AN: YAY! I'm so glad so many people enjoyed the first chapter. A lot of you liked the Taylor - Haley bond but I don't think Taylor's going to be a very major character in the story. Sorry. Also a lot of you had ideas on who she'd be living with. I had part of the story prewritten, then I read your comments and was going to change it and change who she lives with, but I think I'm going to keep it my way. Lol I'm just so selfish like that. If it's totally horrible just tell me and I'll do it again. So thanks and don't forget to review some more.

Chapter 2

"This is going to be so much fun. You'll love Tree Hill." The women next to me said. Marsha Johnson. She worked at the foster care placement center and has taken me to every home. I had to bite back my comment about her not having to go and leaving everything and everyone behind.

"Yeah, fun." I mumbled instead. I already went through all this with Taylor at the airport, then with Marsha on the plane. I don't wanna talk about Tree freaking Hill anymore.

"These people, the Marshalls, are really sweet. I talked to them on the phone and they're really…"

"This town is really small." I mumbled bitterly, cutting her off.

"Yeah, I guess it is. Oh, but don't worry sweetie. You'll fit in in no time." She said smiling over at me as she patted my leg. Yeah, right. She said that every place we went. And then when she picks me up she says 'Don't worry about it. It just wasn't meant to be. They weren't right for you. The next place, I'm sure of it.' Same speech every time. They're never right. They never will be till I'm in California with Taylor. You can't stay somewhere you don't want to. I'm the poster child for that one.

"Here we are." Her chipper voice made me want to strangle her.

As she pulled into the driveway I moaned and started thinking of different ways to annoy these people. I wonder how old there son is…

"Great." I muttered looking up at the house. Truth be told…it was huge.

"Isn't it beautiful, Haley? I'm sure the inside is just gorgeous." Marsha said as we started towards the door.

"Yeah, gorgeous." I breathed out as the most gorgeous guy came out of the house next door. He stopped half way down the walkway when he noticed me staring at him. For once in these past 6 years I wish I had looked nice, at least decent, for the foster parents. I just hoped I didn't look to horrid. A smirk appeared on his face as he stepped closer before a guy from the street called out to him.

"Nate! Come on! Let's go!" A blonde hair boy behind a red convertible called out. Must be nice. The guy nodded at me and smiled before jogging towards the car. Nate. Huh, sounds cute. Maybe this place wouldn't oh so bad after all.

"Cute boy?" Marsha asked as she appeared at my side, obviously having seen the raven haired beauty.

"Hot boy." I stated as she chuckled and walked back towards the door. This time I followed, stopping as I reached a hideous welcome mat. You have no idea how many of those I've seen. Most of the time they don't mean it… but this one…this one is…

"It's ugly huh?" A tall blonde said staring at me. I looked up and saw her smiling. "It was a gift from my mother in law." She said as her blue eyes sparkled.

"Haley, this is Emily Marshall. Mrs. Marshall, this is Haley James." Marsha said as she shoved me inside the house.

"Please, call me Emma. Both of you." She said still staring at me. I smiled at her politely as I heard Marsha go on about my grades and 'accomplishments'

"Wow." I breathed out as I heard a laugh behind me. Marsha was right, this place was spectacular. Everything was set up perfectly. The perfect furniture, perfect carpet, a perfect family on the perfectly painted wall. I walked over to the photos and looked at the family. I don't think my family ever looked like that.

'That's my husband, Mark. And that's Kaitlyn and Alex." Emma said from behind me, pointing to each person as she said there name. "Kaitlyn's 14 and Alex is 8. When you go to Tree Hill High in the fall, you and Kaitlyn will be at the same school. She will be a freshman and you'll be, what 11th or 12th?" I looked at the young blond who looked just like the women next to me as one word stuck in my head.

"When?" I asked out loud as I turned to face her. "Most people just say if."

She was about to speak when Marsha interrupted.

"Now Haley." She said with her 'Shut up' tone. "She's going into the 11th grade, Emma. By the way your house is so gorgeous. But…I must be on my way now." She added eyeing me to make sure I was fine. Emma led her to the door after I nodded and shooed her away. I walked into what must be the dining room which was, much to my dismay, just as nice.

"So why'd you pick me? You already have two children. Or are you 'helping out an orphaned adolescent teen' so you look good to all your ritzy friends." I said not turning around as I heard her come in. I know I know, harsh Haley, relax. But she's the first foster parent with her own children. Why ruin the perfect family with me? I'm SO far from perfect.

"I…it's not like that. Not at all." She said obviously hurt. I finally turned around to look at her again.

"Really? Well, don't bother with the details. And don't get too attached. We aren't and will not ever be friends. In about a week or so you'll realize I don't fit in with your perfect life and you'll get bored. So until then… stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. I'm going for a walk." I added as I breezed past her, ignoring the hurt and confusion written on her face, and out the front door.

"Haley!" I heard her yell after me but I was already half way down the street. Her calling for me just made me increase my speed till I was in a full sprint. I finally slowed down as something dawned on me…I was lost. Great. That's just perfect. First day in town and I'm already lost. This town is to gosh darn small for someone to get lost in. Just as I was about to turn around I crashed into something and fell flat on my ass.

"I'm so sorry." I heard a voice say as I grabbed my head and was pulled off the ground.

"Yeah, well maybe you should watch where you're going bucko." I said as I brushed off my jeans.

"I saw you earlier, right?" The voice said again as I finally picked my chin up to look who the voice belonged to. Oh god! It was the hot neighbor! And he saw me on my ass. Smooth Haley.

"Oh, um…yeah. You live next door to Emma." I said as he looked me up and down and smirked. Time to turn on the charm.

"Yeah. Please tell me you aren't friends with Kaitlyn." He said laughing, slightly.

"I haven't even met her yet. Which way back to your house?" I asked turning.

"That way." He said pointing in front of me. I smiled at him over my shoulder before heading down the road.

5…4…3…2…

"Hey! Wait!" He yelled behind me as I stopped and smirked. Guys were so predictable. "I was, uh…walking anyway. I'll just go with you. You know, so you don't get lost or anything." I smiled up at him and continued walking. Score one for Haley.

"I'm Haley by the way. Just in case you stopped checking me out and were wondering." I said laughing as he cleared his throat nervously.

"Nathan." He said smiling, for real this time, as we stopped in front of the Marshalls house.

"Told you I wouldn't get you lost." He said laughing, smirk finding its way back on that sexy mouth of his. "By the way…Welcome to Tree Hill, Haley." He added before cutting across the lawn to his house.

"Welcome to Tree Hill." I repeated as I walked up the stairs, stopping at the door. I took a deep breath before opening the door. Tree Hill…better watch its back. Haley James has arrived.