Chapter 1.

"Have you ever thought about coaching again", the athletic director from North Carolina questioned, taking some notes on a pad of paper.

Lucas looked outside at the trees, "I don't know. It's been awhile."

The athletic director looked up, "How about playing?"

The medication kept Lucas from playing, or it used to. He hadn't had issues with his heart in along time, but he also hasn't tried to strain it by doing too much physical activities.

"I know why you stopped playing, but I don't know why you never tried it again", the athletic director said, trying to get Lucas to answer one of these questions honestly.

"I like the idea of being offered this job, but I think playing is out of the question", Lucas answered. He stood up and extended his hand, "I hope we can talk more about this job later on."

The athletic director stood slightly and returned the handshake, "The University of North Carolina would love to have you."

Lucas nodded before exiting the room carefully, the cool wind hit his face. He breathed in the crisp air and noticed even more the blooming trees and flowers. It was a beautiful spring day in North Carolina, not too cold but not too hot.

It had been five years since he last step foot in this state, since he last saw his old group of friends. Lucas hadn't really thought about them, never really wanted to. None of them ended things on a good note.

Five years ago

"Come on, Luke. Things don't have to be like this", Peyton said as Lucas packed away more of his things.

Lucas looked over at her, "I asked you to marry me, to become my wife. How are things supposed to be after a moment like that?"

Silence filled the room, only the sound of the birds chirping in the distance was heard.

"I love you, I just think we are still so young", Peyton said sadly, "This doesn't mean I don't want to be with you."

Lucas sat back on the couch in the living room that Peyton and him had shared for just over a year. An apartment that they had bought together, just so they could try to make this relationship work. It had been working, till Peyton decided she couldn't marry Lucas. She called off the wedding just under a week before it was supposed to take place.

"Why'd you say yes", Lucas questioned, staring at her intently. Almost like he was expecting the answer to be written on Peyton's face.

"I thought I was ready", Peyton said just above a whisper.

Lucas felt sick to his stomach, just like the day she told him she couldn't marry him anymore. It felt like he couldn't breathe, but he knew he'd make it through this. He had to.

"This is why I have to leave, Peyton. It's too much for me right now", Lucas said, picking up the bag off the floor, "I'm sorry."

The silence was deafening once again, but this time Peyton wasn't having it.

"Don't leave, Luke. I don't want to lose you", Peyton grabbed Lucas's arm, "We can get through this."

Peyton's words were unheard, Lucas already had it set in his mind that he was leaving. Nothing or nobody was going to stop him.

Lucas left Tree Hill without saying bye to anyone, not even his best friend of more years than he could count on two hands.

Present

Lucas held his hand out the window, feeling the cool air hit his arm.

"Tree Hill", he read off the welcome sign that indicated he was back where everything started for him.

He drove past Peyton and his spot, where they first spoke to each other. The moment that his life changed forever, and Lucas found himself driving towards his old high school. Although, it looked exactly like it did when he attended.

Lucas parked his car, and he felt himself walking into the building. He headed to the gym, a place he had so many memories. As he was walking something caught his eye, it was a big glass case filled with awards. There were a couple for academics, but it was mostly for sports.

The first that caught his eye was the State Championship trophy, the game he hit the winning shot. The moment that Peyton and him finally gave each other a chance, the kiss of a lifetime. All these moments and memories were flashing through his head as he looked at this one trophy.

"I was in love", Lucas whispered to himself.

"You were", a voice behind him said.

Lucas turned, and he was met by a girl with brown hair and brown eyes. He didn't recognize her at first, she looked so different.

"Haley", Lucas said as he started to walk towards her but stopped.

Lucas ignored her calls for five years, he couldn't ever find the words to express what he was feeling. Plus, he didn't want to be reminded of the past anymore. His past with Peyton.

"What are you doing here", Haley questioned, she did seem somewhat interested.

Lucas swallowed hard, "Well, I was offered a job at UNC, thought I'd come down here to see if the place has changed any. I see you are teaching here again, that's new."

Haley's expression was unreadable, she didn't give off any signs of being happy to see Lucas, but she also didn't give off any signs that she wasn't happy to see him.

"I have to go to class, I think it's best you leave", Haley said as she turned to face the other end of the hallway.

"Hals", Lucas started to say before she interrupted him.

Haley turned suddenly, "You left, Luke. Don't come back thinking everything is going to be the same, especially after you ignored me for 5 years. That isn't fair. I know you were heartbroken, but I was your best friend. I would have done anything to have been there for you, but you didn't give me that chance."

Lucas reached out to grab Haley's hand, to find someway to apologize or at least to make her understand. But she pulled away, and she walked down the hall to wherever she was teaching next. She didn't turn around once, just kept walking.

Lucas left out the door he came and got into his car. Why did he expect that conversation to go any different than it did?

The drive to his old house was short, he almost left his car at the school and walked. It was such a beautiful day.

Karen Roe was sitting on the porch, she had recently received a call from her son that he was going to be in town. She hadn't seen him in almost two years, he didn't keep in touch too well. But he was an aspiring writer, and that took up more time than anyone expected.

"Baby", Karen said as she wrapped Lucas into a hug.

The two hugged for what seemed like hours, both had missed each other immensely.

"You'll never guess who I just saw", Lucas said as he sat himself down on the porch.

Karen smiled, "Gosh, I don't know. Who?"

"Haley", Lucas said, looking off in the distance.

Karen's smile faded, "I'm guessing she wasn't too happy to see you."

He looked over at Karen, "No, not really. But I shouldn't have expected any different."

She nodded, "You did leave abruptly, without even an explanation or a goodbye. She was worried about you, Lucas. Especially when you wouldn't return her calls. Just give her time, I'm sure she will come around."

Lucas nodded, even though at the moment he didn't believe this was true. What he did to Haley was unthinkable, and it was wrong. He didn't know if he could forgive himself for doing that.

Karen grabbed his hand, "I did want to warn you about something, I didn't just want you to see her one day and be caught by surprise", she paused for a second to gather her thoughts, "Peyton is engaged."

Lucas felt like he had been punched in the stomach, but did he have any right to? He was the one who ended things, although he always felt like she did when she ended their engagement.

Could Lucas even handle seeing Peyton with someone else, even after all these years?

Lucas would soon find this out, because Haley had already texted Peyton that Lucas was back in town. Little did Lucas know at the time, Peyton was just as anxious and worried about seeing him. It had been five years, and Peyton was now engaged. But was she still in love with Lucas, did she ever stop loving him?