Chapter 1 : You Think You Know Me ?

Some would say that Haley James had a pretty awesome life . She was beautiful, smart, funny, and had the best friends anyone could ever ask for. But, if you really knew Haley, you would see that her life was far from perfect.

Haley James was 20 years old and sometimes more mature than her parents. She lived a very normal life and NEVER took risks. She preferred to live a quiet and reserved life . Haley never opened up to many people. Well, just one to be exact. Brooke Davis. Brooke had been Haley's best friend since the third grade and they had been inseparable since. If one of them was going through a tough time , then they went through it together . They told each other everything and were always there for each other, whether one of them needed a shoulder to cry on or needed to borrow a pair of jeans that day. Haley and Brooke went to high school together and are currently enrolled at UNC college. Ever since freshman year of high school, they have had their whole lives planned out. They would attend UNC, Haley majoring in education and Brooke in Fashion and Design, and then rent a place together until one of them got married. So far everything was going as planned and they were in their third year of college.

Haley never asked to be found. She was perfectly content with being single. Of course she wanted to get married some day and have a family. For as long as she could remember she had dreamt about finding the perfect guy and falling madly in love. She had always wondered what it felt like to need someone so much that your heart ached. To want someone so much that you hated when you were apart. Well, at least she had wanted all of this up until the beginning of last year when the guy she loved ripped her heart out and stomped on it.

His name was Cole. They had met in one of her classes and immediately hit it off. They had been going out for about 6 months and Haley had admitted that she loved him and he loved her. Haley felt on top of the world. Like she had finally found what she had been looking for and dreaming about for so long. She found someone who had wanted her just as much as she had wanted him. At least she thought he wanted her that much. It was about a year ago that he had called her wanting to talk and sounded quite serious. They met up for lunch and that was when it hit her. He had not smiled at her once or told her she looked nice like he always did. Something was wrong. He started off with "I can't do this anymore" and then preceded to tell her everything . That for the last three months he had been cheating on her and in fact decided that he wasn't ready for a serious relationship. Haley yelled and screamed at him trying to let out all her anger. She stormed back to her dorm , locked herself in her room and cried…. and cried … and cried more.

After that day she completely shut herself off . She shut herself off to Brooke and to the entire world. It was too much for her to handle. Haley tried so hard to figure out what she had done wrong , why he didn't want her anymore. She just didn't understand. Out of her entire life, that was the biggest risk she had taken. Giving her whole heart to someone and letting her guard down. The only other person who had successfully broke

down the walls that Haley put up was Brooke. After Cole broke up with her she quickly built up those walls again. She eventually got over it but promised herself that she would never be vulnerable again. She would never let someone knock down that imaginary wall that she put up because she didn't think that her heart could take anymore. ----

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" What the hell is wrong with you? All those things you said to me… It was all a lie. We were always a lie?" Haley couldn't hold back any longer and the tears started to flow. She fell to the ground, buried her head in her hands and sobbed. " I can't take this anymore, I can't take this anymore, I can't …"

"Haley!" "Haley, wake up!" Haley's eyes shot open and her head popped up and all she saw was Brooke standing over her. " Hales it was just another nightmare. It's okay." Brooke held Haley close to her and Haley broke down all over again, Crying uncontrollably. Brooke had been used to these recurring dreams now. Haley woke up in the middle of the night screaming and shaking around the same time , and it happened about three times a week. " It was just a dream. You're fine Hales" Brooke sometimes felt like she had taken on the mother roll because of the way she had to take care of Haley, but she was her best friend and she was going to do anything that Haley needed to completely get over him.

Brooke climbed onto Haley's bed and continued to hold her as she cried, until they finally both fell asleep.

"BEEEP - BEEP - BEEP" Haley turned around to face her alarm clock and read that it was 8:00. She had her first class at 10:00 and so did Brooke. She then noticed Brooke lying next to her, sleeping very peacefully and she suddenly remembered her dream- well nightmare- from last night. She hated that she had them so frequently because they woke Brooke up at an ungodly hour almost every night . She also hated that Brooke was pulled into all the pain that Haley had but all Brooke would ever say was " you're my best friend and you're not gonna go through this alone".

Haley put her hand on Brooke's shoulder and whispered to her. She hated to wake her up when she looked so peaceful but she didn't want her to be late for her class. "B. Davis wake up. Come on, you gotta get ready." "No. Five more minutes." Brooke grumbled, still half asleep. " Fine, but don't come crying to me when you're late to your class with the hot professor." Haley teased. Every time Brooke got back from that class, she would go on and on about the professor. Brooke immediately shot up from the bed with a huge grin plastered on her face. "You're right ! I cannot be late for his class." she said, stressing the word "his" because to Brooke it didn't really matter if she was late to any other classes. Brooke started running around their dorm room trying to get ready when Haley finally told her to calm down. " Brooke, chill out, you have like two hours." Haley said trying to contain her laugh. Brooke currently had two different shoes on and was attempting to put her hair up but was failing miserably.

Haley's last class that day was just about over and everyone was packing up to leave. Just as she was about to leave she heard her professor call her name and run over to

her. " Sorry Haley, I know you were about to leave but I was wondering if I could talk to you real quick?" her professor asked. " Yeah sure, I don't have anywhere I need to be." Haley said. "Well, I just wanted to see if everything was okay with you. I know I see a lot of students everyday but I noticed that something was a little off with you. And your grades are also slipping a little." the professor said and Haley could tell that she was genuinely concerned. "I'm fine, really. I just have a lot going on right now and I have been pretty busy lately, but I'm trying to manage everything the best I can." Haley said, technically not lying. "Okay, but if you ever want to talk, I'm here." she said

"Thanks. That means a lot to me." Haley said goodbye and left back to her dorm.

" Is it that fricken obvious!?" Haley yelled as she stormed into her dorm. "So… should I just pretend to know what we're talking about?" asked a very confused Brooke who was sitting on her bed with her laptop. "It's like everyone on the entire campus knows there's something wrong with me! Even the teachers ! " Haley said, already very irritated. "Hales, there is nothing wrong with you. You're just going through a tough time. There are a lot of people who care about you and can tell when something's off with you." "I guess. I just am trying so hard to hide it because I just want to get over him already. God! He's just a guy, why is it so hard to get over him?" Brooke stared at her for a moment and then answered. "Do you want the truth?" Haley nodded. " Because you loved him." Haley put her head down and sat on her bed. She knew it was true. She wished she could just move on and forget about all of the pain he caused her. She knew he wasn't worth it. Brooke had told her that a million times. She just wished it was that easy. It had been a whole year! Haley hadn't even gone on a date since it happened. She has had plenty opportunities since then but declined all of them, much to the disappointment of Brooke. Brooke thought that was exactly what Haley needed. A new boyfriend. Someone to help her move on. Someone to move on with.

" Okay, enough of this moping around crap. I am going out tonight and you , missy, are coming with me" Brooke declared. "Tigger, I really don't feel like going anywhere tonight. I was thinking a whole tub of cookie dough ice cream and crying to The Notebook." Haley whined. "Nope, you are going to get dressed up and we are going to actually have fun tonight. Besides, you are never gonna meet anyone new by sitting here watching movies and pigging out." Haley knew better then to argue with Brooke. When Brooke decided on something, it was final. "Fine, I'll go, but I'm not promising that I'll have fun." Haley said "Ohh! I am so excited! Tonight is gonna kick ass!" Haley just laughed at Brooke and shook her head. Maybe a fun night out was exactly what she needed. Maybe even a few fun nights.

Haley and Brooke were just about to leave and head out to Tric, a very popular night club. Haley stepped out of the bathroom and saw Brooke staring at her in aw. "Hales, you look amazing!" Brooke exclaimed. Haley was wearing dark skinny jeans, a black low cut, V-neck sweater, and red high heels. Her blonde hair was worn down but curled in very pretty ringlets that fell just past her shoulders. Her makeup was worn very lightly, with just a little mascara and eye shadow. Haley was never one to cake on pounds of makeup. She had a very natural beauty to her and never needed a lot. Brooke on the other had had a short jean skirt on with a t-shirt that still managed to make her look amazing. Her hair was pin straight and she had dark eye shadow. "Thanks B. Davis. You look awesome to." Haley confirmed.

"Okay let's get outta here." Haley said. "Right behind you." Brooke said, grabbing her purse and following Haley out the door and into a night she was hoping Haley wouldn't regret.

"Brooke, it's crazy out here!" Haley yelled, while trying to maneuver herself through the crowd. They were currently outside of Tric, trying to get in. " I know, but we just have to find Peyton." Brooke yelled back. Peyton Sawyer went to high school with Brooke and Haley and they had all become really good friend friends. She also managed all of the music at Tric. "Hey guys!" Brooke and Haley spun around and were met with their blonde, curly haired friend. "Oh my gosh, Peyton there you are !" Brooke yelled. "Follow me you guys. I'll get you in." Peyton said. "Come on Hales!" Brooke grabbed Haley's hand and they continued on through the crowd towards the doors to the club.

Once they were inside, Peyton found them a table and they all sat down. "Peyt, you had a great turnout tonight. This is awesome!" Haley said. She had promised herself that she would try to have fun and not be in a bitchy mood because she owed Brooke at least that much. "Yeah. I was so scared no one was gonna show. But as soon as I saw the line outside, that all went away." Peyton said. Tric had only opened recently and was already very popular because they sponsored an all ages night. Most of the students who attended UNC went to Tric on Friday nights. "I'm gonna go get a drink. You want anything guys?" Brooke asked. "Actually I would love to stay and hangout, but I have to go check on the DJ." Peyton said. " Talk to you later guys." Peyton said. "Bye Peyt." Both Haley and Brooke waved. "Hales, you want anything?" Brooke asked again. " Yeah, I'll just have a Mountain Dew." Haley said. Brooke nodded and walked over to the bar.

Haley looked around the club and her eyes landed on one boy in particular. Nathan Scott. The most popular kid at the entire college and everyone knew him. He had also gone to high school with Brooke and Haley. Nathan Scott was the captain of the basketball team at UNC. He was a basketball god. Not to mention, he was also gorgeous. Every female on campus ( and some males) wanted him. Nathan wasn't the type of guy to settle down with one particular girlfriend. He was a player. A major one. Haley stared at him in disgust. She could never understand how he could lead all those girls on and then just break their hearts. Haley had hated Nathan ever since high school. He was no different then, than he is now. Along with many other things, Haley promised herself she would never fall under Nathan Scott's spell. But she had no idea how wrong she was.

"Here you go Hales. Who are you staring at- Oh my God!" Haley quickly shot around in her chair and was met by Brooke. She sat there trying to look as innocent as possible. But it wasn't working. Brooke had already followed her gaze and saw who she had been staring at. "Nathan Scott! Why were you staring at him? Do you like him? You should go talk to him! Want me to come with you? I can ask him - " "Brooke !" Haley yelled a little to loud and people were starting to stare. "Would you stop it ! No, I don't like him and no, I don't want to talk to him. He's an ass!" Brooke giggled a little. "That, my friend, is what we like to call denial. You wanna know what I think?" Brooke asked. " No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me anyway." Haley grumbled. " I think you really do like him but you're just scared." Brooke explained. "Scared of what?" Haley asked. " Scared of needing someone again." And with that, Brooke walked away, leaving Haley sitting there alone. The way she would always be unless she found the courage to open up her heart again.

Haley knew that what Brooke said was right. She was scared. Scared of a lot of things. She was afraid to let her guard down - to let someone in all the way. She was tired of all the pain that her last relationship caused her in the end. And she couldn't bare to go through that again. She wasn't even completely healed yet. When it first happened, she knew it was going to take some time, but now after a year she just wanted all of it to go away. The pain, the fear of opening up her heart again. She wanted to let go of all the insecurities that she had acquired. Haley had always been really confident and sure of herself. But ever since Cole cheated on her, her confidence level dropped significantly.

"Haley?" Haley snapped back to reality and looked up to see who the voice was coming from. "Oh my god! Hey Luke!" Haley got up and gave her friend Lucas a hug. Lucas Scott. Nathans brother. Haley had been good friends with Luke in high school. She tried the best she could to stay away from Nathan but sometimes it was hard because they were brothers. "What's goin on dude? I haven't talked to you in forever." Haley asked. " Nothing really. I've just been mainly focusing on school lately." Lucas said. Haley nodded. " What's up with you?" Lucas asked. " Oh, nothing really. Trying to move on I guess." Haley said. Lucas and Haley were pretty close and he knew all about what happened with Cole. "Hales, It'll get better. I promise. It's just gonna take time." Lucas said. "I know. But everyone keeps telling me that. How much time can it possibly take? I'm sick of it. I just want to move on already."

As if right on cue, Nathan Scott came walking over to them.

AN : Hey guys! I just want to thank everyone who took the time to read this . It's my first story and I would love any feedback you have - good or bad. (Not too harsh). So leave a review and let me know if I should continue or not. Thanks !- EKC