AUTHOR'S NOTE!

I'm such an awful updater! I'm also a liar too because I said that I would update right away but that was like 2 months ago and hellllloooo? Where are those updates? Not here. I haven't gotten very much computer time these past months. I've just been very, very busy dealing with personal issues, work, and not to mention I'm doing Spring Awakening at my local theatre, so that's kind of been taking up a lot of my time as well lol. You'll be happy to know that this is a new story that came along in my brain just a few hours ago. I was somewhat inspired by that new tv show on the CW called Life Unexpected. Haven't seen an episode yet, but I see previews all the time and it looks really good. I also watched August Rush today and was inspired and flooded with ideas as well. There really isn't much to figure out as you read. It's obvious that it's a Brooke/Julian story. History is a little different (i.e. high school brulian baby?), but will be explained later on in the chapters. Oh, and if you're confused on how to pronounce the name, Hallem (HAL + UM) that's all! :)

***For those of you who are wondering about The Cautioner and Maggie updates, I'm still working on the next chapters. Same goes for In The Realm Of The Basses, that chapter is almost finished up. I just haven't had the kind of inspiration that I got for this story. Just kind of full of writers block on how to close up the chapters. So, hopefully you guys aren't too angry with me. Once again, I apologize for being a cruel story teller. With that, I bid adieu and hope you guys enjoy my new story! Thanks a lot! REVIEWS ARE LOVE! ;)

-Eleni.

Chapter 1

When You Were Young, Part 1

Hallem

Ever since I can remember, my name has been Hallem. I like it. It's original, especially since I'm a girl. Though, there was a time where my name was very different. One day, I broke the rules as usual and decided I would steal my birth records because I had planned on running away anyways. There it was on the certificate, in fourteen year old black ink, "Baby Girl Davis." I closed up the file folder fast because I thought I heard someone coming.

I packed my back pack with as many clothes as possible, crept into the mess hall and stole some food and walked out the front door. It was pretty amazing how oblivious some of the caretakers at the girl's home were, especially at 9'oclock at night. The weather outside was perfect and I had made it a point to get as far away from that area as possible. Once they know you've gone missing, you're caught in a matter of a day and the punishments are miserable. My first attempt at running away, I didn't even make it to the front of the building before a guard grabbed me by my back pack. Before I knew it, I was cleaning the disgusting bathroom toilets and pulling clumps of hair out of shower drains. Living in a girl's home was such a cruel way to live. I decided not to make any friends because I had plans of my own and I didn't want a friendship to get in the way. I was destined to find my birth parents and tonight was the night I would finally figure out who they were and why they put me through so much a torture and despair.

I finally reached a good looking tree that would block the sun from my pale face in the morning when the sun decided to rise. I sat down under the tree and just closed my eyes. Breathed in the smell of freedom, took off my knit hat, tousled my brown locks around and opened up my back up for the moment of truth. I took a deep breath before I opened the file folder back up. There were so many papers and envelopes full of information. I was so mesmerized by all that I was reading. It seemed so unreal because I never thought I would get to know who my parents were. As I mess through all of the papers something fell out onto the ground. It was a folded up a piece of paper with a picture wrapped inside of it. I picked up the picture that had fallen out as I un-wrapped the piece of paper. That must be her. That's my mother. She's beautiful. I'm in the picture too. I must have been at least a day or two old. With shaking hands, I picked up what looks like is going to be a very long letter and began to read it:

My darling little angel,

This is a letter from your Mother to you, with love. By the time you get to read this, you'll probably be happy and content with your life, but I know you'll always wonder in the back of your mind why I would give you up. The 9 months we shared together were my most sacred memories and I will never let them escape from my mind. I'm 17 years old and cannot provide to take care of you. I'm still in high school and I have plans to attend college and become a successful fashion designer. I know you may think it's selfish that I'm doing this, but please know that I didn't want anyone else to have you, but me. My family is definitely a big influence on the decision I have made. I don't live with my mother or my father, so I know I couldn't give you the best that you deserve. That is why I gave you away. I want you to know that I will never go a day with out thinking of you. I'm so sorry to tell you that your father wasn't present at your birth. He couldn't handle it and he moved away with his family. I know that you're not very happy with us, I wouldn't be either. But, understand, I was only doing what was best for you, my sweet little girl. Please forgive me and your father. I'm holding you in my arms as I write this note and the doctors are coming to take you away soon. I love you so much and I understand if you never want to try and find me, but if there is a chance you do, I live in Tree Hill, North Carolina on 11677 Ocean Avenue. You will always be forever in my heart.

Love,

Your Mother, (Brooke Penelope Davis)

By the end of the letter, my tears had created this crazy image from the ink running together on the paper. I wiped my tears away. I was only mad at her for one thing and that was her thinking that I would be happy and content with my life by the time I did read the letter. She was wrong, but that wasn't going to stop me from finding her. She seemed like such an intelligent woman. Too bad my father didn't stick around. I looked at more information on him and my mother, like their hobbies, illnesses, siblings. My mother's consisted of designing clothes, cheer leading, and hanging out with her best friends, Peyton Sawyer and Haley James Scott. My father, who's name turned out to be Julian Baker, enjoyed writing, working on cars, watching movies, and hanging out with his friends. No serious illnesses on either sides of the family and both were an only child. I read and read and read until I couldn't take it anymore and I fell asleep. The next day was going to be an adventure and I could only hope that she still lived in the same house, on the same street, in the very same town that I was roaming in.

To be continued...

Alright, I know it's short, but that's just the first part. The second part will definitely get more interesting and be longer. Hope you enjoyed!

Please leave me reviews and tell me what you think about it! Please, please please! :D

Thanks again!

-Eleni.