a/n: I know it's been ages, but finding time to write now that summer is over is so hard. I've been trying to fit it in when I can. Hope you like it.

Chapter 10

"So I'll see you tomorrow then?" Dad said tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

"I guess," I said softly, getting out of the car and swinging my bag onto my shoulder.

I closed the door and walked up to Brooke's front door. Before I could even get my keys out, the door swung open and Brooke gathered me up in her arms, telling me Dad had already filled her in. I dropped my bag on the floor and hugged her back, feeling instantly better.

"Come on, sweetie," she said guiding me into the house and closing the door.

She sat me down on the couch and walked over to the kitchen. I was so tired, all I wanted to do was shut down. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about it. I had been thinking about it all day.

She came back with two mugs in hand and passed me one, the comforting smell of hot chocolate filling my nose.

"Now we can talk about it if you want, but if you don't that's ok too. I'll just give you the remote and tell you, you can watch TV. Keeping up with the Kardashian's is about to start and I won't tell your Dad if you won't," she said sitting down beside me, turning the TV on.

I sighed happily and smiled, looking up at Brooke, who was sitting casually beside me in her pyjamas, her fluffy slippers up on the coffee table as if it were just a normal night, and in that second I was thankful.

"I love you Brooke," I said smiling, and scooting closer to her, snuggling into her side.

"I love you too sweetie," she said putting her arm around me and rubbing my back softly. "Just know that whenever you are ready to talk, I'm here."

"I know," I said yawning and feeling myself drift off after an emotionally exhausting day. "Hey Brooke?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you TiVo that for me," I said.

"Sure kiddo," she replied and I could feel the vibration of her laughing as I closed my eyes.

Xx xxx xxx

Brooke POV

"Morning," I said brightly putting the chocolate chip pancake from my pan onto the plate set out in front of me.

"Pancakes?" Ally said raising an eyebrow.

"Yep," I said. Chocolate chip pancakes were one of her favourites and hopefully it would help her feel better.

"But it's a school day," she said sitting up on the bar stool. "We never have chocolate chip pancakes on a school day."

"Well maybe we should start," I said. The only reason school days were normally a 'cereal and toast' day was because we were normally pushing it for time, and therefore pancakes were normally part of our Sunday 'breakfast for dinner' night tradition.

"Brooke, it's nice, but you really didn't have to do all this," she said picking up a fork and taking a bite, "even though they are delicious."

"Do what?" I said rubbing the flour off my pyjamas. "It was no big deal."

"I'm fine, Brooke."

"Lyssa, sweetie, nobody expects you to be fine with all of this. It's only been two days. It's a lot to take in," I said pouring her a glass of milk.

"But I am!" she insisted. "Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Honey, last night you came and stayed here because you didn't want to be at home. That doesn't translate as fine," I said leaning on the worktop and studying her, trying to pick up on what she was feeling.

"I just couldn't stay there with Dad," she said sighing.

"I know you're mad at him but—"

"Of course I'm mad at him," she said, "He lied to me my entire life! And to be honest I'm a little hurt you never thought I should know."

"Oh, Lyssa," I said sitting down next her. The thing was I never thought for a second we should tell Ally about Haley because I didn't think Haley deserved it.

" I mean I'm more mad at Dad, because he's my Dad at the end of the day, he isn't supposed to lie to me. But I think I pretty much thought in my head that you wouldn't either."

"You have to realise Lyss, that whatever we never told you, it was for your own—"

"I'm sick of everyone telling me they're doing things for my own good! I don't need someone to protect me from the world. I'm sixteen years old, I'm not a little kid anymore!"

"Lyssa, it's only because we lov—"

"I'm going to go to school," she said hopping off her seat.

"Can we just talk please?" I said. "You've got ages before you need to leave anyway."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to get mad at you Brooke, I know you couldn't just tell me out of the blue, but I really don't feel like talking right now," she said in a normal voice before disappearing into her room.

Xx xxx xxx

Brooke POV

"Hello?"

I turned around from pouring my coffee and saw Nathan walking into the house, putting the keys into his pocket.

"Hey," I said, taking another mug out of the cupboard and pouring him a cup. "Follow me up?"

Nathan took the mug from my hands and began following me up the stairs.

"Ally here? I was hoping to drive her to school," Nathan said.

"No. She left already," I said sighing.

"I wanted to say bye properly before I left. The kids are driving back home tomorrow morning for the basketball appreciation party, but I have to stay until Sunday for the meetings about the rest of the championships, so I won't see her until then."

We walked into my bedroom and Nathan sat on my bed as I disappeared into my walk in closet.

"Wow, the basketball appreciation party. Remember when Deb and Dan used to host those?" I said thinking back to high school when one of the highlights of the year was that party. It was an excuse for us to get all dressed up and drink whilst our parents were all there oblivious.

"Yes," Nathan scoffed. "I can distinctly remember a very drunk Brooke Davis at those parties."

"Oh come on, I wasn't that bad!" I said grimacing as I knew I really was.

"Oh please, you were the worst! Do you remember that one year where you got so drunk and stole the note Haley wrote me before a test and read it out to everyone?"

"Don't remind me," I said groaning and still feeling slightly guilty, and slightly surprised that he had mentioned Haley in a memory that had nothing to do with the situation involving her right now. "You weren't exactly squeaky clean either Scott!"

"Touche," he said. "Aren't you glad we grew up?"

"I thank god every day that we did," I called through. "Could you imagine the Brooke Davis and Nathan Scott from our high school days bringing up Lyssa?"

"That would have been a recipe for disaster!" Nathan said. "Talking of Lyss, was she ok?"

"She's trying to seem like she doesn't care but I think she's really hurt Nate," I said pulling off my tank top and shimmying out of my pyjama pants.

"I know," I heard him call and sigh. "But I don't know what to do Brooke."

I pulled on my grey pencil skirt and white sleeveless shirt, and picked up a pair of black high heeled slingbacks off my shelf and walked into the bedroom.

"I still stick to what I was saying before about giving her time, but I think we need to make her understand as well rather than just think we didn't want to tell her because we were trying to keep things from her," I said. " I think that's what's bothering her."

"You're right. I think I just need to sit down and explain everything to her once and for all. You'll be there right?" he asked, looking up at me hopefully and my heart skipped a beat at the thought that he wanted me to be there with him through this.

"Of course I will, "I said, reaching out and giving his hand a little squeeze.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," he said smiling softly, and I smiled back, not letting go of his hand. I told myself I was holding his hand as a friend and purely because I wanted to be there for him but in my heart I knew I was doing nothing to follow my strict regime of staying away anything involving my feelings for Nathan.

"Well for one, you'd be deprived of decent pancakes, because let's face it, your pancakes suck!" I said to lighten the mood. I stood up and headed over to my dresser to choose some jewellery.

"Oh come on, they're not that bad!" he said, and I could see him raise an eyebrow in the mirror.

"Sure, if you like lumps filled with flour," I said teasing him.

"One time they had lumps, one time! You and Ally won't me forget it! That's it, I'm not making you two anything anymore!"

"Oh come on," I said giggling. "You just have to accept the truth."

Nathan sighed. "They are pretty bad aren't they?"

"Yep," I said popping the 'P', but seeing the deflated look on his face added, "But you make up for it in your waffles."

"They are pretty kick ass aren't they?" he said smiling, wanting me to compliment him on what he already knew.

"Yes Nathan. Your waffles kick ass. I don't know what I'd do without your waffles," I said rolling my eyes.

"Your pancakes, my waffles together; now they would go great together," he said.

"Yes they would," I agreed.

Only, in my head I knew I wasn't talking about waffles.

Xx xxx xxx

Ally POV

I put my folder down on the desk and sat down. Alex sat up straighter as soon as he noticed me come in, and immediately took his crap off my desk, a complete contrast to the battle I'd normally have to engage in to reinforce the rules about what was his side of the desk and what was mine.

"Hey," he said.

"What? No smart ass comment?" I said taking out my notebook and pen.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked choosing to ignore my comment.

"Are you kidding me?" I said slamming my pen down on the desk.

"What?" he said holding up both his hands.

"I don't know what you thought, but whatever happened yesterday does not make us friends!" I said snapped, just as Mrs Garcia walked in.

"What the hell? There's like two sides to you Scott. I was just trying to be nice," he whisper yelled to me as Mrs Garcia took attendance.

"Yeah well don't," I hissed back. "You were never nice to be before Alex, why start now? Yesterday didn't change anything."

"I didn't think we'd become BFF's overnight Scott, don't flatter yourself. I was just making sure you were ok so I didn't get blamed for your little episode yesterday because let's face it, the whole class saw you go nuts after talking to me!"

"Alyssa! Alex! Pay attention please!" Mrs Garcia called over us.

"Sorry Mrs Garcia," we both said in a monotone voice at the same, as she turned to write on the board.

"I am sick of people treating me like a fragile little kid!" I hissed as soon as Mrs Garcia had her back to me.

"How did anything I do make it seem like I was treating you like a fragile little kid?" he said sounding half perplexed, half annoyed.

"Uggh, just forget it!" I said loudly, which sounded even louder considering the room was silent on account of the task Mrs Garcia had set whilst we were stuck in our own conversation. Everyone turned and looked at us.

"That's it! I've had enough of you two. Both of you get out now!" she said pointing toward the door.

"But—" I tried, trying to make her change her mind.

"Don't forget these detention slips on your way out!" she said in her 'stern' voice, holding out two pink papers, which she had filled out miraculously fast.

"But—" I blurted out again.

"Do we want to make it two afternoons Miss Scott?" she said crossing her arms.

I just sighed and walked forward and took both slips out of her hand, and handed one to Alex, who snatched it from me on our way out into the empty hallway.

Xxxx xxxxx xxx

Ally POV

"Hey," I said walking up behind Austin, where he was standing by his locker, happy to see a friendly face.

"Hey babe," he said turning around and kissing me quickly on the lips.

"I have been trying to get in touch with all for like two days," I said leaning on the locker beside him, whilst he riffled through a bunch of textbooks.

"Yeah, I've been totally busy with practice for this weekend."

"And you couldn't call me back?" I asked, getting pretty frustrated with how I constantly seemed to be pretty low down on his list of priorities.

"You're right," he said turning his attention to me. "I should have called you back. I've just been so worried about this game, and the pressure from everyone to get through this stage of the competition, plus the stress from my parents about the stuff this weekend, I just wasn't thinking."

I stared at him for a second then sighed. "It's ok. I get it."

"Thanks babe, I knew you would," he said kissing me again, but just when I began to lean in he pulled away and went back to his locker.

"I've just had some stuff going on that I needed to talk about," I said playing with a strand of my hair.

"I've had stuff going on too. Alex is staying over at my house. Can you believe that!" he said clearly annoyed.

"I thought he lived with you?" I said confused once more when it came to Alex.

"No, he lives with his Dad, but is with us every weekend. His Dad's going out of town for work for two weeks so guess he's staying with us."

"Oh."

"As long as he stays out my way, It'll be fine," he said. "It's like a fricking holiday whenever he's over. Sharon gets so excited, it's like he's not there every single weekend."

"Hmm," I said.

"You don't seem very interested," he said.

"I am interested," I said reassuring him. "It's just that..Well ..Austin, I found my Mom."

"I didn't know you were looking for your Mom," he said.

"I wasn't. I just came across it. She's in town," I said.

"That's great," he said.

"No it's not!" I said quickly.

"It isn't?"

"No, I mean it could be I guess. I just don't know what to think. Dad's been lying to me about her. It turns out they were married and everything and then she left."

"But you know what will make you feel better?"

"What?"

"A party. Come to the basketball appreciation party at my place this weekend."

"That's not going to just make everything better Austin," I said. "Have you even been listening to me?"

"Yeah it will, a party is just what you need. That's what I do whenever I'm stressed about work."

"I don't think stressed about homework is the same as what I'm going through—"

"Oh come on, I'm coming home early from the game with the guys tomorrow, it'll be fun," he said closing his locker.

"I didn't just find out something minor I can just forget about over a party and few drinks. This is my life Austin!"

"Jeez, no need to get so touchy," he said just as the bell went and sighed, "A party will loosen you up, which is just what you need apparently."

Austin turned around and walked away leaving me standing in the hallway alone.

Xx xxx xxxx

Nathan POV

"Can I have a word will Alyssa for a second please," I said poking my head around the door to Lyssa's Biology class.

"Sure," Lauren replied, and Lyssa got up off her seat and walked over in an extremely slow pace. I closed the door behind her, until it was just us in the hallway.

"What's up Dad?" she said, crossing her arms, in more of a protective stance than a defensive one.

"I'm leaving soon for Charlotte and just wanted to see you before I left," I said.

"Oh. Ok, well I'll see you when you're back I guess," she said.

"I'll be home Sunday, probably late," I said.

"Ok," she said.

"Be good for Brooke ok?" I said giving her a one armed hug which she didn't reciprocate and kissed her on the forehead. I felt an uneasy feeling in my stomach, about leaving things like this between us, but I didn't really have a choice. Me and Lyssa had never really had a fight before. Sure we had little disagreements but they were usually forgotten within an hour, so this was a complete new territory for us, and I didn't like it. I just hoped that once me and Brooke had our talk with her once I was back and explained everything it would be ok.

"I know you probably don't see it right now Lyss, but just remember I Love you ok?" I said, not being able to read what she was thinking.

She just nodded.

I sighed, and began walking away and headed over toward the Gym.

"Nathan!"

I stopped, about to walk in, and turned around to see Principal Turner coming up behind me.

"Principal Turner," I said giving him a nod.

"Nathan, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mark?" he said.

"Sorry, but you'll always be Principal Turner to me," I said smiling. Even though I was a teacher here now it still felt surreal to run into my old teachers in the staffroom who were now treating me like an old friend. Whenever I saw Principal Turner in the hallways my body automatically filled with dread like it did when I was a teenager and waiting to be caught out on something I'd done wrong.

Principal Turner laughed and patted me on the back.

"I'm glad I caught you before you left today for Charlotte," he said. " I just wanted to wish you luck."

"Thank you," I said shaking his hand.

"Although I have to admit, I am looking forward to the win," he said.

"You are?"

"Our sports faculty has always been our most impressive sector for Tree Hill High and this Tv station have selected us to do a documentary on. Something about how sport is the way forward and we're a great example of that given our past success. They want to follow you and the boys from now until they win State. It will be great press for the school."

"They're doing what?" I said in shock.

"Yeah. They're coming down to Charlotte to watch the game. That's why I was trying to find you."

"So they're coming to Charlotte to watch the game? Tonight?" I said confirming what he'd said. "And start filming for TV?"

"Well yes, isn't that great?" he said.

"Umm… Sir. You know the team this year are still training and they're not reall—"

"Nonsense. Don't be modest Nathan, you are the best man for the job after all, you've been in their shoes. They're Ravens, they'll pull through," he said, obviously not taking my warning seriously.

"Right," I said but completely unsure. I was ready to drive out to Charlotte with the boys today, this being our last game. They weren't the worst players in the world, but they were nowhere near ready to win against Edington High and then go on to win the State Championships. And having their failure documented and put on television was not going to be good motivation.

"Now I have a few things to do before I drive down there myself before the game," he said walking away from me. "It's going to be great!"

As soon as he walked around the corner I sighed. This was going to be something alright. Maybe I just didn't have enough faith in the boys. Maybe they would be ok and I was worrying over nothing.

I opened the Gym doors where the boys were supposed to be doing a last minute practice before the bus went out today. As soon as I walked in I Saw Austin steal the ball and make a basket without the ball being stolen once.

Or maybe I was right and this would all be a disaster.

Xxx xxx xx

Haley POV

"The CD signing went great, and so did the Gig!" Genevieve said. "The next step is just getting the right promotion out there for when you all join Keller."

Genevieve tapped away at her blackberry, and I slunk down further into my chair.

"Haley?" Genevieve said, but my mind was too busy thinking about something else. Well it wasn't exactly thinking about something else as it was blank. Ever since I'd found myself in a room that seemed to reflect my past I'd felt extremely uneasy.

Ever since I'd left to go on tour I had sort of blocked them all from my mind, and in my head they'd all been frozen in time. I wasn't ready to see them all moved on in their lives, I was still partly in shock.

I knew they'd be mad at me but I hadn't been ready for the pure hatred that radiated everyone but Lucas in that room. I knew I deserved it but it still made me feel somewhat sad to think all the people I had once seen as family now hated me. Even when I was on tour, and felt alone I'd think about my friends and look through some pictures, and I'd never truly felt alone. But now seeing first hand how they really wanted nothing to do with me made me feel more alone than ever.

Sure I had people to talk to and I was surrounded with people all day, but they were all people that I either worked for or worked for me, and most of them only cared about me because my success was what got them their pay check. They weren't really my 'friends'.

The other thing that was on the edge of my mind was that me being here had clearly created problems. Luke defending me reminded me of old times and as much as I liked it the last thing I wanted to do was come between anyone.

This would all be so much simpler as soon as I was gone. When I left for New York again, everything would go back to normal, whatever normal was. It would be like I was never gone.

"Haley!" Genevieve said loudly.

"Sorry, what?" I asked, sitting up.

"Are you listening to me?" she said irritably and looking at her watch.

"Yes, sorry. What were you saying?" I said trying to pay attention.

"Haley we have so much to do here, we're on a schedule," she said sighing.

"I know, sorry. I just have some things on my mind," I said.

"Well snap out of it, because the Haley I know is nothing like this," she said then sighed. "I trust you got all that sorted out with Neil?"

"It's Nathan," I corrected automatically.

"Whatever it is, did you get the papers signed?" she asked, turning her attention back to her blackberry.

"No," I said without thinking. What was I talking about? Nathan already signed the papers.

"Why not?" she said putting her phone down. " Haley you were sent out here early for this exact reason. We fly out on Monday!"

"I know! I'll get it done," I said, not knowing why I wasn't telling her the truth that the papers were signed and I was ready to go.

"You better. The promotion for your own new album starts soon too and when that happens you'll be in magazines, television shows, the whole shebang. People will be looking to dig out dirt on you, and they cannoy find that you're married!"

"I know," I said, feeling overwhelmed. I could just tell her now everything was ok, but something was holding me back.

"And what about that whole other mess with the kid, and that guy the night of the show?" she said putting her hand on her hip.

"Oh. Well Gen, you see," I started. Using my common sense I knew I should tell her the truth because a secret daughter coming out in the press would be worse than a secret husband.

"Go on," she urged.

"That girl, back at the show, she's my daughter," I said, the word sounding foreign to my lips.

"SHE'S YOUR WHAT!" Genevieve yelled. "I'm your publicist Haley! I am supposed to know stuff like this!"

"Sorry, I just never thought it would be a problem," I said trying to calm her down.

"You have a daughter Haley!" she said starting to pace. "Ok, this is ok. We can work with this."

"We can?"

"Yes. Struggling single mother, playing music to support her daughter. That could work," she said starting to make notes in her organiser.

"No, that's not it," I said.

"Why not?"

"She lives with her Dad. I'm not really in her life," I said.

"You're not in her life?" she said raising an eyebrow. Anyone else would have thought she was judging me for abandoning my daughter, but knowing Genevieve well enough like I did, I knew she was just trying to think up another way to swing the story. "If we try and cover up the best we can, we can maybe swing it that you're from another town and never knew these people. We can also get them to sign additional paperwork to say they'll never talk about the fact you knew them either. How many people do you think we'll need to sign this apart from Neil and your daughter?"

"I don't think we need to," I said honestly. I didn't exactly see them or anyone else as the type of people to run to the press.

"Haley there is a lot riding on you. We don't want to take the risk," she said.

"I guess you're right," I said.

"So how many?"

"Um, I don't know," I said, trying to think on how the hell I was going to present everyone with secrecy papers considering they hated me and I hadn't planned to see them again before I left. I'm sure saying 'I know I left all of you and my husband and daughter but can you pretty please sign these papers saying you won't talk about me to the press so I can hop on a plane home?' wouldn't go down well at all.

"Fine, I'll just print a whole bunch and give them to you this afternoon."

"Sure," I said, knowing I didn't really have a choice.

"Now, I'm going to my hotel room to make some calls and figure out how we can do complete damage control. But Haley are there any more surprises?"

"No," I said confidently.

"Well there better not be. We've worked too hard for this to happen. We can let little mistakes like that ruin it," she said leaving my office.

I don't know why but I immediately felt sick as she referred to Nathan and Alyssa as mistakes. Yes, I think I got married and had Alyssa way too young, but I have never looked at them like a mistake because it made me who I am today. I don't think I would have been able to write half the songs I had without the inspiration that my past gave me.

How did I even get myself into this mess, I thought as I rested my head on my hands.

There was a knock on the door and Steph walked in, guitar in hand, ready for our session.

"Hey Hales," she said resting her guitar on her legs as she pulled off her jacket and put it on the chair.

"Hi Steph. You ready?" I asked.

"Yeah," she replied sitting on the couch opposite me. "I was thinking we could switch it up a little after the bridge."

"Sounds good," I replied half listening.

"Can we get the track changed in time for the show tonight?" she asked.

"I don't see why not," I replied.

"Are you ok?" she asked, giving me a worried look, and I smiled at her concern. She was a sweet kid. I had spotted her one night when I'd gone into a little quaint coffee shop. Steph was playing her guitar and her and Shane were singing 'Where the stars go blue', and to tell the complete truth they had done it more justice than me and Chris ever had.

I think they had been more than a little shocked to see the singer of their cover walk up to them, because they were completely speechless as I handed them my card. I had taken the two eighteen year olds under my wing ever since that night. Seeing them interact together reminded me of the fun me and Chris used to have on the road before anyone knew our names or what we did stopped being just about the music.

"I'm fine, just have a lot on my mind," I said. "Thank you though."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yeah. It's just; I don't know if you knew this but this is actually my home town," I said.

"You're from Tree Hill? Nobody ever mentioned that when we came over," she said surprised.

"Yeah. I grew up here. And it's just a little strange to be back," I told her.

"It must be great to see all your old friends and family though right? I know you don't have any family in New York," she said looking excited for me.

"Well my parents don't live here anymore," I said.

"What about your friends? It must be have been so nice catching up with them."

"Yeah. It was just great," I told her. I don't know why I was able to lie so easily today. I just felt embarrassed to tell her the truth that none of my old friends really felt the same way about me anymore.

"You know, Haley if you want to get out of here for a while you should. You've been here all day. We don't really need this session, I guess I could just go over a few songs on my own. Genevieve won't be back until later. It'll be our little secret," she said winking.

"You're an angel, you know that?" I said giving her a smile. Getting some air was exactly what I needed.

I grabbed my scarf and handbag and walked out the building finding myself in the middle of the high street which I once knew so well. Being out here in the open made me feel like everyone on the street was staring at me and knew everything about me and I found I just couldn't relax.

I walked for a few minutes, feeling slightly safer behind my over sized sunglasses and found myself across the street to Karen's. From over here, I could see Karen standing by a table talking to the customers. All I wanted was to go inside and see her, but I didn't think I could face being rejected by the woman who was once my second mother. Instead I opted to go into another coffee shop a few shops down that was considerably empty compared to Karen's but it didn't have anyone I knew.

I ordered a coffee to go and began walking again, not knowing where I was headed.

The street was completely empty considering the amount of shops all apart from somebody sitting on the wall. It didn't register that the person on the wall was somebody I recognised.

My feet halted in their spot whilst my mind tried to figure out if I should turn around or not. My feet spun on their heels but before I could fully turn around the person in front of me looked up. There was no way I could just turn around now.

"Um..Hi?

"Hi," I responded and walked over. He eyes were glued on me as I sat down on the wall beside her.

"I don't know how this works," she said.

"Me either," I replied honestly.

She stared ahead and I followed suit, and we sat in silence.

For the first time since she was a few months old, me and my daughter sat side by side.

A/N: So how do we feel about Austally right about now? and how do we feel about Haley?

So many of you are begging for brathan to get together and If everything happened in the next chapter the story would be over before it's started! So hang tight, it's coming! The journey all the characters will go through will make their ending mean so much more. After all this is just the Prelude, like in the title.

Sarz97- your character is coming, I promise!

NOW I KNOW THE STORY MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE STUCK NOW, BUT I PROMISE IT IS GOING SOMEWHERE AND THE DRAMA WILL REALLY BEGIN VERY SOON. IT WON'T BE ALL SAD AND MOPEY FOR LONG BUT THEY ARE ALL GOING THROUGH A LOT RIGHT NOW. STICK AROUND, IT WILL BE WORTH IT I PROMISE.