Chapter One
Returning Unwanted Feelings

My watch read ten thirty, but by the looks of the empty streets in downtown Atlanta I knew that it must be later. I tapped on the glass face and held it to my ear. "Damn." No ticking. "There's another expense to add to the checkbook."

The streetlights were flickering on and off. Bugs swarmed around the lights. The buzzing of the lights, the chirping of the cicadas, mixed with the smell of thick Georgia summer nights made me stop in the middle of the sidewalk. This was home.

My apartment was still three blocks away and even though I had no idea as to how late at night or early in the morning it was I didn't care. I sat down on someone's stoop and looked up at the dark, clear night sky. The stars were out and plentiful tonight and for a moment, I was lonely. I wondered what it would be like to have someone with me right now.

Thoughts of him popped back into my head as they did on occasions when I was feeling self pity for myself. I closed my eyes, shook my head, stood up, and went on my way back to my apartment.

For the first time in months, the building was silent. I pressed the up button of the elevator and a minute later I stepped inside. The smell was reminiscent of French fries and rubber. I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. Stepping out of the elevator I walked toward my apartment. D42.

I put the key into the door and jiggled it a little. Sometimes you have to do that. Finally the door opened, lets just say without ease, and I felt like I had broken a sweat.

The apartment was pitch black, other than the green light on the microwave which read 3:27. "Damnit." I said as I threw my watch onto the couch. I tossed my shoes onto the couch as well. "Why the hell didn't Anna tell me what time it was?"

I walked into the bedroom. My cell phone lay on the bed along with a stack of mail. No missed calls. I sorted through the mail. Bills. Magazines. Catalogs. I stopped when I saw an envelope with hand writing that brought me back over 11 years. I dropped it back onto the bed.

I threw my clothes across the room, knowing that I wouldn't have to wear nice clothes for another two days. I put my robe on, pulled my hair into a messy bun atop my head, and walked into the bathroom. After rinsing my face, I looked up. The person in the mirror looked back at me. It was someone I had known long ago. She was scared to read the letter, knowing that it was something she had been dreading since she left.

Running my hands over my face and threw my hair, I looked back into the mirror. When the suit was off, the make up gone, the briefcase closed, and when the day was over I went back to being Haley James: Tree Hill High alumni, fill in cheerleader, tutor extraordinaire, former wife of Nathan Scott.

I could see the envelope, which I was avoiding, from the doorway. I knew what it was. I cringed and walked back into my room. Slowly I picked up the letter and torn it open. It was written on stationary.

The Scott's

I apprehensively opened the card.

Haley,

Damn. It's been a long time. Haven't seen you since the wedding. We missed you at the 10 year reunion, but completely understand how crazy life in Atlanta is right now for you. How's the new book coming along? Brooke loved "Skipping Happily Ever After". She said it was so you.

But anyway, I am not writing you this to catch up, although we do need to do that. I am writing this letter to remind you of something. Eleven years ago, at the River Court, we all decided to meet up later on in life. (I know you agreed before the Nathan thing, but still a promise is a promise) Surprise, its here.

Be at River Court at 2:30 PM on July 18.

Yours truly,

Lucas Scott

PS: If you don't want to come because of Nathan, please come for me. I miss you.

I sighed and pulled out a piece of paper that was in with the letter. I unfolded it and recognized my own handwriting.

I, Haley J. Scott, agree to meet Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott, Peyton Sawyer, and Brooke Davis, on July 18, 2016 in Tree Hill, North Carolina at the River Court.

I shook my head. Why was I so stupid and why did I sign as Haley Scott? Oh, right. I was married then. I threw myself onto the bed and closed my eyes. What was going on? Why had I agreed to do this so long ago? Did I really think we would be together?

Yes, I did.

The only question is why? Why did I think we would be together forever?

Because I loved him and I thought he loved me.

Did he ever love me? Was there ever a time while he was with her that he was thinking of me, picturing me all alone in our bed knowing that I was thinking about him?

I could only hope he did.

I felt a tear drip from my eye and fall to my pillow. It was feather. Nathan was allergic to feather pillows. I quickly wiped the tear from my cheek and looked up at the ceiling then back down at the letter.

Remembering when we all agreed to meet made my stomach tie in knots. I closed my eyes again. I could picture that night. That night was nearly perfect. I remember exactly how the night felt... how it smelled... how I felt.

The air was thick that day. The smell of summer flowers and hormones lingered over the teenagers. It was fairly quiet outside, minus the babbling of Haley Scott and the swooshing of the basketball threw the net every time Nathan Scott put one up.

Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer sat with their legs crossed on the bench at the River Court watching Haley Scott make a fool of herself playing basketball with two of the best basketball players to ever step foot in Tree Hill, never the less live there.

"She shoots..." Nathan said, in his best announcer voice.

Haley shot the ball and Lucas watched it completely miss the hoop.

"...She misses!" Haley screamed as she pushed Nathan out of the way. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she looked up at him and then back to Lucas Scott, "I don't know why I continue to completely embarrass the hell out of myself."

"I think deep down you enjoy it." Lucas said as he passed the ball back to his best friend. Originally he didn't like the idea of Nathan and Haley together, but Haley was good for him. Whether or not he was good for her was still up in the air, but they were married and going to be together so Lucas had to accept that.

"Right, I enjoy humiliation." She rolled her eyes and tossed the ball to Nathan. "I think I will leave this to the pros." Haley winked at Nathan.

Nathan caught the ball and held it out to Lucas, "One on one. First to twenty one."

"You're on." Lucas said with a nod.

Haley sat on top of the picnic table and Brooke looked up at her, "Tutor girl, what's going to happen when we graduate?"

Haley shrugged, "I don't really want to think about it."

"We have to though, I mean, its going to be here before we know it." Peyton ran her fingers through her curly blonde hair.

Haley put her hand on Peyton's shoulder, "Well I figure we will all go our own ways... maybe."

Brooke's lips started to tremble. She looked like she might cry.

"You've got to be kidding me, Brooke. Why the hell are you crying?" Peyton asked.

"I'm not crying. My eyes are watering, that's all." Brooke said, fighting back tears.

Haley leaned forward, "She is crying."

"I'm on my period okay? I'm a little emotional. Leave me alone." Brooke darted back.

Peyton and Haley looked at each other and Peyton called Lucas and Nathan over. The boys came running over and Lucas noticed Brooke crying.

"Brooke, whats wrong?"

"Nothing." She said wiping the tears from her eyes.

Lucas looked at Haley who was shaking her head. She mouthed, "Just leave her alone." He nodded.

"Okay," Peyton started, "Now I think it would be a cool idea if we made... sort of..."

"A pact..." Haley said, interrupting.

"Yeah, a pact." Peyton agreed. She reached into her backpack, which she took everywhere, and pulled out a sheet of drawing paper. She started writing. "Lets all agree to, no matter what, meet back here in... eleven years."

"Why eleven?" Nathan asked as he tossed the basketball in the air.

Lucas took it from him and said, "Because it will be ten years since our graduation."

"Exactly." Peyton said as she handed the notepad to Brooke, who had finally stopped crying.

"This makes me feel better." Brooke said, looking up from the notepad.

The notepad was passed around the entire group until it finally made its way back to Peyton. "Brooke, you wanna keep this?" Brooke nodded. "You seriously can't lose this, okay?"

"Are you calling me irresponsible?"

Everyone looked at Peyton, who couldn't decide if this was a rhetorical question or not. She just shook her head to be safe.

"I won't lose it. Promise." Brooke said, studying the paper.

At the bottom everyone had signed their names.

X: Peyton A. Sawyer

X: Brooke Davis

X: Lucas K. Scott

X: Haley James Scott

X: Nathan D. Scott

Brooke folded the paper and put it into her purse. She looked up at the group. "Same place. Same time. 2016." She paused, "Damn, that sound like such a long time."

"We'll be old by then." Nathan said.

Haley hit him on the arm and fighting back a yawn said, "We won't be old Nate."

Nathan put his arm around his wife and said, "I think we need to go. Someone's tired."

"Not tired." Haley said, yawning again.

"Exuted too much energy playing that basketball, huh Hales?" Lucas said.

"Screw you Luke." Haley said as Nathan helped her off the table.

"Love you too Hales."

"Bye Haley. Bye Nathan. See you all later." Peyton said.

"Bye tutor girl and husband." Brooke said as she rested her head on Lucas shoulder.