A/N Hey Guys! I'm sooooo soooo sorry for the like 3 month wait. I had really bad writers block and couldn't come up with anything. Really feal bad that I made you wait for so long. I thank you for not giving up on me. I wrote a longer chapter to tank you for that. I also will be updating by Wednesday of this coming week cause I have some cool new ideas lol. Well Read and Review. Thanks so much!

Chapter 7

Sometimes People From Our Past Don't Just Stay There

Haley POV

It was a bright, happy Monday morning and I came to school with a smile on my face. This Saturday, my husband and I were going on a romantic date. That was the perfect time to show my love for him was real and that I loved him way more than I loved my music. As I came up the sidewalk leading to the school entrance, I noticed Peyton, sitting on a bench doing her homework. I am really tired of how things have gotten so bad between us. I really want to be friends with her again. Well, this is now or never, Right? It's my chance to make everything right between us. I walk up to her and shift the weight of my heavy backpack to the opposite side.

"Hey." I say in a meek voice. I'm not going to lie; I am a little scarred to talk to her even though she had no right taking Nathan's side in this mess.

"Hi." Peyton says back. It's not completely cold, but gives the message that we aren't like best friends.

"Look Peyton, I have to talk to you and I really don't want you to interrupt me. I have to get this out." I blurt out in one breath. My forcefulness surprises me but I don't change my expression. She stares at me surprised but closes her math book and looks at me. Her look was a mix of amusement and curiosity.

I think about just turning around and walking away, but I decide to stay and sit down so I'm on her level. As I stare into her eyes, I start to get sort of irritated. She was looking at me as if I'm unworthy of talking to her. As if she is just listening to me, just for her own amusement. Boy do I feel like wiping that annoying smirk off of her face. Instead I clear my throat and open my mouth to speak. It's now or never, right?

"Peyton," I start. "You and I have been friends for, well since last year. But then I did something really, really stupid. I know going on tour and leaving Nathan was a mistake and that is why I am back. I don't regret the tour though, because I loved every minute of it, but the leaving Nathan part, I regret with all my heart. I love Nathan so much and I realize that I rather have him then the tour. We had gotten in a silly argument and I ran. I got scarred and I was so stubborn at the time so I just decided to do what Nathan didn't want me to do just to get back at him. Yes, that was very childish of me. I wasn't going to do it, but when Tay convinced me, I just did it without thinking about the consequences. I am so sorry that I made that mistake, but I don't think you of all people should be crucifying me for it. Like I said before, you and I used to be good friends and I'm sad that because of what happened between my husband and I meant that I would lose you as a friend. I am so sorry for any pain my leaving caused you, and I promise that that is it for me when it comes to leaving. I promise that I'm here for good now." I finished. Wow, I wonder what she'll say, or if she'll even say anything. She's not talking. Ok, still not saying anything. Just that stupid smirk on her face remains.

"Ok then." I say as I get up to leave. I guess that was a bust.

"Haley." Peyton called and I turned around. I wonder what she'll say next. Probably make fun of me or scoff or something.

"Taylor convinced you to go on tour?" She asked.

"What? Ok didn't you just hear my little talk that I said just now? You know the one about being sorry and the staying bit?" I asked annoyed. It's like she wasn't even listening this entire time. What the heck do I have to do to get the message across to this girl?

"Yeah Haley, I heard that part. I know you're sorry and frankly I think you should be. You hurt Nathan pretty bad and weren't here to pick up the pieces, I was. But you shouldn't have told all of that to me. You should have told Nathan that. I think that you aren't even fighting to keep you marriage afloat. It's like you don't care anymore. You just waltz back into town and expect everyone to just forgive you cause your, how did you put it? Cause your back now."

I'm not trying to keep my marriage alive? How dare she say that. She has no right in hell to say what she just did. Of course I have been trying and don't get me started on the waltzing thing. Wait, I better tell her that.

"Wait a minute Peyton. You're wrong. I have been busting by butt off to get Nathan back. I love him and there is nothing you can say of do that can prove otherwise. Who do the heck do you think you are, telling me about how I can improve my marriage? You have NO idea how much commitment and sacrifice it takes to be married."

"Then why did you get married in the first place?"

"Because I love Nathan. Because not even music or fame or even life would be better without him. Because I can imagine growing old with him and being together forever, loving each other like how my parents love one another."

"Then why did you really leave?"

"I already told you…I got scarred." What's with all the questions? If I could, I would roll my eyes in my mind right now. What? That doesn't make any sense.

"Why were you scarred?"

"Because, I don't know, because Tay told me that Nathan had been hitting on her and that a real husband would let me make my own choices. She told me that Nathan never let me do anything without him approving it first.

"But that's complete crap, Haley."

"I know that, but I guess I just wanted to believe Nathan was doing something wrong to justify my actions." I forgot that Tay had said that. I can't believe she would lie like that to me. God, sometimes Tay can be such a…wait a second…is that who I think it is? I have definitely seen that man, coming up to the school, before.

"Oh my God…Keith." I yell as I run up to him and give him a big hug. I can't believe that he is back.

"Hey Hales. It's been a while since I've seen you. How have you been?" He asked warmly.

"I've been good…ooh my god Keith, I can't believe your back." I say again. I'm so surprised that he is here. I've missed him so much.

"Well, it was my time to come back, I guess." He said with a laugh.

"I'm glad it was." I said hugging him again. What can I say, I have really missed him.

"You know, Brooke had that same reaction when she and Lucas saw me last night." He added.

"What? You saw Brooke and Luke before seeing me? How could you Keith? I joked. I loved talking to Keith. He is the only adult, besides Karen, that I really feel comfortable to talk about my problems too.

"Well, I guess I'll have to make it up to you but taking you out for coffee after school today." He said.

"Ice cream. Ice cream is so much better and besides getting coffee is more of a thing you and Luke do." I have a big feeling that he took Lucas out for coffee last night.

"Ok, Ice cream it is."

"Great. I would love to stay but I really have to get to class. I will definitely meet you after school though."

"Ok. I'll meet you here then."

"Ok, bye." I smiled. I was so happy to get to talk to Keith. I walked to class with a giant grin plastered to my face. When I got to the big English class, I sat down and immediately did what I did everyday. I took out my homework, books and opened to the page that the homework was on. I heard someone calling me and looked up to see Nathan sitting next to me in the back of the classroom. I laughed to myself. I never sat in the back until I met Nathan. I guess I just got accustomed to sitting there.

"Yeah?" I asked as Nathan called my name again.

"I need to talk to you about working with…" Nathan started before the teacher rudely interrupted him.

"Nathan, Haley, stop talking." Mrs. Taylor scolded us.

"But Mrs. Taylor, I wasn't talking!" I said. I wasn't going to get wrongfully blamed for anything. I guess it was the good student in me.

"Yes you were. Now be quiet!" She said before she started to babble on about some English term. Uhh. I can't believe she just, just wrote me off like that. It was all Nathan's fault. Speaking of Nathan, what was he talking about? Something about working with…he never did finish his sentence. I wonder who he was talking about. Huh. Ok, now I'm really curious. Who would I work with? Who could it possibly be? Whitey? Karen? Oh, maybe it is Karen. Maybe he wants me to start earning more money so we can save some for something. Maybe. Or maybe he wants me to work with Peyton to rebuild our relationship? I don't know. Hum. Oh my God, Peyton. I just left her standing there. Alone. Well, she deserved it. She was really jerkish to me. Telling me that I'm not trying to save our marriage. Humph. What does she know? Jake left her, not me, and its not like she tried to keep him here. Whoa. That was really mean of me to say. She did try. But what the heck is her problem though. She is all mad and it isn't even her problem to deal with.

"You may now work with partners to discuss the story." I heard Mrs. Taylor say. I turned around to look at Nathan and found that he had moved his desk by me and was looking in my direction.

"Haley, trying to be a goody two shoes again? She doesn't like you anymore since you married the enemy." Nathan laughed, referring to the comment I had made earlier about not talking.

"No, I am trying to be a good student. I was just telling her that she had made a mistake."

"Well, that didn't go too well, did it? Nathan said sarcastically. He was having way too much fun making fun of me. This needs to come to an end, like…now.

"Ok, anyway what was that comment you made earlier about working with someone?" I asked.

"You're changing the subject, Hales."

"Well yeah, only cause you were laughing at my expense. But seriously, answer the question."

"Ok, Ok fine. Um what was it again?" He asked as I gave him a death glare.

"Come on Nathan, I know you know." I told him.

"Oh yeah. I wanted to ask you if you could work with someone to help move along your music career. Even if you're just staying in Tree Hill."

"Um sure. Who did you have in mind?"

"Actually it's Chris."

"Ok, I don't think I heard you right. Who did you say again?" He did not say who I thought he said. No, it couldn't be.

"I want you to work with Chris Keller."

"What? Are you serious, Nathan? You really want me to work with the guy who broke up our marriage?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"Come on Hales, don't be like that."

"No!"

"Please Haley. I really want you to do this."

"But why? God Nathan, I can't do that. I can't be in the same room with that conceited jerk, let alone work with him again. I swear, he thinks the whole female population is in love with him."

"He is good at what he does and he knows how to work with you."

"Ok what does that mean?" Is he calling me difficult now?

"He and you do have a connection when it comes to music. You guys are good at composing songs together. Besides, music is apart of you."

"Yeah it might be, but you are the other part. I just can't risk our marriage over this again." I don't want to go down that road again. Trust me, it wasn't fun.

"Hales Please. If you love me, then you'll do this."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"Please Haley."

"Nathan…"

"Haley…"

"Fine. God Nathan, I can't believe that you're making me do this."

"I don't want you to stop making music, just because we got back together."

"Yeah, but still. Chris? What if something happens again?"

"Do you like him?"

"No, ugh not at all." I say making a pained expression on my face.

"Then I trust you." He tells me as I smile. If I'm going down, then he's going down with me.

"I'll do it on one condition."

"And what is that?"

That you are with me every time I go there."

"Are you serious? I don't want to go there."

"I will only do it if you're there, Nathan. No exceptions."

"Fine, I'll be there."

"Good."

"Good."

The Bell rang and we all filed out of class one by one. I couldn't get what Nathan had said out of my mind. Of all the people on the earth, he just had to pick Chris. God I need a drink. Ha I sound like an alcoholic now.

The rest of my day went ok. I sat with Nathan at lunch and hammered out the details. We decided to start next Monday. We finally agreed on having him play basketball at the park next to Chris' studio and come pick me up at 5:30 after my "Chris Time" was up. I am really not looking forward to the whole Chris studio time thing, but I guess if Nathan really wants me to do it, then I will. What a woman does for love. Anyway, after Math, I went to the front of the school to wait for Keith. I couldn't wait for the Ice cream. I waited patently on a bench near by and stood up when I saw him approaching from the parking lot.

"Hey Kiddo, ready to go?"

"I'm always ready for you Keith." I laughed. We went to his car and got in. Then we drove to Ben & Jerry's which was really close to school. When we got out, we went inside and ordered. Keith got traditional Cookie dough and I got Everything but the Kitchen Sink. It was my favorite ice cream because it has every kind of candy bar imaginable in it. We then sat down and started chatting about old times. Then, all of a sudden, a very chipper Brooke and Lucas sat down beside us.

Hey Brooke, Lucas. What are you guys doing here?" Keith asked.

"Luke, no fair, you got to talk to Keith yesterday. Today is my turn now." I wined.

"Hey Hales, nice to see you too." Lucas said sarcastically

"Anyways, we are here for a special reason, tutor girl, but thanks for showing us you care. Ok, I just had to tell you now cause I just happened like ten minutes ago. Me and Lucas are exclusive." She squealed.

"Oh my God Brooke, that's awesome." I say as I get up and hug her. Finally. Took long enough.

"I know. And we saw you guys in here and had to tell you."

I heard Keith mention something to Lucas, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I just kept talking to Brooke about her and Luke. I was just so happy. She and Lucas were happy, me and Nathan were happy. Nothing could go wrong now. It was perfect, or maybe too perfect. I had a feeling that all would not be well for long. But how long do we have until that happens?

A/N Review Please!