley analyzing how she was going to get her keys out and open the door with him still clutching her hand.

“Is there a problem?”

“I ummm – I kind of need my hand back,” blushing as she looked down at their intertwined fingers and back up into his eyes.

“What…oh yeah sorry here,” he stammered quickly releasing her hand.

He’d been so distracted when he was in her room the other night he hadn’t noticed a thing about it. It was neat…very neat. His room on the other hand looked like a pigsty – neither he nor Lucas knowing the meaning of putting things away.

Her shelves were brimming with cd’s, textbooks, a couple of pictures. Everything in its own little place.

“Clint Eastwood fan I guess,” noting the posters of him gracing her walls.

“Isn’t everybody?” she smiled.

“Yeah, but he’s kind of a guys star isn’t he? I mean Dirty Harry and all that. Westerns and cops and shooting people and the like – he’s hardly the chick flick kind of star.”

“Chick flicks suck,” she groaned. “Besides he’s good looking – I mean I know he’s older than Moses now, but he still doesn’t look bad – and in his younger days – definitely high on the yum scale. I love his shoot ‘em up movies. Dirty Harry – totally awesome,” she giggled. “I have Johnny Depp up there too if I feel the need for some youth. Grungy Johnny Depp…now that’s hot.”

He couldn’t help but laugh, she was so enthusiastic when she talked about them. A true fan no doubt…although he couldn’t understand the attraction to a grungy looking Johnny Depp. He always looked like he needed a shower to him – oh well whatever.

“You don’t have any posters of near naked girls on your wall? No Angelina Jolie and her lips or a half naked Halle Berry or Cameron Diaz or anything like that?”

“No but you’ve given me some ideas,” he chuckled. “So where’s your roommate?”

“She lives with her boyfriend.”

“Her boyfriend – what the hell does she have a dorm room for then?”

“Her parents won’t let her live off campus – so she does anyway. I’m supposed to keep up the lie for her when they call. You’d think they would have caught on by now because she did it last year too but whatever…it’s like having a private room so I’m not about to complain.”

“I wouldn’t either,” he smiled dropping heavily on Carrie’s bed. “I can sit here…”

“Sure – it’s not like she’ll notice. She just shows up a couple of times a week usually between classes so knock yourself out. Now - how ‘bout that drink,” she smiled squatting in front of her little refrigerator - Nathan lustfully eyeing the exposed skin above her jeans where her shirt rode up.

“I have…Coke, water, a couple orange juices, and beer. I’m guessing you don’t need any more beer,” smiling back at him over her shoulder.

“Actually I could use another one – if you’ll have one with me.”

One couldn’t hurt, she figured, might actually relax her because right now she was nervous as hell.

“Okay why not,” handing him a bottle, twisting off the top of her own.

She sat on her bed opposite him, folding her legs up in front of her. Taking sip after long sip of her beer, looking distractedly around her room…cobweb…I see a cobweb…no spider home, hmmm wonder where it is. What else….dust bunny at five o’clock – damn dust bunnies. Ooops little snag on the bedspread…sip, sip, sip. Empty. Oh dear.

“You want another one?” she asked getting up to get herself one.

“I’m still working on this one thanks,” he laughed.

“I think I’ll have another,” twisting off the top, tipping it back for a long swallow.

“You always drain them this quick or am I just making you nervous?” he smirked.

I was sort of nervous, but now you’re smirking, so I’m really nervous, “Oh no you’re not making me nervous…I’m just thirsty I guess,” tucking her hair behind her ear for the tenth time.

“Okay,” chuckling at her flustered motions.

“So…what do you want to do?”

“What do I want to do?” he repeated slowly, a grin spreading across his face at the blush that was spreading across hers.

“I take back the question,” she giggled – god the beer was already working – tipping it back for another swig. “You want to watch a movie, or T.V., or…I have cards – we could play cards…or ummm talk – we could just talk…if you’d rather,” she squeaked out taking another drink.

“Maybe I should go if I’m making you that nervous. You keep drinking like that and you’ll be more wasted than me in no time.”

“It’s okay…I’m okay. So what’ll it be?”

“Since Clint Eastwood seems like a big player in this room – you have any Dirty Harry movies?”

“Good choice. A strike in the good column for Nathan,” she smiled, snatching a movie off the shelf in her closet. “You probably need to pull up a chair because the way my T.V. is twisted it may be hard for you to see it good from over there. Here,” she said handing him a chair in a bag, “this is much better than those crappy desk chairs.”

She climbed back up in the middle of her bed propping her pillows against the wall, leaning back against it. Nathan setting the chair facing her bed, slipping his shoes off, stretching his legs out on her bed – Haley staring at his big socked feet in front of her.

“Is this okay?”

“Sure…I was just marveling at how big your feet were,” she giggled emptying another beer.

“You know what they say about guys with big feet don’t you?” he smirked.

Her face was burning, half from the effects of the beer, half from what he’d just said. “I’ve heard rumors,” she mumbled.

“They’re not just rumors, Haley,” he chuckled enjoying making her blush once again.

“Yeah…okay…so umm…we’re all set here,” clearing her throat settling back against her pillows again, avoiding looking his direction at all costs.

The movie played on, the two of them cheering and laughing at every smart ass comment Harry made. Keeping the conversation to a minimum, mostly limited to what was taking place on the screen. Haley had unfolded her legs, slumping down against the pillows, her bare feet leaned up against Nathan’s socked ones – both so engrossed in the action they hadn’t even noticed they were touching.

“I think I’ll have just one more,” crawling over Nathan’s legs to get off the bed for yet another beer. “You want another one?”

“I’m fine – I’m way past my limit as it is.”

“Can I turn the light off – it’s making me crazy – movies are supposed to be watched in the dark.”

“It’s your room. Haley,” he chuckled.

He grabbed her arm pulling her onto his lap as she tried to crawl over him again.

“Sit here,” he whispered huskily in her ear, settling her down on his lap, his arms wrapping snugly around her waist.

“Umm well…okay – I guess I can see good enough from here,” she gulped, turning her head toward the television.

“I’d rather you look over here,” he said softly, his hand caressing her face as he turned it back toward his. “Can I kiss you again?” his eyes holding hers.

I’m sitting on his lap – oh god, oh god, oh god…he’s even better looking from six inches away! His eyes…his mouth – he has a perfectly shaped mouth…and nice lips and – can you kiss me – hell yeah you can kiss me!

She nodded her head ‘yes’, his hand slipping behind her neck pulling her gently to him, her own hand sliding up his jaw, her fingers stretching through his hair.

Their lips met softly, tenderly as they moved them together, their mouths enjoying the taste of the other…beer never tasted as good as it did coming off her lips. His mouth sucking at her bottom lip, then the top, taking over her entire mouth again.

Haley enjoying every taste, every movement his mouth made on hers. It felt so good to be kissed with such attention. She could tell he was kissing to give her pleasure, not just his own – that was so nice…for a change. And pleasure he was giving her, a light moan escaping as his lips took over her neck. Nathan smiling against her flesh at the sound.

Haley tugged his mouth back to hers, their lips melding together again. Nathan’s tongue licking across her lips before easing it into her willing mouth – her own tongue playing lightly with his - Nathan releasing his own moan at the sensation of her tongue with his.

Haley pulled her mouth away for some much needed air - resting her forehead on his.

“You’re a good kisser…a really good kisser,” she breathlessly whispered, dropping another light kiss on his lips.

“Not bad yourself,” he smiled, his mouth taking over hers again.

He slipped his hand under her knees, his other around her waist as he lifted them up out of the chair, laying Haley back on the bed, stretching his own long body beside her.

He lay on his side, propping himself up on his elbow, smiling as he looked into her brown eyes that were sparkling back at him, gently brushing the stray hairs from her face. She was just so damn pretty. Her little body and perfect features…he was mesmerized by her.

Haley reached behind his head pulling him down to her, their mouths savoring the other again. Their tongues slowly rolling and rolling together. The intensity of the kisses increasing the slower they moved together – both of them moaning lightly at the sensations.

Nathan’s fingers working up and under the hem of her shirt, lightly rubbing the bare skin on her stomach, Haley sighing into his mouth at the touch – his full hand taking over her waist, her stomach – softly, tenderly rubbing her – the size of his hand compared to her body – he could cover a lot of territory with little movement.

His hand crept slowly further up under her shirt, his fingers touching the edges of her bra, before his hand slid up the side of her breast, moving it slowly back down the side…before Haley took his hand pulling it out from under her shirt – lacing her fingers with his – breaking the kiss.

“Not so fast hotshot,” she whispered, her eyes smiling up into his.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he smirked back, his lips taking over hers yet again. Haley released his hand, Nathan running it gently through her hair as he sucked lightly on her lips – smiling at the light groan she let loose.

Haley returned the favor, sucking his bottom lip, her teeth grazing against it. Her lips now kissing along his jaw, her tongue leaving a wet line up his neck – Nathan sucking in a sharp breath at feel of it.

“‘Go ahead…make my day!’” they heard Harry growl out from the television – both of them breaking out in laughter.

“Damn Harry - you’re a freakin’ mood killer you know that,” Nathan fussed at the television, both of them laughing again.

He leaned in again, attempting to recapture the mood, but neither of them could stop laughing now. “Okay – I give up,” Nathan chuckled, his head dropping down on his outstretched arm.

“He definitely commands your attention, doesn’t he?” Haley giggled. “That Harry’s the consummate bad boy – you can’t help but love him.”

“Oh I can help it…right about now I can help it, believe me,” he laughed.

“Awww – you’ll make it,” she smiled dropping a kiss on his lips, pushing herself back up to lean on her pillows again. She shifted over to give him more room, patting her lap – Nathan adjusting so he could rest his head there, his arm stretching around her waist. Both of them back to watching the movie, as Haley’s hand absently stroked his back and shoulder, her other hand playing lightly in his hair - Nathan soaking up the attention.

“I just love him,” Haley sighed as the credits started to role on the movie.

“He is cool,” Nathan agreed, not budging from his spot.

They heard the laughing and giggling out in the hallway. Both of them turning toward the door at the racket – Brooke and Peyton were both howling with laughter – the deep voices laughing with them most likely belonging to Lucas and Jake.

“Haley James - wake your ass up right now!” Brooke hollered banging on Haley’s door. The rest of them laughing and calling ‘yeah – wake up’, banging on the door harder.

Then the voice from the end of the hall screaming at them, “shut the hell up – some people are trying to sleep,” slamming their door.

It didn’t deter Brooke – calling out louder to Haley.

Nathan and Haley looked at each other, Haley trying to suppress a giggle, Nathan rolling his eyes at Brooke’s big mouth.

“They are so drunk – good god they’re plastered. You actually seem pretty sober now,” smiling at him, running her hand down his cheek, Nathan leaning into her touch.

“I’m good – just the tiniest buzz,” he smiled, taking her hand, kissing the back of it.

“Shall we?”

“You first.”

Both of them looked in the mirror, running their hands through their hair, Haley trying to help smooth away some of Nathan’s wild hair.

“Needs spit,” she garbled out licking her fingers before running them over his hair again.

“Okay – that was gross.”

“You didn’t mind my spit a while ago.”

“Very true,” smiling, dropping another quick kiss on her lips.

“You drunks are way too loud,” Haley laughed crossing over to Brooke and Peyton’s, Nathan following behind.

“HALEY!” they all squealed at once, Brooke and Peyton throwing their arms around her.

“Where’d you come from?” Peyton questioned confused by Nathan’s sudden appearance.

“Across the hall,” he answered pointing back toward Haley’s room.

“You let him in your room?” Brooke asked, as baffled by Nathan’s appearance as Peyton.

“Yeah - I wish you’d have warned me if I wasn’t supposed to,” Haley returned.

“Hey man,” Lucas and Jake both greeted Nathan with bumped fists – Lucas taking two shots to actually hit Nathan’s fist, Nathan chuckling at his condition.

“What’d you guys do?” Peyton asked, folding her arms across her chest, noting his shoeless feet, giving Nathan a hard glare - Nathan shrugging and tossing his hands lightly in the air at her expression – what – he mouthed at her.

“We had wild sex – I’m surprised you didn’t hear us,” Haley retorted, folding her own arms across her chest, Nathan’s eyes flying open at her blunt words as Lucas and Jake busted out in laughter.

“Nathan!” Peyton yelled.

“What – she’s kidding Peyton! Jesus. We watched a movie geez, lighten up will ya.”

Peyton looking back to Haley for confirmation – Haley giving her a fake smile in return.

“Okay then,” she huffed plopping down on Jake’s lap, wrapping her arm around his neck as she popped a kiss on his lips – Jake chuckling at her actions.

“So – how was the party?” Haley asked.

The others began their tale of the evening, complete with stories of people barfing in the yard, girls flashing, near topless dancing on tables, spin the bottle, etc., etc.

Nathan reached forward, slipping his finger through the belt loop on Haley’s jeans, pulling her lightly back to him, reaching down to interlace their fingers. Haley rubbed her thumb along the back of his hand.

Jake seemed to be the only one that noticed, honing in on their touching right away. Sighing, he ran a heavy hand across his forehead; a sense of dread starting to take him over – a pain in the pit of his stomach – this can not be happening, he thought. Same song second freakin’ verse – Nathan’s so much like…shit this was going to be another damn disaster, he just knew it. She’s not going to recover this time. And when she finds out he plays basketball…shit this was going to be bad.

Chapters 4 - 7

1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 - 7 :: 8 - 11 :: 12 - 13 :: 14 - 15 :: 16 - 17 :: 18 - 20 :: 21 - 22 :: 23 - 24 :: 25 - 26 :: 27 - 28 :: 29 - 32 :: 33 - 35 :: 36 - 37 :: 38 - 39 :: Epilogue