Hey guys! I am back with an update. I will try and do updates at least once every week to every two weeks. I would like to dedicate this chapter to my two first reviewers: tutorgirl323 and naley19. Thank you guys so much for your reviews. I am glad you like it so far. =D

So, I thought I would give you guys a heads up…The prologue was kind of like a look into what is to come. So, for now the story goes back in time to lead up to that point. In the prologue it was 2008. Starting in this chapter it is January of 2007.

Absent Faith

Chapter 1: Wonderwall

"Because maybe You're gonna be the one who saves me "

January 2007

Gwen Stefani played through the room as Haley James' alarm clock went off. A hand came out from under the covers and slapped the snooze button, and then retreated back under the covers. Moments passed, and then with a sigh, Haley threw the covers off. She never was one for sleeping in on weekdays.

Hopping out of the bed, she grabbed her soccer shirt and pulled it on. She pulled her shorts on and put her hair in a pony tail. She put on light make-up and hopped out of her room. Seeing that the light across the hall wasn't on, she grinned deviously and snuck into the room. She jumped onto the bed, landing straight on the sleeping figure.

"Boo," she said laughing.

Jake James groaned. "Hales! What the hell?!" He yelled.

Haley cringed at his tone. Jake was her older brother, but that didn't stop them from being best friends.

Haley's POV:

My parents met when they were 16 and instantly fell in love. Little did they know that they were starting a courtship that would result in 9 kids. Matt is the oldest. He is 28 and a teacher. Growing up, he was always the smart one who knew all the answers. He was lovingly dubbed the "know-it-all" of our family. Mason and Scott are identical twins and are 27. They are the jocks. They played every sport: basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis, track, swimming, hockey and even lacrosse. Sport talent led them to the big time. Scott now plays in the NFL as a wide receiver, and Mason got inducted into NBA. There was nothing they weren't good at. Everything they touched turned to ice. Kevin on the other hand had no physical abilities growing up. He is 25, and probably my least favorite brother. He is the biggest show-off. "Did you hear I got the highest score on my SATS?" "I passed my driver's test on the first try, and you didn't. His philosophy on life revolved around the fact that everything was a competition. I do love him, but I could never beat him. The other twins: Sam and Dean, our fraternal ones. They are probably some of the closest to me. Growing up, they just did what they wanted. There wasn't any defining trait to them like my previous siblings. Well, not until they got into college, and Sam got into law school. He proved to my parents that he could do anything he set his mind to. Dean, well he was more of a black sheep. He always did the opposite of what we expected. Weirdly enough, he got his act together and is now a cop. My only sister, Taylor is 21. I guess you could say she is a mess. At 18 she was already an alcoholic. Every year my parents find her on our door step, end they put her in rehab. And every year, she asks me if I still believe in her, and every year I say yes. It's pretty much the only time I lie.

Now Jake on the other hand is only a year older me. He is everything a big brother should be. He makes me laugh, but can also give serious advice. He is my protector. He took me under his wing when we were younger. He taught me how to play soccer, which I am totally in love with. He even went to all my soccer games. He saw the part of me that nobody else wanted to see. He just brought it out in me. In the James Family we all had our place. Matt was the genius. Scott and Mason were the jocks. Kevin was the competitor. Sam and Dean were the big, strong protectors of the whole family, and Taylor well she was the black sheep. Jake was the musician. And me…well that left me screwed. I ended up taking the job of the peacekeeper, which sucks. But Jake never saw me as anything other than me. He just wanted me to be who I was…which I will admit was a dork.

END OF POV

"Jakey! Wakey Wakey!" She said and laughed. She gave him a quick hug and bolted from the room before he could tackle her and tickle her. Running down the steps, she heard her parents talking.

She smiled and walked into the kitchen. "Morning Mom. Morning dad." she said, giving each a kiss on the cheek.

The James Family, despite their differences were all very close. They had their ups and downs, but they banded together as much as possible.

Haley ate her cereal and called for Jake.

"Dang girl. Breathe!" he said entering the kitchen. He smiled at her and grabbed her arm dragging her outside to his car.

"You're gonna pay for earlier," Jake said, before speeding off.

Haley just smiled and rolled down the window. She stuck her head out letting the wind pour all over her. With Jake, Haley James was free. He was her freedom.

Author's Note: So, that was more of a filler chapter, to just kind of introduce the family. I will get into more dialogue between characters in the next chapter. I will also bring in Lucas, Nathan, Brooke, and Peyton. Oh, and I would like to add, in case anyone is wondering, that Jake doesn't have Jenny at this point.

Thanks guys! Review please. It will be greatly appreciated. =D