Summary: After a disappointing night at the last night of summer beach party, Haley decides to walk home. Something happens that night that will leave her scarred, and there is only one person who can save her, but will he notice too late? And will the repercussions of the night bring her and her knight in shining armor back together or will it only drive them apart?
So this is my first fanfiction! I'm kinda excited and we will see where this goes! I know the first chapter is kind of short, but it sets up the setting to the story! i have a general idea on how the story is going to go, so bare with me!
Disclaimer: all characters belong to Mark Schwann
Chapter One: Another Night Alone
The large bonfire crackled as sparks danced among the happy drunk teenagers. Everyone was dancing or had a cup in hand, enjoying the last night of summer before the highly anticipated senior year. Blaring music and laughter filled the air as the joyful atmosphere continued into the night. Looking at the crowd, she knew that her roommate Brooke Davis would be nothing but satisfied with the turnout of the end of summer beach party. However, Haley James Scott didn't see the party as a success. Then again, she was sitting alone on the worn out couch that had been brought out up for the night, red solo cup in hand, drinking away her miseries. She knew she had made a mistake going on tour the spring before, but coming back she felt nothing but hostility from her husband and most of her friends.
After her conversation with Nathan, the one where he said he was unsure of what he wanted with their relationship, all Haley wanted to do was go back to the apartment, eat a tub of Ben & Jerry's, and call it a night. But no. She had no car and Brooke was her ride home. Sitting in misery, she watched as her best friend Lucas chatted up Peyton, the DJ of the night. When will that boy ever learn, she thought. All he talked about this summer is Brooke, Brooke, Brooke. If you want her back, maybe don't spend the whole night with the girl you cheated on her with! Haley knew Lucas and Peyton's relationship was completely platonic, but the giant dent in her love life led her to her snarky thoughts.
Turning her line of vision to the right, she saw her a sight that made her heart drop. On the other side of the bonfire was the love of her life, chatting it up with some red head bimbo in an all to revealing bikini. It was obvious that the girl was flirting with him, resting her hand on his bicep and constantly giggling. And while Nathan didn't seem to be reciprocating the affectionate banter, he still let this chick continue on! Tears welled up in Haley's eyes and a lump began growing rapidly in her throat. Why would Nathan want someone like her when he has so many girls who want him that look like that? And it's doubtful that any of them will leave him for a rock tour anytime soon. All her old insecurities rushed back into her mind as her heart grew heavy. Sighing, Haley checked her watch. 9:53. Fed up with the scene and the night in general, Haley got out of her seat to find her wild roommate. It was no surprise when she found her in a huddle of shirtless boys, sipping on a beer.
"Brooke can I talk to you for a second?" Haley requested, grabbing the brunette's arm and dragging her away from the eye candy.
"What the hell Haley?! Couldn't you see I was busy?" a definitely drunk Brooke replied, nothing but annoyance filling her voice.
Haley rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. "Look, I really want to go home, Brooke. I'm having an awful time. Nathan won't talk to me, Lucas is socializing with everyone, and Peyton won't stop sending me death glares!"
Holding up her cup, Brooke giggled, saying, "Come on Tutor Girl! Have a couple more drinks and you won't even care anymore! The night is still young and I'm not leaving till at least 12:00!"
"What! Brooke no I don't want another drink, I just—"
Splash! Cut off mid sentence, Haley squeezed her eyes shut as a warm liquid traveled down her head and face. Wiping what she determined to be beer out of her eyes, she slowly turned around to face the culprit.
"You sure you don't want a drink? Looks like you got one anyway, oops."
Haley wanted to do nothing but smack the smirk off the curly blonde's head. "What the hell Peyton?!"
"Not like you didn't deserve it," the brooding artist replied.
"What the hell did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me like shit every time you see me?!" Haley cried out in anger and frustration.
The curly blonde rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Like you don't know! You left your husband here to go on tour with Chris Keller of all people! After kissing him! And now you waltz back into Tree Hill as if nothing has happened!" Looking over the honey blonde's shoulder, Peyton saw a sight that made the smirk reform on her face. "Although, it looks like Nathan is getting along just fine."
Hearing this, Haley whipped around to see her husband with the bimbo again, only this time they were much closer, sitting on the couch she had just been on, laughing and chatting away. It was obvious that Nathan was approaching drunk, but it hurt all the same. No longer able to hold in her tears, Haley walked away from the two best friends, with nothing but a single wave of her backhand.
Climbing to the top of the sandhill, she made her way to the street to begin her trek home. Absolutely alone, she spared one glance back at the beach to see all her friends getting alone just fine without her. Maybe she should have never come back to Tree Hill, it seemed as though everyone was better off without her. Letting these thoughts cloud her mind, Haley continued the walk home alone. She walked past the movie theater that she and Lucas often went to, the one that Nathan and his gang of followers had kidnapped her best friend at over eight months ago. How much simpler those times were, she thought to herself when she felt someone grab her arm and yank her into the alleyway, to then be pushed roughly against the cool brick wall. Eyes wide, Haley let out a gasp, mixed with recognition and complete and utter fear.