Chapter One

Haley James awoke on her tour bus with the sun shining bright in her eyes. Slowly she sat up and blinked a few times until her eyes adjusted to the brightness. Standing at the foot of her bed was none other than her tour manager, Conner, smirking.

"Good morning sunshine! You ready for tonight?" Conner asked sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I'll be ready after I have some coffee," she replied laughing. "Now move so I can shower, I smell like tour bus."

Without a word Conner moved out of her way and she passed him to the small bathroom on the tour bus. Slipping inside she closed the door and wished for a real shower. Haley loved touring but she missed her home, her family and friends. She wasn't sure how much longer she could be away from everyone she loved.

Well, almost everyone, she thought with a smile. At least she had Conner. He was more than a tour manger to her, he was her reason for being, and hopefully soon her fiancé.

After her quick shower she quickly dressed then went to the café not far from where the bus was parked. She loved New York, but it would never be home, not the way she wanted it to be. Haley knew she could never go back to Tree Hill, it held too many bad memories for her.

"Hey babe," Conner said when she walked into the café.

"Hi Honey," Haley replied giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I ordered for you."

"Okay, you know me too well," Haley said laughing.

"So, you have the show in Madison Square Garden tonight, then right after we'll head for North Carolina for a charity concert."

"No, absolutely not. There is no way we're going to North Carolina," Haley said through gritted teeth.

"It's too late to back out Haley, what's the problem?" Conner asked confused.

"Nothing, it's fine. I'm going to go work on my new song, I'll see you before the concert," Haley said standing up and walking out.

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After the concert Haley went right to the bus and tried to sleep. They wouldn't be in North Carolina until morning. She hadn't spoken to Conner since the café so she had no idea how close to Tree Hill they would be. All she could hope for is it wouldn't be too close.

When Haley awoke the tour bus wasn't moving, which could only mean they were there. Dreading what she would see Haley pulled back the curtain on the window behind her bed. Taking in the view her heart stopped. She couldn't believe where they were parked, they were right next to the River Court in Tree Hill.

Grimacing, she climbed out of bed and quickly got dressed in a short jean skirt, a black tank top with Clothes Over Bro's on the front, and black heeled flip flops. She let her wavy dirty blonde hair hang down her back and put on just enough make up to look like she didn't care.

As she walked off the bus her stomach grumbled, she hadn't eaten anything the day before since she left the café before her breakfast came. As she looked around she was shocked to see a large group of people behind the barricades that were set up.

"Haley James!"

Haley spun around to see Conner walking towards her. "Hey, what's with the cheering squad?" She asked.

"They seen the tour bus this morning and had to come see if it was true, that their Haley James was back in town. Imagine how shocked I was when I thought you were from New York," Conner replied looking more than a little upset.

"I told you New York was my home, and it is, this is just where I grew up and made too many mistakes to name. I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Haley said hoping he'd be happy with that.

"Okay, I guess I understand for now. How about you show me where we can get some food."

Without a word Haley took his hand and led him over the bridge toward Tree Hill and everyone she left behind. She knew it wouldn't be pleasant and was dreading having to come face to face with her past.