All The Pieces Chapter 1: The Broken Piece Pt 1, an one tree hill fanfic

A/N: Hi! I'm back!

Anyways I just thought that I'd let you know what the deal is with this story. It is a sequel of sorts to my previous story Piecing Everything Together, I highly encourage you to read PET before you read this. My plan is to go into Brooke and Haley's lives post PET with little ficlets. Some may have substance while others just may be fluff, I'll be sure to give you a warning before each chapter.

This ficlet is going to be 2-3 parts, no fluff.

ENJOY!

The past six months seemed like a whirlwind to the inhabitants of Tree Hill. Lucas and Peyton had finally exchanged vows in a very touching and intimate ceremony surrounded by their loved ones, that's right Tree Hills' 'tortured' couple had finally ended their on-again off-again relationship.

To the surprise of all the guests, Nathan Scott was actually able to attend and was able to keep things civil with Haley. There had been a close call during one of the dances that he shared with Haley where his hands had started to wonder to the dismay of Haley and especially Brooke. It was no wonder that Nathan had tried to make a move. It was common knowledge that, despite his original understanding, he hated that Haley had found love in someone else's arms. But other than Nathan's slip up the wedding had gone off without a hitch.

Brooke and Haley had become the buzz about town. No matter where you turned there would be someone talking about the brunette duo, generally praise and well wishing but there were a few sour apples in the bunch but neither Haley nor Brooke let a few harsh words affect their relationship; they were happy and in love and that's all that mattered.

All was well and good, that was until Julian Baker arrived and rattled the sleepy town into a buzzing hive. Not only was the town buzzing with the news of the book to film translation of "An Unkindness of Ravens" but there was also news flying about Peyton's brief fling with Julian while she was in L.A. This being the Scotts' first marital rough patch left things hazy. Lucas was pissed; everyone could tell by the way he reverted back to his old broody self. But after lots and lots of talking things in the 'Leyton' department, as Brooke dubbed them, was perfect as usual.

'Leyton' wasn't the only relationship that became victim to Julian's arrival, 'Baley' also took a hard blow, a blow that seemed to keep on hitting. Brooke had been sweet talked into being the costume designer for the movie. She had seen it as an opportunity to branch out even further into the world of fashion. At first things were great, Brooke would come home every night and talk Haley's head off about every little exciting detail of her day.

Haley was happy that Brooke was getting this opportunity to experience new fields of fashion but it seemed that there was little room in the conversations for Haley's day. Brooke never asked about what was new in Haley's life. And quite a lot had happened. She was no longer a teacher at Tree Hill High, a slight disagreement with the principle had forced her to quit. Now she was helping Peyton run 'Red Bedroom Records' while also dabbling in her own music. Together they had discovered Mia Catalano who was off touring the country becoming Red Bedrooms first big hit; Peyton was rooting for Haley to be its second.

And that is where we begin…

How did my life become so…tragic? Haley sighed as she contemplated her life or life as she knew it. Her relationship with Brooke had started in a rather unconventional way, making out on a couch all night was not how she had pictured finding the love of her life especially after finalizing her divorce. But it was that unexpected night that had changed her life. She had finally become the Haley James that she used to be before Nathan Scott trampled all over her heart. Music, besides Jamie and Brooke, was finally coming back to the forefront of her priorities and it felt great. She wasn't just limiting herself to playing a few keys on the piano like she had when she returned from touring. Full songs were being created at the hands of Haley James, no Scott. All the pieces were finally in place for a happy life but she should have known that for every sunny day there was bound to be a couple stormy ones.

Some stormy day, psh, more like a stormy month. That is how long Julian Baker had been in her life, but not just her life, Brooke's life too. Ever since the up-and-coming producer now director stepped foot in Tree Hill the inhabitants of Baley-land were suffering, well at least one in particular. No matter how hard she tried Haley wasn't able to shake the fear and loneliness that were settling in her heart. The long days without seeing Brooke's cheery smile or hearing her laugh were seriously starting to take effect on Haley's being.

She wasn't smiling like she used to. Things that once brought her great pleasure now only brought a slight joy. I am sick and fucking tired of being so goddamn depressed! Why doesn't Brooke see it? Why doesn't she see me anymore? It was no secret that Brooke had been spending above and beyond time working with Julian on making the costumes, her claim that she wanted them to portray the THH that she knew and loved. And Haley wanted to believe her, she wanted to believe that Brooke just wanted her debut as a costume designer to be flawless but there was a nagging in the back of her mind telling her that there was something more to Brooke's distance.

Just like so many times before a frown graced Haley's lips as she thought about what could be keeping Brooke from her.

"What's wrong Mama?" Jamie asked with the utmost curiosity.

"It's nothing Jamie," Haley sighed hating that her son was once again being perceptive beyond his years. It was a gift and a curse, in Haley's eyes, that Jamie was so far beyond his years. Her inner Tutor Girl was always telling her that Jamie would do exceptionally well in school and would be better off life. The other side of Haley knew that it was unfair for Jamie to understand the feelings that were plaguing her life. She didn't want him to miss out on just being a kid.

"It's not 'nothing' and you know it," Jamie pouted. He made his way over to Haley while she was lounging on the couch. Haley turned to face him with a quizzical expression. Jamie placed his hands on her cheeks, for added effect, before asking, "Why are you so sad?"

Why am I so sad? Good question. But not an unanswerable one, in fact it was very answerable. It was simple. Haley was sad because Brooke was always gone. And it wasn't just during the day that Brooke was absent, even when she was at home her mind was somewhere else. Probably thinking about Julian. Wait, did I just say that? And just like that Haley knew what was bothering her. She was losing Brooke to someone else, just like she had lost Nathan.

Haley refocused her attention to her son whose hands were still covering her cheeks. "I'm sad because… because your Auntie Brooke hasn't been paying attention to me." God I hope he doesn't realize how pathetic I sound.

"But Auntie Brooke's hasn't stopped talking to you. You guys still kiss and hug…you're wrong Mama, Auntie Brooke does pay attention to you," Jamie pouted not seeing what his Mama was talking about.

"It's not that simple Jamie…it's," but she was at a loss for words. How could she explain to her seven-year-old that not everything on the surface was real? Sure she and Brooke would talk but it wasn't the same. Brooke would talk and Haley would listen. When Haley talked Brooke would never listen, her eyes always glazed over the minute she started to talk about her life. And that's what hurt Haley the most. She could take the long days without seeing Brooke; it was expected when your girlfriend was a fashion mogul. But she couldn't take the rejection she felt every time that Brooke ignored her. And that seemed to be the only thing that their relationship consisted of nowadays.

"Mama is like the broken toy that no one wants to play with anymore," Haley sighed hoping Jamie would understand what she was saying. This entire conversation was so surreal for her; Jamie asking her why she was so sad, having to explain to him what was wrong with her and Brooke's relationship without actually outright telling him that Brooke was ignoring her.

Without a word Jamie sprinted up the stairs as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"That could've gone better," Haley mumbled. She lifted herself from the sofa and begrudgingly made her way to Jamie's room. Taking a peek in the room Haley was met with a heart-wrenching sight. Tears pricked her eyes as she watched her son playing with toys that he hadn't played with in over a year.

"Everyone deserves to be played with," Jamie told his Mama when he saw her watching.

~ALP~

Haley sat in the lounge of Red Bedroom Records with a guitar in hand. After her talk with Jamie she just needed to get away. She loved her son dearly but he just had a knack for causing so much emotional turmoil in her life. He was always able to know when to push her buttons to the point where she couldn't stay silent any longer. It was like Jamie knew when Haley needed to let things out.

With the strum of her guitar Haley let everything out.

"I remember the way you made love to me
Like I was all you'd ever need
Did you change your mind
Well I didn't change mine
Now here I am trying to make sense of it all
We were best friends now we don't even talk
You broke my heart
Ripped my world apart

Didn't you know how much I loved you
Didn't you know how much I loved you, baby
I gave you everything, every part of me
Didn't you feel it when I touched you
Didn't I rock you when I loved you, baby
Baby, tell me
Didn't you know how much I loved you

I can't get you out of my head
I still feel you in this bed
Left me all alone
You couldn't be more gone
From falling apart to fighting mad
From wanting you back to not giving a damn
I've felt it all
I've been to the wall

One day justice will come and find you
And I'll be right there in your memory to remind you

Haley slumped over the guitar with the last note. She didn't realize how much she was holding in, she hadn't planned on going this far with her song. It was just supposed to be some form of musical release. Apparently there was more to release than even she knew.

"Sounds like you need someone to talk to," Peyton voiced from the doorway to the studio. She was planning on getting in some extra time in her new band search. Haley had dropped Jamie off at the house and Lucas decided that it was the perfect opportunity for a guys' day. She had no clue that Haley would be at the studio but what she found broke her heart.

Haley was clearly holding in more than the eye could see. And it seemed that her dear friend Brooke was at the heart of the matter.

"C'mon Hales, you know you can talk to me especially if it's about my sometimes thickheaded best friend." Peyton tried to lighten the mood but nothing worked. Not even a chuckle.

"Why doesn't she see me anymore?"

Peyton could barely hear Haley's whisper of a question but she heard it and she heard the heartbreak in Haley's voice. Without a second thought she was at Haley's side ready for whatever Haley needed from her.

"Who're you talking about?" She knew it was a stupid question but she wanted to make sure that they were on the same page.

"Brooke," Haley snapped. "Who else would I be talking about?" She looked at Peyton and instantly regretted her tone. "I'm sorry Peyt. Everything's just been all over the place lately. Brooke's so busy with Julian and the costumes that she doesn't have time for me anymore. Jamie even noticed. I've been so depressed lately that he asked me why I was so sad. And all I could think to tell him was that I was like his old toys that he never plays with. I just don't know what to do Peyt. I love Brooke so much but it feels like she doesn't love me anymore.

Haley bowed her head as a sigh of desperation escaped her slightly parted lips.

"I'm losing her."