Up and Go

Sorry this chapter took so long. Hope you like it.

Just as Haley finished screaming her song, she noticed a guy staring at her. At first she found it a little strange but he was cute so she didn't mind. He was wearing a black t-shirt, faded jeans, and one of those punker bracelets Haley had always laughed at. She had always found the whole uniform thing kind of ridiculous. Haley thought the guy had nice hair, but she liked his eyes most. They was deep and intense. They made the guy look like there was more to him than meets the eye. Haley smiled and waved at her audience.

"Hey. You're awesome!" Vincent said as he walked towards her.

"That's a little forward, don't you think?" Haley replied sarcastically.

Vince laughed. "No, I mean your singing...and playing. I want you to be the lead singer of our band."

"Haha...good one."

"I'm serious. We were holding auditions next door and you're the best we've heard."

"Really?" Haley said shocked.

Vincent nodded his head. "Look, come play for my band mates. They'll love you."

"What the name of your band?"

"Your Best Nightmare."

"Your Best Nightmare! I love you guys. What happened to Jonnie...your old singer? Did he die or something?"

"Almost...he fell in love...with some Hawaiian chick. She convinced him that there's more to life than rock music...but then again he does enough crack, she probably could've convinced him anything."

Haley laughed. "Well that sucks."

"Not really. If he hadn't left I never would've met you."

"Yea...this must be fate." She said with a smile.

"So what do think? Want to join our band?"

"I'd love to..." Haley said but then she realized her parents would never allow it. "...but I can't. I'm only in high school. I can't just run off and join a band."

"I'm really sorry to hear that, but if you change your mind we'll be here until midnight." Vince said and then left her to think it over.

Haley wandered home in a daze. Me? Haley James? In a band? It's the coolest thing in the world. God, I wish I could. She thought as she entered her house.

"Where the hell have you been?" Her parents yelled as she walked in the door.

"Out." Haley said as she slammed the door to her room shut.

She sat down looked around her room. Everywhere there were papers and books – years of work and for what? She picked up her report card, all A's but it meant nothing to her. No matter hard she tried, she would never make her parents happy...so why try at all?

Then it hit her. She had to go. She needed this escape. It was a once in a lifetime chance and she had to take it, no matter how crazy it seemed. She grabbed her coat and unlatched her window. As she left, she noticed the clock...it was 11:48 pm.

Jumping from her 2nd story window to a tree beside and finally to the ground, Haley took off running as fast as she could. What if she was too late?

---

Meanwhile Peyton and Brooke wondered down the street. Peyton was admiring the beauty of the dark night sky, while Brooke was drunk off her ass.

"Damn that chess club queen can run!" Brooke exclaimed as Haley flashed by them.

---

Lucas was also out that night. He had snuck out to search for Haley. He wondered through the streets of Tree Hill worried sick about her. She was so upset. There's got to be something I can do for her. He thought as he continued to walk.

---

Running hard against the pavement and knocking down 2 little kids as she did, Haley made it just as Your Best Nightmare was loading up their van.

"Haley!" Vince said relieved that she had come.

"How do you know my name?" She asked.

"I talked to some of the locals about you and eighth grade guitaring days." Vince replied. "So are you gonna play for us?"

"Crap!" Haley said. "I forgot my guitar."

"That's not a problem." Vince said, handing her one from the van.

"Who the heck is this?" Michelle and Tom asked looking confused.

"This is our new lead singer."

"Oh no, not one of these again. Vince, we're so tired of lying to girls for you."

"No dudes, I'm serious. She was the one playing outside."

"Yea, sure..." They started again but stopped mid-sentence at the sound of Haley playing guitar. "...whoa" was all they utter out as they listened.

Haley, on the other hand, lost the sense of everything going on around her...She turned up her amp and climbed the center stage of town square. People all around gathered to watch her play...among those people were Lucas, Peyton, and Brooke.

"Wow! She can just do everything." Brooke said feeling a little woozy.

"Oh my God, is that Haley?" Peyton said shocked. Lucas just stared. He knew Haley was awesome at guitar but he never thought she would be able to perform like this in front of so many people. She had always been too shy in the past.

Haley onstage was surprised that she liked the attention so much. She felt like she had finally found her calling in life. Then he ruined her day...again.

She noticed his face in the crowd, looking as bedazzled as the rest of them...and he was coming closer. She felt a tear whelm up in her eye but she held it back. Haley tried to keep playing and ignore him but she couldn't take it anymore. She jumped off stage and ran off.

"First running...then guitar...now running again. Damn girl, make up your mind!" Brooke yelled out.

Nathan took off after her, and noticing what was going on, Vincent took off after him. As Nathan ran he felt the breeze pulling him back...No wait, those are hands. He realized as he fell to the ground.

"Stay away from her!" Vince yelled.

"Leave me alone. You don't know what's going on!" Nathan spat out.

"I know that my new band mate doesn't want to see you and that's enough for me."

Nathan tried to fight Vince but though he didn't look it, Vince had twice Nathan's strength.

"Ok fine, I give." Nathan shouted out and Vince released him. He pretended to walk back to townsquare then he suddenly turned around and ran past Vince.

"Dammit." Vincent said as he ran after him again.

"Haley, please stop! I need to talk to you."

"There's nothing to talk about, Nathan."

"I know I messed up but I..." He stopped talking not by choice, but because it's hard to speak when someone's hands are around your throat.

"Let me go." Nathan choked out.

"What do you want me to do with him?" Vince asked Haley.

"I don't care what happens to him anymore." She said as she walked back to townsquare.

Vincent laughed. "You hear that? She just gave permission to beat the crap out of you." Nathan looked up at him, afraid and gulped.

---

That last encounter finalized Haley's decision. She was getting out of here, NOW. She had to get away from her parents, Nathan, Brooke throwing up on Peyton's shoes, and...oh my God, Lucas....he was the one reason she didn't want to go. She felt terrible for leaving him alone in this crazy town but she knew he would understand.

"Hey, you were awesome!" Tom and Michelle exclaimed as Haley approached.

"That's good..." Haley said as she got into the van. "...because I'm coming with you guys."

Next Chapter:

-Haley says goodbye to Lucas

-What will happen to Nathan?

-Life in a rock band

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