Four years. Four long years. That's how long it had been since Haley had step foot in Tree Hill, North Carolina and her life had changed drastically in every sense of the word. Four years ago, she had been a naïve college girl in love with a boy who she wasn't meant to be with. Now? Now, she knew better. Now, she knew love didn't exist. Now, she knew that the quintessential story of star crossed lovers born into warring families was an unattainable dream. As she waited for her cue, she knew that he was here. She could sense that he was here watching her and it made her heart leap into her throat. She needed to calm down. That part of her life was over. She had moved on. She did as she was told. She let the sound of the bass carry her away and she
Shut up and sang.
--
Nathan could feel the hundreds of sets of eyes blatantly staring at him. He knew what they were all thinking. What could he possibly be doing here? He happened to be the richest son of a bitch in Tree Hill, literally. His mother was a conniving, ruthless bitch who only thought of prestige and dollar signs. His father was no better. As mayor of Tree Hill, Dan Scott had the power to make anyone do anything he desired. Sex, money, favors, accolades, they were all at the fingertips of Dan Scott and, therefore, at the fingertips of his one and only son Nathan. Nathan had led a life of privilege. The one thing he ever truly wanted and needed had slipped away from him four years ago, never to return. Until now, that is. He watched her intently as she strutted out on to the stage a woman light years away from the shy girl he had known. The deafening roar of the crowd was no match for the screaming thoughts in his head.
She's yours. You still have her heart. Now just make her believe in you.
--
Haley gently grasped the microphone in front of her and desperately tried to slip into her stage persona and ignore the midnight blue eyes that were burning into her skin. She pushed the thoughts of her former life and love to the back of her mind and began to sing.
Be safe and close darlin'
Your heart is precious to me
When you are explorin'
Remember all you see
Is only the view of the world
From your flying machine
So distant you wander
You've lost your way it seems
Pretending your happy
Nobody else believes
You're ever going to come down
From your flying machine
--
He watched her engage the crowd mesmerized. Was this really Haley James, the girl who blushed at his every look, smirk, or comment? Surely, this woman in front of him was some imposter posing as the girl he once loved. He regretted ever harming her. He regretted letting her walk away. He regretted causing her to walk away. He regretted not chasing her until he could hold her in his arms and never let go. Watching her gracefully traipse along the stage, he set his features to show determination in its purest form. She would be his again.
These days you are keeping
Distinguished company
The blackbird,
The robin,
The tiny honeybees,
I miss you, my lover
You've gone through space and time
To search for another
Wont you come back and be mine?
Leave all the madness behind
From your flying machine
Everybody wants your magic elixir
Mix her and fix her
Woah, that's a trick sir
Hold onto your hat
Watch out for black cats
All this bewitching has taken my lover away
--
She heard the song begin to swell into its coda. She had made it through the first song. Only fourteen more and then she could go home. She could be wrapped in the warm embrace of her mother and forget that Nathan Scott existed, again. Then, as she sang the last lines of the song, she looked out at the crowd. Her eyes locked with the eyes of the one she had avoided from the moment she walked out on stage. Their eyes locked, and she was lost. There was no hope for her. She was gone and everything she had worked for shattered. She was transported back to four years ago when she was hopelessly in love with this seemingly wonderful boy. But then, then, she heard his cold voice resonate through her ears.
Why don't you just stick to what we're paying you to do? Shut up and sing.
And so she did.
Your heart is precious to me
When you are explorin'
Remember all you see
Is only the view of the world
From your flying machine
Hey everyone! It's been awhile, huh? Well, I've been really busy in my first year of college and my writing has kind of fallen by the wayside. The other day, however, I was listening to the Dixie Chicks' Not Ready to Make Nice (if you've never heard this song stop what you're doing and listen. It gives me chills. .) and the line "Shut up and sing" really struck a chord with me. The idea for this story hit me upside the head and, now, at four o'clock in the morning, I decided to run with it. So love it? Hate it? Want more? Tell me, because I'd love to know!