Disclaimer: I own nothing!
AN: Hey everyone. I'm glad you have all liked the first chapter of this story. I'm sure you've been waiting for this next one so...R&R.
Tric's Grand Opening
After they had finished talking about each of their summers, Peyton looked over at Haley. "Hey, Tric is opening Friday…How would you like to do one last show before school starts?"
Haley looked over at Peyton, thinking about it for about a second before answering. "Of course. You know…I might even be able to get The Wreckers there too." She stood up, grabbed Peyton's hand and walked to the dressing room.
"Hey, Michelle, I have a question." Michelle and Jessica had just finished their set and was now back in the dressing room. They both turned and smiled at Haley when she walked in.
"I thought you would be gone by now." Jessica said as she smiled at the sight of Haley.
"Me too. Listen, I know that you two don't have to be back in California for another couple of weeks." She pulled Peyton up beside her. "This is my friend, Peyton Sawyer, and one of my other friend's mom is going to open her new club Friday, and Peyton pretty much runs the all ages night. That's the night that they have their grand opening also."
"Haley, your rambling." Michelle said with a laugh.
"Right…" Haley laughed along with the other three girls in the room. "Well, I told Peyton that I would perform and I was wondering…"
"If we would also." Michelle finished her sentence.
Haley smiled as she nodded her head. "We can leave Chris here…" She joked.
"Hey, what if I wanted to join in on all the fun?" He said as he walked into the dressing room.
Michelle looked at Chris then at Jessica. She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, why not. One last show…sounds good." They both nodded as Haley and Peyton smiled. "And you can tag along Chris…if you really want to." Michelle joked.
Chris smiled and Haley shook her head. "Okay, it's in Tree Hill, only a few hours away from here. Thank you so much."
"Yes, thanks…this is awesome." Peyton finally said.
"Sure, anything for Haley." Jessica said before turning around and finished packing up her things.
"Cool, thanks again. I guess I'll see you in a few days." Haley hugged both of them before taking Peyton back out to the table.
The guys had loaded Haley's things into the car while her and Peyton were in the dressing room and when the two girls came back out, they were ready to go. On the way home, Peyton talked about having the Wreckers at the opening night of Tric. Brooke had fallen asleep in the front seat beside Lucas, who was driving, and Haley was almost asleep with her head on Nathan's shoulder when they got into Tree Hill. They dropped Haley off first, helping her take her things inside before dropping off Peyton and Brooke.
As Lucas drove home, he kept looking over at Nathan. Finally Nathan got aggravated and asked what his problem was. "You really missed her…didn't you?"
"Who? Haley?" Nathan asked trying to act confused. Truth was, he had missed her a lot. It was sort of weird, she was his best friend, but this summer as they were apart…it broke his heart to be away from her. "Dude, I missed her just like I missed any of you."
"Uh huh." Lucas said, not convinced.
"Haley is my best friend…nothing more. Really."
"Umm, are you trying to convince me…or yourself?" But when Nathan didn't answer, Lucas just shook his head and laughed. "Man…you got it bad."
"Whatever."
On Friday, Haley was working at the café when Nathan walked in and up to the counter. "You know, I think I'm glad I wasn't home this summer." Nathan said as he sat down.
"Why?"
"Because, it would have been too weird to walk in here without see you." He said then smiled.
Haley shook her head as a smile spread across her own face. "And what did you do before last year?"
"Well see, I may not have paid much attention then…but you were still here…so that doesn't count." Nathan responded.
Haley laughed. "Did you want something?"
"Yeah. Tonight…you want to go with me?" Haley raised an eyebrow. "I mean, do you want to ride with me?"
Haley sighed. "Well of course…who else would I be riding with? Lucas and Brooke? No." She joked.
"Okay, so I'll pick you up at home later then." He jumped off the stool and walked out.
Lucas was at the river court shooting the ball as Brooke sat at the picnic table. He shot his fade away and caught it after it went in. He walked over and sat beside Brooke. "Brooke, your better at this then I am…"
"What, playing basketball?" She asked giving him a weird look.
"No." He laughed. "Do you think Nathan likes Haley?"
"Oh…well, she is his best friend…I would hope he liked her, at least a little."
"I mean more than that."
"I don't know, but I do see a possible love connection between the two."
Lucas smiled up at Brooke. "Okay, well I bet by the end of the night…he makes a move, any move."
Brooke shook her head. "No way…he doesn't realize he likes her yet…and if he does, he's not willing to admit it, for reasons unknown, except that he's probably afraid of loosing the friendship they already have. I predict it will take him all year. But by the time we graduate, they will be together."
Lucas looked at her in disbelief. "No, I don't think it will take that long."
"It doesn't matter. Lucas, I've been home for almost a week and this is the first time we've really had to spend together, and you want to play basketball and talk about a non existent relationship between Nathan and Haley"
Lucas sighed as he pulled Brooke onto his lap. "I'm sorry." He kissed her deeply not noticing Nathan walking up.
"What about me and Haley? You not still on that are you, Luke?" Nathan asked as he took the ball from Lucas and walked onto the court, doing a jump shot.
Lucas and Brooke broke apart and looked at each other. "No, we were just talking about if you were taking Haley to Tric tonight." Brooke lied.
"Yeah. Unless you wanted to ride together."
"No, umm we're actually going early to help Peyton."
"Okay. So Luke, one on one?"
Lucas looked at Brooke then back at Nathan. "Not today. I'm going with Brooke while she picks out something to wear tonight."
Brooke smiled as Nathan shook his head. "Dude. Your so whipped."
Nathan walked up to Haley's front door wearing jeans and a baby blue polo shirt. He knocked on the door and was quickly greeted by Haley. Nathan looked at her with wide eyes. She was wearing a khaki skirt and a red halter. "Nathan, stop staring. I know you haven't really seen me all summer, but I look the same."
Nathan shook his head. "Sorry. You look great."
Haley smiled and spun in a circle. "Thanks. So do you." She said as they walked to Nathan's car.
"I know." Nathan smirked as Haley hit him on the arm. He helped her into the car before getting in himself. As they drove to Tric, Haley looked out the window oblivious as Nathan kept looking over at her. Once they got there, she quickly went back to the dressing room to find Michelle, Jessica, and Chris.
Nathan watched her walk away before going over to Peyton, Brooke and Lucas. "Nice crowd."
Peyton looked over and smiled. "Yeah, this is so amazing." Anyone could tell how excited she was. It might have been Karen's club, but it was Peyton's baby.
"It is pretty awesome." Peyton closed her eyes. She knew who that voice belonged to, but there was no way.
Brooke turned around with a smile as big as Texas, showing her dimples. "Your home!" She exclaimed as she gave Jake a hug. "Does that mean you found Nikki…and Jenny?"
Jake wrapped his arms around Brooke as she hugged him. "Yeah, I did…she's at home right now with my parents." Brooke nodded then pulled Lucas and Nathan away. Jake walked up to Peyton who finally opened her eyes and looked into Jake's. "Hey, Peyton." He said quietly.
Peyton took a deep breath then wrapped her arms around his neck as he snaked his arms tightly around her waist. He lifted her up slightly then pulled back enough to kiss her. Peyton held tight to him as they kissed passionately. When they finally broke apart, she smiled. "I didn't think you would be back."
"I promised you I would." Jake put a hand on her face. "Nothing was going to keep me away from you for very long."
She tilted her head so that it was laying in his hand. "So Jenny's okay?" Jake nodded. "I missed you."
Jake pulled her to him again into a tight embrace. "I love you, Peyton."
Peyton leaned back and looked into his eyes for a minute before smiling. "I love you, too." She said in barely a whisper before kissing him again.
It wasn't long before Peyton walked on stage to introduce Chris, who sung a few songs then got off stage. Peyton walked back up. "The next is one of Tree Hill's very own. She went on tour with The Wreckers this summer and then came back for senior year. Please welcome, Haley James!"
Haley walked on stage with a smile. She was nervous. It was one thing to play for hundreds of strangers. It was quite another to perform for hundreds of people she knew, and would probably see every day for the next year. She took a deep breath then took the mic into her hand. "Hey Tree Hill! How's it goin?" The crowd cheered. "Are you ready for school to start again?" It was mixed between groans and cheers. "Me either, but it hasn't started yet." She walked over to the keyboard, sat down and the crowd got quiet as she started to play.
It's October again
Leaves are coming down
One more year's come and gone
And nothing's changed at all
Wasn't I
Supposed to be someone
Who could face the things that I've been runnin' from
Let me feel
I don't care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I
Cry a little
Die a little
At least I know I lived
Just a little
I've become much to good
At being invincible
I'm an expert
At play it safe
And keep it cool
But I swear
This isn't who I'm meant to be
I refuse to let my life roll over me
Let me feel
I don't care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I
Cry a little
Die a little
At least I know I lived
Just a little
I wanna be somebody…I
I wanna be somebody
I wanna be somebody…I
I wanna be somebody
Who can face the things that I've been runnin from
Let me feel
I don't care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I
Cry a little
Die a little
At least I know I lived
It's October again
Leaves are comin down
One more year's come and gone
And nothings changed at all
She finished the song to loud cheers. She got up and grabbed her guitar, walking over to the other mic.
I've been behind on the events of the past 7 days
I've been sleeping in my bed
And missing you like sometimes crazy girls do
I've been hanging like a child onto this photograph of us
It was taken on a bus across town the last time I saw you
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down, down
Well I can't get my self together
I'm soaking in the pain
It's ridiculous how easy it is to go astray
When my focus ain't right
Sometimes crazy's all right
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down, oh
Oh, will you wait till I get back home again
'Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes crazy's all right
Well I never thought I'd say
I was in love with you again
It's funny how my life has come around to this
And I'm crazy for you
I do like crazy girls do
And now this whole world is going 'round
But it's when you're gone it really brings me down…
Oh, will you wait till I get back home again
'Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes crazy's all right, crazy's all right
Oh, will you wait till I get back home again
'Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes
Oh, will you wait till I get back home again
'Cause I'm willing to give this another chance
Only you baby keep me up at night
Sometimes crazy's all right
She paused for a minute as the crowd cheered before going into her next song.
Honey I just can't
Get around it any more
You make me feel like
Home is where you are
And baby I just can't
Run around it every morn
It's time that I believe it
Home is where you are
Notes in my drawers
Songs in my pockets
Fragments of letters that you sent
Leftover phone calls
Cologne in the bath
I still have that bottle of Rose
Starin at your photograph
Trying to take it down
There's still a stirrin in my heart
Honey I just can't
Get around it any more
You make me feel like
Home is where you are
And baby I just can't
Run around it every morn
It's time that I believe it
Home is where you are
I've never been to
Half of these places
But your postcard collection makes me crave
A little space
A little ways
Out of the city to the grace of
Another land
Another tongue
Another time
Starin at your photograph
I can't take it down
There's still a fire in me yet
Honey I just can't
Get around it any more
You make me feel like
Home is where you are
And baby I just can't
Run around it every morn
It's time that I believe it
Home is where you are
Oh, Honey I just can't
Get around it any more
You make me feel like
Home is where you are
Baby I just can't
Run around it every morn
It's time that I believe it
Home is where you are
Honey I just can't
You better believe Yeah,yeah
She took a deep breath as she finished the song. She smiled as the crowd cheered and Chris came back out on stage. They sang Where the Stars Go Blue and when they had finished, Chris reached over and gave Haley a soft kiss. He walked off stage with a smile leaving Haley there shocked. She lifted the mic to her mouth. "Okay, umm, Please Welcome, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp…The Wreckers!" She turned and walked off stage as Michelle and Jessica walked on.
"Wow, Chris, I hope that was a good bye kiss…" Michelle said.
Haley handed the sound guy the mic and went up to Chris, hitting him the shoulder. "What the hell was that?" She said with an edge to her voice.
Chris turned and looked at Haley with a smile on his face. "You heard Michelle, it was just a goodbye kiss." He paused for a second then continued. "It wasn't as good of one as I'd of hoped for, but I'm willing to try again."
As he walked closer to her, she was stunned still. He reached his arms around her waist, pulling her closer until their lips met again in a deep kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck for a minute then pulled back. "No. Chris, your leaving. I can't do this." She walked to the dressing room, not noticing Nathan standing off a little in the distance with some flowers.
Chris sighed and followed Haley into the dressing room. She was standing in front of the mirror, leaning on the table. "What if I told you that I was thinking about sticking around Tree Hill for a while."
Haley looked up at his reflection in the mirror. "I would tell you that it was stupid just to stay because of me."
Chris walked up behind her. "Okay…but what if I told you that I had a job here at the music store…and a recording space for the both of us?"
Haley turned around and looked at him. "Are you serious?"
Chris nodded his head before pulling her into another kiss. Nathan walked in and saw them kissing, again. His first instinct was to pull him off of her and throw him into the wall. 'Wait, she is not your girlfriend…she is just your friend…that's all.' He told himself before clearing his throat.
Haley broke the kiss and looked over Chris' shoulder at Nathan. "Hey, Nate." She smiled as she saw the flowers and walked over to him.
"Hey. I brought you these. Sort of a end of tour, welcome home thing." He smiled weakly.
Haley took the flowers and gave Nathan a hug. "Thanks, buddy." She stepped back. "Umm," she looked back at Chris for a second before looking back to Nathan. "I'm just gonna finish up here, then I'll meet you out there, Okay."
Nathan nodded his head and walked out. Haley turned and put the flowers in a nearby vase before turning back to Chris. "So, what is this now?" She asked
"Well, I figured, we've been doing this, back and forth flirting thing all summer…and since I'm going to be in Tree Hill for a while, why not make it official."
Haley smiled as she wrapped her arms around Chris once again. "Why, Chris, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?" She joked.
Chris rolled his eyes. "You know I am, Hales." He kissed her softly. "What do you say we go out there and have some fun?" She nodded and walked out of the dressing room, holding hands with Chris.
Lucas smiled at Nathan as he walked over to him and Brooke. "Did she like the flowers?"
"Huh?" He looked up at Lucas. "Oh yeah. Umm, I'm kind of tired. I think I'm gonna head home early. Later." He turned and walked towards the exit.
Lucas looked down at Brooke. "I wonder what's wrong with him?" But Brooke was looking somewhere other than at Nathan.
"What's wrong with you, Brooke?" Peyton asked as her and Jake walked up to Brooke and Lucas.
"Nathan left." Lucas informed the couple.
"Look." Brooke pointed at Haley and Chris walking towards them. "I bet that's why." She sighed then smiled as Haley and Chris came up to them. "You guys were great."
Haley smiled then looked over at Jake. "Oh my god, Jake, your back." She let go of Chris' hand and hugged Jake. "How's Jenny?" She asked as she stepped back.
"She's good. You are really good, Hales."
"Thanks."
Brooke and Peyton looked at each other before Brooke pulled Haley towards her. "We need to talk. Guys, you don't mind do you, good." She said not waiting for an answer.
Brooke pulled Haley over to the counter with Peyton following behind. "Brooke, let go of my arm" Haley said pulling her arm out of Brooke's grasp. "God, Tigger, when did you get so strong?" She joked.
"Cheerleading. Okay, Tutorgirl, spill. What's up with you and Chris?"
As Haley told them what happened in the dressing room, Lucas was looking from Chris to Jake. Jake reached out his hand to Chris. "Hi, I'm Jake."
"Chris Keller."
Lucas looked at Chris for a minute before asking, "Are you and Haley together?"
Chris turned to Lucas. "Yeah…and you are?"
"Lucas, one of Haley's very good friends."
"Oh, right. I think I've seen some pictures of you. Do you have a problem with me dating Haley?"
"No…"
"Good."
"Unless you hurt her. Then I will have a problem."
"We all will." Jake added.
"Hey man, it's cool. I'm not going to hurt her."
AN: Okay guys, I hope you liked the second chapter of 'Feelings Of Love'. A threw in a twist, thought it would make it interesting. Well, R&R! The songs sung were all by Bethany Joy Lenz. In order:Let Me Fall, Crazy Girls, and Songs in My Pocket.
