The sound of the bell rang through my ears signaling the end of class. I quickly gathered all my belongings and made a b-line for the door. Letting my hair fall draping my face, I tried to force myself past Mr. Scott and out of his classroom.

"Ms. Davis? Can I have a moment of your time please?" I heard his voice beckon and my shoulders instantly dropped in defeat. Making my way through the rest of the students I cleared my throat before adjusting the strap of my backpack and stood in front of his desk.

"Can I help you with something Mr. Scott?" I put emphasis while stating his title. After all that was what it was. This man that had me so choked up in the hallway, the guy whose eyes sparkle with such a fierce shade of blue; this man was none other than my English teacher. Placing a hand on my hip I tap my foot impatiently while he gazes at me with a smirk on his lips.

"So I expect to see you in my classroom on time tomorrow?" Squinting my eyes in his direction I raise an eyebrow as a chuckle escapes from him.

"Wow he teaches, and he's a comedian. Talented man Mr. Scott."

He sits there with the same smirk while he points to a file that is spread out before him.

"She's beautiful…" Pausing he scans the papers resting inside the open file before continuing. "And according to school records she has brains as well. Talented woman Brooke Davis." I blush at the statement before shaking my head with furry.

"You're a teacher." I accuse.

"You're a student." He bites back as I bite the inside of my cheeks. I will not let a smile grace my face. I feel humiliated, even though to be honest he didn't really do anything to humiliate me. I let my mind wander amongst possibilities for a second. I let my brain get carried away through fantasies and what ifs. He was just a stranger in passing, a stranger, who was my new teacher nonetheless.

"Have a nice day teach. See you tomorrow." I wave my fingers signaling a goodbye and turn on my heels. I feel his eyes and the sting of thinking or just imagining him checking out my departing figure. Oh yes, this was definitely going to be an interesting year.

~~~~~~~SSSSS~~~~~

"So you look lonely, you alright? Tough being the new girl huh? How about some company?" I turn to look at the person in question. She has dark blonde hair that falls almost naturally on her shoulders. Light curls cascading the end of her locks. She is petite, and has a bright smile that sends a relaxing calm through my veins. She sits down on the grass beside me. It is lunch period and I decided to venture outdoors. It is a beautiful day and the last thing I wanted was to be crammed in a stuffy cafeteria. Besides, I figured I could make a quick call to Tumbling Tots and check on my baby girl.

"My name is Haley, Haley James." The girl beside me offers her hand and I quickly take it in my own.

"Brooke Davis. It's nice to meet you Haley." Had to admit it was nice to be greeted with a friendly face. I have spent the last few hours here and other than Lucas Scott, I haven't met a single soul.

"So how's the first day?" I shrug. Before moving here, before starting over, school was a breeze for me. I was a part of the elite crowd. I was popular. Everyone wanted to be my friend, or well they wanted the popularity that came along with being my friend. They wanted to spend time with Brooke Davis and her posse. When honestly, they would have been better off running in the opposite direction.

"It's a lot to take in, a lot to process, it's all just… a lot." I mutter looking down at my hands and feeling the emotions well up inside me. I haven't had a real honest conversation in a very long time. My time is usually spent wallowing in my own thoughts by myself, or having mindless yet entertaining conversations with my three-year-old Ashlynn. Even before I came to Tree Hill, lets just say there hasn't been anyone I could fully trust or call a friend.

"Hey, you okay?" I hear the concern in her voice and I send another smile her way. Wiping at my eye I laugh goodheartedly before replying.

"Oh look at me…you probably regret ever coming over here. Sorry, I'm a mess." Laughing once more I run a nervous hand through my hair before voicing.

"I think I've just been really good at putting on a brave face for my daughter, I got caught up with the actual emotions I've been feeling."

"It's okay. I've been the new girl before and I understand. It's tough." She places a hand onto on mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. "I'm not all that special around here." She states looking around the empty courtyard of the school. "But I am a great listener, love to shop, and have parents that are always off on some kind of adventure. They got an RV and since then…poof, no parents. So if you ever need a quiet place to get away. You know escape from your own family, my doors always open."

Laughing at her statement I quickly reply.

"You make a tempting case Haley James. I would love a listening ear, and shopping, girl you could be my new best friend. But, but I do have my own place. I got a small apartment walking distance from here. It's nothing fancy, just a two bedroom but it's enough for Ashlynn and me. So if your parents ever come home from their road trip, your more than welcome to find solitude at my place as well." I sent a wink her way and she nodded in response. Placing her hand out before mine I laughed before shaking it, as if binding out agreement.

"You got yourself a deal Brooke Davis."

~~~~~SSSS~~~~~~

"And, and then Ms. Deborah saids, "Lillian Cynthia Reposa, we share in dis classroom." And so she had to share her stuffed bear with Marcus. She wasn't happy bouts it mommy. I mean didn't her momma teach her dis? It's right to share. Right Momma? That's what you teaches me." Ashlynn continues her ramble as she sits on the stool of our island. I am fussing around making our dinner as she tells me in full detail, how her day went at daycare. School let out at three, I rushed to pick up Ashlynn, had to make a quick stop at the market, and now we are both residing in the kitchen of our home.

"Are you listening Momma?" Ashlynn asks as she reaches her arm and attempts to grab a cookie from the plate.

"Don't you dare Ashlynn Brooke." I scold with a smile as she freezes and pouts out her bottom lip. "No cookies until after super. It's the rule." I spin facing the stovetop and stir the sauce that is simmering. Taking a small spoonful I quickly blow off the heat from the red liquid contents and bring it over to my daughter.

"Want a taste? Tell me if it's good." I coo as I blow quickly once more and then hold it out to my child's lips. Taking her chin in my hand I tilt her head the slightest bit as I bring the spoon into her mouth.

"Good?' I ask as her eyes light up and she licks at her lips greedily. She loves spaghetti and meatballs but her favorite part is definitely my homemade sauce.

"Oh fablolous. I lub it!" She shrieks and I just shake my head. She truly can brighten my day with just a gaze or a few simple words. She is truly the only thing I have ever done right in my life, the only thing that I find pride in. Placing a tender kiss to her head I hear the ring from my cell phone blast through the room. Taking it from my pocket Ashlynns' eyes quickly lock with my own as the all too familiar name displays across my phone. She shivers voluntarily and I send a reassuring smile her way. Hitting the ignore button on the device I slide it back into my pocket and wipe my hands on my cooking apron. Turning back to the stove I release a breath I hadn't realized to be holding and call out.

"Whose ready to eat?"