A/N: I used to have an account on a few years ago, but I forgot all my info. I will always and forever love Naley, so I was recently inspired to start a story loosely based on one of my favorite Naley fics, Waiting and Wanting, by AthenaNikePallas. It's a WIP and I'm not a serious fic writer, so no beta. Constructive criticism is welcome! Thanks, RGLS

Chapter 1

"I'll take a medium sugar free, soy, chai latte, piping hot, with extra foam; make that extra foam, with a scoop of protein powder, if you have it. Please."

Karen slowly looked up from the register to take a look at one of her most demanding customers yet. The young girl wore fashion sunglasses, red lipstick, and had sun woven blonde hair past her shoulders. She looked like either an extremely out-of-place tourist or a student from one of the neighboring college towns, but it wasn't tourist season and schools were still in session. But then a small smirk graced the girl's lips and she pushed her sunglasses atop her head.

Karen gasped in recognition, bringing her hands to her mouth in shock. She slowly walked out from behind the counter, approaching the now familiar girl.

"Haley James, as I live and breathe..."

The young girl smiled bashfully with eyes bright, before throwing her arms around Karen.

Despite Haley's protests, Karen temporarily closed up shop, leaving two of her regulars to finish up their meals. As Karen bustled about, Haley took in the much changed appearance of the café. It still captured the warmth and comfort of a family den, but the booths and seating furniture had been upgraded and modernized. The walls had been given a soothing coat of dove grey in contrast to the orange and reds she remembered in her youth. And the walls were now heavily decorated in vibrantly colored frames of photographs and local artwork. The south facing wall held a shelving unit of mugs, recipe kits, and other cooking paraphernalia. Yes, Karen's Café had certainly blossomed into quite the flagship eatery in the heart of her hometown.

Karen placed a chocolate muffin and a steaming mug of coffee in front of her, before settling into the booth seat.

"I don't think I ever recall the Haley James that I remember drinking coffee, black, no less, but I will never forget your affection for anything chocolate."

Haley smiled broadly, touched that she had remembered.

"Thank you, Karen. I feel… I feel like such a stranger being back here, but… anyway, the familiarity is welcome,"

Karen reached across the table, tucking a strand of Haley's hair behind her ears. She smiled at her endearingly with bright eyes.

"You know that Tree Hill will always be home,"

Haley nodded, cupping the mug between her hands.

"So how long has it been now?" Karen counted to herself, "Eleven… no twelve years?" She let out a heavy breath and relaxed back into her seat with a look of total disbelief on her features.

"I can't believe you recognized me, after all this time,"

"It's been over a decade, so obviously you've matured… but that face, well, you've always had that youthfulness to you,"

It was ironic because years ago while living in this town, Haley couldn't wait to grow up.

"It's a good thing, Haley. If you don't appreciate your youth now, give it five years tops. You will definitely appreciate it then."

Haley stared down at the rouge stain now sitting on the brim of her cup, as she was flooded with memories.

"Aren't you going to ask what I'm doing here?"

"Haley, I've never been one to pry. Living in a small community like ours for as long as I have, I understand the need for privacy. But… is everything okay?"

She smiled meekly at the woman's considerate response.

"Yes, everything's okay. Well, it will be."

The two caught up on each other's lives, Karen revealing much more about her past twelve years so that Haley wouldn't have to.

Haley belonged to a large family, being the youngest of six children to Jim and Lydia James. Because of the significant age difference among her siblings, she had not identified with them. Even her second youngest sibling, Taylor, who was only four years older, and she had not related – but that was due to a personality conflict more than anything else.

When Haley had entered school, she'd been shy and introverted. But then Lucas Scott and she became classmates. And if possible, Lucas was even more introverted than she. He was popular, but not in a good way. His father, local basketball legend Dan Scott, had knocked up his high school sweetheart in their senior year, and then left her high and dry for college. Lucas was forced to carry a weight on his shoulders that no child should, and his mother was labeled as a tragedy that peaked in high school. To make it even weirder, Dan's younger brother, Keith had become a fixed part of Karen and Lucas's life. He was a father figure to his nephew and a supportive friend to his mother. It wasn't the controversy that drew Haley to become friends with Lucas, but the courage she saw in his face every day. He brought out confidence and strength in Haley and she had given him a clean slate, because she understood enough with her crazy household that opinions were just that, opinions.

Lucas became a brother to her, more than her own siblings had been. And Karen had become a second mother. It was at that time, she had opened up her café. What had once been a hobby and a curiosity became her livelihood. And so, Haley had grown up in that café.

They were silly enough to plan their futures around each other, even if they were headed in entirely different directions. Lucas wanted to stay close to home to stay close to his mother. He had always had his heart set on playing basketball at UNC and letting fate carry him where he needed to go next. Haley dreamt of new cities pulsating with culture and distant schools, even abroad. But she made UNC her plan A.

Then life happened. During the fall of their entry year into high school, news broke out about Dan Scott's reluctant return to Tree Hill; along with the addition of his wife and son.

As soon as she had overheard her parents' conversation, Haley pedaled as fast as could down the familiar side streets to Lucas's house. After all, it wasn't every day that your best friend's absentee father returns to your hometown with his new family in tow. He needed her.

"Lucas? Luke! Answer the door!" She pounded her small fist against the side entrance door.

After about ten minutes, she realized that he wasn't there. She immediately hopped on her bike and sped away to the only other place he could be.

She dropped her bike unceremoniously onto the grassy field, exhausted. Giving herself a few seconds to catch her breath, she stared out towards the Rivercourt. There he was – laid out on the asphalt. He looked dead. When she reached the court, she laid down beside him wordlessly, taking his hand in her own.

They stayed that way for what felt like a long time, before anything was said.

"Are you okay, Luke?" Haley asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

"I hate him for what he did to my mom, Hales. But I also hate that I kind of want to see him. I want to see how he acts with his… family."

"It's only normal…"

He pulled his left arm away from his face where it had been covering his eyes to glance over at his best friend.

"This isn't normal! Our life is not normal! And everyone gets to watch it like it's some shitty movie and then make fun of it,"

He was sitting up now and had pulled his hand out of hers. She propped herself up beside him.

"No one's life is normal. And I thought you learned to ignore what everyone thinks. You know and I know that it's really none of their damn business,"

His forehead crinkled and his nostrils flared as he began to lose control of his emotions. Scooting closer, she wrapped her arm around him, nestling her head into the crook of his shoulders.

"I'm worried for my mom," he said after a long pause.

"Have you talked to her? I mean, about how you feel?"

"When she told me last night, I just… I don't know… I just spaced out. I didn't know how to feel. And for a second, I got mad at her. I know I shouldn't have, but sometimes I feel like I need to blame somebody."

"Lucas—"

"I know… it's not my mom's fault. I was just so frustrated. It's just… why the hell does he have to come back here of all places? It's like he wants to make us miserable for the rest of our lives."

"Does Karen know why he came back?"

"No," he answered softly.

"Well, maybe Keith knows something…" she offered gently. "Listen, you and your mom… you guys are not alone. You have Keith. And you know that I always have your back, right?"

"I know," he admitted, settling his chin on top of her head.

"Because… you know, if… this guy… if he disrespects the family, then you let me take care of it," Haley joked in her best Italian accent.

Lucas pulled away from her, eyeing her with a confused expression.

"What was that? Christopher Walken?"

He broke out in laughter, his shoulders shaking, at the outraged look on her face. But she couldn't help but to laugh with him. The heavy feeling of sadness had dissipated and was suddenly replaced by a momentary relief of pure joy.

"We're having dinner at our house tonight, please come. It's kind of a tradition of sorts ever since Lucas officially moved out a couple of years ago. I'll tell everyone we're having a surprise guest,"

Karen smiled conspiratorially. Haley didn't need much convincing.

She left the café before the lunch rush began and decided to trek through the streets of the downtown area. It was mid-October, but it was still warm, somewhat humid out. But the heat was rejuvenating.

The new businesses and renovated buildings emphasized so much that had changed. It was almost overwhelming, but nothing she hadn't anticipated. After all, she knew that Tree Hill wasn't the only thing that had transformed. If anything, she realized that she was taking everything in with a fresh set of eyes because she had changed too.