Hey everyone. I am so sorry about the slow updates on this story. My head had sort of hit a blank page right now but I am going to try and keep writing it. Well here it goes. Also, thanks to those who review, you really make my day!

After the eventful day and night yesterday she decided she would really love a day to just spend in her dorm room, by herself. Just to wind down and relax – she knew it would never happen. It was a Saturday, which meant Ryan would want to do something and whilst doing it he would pretend that yesterday didn't even happen.

I suppose it was better that way. We didn't need to talk about it, which would lead to awkwardness and maybe even a rerun of it. She would much rather prefer to live life as if nothing happened. Even though she wanted to slap him back and kick where the sun don't shine. She wouldn't. Ryan was all she had – again.

Even though he was he everything, that still didn't meant that she wanted to spend every minute of every day with him. She wanted to do quite the opposite today. Yes, she would see him tonight, but during the day she wanted to do something for herself. Or even just do something, anything by herself. She decided on shopping, that way Ryan wouldn't want to come – so she would be left with a whole day to herself. Just as she was thinking this, her phone began to ring: it was Ryan.

"Hey Haley…what are we doing today babe?"

"Ryan…I actually plan to go shopping…you want to come with me?" she asked with a smile on her face knowing the answer to her question already.

"No…Why are you going shopping and not coming out with me, there is a hot party tonight we need to go to babe."

"Well how about I go to the store and find something nice to wear so you can parade me around at this party tonight?"

"Okay babe, see you later"

She then hung up, stupid damn party. At least it wasn't until later. She could just have a good day by herself and then go home get ready and have a pretty bad night at the party. I suppose half of a day was enough for her to have a good time, most days she didn't get that. It was better than nothing and she was going to take this chance.

She went in for a shower, came out had a cup of coffee as she sat on her bed. When finished her coffee she applied her make up. She had to apply a heavy amount of concealer onto her cheek because there was a slight red mark where Ryan had hit her last night. She didn't want anyone to see or suspect. She didn't want people to know she was the girl they all tried not to be. She had no option, she was her. She then slid into a white tank top and a pair of denims with white flat shoes. She grabbed her handbag and walked out of her dorm. As she walked along fixing her hair, she walked into someone. She looked up: Lucas.

Eyes whirled around the corridor, she stared at everything apart from him, what was she supposed to say now? Was she supposed to say anything?

"Uhh..sorry.." she said and began to walk again.

Lucas turned around and watched her walk away: "HALEYY!" he shouted out.

Should I turn or keep walking, why does my life have so many unanswered questions.

"Yes, can I help you with something?" I asked politely. Politeness was always a good start.

"I…we…need to talk at some point."

"No I'm sorry but I'm busy."

"Well maybe later then?"

"No Lucas. Okay I don't have time for you, I've had the hardest time these past few days and you have yet again been absent from my life. My mom told me about Tree Hill. You weren't a good friend then so why try now? Huh?"

"Because Haley I messed up… and I'm trying here."

"Yeah well maybe if you had tried a little harder back then we would still be friends, even though I don't actually know you, I'm sure that I don't know you because the other day at the café both you and Nathan where there. You both saw me but you done nothing but stare at me. If you wanted to be a good friend then that was your chance, it must have been obvious I was not good because I had puffy eyes. You had your chance and you both blew it. It's funny how both of you want to try now, when I've attempted to fix my life as best as it can be. Therefore my answer to you Lucas is NO and please GO AWAY!"

Haley held back a few stray tears in her eyes. She couldn't let Lucas in, she wasn't going to let people come in and out of her life as she pleased. She wasn't a doormat. She then turned and her walk turned into a slight jog. She needed away from him. She took a sly look over her shoulder, Lucas stood still in the middle of the corridor with his mouth slightly hung open. He had probably been gob smacked, as far as I know the Haley he knew was quite and not confident. She didn't speak her mind.

She tried to set her mind on her shopping trip but it wasn't really happening, but she needed something to wear for tonight at the party. She didn't really have any new clothes since she came here and she loved to shop. She looked at a few pairs of denims but then as she was leaving a store her eyes rested upon a short denim skirt- it was beautiful. She bought it and as she did she remembered a top she had seen earlier which would go amazing with the skirt. As she rushed back to the store, she went to the rack where the top was. Someone else had it in their hands. She had black hair and was around Haley's build. Stupid hoe stealing my top. Bad luck just runs through me.

A huge sigh escaped from Haley's lips. The girl holding the top turned around.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah I was actually coming back here to buy that top, but figures – someone else has to get it before I get here." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh sorry, I work here, I'm not buying it, just looking at it. It's cute it will definitely suit you. It goes with your complexion."

"Oh thank God for that…thank you. I though I was going to have to go topless to this party." Both girls laughed.

"Well that's how it'll probably end. Huh?" The other girl laughed again at this, but Haley stood there staring at this girl. She had a weird sense of humour.

"Sorry, it was a joke." Said the shop assistant.

"Ohh okay. Anyway, my name's Haley"

"Mine is Brooke, Brooke Davis."

"You go to Duke or what?"

"Yeah actually, I'm guessing you do to?"

"Yeah. Well Brooke I'll see you around then and thanks for the top."

"No problem Haley. See yah"

Haley thought this girl was like a breath of fresh air, she was so cheerful and happy and preppy. She seemed nice. Maybe she would see more of Brooke Davis. Maybe they would become friends, perhaps best friends – she would no doubt be a better best friend than Michelle. Well that wouldn't be at all hard to compete with.

After buying the top Haley left the store and went to get something to eat, she felt like a coffee and a cake. She went to the same café she had been going to for lunch the past few days. The food was great in there and it had a cosy feel almost as if it was like her home. As she down at the stall she got her order and then began to eat. She then got a text message.

Hey Babe. The party starts at 8pm. So be ready and I'll come over to get you at your dorm. Ok. See you soon. Ryan x

Well she only had a few hours left until the party and she had to get ready so she took the coffee and cake to go. She needed to look fabulous because this was her first party with her boyfriend and not just as someone who floats around. She was sort of excited for this but she couldn't explain why. She kind of had a good feeling about this party. She thought it was going to be good. She didn't understand why all of a sudden she couldn't wait to go to this party with Ryan. Yes she could understand she wanted to go to the party – get drunk. But with Ryan. She was seriously going mad.

She went home and then got ready. She had her denim mini skirt on and her silver halter neck. She wore silver stilettos and also took a silver purse with her. She looked great and she knew it, she loved nights like this when she would approve of her appearance. She didn't look like a slut, that was never her aim, she went for classy/college student. Most times she got it bang on, however some other times she also got the slut look but she couldn't always change in time as she was already late. At that the door was knocked.

"Hey Ryan, I'm just ready" she gave him a short peck on the lips and closed the door behind her.

"Hey Babe, you look great" he tried to deepen this kiss but couldn't. Sometimes Haley was funny that way with him, she didn't kiss him long and didn't want more. More was what he wanted.

They both walked down the corridor, when they were more than half way down the hallway another door opened.

Out stepped Nathan and Lucas. They also turned to walk down the hallway but as they did they were hit with a sight they didn't want to see. Haley and Ryan. She had went back to him.

Shit! Nathan thought. He had let this happen, he had let her go back to this jerk. He had made her go back to him, he hadn't been there for her when he said he would be. He let her down, he always did it – he was a screw up and this was no different. His heart sank at the sight of them she was better than that. – She most certainly didn't need him. If only she could see that and understand what an ass he truly is.

Lucas also let out a heavy sigh. Why on Earth would she go back to him? Why? He didn't know the Haley he once knew wasn't this stupid, she didn't chose losers like Ryan, she had class and taste and he definitely didn't fit into any of those categories.

They both then looked back down the hall and then back to each other. They could both see the disappointment in one another's eyes. They also noticed that they were dressed up, they came to the conclusion that they were on their way to a party. Probably the same party as Lucas and Nathan. They would see them there. What were they supposed to do? Stand back and watch Haley get hurt and suffer? They couldn't do it, Ryan needed to be taught a lesson. He needed to be shown what he was doing. He didn't deserve Haley. Even if he was the only guy left on the planet, he still wouldn't deserve Haley.

They all walked along the corridor with Haley and Ryan in front – unaware of the brothers walking behind them only hoping that Haley will come to her senses. Hoping that she would forgive them both. Hoping she would let them in. Hoping that they could all be friends. Hoping was all they could do.

It was another college drunken party – nobody knew what would happen or when. It was unpredictable, so their night was bound to be unpredictable. Would it end in a good way or a bad? Again, they could only hope it ended well. For both them and Haley, but mostly Haley.

Hey so I gave you a longish chapter here, I hope you enjoyed. I know there isn't much of an advance in the story but hopefully the next chapter will be good. Well until the next time – BYEE!