AN: I had this idea in my head for awhile now and every time I heard this song I couldn't help but want to write to it. It is the song 'These Days' by the country band Rascal Flatts. The first verse and the chorus inspired me. Throughout the story it skips ahead years at a time but the beginning ties together at the end. To help you all out with the times, I will post them at the beginning of each chapter. If it gets confusing, don't hesitate to ask a question. I recommend listening to the song as well so you have somewhat of an idea of what it is about, plus it is a really good song. Also, I don't know how long it will take me to finish this story. I alreday have the first two chapters written but I don't want to guarantee quick updates if I can't keep that promise. I also have to finish the last chapter of Summer Checklist and I have to start writing again for Salvation is Here and Manual Labor. I really appreciate all of your guys patience with me and my lack of updates for my stories. Now, I think I have rambled on long enough but it must be said. I do not own the song that inspired this story, the lyrics at the beginning of the chapter, nor do I own One Tree Hill. On with the chapter! Hope you like it!

These Days

Hey baby, is that you?

(May 2013)

I wake up and teardrops they fall down like rain. I put on that old song we danced to and then. I head off to my job, guess not much has changed. Watch the clock; head for home, check the phone, just in case. Go to bed, dream of you, that's what I'm doing these days.

Pointless. Everything is fucking pointless. Nothing matters without her.

Nathan Scott sat out on the balcony of his parents, no, his beach house; beer in one hand, phone in the other. Here he was, 24 years old, shooting guard for the Charlotte Bobcats and still drowning his sorrows. His six year old sorrows. He hadn't seen her in six years. Way too fucking in his opinion. He sat silently, his own thoughts surrounding him, drowning him. Nothing matters. It couldn't matter, because she wasn't here. And it was no ones fault but his own.

The sound of his phone ringing sliced through his thoughts and without looking at the screen he answered the phone.

"What?" He was in no mood to talk to anyone, except her.

"Is that any way to talk to your future sister in-law, Boy Toy?"

"Brooke, what do you want?" Nathan let out a long, heavy sigh. He definitely needed a few more beers before talking to Brooke.

"Nathan Scott! I'm shocked. Why do you assume I want something? Can't I just call my almost brother without you getting suspicious?"

"No. And by the way, you never denied wanting something."

"Okay, okay. So I need a little favor." Brooke's voice rose slightly in pitch and Nathan knew it was going to be more than a little favor.

"Depends on what that favor is Brooke." Nathan set his beer down on the wooden table next to him and brought his now free hand up to massage his temple. Talking to Brooke always gave him a headache.

"Well I need you to take Lucas out tomorrow night."

"Brooke, I'm not taking your fiancé and my brother out on a date"

"Not like that! I just need you to get him out of the apartment. Take him to a bar, or a movie. Hell, take him to a strip club, just get him out of the apartment."

"How do you know I don't already have plans, Brooke?"

"Because, I just do. And unless you have finally lowered your standards and are going out on a date, I know you don't have plans."

"Whatever. I'll make sure Lucas is out of the apartment and I will definitely talk to him about his choice for a wife."

"I'll try not to lose sleep over this 'talk' you speak of. Anyways, I need to go. Things to see, people to do. Your brother, if you didn't catch that."

"I swear to god Brooke, you are hands down the most annoying person I have ever met. How Lucas puts up with you? Well I will never know."

"I love you too Boy Toy." Brooke didn't wait for Nathan to answer and hung up immediately. Nathan took a long drink of his beer, draining the bottle, before heading back inside for another.

Nate I'm sorry. I just couldn't be here anymore. I'm going to California, Stanford actually. I can't give up my dreams Nate. But please, go to Duke and follow your dreams. Make it into the NBA. I know you can. And no matter what happens, I will be proud of you. Always and forever, Nate.

I love you,

Haley

Nathans position in the large leather arm chair was almost identical to his early stature on the balcony. This time though, he had no beer or phone. He shook his head as if to clear his mind.

The night he had found her letter was still clear and fresh in his mind. The night Haley James left, that letter she left, broke his heart. But he couldn't blame her. He had always told her to follow her dreams; he never guessed it would backfire on him. He knew if she didn't go to Stanford he would be hurting her. He just wanted her to be happy, and as much as it hurt him, if leaving was what she needed, then he wanted it for her. She deserved everything, she deserved the world but she didn't want it given to her. She wanted to earn it, and going to Stanford could accomplish that. If she was here now though, he wouldn't care what she wanted to earn. He would buy her the world and be everything she ever needed. And he would do it just because he loved her.

Nathan sat stoically on the edge of the chair, his blue eyes clouded over in thought. He was lost in his memories. All he could see was Haley. Haley telling him she loved him, Haley trying to make a basket, Haley kissing him. She was everywhere. If only she would come back home to me. His mouth curved up into a half smile, he looked almost happy. Maybe the smile would reach his eyes if she came home. Haley could always make him really smile.

Nathan was plain lost; too lost. So lost he didn't hear when the sky opened wide and the rain started to fall. Didn't hear the thunder roll or see the lightning flash. The memories were coming at him quickly, they wouldn't stop. He could smell her perfume, hear her laugh, see her smile, feel her kiss, and taste her skin. Haley invaded his thoughts, Haley was his thoughts and in some twisted way, he found it comforting.

The loud banging on his front door went unnoticed by Nathan as he immersed himself in memories. Nothing else mattered. He blocked out reality, blocked out the doorbell ringing over and over. It was just a faint background noise accompanying his thoughts. As the visions of Haley became clearer and more intense, the banging in the background grew louder as well. If only I could hold her. Nathan had that one phrase set on replay in his mind. If only…

"Nathan, are you in there?"

It was muffled from the heavy wooden door but…he knew that voice. He fell in love with that voice whether it be singing or talking or whispering to him. That vie was unmistakable. Even after six years and a wooden door blocking it, he knew that voice.

Unlike before, when the visions of Haley were flying at him, breakneck speed, time seemed to stand still as he mad his way to the front door. He felt heavy and slow, not sure if it was a result of too many beers or just the anxiousness of seeing Haley again. His feet felt like they had been cemented to the floor as he fought to see her face to face for the first tine in six years.

The doorbell rang out again, the obnoxious wind chime sound echoing in the large foyer of his beach house. Nathan needed to get to her. What if she left again? No, he couldn't think like that. She was here to stay this time. He reached the door, his hand coming out to grasp at the metal doorknob. His palms were sweaty and his heart felt as if it were in his throat. The thought of seeing her after so long was too much to bear. His nerves were on end, but as he turned the doorknob, he felt as if he was coming home. My Haley is home.

Nathan was at the home stretch, Haley was there, right there, and all he needed to do was pull the door open. His breath was coming in short pants, he felt lightheaded but he knew he would be able to breathe again when Haley was in his arms. This was it, the door was opening and Haley, his Haley was home.

There she was, devastatingly beautiful, with pale skin and big brown eyes. His eyes never left hers, blue on brown; connection. He didn't think there could be anything more perfect on this earth, and then she spoke…

"Hi."

…and the world stopped,

Haley was home.