Chapter One
"Sometimes two people have to fall apart, to realize how much they need to fall back together,"
- Unknown
Haley James ran her hands on her cotton bedsheet. She noticed the side beside her was empty, she got up and went on a search for her fiancé.
She stumbled into her kitchen, and noticed a little note waiting for her.
"Hey Hales,
I'm sorry for leaving this morning. I went for a run and didn't want to disturb you. You look so cute when you sleep. I'll be home soon."
Love
Matthew
Her assistant Lindsey walked into her apartment. She had a big smile on her face.
"Hey Haley, good morning how are you!" Lindsey asked, shutting the door behind her.
"Hey Lins, I'm fine what about you?" Haley said, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"I'm great. John wanted me to tell you that he needs you in his office now, he said it was something regarding your album," She told Haley.
"Can you tell him that I am working on it, and will be able to get it to him within a weeks time?"
"Hales, he not going to like that," Lindsey replied worriedly.
"Well he's going to have to go with it. If he wants me to finish this album," Haley said.
Before Lindsey could answer. Matthew walked in.
"I'll let him know Haley," Lindsey said. "Hi Matt, Bye Matt," She added.
Lindsey had left. Matthew just laughed. "What was that all about?" He asked, wrapping his arms around his fiancee's waist.
"John wants me to finish the album by tonight. I can't write seven songs tonight," Haley sat down and sighed.
"You could if we stayed up all night drink tons of coffee and we'll have your album done in no time Hales. There's nothing to worry about," He reassured her.
"I love for that, but this is my job and not yours,"
Matthew Ashby was a intern doctor. He helped the doctors with examinations, testing needles etc. He loved his job. He was once a former music producer.
"I found this in the mail today," He told Haley, handing her the envelope.
Haley opened the envelope and saw a wedding card inside.
You're cordially invited to the wedding of,
Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer
Jake David Jageleski
October 23rd 2013
At St Robert Augustine Church
Tree Hill, North Carolina
"It's a wedding invitation to Peyton's wedding?" Haley was still baffled. Last time she checked Lucas and Peyton were still together.
"I have to go," she replied walking out of the apartment.
She headed straight for the label and walked into John's office. She knocked on his door.
"Ah Haley just the person I wanted to see," John said, crossing his arms.
"Hi John."
"Tell me you are writing the best songs of your life. If not a bunch of best songs, some okay songs," he responded.
"Actually there is something I wanted to discuss with you," Haley told him, taking a seat.
"What is it Haley?" He asked concerned, hopefully she wasn't leaving the record label for a better one.
"I was wondering if I could have a month off?"
"What do you need a month off for Haley? What could be more important than your album?" John asked.
"My friend's wedding," She said softly.
"You need a month off for a friends wedding Haley? Last time I checked a wedding doesn't take a month to attend," He replied.
"Yeah, but I was going to stay longer than just the wedding,"
"Haley I'm sorry, but the answer is no. I need your time here in the studio recording your album. We need to get it out to the market in a week, and we still don't have your seven songs, a song name let alone okay?" He responded sternly.
"Look I haven't seen my friends in two years John okay? and I will work overtime to get the album done for you alright? The name of the album is Intoxicated."
"Well Haley that isn't my fault Haley. You know when I found you in the small town of Tree Hill singing in the cafe. I knew from that moment I wanted you on my label, not because you were beautiful, but you had the strong angelic voice I was looking for. The voice I needed to bring this label alive. So I flew you from that dead town and brought you here, in New York, where I made you a rock star Haley. A Rock star. Do you know how many people would die for your career choice? Not only that, but you got to go on tour, with Chris Keller. Alright Haley. Do you get that? and all of a sudden you want to go home," He explained.
"I know and I thank you for every second of my time. I really do John. I appericate it more than you could ever know, but I haven't seen my friends in two years. I have a lot of making up to do. I need to get my life back on track, and I promise you when I am there. I will be inspired to write the songs. My friend owns a record label, and she'll help okay? and Matt had told me he will ship my songs to you, so you can make a demo alright John. I'll work a lot in Tree Hill. My job is important to me, but so is my friends and family. I'm begging you John please." Haley explained.
"Fine I'll let you go, but you have to get the songs to me by Friday afternoon, no later. You got that?" He answered.
"Thank you John. I promise I won't let you down." Haley said smiling, walking out the door.
"Haley, don't make me think this was a mistake,"
Haley packed up all her stuff and bought a plane ticket. She was excited to go home and see her friends, but she was definitely going to miss her fiance and life here, but she was excited to go to home. She had taken her suitcase from her room, she shared with her fiance and brought it to the kitchen where Matthew was sitting.
"Well that's the last of it," She told him. "Are you sure you can't come with me?" She added.
"I wish I could Hales, I really do, but I can't. I'm going to miss you a lot Haley James, but go home see your friends be happy. I'll be waiting right here once you get back. I promise you that much. I love you now go before I change my mind, and cry," He responded softly, hugging her.
She wiped back some tears, "I wish you could come too. I'm going to miss you Matt, I really am. But I'm going home. I love you too more than you know," Haley replied, grabbing her passport, and leaving.
She arrived at the airport. Haley found the Welcome to Tree Hill sign, and it brought a smile to her face. Like they say there's no place like home, and although she moved to New York four years ago. Tree Hill will always be her home. She got her boarding pass, and was headed towards the terminal.
"Now boarding flight number XY783E to Tree Hill, North Carolina. That's flight number..."
The flight attendant's voice echoed through the airport over the tanoy, as she called out Haley's plane.
"I'm coming home," Haley muttered to herself.
She had gotten off her plane, and took a taxi to Lucas's house. She got her bags out of the cab, gave him her money and knocked on Lucas's door.
A little girl opened the door. It brought a smile to Haley's face.
"Aunt Haley!" the little girl shouted. Haley picked her up.
"Hey Melanie, how are you? I missed you," Haley replied.
"Mama, tells me you're getting married to uncle Nathan is that true?" Melanie said with her baby blue eyes.
"Huh. She said that now, well baby I'm getting married, but just not to Uncle Nathan," Haley said, putting the girl down, once Brooke came to the door. Melanie ran inside.
"Tutor girl!" Brooke said, pulling Haley in for a hug.
"Hi Tigger," Haley responded.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were busy, since you are a mega rockstar now," Brooke reponded, helping Haley put her bags inside the house.
"I came back because it's home, and for Peyton's wedding. I am busy, I had to squeeze you guys into my hectic work schedule," She replied playfully.
"It's good you came home Haley. Lucas and I missed you," Brooke replied softly.
"What is exactly going on with that anyway, you and Lucas. I thought he was with Peyton," Haley answered.
"Two years ago, Lucas told me how he felt about me, and said he and Peyton were broken up, but I didn't want to believe it since it's always been Lucas and Peyton. We got back together, he told me I meant a lot to him. He expressed how he truly felt about me, and how he missed me all those years. I was worried he was going to hurt me again, like before you know? But he hasn't so far. Then we had Melanie, the rest is history. I feel like we are meant to be together now, rather than in high school. He's coming around," Brooke said.
"Well Brooke, I hope everything good happens for you. You deserve it, I truly mean that," Haley replied. "Speaking of the devil, where is Lucas anyway?" Haley added.
"He went to go get some inspiration for his third book. He went to the place where all great authors go. The library of course," Brooke replied.
"That's good to know, I'm glad he's writing again." Haley responded.
She was leaving to go see her best friend. She really missed him, and no matter how much he drove her crazy. Lucas Scott will always be Haley James's best friend no matter what.
"He misses you Haley. I don't mean Lucas," Brooke said.
Haley didn't quite know how to respond.
"Do you miss him Haley?" She asked.
Haley turned around, and removed her hand from the door and told Brooke.
"Of course I do, but I'm engaged Brooke. He needs to move on. It's been four years," Haley said.
"He has moved on Haley,"
She was happy Nathan had finally moved on from her. As much as she missed him she knew it was for the best.
"With who?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
Brooke didn't know how to tell her. She knew it was going to hurt Haley somehow.
"Brooke who is it?" Haley asked more impatiently.
"Rachel," She responded softly.
Something jolted inside of Haley. Did Brooke just say Rachel as in Rachel Gatina from highschool. She suddenly felt some anger take over her body.
"Rachel as in Rachel Gatina from highschool?!" Haley yelled softly. She was so shocked to even consider Nathan to move on to Rachel of all people.
"Yeah, they've been together for two years Hales. I'm not fond of their relationship either, believe me, but he makes her happy vice versa, and to think of it. Is it really that bad?"
"No, but I just thought Nathan would go for someone will class, and not Rachel out of all people," Haley responded.
"Someone like you, or you for a matter of fact," Brooke replied.
"Brooke I'm engaged okay, but frankly yes someone like me, because I know he has better taste in women then Rachel."
"You don't need to tell me twice Haley, I understand okay, but there's nothing I can do about it. I'm just glad he found someone who makes him happy,"
Haley just left, she decided instead of visiting Lucas, she'd go see Nathan. Brooke was right, in a way. She did miss him, but just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Rachel is dating her ex-boyfriend.
She walked to the river court. She smiled, after all he's been through, she knew basketball was only thing to make him happy. She knew how much it meant to him, it played a big role in their lives. She missed him play.
"Hey," She said softly, walking on the court.
"Haley? Hi what are you doing here?" Nathan asked shocked.
"I was back for Peyton's wedding, and because Tree Hill's home," She told him. "Brooke tells me you're dating Rachel. How'd that happen?," She added.
"Oh she told you about that. Well it happened two years ago, actually. I met Rachel at one of my games and we started talking, soon after. She asked me out on a date, and I couldn't say no. So we went on a first date, and I got to see the real Rachel, the vulnerable, sweet Rachel, and soon after I realized we weren't different after all, and after a couple of more dates, we started to date. It started out as a distraction from you, but soon I started to fall in love with her, and the rest is history, before you say anything Hales. She makes me happy," Nathan explained, as he looked into Haley's soft brown eyes.
I just realized how much I miss you Haley. I still love you Haley James, more than you know.
"That's quite a story. As long as she makes you happy Nathan, that's all that matters," Haley responded, smiling.
"Speaking of relationships, Lucas tells me you're engaged. How'd that happen?" He asked. "Let me guess Chris Keller right?" He cointuned.
Haley was in shock. Wow really Nathan?
"Do you really think I'd scoop that low and marry Chris?" Haley said hurt.
"Haley it was a joke,"
"That's not a joke Nathan. I can't believe you would even say that, and no I'm not engaged to Chris. I'm engaged to Matthew. You know the guy I've been dating for the last four years, and I love him Nathan. I really do. I thought I'd come here and make peace with you, and invite you to my wedding, but god Nathan you did it again. You showed me what an ass you can really be. I thought you were better than that. I guess I was wrong," Haley said, leaving the court.
Haley made her rounds. She was off to go see Luke.
"Hey," She said, sitting down across from her best friend.
"Well Well, if it isn't Tree Hill's very own Haley James. What can I do for you?" Lucas asked playfully. "But in all seriousness, I missed you Haley James," Lucas added, getting up and hugging his best friend.
"Same too you. There's something that I want to ask you, and I need you to be completely honest with me okay Luke," Haley answered, intertwining her hands together.
"What is it Hales?" Lucas asked, laughing a little bit.
"What happened between Peyton and you. I come back to find my best friend Brooke Davis, in my other best friends house, not to mention you have a daughter and didn't tell me," Haley said.
"Oh that, well Peyton and I just didn't work out. We wanted different things in life. I wanted to settle down, and she wanted to continue to work, and well we just went our separate ways. Soon after I met Brooke again, and I realized that I still love Brooke Davis, and nothing's going to change that," Lucas replied.
"That's good Luke, but do you still love Peyton?"
"No, Peyton and I are history Hales,"
"Okay. You mention loving Brooke again. But are you in love with Brooke or are you in love with the idea of Brooke?, because those are two different things, and if you don't spare Brooke the pain, because she deserves better than that," Haley said.
"I don't know Haley," Lucas responded.
"Well make up your mind Lucas. Stop hiding your hearts, it's not healthy, believe me. What do you want Lucas, do you want Brooke? If so great. Do you want Peyton? If so good, just stop hiding your Lucas. I don't like to see Brooke or Peyton hurt. But whatever decision you make, please promise me one thing,"
"Yeah,"
"Don't abandon Melaine, that little girl doesn't deserve it,"
"Of course I won't Haley. She's my daughter nothing's going to change that," Lucas reassured her.
"Good, I'm glad to hear that Lucas," Haley got up and started walking away.
"Hales?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're home," Lucas said smiling.
"Me too,"
Lucas travelled back home to Brooke.
"Hey Pretty Girl!" Lucas said, walking through his bedroom door.
"Hey Boyfriend. Listen I got a plan, hear me out OPERATION GET NALEY BACK TOGETHER. What do you think?" She responded.
"I think that's a great idea Brooke, but please tell me how that's going to work. Last time I checked Haley was engaged and Nathan is in a relationship," Lucas said. He was happy seeing Brooke so enthusiastic.
"I'll find a way alright. Besides we both know Haley and Nathan are meant for each other, nothing's going to change that. People are meant to be together always find there way in the end. I truly believe that, especially when it comes to Naley. I know they still love each other. I understand Haley loves Matt, and is engaged to him, but I know a part of her still loves him," Brooke replied.
"I love you B Davis you know that?"
"I love you too Luke,"
"No I really mean I love you Brooke. I fell in love with you, and I don't regret it for a second, you and Melanie are the best things to happen to me. Believe th-"
Brooke didn't let him finish, instead Brooke kissed Lucas.
"I was waiting for you to say that," She whispered. She went back to kissing him.
WELL. What do you think? So I update or no? For those of you that read my other story "Wicked Games". I'm not finished with that story, I am just having some writer's block lately, but I promise Chapter 12 will be up soon, before January 2016. Just to clear something up this isn't a Leyton story. Brooke and Lucas are very much together and in love. Peyton's just their good friend, and part of Lucas's history, and you'll find out what happened to Naley and prompted Haley to move to New York soon! Till then Review. I own nothing but John and Matthew.
Thanks for reading!- Summer1223