Change is Constant but Some Things Always Remain the Same (Chapter 8)

One year later…

Haley James looked around her hotel room in North Carolina and sighed at how unfamiliar the sight was. She had stayed in many hotels over the past year and not one had remotely seemed like a place she would have ever chosen to stay in. These days, all of her decisions were made for her. Her managers told her what city she would go to, when to sleep, when to eat, what to sing, etc. and she was really getting tired of it. That's why she knew she was doing the right thing as she signed her name to her letter of resignation. Her manager rattled on her door and entered without waiting for permission.

"So, how's my favourite star doing today?" he asked as he sauntered into the room. Usually, Haley would appreciate his sense of humour but now she saw it for what it really was: patronizing. Without a word, she handed him the paper she had just signed. He read the contents and then looked at her in disbelief.

"Is this some kind of a joke?" he asked. Haley smirked.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" she asked. He shook his head. He tried a few times, unsuccessfully to get her to change her mind.

"Haley, think about what you're doing. You're throwing away your entire career. You've worked so hard for this," he said.

"Yeah, I know. And I know how foolish it is, but this isn't the life I want anymore," Haley said.

"So you're just going to walk away from music?" he asked. Haley shook her head.

"No. I'm walking away from my solo career. I thought that what I wanted was to be a famous singer, singing in clubs all around the world but I was wrong. That's not what I want. I love singing and when I was in Tree Hill, I used to sing at a local club called TRIC and I loved it. It wasn't until I met Chris that I got the idea to be famous. And thinking about now, that's what he wanted for me, for us and for himself. But I never wanted it. I just did it to make him happy," Haley said. Simon looked at her in confusion. "But he's no longer a factor in my life. So I think it's time that I started chasing my real dreams."

"Which lie outsie of music?" Simon asked. Haley shook her head.

"No, they just don't involve going around the world. Growing up, I loved teaching, helping people, writing and singing," Haley said.

"Well, the best of luck to you," he said. Haley shook her head at him.

"I don't want to work under the label anymore," Haley said. Simon looked at her in confusion. "I want to work for it."

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"I have degrees in business, entertainment and various other parts of music that I never use. I want to use them now," Haley said.

"Haley, you're losing me," he said.

"I want to work in music. I want to use my talent and skills to help others," Haley said. Simon looked at her in surprise.

"You mean you want to work behind the scenes?" he asked. Haley nodded. "As a manager?" Haley shook her head. "As a producer?" Haley nodded. Simon smiled.

Meanwhile

"Well, Nathan, I'm proud of you," his old high school coach said.

"Thanks, Whitey," he muttered.

"I must say that I can't imagine anyone better to replace me here at Tree Hill High," Whitey continued. Nathan looked at him in shock.

"Does that mean I have the job?" Nathan asked. Whitey smiled.

"Yes. So welcome to a life of headaches, annoying egotistical youths and most of all, making a real difference," Whitey said. Nathan smiled at the coach.

"Thanks," he said shaking Whitey's outstretched hand. "It's not the life I would've chosen but it's better than being dead." Whitey chuckled and Nathan couldn't help but remember what had led him up to this moment.

Nathan was in the hospital, lying in his bed shaking his head in sheer annoyance. "You have HCM, Mr. Scott. It's a genetic defect that…" Nathan nodded.

"I know what it is, Doctor. My father had it," Nathan said. In fact, Dan Scott had died from it. He had been too stubborn. He had continued to play basketball and his stubbornness had cost him his life.

"Then you understand that your days of playing baskebtall are over?" the doctor asked. Nathan nodded. One thing he was not was his father. Unlike him, he could let go. He knew playing wasn't everything. And even if it was, he was not going to die for it.

A week later…

"You don't believe me?" Peyton asked. Nathan shook his head.

"That goes without saying," he commented.

"Well, why would I lie?" Peyton asked, putting her hands on her hips. They were standing in the kitchen of hers and Lucas' house.

"To stir up trouble, to be mean. Sometimes you don't even have a reason," Nathan replied.

"Well, I'm not lying. Haley is back in town," Peyton said.

"And how do you know that?" Nathan asked.

"Well, when I was out on a walk with Jeanie, I went past the label that Haley works under and guess who walked out the front door," Peyton said. Jeanie was her and Lucas' baby daughter. Peyton was now a stay-at-home mother but still did some artwork and gave it to various businesses around town. There was a contest set up by the label that Haley worked for. Peyton had come up with a killer new emblem for them and had won.

"Haley?" Nathan asked. Peyton scoffed.

"No, Nathan. The Tooth Fairy. Of course, it was Haley," Peyton said sarcastically. Nathan shook his head in disbelief. "You still don't believe me?"

"I'm sorry, Peyton, but no, I don't," Nathan said.

"You're going to be sorry," Peyton commented as she heard the front door open.

"Peyt?" Lucas called.

"We're in the kitchen," Peyton yelled back.

"So, I'm glad that you could tear yourself away from the office to have lunch with us today, Hales," Lucas said as they walked into the kitchen.

"It was no problem, Luke. Honestly, I really miss you guys…" she started but stopped when her eyes locked with Nathan's. "Nathan," she said and smiled.

"Haley," he said, "You're back." He looked at her in amazement.

"Told you so," Peyton said.