Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. I wish I did (more Naley :). It belongs to Mark and the CW. I also wouldn't mind owning James Lafferty! Let's just say that he wouldn't be allowed to wear a shirt…ever!

AN: So this is my new story. It's not AU, so I tried to make the characters the same as the show. Haley and Nathan will be a little different, of course. And you'll see why. I think you'll understand what happened between them pretty early on. It really isn't something major but clearly it is to Haley. This is just my take on what could have happened. I hope you like it.

Summary: She was drowning again. Everything she built was slowly being taken away and as she closed her eyes she just wanted it to stop. She felt the need to run take over and as she opened her eyes all she saw was him. He just wouldn't go away. Being betrayed by the two people that meant the most to her, Haley left Tree Hill. She took off running and hasn't looked back since. Nathan's content with his life until Haley suddenly reappears back into his world. With this second chance, will he make things right? Major Naley. All friendships with Haley will be a big part of the story.

Prologue

Haley James drove carefully down the highway. The sun had just risen in the sky and it was shining down bright. She reached for her sunglasses and placed them on before turning her attention back towards the road. She had always hated driving. It didn't help matters that she had been in the car since yesterday. She had only stopped for gas and food along the way. If she stopped to rest then she knew that she would have found an excuse to turn and run away again.

She was done with running. Well, at least for the moment.

The journey to this point in her life had been pretty damn hard. In fact, when she thought about it, it pretty much pissed her off. She wanted to look up and scream at the universe or whoever the hell was in charge of things. She wanted to know why this had to happen to her. But more importantly she wanted to know why she couldn't have just been left alone. She had been just fine up until eight weeks ago. Her life had been going just fine.

Karma, fate, destiny. She hated those words now more than ever. They all meant the same damn thing. It meant that you didn't have a choice. And there was nothing more than she hated than to not have a choice. Destiny might have had a big part of where she was headed to now but there was no way in hell that she was going to let it decide her life for her. She had tried that once and it ended with her running away for the very first time. She was letting it call the shots now. It's the only reason why she returned here in the first place. There was no way in hell that it was keeping her here. Destiny could kiss her ass!

It all started with a sign. Her life had been going just fine and then boom, everything changed once again.

Same old story, different time.

This wasn't the first time that she had to start over. In fact, she was pretty used to running by now. Another town, another story. Only now she was going back to someplace she really didn't want to be. Ok, so no one was forcing her to go back home. But the signs had been pretty damn clear and she knew what they were pointing at. She was going home alright but for one thing and one thing only. She was going back to face her past and make things right. And then with a little help from one of them maybe she would be right on her way out of town again. If that didn't work, then she was just going to leave. There was no way that she was getting stuck in that town again. No freakin' way!

She turned off the main highway and made it down the long stretch that led into town. Tree branches were moving back and forth with the wind and it made her smile. She had missed living here. It was a very beautiful place. It was the memories that she hated and couldn't live with. That's what bothered her about this place. This place had been her home for most of her life. It was where she grew up and became the person she was. Sure that person had been naïve back then. But now she was all grown up and she wasn't that stupid little girl.

Looking to her right she noticed the water sparkling as the sun hit it. She could feel the weight on her chest being lifted just at the sight of it. Taylor shifted in her sleep and her head fell until it hit the pillow pushed between her body and the window. Haley laughed softly before looking back at the road. Taylor insisted on coming with her.

Two months ago her life had been normal. She knew exactly who she was and exactly who she wanted to be. Now she wasn't so sure. In one stupid day –yet again –her life changed. She couldn't help but think about how she got here to this moment.

Haley sat quietly as she glanced around the room. Quinn was cleaning the living room, Vivian was putting all of the food out, and Taylor was pretending to help Quinn but really she was just looking at the pictures on Vivian's wall. Typical Taylor.

Her mother walked into the living room a second later. She glanced around making sure that everything was right before looking over at Haley and smiling. She couldn't help but notice how everyone had been extra nice to her today. Taylor hadn't even teased her at all today which was weird considering that she always did. She crossed her legs as Brad walked into the living room with his wife Carmen. She watched as he told Carmen where to sit and wait for the other guests to arrive. It was so like her brother to stay by his wife's side until he had to absolutely leave. Her brother had always been a happily married man.

Getting up from her seat, she walked into the large kitchen. This was her favorite part of Vivian's house. It had everything in it. She stood in front of the little island and glanced down at the invitation. Her fingers brushed over the letters as she read over it for the millionth time. She felt her nerves give away and soon her heart was pounding. How did she get here, she didn't know. She took long deep breaths as she tried to calm herself.

Up until now she never really believed in signs. They were in a sense, unreasonable. People just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see them. They had always been a joke to her. But standing in her sister's very nice kitchen, her brother walked up and although she didn't know it then, he changed her life. How was he supposed to know that he started a chain of events that was going to rock her world?

Up until that moment she had been so sure of everything. Even as a child she had always been more developed than the other kids. She always thought outside of the box. Her mother had called her an old soul. Her whole life she had been a straight A student. She graduated Valedictorian and got a full ride to Stanford on an academic scholarship. She double majored in English and in Music. She graduated from college with honors. Since then she had been writing and composing music. She sold a few of her songs but not that many yet. She loved her job. She loved music and most importantly she loved her life. All of her family and friends were in town and this was supposed to be the happiest time of her life.

She couldn't shake the nerves as Brad sent her a goofy grin as he held the small white box in his hands. He took out a cupcake and stuffed it into his mouth. He was the oldest and was always nice to her. In his own words which he told her often were, "If anyone messes with you, they mess with me." That mantra had been an old one for him. She would have laughed, and often times she did, but one look at him and you knew he meant business. He was a beautiful man and Haley loved him but the boy looked like a huge linebacker. He scared half the people that she knew and she felt sorry for his wife Carmen. She was shorter than Haley and looked like she was twelve. Their sizes just didn't match up.

"Not getting cold feet are you, little sis?" Brad smiled as he placed the small box in front of her.

She laughed nervously. "What? No. Why would you say that?"

"You got the look in your eyes," Brad stated as he pointed a finger at her. A second later he was reaching down and picking up a sandwich off of the tray in front of them. She watched as he tossed it in his mouth and then it was gone. God, he brother could eat.

"What look?" Haley asked making a face. Did she have a look? Was he the only one to see it? Her nerves were getting worse by the second and she wanted to slap him for keeping the smile on his face. Didn't he know what he was doing to her?

"Don't get mad at me," Brad chuckled.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn't –I didn't even say anything!"

"But you were thinking it," Brad pointed out. "Look, it happens to all of us. The night before Carmen and I got married, I freaked out. I'm talking bad. Dad and Mark had to talk to me for hours before I was ok. Quinn almost ran out on her wedding. Don't sweat it. Just wait until tomorrow. You'll feel differently once you see him waiting for you. Once I saw Carmen that was it for me. With one look you just know that you're doing the right thing. I promise."

"I'm not getting cold feet. God, you're such a geek," Haley laughed before looking down.

"You can talk to me, you know. I don't have to leave until the rest of the women get here and then I'm out. Taylor told me what would happen if I stayed a minute later and lets just say that Carmen and I both want more kids," Brad smiled before shrugging his shoulders.

"Where is Michael?" Haley asked. Ok, so she was trying to change the subject. She didn't want to talk about this and she especially didn't want to talk about this with Brad! Quinn or Vivian maybe, but not Brad.

"With his grandmother," Brad answered. "She took him for the weekend. Don't worry he'll be at the wedding tomorrow. He was angry with me for not letting him come with us tonight. He wouldn't let go of Carmen when we dropped him off. Boy is getting big."

"I wonder where he gets it."

He laughed. "Oh, because I'm huge, right? I expect this from Taylor but not from you, Haley-bop. Now, seriously tell your big brother what's on your mind. You look anxious."

"Well, I'm not," Haley mumbled. "Look, Brad, I just –I…"

"Uh-huh. Almost there, just a few more words, you can do it," Brad teased.

"You're such a jerk," Haley stated as she glared at him. He laughed loudly before making his way around the island and hugging her from behind. His head rested on her back and he continued to laugh.

"I guess I should get going. I don't want to be late for the stripper," Brad announced.

She turned and glared at him. "Funny. I take it Carmen gave you some ones?"

"She doesn't know about the stripper. Mark told all the guys if they tell anyone he'll hurt them. He'll die if Beth finds out and you know that Beth and Carmen are like this," Brad smiled as he twisted two of his fingers together. "Don't worry. I'll watch your boy. We already gave him the speech!"

"The speech?" Haley laughed.

"Yeah, the speech. Mark was the one that wanted to be mean. You know him. I was the nice one. I told him that if he hurts you, I hurt him," Brad said with a straight face. She wanted to laugh but with the look on his face she knew that he was dead serious.

"You did not," Haley scolded.

"Oh, I did," Brad nodded. "Plus, you should be angry with Mark. Don't worry with the words the Mark told him, I can promise that your boy will be walking a fine line. I don't even know what Dad told him but I'm sure it wasn't better than Mark. Although, they were laughing when they were finished talking. I'll have to remember to ask them tonight."

"After you watch the stripper?" Haley asked raising her eyebrows.

He held a hand over his heart. "You know me so well."

"Whatever just make sure that everyone gets home ok afterward. I don't want anyone running late tomorrow. And I can't believe that I'm going to say this but have fun," Haley muttered before closing her eyes.

"I will. You, too. I'm sure this bachelorette party won't be too much of a snooze fest."

"Taylor did plan it," Haley stated looking around.

"I'm surprised that there aren't shirtless men walking around," Brad joked.

"Oh, she wanted that," Haley nodded. "But it's my party and I didn't want anything like that. Just a nice night with them and a few friends. Taylor's still mad at me. But like I said, it's my party!"

"And you'll cry if you want to?" Brad chuckled. "Tay will get over it!"

"Brad," Haley started. "I'll be fine tomorrow, right?"

"Of course you will," Brad smiled. "Just do what you've always done, follow your heart. It'll lead you to the right place. Getting cold feet, it happens. It doesn't mean that this isn't meant to be. You're happy, I can see that. Don't let these temporary feelings scare you. It'll pass. Now, smile, baby sis. You're getting married tomorrow."

"I am," Haley nodded confidently.

"See you tomorrow, Hales," Brad smiled.

She felt her heart stop beating. Her whole body got cold. She wasn't even breathing and Brad was looking at her funny now. She searched for words but there were none. Her head was empty and she tried her best to push that word out of it. Hales. She hadn't been called that in years. Closing her eyes, she finally took a deep breath. She would be fine. All she had to do was stop thinking about that word.

"Everything ok?" Brad asked carefully as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

She nodded. "My name is Haley. Please don't call me that. I hate being called that!"

"Sorry," Brad stated making a face. He held up his hands. "See you tomorrow, Haley-bop." He corrected himself before smiling at her. He kissed her forehead before rushing out of the kitchen. She turned facing the island again still trying to breathe normal. She hated signs and soon she would hate them more. She didn't know it then, but that sign was the first of many.

~***~

All the women sat in the living room talking. She was opening presents now. She handed the open box to Quinn before Vivian gave her another. She glanced down at the white and pink wrapping paper. It was pretty and she looked up to see Bonnie, her college roommate, smiling at her.

"Open it," Bonnie urged.

She laughed before ripping open the box. She pulled out a beautiful white satin nighty. She couldn't help but blush as a few of the women started making noises and a few were clapping.

"Bonnie, this is really nice," Haley muttered while still looking at it.

"And totally naughty," Taylor smiled in approval. "Besides, you'll need something to wear tomorrow night. How you've held out for this long, I'll never know." Taylor laughed along with a few other women.

"Taylor," Lydia scolded.

Her face only got redder as a few of the women laughed still. It was no secret that she was still a virgin. Taylor had made it a point to bring it up often and since the room was filled with only Aunts and cousins, this wasn't new news. Still she couldn't help but be embarrassed. So much for Taylor laying off for the day!

"Well, I think it's amazing," Vivian smiled at her. "I waited and I'm happy that I did."

"Oh, please," Quinn laughed.

"Girls," Lydia stated looking around the room. Haley sent her mother a thankful look as a few of her Aunts' started whispering. She glanced back over at Bonnie and noticed that she was still smiling at her.

"Thank you," Haley smiled.

Quinn reached for it. "Yeah, it's nice. Where did you get this?"

"Oh," Bonnie smiled. "Clothes over Bros. They have the best clothes over there. It's where I get everything. They just built one in LA. You guys should definitely check it out. That designer Brooke Davis is amazing."

Haley felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She looked down as her sisters started asking Bonnie all kinds of questions. Sure she had heard of Clothes over Bros. She had seen the first one in New York last year. She had almost gone inside to check it out but her nerves got the best of her and she took off leaving the store behind her. It wasn't the store or the clothes that terrified her, it was the owner. With the thought of Brooke Davis she felt her heart pound. It was weird. This was a girl that she barely knew and still the thought of her had her head spinning. Before she could get sucked further in, another present was placed in her lap.

That was how the night continued. She would open up a present and of course, it was something that embarrassed her. The worse had been Taylor's. She had gotten her handcuffs and Aunt Judith almost chocked when she seen them. It was hours later when all the women were gone and she was left lying on the sofa with Quinn rubbing her feet.

"Well, that was a success," Vivian smiled as she took a seat in one of the chairs.

"You did get a lot of things, Haley-bop," Lydia smiled as she glanced over at all the boxes on the table. It was full of things. Half were from the people that showed up and the other half were mailed in from family that couldn't make it. When it came to family, she had a big one.

"I pray that you use them tomorrow night," Taylor commented.

"Lay off, Tay," Quinn mumbled. "Tomorrow, Haley won't be a virgin anymore and thank god that we don't have to hear you talking about it!"

Haley laughed, she couldn't help it. When it came to her sisters it was always like this. Quinn and Taylor were bold and truthful. They spoke their mind no matter what, and with them it was what you see is what you get. She and Vivian had been the opposite. They kept to themselves.

"I'm just saying," Taylor shrugged. "How do you marry a guy if you don't even know what he's like in bed? I mean, what if he's horrible. Or what if he can't get it up?"

"Please stop," Haley groaned and closed her eyes. She didn't want them talking about him that way, especially in front of her mother. Her mother was laughing along with Quinn. Opening her eyes, Vivian sent her an apologetic look.

"You're twenty five, Haley. How have you held out for so long?" Taylor questioned before stuffing a piece of cake into her mouth.

"You don't have to answer that, Sweetie," Lydia smiled.

"Just ignore her," Vivian added. "I know I do. She's annoying!"

"Oh, Viv," Taylor smiled. "Don't be so dramatic. Not all of us are proper as you and Haley-bop here."

"She held out for marriage, big deal. Leave her alone," Vivian stated while glaring at Taylor.

"I can't tell you guys how amazing today was," Haley lied. "I mean from all the presents and then embarrassing me in front of Aunt Judith and Rose. And to top all of that off you're talking about my virginity in front of Mom. Thanks." She turned to her side and hid her face into a pillow.

"Ah, Sweetie, they didn't mean it," Lydia said holding in her laugher as Vivian threw a pillow at Taylor.

"Ouch," Taylor muttered.

"Yeah, Haley-bop. Don't mind us," Quinn smiled while tickling her feet. "We're all proud of you. And Taylor is just jealous is all."

"Why would she be jealous of me?" Haley asked while looking up at Quinn.

"Because you got to come and live with me and she didn't," Quinn smiled. "I remember the day I picked you up at the airport. You were so sad and I knew you wanted to go straight back home. I wanted to call mom but you wouldn't let me. You told me that this was something that you had to do. You said that you couldn't live there anymore and you wanted to start over. Taylor never got to do that and now she's jealous of you."

"Whatever," Taylor rolled her eyes.

"And you did start over, Haley-bop," Vivian added. "You were just seventeen but you started this whole other life for yourself. You were depressed for a long time and I remember Quinn calling me and telling me that she didn't know what to do with you."

"You wouldn't eat that much. You slept a lot and you never really left but to go to school," Quinn stated.

"It was a hard time. We know that. But the point your sisters are trying to make is that you came back to us. You started your life over and not everyone gets to do that," Lydia stated before looking over at Taylor and then back at Haley. "I think you were brave to reevaluate who you were."

"I'm jealous! She gets it," Taylor shouted before resting her head back. "I had to wait until I was eighteen to leave home! What I would've given to leave at seventeen!"

"Just as long as you get it, Tay," Quinn teased.

"Whatever," Taylor snorted. "Her life is too fast for me anyway." They all looked at her shaking their heads and she laughed. "I'm serious. What she moved out at seventeen and moved right in with Quinn. After she graduated she went straight to Stanford and once she was done with school she went straight to New York. The girl hasn't stopped running since she left home."

"I'm not running," Haley commented.

"Sure. I'm just saying that you haven't slowed down at all. You're always on the move doing something. You can't just be in one place," Taylor shrugged. "Sounds like running to me."

"This is officially the worst party ever. I sure hope the guys are having fun," Haley mumbled before closing her eyes.

"Now look what you did," Vivian mumbled over to Taylor.

"Oh, she knows I love her," Taylor smiled as she rolled her eyes.

"It's getting late," Lydia pointed out as she glanced at the clock.

"Let me drive you back to your hotel," Quinn said before moving Haley's legs off of her. She stood up and stretched. "You need to get some rest. It's a big day for you tomorrow."

She got up and said goodbyes to her mother and sisters. It wasn't long until Quinn was pulling up to the fancy hotel that she had been staying in all week. Vivian lived in Richmond and it's where they decided to get married. The city was beautiful and she made sure to notice every thing. She didn't come here often but when she did, they always did a lot of stuff.

They pulled up to the hotel and after saying goodbye she got out of the car and walked into the lobby of the hotel. She waved at a few of the workers before making her way to the elevator. Once she was on the top floor she walked quickly to her hotel room. She could hear the bed calling her name, she was so tired. She pulled out the card to the room before swiping it and then walking inside. She stopped once she noticed all the red roses all over the large room. They were everywhere and she jumped as she felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind.

"You like?"

"They're beautiful," Haley smiled. "You didn't –"

"I know I'm not supposed to see you and Quinn would kill me if she knew I was here, but I just wanted to leave these for you. I was about to leave when you opened the door and I couldn't resist."

"Quinn would kill you," Haley pointed out. She felt his lips on her cheek as he started laughing. She closed her eyes and smiled. She didn't know why she was so nervous before. It all seemed silly now. She was doing the right thing and this is where she wanted to be. She turned in his arms and then they were kissing.

They had met a year ago in New York. He worked at a record store and was a struggling musician. She had gone in to sell some old records and they met. She had hated him at first. He was obnoxious and egotistical. He asked her out and she nicely told him to go to hell. It was a month later when Taylor took her out that they met up again. He was performing at a local bar and she watched amazed, as the pig she thought she knew, made her whole body tremble with his lyrics. They had gotten drinks after and he asked her out again. This time she didn't say no. They had gone on several dates and before she knew it he had stopped talking as himself in the third person.

He opened up to her and they got along great. They wrote music together and that was that. They were together.

"I'm nervous, are you?"

"Chris," Haley started.

"Does it feel like we're rushing things?" Chris asked looking down at her.

"I don't know," Haley shrugged. "It's just the next step for us. The nerves, they'll pass."

He nodded. "Ok. I'll let you get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Haley nodded with a smile. "Thanks for the flowers. This is really sweet, Chris."

"Don't say I never gave you anything," Chris smiled before leaving the room. It felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been splashed on her.

She felt the life she had built for the last nine years come crashing down around her. Her heart was pounding at his words and as far as signs go, that was a big one. She quickly pushed them out of her head. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on her head. That didn't happen. That didn't happen. She repeated it over and over in her head. This wasn't happening, she told herself. They were just words and they meant nothing! She was where she was meant to be. There was no going back.

~***~

The morning had gone by in a blur. Her sisters had dressed her and put on her makeup. Her mother had fixed her hair and made sure that everyone was doing ok while they waited. Her brothers took turns coming in and making sure of all the stuff that they needed to do. Lydia had to keep reminding them of their jobs.

It didn't rain and that was a good thing. She had wanted a May wedding and the weather was perfect.

She stood quietly in front of the mirror looking at her dress. It had taken forever to find the perfect one. This one was huge and beautiful.

She hadn't slept at all last night. How could she after what he had told her? She had been disturbed the whole night. She could feel her life slipping away from her –the one she had built to protect her. With one sentence Chris had shattered her composed life. Sure, he hadn't known what those words meant to her and he didn't know the effect that they would have on her. But still he said them. He had opened that part of her that hid all of those things long ago. The signs were just making it worse. They were everywhere now and she had been quiet all morning. She didn't know why the hell this was happening now!

She knew what they were pointing to and she wasn't about to give into them. This was her life now and there was no going back. She left all of that stuff back in Tree Hill and it was over. It had been over for nine years. This was her life now. She was going to marry Chris and they were going to make music together. They would live in New York until they were ready to have kids and then she wanted to move here. Well, at least some place quiet and nice to raise children. This is your life! Get it together. Damn it, she was living in the here and now and she wasn't about to let her past ruin that.

"Everything is coming along right on time," Vivian announced. "It won't be long, Haley-bop."

She felt like she couldn't breathe. It was like the walls in the small church room were closing it on her. Her heart was pounding and her mind was reeling from the signs. They had shaken her to her very core and she couldn't stop thinking about them. In a flood of memories she let her life flash before her eyes –the one that she had walked away from.

She looked around the room at her sisters and mother. Someone was missing and because she ran away they weren't here. He should be here for this day. She needed him here. But he wasn't in her life now. That had ended a long time ago. Why was she thinking about him now? Their friendship was over. It was in the past. There were other people too. A flash of blonde curls and Brooke laughing filled her mind. Why was this happening?

"I –I can't," Haley whispered. It felt like the dress around her was getting tighter by the second. It was squeezing the life out of her and she couldn't breathe.

"Yes, you can," Taylor soothed as she ran her hand over Haley's back. "It's just nerves."

She shook her head. "What if this is a mistake? What if he's –"

Taylor, who was the closest thing she had to a friend these days, was looking intently at her through the mirror. It was seconds later when Taylor's face changed with a knowing look.

"Please, tell me that you're not thinking about him," Taylor snapped as she glared at her sister through the mirror. "After what he did to you, please tell me that this isn't about him?"

She looked in the mirror and all she saw was him.

She quickly closed her eyes and willed him to go away but he wasn't leaving. She could feel the tears leaving her eyes. She didn't want to think about him. In fact, she hadn't allowed herself to think about him in all these years. Now the image of him wouldn't leave her mind. She couldn't stop crying and it was a second later that she felt her mother beside her. Her sisters were fighting and it was minutes later when Brad knocked softly on the door before walking in.

"Is it time already? Will be right out, son," Lydia said glancing back at him.

Haley opened her eyes and noticed her brother through the mirror. In all her life she had never seen her big brother cry but as she glanced at him now his eyes were watery. She couldn't turn to face him but he walked quietly across the small room passing Vivian and Quinn along the way. Once he reached her, he held out the small white paper. Her hands were shaking as she took it.

"I'm so sorry, Haley," Brad whispered before looking away.

Her breathing was ragged as she opened the small folded paper. As she read the words she felt like her heart fell out of her completely and there was nothing left. It's not like it had been whole before this.

Haley, I'm sorry but I can't do this. I thought that I would be fine once I got here but I'm not. We rushed into this and I'm not ready. Please forgive me. I love you. Chris

"Oh, no," Lydia whispered as she took the letter from Haley's hands.

"I should probably go looking for Mark," Brad muttered. "He took off looking for him. Let's just pray that he doesn't find him. He was here one minute and then the next…"

"Or that I don't get to him first," Quinn declared as she took off following Brad out of the dressing room.

She felt the dress still sucking the life out of her. One look in the mirror at her tearstained face and she was pulling on the straps. "Get me out of this, Mom."

She felt her mother and her sisters working fast to free her. Once the dress was off it felt like she was free. She could finally breathe again and when she opened her eyes she saw the heartbreaking looks that they were sending her. She hated it and she knew in that moment that she wanted to be anywhere but here. She wanted to be somebody else. She never wanted to run more than she ever had before in her life. The only problem now is that everything in her was pulling towards a place that she left long ago –a place she swore she would never return. She couldn't go back. Leaving was one of the hardest things she ever had to do and going back wouldn't help.

Getting dumped on her wedding day had sucked. In fact, it was horrible. It's not that she had planned on running and he did it first. It was that she had to tell all their family and friends. Well, Quinn and Vivian had told them while holding her hand. That was humiliating. The worse part was the looks she received. Those had been the worse. She hated them. They all felt sorry for her and she wanted to shout that just seconds before she knew that he had left that she was about to run herself and he just beat her to it.

Stupid Chris, she hadn't heard from him since. She was sure that he was back in New York trying to get his music career started. He had always thought that he was better than her and that he was going to make it. She was going to show him. She was going to make it and be huge and then he would realize how great she really was. She was going to put all of her energy into her music and prove, to not only him but herself, that she was worthy and that she didn't need him to do it.

After that god-awful day, her mother had made her see a therapist. Yeah, it was absolutely ridiculous but her mother wouldn't leave it alone when she had been held up in one of Vivian's spare rooms for two straight weeks. She had eventually agreed and had gone. First two sessions she hadn't said a word. The hour on the clock had ticked slowly by as she sat there. She had agreed to go but she never agreed to pour her heart out. But in the third and final session she did talk and that was why she was going back to Tree Hill now. Sometimes in order to move forward, you just have to go back to where you started, or so her therapist had said.

If he was right or wrong was still a very good question.

She didn't know and as she drove past the Welcome to Tree Hill sign, her chest began to tighten. Too late to turn back now.