Sorry I haven't updated in a while but my Grandma has been in the hospital for nearly a month. I finally found the time to update hope you all enjoy. This one is good and long. Feedback is always appreciated.

"Is that?" a somewhat confused and terrified look came across his face

"Yes and I don't think it's a good idea for you to barge in here with your girlfriend in tow."

"Ok but you know how Deb isn't too fond of Rachel?"

"Yeah, when you say not to fond you mean hate, right?"

"Yeah, well she won't allow Rachel to stay in her house."

"Ok but what does that have to do with me?... Oh god no Nathan she is not staying here."

"Karen come on? What happened to your whole everyone is welcome in my house speech you made to me on the phone the other day?"

"Normally I would let her stay but with you know what here I think it would be a bad idea. I mean they hated each other in high school and she doesn't even know you two are dating."

"Wait she is staying with you?"

"Yeah!"

"I thought she would be staying with Brooke I just assumed she was visiting you and your right there is no way." he turns to Rachel and Karen closes the door and retreats inside

"Nathan what's wrong?"

"Nothing but you can't stay at Karen's so you will have to stay at your parents."

"No way and why can't I?"

"Well because Karen has other people staying there and there is no more room."

"Look I don't care if I have to sleep on the floor I will, I don't want to have to see my parents and who is in there anyway?"

"Oh I 'm not sure Karen just said she was full." Nathan gives Rachel a little push and both of them turn around and walk back to the car.

Back Inside Karen's

"Hey Karen, who was that?" Haley said as she turned around in her chair

"Oh no one."

"They didn't seem like no one you talked to whom ever it was for quite a long time."

"Alright you caught me it was one of those religious door to door people trying to sell me stuff and they have been around a lot lately so I gave them a piece of my mind." giving a sigh of relief

"Oh well I would have done the same."

"So Haley, how have you been, no one has heard from you since you left town after graduation."

"Oh you know college it's a busy time in ones life."

"So it's going well I gather?"

"Yeah I mean it's my dream you know 'Stanford University' I've wanted to there my entire life."

"I guess so but are you happy?"

"Of course school is great."

"No I don't mean school I mean how is your life?"

"Well umm same old same old I guess."

"Ok you have really painted me a picture, seriously any new man in your life?"

"No"

"Oh"

"Yeah I was just recently dumped."

"Oh I'm sorry honey."

"Yeah it's ok."

"Hey it's his loss, but if you don't mind me asking what happened?"

"Oh you know I said no sex then the next week he tells me we are drifting and dumps me."

"Oh I'm sorry."

Haley and Karen continue to talk for hours about what life in tree hill has been like since Haley left and the new addition to the family. As many times as Karen tired to get information out of Haley, Haley tried even harder to change the subject until Karen finally gave in and both went off to bed.

The next morning when Haley got up she went straight to the kitchen for a cup of coffee but someone was standing right in front of the pot.

"Oh god I would know that terrible blond hair anywhere." the person turned around and sure enough it was Lucas Scott. She ran over and threw her arms around him.

"Oh Haley it's been far too long."

"Lucas I can't believe it's been three years. How have you been man?"

"Pretty good and you?"

"Oh you know same old same old?"

"So anyone new in your life."

"Nope I'm flying solo and you?"

"Well no one new."

"What about someone old?"

"Well oh you'll find out later."

"Oh come on tell me now."

"Nope everyone is meeting at Tric in about two hours, I'll tell you then."

"Alright."

"Ok well I got to I have a few more things to do before everyone arrives."

"Wait when you say everyone who do you mean?"

"You'll find out."

Lucas leaves and Haley returns to the job of getting her morning coffee. After a breakfast of Cap'in Crunch and toast and reading the latest issue of 'Newsweek', Haley cleans her plates and returns to Lucas' room. She gathers some things, takes a half hour long shower, and begins to get dressed. For some strange reason Haley is overcome with the urge to impress all her high school friends. She picks out a gorgeous red, velvet Graham & Spencer dress and ascents it with a long necklace. She puts on some peach lip gloss and doesn't even bother to look in the mirror.

A while later Karen, Haley, and little Kyla pack into the car and drive to Tric.

As Haley walks through the door she begins to take in her surroundings and suddenly her attention is overdid to the stage and a whole slew of memories begins flooding back.

Flashback

Don't think. Just play.

(Haley closes her eyes and starts playing on the keyboard.)

It's October again,
Leaves are coming down,
One more year's come and… gone, (Opens her eyes.)
And nothing's changed at all,
Wasn't I,
Supposed to be someone
To face the things that I've been running from,
Let me feel, (Everyone has stopped to listen.)
I don't care if I break down,
Let me fall,
Even if I hit the ground,
And if I,

Cry a little,

Die a little,

(Nathan stands against a pillar and stares at her from the crowd and smiles.)

At least I know I lived,
Just a little
I've become much too good,
At being evincible,
I'm an expert,
I play it safe and keep it cool
But I swear
This isn't who I'm meant to be,
I refuse to let my life roll over me,
Let me feel,
I don't care if I break down,
Let me fall,
Even if I hit the ground,
And if I,
Cry a little,
Die a little,
At least I know I've lived
Just a little,
I wanna be somebody,
Who can face the things that I've been running from
Let me feel,
I don't care if I break down, (Jules smiles.)
Even if I hit the ground,
And if I,

Cry a little,

Die a little,

At least I know I lived…

It's October again,

Leaves are coming down,

One more year's come and gone,

And nothing's changed at all.

End of Flashback

Her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She turns around.

"Oh my god Brooke I've missed you." they hug

"Oh tutor girl I've missed you too."

"How has life been treating you?"

"Oh same old same old and you?"

"Pretty good actually, so got anyone in your life?"

"Nope single and loving it."

"That's good I guess."

"You know with the work load at college it's hard."

"Hey you never told anyone were you ended up going to college, I mean you talked about going to be with you parents but never told anyone the finale decision."

"Oh yeah umm I've been at Stanford."

"Oh that's great, that's where you wanted to go right?"

"Yeah, so who else is coming?"

"Well Lucas, Karen, Kyla, and Peyton are already here."

"So that's everyone right?"

"No" Brooke stops mid sentence and turns her attention to the door ad someone else is entering.

"Hey Brooke, isn't that Rachel?"

"Yeah I don't remember inviting her."

"Well how did she know about it then?"

"My guess is her boyfriend brought her."

Rachel begins to make her way towards Brooke and Haley.

"Hey girls it's been a while hasn't it?"

Both girls give her a confused and slightly taken back look but Haley extends her hand.

"Yes it has, so Brooke tells me you came with you boyfriend, who is the lucky guy?"

Rachel turns around when she hears the door beings opened. Haley turns around in the opposite direction as the door to watch Kyla and Lucas attempt to dance. She hears someone approach but doesn't bother to turn around.

As Nathan begins to make his way over to his girlfriend he sees Brooke and another women talking but all he can see from the other women is the back of her head. Finally he reaches Rachel and puts his arm around her shoulder.

Then Rachel taps her shoulder.

"Haley meet boyfriend."

Haley turns around to greet whatever rich, buff, air headed, jock Rachel has picked up this time but is suddenly stunned.

As her body turns Nathan suddenly realizes who this mystery woman is and loses all the breath in his body. His hands begin to sweat and his heart starts to race. As she faces him both look at one another. Haley looks beautiful as always and Nathan looks a handsome as Haley remembers.

Just like Nathan, Haley's hands begin to sweat and her heart starts to race. There is silence but there is nothing awkward about it. To the two of them the entire room has emptied and they are the only two in the room. No words are spoken and their incredible gaze remains until the silence is broken.

"So it's been a long time." Nathan manages to stutter out

"Yes it has." Haley replies trying to stetting her heart and keep the urge she has to just throw herself in his arms contained.