Beautiful Whispers

You know that feeling you get when everything you've ever hoped for is dangled right in front of you and you know it can't be yours? That's what Haley felt the first time she saw Nathan with her. Her of course being her former best friend Peyton, but she didn't like to use names for people who didn't deserve to be recognized. It felt like a painful wound in the deepest cervices of her heart, pain flaring up when she could least afford it to.

He wasn't hers anymore. In truth he probably never was. Nathan was like the flicker of a deep red flame. You wanted to hold on to it, but just when you got a firm grasp it burnt you.

Six years had passed since high school; since them. He had moved on to college basketball then his fathers' cushy law firm. She was the secretary for the affluent owner of a software company.

Things were simply how they were. She hadn't seen him in almost a year, since the news of his engagement to Peyton had broke. They had announced it to their friends together; Haley hadn't even known they were dating. She had run, she didn't know what else to do. Neither had talked to her since.

Things just got too complicated.

Chapter One

The pile hit Haley's desk with a thud. It was only ten on a Monday morning and already Haley had more work then most secretaries could manage in a month. But then again, she wasn't just any secretary. She was Haley James, secretary extradionare.

"Hales, think you could get that Microsoft information on my desk by lunch?" Her boss called over the speaker. He was a handsome man of just thirty, single and sweet. Jake Jaglieski was a good catch.

Unfortunately not the guy for her, one date how proven that. Yes, as awkward as it may seem Haley got her job post bad date. A testament to Jake's kindness.

"No problem Jake, I'll have it in half an hour." She assured, smiling happily. Although secretary had never been on her list of dream jobs as a child, she loved it. There was something to be said about being the true backbone of a company. Even Jake admitted without her he would be lost.

The speaker buzzed, "Thanks Hales, you're the best. By the way you got some mail today. I put it in your left desk drawer, I know you hate clutter." The speaker clicked twice signaling it had been turned off, time for work.

Curiosity got the best of her however and she took the mail out of her desk. Her usual delivery was junk mail and a magazine or two, nothing important enough for Jake to take the time to hand deliver. This had to be important.

As soon as she read the return address her heart sunk. The envelope suddenly felt heavy and awkward in her hands. Nathan Scott.

She ripped it open quickly, not bothering to save the envelope, her usual habit. A creamy white and gold card fell out, with a save the date post-it. She knew what it was as soon as she saw the letter, but she had tried to deny it. Now she couldn't.

It was a wedding announcement; the date was in a month and five days. At the church in Tree Hill where Nathan had pledged his love to Haley, now he was intertwining it with Peyton. She sighed heavily, barely noticing when another letter fell out, handwritten. She opened it wearily, reading slowly.

Hales,

I know things haven't been so great between us but I was hoping you could make it to the wedding, for Nathan's sake. He really wants you there and it would mean a lot to me too, you are my best friend after all. Well either way, call me. I have the same cell phone number as high school. I'd love to hear from you, we need to talk. Please Hales.

Love, Peyton Sawyer (soon to be Scott : )

She dropped the letter with an exaggerated aire. Best friends, they hadn't been that in a long time.

Still Haley felt she owed it to Peyton, she wasn't sure why but something in her heart told her to go. Maybe it was the fact that Peyton had sat up with her for almost two months when her oldest brother had died in a car crash, letting her cry on her shoulder; or how she had punched the girl that kissed Nathan when he first cheated on her. Peyton had always been there for her.

Maybe this time it was Peyton's turn to have someone there for her. It was the least Haley could do. Forget the fact that she still loved him, it didn't matter anymore.

It was only ten AM and already Peyton had finalized the band, picked out the centerpieces and sent Nathan's tux to the dry cleaners. For the first time in months her day was free. It was a good feeling, a Peyton day. No planning, no phone calls or responsibilities; just her.

Nathan was at work, he had a new case involving a very unhappy wife and a bloody husband. Not his favorite.

She flipped through their mail, a multitude of replies for the wedding, most from people she barely knew but were really important to Nathan. His clients to be honest. Peyton was sick of it, adhering to his business needs; this was supposed to be her wedding.

She took a counter seat in her sun soaked kitchen, her favorite room in the house. This kitchen had been what convinced her and Nathan to invest in the two story brick house near the high school. She had loved it on sight.

She stopped at the last reply. It had no return address but she recognized Haley's handwriting immediately. She carefully opened it, remembering how Haley always did. It was final, she was coming and bringing a date. Both had opted for the pecan crusted chicken. Peyton smiled to herself, this was a good idea. Haley must be over Nathan and she had a date. Things were looking up.

"Sweetie, you home?" Nathan's voice reverberated through the house, deeper then it had been in high school. She jumped down from her seat and skipped down the hall to the foyer, her curls bouncing against her back.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him languidly before pulling away. "Hey babe." She said, sneaking in another kiss, then tapping him lightly in the chest with the envelope, "Guess who RSVP'd?"

He took the letter out of her hand and read it slowly, his blue eyes darkening as they traveled the letter. "I'm going to go up to my study for a little while, I'll be done for dinner." He said quietly, his eyes still on the card as he made his way up the stairs.

Peyton hated when he got like that, even the slightest mention of Haley and he was up to his study, shutting himself off from the rest of the world. Peyton had assumed after six years hearing her name wouldn't hurt him anymore, but apparently she had been wrong.

So much for a Peyton day, she thought angrily as she turned and went back into the kitchen. Why couldn't Haley have just ignored the letter, the Haley she knew in high school would've. If she had then Peyton would have a guilt-free concious and Nathan would still be happy.

Sitting back down at the counter she began to sift through the rest of the mail, doing anything to erase the look on Nathan's face when he saw the letter from her head.

Nathan opened the door to his home office and threw the crumpled invitation at the opposite wall. He slammed the door behind him and sunk into his desk chair, an expensive piece Peyton had given him as a gift the year before.

He had hoped he would never have to see Haley again, thought that maybe if they just never spoke he could put the past in the past for good and move on with Peyton. What ever had possessed her to invite Haley was beyond him; she probably thought she was doing good.

He didn't know why it still hurt, he had moved on, Peyton was perfect for him. They had the same goals, loved the same things. Peyton was the epitome of a wife, she cooked, she cleaned, she had a soothing hand and always knew what to say. He shouldn't want anyone else.

But he did, he wanted Haley James with every ounce of his soul. She was the very core of him and he couldn't just shake her off.