Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I just play.

Prologue – Pain In My Ass

HALEY: Without further ado, congratulations to the class of 2008! Conquer your fears, achieve your dreams. The future is yours.

Applause and cheers exploded and Haley sported her shit-eating grin. She survived. She graduated high school and was University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill bound. Best of all, she was on self-discovery journey and she couldn't wait to experience life as a grown woman. It also helped her boyfriend was also along for the ride.

Instead of exiting the stage quietly after her valedictorian speech, Haley opted to go the extreme way and jumped off the stage, giggling when her fellow classmates caught her and decided to a crowd wave. Consider it the annual "bang" Tree Hill High seniors often participate in at graduation. After midway for the sea of people, Haley's classmates settled her down and she turned her head to the left and instantly locked eyes to her boyfriend of two years. He had that smirk/grin on his face which made Haley cheese like no other. Without a second thought, Haley raced towards him and he started to walk to close the gap. Within seconds, Haley was in his arms and without a moment's hesitation, planted her lips against his in a soft, yet passionate kiss.

HALEY: (whispers) We made it.

He nods, but before he could reply they were distracted by Haley's parents calling her name. Giggling, Haley feels him setting her down gently where she can be engulfed by bone-crushing hugs of her family. She smiles up at him again, and takes his hand leading him to her family.

Haley feels his smile and she knows things are going to be okay. Just as long they had each other.

Eight Years Later

Noise surrounded Haley as she exited the car. After four years, she should have gotten used to it. But sometimes you're always a small-town girl and too much noise can put you on edge. The sirens, the honking, the talking, and worst of all the click! click! click! of shuttering cameras went off all around surroundings. She was on edge. Why in the hell was her and her partner called to Madison Square Garden?

HALEY: What's this about?

Her partner, Jake Jagielski, comes out of the other side of the car and follows her gaze at the infamous building. He shrugs, being non-chalant.

JAKE: Our new case. Captain assigned us. Seems like a famous player was murdered.

HALEY: Why famous?

JAKE: (obvious) It's basketball season. And how would you explain the tabloids?

Jake nods toward the pappazzi taking pictures feverishly. This is awesome. A perfect way to start off work: dealing with a high-profile case with a hangover that's only gonna get worse. Haley couldn't help the sarcastic tone even if she tried.

HALEY: Great.

JAKE: What's up?

HALEY: Press is gonna have a field day with this one, which is just gonna give me another pain in my ass.

Jake chuckles and waits for Haley to come to his side. Together, they stood on the sidewalk, looking up at the arena. He could hear Haley mumble curses under her breath and he could tell she wasn't happy about this case. Jake pulls her in a side hug, trying to be sympathetic but finding the situation entirely more amusing.

JAKE: I'm sorry. Maybe you should stop drinking.

HALEY: Ha. You're funny. Come on. Let's get this headache over with.

Haley takes the initiative to enter the building first and Jake looks on with an amused smile. Jake starts to follow her thinking this was just another day, another case. Little did any of them know, this case was gonna be more than just a headache.