Quote of the Day:

Timmy Turner: Dogs have great sense of smell, they can see in black and white, and they can go to the bathroom any where they want.
Cosmo: So can I, I'm just polite.

Chapter Twelve –Suddenly Everything Has Changed

Being in the studio had been everything she dreamed of and more. In fact, she had woken up early this morning from her restless night of sleep. She didn't know if it was because she was so excited or because of him, but whatever it was she couldn't sleep. She had been waiting outside when Peyton arrived.

They had jumped right into things. She always kept a notebook around her and it was a good thing. Over the years she had acquired quite a few songs. Three whole notebooks to be exact. Some of them were long, some short, and some just the right length. Anytime that she had felt the urge to write she did and she was grateful that she did. Now, it made this recording process a little easier. It also helped being friends with your producer/boss.

Peyton had been thrilled when she showed her the three notebooks worth of songs. The blonde looked like she was on cloud nine as she went through them.

It was a little hard to let her see them, but only because that first notebook had been filled right after she left Tree Hill. Her first few months in Dallas had been spent in her room and she had gotten a lot of writing done. When you had no one to talk to and you didn't know anyone that would happen. She knew it was the product of a broken heart but that didn't matter now. Those songs had been so real and filled with her pain. Maybe, that's why Peyton still had that notebook in her hands.

She eyed the blonde suspiciously.

Peyton still held the blue spiral notebook tight in her hands as she flipped through the pages. Only now she wasn't smiling anymore. Her face was soft…and in pain. The thought that Peyton didn't like her songs had her heart pounding. It was really hard trusting people and maybe showing Peyton something so personal wasn't a good idea.

She went to open her mouth to say something but Peyton was smiling again. Her eyes were still on the pages like she was reading an interesting novel. It was enough to drive her crazy. What did Peyton think? She really wanted to know. How long had it been since Peyton started looking at them?

Deciding not to interrupt, she lifted her guitar and strummed a few chords. The sound made her smile and she did it again. She played the first song that Brad had taught her when she was younger. It was easy remembering it but only because he had made it so fun to learn. He had been so goofy about it.

She had always loved music. Even when she was little and when something was on the radio she was always singing along with it. Her mother used to laugh loudly before turning it up and joining her. She had loved that when she was a kid. It was like their thing. It was even better when one of her sister's was riding along with them.

Singing had always been something that she dreamed about.

It was like this crazy out of this world dream that you know is never going to come true. The Rivercourt guys had always made fun of her and called her tone deaf when they hung out. That definitely made her afraid to sing in front of people. Still her dream didn't die. Like all dreams, it stayed with her. It didn't matter that it was years later when she felt enthralled by it. That had a lot to do with Chris. Something about him just made her want to go for it. It made her actually believe that she could do this for a living.

He was the reason she fell in love with music.

When he played something real that he wrote, it had been like nothing she had experienced before. The butterflies, her pounding heart –all of the things she hadn't felt in years –it was all from the music, not from him. She knew that now. She had loved Chris Keller but she was never in love with him. She knew the difference now. It would have been a huge mistake to marry him.

She was glad that she didn't.

It would have been wrong for both of them. Chris had been right to take off like he did. She'd have done the same if he hadn't of done it first. She couldn't be mad at him for that. And she wasn't mad anymore. Not at him. Only at herself. She shouldn't have let things get that far between them.

She knew now that the only thing they shared was their connection to music. It's why she loved him. It was the only reason why. Chris made her realize her dreams and made her want to go for it. She wanted this now more than anything. She would always be grateful to him for that. At least, he had given her that.

Sitting in this room, on this comfortable sofa, she felt happy.

Most of that had to do with Lucas.

Her Lucas.

Since Friday night things had been good between them. Things had been great actually. She had her bestfriend back. Playing mini golf on the rooftop of the café with him had healed something inside of her. She realized that Lucas had never changed. He was still the good fun loving guy he had always been. He was still her guy. He always had been.

She knew one thing. She'd never doubt their friendship again. Running away from Lucas and their friendship had been a huge mistake. She knew that now. She still would have left. Nothing could have changed that. But if things had been different between them then she would have kept in touch. It was for the same reason why she ran back here now. She needed him too much to just give him up forever over something so stupid.

He had fallen in love. Was that a crime?

What he did to Brooke was wrong and he knew that. But still, Brooke was ok with it now. She didn't love Lucas like she thought she did. They had all been young and stupid back then. People make mistakes. It happens.

She would always feel bad for Brooke. That tear in her heart would always be there. Watching Lucas Scott, the best guy in the world, fall from grace would always stay with her. It changed the way she saw him but it never changed the way she felt about him. She would always love Lucas. He was a part of her. He always would be.

Finding out about his heart had been hard. She never even considered or imagined something like that happening to someone so good. Lucas was good. He was an all around good person. He had an amazing heart…except that physically it was bad. She didn't get it.

After she had gotten home that night, the first thing she did was look up HCM. She had learned everything that there was to know about his heart condition. After she had been so relieved that he was on his medication. She read that some players just pass out on the basketball court and die. How many games had he played without knowing?

She shuttered at the thought.

She didn't have to worry about that though. Lucas was healthy and on his medication. He had a lot to live for now, like his family, his wife and two beautiful children that adored him. He wouldn't risk that. She knew he would never risk that.

Saturday had been so interesting. They had all gone to the beach together. It had been nice to see them in that kind of setting. She had watched carefully the way everyone acted around each other. All she noticed was how they all were a real family –Brooke and her family and Lucas and his –all one big happy family. It had been a little weird at first but she was over it.

Bonding with the kids had been great. Hayden was a little mini Lucas and she loved him already. Brennan was so shy and sweet. It was adorable how much he looked up to Julian. The guy was like a superhero to him. No matter what it was he always made sure that his father knew and approved of what he was doing. Jordan was just…bold like Brooke had said. He had totally embarrassed her in front of everyone once she pulled off her shirt and revealed her bikini. He had called her hot again and pointed before asking his daddy if he agreed. Luckily Julian had been such a gentlemen about it and changed the subject. She was pretty sure her cheeks stayed red for over five minutes.

Brooke had got a kick out of that.

The bubbly brunette had loved it in fact. She had made fun of her the rest of the day.

But still it didn't matter because being around all of them something just clicked. It had been fun to talk with Peyton and Brooke, it was fun getting to know Julian and Samantha, it was fun playing around with the kids, and it was even better hanging around with Lucas. The whole day had been fun.

When Lucas invited her over for Sunday night dinner she had been happy to accept. It meant more time that she got to spend getting to know them again. It had been another great day. That was until…he showed up.

That part hadn't even been bad. In fact, she knew the day before when Lucas asked her to join them that he would be there. He wouldn't just stay away now that she was hanging around his family and friends. And she didn't expect him to. She had meant what she told him last night. She had wanted them to get along. She didn't want to fight.

It had been hard Saturday at the beach without him there for everyone else. It had hurt to hear Anna asking for her Nathan and not have him there for her. It had also been hard to hear the boys asking about him so that they could play something fun. He should have been there, she knew that. It only made it worse that he wasn't there because of her –because he was trying to stay away from her like she wanted. She didn't want him to stay away from his family. In fact, she never wanted that. They loved Nathan. All of them did.

She was happy that he had something like that.

She didn't want to think about their…disagreement. She didn't want to think about his words or his promises. She didn't want to think about him at all. Easier said than done.

After he had forced himself on her and then left her alone, she had gone back out to the house, thankful for the long walk to clear her head. She had sat at the table and talked and laughed and more importantly, ignored him. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. He had been wrong when he assumed that she would think about him at all. At least she wanted him to be wrong. That wasn't the case. He had been right.

She had thought about him all during dinner, dessert, and the movie they all watched. His hands, his mouth…she couldn't not think about him. She had been so grateful to get out of that house that she practically ran home. It didn't help matters. Lying in bed, all she thought about was him. In fact, she tossed and turned all night with dreams of him. Jerk, she thought angrily. Kissing her like that. Who the hell did he think he was?

Her fingers were still strumming the strings when she heard Peyton sniffling.

Peyton was still sitting at her desk with the notebook still in her hands. Haley instantly noticed the slow tears rolling down her cheeks and she sat there frozen for a few seconds. She moved the guitar off of her lap and placed it back into its case before sitting at the edge of her seat and glancing at Peyton again.

"Peyton," Haley muttered nervously. "Is everything ok?"

Peyton looked up surprised before nodding and smiling halfheartedly. "Don't mind me."

"But you're crying," Haley pointed out.

"Am I?" Peyton asked moving her hand to her face and wiping the tears away with one hand. Once she was done she started smiling again. "I'm sorry about that. This is all so…so real."

"You like them?" Haley asked timidly.

Peyton looked at her in disbelief. "I love them."

"Oh," Haley sighed before relaxing. "Then why…why are you crying?"

"Your lyrics are beautiful," Peyton told her while holding up the notebook. "Your emotions are so vivid and real…and I feel like I know you more somehow. The amount of emotions you put into each of these songs is just astonishing. I could feel what you must have felt while writing them. This is amazing, Haley. You are so talented. You should have been doing this a long time ago…since you started writing."

She knew instantly what Peyton meant. Before each song started she would write down the date, where she was, and what made her write it. It was all really personal when she thought about it. She smiled sheepishly.

"You like it," Haley breathed.

Peyton chuckled softly. "You're amazing and this record and the ones that follow are going to be amazing!"

"You think so?" Haley asked nervously.

"I do," Peyton nodded. "Which one do you want to record first?"

"Well, what do you think?" Peyton's opinion really mattered because she cared about what Peyton thought. She really wanted Peyton's help with all these decisions. This was Peyton's career, too. This was for both of them. She was happy that she had someone to share this with. Peyton loved music just as much as she did. It felt nice.

"Where do we start?" Peyton laughed before flipping through the notebook in her hands.

Her cell phone started ringing then and she quickly searched in her purse for it. It was seconds later when she got a hold of it and she placed it to her ear.

"Hello…oh hi…I'm good. Yeah, I'm glad you called…yeah, that sounds cool…I'm being serious. My answer is yes…yeah, I know where it is. I'll see you then…ok then…bye." She hung up the phone and noticed Peyton staring at her.

"And who might that have been?"

"No one," Haley muttered embarrassed. "It was no one." Her eyes stayed glued to Peyton's hoping that she would just let it go. She didn't need to get into this right now. It seemed that Peyton wasn't going to press the issue. She sighed gratefully.

"Ok," Peyton smiled wearily. "I found one I really like."

~***~

It was late as she sat in Olivia's office talking again. The whole day with Peyton had been great and already they had one song recorded. Peyton had loved it which was great because she loved it as well.

Now she was telling Olivia how she had made up with Lucas and how her week had been. It wasn't so hard talking to her now. Things were just going great.

"So you've forgiven him?"

"Yes."

"And do you feel better?"

"Yes," Haley nodded. "I feel happy that I have my bestfriend back. It feels like this huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders…and my heart feels better, too."

Olivia smiled. "That's good."

"It feels good," Haley agreed.

"So what are you two now?"

"We're working on being us again. It's going to take some time, we both know that. We've changed. We're not the same kids that we used to be. But Lucas is still…well, Lucas and I'm happy that I realized that. I've missed him very much."

"You seem better," Olivia noted.

"Yep," Haley smiled. "Things are going great with Lucas. I'm falling in love with his kids. His little girl is just…adorable and I love her so much. His wife is helping me with my music career and we actually recorded a song today. Things are going great with them."

"Good."

"And things are developing with Brooke. We're sort of friends now, if you can believe that." Haley laughed.

"Brooke?"

"The girl that Lucas was dating in high school," Haley explained. "Its weird but they're all friends now…it's like they got past all that stuff. Brooke's happily married to this really great guy that just adores her. They have three awesome children that are just funny like you wouldn't believe."

"That's good news," Olivia smiled. "Connecting with the people from your past is a good thing."

"Brooke's great," Haley added. "I love spending time with her and I love talking to her. It's always been hard for me to say what I'm really feeling but around her it just all comes out. My walls completely fall away and I want to tell her everything…I suddenly find myself feeling very connected to her."

"What brought his on?"

"I don't really know," Haley shrugged. "I went out after our session last week and they all showed up. Peyton had told me the good news about signing me to her label and we sort of all celebrated together. Brooke was just so nice…and different. I didn't really have any ties to her before so it's not like I really knew her, but she was just so nice to me that night. The next day I just wanted to say thank you and we started talking. We're friends now. She's really amazing. I totally misjudged her."

"What about Nathan? How are things with Nathan?"

She shook her head before looking down nervously. "Not so good. I want to forgive him…I just…I can't seem to. I don't know how."

"How is it that you've forgive Lucas but you can't Nathan?" Olivia wondered.

She felt her heart start to pound in her chest. She had been asking herself that same question. "Because I wasn't in love with Lucas and he didn't break my heart, Nathan did." It was the only thing that she could come up with. She hated the tension she had with Nathan. She didn't want to feel the way that she did, but somehow she just couldn't let it go.

"Have you talked to him?"

"A little," Haley muttered looking up. "He mostly did the talking."

Olivia wrote something down in her folder before looking back up. "What did he talk about exactly?"

"Just stuff," Haley muttered nervously. "He said he was sorry for everything and that I took it the wrong way. He said that…he said that we weren't a game...that it was real between us and that he was in love...with me."

"Did you believe him?"

"I wanted to believe him," Haley answered honestly. "A part of me wanted that but I don't. How can I believe him after he hurt me so badly?"

"What if it was all a misunderstanding? What if it really wasn't a game? Maybe, it wasn't all Nathan's fault. Maybe, you're blaming everything on him because you're angry with yourself."

"I don't know," Haley muttered.

"That's the question, isn't it? What if you ran away for nothing? Your feelings for him were real, what if his were really real, too?"

Don't even get me started, lady, she thought acidly. This was all she had been thinking about lately. It was making her head spin. What if it all had been one stupid misunderstanding? She cringed at the thought.

"It's like I'm afraid to be around him," Haley murmured absentmindedly. "I don't know how to be around him anymore. It's like everyone is slowly pulling down my walls as I get to know them better but as soon as he's around they come flying back up and that shield around my heart won't listen to a word he has to say, you know. It's like my body is automatically protecting itself from him."

"Tell me what it was like for you? What was it like leaving Tree Hill?"

Her heart thudded loudly in her chest. The memory of it was all too real as she thought back to that painful time. The anguish of it. It was something that she never wanted to go through again. She would never give him the power to hurt her like that again. She wouldn't survive it.

"It was like the end of the world," Haley whispered simply.

"That's how you felt?"

"The end of my world," Haley corrected. "I'd never felt so lost or alone in my entire life. I was hurt because I missed Lucas and I needed him and he wasn't there. I had missed my parents so much that it made the pain worse. I missed home and the people. I wanted to go back but I couldn't bring myself to do it. But even in all that pain I knew I couldn't come back. I knew I couldn't see his face again. He haunted my dreams at night for months after I was gone. The thought that I wasn't enough for him…was pure anguish."

"Sounds painful," Olivia observed.

"I couldn't sleep," Haley added before Olivia could say more. "I couldn't think straight. It felt like someone had ripped out my heart and they never really put it back, you know. It's just been gone all these years. I know it sounds crazy but I finally feel like I have that part of me back. For the first time in a long time I feel like me again."

"It sounds like he meant a lot to you."

"I was in love with him," Haley whispered shyly. "It was hard to get over that."

"But you did," Olivia pointed out.

She nodded. "Yeah. I just got tired of just being there, you know. My family was freaking out and I tried my best to act like I was fine but a broken heart never lies, right? I just woke up one day and I made myself not think about him. It got easier to live with the pain over time. It just became a part of me, you know."

"Of course it did," Olivia nodded. "Heartbreak is not pleasant."

Pleasant would have been nice, she thought. Hell, bearable would have been nice compared to what I felt.

"Since I'm trying to let go of my anger and move on," Haley started. "I asked Nathan if he wanted to be friends. I just figured that it would be easier for the both of us. I know it would be easier for everyone else. Nathan's a part of their family and I'm coming back into their lives…we should get along to make things easier. I thought it was a good idea."

"What did Nathan think of this?"

What didn't he think?

"He hated it," Haley answered as best she could. "He refused right away. He said we've never been friends and that we never would be. He wouldn't even consider it."

"Did he tell you why?" Olivia asked patiently.

She sighed. "He says that we…that we belong together." She shook her head and glanced away from Olivia's curious eyes. It was enough that her life was now an open book. She didn't need this lady watching her every move.

"I see," Olivia nodded.

"I don't get it," Haley continued. "It's been over nine years…but it's still there. I can see that." Feel it to, she thought. "After all this time I can't deny that a small weak part of me still wants him."

"Understandably," Olivia smiled.

"I just don't trust him," Haley muttered. "This is all happening so fast. One minute I'm thinking one thing and then the next he's telling me what a big misunderstanding this has all been and he's telling me that he wants us to be together. What am I supposed to do with that? Am I supposed to pretend like the last nine years hasn't happened?"

"I don't know."

"I can't just forget about what he did. It cost me too much pain –pain that's still there. Even if it wasn't a game, we still started off that way. And I'll always wonder what was real and what wasn't. Every second that we spent together is tainted. All those memories that used to mean so much to me…just gone. How can I just forget that?"

"I suppose you can't," Olivia mumbled.

She took a deep breath. "Yeah, well."

"Are as anxious to leave as before?" Olivia questioned.

She thought about it for a minute. Things were certainly different from a week ago. She had every intention of coming back and then moving right along. She didn't think that things would be better with Lucas. She didn't think that it would at least be bearable to be in the same room as Nathan, and she didn't think that she would care so much, but she did. Things were…complicated.

"Not anxious," Haley answered hesitantly. "I'm excited about getting my music career started. It's sort of why I came back…just part of the reason I came back. I don't really know where that'll take me. I suppose I won't be here long. I guess it'll be harder than I thought. When I first got here I couldn't wait to leave, but now…"

"Now…?"

"I didn't expect to feel like this," Haley shrugged. "I don't know what to make of it."

"I don't understand."

"I just…this feels right…being here. I can't explain it. I know it's only been a week but Tree Hill is starting to feel like home again and I find myself happy when I'm around Lucas and his family or Brooke and her family. It fits."

"What about when you do have to leave? What if your music career takes you away soon? How will you feel about that now that you have these new ties to these people?"

"I honestly don't know," Haley answered truthfully. "I know that this time will be different. I need Lucas in my life. I realize that now and I can't live without him again. Like I said before Brooke is really starting to grow on me and Peyton's great as well. I can't see just walking away from them again. And there are the kids, too. I want to be a part of their lives."

"Would you call yourself attacked to them?"

Of course, she thought. "Yeah, I am. I didn't have any intention about caring about these people but I do. I always find a way to surprise myself. I was so worried that coming back was the wrong move for me that I was pissed off at the world. But it wasn't. This feels right…I fit in here more than I've ever fit in anywhere else. I don't want to run away from that."

That confession surprised her. Not wanting to run? Who would have thought? As much as it startled her, she knew that this was true. She wasn't staying in Tree Hill but she also wasn't going to run away from it either. There would always be the option to come back and visit. It would always be there. She would never close that door again. She learned her lesson.

All running did was let her miss so much of everyone's lives. She'd never get that time back and she would never make that same mistake twice. She knew better now.

"I think that's good," Olivia smiled. "Has it only been a week since our first session?"

She laughed. "I know, right. I just…things are so much clearer not that I'm letting go of everything that was holding me back before. Where did all that stuff get me? Nowhere. I can't believe that I held onto it for so long. I feel like I'm seeing things differently now."

"I can tell," Olivia nodded. "A lot of improvements in such a short time."

"I still have a lot of bagged," Haley laughed. "Don't give up on me yet. I still need you."

"I want to try something out, if that's ok with you," Olivia said tossing the folder onto her desk before glancing back at Haley.

"Sure," Haley nodded.

"I want you to close your eyes and clear your mind. Don't think of anything, just relax," Olivia instructed. "Now, go to the first place you think of."

Haley took a deep breath and closed her eyes before pushing everything out of her mind. She relaxed her body and sat there peacefully as she waited for Olivia to continue. It was minutes later when she heard the older woman's voice again.

"Ok, now tell me where you are?"

Slowly she could feel the darkness surrounding her brighten up. Instantly she knew where she was. "I'm in the Tutor Center."

"Good. Now, tell me, Haley. Are you alone? Is someone there with you?"

"He's sitting right next to me...Nathan." She could see him now.

"Ok, now explain to me what he's doing there? What's happening?"

"I'm grading one of his practice exams and he's supposed to be doing some homework but he's not."

"What is he doing?"

"He's pretending. He doesn't think that I know but I can see him looking at me every few seconds. He hasn't written anything down since he pulled out his notebook. He's just watching me."

"Why is he watching you?"

"I don't know," Haley answered. "But he's smiling. I can't concentrate on his exam. I haven't even made it past problem two yet. I keep on wondering why he's looking at me like that. It's making me anxious."

"What are you feeling?"

"Butterflies. I can feel them all over me and they won't stop...it's only making me more nervous. Why is he looking at me like that? I want to ask him but I'm to afraid of what he'll say. My heart his pounding out of my chest and I'm wondering if he can hear it and then I start to blush and I notice his smile widen. He knows that I see him."

"Tell me what's happening now?"

"He has his elbow propped up with his head resting on his hand as he watches me. He has this strange look in his eyes and I'm trying to so hard to grade his exam but I can't focus with him looking at me like that. That's when I feel his hand take hold of mine. I look directly at him and he's still smiling as he pulls my hand towards him. Then he places it over his heart and I blush because I know that he heard mine and it's embarrassing. But I can't really focus on that because his heart is hammering in his chest and I can feel it."

"Does he say anything?"

"No, he doesn't say anything he's still smiling at me."

"Tell me, Haley. Why are you remembering this moment?"

"Because this is when I knew I was in love with him."

Olivia nodded as they continued talking. Haley didn't know how long she stayed but she knew it was well over the hour that she was supposed to. When she finally left, it was dark outside. She wrapped her jacket tight around her body was she walked down Main Street. She walked slowly taking in the lit up street as she made it pass each business. She took in the town again, something that she hadn't done since she'd gotten back.

Everything was the same but different. Somehow each building changed over time and yet it all seemed the same. Only a few new businesses caught her by surprise. Once the downtown glow of the small city lights faded she felt herself being pulled in a certain direction. She kept herself moving towards it.

When she finally reached the docks her heart started pounding like a drum. With each step the pull felt tighter and tighter until she noticed the table in her view.

She stopped walking then and just stood there thankful that no one else was in sight to see her if she had a break down. She didn't want anyone seeing that. It was somehow harder to breathe and her breaths were coming out in frantic pants. She didn't know what the hell was wrong with her. It was nostalgic.

This is where it started.

She could see it right before her. It was like the table was calling for her. She hesitated before finally caving and walking closer. She reached it minutes later and stood right in front of it. A flash of that first morning together rushed through her mind and was gone a second later.

Don't say I never gave you anything.

Like always the words hit her hard and her body trembled as she heard his voice in her head. She could see it clearly now as he slipped that cheap colorful crackerjack bracelet onto her wrist –she could feel the spark on her skin were his fingers touched her –she could feel it all happening again.

How many times had she dreamt that first morning with him over? So many times it had popped in her dreams and she was too far gone to push it away. Each morning she woke up with this same thing on her mind.

Had that been real or was it all part of the plan?

She didn't know. How could something, that was once important to her, not be real? How could any of those wonderful memories be real when he was just using her in some game? How? How could he?

She could feel the anger swelling inside of her with each menacing thought. How could he ruin all of her beautiful memories? Why couldn't he have just kept his mouth shut? Why did he have to tell her that he had only gone after her to piss of Lucas? Why did he ruin it? Why did you run, a voice whispered in her head.

"Sorry I'm late."

The cool cheerful voice came from behind her and she quickly turned. She instantly smiled as she felt her heart returning back to normal. The cool wind picked up a little as she eyed the two ice cream cones in his hands.

"Chase," Haley greeted.

He smiled before holding out his hand. "Chocolate just like I promised."

"Thank you," Haley mumbled while taking it. She took in the sight of the man before her. He looked so different from the boy she remembered back in high school. He had been a senior when she was a freshman. He had also been one of Taylor's friends. She had tutored him for a while before he finally got his grades under control. Then he graduated and left town like everyone else.

She hadn't seen or heard from him since. She had recognized him on the beach Saturday running down the shore with his dog Milo. She had been so happy to see him that when he asked for her number she couldn't say no.

He looked good. Better than she remembered. He was a little taller, lean, and muscular. His hair was just as she remembered it. His face was covered in light stubble. His light brown eyes were exactly the same. He was a handsome guy.

"Would you like to sit down," Chase asked motioning to the table.

She felt something pull inside of her. "No." She couldn't. Not at that table. Any other table would be just fine, just not that table. "How about we walk?"

"Sure," Chase grinned.

They started walking in silence. Taylor was going to kill her. She used to have the biggest crush on him in high school and now that she was on a date with him Taylor would just be pissed. Chase had been the only guy to resist Taylor James. It drove her sister nuts how much the boy didn't want her that way. Maybe, she wouldn't tell Taylor. They were just hanging out. It wasn't like this was a real date or anything.

"I was surprised to see you the other day," Chase commented. "I barely recognized you, Little Baby James. It's been too long."

"Yeah," Haley agreed.

"You look," Chase muttered appraising her, "absolutely fantastic."

She couldn't help but blush. "Thanks. You look good, too."

"I know," Chase smiled cockily as he ran his hand through his hair. She laughed before shaking her head. "So what have you been up to? I haven't talked to Tay in a while. The last thing I heard she was working at a bar down in Georgia."

"Life has been hectic," Haley muttered not really wanting to talk about it. "How about you?"

"Hectic," Chase nodded with a huge grin. "I've been so busy with work that I haven't really had a chance to breathe. But now finally I've taken some time off. A whole month and I'm quite proud of it."

"Well don't slack off too much, those planes don't fly themselves, you know," Haley giggled as she eyed him.

He had been obsessed with planes back in high school. He wanted to be a pilot since he was a little boy and he never let go of his dream. She was happy he didn't. He seemed happy with his job.

He shrugged. "Even pilots need a little down time. I don't always like being in the air. Sometimes it's nice to get back down to earth. I was a little tired of going from plane to plane."

"Well, then I'm glad you took a break then," Haley smiled.

"Me too," Chase grinned. "Your sister is going to kill me for asking you out."

Maybe it was a date? No, it wasn't. Was it?

She laughed nervously. She didn't want to think about her reaction. Taylor hated not getting what she wanted and Chase Adams had been at the top of that list. She could hear her sisters voice now…the loud piercing sound. She cringed. This was not a date!

"She'll live," Haley muttered while finishing up the ice cream cone in her hand.

He chuckled. "Don't I know it. She's still hard on you?"

"Of course," Haley nodded. "That'll never change."

"You know back in high school I used to have the biggest crush on you," Chase admitted suddenly before laughing again like it was nothing. She could feel the heat coming off of her cheeks but she didn't dare look at him.

"Y-you did?" Haley stammered.

"Big crush," Chase nodded. "Taylor would have killed me if she knew. Probably would have called down Mark and Brad to do the job for her. I knew I had to keep that to myself. There was no way that Taylor was letting her baby sister go out with an older guy…especially me." He grinned.

"Oh," Haley muttered. She didn't know Taylor cared so much.

"You know the only reason why I graduated was because of you. You were like a miracle to me. You were so patient and nice when you tutored me. It meant a lot, you know. Especially when the guys and Taylor would all make fun of me because I was stupid."

"You're not stupid."

"Yeah well," Chase smiled. "You're still the reason why I graduated. I would have failed without you, Baby J."

"I'm glad I helped," Haley smiled shyly.

"I freaked you out didn't I?" Chase asked as he stopped walking and pulled on her arm to make her stop walking as well. She turned to face him and quickly shook her head.

"No, you didn't," Haley muttered.

"I did," Chase nodded. "I freaked you out with the whole crush thing. I'm such an idiot. I'm sorry that came out wrong…I mean, no I didn't but I didn't mean to tell you like that and now you must think that I'm a complete loser and I'm just going to shut up right now."

She couldn't help but laugh.

"What I meant to say is that I like you, Haley," Chase smiled timidly. "I always have. I wanted to see if maybe I could take you out on a date. If that's ok with you, of course. I'd like for us to spend sometime together." He had that hopeful look in his eyes as he stood there waiting.

It seemed like an easy enough request. She liked Chase, she already knew that. She had liked him back in high school when he was just Taylor's cool friend. He was a great guy. He wasn't horrible to look at and he had charm. But did she like him enough? Only one way to find out, she thought. She smiled at him and then thanked the heavens above that they weren't in the same spot where they had first met up. She didn't need anymore reason to think of Nathan Scott. It was bad enough that he was constantly on her mind.