TITLE: LAST DANCE
AUTHOR: NHx23
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply. I do NOT OWN One Tree Hill characters; they belong to the creator and producer of the show.
SYNOPSIS: Haley James, a young talented singer is moving to a small town call Tree Hill to try and start over. A new life to be precise. However, Tree Hill is no ordinary place, it is filled with drama that she isn't ready to take on. Or can she? How would she adjust? Just when everything seems to fall into the right places, she finds herself intertwined with love, friendships, trust, and betrayal. However, one thing for sure, she tries to forget a deep dark past that resurfaces in a way that she never saw coming.
Author's note: Though, I use OTH characters, this is not related to OTH at all - in any way, shape or form. Whole new story. Totally AU.
CHAPTER 1: Past and Present
*Flashback*
"Oh god, Haley, what have you done?!" screamed a frightened Claire.
"What I did? What you did!" screamed Haley, trying to wipe off excess perspiration dripping from her forehead.
"What is that in your hand huh?" shouted Claire. "This isn't happening, oh god. Oh god"
Haley looked at her hand, holding a knife filled with blood and suddenly she went into frustration, trying to remember what happened however her head was full of possibilities she couldn't think straight. What have I done? She thought. I couldn't have done anything, I passed out. Or did I? Is someone trying to frame me? Oh, no Claire, she did it. It has to be her.
"Haley, we gotta go! Now!" shouted Claire on top of her lungs.
"We can't leave, we gotta stay. We gotta get help!" Haley yelled back.
"No, no, no you're insane, I'm going!" shouts Claire, rushed to the door as quickly as she can. By the time Claire tried to reach to the door, Haley grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.
"Let me go!" shouted Claire.
"You're not going anywhere---" Haley screamed.
By the time, Haley could say anymore, her head was hit hard and she seen her life started flashing in front of her then suddenly she fell to the floor. And laid there still as a stone.
Minutes later, everyone in town can here the siren soared through the dark streets. Paramedics came rushing down, trying to take her pulse. Still no signal. Again, check pulse. Her heart beats came rushing back, soft thumps as though she wanted to tell the medical personnel to stop saving her. Suddenly her eyes started to fluttered, her veins triggered through her finger tips and then a impulsive rush went through her body and then she finally knew. She was disappointed that she's back.
"Why did you save me?"
*Flashback Ended*
One year later.
Haley's room.
"Haley-bop, wake up!" Lydia screams.
Lydia second attempt.
"Haley James, if you don't wake up right now---" yells her mother.
"Five more minutes…please" whispers Haley, still wrapped under her cozy bed.
"Oh, Haley-bop, you are such a top, may you pop, bop, till ya drop ----" sings her mother.
"Okay! I'm up, I'm up!" Haley screams, then she quickly shoots up like a pop tart and makes her way through the bathroom.
Haley has just finished brushing her teeth when her best friend, excitedly stands at her bedroom door.
"What do you want?" smiles Haley.
"Hi best friend!" shouts Brooke. "So you ready for your first day?!"
"Um, no, not really. I don't know what to wear" Haley looks at her huge organized closet, contemplating whether or not she should wear the Christian Louboutins heels with her favorite J brand skinny jeans or Rock and Republic jeans.
"J brand jeans for sure!" exclaimed Brooke.
"You know me too well" Haley grin.
"Hmmm, since I helped you out, maybe you can return the favor?" Brooke smiles widely. She is up to something Haley thought.
"What is it? And how much is it going to cost me?" Haley sigh.
"You know me too well" Brooke imitated with the biggest smile on her face. "Well, Marc Jacob just launched his Fall line this morning and I was wondering if you can---"
"—If I can buy you, MJ's locket quilted bag?" Haley finishes.
"Yes! Can you, can you? Pretty please, best friend in the whole wide world!" shouts an ecstatic Brooke.
"Here's my debit card" Haley hands over to Brooke.
"God, I love this card" Brooke gushes.
"Brooke, one bag only and order me one too" smiles Haley.
"You got it sister! We are so going to be hot twins!" Brooke jumps eagerly. "So are you riding with me this morning or what, miss James?"
"Uh, no, remember, I have that consult I have to go to" Haley said softly, her body starts to tense.
"I don't understand why you have to go see a psychiatrist. I mean, I'm the one with the problem. My parents are divorced. And my mom OD twice. And I'm broke. I need counseling, like badly"
"Well, I can hook you up if you want" Haley jokes.
"Real funny. At least, I don't have a problem with being over emotional. And that was me trying to change the subject by the way" Brooke winks.
"I'm sorry if I'm overly sensitive" Haley sniffs.
"Oh cut it out, you haven't cried for years. I bet you drown somebody down the river, didn't you?" laughs Brooke.
Haley face went pale. She quickly felt an urge of water rushing up to her throat and suddenly she finds herself, making her way through the bathroom and flush out all the toxins that has been eating her up.
"Hales, you alright?" questions a worried Brooke.
"I think it was the melted cheese I ate yesterday for dinner" Haley said softly, wiping off little drips of water on the side of her mouth as she rest her elbow on the side of the toilet bowl.
"Yup, definitely can smell the rotten cheese!" Brooke gags, holding tightly to her nose, leaning against the bathroom door.
"Shut up!" shouts Haley. "Get your butt to school and save me a seat"
"Alright, alright, I'm outta here!" Brooke playfully sticks out her tongue, making her way to the door.
Tree Hill High; English Literature Class.
"Good morning class!"
"Good morning Ms. Cameron!" the class reply back.
"Welcome back to school. Today we will discussing about true love. Can anyone help me define what true love means?" Ms. Cameron distinctively asks.
Brooke raises her hand.
"I think it means when you find the one you are going to spend the rest of your life with" Brooke said thoughtfully.
"Precisely Miss Davis but I need concrete details" Ms. Cameron continues. "Anybody else?"
Before anyone can answer, there was a brief interruption.
"Excuse me, is this English literature class?" Haley stands by the classroom door.
"Oh. Hello there, I presume you are Miss James?" Ms. Cameron asks.
"Y-yes-s, I apologize for the tardiness" said an embarrassed Haley.
"It's alright, please have a seat" Ms. Cameron commanded. "So, where were we? Oh yes! Anyone thought about any more definitions? How about you Peyton?"
"Trust me, you do not want to know" Peyton glared.
"Oh yes I do, Miss Sawyer. This is class discussion and your participation is crucial on passing this class. So let's hear it"
"It's a lie. Nothing is true anymore. No one can tell if your lying on top of a lie. Happiness does not exist" Peyton said sternly.
"Interesting. How do you know?" the teacher questions.
"My parents are divorced!" Peyton shot back.
Surprised by Peyton's answer, Ms. Cameron was quite happy that class was ending, right about now. Bell rings. Save by the bell, literally.
"Who's that girl beside Brooke?" questions Nathan, who seems rather interested but with his big ego, he played it cool as if he didn't really care.
"Why? You wanna hit that?" questions Tim.
"Hell no, she look like one of those too good for you type of girls" Nathan said, still eyeing her.
Haley and Brooke passes them and headed out of class, going towards their locker.
"Well, she smells delicious, your loss!" Tim said with his perky smile.
"Trust me, I haven't even started" Nathan smirks.
Lunch time.
A tall broody blonde guy was standing in front of snack bar while Haley and Brooke made their way behind him. Why is the line is so long? Haley thought. Her stomach was growling and her best friend was eating her nails literally. Haley look at Brooke and started laughing. It was always entertaining having Brooke around. She is glad she finally moves to place where she feels at ease. All the frustration, confusion and fright was lifted off her shoulders. For now.
"I hate that guy" Brooke whispers.
"Who?" Haley was curious.
"That guy!" Brooke points to a tall masculine boy wearing a number twenty-three jersey.
"How come?" Haley wonder, observing him some more. She couldn't help notice that he has the nicest crystal blue eyes she has ever seen.
"I just do. He's a jerk" Brooke exclaims.
"You have no reason at all?" Haley continues to question.
"Which side are you on anyway?" Brooke rolls her eyes.
And before Brooke can say anymore, the guy in front of her turned around, trying to exit while accidentally stepping on a peeled banana on the floor and slipped, holding two coffees which went flying in the air and made their landing all over Brooke.
"Oh my god!!!!!!" Brooke screams furiously.
"I'm-I'm so sorry!!!" the guy said apologetically.
"Well, well, take out your checkbook because you are paying three hundred big ones pal!" shouts Brooke.
"Three-hundred?!!" said Lucas, flabbergasted.
"Yes! Did you know this is my favorite Eli Tahari blouse? It is limited edition! Pay up!" Brooke said furious.
"Brooke, I think you should go to the ladies room and wash up, your hair is attracting flies" Haley whispers, trying not to giggle.
"When I come back, I better see a check!" Brooke screams on top of her lungs.
After Brooke left to the restroom, Haley couldn't help herself but started laughing. Suddenly, she found herself she wasn't alone. The guy that poured coffee all over Brooke was dying of laughter himself.
"Thanks for the save. I appreciate it" Lucas said to Haley, trying to hold it together.
"I wasn't saving you" Haley said.
"Well, even if it wasn't your intentions, you did something. Thank you" Lucas smiles.
"Ah, your welcome? You better get out of here before my best friend comes back. She throws a mean left hook" Haley assured him.
"See, you're trying to save me again" Lucas said, trying not to blush. "How about I pay you back and be your friend? What do you say?"
"Who said I want to be your friend?" smiles Haley.
"Trust me, you do" Lucas said playfully. "I'm Lucas Scott by the way, I'll be seeing you"
Lucas slowly made his grand exit while Haley looked on. Decent guy, Haley thought. She seems intrigued. He was confident and nice, and had the most beautiful smile. Nathan was on the other side of the cafeteria, observing the interaction between the new girl and his step-brother Lucas. Somehow he feels a little out of place. He wanted to know more about this new girl but one thing for sure, he knows that whatever he wants, he gets, no question about it.
"Where the hell did that blonde thing go?!" Brooke yells.
"That blonde thing left, he was afraid of your mean left hook" smiles Haley.
"But my poor blouse…" Brooke frowned.
"You are lucky I bought multiples, I'll lend you one" said Haley, generously.
"Lend me one? I don't need charity" Brooke felt embarrassed.
"Fine, I'll---" Before Haley can finish Brooke interrupted.
"I'm kidding, god!" Brooke quickly said.
"Yeah, I thought so!" Haley giggled.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you got me all figure out…" Brooke whines. "So how do you like Tree Hill?"
"Interesting"
Readers: I'll appreciate it so much if you leave a review to tell me how I'm doing, just so I know if I should continue the story or not! =) Thanks. Happy reading.
