Hey everyone. This is the first story I've posted on this board. I actually have all of it written, so if you like it, I should be able to update at least once a day, if not more. The plot is pretty self explanatory and there will be a sequel. This is a total naley fic. Drop me a reply and let me know what you thought.

Chapter 1:

In their youthful ignorance, at the acutely adolescent age of 13, they were utterly inseparable. They were the best of friends through the worst of times and could always depend on one another. Often compared to the three musketeers, the well known phrase, "All for one and one for all" described perfectly their unwavering friendship.

Nathan, Haley, and Lucas: a trio of three kids who had formed a quite unlikely bond. Nathan had befriended Lucas in spite of his father's ardent wish that he not, too young to understand the consequences this would bring in his later years.

There was much competition between the three as they grew older and became driven by success. In middle school, Nathan surpassed both Lucas and Haley in the popularity department. Though he remained on fairly good terms with his two best friends, his new friends demanded more of his precious time.

All three members of the terrible trio (a despised nickname dreamed up by Keith) were athletic, but there was no question about who was most coordinated. Though Nathan was slightly more talented at the sport which his world revolved around, basketball, Lucas was by far the better athlete. Exceeding the abilities of most young boys his age, he was found to be a natural at most sports. Tennis, soccer, baseball, football, basketball, track; you name it, he could play it.

The one area in which Haley could freely boast of superiority was intelligence. Her determination to succeed at academics was, to say the least, astounding. She was one of those people who, if remembered for nothing else, would be thought of as the girl meant to be valedictorian. Though her unyielding determination was certainly cause for intimidation, it was countered by her impossibly pure innocence. Her life had yet to be tainted by the cruel, harsh realities of the outside world.

Hence the reason Nathan and Lucas felt obligated to protect her. But the opportunity to forever keep her from harm faded abruptly when they had all reached the yearned for age of 13. Haley could recall the day in vivid detail.

FLASHBACK

She was situated comfortably on her bed, watching a soap opera, which she had strangely enough been quite fond of when her mother sauntered gracefully into the room followed by her father. Muting the TV, Haley slowly sat up and turned cautiously to her parents, who looked unmistakably worried. "Honey, can we talk to you for a minute?" her mother asked, smiling wearily.

"Sure," she answered apprehensively. Inwardly, she began to panic. Since when did her parents have anything of importance to discuss with her? Or anything to discuss with her for that matter? They handed her enormous sums of money, gave her gifts, criticized her, but never did they speak to her as though she were their daughter.

She had learned to accept her parents' actions toward her long ago and no longer showed any emotion as an effect of them. But it still hurt. And she was beginning to realize that it always would. Countless times, she had attempted to convince herself otherwise, but this always failed.

Broken from her thoughts by her mother's smooth, buttery voice, Haley listened intently to the news which tore her world apart. "Sweetie, your father was promoted. Now, this promotion means more money, better clothes and a better car for you, but it also means we will be moving to New York."

Her parents watched helplessly as her eyes clouded over with tears and she shakily stood and ran from the room. She could hear her parents shouting after her as she ran through the front door, but even their booming voices couldn't penetrate the thick fog which had settled in her mind. As she stumbled farther from her house, she could think of one destination: Lucas's house.

But quite suddenly she found herself ringing the doorbell at Nathan's house. She was completely confused as to why she would end up at Nathan's house instead of Lucas's, but these thoughts didn't prevent her from knocking impatiently on the glossy front door of his enormous, stylishly modern house.

Her face was thoroughly soaked with tears. During her perplexing walk over, in which she had bypassed her predetermined destination, she had failed to notice the storm raging outside. Her clothes were extremely soggy and hung limp on her petite figure.

The door flew open abruptly to reveal... Lucas? As she pondered the many reasons for Luke's presence at Nathan's house, a tall figure appeared behind him. Nathan. Both boys looked equally and genuinely concerned as they noticed her tears and further her disheveled appearance.

As predicted, Lucas spoke first, whispering, "Hales, you OK?" Hesitantly, she shook her head and immediately after found herself in Lucas's tight, warm embrace.

She cried into his shoulder for several moments, until a high, tinkling laugh interrupted her soft sobs. Suddenly, Brooke Davis strutted up behind Nathan and Lucas, noticing Haley and questioning condescendingly, "What's this loser doing here?" Nathan stood still, face impassive, eyes unreadable. Lucas glared coldly at her and led Haley away from the door and down the road, toward his house, where she now knew she should have gone the first time.

As they began their trek up the street, the door finally slammed shut, the sound seeming to echo up and down the street. Glancing back, Haley was disappointed to find that Nathan had one again chosen his cocky, self-centered popular friends over her. And because once again, Lucas was the only one there to offer her any consolation available.

If this had been the first time Nathan had failed her so completely as a friend, it wouldn't have caused her so much pain. But this was just another time to be added to the steadily growing amount in which Nathan had chosen popularity over her. And she wished fervently with all of her heart that she could grow some balls and be angry with him. But there was no anger in her entire body devoted to Nathan Scott. Instead, she was hurt. Hurt that he chose a life of meaningless people and events over her, the truest friend he quite possibly would ever have.

That night, after telling her dilemna to Luke and allowing herself to be comforted, she cried herself to sleep in his arms, only wishing Nathan could have been there to hold her too.

END FLASHBACK

Now, three years later, she lay in her comfortable king sized bed, remembering her friendship with Lucas and Nathan as hot tears slid down her face, which was a mask of pain and sorrow.

Now, as she turned and glanced at the clock, placed strategically on the wall, which read 2:16 AM, her thoughts drifted to a different 2:16 AM on a different day. Precisely three years ago.

FLASHBACK

It was finally the night before the James family moved and Haley James lay still and unmoving in her bed, willing herself sternly not to cry. She tried desperately to convince herself that she had shed enough tears in the past month.
Half of the treasured summer students yearned for year long had passed by all too quickly, and for Haley James, much of it had been spent either packing or crying. And this was considered by most a complete waste of a long period of precious, valuable time. Though in the past, she too would have thought this, she found various ways to justify her actions.

Since she had shown up on Nathan's doorstep and he had failed her yet again, she had seen much of Lucas, but still no Nathan.

As she watched the neon green numbers of the clock turn abruptly to 2:16 AM, a loud thump sounded, coming from the general direction of her window. Stepping out of bed, her feet coming into contact with the cold hard wood of her bedroom floor, she slowly made the short trip to her window and yanked it open only to have Nathan tumble through it, landing at her feet.

He quickly picked himself up off the floor, wincing and rubbing his back where he had landed on it.

After closing the window, Haley hesitantly took Nathan's hand in her own and led him to stand next to her bed then pushed him down onto it, motioning for him to roll over onto his stomach. He did as she asked and she sank down next to him and began massaging his back, kneading it firmly.

"Thank you," he whispered.

She simply nodded.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the only sound their breathing, Haley not knowing what to make of this unexpected visit.

Finally, Nathan began to speak. "Haley, I am so sorry."

She just stared intently at him, waiting patiently for him to continue his apology.

He sighed deeply, sitting up and taking her hands in his. "I know we're only 13, but Haley, you're the best friend I've ever had. And I'm pretty sure I'll never have another friend who can measure up to you. You've taught me so much and I know sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but I love you more than I could ever even love a brother or sister. And I know I haven't been real good to you lately and I really regret that because you're so much better than all my new friends combined. I am so sorry."

He stopped and took a deep breath as Haley's eyes filled with unshed tears. Then he continued, "Lucas told me you were moving and I've been wanting to come see you and explain for weeks. But I was scared you wouldn't forgive me. But I knew I had to try. So here I am and I hope you can forgive me. Cuz you're my best friend and you always will be."

As he finished his speech, Haley pulled him into a tight hug and broke down in his arms as she whispered into his ear, "I forgive you."

He held her tightly as he stroked her hair, whispering soothing, reassuring words in her ear. He laid them down on her bed, never loosening his arms from around her. Eventually, she fell asleep, but Nathan lay awake, staring down at her tear stained face and marveling at how her parents hadn't noticed how miserable they were making their own daughter, rocking her gently whenever she stirred.

A little before 8:30 that fateful morning, Haley was gently shaken awake by Nathan. She smiled weakly at him as they sat up. Frowning, he stated, "I should get home. My parents are probably worried sick."

"At least they care," retorted Haley bitterly.

"Hey," he said, "your parents love you so much. They've just been busy lately."

'Try for the last 13 years,' she thought, but simply sighed and said, "I guess you're right."

"That's my girl," he grinned down at her.

She smiled back at him and snared him in a hug. His expression immediately changed to one of regret as he remembered his urgent need to return home. Pulling away from the hug and clapping his hands onto her shoulders he said, "Haley, you're the best person I know. You're always so kind and willing to help people. And you always do the right thing. Don't ever change."

"I won't," she whispered.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

He kissed her forehead and with one last hug, he was gone.

END FLASHBACK

She thought of the promise she had made to Nathan three years ago. It had seemed a legitimate promise to make at the time. Easier said than done.

She sighed and glanced at the man, a complete stranger, next to her in bed. She had always been disgusted by the girls whose time was occupied with nothing but #$ random men. Now, she was one of them. Her virginity had been lost one drunken night mere months after moving to New York.

As she thought of that last night in Tree Hill, she realized she had broken her promise.

"I'm sorry, Nathan," she uttered softly as the tears continued to slide quickly down the perfectly chiseled contours of her worn and tired face.