Had a few hours, got inspired by the song "Friend of a Friend" by Tim McGraw and banged this out.

I promise I'll update PWF by next weekend.

xo

. . . . . . .

I heard it from a friend of a friend

You're livin' out in LA now

Got a studio apartment, couple blocks off the beach

Doing yoga in the evenings, you love the kids you teach

"So, uh, how's Haley doing?" Nathan Scott cleared his throat, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, attempting — and failing — to act nonchalant.

Brooke's hazel eyes squinted, "Haley, as in, Haley James?"

Nathan simply nodded. "Yeah, you're still, uh, friends with her right?"

The brunette smiled. She was wondering why he wandered into her store in the middle of a Tuesday. Though he claimed he simply watched to 'catch up' with a former friend, Brooke Davis was no fool. Nathan's sheepish stance, with his hands in his pockets, and crooked smirk screamed 'I miss Haley.'

Brooke was still friends with Haley. Even though they lived on opposite coasts, they remained in frequent contact. "Yeah we talk sometimes." She noticed the tiny glint in his blue eyes sparkle slightly.

"Oh, good. Good, that's good," he mentally cursed himself for the boyish way his voice raised. He sounded like a pre-pubescent twelve-year-old asking about his crush.

"You miss her, huh?"

Nathan's eyes widened almost cartoonishly. "What? What makes you say that?"

Brooke grinned knowingly. Never in her life had she seen confident, cocky, Nathan Scott nervous. Even when he and Haley dated back in high school, he didn't act like this. Well, he acted like a love-sick puppy, but the 26 year old guy in front of her looked just plain desperate. It was actually kinda cute.

"It took you long enough," she muttered under her breath. The couple had parted ways, ending their three year relationship during freshman year of college. It had just been too hard. With Nathan at Duke, and Haley at Stanford, the distance became too much to bear. They tried it, but it didn't work. Of course, the split was hard on both of them, but they knew it was for the best. Almost eight years later, and they haven't spoken or seen each other since.

Nathan woke up every single day missing her. He never truly moved on. He tried, and for a few years, busty bimbos and a little Jack Daniels, helped serve as a distraction. But, as he got older, the ache in his heart where Haley once resided, only increased in pain. He wanted their 'someday.'

Brooke gave him a delicate smile. "She's in L.A."

His shoulders slumped softly. He had a feeling she'd stay in California after graduating Stanford. She loved it there. "Los Angeles. Wow," he chewed on the words.

"Yep. She's got a cute little apartment right by the beach."

"You've visited?" His head picked up, almost as if pulled on a string.

"Yeah, we actually met up last year when I was in town for business. She's still beautiful, Nate."

The dopey smile that only ever lived on his lips when he was around Haley, slowly reincarnated. "I'll bet."

Brooke hadn't seen that giddy grin since senior year of high school. "She's a teacher too, y'know."

Nathan's smile stretched higher. It was Haley's dream to be a teacher. He was glad one of their dreams came true. "Really? That's amazing."

Brooke nodded in agreement, "Tenth grade English. Loves her students. I swear, sometimes they're all she talks about."

A whoosh of pride tickled the edges of his bones. He was sure her students loved her, too. It was just about impossible not to love Haley James; and once the love starts, it never stops. Just a one way track.

"What else?" He couldn't help but ask.

"She does yoga," Brooke giggled. Haley was never the athletic type, but claimed it helped with her stress and anxiety in college.

"Yoga," Nathan repeated with his own chuckle. He tried to picture it, and when he did, his smile slanted into a smirk. Haley in tight yoga pants, bending over —

"Oh boy," Brooke mumbled again. She knew that look in his eyes. That boy was far gone.

I heard it from a friend of a friend

You met somebody in a coffee shop

You've been goin' out now, for goin' on ten months

You already met his family, things are heatin' up

"Brooke! Hey! It's so good to hear from you," Haley answered her cellphone and cradled it between her ear and shoulder as she stretched from her yoga mat and walked to her small balcony looking out at the beach.

"I've been meaning to call you sooner," she heard Brooke's raspy voice. "How've ya been tutor girl?"

"Good. Great, actually." Haley bit her lip, suppressing a smile. "I met somebody!"

Brooke remained silent, processing the news. Haley expected a girlish scream. Her friend from high school had been on her case for years to go out and meet someone new.

"Brooke? You still there?"

"What? Oh, yea, sorry, I just … wow, that's great Haley." The fashion designer tried to muster enough enthusiasm to sound excited. The truth was, she had called Haley to tell her about Nathan, but she couldn't. Not after hearing how happy Haley sounded. As much as she wanted them to get back together, it would be selfish to try and intervene. Brooke knew more than anyone how hard Haley had taken the break-up. She wouldn't tell anyone—especially not Nathan—but Haley nearly dropped out of school afterwards. It took her years to finally go on one date, let alone be in a relationship.

"Yeah! It's so funny. We met at a coffee shop. You know me, total klutz, I walked straight into him and spilled my drink all over his shirt. I felt so bad, but he was so cute about it," she gushed. "We've been going out for almost ten months now!"

"Aw," Brooke cooed, "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks! He's really great. I met his family last month, actually. Sorry I didn't say anything sooner, it's just—"

"No, no. I get it! But wow, sounds like things are really heating up."

"Yeah, yeah, they are. So what's going on with you? Anything exciting in Tree Hill?"

Haley heard a soft sigh on the end of the phone, "Nope. Nothing new at all."

Don't you believe, anything you hear

When someone tells you, I still ask about you

After all these years

No matter what they say, it's just not true

I don't spend all my days and all my nights

Just missin' you

It was a few days after her phone conversation with Haley when Brooke wandered into Tric where she knew Nathan would be. As predicted, he'd been hunched over the bar, nursing a beer.

She reluctantly walked towards him, dreading the news she'd have to deliver. He was in the middle of a conversation with Chase, presumably chatting about the basketball game on the large television screen over their heads.

"Hey Davis," he nodded when he noticed her presence, "what's up?"

Brooke fiddled with her engagement ring. "Uhm, I talked to Haley the other night."

Nathan swallowed and nearly choked on his beer. The glistening sparkle in his eyes returned, as did a hopeful smile. "What did she say? Did you tell her about me?"

She almost laughed at his giddiness, "I'm sorry, Nate. She's seeing someone."

When she watched his smile sag, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Oh," was all he could say. He hated himself for even entertaining the thought of them getting back together. It was almost a lifetime ago. Of course she was seeing someone. She wasn't going to wait around forever.

"If it helps, she sounds really happy."

He simply nodded dejectedly and took another long hard sip of his beer. So this was the way it was going to be; he'd miss her for the rest of his life.

I heard it from a friend of a friend

You looked amazing in that long white gown

With flowers in your hair, barefoot in the sand

Your daddy almost broke down when he gave away your hand

"Hey."

Brooke looked up from her sketch when she heard his deep, saddened voice.

"Hey buddy, how you holdin' up?"

He ran a hand through his dark hair and she noticed the saggy skin that had carved beneath his eyes. "I've been better, I guess. How was, um, the wedding?"

It had been a long six months since Nathan had found out Haley and her boyfriend had gotten engaged. If he thought hearing she was seeing someone hurt, nothing compared to when Brooke showed him the wedding invitation.

"Honestly?"

He nodded and remained silent.

"It was beautiful. She looked amazing in her wedding dress."

Nathan smiled softly. It killed him, but he knew she must've looked like an angel. He would've done anything to be the one at the end of the aisle.

"She looked like an angel," Brooke continued, "she had these pretty little white flowers in her hair, and the weather was perfect. They got married right on the beach."

He blinked roughly, swearing he wouldn't cry but his eyes were burning with unshed tears. Haley had always gushed about having a beach wedding with all her friends and family. Back then he was only 17, and to be honest, weddings were the last thought on his mind, but he secretly hoped one day he'd be able to give her that dream wedding.

"And Mr. James was so cute. He almost broke down when he gave her away."

Nathan couldn't listen anymore. It all hurt too damn much. "I gotta go, Brooke."

But don't you believe, anything you hear

When someone tells you, I still ask about you

After all these years

No matter what they say, it's just not true

I don't spend all my days and all my nights

Just missin' you

Brooke hadn't heard from either Nathan nor Haley in several months. She felt terrible. Once upon a time they made her believe in true love. She thought for sure they'd end up together one day.

Now Nathan was devastated, and Haley, well, Brooke could only guess she was obliviously happy.

She shook her head, trying not to worry about it. It was beyond her control.

Needing a break from her work, she stood up and walked across the street to grab quick lunch at Karen's Café, but on the way, she bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry-"

The stranger looked up, but didn't move. Brooke gasped.

"Haley? What are you doing here?"

She didn't see Haley's red eyes, and instead, threw her arms around her for a hug. "It's so good to see you again!"

Haley sniffled and tried to discreetly wipe away her tears. "Hi Brooke."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm um, I've been staying with my Mom. My husband… he-he… I caught him with his secretary."

Brooke gasped again, and hugged Haley tighter. "Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she smiled softly. "I'm really happy to be home. I didn't know how much I missed it."

"It's good to have you back, tutor girl."

They then realized they were standing in the middle of the street, and laughed as a car honked loudly.

"Do you want to go in and grab some lunch?" Brooke suggested.

"This sounds crazy," Haley muttered, "but I don't think I can go in there."

Too many memories.

"Why not?"

Haley shook her head, "Is, um, is Nathan Scott still in Tree Hill?"

Brooke smirked, "as a matter of fact, he is."

Her brown eyes widened, "really? Do you still talk to him? How is he doing?"

A loud giggle tore from Brooke's throat, "I do, and he asks about you all the time."

Haley blushed, "seriously?"

"Oh yeah. That boy misses the hell out of you. He's been walking around town like a lost soul since finding out you got married."

She subconsciously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, and averted her gaze. "I've miss him too, Brooke. So much," she whispered as if revealing a terrible secret.

"I know you do."

I heard it from a friend of a friend

He didn't mean it when he took those vows

You've been stayin' with your mama, a couple weeks now

Been asking everybody about me

"Nathan!" Brooke nearly screamed into the phone.

He pulled the device away from his ear, cursing he'd gone temporarily Deaf. "What is it Brooke?"

"You'll never guess who's back in town!"

"Who—"

"HALEY JAMES!"

His heart stopped, "what?"

"She's staying with her parents. The bastard she married cheated on her. Unbelievable right? Anyway, she asked about you today. Now's your chance!"

Nathan couldn't believe it. He was still trying to let it sink in she got married, and now she's back in town, practically single…

"I- oh God. I gotta go, Brooke!"

I heard it from a friend of a friend

I heard it from a friend of a friend

He ran. He never ran faster in his life. He didn't know why he was running, but he just had to.

His feet carried him on autopilot to her parent's house. It was nearing midnight but he didn't care. His knuckles rapped ravenously against the wooden red door.

Less than a minute later, the door swung open and he was speechless. There she stood, dressed in a simple white tank top and pajama pants, and he swore he'd never seen a more beautiful sight in his entire life.

"Hi, Hales."

"Nathan," she gasped as her grip on the door handle tightened. "Hi," she breathed. God, how was it possible he had gotten sexier?

Their eyes collided wordlessly. Nothing else needed to be said. She launched forward and wrapped her arms around his neck as his hands found her hips and pulled her closer to his chest.

On instinct their lips touched, and the old flame between them ignited into a raging wildfire. They kissed until they couldn't breathe.

"I've missed you so much," Nathan whispered and leaned his forehead against hers.

She blinked, but didn't care about the stray tear cascading down her cheek. "I missed you, too."

And finally, after all these years... they were home.

. . . .

I know these stories have been about Naley not together haha, but I promise they won't all be like this! I'll find a love song and write a fluff piece soon.

I'm actually in love with how this turned out so I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I liked writing it!