The taxi pulled up to the front of the apartment complex.

"The meter's running, lady", the cabbie impatiently informed her.

"I'll only be a minute", she sighed. "Do you mind waiting?"

"Your dime", he shrugged.

She stepped out of the car and walked up to the stairs. She hadn't been there in years but it felt like just yesterday. She remembered the very first time she climbed those steps…and the very last time she walked down them.

With a pounding heart, she walked up to the door and knocked. A few seconds late, a woman with long, dark hair opened the door cautiously.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, um, actually you can. I'm really sorry to bother you but I was wondering if I could see the inside of your apartment. I know this sounds crazy and I promise I'm not a knife wielding maniac. I used to live here a very long time ago."

The girls eyes widened with star struck recognition.

"I know you. Oh my God. You're her. You're Haley James."

Haley sighed with a smile.

"Guilty as charged."

"Hi. I'm Sunmer. My husband, Joey, is at work right now and I swear he's never going to believe this. Please come in."

"Thank you", Haley said, walking in.

The place had seen a paint job or two but for the most part, it looked the same. She stared at the space where her couch used to be and it was like being taken back in time.

It was the night after their wedding. Reality had just set in. She was someone's wife. She loved him and she wanted to marry him but it had been too easy. 40 bucks and her parents' signature. Just like that, her childhood was gone. She loved him desperately but it was scary. Look how everyone had acted, even Lucas and Karen. And Deb! Deb had been so pissed! She had turned on Haley in a matter of seconds. It was as if the whole world was against them.

She had gone home to get the rest of her things. CDs and clothes and such. As she gathered her belongings and turned off the light, the room looked so empty. Her mom and dad hugged her and she managed a smile but she was dying inside.

She wanted to go upstairs and study. Instead, they were taking her to her new apartment. They dropped her off and she went inside. He left a note saying he was at the River Court playing ball. In his absence, she cleaned up a little and finished putting her clothes away. Then it was time to organize the CDs and she alphabetized them in her neurotic state. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. The tears fell and she thought they might never stop.

"Haley. What's wrong?" Nathan asked concerned when he returned home.

"Um…I was just alphabetizing our CDs and um…we don't have any doubles. Not one. So, 'Natalie Merchant' after 'Nas' and 'Wilco' before the 'Wu-Tang Clan'?"

It seemed a minor thing to bring her to such tears and he almost wanted to chuckle but looking on the table he saw her wedding band and suddenly there was nothing funny about the matter.'

"So you listen to crummy music. I can live with that", he tried to joke.

"We made a mistake Nathan", she said sadly.

"Haley…"

"No. I'm, I'm not ready for this. I just, I just really want to go home to my

room. You know, I'm not a wife. I'm not even a senior!"

She was damned near hysterical.

"Haley. Haley, listen this is not a mistake."

"How can you be sure?" she cried. " Because there is nobody that thinks this thing can work."

"I do", he said picking up her wedding ring and tenderly placing it back on her finger. "I promise you Haley. I will always be there for you. I will always protect you. Okay? I will always protect you. Always."

And she looked in his eyes and saw the truth of his promise. She saw her whole future.

"Miss James, can I get you something to drink?"

"No, I'm fine. And please, call me Haley. I just wanted to look around. The place looks the same. I love the kitchen. I used to cook in this kitchen."

Haley closed her eyes and she imagined the apron tied around her as she stirred a pot of whatever, Nathan a few feet away, clumsily trying to be of some assistance.

"That's so cool. I can't believe I cook in the same kitchen Haley James used to. That is so awesome! I love your music! I hate to sound like a dork but if it isn't too much trouble, would you mind autographing one of your CDs?"

"No problem", Haley complied. "That's the least I could do after barging in here and imposing on your time."

"It's no imposition really. Anything else you want to see? The bedroom maybe?"

Haley froze. No! She couldn't go in there. It was too much. Too painful. Too many memories. Nathan had proposed there. He had taken her virginity there on their wedding night. They had shared breakfast in bed and laughs and many happy times. It was sacred. Her heart couldn't bear to revisit it.

"Um, no. Thanks. I've taken up enough of your time. My cab is waiting…"

"Okay. It was a real pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you."

"Stop by anytime. You gonna be in town, long?"

Haley took a deep breath and put her sunglasses on.

"I don't know", she sighed. "Depends. I've got important business to attend to."