This Means War

By Grace (purplemud)

Pairings: Naley and Laley friendship

Summary: So who really knows Haley better?

Spoilers: Season One

Author's Note: OH! I am back. Sort of. This quarantine had made me binge watch One Tree Hill and now I am suddenly filled with the urge to write OTH fics. I am going to try and pick up from where I left off and yes, Twenty Three is the first on that list. I already have a rough draft and hopefully... but here's a short drabble. I think I am going to place all my one-shot drabbles here that I would probably end up using in other fics. Kind of like a place holder. Or I don't know. Let's just see where this is heading. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this short comeback (of sorts). Please let me know what you think.

This Means War

If someone had told me a few months ago that I would be spending my early morning run time not running but instead hanging out at Lucas Scott's room, my father's abandoned first son, I would have been equal parts amused and offended.

That we are currently trying to hack into my girlfriend's, Lucas's best friend, account would have been hands down insane.

And yet here we are.

I slowly typed in 'Hot4Scott23' and ignored Lucas snickering from behind me.

"Dude, seriously?!"

"Don't call me dude. And shut up." I grumbled when a warning message popped up that this is the second attempt at logging into Haley's account using an incorrect password. The last try would effectively lock her out.

And then Lucas and I will have to die horrible deaths at the hands of one Haley James.

"Try, Mr-Waffles-two-one-eight-eight." Lucas said, hovering by my shoulders. "No spaces. Uppercase M and W."

I must have given him a skeptical look along with an impressive eye roll because he let out a dramatic sigh before pretty much elbowing me out of the way. I grunted at the dull pain spreading through my arms and wondered briefly if he meant for it to actually hurt. I really don't care, because he's going to get an elbow from me at practice later on. Imma enjoy that too.

I narrowed my eyes, watching as Lucas squinted at the screen, not even glancing at the keyboard, just typing all effortless and efficiently quick.

Fucking show off.

"Ha!" Lucas triumphantly exclaimed after a few seconds.

"No way, man!" I watched with disbelief as Haley's inbox started to load on the screen. Before I could even take a good look at her messages, Lucas was quick to log it out. I only managed to see that most of her e-mail exchanges were from her siblings and surprise, fucking surprise: Lucas.

I don't even know what they could be emailing about when they are literally together almost all the time. I glared at Lucas, feeling slightly resentful that he had guessed Haley's password. At first try.

Dumb luck.

Lucas was shaking his head. "I told her to not use her birthday. Too easy." He glanced down at me, arching an eyebrow. "You do know when Haley's birthday is, right? Or is this the first time you've actually found out?"

"Of course I know!" I had to fight the sudden urge to deck him. I know siblings are supposed to annoy one another, but this was ridiculous. The only thing stopping me was the thought of getting into trouble with Haley. We've been having a real wonderful, drama-free week and I am not about to ruin it just because Lucas was being a complete jackass.

Lucas chucked, clearly finding all of these amusing. "I have to remind her to change that." He muttered as an afterthought, straightening up and throwing me a look of pure smugness. "That's another point for me, Nate." He made a gesture of flicking his wrist as though he had just shot a perfect three pointer and this time, I pushed him hard enough that he stumbled into his unmade bed. "Jeez, you really do hate losing." He snorted as he rolled over, watching me as I stood up to grab my water bottle, making my way towards the door.

I rolled my eyes. "This isn't finished yet." I told him, my voice sounding harsher than I had intended. This was starting to piss me off. At first it had been a silly little bet, something we joked about. I can't remember exactly how this escalated into a real, keeping score competition between us – like we needed any more of that – but there was no way that I am going to let Lucas win this one.

I got Haley's favorite ice cream flavor. Lucas knew Haley's favorite color, book and movie and now this. I am determined to prove him that I know Haley better than he does. He might be the childhood best friend, but I am the boyfriend. Boyfriend should totally trump best friend.

Right?

I was half way out of the door when I realized something. Poking my head back inside his room, I asked: "Who the fuck is Mr. Waffles?!"

Lucas blinked at me before slowly smiling, raising his eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Far from being amused, I let out a huff before slamming the door shut. I swear I could hear Lucas giggling inside. Giggling.

Asshat. Forget silly stupid bet. This is war.