Ch 1- First Love

Haley was eight years old when they moved into the trailer park in Tree Hill, North Carolina. At first it was just her and her mom, then he came along. His name was Josh but she called him skip. She called all of her moms boyfriends skip because eventually they would all skip out on her mom. Josh seemed to be different though, he never left. Living in the trailer park wasn't as bad as Haley had pictured it when they first moved there. She met new people and made new friends and eventually loved living in the small town.

Haley sat on her front porch thinking about all the years her, her mom, and josh had spent in the trialer park. She was fifteen years old now and it seemed like they were never going to leave town. Usually they would spend a couple months in one place, pack up leave, and start over again. She sighed softly as she watched across the street as Lucas Roe played with his five brothers and sisters. Haley had been in love with Lucas since the day she met him when she was eight years old. She smiled calmly as he waved at her and then turned her head back to the book that was setting in her lap. It wasn't like she was paying attention to the book but, she didn't want him to know that. Haleys thoughts were interupted as she heard the screen door slam shut. Her mom carrying her purse as if she was in a hurry.

"Haley I am going into town for a little bit, I will be back later okay?" her mom said as she kissed her on the cheek.

"Okay mom, where you going?" Haley said cocking her head to the side as her mom opened the car door.

"Haley, some things are better left untold. I am going to meet with a friend I will be back later."

Her mother always told her that. She would leave the house, say she is going to go meet a friend and that she would be back later but her mom would never return till the following day. She would come home with money and fast food saying that she made some money doing some side work. Haley just figured her mom was seeing someone behind Josh's back and didn't want any of them to know about it. Haley looked up to see Lucas walking her way. She quickly looked back down at the book not knowing what to do next. She always got nervous when he came around her or got close enough.

"Hey Haley, whatcha doing?" He asked her softly

"Just reading" she answered looking at him.

His cologne always smelled so good. She had once snuck it out of his room and sprayed it on a shirt of hers and for weeks she slept with that shirt next to her.

"So whats up?" She asked him nervously.

"I just thought I would see if you wanted to hang out for a little bit. The kids had to go in and get ready for bed."

"Sure you wanna come inside and watch a movie, moma went into town to meet with a friend again and Josh isnt here right now!"

"That sounds good"

Haley stood up and grabbed her things leading Luke into the trailer. Why had she invited him in? It was completely disaterous on the inside. She quickly started moving things around and throwing trash away trying to clean up the place.

"Haley, you don't have to clean up. You gotta remember I have five brothers and sisters. This place looks squeaky clean compared to mine."

She loved the way he always tried to make her feel better. It was like he understood everything about her. She had once tried to kiss him the summer before but he had stopped her and told her "Haley you are too good for me. I want to so bad, I really do but, I know if I let it happen that I will never get out of this damn forsaken town… You would be the reason I would want to stay here." She figured he just made it up and said that because he was two years older than her. Now thinking about it he would still be gentle with her in a loving way so maybe he wasn't lying at all; maybe he really meant what he said. It hurt her knowing that the first man she ever loved would never love her back. She curled up next to him on the large oversized sofa and pressed play on the remote.

The next morning Haley woke up the same way she remember falling asleep. She was curled up next to Luke on the sofa but he had wrapped them both in a blanket. She searched around for something that would tell her the time and seen Lukes phone setting on the table. Slowly moving she got up off the sofa and grabbed the phone. It was ten a.m. She couldn't believe it. Her mother would usually be home by then and she started to get a little worried.

"What's wrong cupcake?" Haley was startled when Luke spoke. She hadnt realized he was awake. "You going through my phone now?" he asked her.

"Oh im so sorry I was just checking to see what time it was, mom hasn't made it home yet and Josh isnt even here. Something is wrong Luke, moma woulda been home by now! This has never happened she usually comes home around eight a.m but, she didn't come home this morning." Haley explained to him quickly.

"Well go on in there and get dressed and me and you will go into town and look for your mom!" He winked at her.

Haley quickly walked down the hall to her room rummaged through her clothes threw on some jeans and a shirt and brushed through her hair and walked back out to see Luke looking at some old photos of her.

"How about you don't look at those!" She laughed.

"Haley come on I have known you since you were eight years old what do you got to be embarassed about?"

"Nothing I guess" she laughed.

"Look I didn't want to tell you this yet but, after last night I think you should know I got a job offer in Charlston at a nice company!" He spoke softly knowing his words were going to break her heart.

Haley felt like her legs were jello. She didn't know what to say to him. Did he want her to tell him to stay or what? Was he asking for her approval?

"Oh I see" She muttered setting down.

"This is what I was talking about last summer, I knew if I started something with you, I would never be able to leave her because if I did it would break your heart. I will be back around for a while… I don't plan on disappearing yet but, I am going to leave this life behind me."

"Lucas please, take me with you please! Don't leave me here… I know you at least care about me, want to be with me in some sorta way. I could be good to you and I genuinely love you! I have been in love with you since I was eight years old" A sob escaped her mouth. "Please don't leave me Luke"

Lucas took her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead.

"Haley you are fifteen years old. What would your moma say to me if I actually asked her to let you leave with me? Do you really think she will just let you pack up your things and go. That only happens in fairytales sweetheart and there isnt such thing here in the real world!"

Haley tried to collect her emotions as she wiped away her tears. She couldn't even stand to look at him, this place would be hell when he left. Haley stood up and smiled at him. She didn't know what else could be done she had already begged him.

"It's okay Luke, I'm sorry I don't know what has gotten into me."

"Haley look, I am so…"

"Don apologize" She interupted. "There is nothing for you to be sorry about! I mean you want to get out of here, who doesn't understand that. Lets not talk about this anymore and go find moma."

Luke nodded his head at her. He could tell she was hurt and heartbroken but, it was for the best. He hated to say it but, she would find someone else one day and be happy and live a good life and get the hell out of the damn trailer park as well. He didn't want to see her with anyone else though, he wanted to be with her. Lucas knew that if he was with her that he would never leave Tree Hill and he needed out. He needed a place he could go and make good money and help his mom take care of his family. He did love Haley, there was no doubt in his mind he didn't love her but, sometimes love has to be sacrificed and in his case he couldn't be with Haley. Luke looked at her swiftly a couple of times. She was beautiful. The bright sun hit her chocolate brown hair a perfect way that made her look even more beautiful than she already was; it went perfect with her lightly tanned skin and pink finger nail polish. She was gorgeous and he would love to marry her someday but, he knew by then it would be to late. A little part of him prayed and hoped she would wait for him to come back and be with her. Luke knew that was selfish and that he couldn't keep her waiting, it was why he told her he wasn't coming back.

"You okay?" he asked her.

Haley turned and looked at him "Yeah im fine!" In all reality she wasn't fine. Deep down she felt like she was dying inside. She didn't want him to go. Haley knew that if he left that she would never move on, she would be waiting for him till the day she died. She could feel the tears swell in her eyes. She didn't want to let him see her cry again especially when he was the reason she was crying in the first place.

"God I hope moma is okay!" She sighed trying to change what was going on inside of her head.

"Im sure she just forgot to set an alarm or hasn't woken up yet Haley!" Lucas reassured her.

The two of them searched for her mom for two and a half hours finding nothing. No one in town had even seen her the night before. Haley started to worry not knowing what had happened to her mother. She wouldn't just take off and leave her. She knew her better than that, if she was gonna leave she would take Haley right along with her. Haley was quiet the entire ride back to the trailer park. Pulling in Haley's heart sank when she seen her moms car wasn't there. Haley looked at Luke. He slowly brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

"I will stay with you till she comes home, I wont let you be alone Haley!"

"Promise?" She asked him

"I promise"

When they got inside the house Haley had taken a shower and the laid down on the couch. Luke had run to his house to grab a few movies and to let his mother know what he was doing. When the door opened Haley jumped up hoping to see her mom but, it was just Lucas. He looked at her sadly knowing that she wanted her mom.

"Sorry it's just me" He whispered.

"It's okay" she sighed. "I am just really worried about moma. She has never been gone for this long and Josh he hasn't been here in like two days."

"Well see about Josh my mom told me that your mom kicked him out and told him to leave quietly so you didn't have to know about it!"

"Oh I see" She said softly.

Haley laid back down on the large sofa. All she wanted to do was cry and the only person there was Luke and she sure in the hell wasn't about to cry to him. Luke stretched out in front of Haley on the couch taking her into his arms. He knew it was what she needed. He wanted to tell her he was sorry and that everything would be okay but, he didn't know that for sure. Luke kissed the top of Haley's forhead and sighed softly hoping that her mother would come home soon.