Author's Note: Okay, so this is the Sequel to What If, and I just wanted to say, I'm glad you came back for more…couldn't stay away huh? Haha just kidding. Anywho, a few notes. Karen and Dan are in this, but only a little. It will mostly be about the teenagers. So here it is…the first chapter of 'Feelings Of Love'.
Coming Home
Lucas and Nathan were in their house getting ready for Senior Prom. It had been nearly two years since Deb left, never to be seen again, And everyone like it that way.
"I think I'm going to ask her tonight…I want to make it official." Nathan said as he looked in the mirror at himself in a black tux and dark gray tie.
Lucas looked over at him and laughed. "Dude, you look like your going to a funeral. Wear a different tie."
Nathan sighed as he took off his tie and walked over to pick another one. "Okay, so tonight is the night." He said to himself.
After Nightmare Deb had past, dreams were realized and achieved. Haley and Nathan became best friends, Peyton and Jake got pretty serious, and Lucas and Brooke were still going strong. The rest of Junior year went on smoothly with little drama. The summer before senior year, Haley had went on tour with the Wreckers and some guy named Chris Keller…Nathan didn't like him much. Nathan went to High Fliers, Brooke worked on her fashion designs in California, Jake went off to find Nikki, Jenny's mother, and get his daughter back, and Lucas and Peyton stayed in Tree Hill. It was now a week before senior year started and everyone was coming home…Nathan was the first…
Nathan walked into his house with a sigh. He was glad to be home. High Fliers was great, but there was no place like Tree Hill. He smiled at the thought then shook it from his head as Karen ran up to him. Nathan put down his duffel bag and hugged Karen. "Hi, Mom." He said then stepped back. "Did you cut your hair?" He asked then smiled.
"Oh Nathan, it's so good to have you home."
Lucas walked downstairs and smiled. "Hey, Nate, your home." He walked up and hugged his brother before turning and hugging his mom. "Hi. I got to go pick up Brooke from the airport. I'll be back later."
"Okay sweetie. Tell her I said welcome home. And be careful." She said then hugged them both one more time before walking away.
Lucas laughed then turned to Nathan. "You want to come with me?" Nathan nodded. The two walked out and to the car. As they made their way to the airport, Lucas looked over. "So, how was High Fliers?"
"It was hard…but it was great." He smiled as Lucas nodded. "So, when does Haley get back?" He tried to sound nonchalant but he had missed Haley more than anyone else. I was just weird not having her around all the time. "I mean, I talked to her on and off over the summer, but I never did find out when she was coming home." He said rambling.
Lucas laughed. "Dude, Chill. She actually has her last show in Charlotte and we are going down to pick her up tonight…and finally get to see her perform."
As soon as they got to the airport, Lucas parked the car and the two walked inside to meet Brooke.
Brooke had been so tired. She woke up early to fly home, which didn't please her parents. But she didn't care. There was no way she was leaving Tree Hill the summer before senior year. She sighed as she waited for her suitcases in baggage claim. She hadn't slept on the plane at all, her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had little make up on. Someone came up behind her, putting their arms around her waist, making her jump.
"Welcome home, babe." Lucas said in her ear.
Brooke turned with a huge smile on her face and wrapped her arms around Lucas' neck. "Oh, I missed you so much." She pulled him in for a deep kiss. As she broke apart she pouted. "Where is Peyton?"
"She said sorry she couldn't be here to pick you up, but she had to work."
"Work?"
"Yeah, at Tric…you remember us telling you about that when we came down, right?"
Brooke thought back trying to remember. "Oh. You finally found a name?" She exclaimed.
"Yes…we're going to pick her up before we go to Charlotte for Haley's show. However, I did bring someone with me." He stepped aside, letting her go, bringing Nathan into view.
Brooke smiled and ran over to Nathan and wrapped her arms around him. As they let go she grinned. "It's funny how much I missed everyone…even you, Nate." She joked.
"Oh, thanks." He shook his head then smiled. "I missed you too, Tigger." Tigger was a name that Haley had started and it quickly took hold, half of their group used it now.
Lucas had gotten her bags and was now sitting them down. "You ready to get out of here?" He asked, putting his arm around her waist.
"Hell, yes." She said as she helped the two guys take her bags out to the car.
At Tric, later that day, Peyton was checking to make sure everything was set up. The grand opening was going to take place the Friday after school starts, which was only a week away. She turned towards to the stairs when she heard a female laughing and immediately knew who it was. She watched as Lucas and Nathan walked up the stairs, with Brooke in front and Lucas' hands over her eyes. Peyton laughed at this. "Okay, you ready?" Lucas asked before taking his hands off.
Brooke didn't even take in the club. She immediately looked around and found Peyton, running up to her also and giving her a hug. "Oh my god, P. Sawyer, never let me leave again."
Peyton laughed as she hugged her best friend. "Okay, I'm gonna hold you to that."
Brooke had released Peyton and was now looking around the club. "Wow…this is amazing. You did all this yourself P. Sawyer?"
"Yes, and no. I thought it all up, but it's Karen's club…and Luke helped."
"Okay, so before we go to Haley's show, I need to get ready. Luke, can you drop me off at Peyton's?" She was going to stay with Peyton this year, or at least until she found herself an apartment.
Lucas nodded. "I'll meet you guys there, just go on in." Peyton said then watched her friends walk out. She looked around, making sure she didn't forget anything before heading out herself.
Lucas and Nathan dropped Brooke off at Peyton's and helped her take all her things inside. Lucas kissed Brooke one last time before he left. "I missed you, Pretty Girl. I'm glad your home." He said before he left.
Peyton got to her house just after the guys left. She walked into her room and saw Brooke already had half her clothes unpacked and was now taking a shower. She went over to her closet and picked out what she was going to wear that night. She finally decided on a pair of dark denim jeans, a white tank, and a leather jacket.
A couple of hours later, Lucas and Nathan pulled up in front of Peyton's house. The girls walked out and got in the car. Brooke sat in the front seat, wearing a denim mini skirt and a pink spaghetti strap shirt. Lucas leaned over and kissed Brooke softly. "You look beautiful." Lucas said as they broke the kiss.
"Well, you don't look so bad yourself, boyfriend." She looked at Lucas, who was wearing a regular pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Nathan looked at Peyton. "Don't be mad if I don't kiss you too." He joked and they all laughed. "But who knows, your looking pretty hot, it just might happen before the night's over."
Peyton shook her head. "In your dreams." She smiled. "Okay, let's go."
The four laughed as Lucas put the car into drive and headed for Charlotte. "Have anyone of you ever heard Haley sing?"
"I have a little" Nathan responded, smiling as he remember when he was hanging out with Haley at the café one night and he convinced her to sing for him.
"I have!" Brooke exclaimed. "She's really good too."
"When did you hear her sing?"
"Oh, I went to one of the shows when they were in California." She said matter-of-factly.
As they drove to Charlotte, Brooke told them all about going to the show and hanging out with Haley. Before they knew it, they were there. They were running a little late so they quickly got inside and found a table. As they sat down, Chris was finishing up on a song.
"Thanks. Okay…I know what you've been waiting for…so to introduce to you, one of the most talented soon to be high school seniors, here is Haley James!" The whole crowd cheered. As Haley walked out onto stage, Nathan had a hard time breathing. She looked different. Her hair had changed, it was now a dirty blonde color. But she looked beautiful, as always.
The band started playing and soon the two on stage were singing a duet.
Haley
Dancin where the stars go blue
Dancin where the evening fell
Dancin in my wooden shoes
In a wedding gown
Chris
Dancin out on 7th street
Dancin through the underground
Dancin little marionette
Are you happy now
Where do you go when you're lonely
Haley
Where do you go when you're blue
Both
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
Chris
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Chris (Haley)
Laughin with your pretty mouth (Laughin with your pretty mouth)
Laughin with your broken eyes (Laughin with your broken eyes)
Laughin with your lover's song
Both
In a lullaby Yeah, yeah
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you Yeah, yeah
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
When do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
Follow you (Follow you)
Yeah, Yeah
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when the stars go blue
Haley took a deep breath as they finished their song. She smiled as the whole crowd was clapping. As it settled down she grabbed the mic. "That was Chris Keller" Chris waved before walking off stage. "Okay, are you ready?" She asked and her smile widened as the audience yelled and screamed. She grabbed her guitar and started playing before she started singing again.
Said I want to live the city life
This small town could eat me alive
I gotta pack my things and go where the railroad takes me
Mama's too poor to send me away
But I've been saving up on most everyday
Little bit out of each check from the Gas & Deli
And the whistle keeps on blowing
And the train keeps on rolling
And he said I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today
So he locked the door and he killed the lights
Took a six pack to get him through the night
Didn't have a plan just a good sense of direction
And Maybelline, his beauty queen
She cried all night cause the sheet were clean
But he left her a lovers' note there apologizing
He said I hear the whistle blowing
Gotta catch it the train is rolling
And he said I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today
The air is thick on the concrete isle
Ain't nothing green for like twenty miles
And he ain't use to the sun and moon a hiding
So he took his foot from out his mouth
And he packed his things and went back down south
But Maybelline said "Babe my time's arising."
Said I hear the whistle blowing
Gotta catch it the train is rolling
And she said I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
I never seen the L.A lights shine bright
Bright, brighter than your smile was ever
Brighter than my desire was ever
Longer burning than our love was ever...
And she said I ain't never been to New York City
I ain't seen the San Francisco Bay
I ain't never tried my hand in Vegas
But you bet your bottom dollar
That's where I'm going the day after today
She finished her song with a smile then immediately went to her next one.
Spending all your money
Ain't it funny how the time goes by?
First you start believing
Then you're leaving for no reason
And you're wondering why
So till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised if your head hurts
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town alive
Whisper in the ways
Watching days and moving on
You wake up every Monday then suddenly it's Sunday
And the week is gone
So till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised at the sunrise
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town alive
Oh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
Oh, do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and then you wonder
Why you're spending all your money
Ain't it funny how she walks on by?
She had you all believing
Now she's leaving for no reason
And you're wondering why
So till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised if your heart hurts
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town alive
Oh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
And oh, do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and then
Oh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
And do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and then you wonder
Why life is for the living, the forgiven and the leaving town alive
Life is for the living, the forgiven and the leaving town alive
As she finished her last song she took a deep breath and put her guitar down. She walk up to the mic again. "Okay guys. This is my last song. I had a blast on this tour and I hope you did too. This last one is for five of my closest friends…always remember that all you have to do is just come home." She smiled and nodded to the band to start playing.
Here I am
Red high heels
Yellow dress
Perfect nails
Lips like velvet
Don't you want me, baby?
I've been here and back again
It never answers anything
Where was I when they handed out the knowing you are loved?
Don't it get lonely out there, little darling
Well come on home
I'll be here with open arms
To hold you
When you arrive
I'll be here with open arms
To show you
Where you belong
If you're missing come on home
Been undone
I've seen it all
Still somehow I refuse to kick this carnivore to the wall
Traveled here a thousand years
It's a wonder my heart still hears and beats and feels
It does anything at all
Don't it get lonely out there, little darling
Well come on home
I'll be here with open arms
To hold you
When you arrive
I'll be here with open arms
To show you
Where you belong
If you're missing come on home
Don't it get lonely out there, little darling
Well come on home
I'll be here with open arms
To hold you
When you arrive
I'll be here with open arms
To show you
Where you belong
If you're missing come on home
She finished her song and waved to the crowd. "Well, that's all. Is everyone ready for The Wreckers?" She asked to loud cheers. "Okay…here they are, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp…The Wreckers" She hugged both woman as they walked onstage to say goodbye, they knew she probably wasn't going to be there after they got done, then walked off stage. She got a drink of water and turned to find where her friends were. She immediately saw Brooke, who was already heading towards her.
"Tigger!" She exclaimed as her and Brooke hugged. "Oh, it's so good to see you again. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't seen you in California. I was totally ready to go home." She rambled.
Brooke smiled at her then pulled her towards the table. "Look guys, it's our own rockstar." Brooke said with a smile as her and Haley walked up to the table. They all started talking at once about how they never knew she could sing that well…all except for Nathan.
"Whoa, guys, I can't understand you all at the same time." She looked over at Nathan. "Hey Nate…how was High Fliers?" She asked with a smirk.
Nathan stood up and pulled Haley into his arms. "God, I missed you."
Haley threw her arms around Nathan's neck pulling him closer to her. "Oh, I missed you too. Like I was telling Brooke, if I hadn't of seen her at the California show, I was just going to turn around and come home." She sat down next to Nathan and looked around at everyone. "So…how was everyone's summer?" She asked excitedly.
AN: Okay, that was the first Chapter of 'Feelings Of Love', the sequel to What If? The three songs that Haley sang are all by Bethany Joy Lenz. In the order they were sung: Day After Today, Leaving Town Alive, and If Your Missing (Come on Home). I hope you liked it. R&R.