Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to OTH. If you do not recognize something in the story, then I probably made it up!

Chapter 1 – Ready or Not

Haley ran around her apartment looking for her keys. She had searched the entire place from top to bottom and the missing keys had yet to show up.

"Damnit." She growled, looking at her watch, while trying to look for the keys at the same time.

She had to be in the studio in 10 minutes for a recording session. Too bad the studio was a good 15 minutes away not to mention lunch traffic. She pulled out her cell and quickly called the studio informing them that she would be there in about 20 minutes.

"Aha!" Haley shrieked, finding her keys on the countertop. She stared at them puzzled; she swore she looked at the countertop but obviously not. She ran down the stairs, waving a quick hello to the doorman before running to the garage to retrieve her car.

Just as she had expected, the traffic started up almost immediately. As she drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, she glanced at her planner sitting next to her on the seat. April15.

Haley's fingers stopped immediately. April 15, five years since she and Nathan had gotten married. She sighed, leaning back on the seat, knowing that she would be stuck in traffic for a very long time. She looked down at the simple band on her finger. She had never taken it off. She just couldn't do it in her heart. Five years had passed and she still loved Nathan as much as she had before. Was the feeling mutual? Not really. The last time she had talked to him was approximately 3 years ago when he sent her papers for the annulment of their marriage. She sent them back to him, unsigned. She knew it was selfish of her, but she had desperately wanted to cling onto him. Ever since then, she hadn't heard from him. She knew that after he graduated from Duke, with a degree in business, the New York Knicks had drafted him. It made Haley feel safe to know that he was in the same state as her. She had gone to his first game, and just watching him play had made her so nostalgic that she had to leave. She knew that he was still single, but that didn't mean anything. But she wouldn't begrudge him for dating. He had every right to do so, after all she left him.

Those five years had changed Haley in many ways. She was now a successful singer. She had released her first album, which sold very well and won a few Grammy's. Haley was now starting her second album. She had a strong base among the college crowd because her music was very mellow.

The only person from Tree Hill she kept in touch with was Lucas. He was her best friend and proved to be very much so. They talked at least once or twice a week. Lucas was in his first year of business school. He decided that he didn't want to play basketball professionally, but he preferred to open up a sports club or some type of business dealing with sports, mainly basketball.

Ring Ring

Haley looked down at the caller ID on her phone and smiled.

"Hey Luke, what's up?"

"Hey Hales, listen, this is a really quick call, my plane is going to be leaving. I'm going to be in New York for the weekend. I'm going to be visiting a few friends. I want to see you, are you free this weekend anytime?"

Haley giggle, excited at the thought of seeing her best friend. College for Lucas and music for Haley had prevented them from seeing each other. "Off course! You are more than welcome to stay in my apartment if you need to."

"Um…" Lucas started off awkwardly, "That's okay, I want to spend a day with you, how does Saturday sound?"

"Sure!" Haley chirped, not noticing his awkwardness. She was going to be seeing her best friend! They made plans to meet before hanging up.

She grinned as the traffic started to move. Things were started to get back onto the right track.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Nathan, I have to buy something nice. You have to come with me, you promised!" Brooke Davis stomped her foot, while glaring at Nathan.

Nathan sighed, and looked out the window of his apartment, which overlooked the streets of New York. It was a cloudy overcast day, perfect for just resting at home. He didn't have basketball practice, because the coaches' wife just had a baby. He looked longingly at the T.V. before turning to face an irritated Brooke.

"Fine, I suppose, but you owe me." Nathan said, smiling at the sudden change in demeanor of Brooke. She squealed and linked her arm through his.

As he locked the apartment and walked down the stairs, Brooke was giggling. Nathan finally turned, giving her an annoyed glare and asked, "Can you stop giggling? What have you been smoking?"

Brooke tossed her shiny hair. She had been signed up by Guess Jeans to be their spokesperson. She was also a model for Armani and Versace. You could say that things were going very well for her. "Well, duh, Lucas is coming this weekend!"

Nathan smiled; in reality, he had forgotten, with basketball and everything. "That's right. Is he crashing at your place, or mine?"

"Does is matter? I mean, we live right across from each other. But I suppose you can have him the first night, I will take him in on the second. You know, spend some quality time with my boyfriend" Brooke said, winking at Nathan.

Brooke and Nathan lived in the ritziest section of New York. Actually, they were only a few blocks from Haley's apartment. But only Nathan knew that. After Haley had left him, he did his best to pick up the broken pieces of his heart. His friends had supported him the entire time, and for once in his life, he found peace among them. Nathan knew that Lucas kept in touch with Haley, and he had a sure bet that Lucas would spend a day with her. Peyton did not want to hear the name 'Haley' at all. She was fiercely protective over Nathan, just because of their history. Brooke was quite apathetic but she was similar to Peyton in the sense that she also could not believe Haley's actions.

"Well, I have to find a totally hot dress for dinner with Lucas, so superstar boytoy, let's go shopping!" Brooke said, dragging Nathan to his car.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Haley ran into the recording studio, panting and trying to suck in deep breathes. She slowly walked into her recording room, noticing that everyone was already there and waiting for her. She grabbed her music and walked in the room. Noticing Chris, she walked over to him.

"Hey there, sorry I'm late. Traffic was a bitch. Ready to start?" She said, grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge.

"Yeah, go ahead in the booth and we will start. Try not to get into head tone, you have been doing that lately." Chris said, fiddling with something switches.

Haley sighed. Five years had also changed the relationship she had with Chris. He had pursued her all they way until last year. Somehow the guy didn't get the hint. Finally, she went out on one date with him and told him flat out that she was never going to be in love with him and that she still loved Nathan and that Chris could do nothing to change that. Chris accepted it grudgingly but they remained friends.

In all honestly, Haley actually resented Chris slightly. After all, he was the reason between the split of Haley and Nathan. Yes, he had given her the big opportunity. Actually, he had given up his opportunity so that she could show her talent. He had backed down the last moment when the agent came, forcing Haley to perform, just like Chris had done at Tric. But nonetheless, Nathan was right, she had done it on her own. She had made her own name. Too bad she couldn't tell him that.

"Hale, you ready to start?" Brock Johnson, the head director of the studio, asked her, ready to flip on the switch at her request.

"As ready as I will ever be." She answered, putting on the headphones.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Thanks for all the reviews guys! Yeah, this story is going to be different. I just want to stress one important fact: Haley IS confused. She has always had her life in control, always known what she was going to do, very independent. But her relationship with Nathan scares her. This is what I got from the show too.

Countrybutterfly0102 – You said in your review, "this all happened in one night the news wouldn't have gotten out unless one of them told". I'm sorry, but I think I might have confused you guys! Haley told Lucas everything when she called him. I didn't write out her explanation.

This is just my little spawn! ) I really do think that Haley doesn't leave, but it was just simply an idea.

- Tina