Disclaimer- I do not own One Tree Hill or the characters portrayed in this fiction -- only the general story line.

Authors Note - IMPORTANT

Okay I had THREE chapters up before but after looking over it and taking into account the lack of reviews, I thought it would be better to extend this chapter, every thing's still here, although a bit more tweaked but I deleted the meeting of Brooke and Lucas. I thought it was too soon, plus i also did not think I closed off the second chapter well enough. Please do not stop reading because of this, its just a minor glitch on my part. Because of this I have planned the next five chapters thoroughly. I'm sorry for messing you round guys.

HUGE thanks to everyone who reviewed. Twenty Seven reviews! I'm a happy lady! So you know the score, Read it and review it. The more reviews I get the more inspired I'll be to update sooner :P

---

Chapter One -

Four Months Earlier

Brooke never wanted to move to Tree Hill. Her whole life was in Seattle. Her friends, her family and more importantly her boyfriend Chase. She wasn't big on Geography but she knew Tree Hill, North Carolina was a good couple of thousand miles away. It annoyed her that her dad actually thought he was cutting her some slack when he offered her to move to Tree Hill, with family she had met only twice in her whole life.

Aunt Lydia and Unce Jimmy who?

Originally her father wanted her to move to England with him - - he'd been offered some job for some firm that frankly she could care less about and she'd firmly put her foot down. They'd fought long and hard until he budged. He thought because he was actually letting her stay in the country that he deserved some big,massive pat on the back. It had all happened so fast since the day he'd announced that he'd got the job to the day she was standing here in her empty room -- remembering where her posters used to be and the life that would soon become a distant memory.

She had never hated her mother so much until that moment. Her cruel, selfish mother who had vanished without a trace six months earlier. Her life had been so much different then. Life had actually been bearable in the Davis household. Her mother was no 'Bree Van De Camp', she never baked cookies or spent hours making the evening meal or even particularly spending time with Brooke. But she was there; almost like a mirage, that Brooke secretly admired so much. Although she would never ever admit that not even to her best friend Rachel, or even Chase -- who she had dated since the beginning of high school. When she was little she used to beg her mother to let her play with her softly waving, deep auburn hair. It was so soft and shiny and it always seemed perfect -- never a hair out of place. Her mom was perfect. At least that was Brooke's opinion. She was beautiful and strong and her smile could light up a room. But then everything had changed and as soon as Brooke came home from school one afternoon -- she knew instantly something was wrong. She could feel it in the air, something didn't feel right. That was when she found her dad slumped in a chair with a half drunk bottle of whisky in one hand, and his head in the other. Up until that point she had never seen someone look so broken, so hurt and torn into two, and it was then that Brooke realised that he was just as under her mother's spell as she was, and now that she had left, it was as if the spell had broken and they were left to sort out the aftermath.

Her father had looked for her of course -- he'd even hired a private detective, but Victoria Davis had simply vanished and the last thing he heard was that she was living in Canada, but he'd given up by then -- knowing that she'd never come back to him. All in all that was what spurred him to move to England. He needed a new start -- somewhere where he could walk the streets and not see her face on every corner. A house he could live in where her soft laugh didn't echo through the hallways and her soft aroma wouldn't linger -- just for a second -- whilst he was making coffee.

It was like she was dead -- although Brooke was certain she wasn't. She had caused so much heartbreak and upset that Brooke, as cruel as it was, sometimes wished she was. At least then there wouldn't be the not knowing where she was or what she was doing or why she'd even left in the first place. Brooke wanted to ask her so many questions, like did she even love her? Did she even care anymore? and more importantly, was there anything she could have done to have made her stay?

Brooke was broke from her thoughts by her door creeping open. In front of her stood a sixteen year old boy with chocolate brown hair and chocolate coloured eyes to match, he smiled wearily at her and walked up to her, placing his hands on her hips. It was her boyfriend Chase. At least that's what she thought he was -- after today she wasn't going to be so sure.

"Hey babe" He said whilst pulling her to him.

"Hey" she whispered back, nestling her head into his shoulder.

"When you leaving?"

"Soon, the taxi to the airport should be here in the next ten minutes or so" she replied whilst sighing.

Chase's face fell slightly and he started to scratch the back of his neck. "I know we've had this conversation, time and time again -- but where do we go from here?"

"I honestly don't know" she replied quietly.

"I'll come up and see you. First chance I get, I promise you Brooke." He said firmly.

She looked up at him, but there was no hope in her eyes. She loved Chase and she really did want to make it work, but she'd given up hope on people in general since her mom left, and she wasn't naive, she knew even if he did come and see her, it would never be the same. Chase would go a month -- two months tops -- without sex and he'd give in and sleep with some mindless cheerleader -- probably some mindless cheerleader on the squad she had been captain for no less.

They stood in silence for the next couple of moments and they heard a car horn outside.

"It must be early..." Chase stated plainly.

Brooke looked up at him and then hugged him tight. "I'll miss you" She said as meaningfully as she could. "You too babe" he replied, returning the hug. It was then that Brooke left -- fighting hard to hold back tears. She was leaving her life and going off into the unknown -- granted it couldn't get much worse then it already was -- but she didn't want to move. She was finally starting to get through to Chase, they had never said that they loved each other -- but she felt it and she knew he did too. It wasn't the greatest relationship in the world -- they always fought and there was nearly always drama and angst, and in reality she wasn't quite sure how faithful he had been to her -- but she was kind of happy with the way things were and she sure as hell didn't want to leave him. They were the perfect cliché. They had to work, it was like fate --the gorgeous high school cheer-captain and equally gorgeous all star high school basketball player.

Brooke's dad came outside to help Brooke load up her bags, in the back of the taxi. There wasn't much because they'd already sent off most of her stuff. He looked at her sadly as she got into the cab. She wasn't one for tearful, heartfelt goodbyes -- they just made things so much worse, and she wasn't going to start with her dad -- seeing as he was one of the main reasons she had to leave. If he'd just pulled himself together instead of running away from his problems then Brooke would still be able to coast through life -- as happy as she felt necessary.

"You sure you don't want to come with me?, Its still not quite too late -"

Brooke cut him off "No I do not want to move to England, if i wanted to live somewhere that it always rained, I'd stay here." Her dad was startled by the harshness in her voice and he didn't know how to reply.

"Oh" He paused for a moment. "Be sure to call me when you get to Tree Hill. So I know you got there safely". Brooke didn't even bother to reply. "Or failing that you could get Jimmy or Lydia to call."

"Whatever, I better get going before I miss the plane"

---

Haley James stood next to her parents in the airport terminal as they were talking excitedly. Her Mom and Dad -- Lydia and Jimmy -- were a little eccentric to say the least. They were like two big kids that some of the time she felt she was the parent off. No wonder her sister Taylor was the way she was, their parents were so laid back they were almost vertical. Taylor was eighteen and two years older than her. She was the total opposite of Haley, Haley had a perfect 4.0 GPA that she had worked hard for, whilst Taylor was lucky if she scraped by with a 2.0. Haley was bookish and sensible, she divided her time working in the tutor centre and her best friend's Mother's Cafe. She was witty, sarcastic and had a dry sense of humour that often left her best friend Lucas speechless. She was pretty too, in a girl next door kind of way. She often dressed down in a jeans and denim jacket and the only make up she wore was concealer if she had a spot or blemish. Taylor on the other hand couldn't care less about school. She was the social bunny of the two sisters and she could honestly say nearly every guy she came in contact with wanted her. She was gorgeous in this vampy and seductive kind of way that secretly she had spent hours mastering. She followed the latest fashion and she shared Haley's sarcasm and wit to an extent -- but a lot of people assumed she was just another slutty cheerleader. She could hardly defend her honour though. Taylor had been with most of last years seniors in the varsity basketball team at Tree Hill High.

Taylor of course, wasn't with Haley and her parents who, were waiting to meet the cousin they hadn't seen in all of six years. She was out somewhere or other with friends, it was all one big whatever to her -- it wasn't going to bother her because it wasn't going to affect her, it was Haley that was going to have share a room with the girl.

Haley heard her parent's squeal with excitement as they began to wave the piece of cardboard that read 'Welcome to Tree Hill, Brooke Davies!" Hordes of people were arriving and even Haley was interested too see what their new house guest looked like. A girl with medium brown, glossy hair that shone red in the light approached them. She was a walking catalogue model for Abercrombie and Fitch. Haley inwardly groaned -- Brooke screamed all American cheerleader and she knew instantly she'd probably get on better with Taylor. Haley was disappointed -- secretly she'd hoped that she'd be able to finally have a girl best friend. She had grown up with Lucas and she was tom boyish in a none sporty kind of way. Her parents joked that she was in dyer need of a female companion -- Taylor had even offered for Haley to come to one of her parties and to give her a 'serious makeover' but she had just laughed at her. No way was she letting Taylor get a hold of her -- there'd be no going back then. Haley was curious though -- for the longest time she'd had this silly crush on one of Taylor's friends. But she knew even if she got a 'major makeover' from Taylor and he became marginally interested in her -- it would never work. He was her best friend Lucas's estranged brother, Nathan. The notorious Dan Scott -- who was their father, had gotten Karen Roe pregnant in senior year and then left her for college -- and then as if God was laughing at Dan, he got another woman called Deb Lee pregnant three months shy of Karen. Both women gave birth to happy, healthy son's, but Dan stuck with Deb, she had a wealthy family and lots of support. So he abandoned Karen -- who had to bring up Lucas on her own with the help of Dan's brother Keith. It was a long and complicated tale, that didn't just stop there and Haley knew if she acted on her crush she could potentially lose her best friend, and that was definitely not an option.

------

"Brooke honey, would you like to give your dad a call?"

Brooke was distracted from her thoughts by the soft voice of Lydia James. Brooke had been at James' household for little over an hour and she was already missing being in Seattle. It wasn't that she didn't like the James', they had been nice enough to her -- maybe a little over excitable, jumping up and down when they saw her in the airport and asking endless questions in the car -- but still they were a nice enough. Nonetheless she would have given anything to be able to look at the space needle right now, and all the other skyscrapers that dominated Seattle. Even though – up until that moment-- she had disliked the sight of them. It was just that she longed for familiarity. Somewhere she knew she wouldn't have to drive more than twenty minutes just so she could see all of her closet friends. Somewhere where she could freely pick up the phone and not have to check the time and do a little Math – just because she was in a totally different time zone.

"I'm not sure if that's a very good idea --"

"But honey, he's going to want to know that you got here safely." Lydia replied carefully.

Brooke looked away – she was still mad at her father and the last thing she wanted to do was talk to him. She wanted him to worry about her. It'd serve him right for making her move in the first place. Besides Brooke knew he had the number, and she knew if he was that concerned he would call himself.

Lydia realised Brooke didn't want to talk to her father so she told her if he hadn't called by 6pm – that she would call him, but Brooke would have to talk to him soon, just to let him know how she was.

Brooke left the room and went upstairs and knocked on a door that read 'Haley James room'. She had noticed that the house had only three bedrooms – which puzzled her considering she was pretty sure Lydia and Jimmy had four daughters.

"Hey, just come in" Stated Haley.

Brooke entered the medium sized bed-room and found Haley sitting crossed legged on one of two single beds, surrounded by lots of textbooks. She walked over and picked one up that read ' AP Precalculus'.

"Woah a bit of light reading, I see" Brooke said chuckling.

"Well I need to keep my Grade point average up if I'm going to get into a good college." Haley replied without looking up from the textbook she was reading.

"But we've got like nearly two whole years before we graduate."

"That's not the point." Haley replied slightly irritated.

Brooke moved some of the books out way and sat next to Haley. "So what do you guys do for fun around here?"

"Your way better asking Taylor, because I somehow don't think me and you share the same idea of fun." Haley cringed at how harsh she had sounded, but she was only saying the truth. Brooke was probably better off asking Taylor.

Brooke ignored the comment, she did not want to start fighting with the girl she had to share a room with.

"Taylor? Don't you have three sisters?"

"Yeah. Vivian went to Yale last summer and Quinn just graduated from Princeton."

"Wow that's a lot to live up too" Brooke replied earnestly

"Yeah I guess. Taylor on the other hand – she's a total hurricane, she'll be lucky if she graduates high school never mind gets into college." Haley said it sarcastically while rolling her eyes.

"Well what do you want to do when you graduate?" Brooke asked. She was curious. Haley didn't fit the smart stereotype she envisioned. The really smart teenagers she knew were usually awkward and shy, whereas this girl had a sharp tongue and was not afraid to speak her mind.

"I think I'd like to teach. I'm still not totally sure though, how about yourself?." Haley looked up. She was the one who was curious this time.

Brooke paused for a moment. "I'd like to work in fashion"

"And do what – become a model?" Haley scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

"No! -- well I could, 'cause I so totally got the looks and the body!-- but anyway I want to design the clothes"

Before Haley could answer a slim and good looking brunette girl around eighteen years old interrupted them by bursting into Haley's room.

"Hey little Sis!" The brunette said enthusiastically. "Hey Taylor, Heard of knocking?" Haley stated sarcastically.

"Whatever – You must be Brooke!" Taylor said excitedly while sitting herself on the empty twin bed, facing Brooke. Haley rolled her eyes and began to fix her eyes onto the text book she had previously been reading.

"Hey, Taylor right?"

"Yeah, check you out! You look like you could be my kinda girl!" Taylor said with a wink.

"I think so too." Brooke replied playfully. "I was just asking Haley what you do for fun around here."

"Yeah as if she'd know – she's either off tutoring, working in 'Karen's Cafe' or hanging around with that total hottie of a friend of hers."

"Hey leave Lucas alone. I really do not want you corrupting him." Haley said whilst throwing a pillow at Taylor.

"Come on sweetie, just look at him. That boy totally needs me to corrupt him." replied teasingly.

"Ew whatever Taylor" Haley replied with a disgusted look on her face.

"Anyway as I was saying, before someone rudely interrupted me" Haley looked up and gave Taylor a look that said 'don't start'. "If you want fun than you've come to the right place. In fact there's a party tomorrow at my friend Nathan's beach house and you should so totally come along." Haley looked up sharply at the mention of Nathan's name. She really did not want Brooke going to a party where Nathan was. It was bad enough secretly competing with her sister – but Brooke was equally as attractive – perhaps even more so, and she had this horrible feeling that Nathan would think so too.

"Yeah cool I'd be glad to. You coming too Haley?" Brooke replied with enthusiasm.

"No point asking her – 'cause no way in hell will she want too come" Said Taylor.

"Oh come on Haley it'll be fun, you can help introduce me to everyone!" Brooke stated cheerily, ignoring Taylor's comment.

"Besides her best friend Lucas would go mad if she went." Taylor replied plainly whilst studying her nails.

"Excuse me, I do have a voice of my own you know." Haley said it with annoyance, granted she would never go and Lucas would probably kill her, but she would like her own say in the matter.

"So you'll come?" Brooke said eagerly.

Taylor didn't even look up. "She's talking out of her behind, no way will she come" Haley ignored Taylor's comment and looked at Brooke.

"I can't--"

"I told you she wouldn't." Haley glared at Taylor

"I can't because I'm working tomorrow"

"Whatever. Anyway, I'm off to call Jack, he's gone all moody on me since I apparently slept with some guy from Duke." Taylor said whilst rolling her eyes.

"But Taylor you did sleep with some guy from Duke" mocked Haley.

"Well he doesn't need to know that does he!." Taylor replied playfully whilst winking at Brooke. She left the room and Haley let out a deep sigh.

"Finally" She breathed out. It wasn't that Haley hated Taylor or that she even particularly disliked her, but they were so different and Taylor was always the one that got all the attention. She may not have been good when it came to academia but she had always been the prettiest and most popular out of the two and she could wheedle her way out of any situation. She once bumped their parents car into a lamp post when she was on the way back from a party and she fed them some story about a child running out into the road causing her to swerve and hit the lamp post -- although it was a blatant lie, considering the crash happened at two in the morning and the chance of a child being out in the small hours were slim, nevertheless she got away with it with not so much as a dip in her allowance.

"She seems pretty cool" Brooke said nonchalantly.

"Hmm; I'm going out for a bit, you can come if you like, Better do it now before Taylor gets her claws into you?" Haley offered.

"I can't I badly need to unpack, thanks for the offer though" Brooke answered.

Haley nodded then left, not quite being able to shake off the thought of that Nathan might like Brooke and that she might return the feelings, then Haley would have to share a room with a girl who was dating the only boy she really wanted.