Background: Haley and Nathan are not involved and thus not married. Everything stands as is with OTH. I don't want to say to much so without further delay, enjoy!
IF I COULD REACH THE SKY, I'D BRING HER RIGHT BACK HERE INTO YOUR ARMS
Her breath caught in her throat. It was horse and forced out rough with raspy whispers. Her heart silenced but picked up the missing beats quickly after. She let out a held breath as her eyes darted; side to side; up and down. Searching for someone to curse. Alone. That was where she stood.
Six Years Before..
She smiled as she let out her final breath. The silence stood as the moment hovered in her glory. Soon it was overcome by the roar. Not a true roar for any global superstar but a hometown devotion for a friend, sister, citizen and student. Her lonely thoughts were broken from the sound of her friend addressing the crowd. She smiled one last time and waved a hand which soon fell back down to guide her down the stairs. Not really known for her grace, embarrassment following another amazing performance was not going to bring a smile to her face. Her shoes, that were just a bit too high for her tonight, clicked rapidly as she was embraced into a pair of strong arms. He kissed her forehead as she smiled with a cute shrug.
"Hales that was your best yet!" Came a compliment towards Haley. She shrugged and clicked her left heel up as her eyes glanced upward.
"Thank you but really it wasn't…" She started humbly.
"Don't be so modest Hales." Haley's eyes looked up to the voice. "You were as beautiful as ever and blew away everyone. You keep getting better and better. You're gonna go somewhere someday with that voice." His arm laid protectively across her waist. She bit her lip as a small smile came to her lips.
Six Years Later…
Her breath caught in her throat. It was horse and forced out rough with raspy whispers. Her heart silenced but picked up the missing beats quickly after. She let out a held breath as her eyes darted; side to side; up and down. Searching for someone to curse. Alone. That was where she stood. Silence faded and cheers became powerful. She gave a weak smile as her nervous habits became soft and slowly disappeared. She gave a fading wave and disappeared from sight. Those high heels from six years before were now the usual uniform. Her congratulations were given to her from a few nameless faces while her embrace remained in a pair of manly arms. She nuzzled into his chest finally feeling her sense of loneliness dwindle but she knew it was merely being masked.
ONLY DRIFTING INTO A PEACEFUL BREEZE
The view captured her in the review mirror. It was the finally goodbye of many. She had grown numb to the feeling by now. It was merely part of her spirit. Everything happens for a reason unless of course you decide to run from fate in rebellion. That was her story. Running or as she called it drifting by a breeze. It was a lie. A fake. She did not measure up to her old self. That other Haley was stronger, wiser, better, not a fake and defiantly not lonely.
Sometimes she searched for that girl. The girl who she had known her entire life until August 17th 2006. she likes to think it was at 6: 54 PM but it would have been earlier. It all depends on who interfered with her thoughts at the time.
Never had someone's sense of identity been so destroyed. Had she known of her fate or lack there of, before her state of being might have been intercepted. But that's what one may think. Obviously that person has never come from a southern town.
Whoever said 'Home is where your heart is' was defiantly getting royalties as her curses through stomping feet sent a hidden message to their grave. Everything comes back to where you learn who you really are. For Haley James-Scott, that person was still left there.
TODAY I'M FINE WITHOUT YOU
Numb was a common feeling. Physically, he was very present. But emotionally, mentally, his body drove away from any sense of connection. Many things in his life had become ironic. How was he to guess that he would be in his current state six years ago? Was the world punishing him? Was he meant for something more or less? Everything seemed motionless in his life or was it just him that stood still while he was surrounded by life. Curses to the man who made life a lonely road. Today, he was fine …that was before he opened his eyes, if that really counts. Almost one can presume. But one has quickly learned from this man's journey that almost doesn't count.
He remembered so well that day six years ago. Time stood still for that moment. It hovered and remained his prison. Had he known would it have made a difference? Would it have changed his path to become the man who looks back at him in the mirror? Regrets are for those who have no hope. He was in good company then. Regrets were his life. Had he done something to change his path he might have been waking up to a beautiful face next to him. Now he constantly wonders, 'what's the point?'
SHORT FALL FROM GRACE
Life is unexpected. It can change and alter within a second. It was something that was inalienable to him. Without it all it might have been nothing but with him it was pointless. Honesty was another one of those things that surprised him. It has always been praised for its good nature and the ability to solve any situation. For him, it just took his last breath away. Had he known of this at that time six years ago, things would have matured and been different. Or not. Everything happens for a reason right. Fate has a strange way of catching up to you. Every curse turns into a blessing. He had read enough spiritual inspirational crap in greeting cards he was given by his friends. Sometimes you have to let life pass you by in order to find that killer hand to win the game.
He wasn't numb, he was very much alive. Had he chosen a different path he may not be here. His spirit was broken but no one was aware. He only knew of his outward exterior. That's all that mattered to him. Things don't change that easily for him but sometimes they need to be forced in a certain direction. Like learning a new habit. It doesn't just happen, it takes force for it to stick. But when you try to get rid of that habit, it is harder and more force and determination is needed to kick the dirty habit. She had been his habit. He had overcome her.
YOU'LL NEVER CHANGE IF YOU JUST RUN AWAY
She wasn't running. She was here and now. She wasn't going to be elsewhere, she was meant for her past as now she had returned. The only variable was whether she would be embraced as she was six years ago. It is strange sometimes how the smallest things bring you back to the place you fear the most. She had once feared the lights and sounds of the stage but soon she grew to welcome it as it was her passion. But sometimes those lights brought her back to that one place that she feared the most. She stood there now but without the lights and sounds. She felt safe despite being in enemy territory. Things were always less intimidating in the daylight. She wiggled her toes in her flip flops. Her jeans sat comfortable on her hips and through her legs with just enough room in them. Her casual tee brought her back to her usually style that she proudly claimed as her own in this town. All of the appeal of her new self was gone. She was simply herself. She was in search of that Haley that was left behind. Maybe it would recognize her like this then as her alter-ego.
"There's a 2 drink minimum before you can hit the stage." A set of bouncy curls yelled at Haley from a corner of the room. Haley timidly stepped down from the stage and approached the voice.
"Then give me 2 shots of Southern Comfort chica!" Haley said as she slapped her right hand on the bar counter. The ring that remained on her figure made a clanging noise. Haley lightly bit her top lip fully before releasing a smile to the woman.
"Nice to finally put a face to that distant voice of yours." The blonde said as she jumped the bar counter. She embraced the old friend. Haley released a breath within the arms of the embrace. The first since her return. And the only one that had felt truthful in the past six years.
"It's so good to see you Peyton. You have no clue how it feels to be here. Thank You." Haley said within her arms.
Peyton pulled back. "Thank you for what?" Her eyebrow arched.
"For the spare key" Haley proudly pronounced with it in hand. Her gleaming smile faded into a sincere glaze over her watery eyes. "and for you know…bringing me back here. Thank you for bringing me back to my life. Thank you for helping me realize my faults. I know it hasn't been easy for you at all."
Peyton ran her hands up and down her friend's arms in comfort. "Everyone needs an angel. I was just filling in…" Haley opened her mouth to speak in protest but Peyton went on. "I mean that you deserve to have a past life. Just don't let it die out. It could be too late too soon."
Haley noticed Peyton's absent eyes. "I'm so sorry about everything Peyton. I know I wasn't around when J…it happened." Haley replaced her words. "there is a lot I need to face up to while I'm here." Haley's eyes turned absent.
"It's okay, it has been a while so I have learned to deal with it. But you were there for me more so then anyone else. I guess that's why I've been able to forgive you. Weird I know, since when is Peyton Sawyer the type to forgive a person so easily. But anyways…" Peyton looked off towards Haley's distant eyes. It focused on the single microphone stand that stood on the edge of the stage. "You're not alone you know."
Haley's eyes focused back to her friend. Her bottom lip pressed between her teeth. "how are they?" Her voice was small.
Peyton didn't expect her to ask. She hadn't asked her through the two years of secret friendship they shared. She spoke quietly to the small girl. "They are different now. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. We were all put through the ringer that day." Peyton looked off again while Haley only nodded.
"Look, how about we get some food? See Karen again? Start off slow sound good?" Peyton broke the hovering silence.
Haley looked down as her old white sneakers. She nodded as a hair feel into her eyes. She shook her head back as her eyes watered slightly. She shut her eyes in hopes that she would wake up. But she didn't. this was her life, how could she screw it up so badly? Oh yes, now she remembered how she severed a heart into pieces and watched as another broken in front of her eyes. She looked on as someone feel into a downward spiral and another transformed themselves into something they couldn't control. And all she did was run away.
"Com'on Hales, let's go." Peyton said as they sat in front of Karen's Café. She released a deep breath slowly and hesitantly stepped forward.