A/N: Thank you so much for all the amazing reviews! I'm so glad there's interest in this story and I hope there continues to be. Here's the first chapter entering the "present,". There will be flashbacks to the past in this story, but this story is based in the present as you probably figured out! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and please, please, please review and tell me how you like it and if you have any suggestions on what should happen etc, please feel free to share them!
2010:
"This is just an ordinary day, wipe the insecurities away. I can see that the darkness will erode, looking out the corner of my eye. I can see that the sunshine will explode, far across the desert in the sky. Beautiful girl, won't you be my inspiration? Beautiful girl, don't you throw your love around. What in the world, what in the world, could ever come between us? Beautiful girl, beautiful girl, I'll never let you down, won't let you down."
"That was phenomenal, Haley!" Peyton Sawyer said proudly after recording her best friend, Haley James' newest single. "I think this one will truly due well, just like all the others. You're really talented Haley James."
"So I've been told," she smiled. She loved music, it had always been her passion and she never let anything or anyone get in the way of it. She didn't have the best upbringing therefore whenever something went wrong in her house, she always turned to music to help her out in a tough time. "So what's Brooke up to today? Usually my awesome agent/publicist is always around when I get to spend time with my awesome producer."
"Oh, apparently she had some meeting with another agent. Don't know who's though, I thought she said some basketball star. I have no idea why though, considering Brooke doesn't deal with sports, only performers and actors. A little odd, but anyway... want to grab some lunch?" Peyton asked as she reached for her brown leather coat she inherited from her late mother, Ellie. Peyton basically lived in her leather jackets and jeans, you could almost say the same thing about Haley except sometimes Haley spiced things up with fashionable pea coats or sweaters.
Haley thought about it for a moment, hoping Brooke wasn't dealing with who she thought she was, but pushed those thoughts aside as it had been at least six years since they'd been in contact with each other. "Yeah, sounds great. Take me wherever, I really don't care."
Peyton and Haley walked off towards Peyton's vintage Mercury Comet, which once belonged to her mother. Haley got in the passenger seat and did up her seat-belt, as she knew what kind of driver Peyton was. She was always terrified of Peyton's driving, but she never told her that because she was afraid of Peyton as well. Peyton could be extremely scary if you insulted her, betrayed her, or generally got on her bad side. She could be intensely moody and intimidating, something she'd always admired about Peyton as Haley didn't have as much of a fierce side as she did, as well as Brooke. The three girls were insanely different, but at the same time very much the same, which was why they were the best of friends and they always had been. They rarely fought unless it was playful banter or disagreement on music or movies, the only time they had falling outs were when Peyton and Brooke fought over a boy, but that was long over.
Haley switched on her iPhone and looked at the date, realizing what the day marked the anniversary of. "Peyt," Haley began, looking out the window, "were Nathan and I ever good together? Honestly?"
"Honestly?" Peyton said, turning on the car and starting towards her favorite cafe in Los Angeles. "Yeah, you two were great. Especially at first. Nathan was so kind, and so protective. He always was though, if anybody tried to pull anything with you whether it was bitching or hitting on you, he would be the first one to confront them if he heard. But Nathan changed Hales, and trust me, the boy never stopped loving you but Dan was too powerful. Dan overpowered him, and turned him into an evil son of a bitch."
Haley shook her head; she could understand that. Dan Scott was a bully, he bullied others for self satisfaction. He bullied Nathan, and he bullied his "illegitimate` son" Lucas too. He probably would have bullied Haley too if he wasn't such good friends with her parents. Dan Scott took pride in bullying people; it made him feel powerful and intimidating. The truth was, nobody was truly afraid of Dan Scott, everyone just got so fed up with his antics that they gave in to him, which was stupid, but if you knew Dan Scott then you'd understand.
"I know what day it is girlie," Peyton spoke softly, keeping her eyes on the road for once. "I'm here for you, okay? You know that. I love you lots, and if you need me to call Nathan up and remind him of what a jackass he is, I'll most definitely do that without any guilt or regret."
Haley chuckled, she loved her friends. "That's okay Peyton, but thanks anyway. I just want to go out for lunch, and maybe meet up with Brooke too when she's done. Maybe we could have a movie night or something, a slumber party like old times? I feel like being a teenager again."
"That sounds great, why don't you try texting Brooke and see how long her meeting's gonna last?"
Haley messaged Brooke, asking her if she wanted to meet up with her and Peyton after the meeting and approximately how long it would last. Brooke immediately texted back much to Haley's surprised.
Actually Hales, I need to meet with you now. Peyton is free to come if she would like, it's slightly business related. I forwarded you the e-mail I got with the address, please meet me there as soon as possible. -Brooke
"Uh oh," Haley sighed. "I just got a reply from Brooke, and she's in business mode. She wants us to meet her at the meeting... I'm officially scared. She didn't even say "xoxo", just simply Brooke. Dude, something's wrong here."
Peyton grabbed the phone and the car swerved a little; Haley panicked and grabbed the wheel. Peyton chuckled a little and read the text message, surprised at how formal the text was. Usually even if it was a business matter, Brooke at least said "xoxo" but this message didn't sound like Brooke Davis at all, which worried both Haley and Peyton that something was off. Peyton browsed into Haley's e-mails (they looked at each others e-mails all the time, there were definitely no secrets kept between the friends,) and checked for the address so that she knew where she was going. She recognized the address; her ex-boyfriend, Julian filmed a movie there once, a documentary specifically about the Lakers. It was where a bunch of the Lakers players agents were located... specifically one Scott Laker that Haley and Peyton were very familiar with. Peyton was nervous to take Haley there but Brooke obviously knew what she was doing, so she was sure it would be okay. She decided not to mention anything about the Lakers, even though they already knew Brooke was meeting with some sports agent.
"Maybe they want you to do some endorsement deal with someone?" Peyton suggested, wanting to keep Haley's mind off of any other possibilities. It was obvious Haley's mind hadn't gotten that far yet because she didn't seem that concerned. Yes, she seemed concerned at Brooke's behavior but she didn't look nervous, like she would be if she knew she could potentially be encountering her ex-boyfriend/love of her life. "That would be pretty cool. You've gotten to do some TV shows with some awesome people and singles and stuff, but never an endorsement deal. That would be so awesome, if you could be the cover girl for a hot fragrance line or something with some hotty."
After ten minutes, the pair finally arrived at the extravagant building and parked the car right up front so the valet could park it. They walked through the doors and were greeted by the secretary, who had fake red hair and visibly fake boobs too. Peyton didn't like her already, Haley didn't pay much attention to her since she was so used to seeing people like that in Hollywood. "Hi, can I help you with something?"
"We're here to meet with... Clay Evans, who's hosting a meeting with Brooke Davis? I'm Haley James, a client of Ms. Davis'." Haley said to the redhead. She called up to wherever Clay was, and confirmed that Haley was attending the meeting.
Rachel instructed the two where to go, and they were off from there. Haley didn't know why, but she had an odd feeling in her stomach, like something was going to happen. She didn't know why though as there was nothing to fear... or was there?
They walked in the doors, and were greeted by Brooke's dimpley smile and a crooked smile from an attractive sandy blonde, who they were assuming was Clay Evans, a sports agent. For some reason, Haley recognized the name, but she couldn't understand why. Was Clay an agent of someone she knew maybe? She didn't know many people who were into professional sports... except for one. Oh shit! She thought to herself. She couldn't understand why Brooke would betray her like that though, would she?
"Ms. James... pleasure to meet you. We're expecting our other client in a moment." Clay said smoothly, gesturing for her and Peyton to sit down next to Brooke.
Haley gulped, there was another client? "O-other client?" She stammered. "I thought this meeting was for me... B-Brooke, what's going on?"
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked a tall, raven haired, blue eyed beauty that Haley would recognize anywhere. "Clay, I thought we agreed no meetings on my day- Haley?"
XXX
"Nate," Clay greeted Nathan awkwardly, gesturing for him to sit down. Nathan was in shock, he couldn't move or speak. "I thought you weren't coming for another few minutes, we would have liked to explain things to Haley first."
"Explain what to Haley?" Haley interjected, not liking what was going on there. She sensed something was up, and she couldn't understand why Brooke would force her into a situation with Nathan Scott. Haley shot Brooke a glare, and Brooke looked down in shame and guilt. "I'm right here. Anybody care to explain what the fuck is going on here? Brooke?"
In his head, Nathan was smiling. Haley James was still the beautiful, kind, outgoing, outspoken girl she'd always been. Her long brunette hair was pulled into a side ponytail and she wore a simple pair of jeans and a fashionable top with a leather jacket, she would always be beautiful no matter what she wore. Nathan felt that pang of guilt and regret after seeing her face again though, remembering all the pain he caused her because of his stupidity and Carrie's sluttiness. Over the seven years they hadn't seen each other, Nathan had changed a lot. He wasn't that playboy everyone knew him as, he was into charity work and being a "good guy". Part of that was to hopefully get the word to Haley but he also felt like he had a lot to make up for, plus it was for good causes. He'd had some girlfriends but nothing steady, nobody could ever replace Haley James.
"Yeah man," Nathan spoke up, hoping his voice didn't crack. "I'd really like to know what's going on here. Not that I mind meeting with Haley, but this is all really weird considering we do two different things. Basketball and music are quite different, you know."
"Exactly," Clay grinned, "and that is why you two are here today."
"I'm still confused asshole," Haley didn't mind calling him any foul words considering she still didn't know what was going on and she was still pissed off as hell. "Brooke, care to elaborate a little bit, maybe?"
Brooke looked nervous, more nervous than she'd ever seen her. She also looked incredibly ashamed; Haley's heart began to race, afraid of what news might come. "W-well, Clay and I, well we m-met the other night and s-started talking about our clients."
Clay cut in to save Brooke. "We started talking about how our clients, cough Nathan and Haley cough, have boring personal lives. Sure we see them out in the clubs with their girls and boys, but nothing like boyfriends or girlfriends. That's boring! SO, we talked and decided it would be awesome for not only us, but your images, to... get married!"
Haley burst out laughing, she was laughing hysterically. Nathan stared at her in shock, and Peyton wanted to punch Clay and slap Brooke. Peyton couldn't understand why Brooke would do that to Haley, after everything they'd gone through and all the pain Haley got that was caused by Nathan's mistakes. "This is a fucking joke right? You guys are so hilarious!"
"With all due respect," Nathan began. "I personally love this idea but I know Haley is anything but for it, and I think for personal reasons that we don't need to discuss that this plan won't work. Alright?"
"No man, I'm sorry. We've already talked about it with everyone; the coach, publicists, magazines, the story is ready. You two will be an item for about a month, and then suddenly get engaged. Then you'll proceed to get married about half a month later, probably somewhere like Mexico or something. Then you two will be married! How cool is that?" Clay said. "You two are so perf-"
Clay was cut off by Peyton's fist connecting with his face. "OUCH!" He screamed, she had a hard hand. Peyton had heard enough, this whole plan was bullshit. She was so pissed off with Brooke especially, but she would have to deal with her later. She could tell Brooke felt bad but there were no excuses for what was happening there.
"Don't even go there, dumbshit." Peyton warned, going back and sitting on the black leather couch beside Haley. "It'll all be okay, girlie."
Haley didn't want to believe it was happening, but apparently it was. Apparently there was no say in it, either. Why was Hollywood so ridiculous?
XXX
Peyton was staying behind to talk to Brooke, but when the meeting was done Haley rushed out to Peyton's Comet. She was fighting back the tears that so desperately wanted to escape. She didn't know what to do; was she really supposed to marry the man that broke her heart seven years ago? That put her in pain and misery for years; she was still in pain every time she saw him in a magazine, and especially seeing him face to face that day. She continued to rush to the car, it felt like even though she was almost running it was taking forever. "Damn it, Peyton. Why couldn't we have just parked the car ourselves?"
"Haley!" She heard Nathan call from behind him. He was the last person she really wanted to talk to right now, since apparently she would be spending the rest of her life with him. Unless there was some big divorce involved, too. "Hales, please wait-"
"Don't call me Hales, Nathan." She warned him, turning around to face him. "You do not get to call me Hales anymore. After all that shit you put me through, we're not friends, we're not buddies, all we are are fake husband and wife and that's all we'll ever be. I hope you understand this, Nathan. If I had my choice I'd run away so far right now, I want to go to Europe right now and hide out. But we both know with Brooke Davis that won't be happening."
She felt bad, she couldn't help it though. She could have said so much worse to him but she refrained.
"Haley," Nathan said, following after her as she continued to the car. "I'm really sorry, okay? Do you know how awful I've felt these past seven years, filled with guilt and regret? Probably as awful as the pain you felt, and don't cut me off and tell me it's not the same because it is. NOTHING happened between Carrie and I, alright? I went upstairs to get my coat because you didn't show up at the party after I wanted to apologize to you in front of everyone, and Carrie was waiting there... naked. It was disturbing, really. I asked her to put some clothes on while I waited outside so I could get my coat, but as I was walking to the door I guess she heard footsteps and jumped on me. Hales, I know how ridiculous this sounds but nothing happened, I swear. I love you. I still love you Haley, after seven years."
Haley took a deep breath, she didn't know what to say to all this.
"And I know how stupid I was that day, okay? You didn't deserve any of those arrogant words I spoke to you. Your music? I knew how important that was to you and even though you never let me see you perform, I knew you were talented, I could tell by how much passion you shared for music. You weren't being "PMS" in the least bit, I was being a horny jackass and I should have listened to you more, talked to you more, showed you how much I cared." Nathan took a deep breath before continuing. "Haley, I always loved you, there was never a moment in our relationship where I stopped. I let pride and Dan get in the way though, and I started to change okay? I always loved you, and I was always faithful to you. There was never a minute where I imagined myself with anybody else. I love you."
They were at Peyton's car now, and Haley couldn't breathe. "This is too much." She said, getting into Peyton's convertible and driving off. She knew she should have waited for Peyton but as she was driving, she texted Peyton and told her to let her know when she was done with Brooke so she could pick her up.
It was all too much.