I sighed as I gazed at the all too familiar airport. "Finally back home!" I said to myself as I looked around. Everything looked pretty much the same... Just the way I had left it seven years ago. Faded leather couches and evergreens on the corner. People with a dazed and confused look on their face. I quickly went to the conveyer belt and grabbed my many Louis Vuitton travel bags and put them on a luggage cart.
My entire world had changed. However the familiar air gave me a feel that I was safe as I was home again. Grabbing hold of my two very sleepy eyed children, I walked out of the airport which bombarded me with a gush of strong memories. The storm inside of me escaped as I burst out crying without realizing it. I had to be strong for my kids. However, it was too much to take in at that point of time. It didn't matter... I had to get myself together. For my kids and even for myself.
So here I stood, Gucci sunglasses perched atop my sleek auburn locks. I was dressed casually with a black shirt and flaming red shorts and plain black pumps. A Chanel tote hung by my side along. Of course there was an addition of my two very adorable seven year olds: Jude Nathan Davis and Sophia Haley Davis.
They too were dressed in designer labels. Jude wore black jeans and a tucked in navy t-shirt. Sophia wore a beautiful purple dress with a white shrug. As we stood out in the sunshine, I gave both of them a quick hug. They mattered the world to me. As they waved goodbye to a departing plane, I hailed a taxi to take us to our new home.
As we rode around the streets of Tree Hill, the ones I could navigate even with my eyes closed, I showed my children all the exciting sights where memories were hidden underneath every tree or stone. After days, I found myself smiling... feeling the warm air in my face and the best part of it was that I got to share it with the two people who mattered the most to me.
The taxi parked itself behind a large three-storey house. "Is this where we are now going to live mamma?" asked Jude in his sweet child-like voice. "Yes honey. Welcome to our new home!" I answered as I saw Sophia run across the front yard happily with her arms outstretched, pretending to be a plane. "Come on Jude, hop aboard the Sophia airplane!" her angelic voice spoke up as she made whooshing sounds. Jude followed her in her little act as they two continued to run around on the lush green grass. I opened the heavy oak door as the friendly taxi driver dropped down our hand luggage.
Within an hour, the movers were there with the rest of our luggage from New York. I got really busy handling the furniture I had placed an order for way in advance and the paint job and every other minute detail. I couldn't handle the stress as I caved down on the floor with a headache.
"Look Mamma, new neighbors!" yelled Jamie as he looked out of the window and soon continued his play-date with Jenny.
"Oh yes! Finally somebody to warm the large houses in this neighborhood. I hope it is someone nice." Said Haley as she clasped her hands together as if sending a small prayer to heaven. "Look baby, they even have two kids!"
"Oh can we go there Mamma... pleaseeeee!" said her eight year old son who had mastered the art of making puppy dog eyes.
"Sure. You and Jenny can help me bake brownies and we can take it to them and offer our help. How does that sound?" said Haley, her blue eyes sparkling just as much as her son's.
"Awesome!" he yelled as Jenny followed him to the kitchen.
Just then, Haley's phone began beeping as she saw the caller id read the name of her best friend: Peyton Sawyer-Jagelski.
"Hi Haley! What mess is my little girl creating now? I don't think I was ever that hyperactive at nine." Said Peyton in a slightly tired tone. Jenny was Peyton's step- daughter, but she loved her more than a real mom could love her child.
"That is because of the excess sugar you are feeding her! Anyway, she isn't troubling us at all. James and Jenny are in the kitchen at the moment. We are going to bake brownies and offer our help to our new neighbors."
"Oooh! New people! Great... so I will come to pick her up later okay?"
"Sure Peyt. Don't forget family dinner this Saturday!"
"Yes Haley... we wouldn't miss it for the world. Anyway, my band finally arrived at Red Bedrooms. I've got to hang up. See you at night."
"Yeah, bye."
Saying this, she put down the phone and headed to help the kids bake their brownies. The instant brownies came up unusually fast and within a matter of minutes the group of three were headed through the door and to the next house.
The kids did not waste any seconds. They all began playing like they knew each other since they were born. Haley simply gazed at them for a little while admiring that quality which was only to be seen in children. They did not form prejudices. They took in whoever and whatever came their way with glad acceptance. Haley walked up to the kids.
"Hi sweetie... what are your names?"
"Hi! My name is Sophia and this is my twin brother Jude."
"Such lovely names! Are your parents inside?"
"Yes, mommy is inside. She told us to stay out and play because she was arranging the house for us." Jude spoke up.
"Yes! I am going to get a pink and purple princess room! And Jude is getting a blue and green one filled with the largest teddy bears in the world!" said Sophia bouncing up and down.
Just then, a few movers finished fixing their playing set in the backyard. Right beside the pool was a swing set, a slide, mary go round, see saw, a jungle gym and a very large trampoline! Oh and of course, a basketball court. The kids dashed there and within breaths were engrossed in their world of games and fun.
Haley sighed to herself and decided to finally go in and meet the parents of the two very adorable twins.
The door to the house was open as the movers continued to shift heavy furniture from the many trucks to the inside of the house. She opened the door and walked in... entering the living room, smiling slightly as she tried to find the owners.
Suddenly, with a flash, the plate of brownies fell from her grasp as she saw a sight that brought tears to her eyes instantly.
What lay in front of her... was her best friend, Brooke Davis, who vanished into thin air seven years ago without informing a single soul. No parting words, just flight. It had been seven years and four months. No return. No contact. Seven and a half years of constant finding, but it left them with nothing but misery.
However, what shocked Haley more was the image of her best friend laying on the floor, tightly clutching her aching head in pain.
I was moving from side to side as tears constantly flowed through my eyes. I did not register Haley's arrival. The pain was too much. I kept rolling on the floor. The pain was just too much. Soon the world became blurry and I passed out.