I know that a new story is probably the last thing that I should be doing but I just couldn't help myself. So here's my new story that I hope you will enjoy. The first chapter is mostly about Haley and her new life as the new girl in Tree Hill. Anyway, tell me if I should continue or not. Until next time! (Hopefully)

Pardon My Past

Summary: Haley knew she could run but not hide. Not for long anyway. Especially since the past has a funny way of catching up to you.

Chapter 1

Haley James was the new girl in Tree Hill. A typical teenage girl who moved from New York with her two brothers and her mom, trying to get away from their very complicated past. A past they rarely talked about...

Haley had had a tough life and every time it got to hard she would usually turn to her music. She had always been open about the fact the she could sing and play instruments. It was the other stuff she didn't talk about. She had lost touch with most of her friends in New York, even before she moved. And her mother wasn't really talking material. And her brothers, well, that just wasn't an option. That was why she was so thankful that she had her music.

Her brothers, Jake, who was two years older than Haley and Matt, who was a year older, were also very talented. Jake was very artistic and Matt was like Haley. Good at music. At least they used to be, before the accident that took their fathers life and they started to smoke, drink and party a lot.

That night, everything had changed. Even her mother had changed. It was like she was in denial of what happened. She would bury herself in work instead of dealing with it. That was at least until she met a new man who she later married. Haley had been very shocked when she found out. That marriage didn't turn out too good either. But that story is for another time...

Sometimes, Haley would think she was the only normal person in her family. Maybe she was. And as a normal person, she had to go to school. She had already had three classes and it was now lunch time. She hated being the new kid. She had been it once before and she had not enjoyed it. Even though she wanted to have new friends, she silently hoped that no would talk to her, because then she wouldn't have to explain to anyone about her family life.

But no such luck. About five minutes after she had sat herself down in one of the free tables, a petite brunette came up to her and started to make a conversation.

"Do you mind if me and my friends sit here?" she asked. "This is where we usually sit."

"Yeah…I'll just move." Haley said and started to get up.

"No, that's okay. You can sit with us."

"You sure?" Haley asked, uncertain.

"Definitely. I'm Brooke by the way," the girl said smiling, showing her dimples.

"Haley. Haley James," she introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you, Haley," Brooke said when a tall blonde guy and a blonde girl joined them at the table.

"Hey, pretty girl," the blonde guy said and kissed Brooke on the cheek.

"Hi, Broody. Oh, Haley, this is my boyfriend Lucas and my bestest best friend in the world, Peyton. Guys, this is Haley."

"Nice to meet you," Lucas said and sat down across the table.

"Likewise."

"So, I take it you're the new girl that I've heard so much about," Peyton said and also sat down.

"Depends on what you've heard?"

"Just stuff. Don't worry, nothing too bad."

"That's a relief."

"Hey, guys!" a tall guy with short brown hair and the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen said when he came and joined the others. "What's happening?"

"Nathan, this is Haley, she's new and Haley, this is Nathan. He's Lucas's brother," Brooke explained.

"Half brother," Nathan pointed out. "Nice to meet you," he said, looking at Haley.

"Yeah, you too."

"So Haley. Tell us about yourself," Brooke said.

"I'm not sure there is that much to tell."

"Oh, come on. Everybody's got a story. What's yours?"

"Um…I don't know. I moved here from New York with my two brothers and my mom. I…"

"What about your dad?" Brooke interrupted.

"He's…not in the picture anymore."

"Sorry. What happened? Not that it's any of my business."

"It's okay. He was a firefighter and let's just say that he went into a burning building and never got out."

"Oh my God…That's terrible. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"When did it happen?"

"About three years ago."

"Your mom never remarried?"

"Um...no." she lied, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. She didn't want anyone to know what happened. At least not yet, if ever.

"Anyway. What else can you tell us? Hopefully happier things."

"Let's see…I like to sing and I play guitar and piano. I used to tutor in my old school and I was a cheerleader for about six months before I came here and that is only because my friend made me."

"I know how that is…" Peyton mumbled.

"Hey! I never made you do anything! And besides, you know you love it." Brooke said with a smile.

"Trust me, I don't."

"You sound just like me." Haley said with a smile.

"Ooh! I know! You should totally be in the squad with us!" Brooke said, getting excited.

"How can I put this nicely? No way in hell!"

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to. It's not for me."

"Of course it is! And Luke and Nate are on the team so you can cheer them on. And you'll be with all your friends."

"Even though that's all good, I'm going to have to say pass."

"For now maybe. But I will get you one day. I can promise you that."

"Whatever you say."

"So what does your brothers do?" Nathan asked trying to change the subject.

"Smoking, drinking and partying mostly. They kind of turned to the wild side after dad died."

"Oh."

"Enough about me. Tell me about you guys."

"Well…" Brooke started. "I'm the cheerleading captain and…"

"There's a shocker."

"Hey! Not nice. Anyway, I am also Student Council President and I love to shop. Peyton on the other hand is more…broody, in the lack of a better word, and she draws a lot and stuff and she is very into music. Crap music, but still music."

"Thanks for that, Brooke. You know that I can speak for myself, right?" Peyton said.

"Whatever P. Sawyer. Um...Lucas is really into basketball and reading. And then there's me. He likes to do me too."

"Brooke!" the others said disgusted while Lucas turned red of embarrassment.

"What? He does. Anyway, Nate he…"

"I can definitely speak for myself." Nathan interrupted and turned to face Haley. "There's not much to tell about me. I'm captain of the basketball team…"

"Co captain." Lucas corrected.

"Co captain. And…Is there anything specific you want to know?" Nathan said and smirked.

"Nah, that's okay. I'll find out soon enough anyway. Let's just leave it like that and keep the mystery going." Haley suggested.

"Fine by me."

"Any other secrets you want to share Tutor Girl?" Brooke asked.

"Tutor Girl?"

"You said that you tutored and you're a girl. Tutor Girl!" she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Right…"

"Don't worry. She gives everyone nicknames. Better get used to it," Peyton said.

Haley only nodded. "Secrets? Well, if I told you than it wouldn't be a secret, right?"

"Good point."

"Thank you."

"But you got to give us something. Like, if you have any tattoos or what not."

"Actually I do."

"Really?" Nathan said suddenly very interested."Where? And what does it show?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," she said and gave the same smirk she had been given from him earlier.

"Oh, trust me. I will found out."

"Are you guys flirting?" Brooke asked excited.

"No!" Haley and Nathan said at the same time.

"If you say so…So, Haley? Do you wanna hang out with us tonight? We were thinking of grabbing some pizza later."

She really shouldn't. Her brothers would probably flip out, knowing how protective they got when it concerned her. But she couldn't tell them that. It would only raise questions from them. Questions she did not want to answer. So she just put on a fake smile and nodded. "Yeah, that would be great!"

"Good! We'll pick you up at 6!" Brooke said and stared to get up as did the others, since lunch was almost over.

"Shouldn't I give you my address?"

"No need. See ya then!"

"See you tonight, Hales!" Nathan said before he wandered off to class with the others.

Hales. No one had called her that except her dad and her brothers. And that was only because she wouldn't let anyone. But this time it was different. Now all she had to do was to find a way to tell her brothers that she was going out with them. And considering how protective they were, it was not going to be easy.

"Finally you're home!" Jake exclaimed when Haley opened the front door to their house.

"Glad to see you've missed me."

"Not really. I just wanted to borrow some money from you."

"Sorry, can't do."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because one: I need the money for myself tonight and two: I'm not going to give you money so you can waste it all on booze."

"Why do you need the money? You're not going anywhere." Matt said when he came down the stairs.

"Actually I am. I'm meeting some new friends tonight and we're going out for pizza."

"Really? And who are these new friends of yours?" Matt questioned.

"Their names are Brooke, Peyton, Lucas and Nathan."

"I'm sorry. I thought you said Lucas and Nathan," Jake said.

"I did."

"Forget it."

"I'm not going to forget it. Now if you'll excuse me, there is some stuff I need to do before I go."

"Look, I have had a really bad day and I don't want to argue with you."

"Then don't!"

"But you're not going out for pizza and you will give us the money so we can go!" he said, raising his voice.

"No! Jake, you know I love you but I'm not going to help you get drunk. I've told you that many times before!"

"Haley…"

"No! Forget it! And I am going out tonight."

"No, you're not!"

"Yes, I am! You can't tell me what to do, you're not my father!"

"Maybe not but I'm still your brother and you will do as I say!"

"Not this time. God, what is wrong with you? Do you think you're the only ones who live in this house? That we all have to do as you say, when you say it? Do you think it's what dad would have wanted?"

"Don't talk about him."

"But…"

"I said don't talk about him!" Jake yelled and raised his hand like he was going to hit her but stopped himself in the last second.

She couldn't believe it. Her own brother almost hit her. And Jake could clearly see the hurt look in her eyes.

"Some brother…" was all Haley said before she walked away up the stairs to her room.

"Hales, I…" Jake tried but she was already gone. "I'm sorry…"

Two hours later, Haley came down the stairs after she heard a car pull up on their driveway. While she was putting on her jacket, Jake and Matt joined her in the hallway.

"Hales…" Jake started.

"Stop."

"But…"

"Go to hell, Jake," she said and went out the door.