Thanks for the quick reviews everyone! I want to clarify a few things before I post the next chapter.
Formerflautist- I am old fashioned like that too, but there are reasons why, and the questions will be answered as I get into the background of the story. So please keep reading )
Kandykanemel- glad you like it so far.
Pam211- thanks for reading and thanks for the review
Now on with the story….
Chapter One
Twelve and a Half Months Earlier
It was graduation day…finally. Lucas and Haley had been looking forward to this for the last four years. About 100 or so graduates filled three long rows of floding chairs on the school lawn. Family and friends filled up the rest. There was a stage set up in front. The principal, the superintendent and a few teachers were resting on cchairs set up on stage waiting for everyone to be seated so the ceremony could begin.
"Aren't your parents coming?" Haley asked.
"No," Lucas whispered back as the principal stood up to the podium. "That convention in New York was moved to today and they had to be there to speak."
"I'm sorry." Haley touched his shoulder.
"Don't be. I'm not."
One week into the summer and Haley and Lucas were very hot. The first week of summer in Tree Hill, North Carolina always seemed to be the hottest week. But they were used to it. At lease they had a hug swimming pool.
Lucas stepped into the backyard in his swim shorts. Haley was tanning under the sun while she flipped through a magazine. Lucas stopped outside the door and stared at her. She is so beautiful, he thought. I just wish I could run my fingers through that shiny, beautiful brown hair. And I'm just dying to kiss those beautiful…snap out of it, Lucas!
"Hey Luke," Haley said, spotting him by the door. "Going for a swim?"
"Definitely." Lucas threw his towel on a pool chair. "It's so damn hot out here."
"Tell me about it." Haley tossed her magazine on the table next to her.
Lucas smiled in mischievously. "I think I have an idea to cool you off."
He ran toward the pool and Haley panicked as she tried to move away quickly. "Luke…Lucas no!"
But before she could get away, Lucas flipped into the water, creating a violent splash, which went all the way to Haley.
"Thank you so much," Haley said sarcastically as Lucas laughed.
"I couldn't help it. At least you're not sweating anymore."
"Yeah." Haley chuckled.
"So what do you want for dinner?" Lucas asked when he swam to the edge of the pool.
"I don't know. Your parents aren't going to be home tonight?"
"Not until late."
"Okay…well, how about I go to the store and see what I can find?"
"Cool. Just don't pick anything too healthy or gross okay?"
"Hey…healthy food is good for the body and the soul."
"Whatever." Lucas laughed and splashed her.
"Hey!" Haley screamed, pulling a foot from the water.
Lucas quickly grabbed her legs and pulled her into the pool with him.
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Lucas enters the nursery where Haley is rocking Nathan as she feeds him.
"Hey, I'm meeting Skills and Mouth and some of the other guys from work at the River Court."
"Okay."
"I'll be back in a couple of hours."
"Have fun."
Lucas kissed Haley before looking down at the baby and saying, "Bye buddy."
Lucas leaves and a few minutes later, Haley carries the baby over to the crib and lays him in it.
"You are such a precious miracle," she whispers softly to him as she strokes his soft light head. "I am so glad you've come into my life."
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Haley slowly maneuvered the cart down the canned goods and jars aisle, searching for a dinner idea. She stopped and pulled a jar of Prego Traditional spaghetti sauce from the shelf and placed it in the cart. As she turned to the frozen goods aisle for garlic bread, her cart collided with another.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" Haley said as she moved he hand over her mouth in total embarrassment.
The owner of the cart was a tall handsome man with short dark hair who appeared to be no more than a couple years older than Haley.
"It's okay." The man replied chuckling. "I really wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
There was a moment of awkward silence in which Haley and the man just stared at each other.
"My name's Chris Keller." He offered her his hand.
"Nice to meet you," Haley replied, taking his hand. "I'm Haley James."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Haley." Chris continued to stare at her. "Look, I know this may sound a little forward and cheesy since I don't really know you, but you have to be the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on."
Blushing, Haley smiled and said, "Thank you."
"I know we just met, but I would really like the chance to get to know you. Would you maybe like to have dinner with me on Friday night?"
Haley's smile faded and she said, "I'm sorry, but…I can't."
"Oh, well…if you change your mind, please…give me a call."
"Sure." Haley agreed as Chris wrote his number down on paper from his wallet and handed it to her. "I'm sorry."
"Me too. You seem like a really nice woman." Christ turned and walked away with his cart, Haley watching as he did, feeling horrible for turning him down, but also knowing that she could never call him…or any other guy for that matter.
Okay…so there's chapter one. Please let me know what you think. I'm sure there are probably a few questions by now, but the y will all be answered soon enough and I don't want to give anything away too soon. I hope you are enjoying this, now review and let me know !!!
