The Story Of Nathan And Haley
So once there was a boy and a girl, and they lived in this fairytale existence...except not. This isn't the story of Cinderella and her prince who rides to the rescue on his big white horse. Haley is no prim princess, and if Nathan Scott has a horse, it most certaintly is not white.
This is their story.
Nathan Scott and Haley James didn't live in each other's worlds. Nathan was content to live out his dramafied romance with his cheerleader girlfriend Peyton Sawyer, and Haley was happy to be Nathan's half-brother Luke's best bud for life. And if Nathan didn't absolutely detest Luke, and Haley didn't absolutely love him, they never would have met. But Nathan did hate his brother, and Haley was a loyal pal to Luke.
And so the plan began.
Nathan: Hey, who?s that girl he?s always hanging out with?
Tim: Who knows? Why? You feel like slumming?
That was the first time Nathan laid eyes on Haley James. After seeing how close Haley was to his brother, and with Dan's constant emphasis on bringing Luke to his knees, Nathan began to form a plan. He was going to use Haley to bring Luke down. It sounded like the perfect antidote to his persisting problem, but Haley wasn't like every other fawning female at Tree Hill High. His good looks and charm would get him no where with her. But a genuine need for help would, so Nathan hit Haley at her weakness. Knowing she was a tutor, he went to her for help.
Nathan: Hey.
Haley: Can I help you?
Nathan: I hope so, you're my tutor.
But still Haley was hesitant because of the horror stories Luke had told her. So she refused to help the younger Scott brother. Nathan didn't take it lying down though, he was determined to get Haley into his life, so he persisted to try and get her to help him. After a few more failed attempts, Haley's determination began to falter. She couldn't help but believe "there might actually be something in there worth saving". After hearing about Nathan's continual torture of Luke, she finally gave in to helping him. Arriving on his doorstep, she'd laid out the rules for their future meetings.
Haley: Hey. I looked over your English exam and if you really wanna learn, I can help you.
Nathan: That's great. Alright.
Haley: I just... I have two conditions. One, Lucas does not find out. Okay? Ever.
Nathan: Alright fine.
Haley: And number two, you leave him alone.
Nathan: Well I don't really have much of a choice do I.
Their first tutoring session took place one backlit sunrise morning on the Market Street Docks. Quite the romantic setting for such a mundane task. Nathan immediately decides to try and charm Haley the way he charms every other girl in school. He gives her a bracelet out of his Cracker Jack's box.
Nathan: Don't say I never gave you anything.
But Haley's not falling for it.
Haley: You can work your whole "I'm Nathan Scott, Mr. Big Shot, scoring my touchdowns on somebody else because-"
Nathan: I don't even play football.
Haley: Let's just get started.
And thus their relationship, albeit a strained and clearly delicate one, began. Haley and Nathan began to form a tentative friendship as she helped him out with school work. But it just wasn't about tutoring, Haley was the first person to actually take the time to listen and talk with Nathan. She was patient, and kind even when she didn't have to be.
Nathan still had a yen to hurt Luke, and it continued to cause problems between them. It also caused friction between Nathan and his girlfriend at the time, Peyton. Finally, after putting up with enough, she dumped him. Haley was there for Nathan as he mourned the loss of his dysfunctional relationship with Peyton.
Haley: Still in denial?
Nathan: About what?
Haley: Missing her. It's okay that you do.
Nathan: What are you my tutor or my shrink?
Haley: Whatever you need.
Nathan and Haley's friendship grew during this time, but Nathan still had a yen to hurt Luke, and continued to use Haley to do it. Although this was putting a strain on Luke and Haley's friendship, Haley refused to give up on Nathan. She gave her word, and she didn't believe Nathan to be the jerk everyone else believed him to be.
Lucas: All right. So you can? stop tutoring Nathan now.
Haley: Um, no. I, I can?t.
Lucas: Haley.
Haley: Lucas. I can?t. I promised him. If I break that promise, I?m, I?m just as bad as... you think he is.
Everyone around Nathan and Haley were beginning to see something between them. But neither were ready to admit it. Feelings were clearly developing for Haley, but it was obvious she was wary of the world of popularity and wealth that Nathan lived in.
Brooke: Don?t you two like the same guys? Or guy, or something?
Haley: I?m just tutoring him, that?s all.
Peyton: So you?re not into him? Because he seems to be into you.
Brooke: He gave her the nod!
Still the feelings between Haley and Nathan continued to grow, and Haley realized she could no longer deny them. So she went to Luke to get everything out in the open.
Lucas: But what could you possibly like in the guy, huh?
Haley: Different stuff. We connect. Yes, he can be a total ass sometimes but I?m telling you, it?s just a defense mechanism. He really opens up with me, Lucas.
Although Haley had feelings for Nathan, she wasn't sure that he returned them. At an annual basketball party at the Scott's, Haley was roped into staying by Nathan's mom Deb. Nathan and Haley began to talk, but were interrupted by a very drunk and angry Brooke. Earlier in the evening Brooke had found a note Haley had left for Nathan, saying she would help him with "anything at all". Brooke twisted the note, and told Haley that Nathan had made fun of her all evening. An upset Haley ran out, leaving a very confused Nathan. It was only later after finally reading the note that Nathan began to realize he too had feelings for Haley. He arrived at Karen's Cafe looking for Haley, pleading with her to let him in, but a devastated Haley refused to, and turned the lights out on their relationship.
Nathan was persistant though, and came to Haley the next morning to try and convince her Brooke had lied. Haley revealed that she did believe him, but she wanted no part of him anyway. Nathan left dejected. Brooke feeling bad about the damage she did, decided to "fix" Nathan and Haley, and set them up on a "serial date". They were given clues all along which really enabled them to get to know one another.
Nathan: Go to 1423 River Street and find your next envelope. On the way tell three things you like about each other.
Haley: Ugh... I don't know.
Nathan: Look I'll go first. You're the most patient person I know. You don't go postal on me during tutoring and you don't treat me like some kind of a moron. I really appreciate that. I know I have no right to ask but we never do anything just fun together. And plus this is Brooke, I mean you can bet it's not gonna be boring.
Haley: I'm free to bail whenever?
Nathan: Absolutely. Trust me.
Haley: Okay. What the hell.
There date went well until one of Nathan's basketball friends, Tim, showed up. When he cattily asked if Nathan and Haley were on a date, Nathan backed off and claimed she was only his tutor. A very hurt and angry Haley lit into Nathan and took off. The next morning Nathan once again showed up with an apology, and Haley wasn't exactly happy to take it.
Nathan: We just- I don't know how to do this alright. I'm not like you.
Haley: What does that mean?
Nathan: I screw up a lot. Alright? And being around you I just I don't want to be that guy anymore.
Haley: Well who do you want to be Nathan?
Nathan: I want to be somebody who's good enough to be seen with you.
Haley: Well you should have thought of that last night. You know I keep-I keep putting myself out there and you keep blowing it. And it's probably a good thing because at this point there's nothing that you can say or do that will surprise me.
And then he kissed her.
Haley: Except that.
And then she kissed him.
Nathan finally acknowledged Haley as more than his tutor by walking away from his friends and to her in the school hallways, singnifying their growing relationship. Before their happiness could persist, Dan's pressuring and bullying of Nathan came to a head. Nathan turned to drugs to help his game and get out from under the shadow of his father. But instead of bringing him higher, it brought him lower than he had ever been before. During a game, the drugs crashed his system and he collapsed, the last face he saw being Haley's.
After escaping from the hospital, Nathan went to the one place he knew he would be safe and welcomed. He went to Haley. She welcomed him with open arms, and he finally poured out his soul to her.
Nathan: I've made a lot of mistakes Haley. Sometimes because of my dad, sometimes by choice...I just can't do it anymore.
Haley: It's ok.
Nathan: No, no it's not ok. I?m not ok. When I fell to the floor tonight, I was so scared, I was so terrified. Then I saw you, and I promised myself that if I could just get up, I'd walk over to you...I'd tell you how much I need you and how much I want you... and how nothing else matters.
WHOA HOW CRAZY!