Hey All! I am back with my newest story. I was originally going to finish The Day We Find Love before I posted this but I got inspired. With this story I will have 3 going, so please be patient. I am going to update as much as I can before I leave for Wilmington.

Chapter 1

Haley James squinted against the light that was now pouring in through her window. She groaned as she fully opened her eyes and saw her mother, Lydia James, hovering over her. She could already tell this was going to be another long day in the life of Haley James. At the age of 18 she was already an accomplished cheerleader. She had led Tree Hill High to two straight state championships and good showings at nationals. This was her senior year and her mother was determined for her to win a national championship. Haley was looking forward to high school being over so that she could go to the college of her choosing and finally rid herself of all the pressure her mother put on her.

"Mom, what are you doing? What time is it?"

"It's 6:30 Haley, which means you are late getting up once again. You were supposed to be running right now. I guess you will just have to take extra clothes and run home from the Scott's house tonight."

Haley allowed herself to smile. They had been going to the Scott's house for dinner every Saturday night since she could remember. Dan and Karen Scott were high school sweethearts who had gotten married right after they graduated. They had the kind of love that Haley dreamed about. The Scott's had two boys, Lucas and Nathan. Lucas was 22 and engaged to Brooke Davis. Haley was good friends with Lucas but nothing compared to her friendship with Nathan. Nathan was 20 and a basketball player at Duke. She had always been able to count on Nathan to take her away from whatever pressure her mother was putting on her. He had dried her tears more times than she could count. There had never been anything romantic between the two of them. It didn't mean that there wasn't an attraction because there definitely was, it was just never the right time. Haley was sure that as long as her mother was in control there never would be a right time.

"Haley! Haley! Did you even hear what I was saying?"

"Huh?"

"You know Haley sometimes I wonder why I it is I even try. I said that you need to get your lazy ass out of bed young lady. You have to be at the gym in 45 minutes to work on your tumbling."

"But mom, it's Saturday. I have a group meeting later for a project that is worth 25 of my grade."

"I don't care Haley. You are starting to look fat and judges won't give points to fat cheerleaders."

"Mom, I hardly have time to eat. I don't think I look fat."

"That is because you see the best in yourself honey. You need to be at the gym for two hours. You can then have an hour for your project. Then you need to swim for an hour and a half. Then you can shower and go to dinner. Then you will run the five miles home from the Scott's."

Haley sighed, she really should have expected this. At least college was coming up soon.

"Oh and by the way, I got you an audition for the Oregon squad."

"What? Mom I told you I wasn't going there. I don't want to cheer in college."

"Haley if you don't cheer in college you aren't going to get to go anywhere because let's face it, you're not real smart. Now get up and go to the gym."

Haley was finally ready to go to dinner. She was already dead tired and she still had a five mile run ahead of her. She hoped her mom didn't find something else for her to do so that she could get some sleep. She was thankful that she had gotten done with her project. Maybe that would mean she could rest tomorrow. She highly doubted it though. Right now all she hoping was to enjoy the evening with her best friends.

The James' arrived at the Scott's right on time. Dan opened the door and welcomed them in. He immediately noticed that Haley looked thinner, paler and eve more tired than she had last week. He was really starting to worry. They walked into the living where Lucas, Brooke and Nathan were hanging out. It took just about everything they had to keep from gasping at Haley's appearance. It was obvious that she had lost even more weight. Nathan estimated that she was probably down around 100 pounds. He knew that at almost 5'4" that wasn't a healthy weight. He got up to give her a hug, vowing that he would figure out a way to get her out of that house.

"Hey Hales," he said wrapping his arms around her. When he pulled away he looked into her big brown eyes and could see the tears threatening to spill. Lucas looked over at Brooke and shook his head. He had no idea what to do to help her. Before anyone could say anything else, Lydia came in and announced that dinner was ready.

Haley sat next to Nathan with her father on the other side of her. She loved her father but she wished that he would stand up to her mom some times. Jimmy James was a very quiet man who loved his wife very much. He always believed that she had their daughter's best interests at heart.

Karen served the food and Haley could feel her mouth water. Karen always made the best food. Haley realized that she hadn't eaten all day. She loaded up her plate and began to eat. The meal was quiet for a while, until Lydia realized how much Haley was eating.

"Haley, you need to watch how much you eat. Not only for your weight but you also don't want to run on a full stomach."

Haley immediately dropped her fork and pushed her plate away.

"Run on a full stomach?" Dan questioned

"Yes, Haley overslept this morning and didn't get her daily run in and so she is going to run home tonight."

Nathan's fork clattered to his plate.

"Are you kidding?" He asked before he could stop himself.

"No Nathan, I'm not kidding. Haley knows that she has to run everyday and since she didn't get up this morning it means she needs to run now."

Haley sat there not saying anything. She wished she had a way out, right now she'd take just about any way out.

"Haley if you're done eating you should get your clothes out of the car and change so you can get started."

"Lydia maybe you should give her tonight off." Karen tried to reason with her friend.

"Now Haley." Lydia said ignoring Karen's plea.

Haley got up from the table, got her change of clothes and went up the stairs to change. Nathan followed, knowing she would use the bathroom next to his room and he could catch her on her way out. She came out and he immediately pulled her into his room.

"Hales, don't do this. Stay here, we'll figure everything out."

"I wish I could Nathan, I really do but you know she would just the police to get me. There isn't any way I could stay."

"Haley this isn't safe. I'm going to find a way. I promise."

"I'm sorry Nathan but I can't get my hopes up."

With that she walked out of the room. Nathan sighed, there had to be something. He walked down the stairs as she was thanking his parents for dinner. He glanced at his mom and dad. It ws then that the idea hit him. It was big, but desperate times call for desperate measures. He would need the help of his parents, his dad especially, but from the look on their faces they would be willing to help. Haley cast a sad glance over her shoulder at Nathan. I promise, he mouthed at her. She just shook her head and walked out the door.

"Wow," Lucas said after the James' had left.

"I knew Lydia was crazy, I just had no idea she was this crazy." Brooke said.

"There has to be something we can do to help her." Karen said looking around at the group.

"I know a way," Nathan whispered.

They all perked up at his words.

"What did you have in mind son?" Dan asked.

Nathan filled them in on his plan. He knew it was going to sound crazy but it was all he could think of and it might be their only chance to help Haley.

"Are you sure, Nathan?" his mother asked after he had finished.

"Mom, I promised I would help her and I refuse to break that promise."

"Well then son, we will do whatever you need us to do in order to help."

"Thank you guys."

Now all he had to do was convince Haley.