Chapter 4:

She couldn't believe it. Nathan Scott was standing right in front of her. As she tried to keep her jaw from dropping, Haley muttered an "I'm sorry" to him, went back to the person she was talking to on the phone and pretended that she didn't know him, or forgotten that it was him. She quickly walked on as Nathan looked back at her, startled also about what happened.

A spotlight was resting on stage until the DJ started to turn the music down. The people screamed because they knew that the concert would be starting any second now.

"Are you ready to crank this up, Tree Hill," the DJ cried out, enthusiastically. The people screamed even louder. "Yeah, yeah, I know that. Give it up for Haley James!"

Haley ran towards the stage and the spotlight hit her. It was obvious that she was used to the spotlight beaming at her. She started to wave at the crowd who was roaring with shouts as she stood in front. Lucas, Brooke and Peyton were at the very front row. Haley smiled and gave a nod to Lucas who in turn, nodded at her too. "Hey Tree Hill," she started off. "I never thought I will ever say this but," Haley walked towards the chair with the mic stand in front of it. She placed the microphone on its stand and sat down with her guitar. She positioned herself then continued, "It's nice to be back home."

Haley started as the crowd grew silent to listen to her. She was amazing, as usual. But her face was glowing with happiness because her hometown was a different crowd.

"She is really good," Brooke sighed. Lucas looked at her and smiled.

"I know. It's crazy she never became one of the popular girls in school before," Peyton replied, eyes still glued to Haley.

"Well, people in Tree Hill High only see what a person is outside. They kind of look beyond what a person really is. They think they're smart but really," he looked at the two who were looking at him by now, "they're shallow."

The two girls looked at each other, amazed at how frank Lucas was. They couldn't argue with him because they knew that he was right. People in Tree Hill are stupid when it comes to judging people. Peyton's eyebrows shot up, teasing Brooke. Brooke smiled innocently. Peyton laughed and pushed Brooke with her elbow causing Brooke's arm to meet Lucas'. He looked at her and she looked at him. Their eyes locked for about 3 seconds until Peyton said she'd go out to get them some drinks because she was getting thirsty. Brooke turned to her, begging slightly not to leave her alone. Peyton knew that Brooke was just acting again, not knowing that deep inside her best friend is a heart that's thumping like crazy now.

As Peyton walked among the crowds of people, she accidentally bumped into Nathan.

"Hey! Where were you? Brooke and I have been looking for you," Peyton asked as Nathan tried to stay close to hear her.

"I was lost. Wait, where are you going? Where's Brooke," he replied.

"She's with Lu… she's there upfront. Hey, can you go with me, I'm gonna get some drinks for us," Peyton said.

Nathan just nodded and then they moved on. He took one last look at Haley and then walked on behind Peyton. As the two reached the exit, Peyton's phone vibrated. She took it from her pocket and answered, "Hey, yeah. It's Peyton. What? Oh my God? What? He's back? Ok, ok. I'll pick him up as soon as I get out of here. Yes. Thank you. Thank you." As Peyton hung up, she excitedly told Nathan that Jake's back from Seattle. Nathan offered to take her to the airport but she declined. She'll just go alone and he can go back to Brooke and tell her about the situation. He agreed because Peyton quickly ran off. Nathan halted her and offered her to take his car. She thanked him with a hug then ran off.

"Where's Peyton? Haley's almost done," Brooke said, looking around for Peyton.

Just then Haley announced, "Hey guys, for my last song, I'm gonna want some audience participation. Ok," the people screamed in agreement. "Ok! I want you guys to get a partner to slow dance with my last song, ok?"

As the crowd partnered each one with another, the whole place became silent and only Haley's soft voice filled the room. Lucas and Brooke looked at each other. She smiled at him, "Wouldn't hurt, right?"

He smiled and walked up to her. He placed his hands on her hips and she placed hers on his neck and they slow danced to the song Haley sang with all of her heart.

Other people say, all love can bring is pain

And if that's what's meant to be, then I'd embrace tragedy

I'm too weak and you know, that I'm not too sure at all

I've been good at everything, but now I'm just afraid to fall

Down and break free, I'm tired of being this scared, old me

I need someone to catch my fall, someone who will make me see

As people danced slowly, as if embracing every note Haley takes, Haley felt each word of the song she wrote herself. Lucas and Brooke felt quite awkward at first but as the song further played, they slowly danced like only the two of them were present. They kept their eyes closed until Haley ended the song.

Everyone broke free from their partners and clapped and roared as Haley sang the last note for this night. It was only then that it hit the two that they were the only ones still paired. They quickly broke off and clapped quickly as if nothing happened.

Nathan was tired of watching, especially considering the crowd was all mushy. He decided to just wait for Brooke outside or maybe he could stroll down until Peyton's back with his car, if she did have any plans of giving it back to him tonight.

He passed by a diner and decided that he'll just eat if off until the concert's done. He tried calling Felix but his phone was busy, probably he's hooking up with some girl tonight. He tried Tim but there was no answer. I guess I'm alone for now, he thought to himself.

He sat down and looked at the menu. Just then, the diner's door opened and a familiar girl walked in. It was Haley.

"Haley?" he walked up to her. She looked at him, quite surprised.

"Hey," she said. "Right, I gotta go," she tried to run off but Nathan got hold of her arm. She looked at it and he slowly took it off.

"Sorry, I just didn't want you to go yet. Can we talk?"

"Why? Because if other people will see you with me, your ego will boost a million points?" Haley replied. "I'm not stupid or naïve, Nathan."

"Hey I didn't say that, you did," Nathan said. "Please Haley, can we talk? I just really want to know what's up with you. That's all." Haley looked at the ground. "Please? Look, if ever you get pissed at me, I'll authorize you to punch me or whatever."

Haley looked up, "Ok, if you piss me off or offend me in any manner, I'm gonna go. As in, in a snap," Haley said as she snapped.

Nathan nodded. "Or you can just punch me?" Haley laughed slightly. Nathan laughed too. And finally the tension slightly rubbed off.

"Oh my gosh!" gushed Brooke as she and Lucas walked out of the concert venue. "That was the best concert ever. It was incredible, isn't it," she asked with a smile looking up at him.

He paused and stood in front of the restrooms. "Yeah. It was great. It just sucks Peyton wasn't able to finish the show."

"Yeah, I know," Brooke looked down. "But hey, at least it's because of a better thing for her. I mean, Jake's finally back from Seattle with Jenny. Nothing can possibly top that," she smiled.

"Hey, aren't you guys supposed to be with Nathan," Lucas asked.

"Yeah, we lost him while backstage. But who cares? I'm not really his number one fan," Brooke laughed a little.

Lucas smiled, "Well, then I guess we have one thing in common."

Brooke looked at her from the corner of her eye, as if slightly teasing him, "Well, Broody, I think we have more in common than you think."