Author's Note: I was going to wait until after JWTF, but I got inspired and couldn't wait. This story will probably be my most complex that contains huge revelations, major drama, and above everything else, true love attempting to conquer all.
This will be a very long story and the first huge chunk will be 95 back-story/flashbacks, alot more back-story than OYE, which will be incredibly juicy. It will answer all your questions about all the characters pasts before we can move on to the present and start a whole new round of questions.
There will also be alot more sexual content in this story than my others. When I get close to crossing the line, which in this story I'll be doing quiet a few times (hehe) I'll have to link it, so I hope that's not a problem.
Also, this story is a tad darker at times, especially in the beginning, but remember not everything is what it seems and these characters are going to evolve in this story, whether it's good or bad, you'll see. ;) There will also be alot of Nathan's POV coming up in the next chapters.
Ok, so I want to thank Hana for beta-ing and talking this out with me and Jess for pushing me to write it. And a HUGE thank you to Elena for the GORGEOUS banner she made me. sigh I wanted a non-moving one this time and she blew me away with what she made and the coloring. The picture of Haley in the middle is one of my all time favorites.
Chapter One "Forever Young"
Lets dance in style, lets dance for a while
Heaven can wait were only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you going to drop the bomb or not?
Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad men
Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don't they stay young
So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
Youth Group
"HALEY! GOD PLEASE HALEY!" Brooke screamed as she to fell to her knees at the edge of the pier, tears streaming down her face.
Lucas and Chase came barreling towards Brooke; Lucas taking the sobbing brunette in his arms once they reached her.
"Brooke what's going on? Where's Haley?" Lucas frantically searched his girlfriend's eyes for answers.
"I…I…I don't know. I heard screaming…Haley's…gone…water." She choked out in between sobs that raked through her body, physically causing her pain from their force.
Just then Nathan's head came up from the surface of the chaotic ocean, a lifeless Haley draped in his arms, a gash on the side of her head, bleeding so profusely that her wet dark blonde locks began to take on a deep unnatural auburn hue.
Waves crashed against the pillars supporting the pier and Nathan struggled to keep him and Haley above water. Working fast Chase and Lucas maneuvered to get closer to Nathan and lift Haley from his arms.
Chase held onto Haley tightly, expecting her to suddenly come to life, but she was so still, so eerily still.
Lucas shoved him away from Haley and laid her out across the pier, supporting her neck with one of his hands. Blood then trailed from Haley's wound, flowing down her face, and onto her once perfect white strapless summer dress. At the very least that meant her heart was still pumping, she was still alive…for now.
Brooke covered her mouth with her hand, trying to keep from getting sick at the sight. She was frozen in the moment, just as Chase was. The two of them watched helplessly as Lucas take over the situation.
Nathan soon emerged back atop the pier looking to his brother for their next move.
"Let me get her pulse." Placing two fingers along Haley's neck, Lucas located a pulse, but it so faint he prayed he wasn't just imagining it. Taking off his shirt, he threw it to Nathan who began applying pressure to her head wound.
Then as a team Lucas began chest compressions, Nathan blowing air into Haley's mouth as Chase finally kneeled down beside them to keep Lucas's shirt against Haley's gash.
The once crisp pale blue button-down shirt was now soaked with Haley's blood and every centimeter of the blue fabric now a deep crimson.
And while Lucas and Nathan were focused on breathing life back into her body all Brooke could focus on was her best friend's blood and the frightening reality that Haley had lost too much.
The next few seconds seemed to last an eternity. Brooke didn't even hear the paramedics rush up behind her not a minute later. Soon they had yanked the boys off Haley and rushed her off in an ambulance.
And then it was over, nothing but silence was left, as all eyes stayed glued to where the ambulance had driven off moments before.
Lucas took Brooke's hand and began to lead her away from the pier, but Brooke retracted her hand from his, with such force she stumbled backwards, having to catch herself on a support beam. "Your hands." She pointed at them.
Bringing his hands up to the light shining down from a spot light above him, Lucas felt his stomach lurch. Blood was all over his hands and it wasn't even the blood that fazed him, it was the fact it was Haley's blood, his best friend's blood. He'd watched it stream out of her, felt her weakening pulse, and held her limp body.
It was then he realized, he had actually he felt her dying. He watched her life literally drain from her body and with that comprehension came the horrifying fear that she would never make it back to them. Never light up another person's soul with that smile of hers, never tease him about his singing, never be there for him when he could turn to no one else and worst of all never get to live her life the way she'd always dreamed.
"Let's go!" Chase waited at the beginning of the pier.
Brooke looked only at Luke. "I'm not going."
Chase, fed up and not wanting to wait another second to be with Haley, took off to get his car and head to the hospital, Nathan following close behind.
"Brooke, it's Haley we have to go."
Ignoring him Brooke sat down on the wet section of the pier where Haley's body had just laid and dangled her feet off the side. "I can't leave Lucas."
Slowly he sat down next to her. "Why not?" he asked carefully, not understanding, yet not wanting to upset her even more.
Her lips trembled as she let out her next words in a hoarse whisper. "Because, if Haley's gone Luke, that means she died at this pier, and she…she's still here. I'm not leaving this spot until I know for sure that she's all right and if…" a sob caught in her throat, "if she's not then she'll know I never left her. I just won't leave her alone Luke. She hates being alone."
Wrapping his arms around his girlfriend in a symbol of unwavering support, he waited with her…waited to see if all their lives were about to change forever.
Three hours earlier…"Haley!" Brooke cheered as she got a glimpse of her best friend strolling through the front door looking gorgeous in a flirty summer dress in a clean white shade, as pure as the driven snow, much like the virgin wearing it. Hopefully, her friend would change that latter part of her statement soon.
Glancing around, Haley saw all the tell-tale signs of a Brooke Davis party taking place. Alcohol was flowing, people were groping, and the music was blaring. "Tigger, it's fabulous, as usual." Haley kissed Brooke's cheek once she reached her.
"Eek, I know." Brooke beamed taking in the sight. "Although it sucked not having you help me get ready. I can't believe your parents actually came to graduation."
"Tell me about it. They've missed the last three Christmases and birthdays, but when it comes to my academics they want to act like the supportive perfect parents. Of course, they left an hour ago to fly back, surprise, surprise," Haley deadpanned
Brooke grabbed a bright blue plastic cup from someone passing by and handed it to Haley. "I know you hardly ever do, but I think it's necessary tonight. Besides you have the whole summer to not obsess about being the next great James surgeon. It's time to let loose."
Cocking her head to the side, she smiled conspiratorially. "What the hell?" She rhetorically mused, accepting the cup, bringing it to her lips and taking a large sip, the strength of the vodka burning her throat as it went down.
Clutching her throat, her eyes veered to the front door swinging open, revealing the infamous Scott brothers. Made that way first by their father's skills on the court and second by their own.
Nathan and Lucas Scott were the son's of Dan Royal Scott, sports legend slash car dealership owner slash Mayor of Tree Hill, for the last three years, and Deborah Lee Scott, daughter of one the oldest families in the South and charity guru. Not that you ever saw her much though, what with her work focused mainly in New York, as well as her rumored lovers.
The brothers were actually half brothers and two years apart, Lucas being the youngest and Nathan not actually being Deb's biological child. Dan's high school sweetheart, Karen Roe, another Tree Hill alum, was eight months pregnant, the summer before they were due to start college together, when she was hit by a drunk driver. Nathan was delivered while his mother was on life support, and she was taken off not long after his first cries.
A year later Dan, who was still at school, while his son was being raised by his parents, managed to knock up Deb Lee barely a month after they began seeing each other. With her family's status he really only had one choice. They were married before she began to show and Lucas was born a healthy eight-pound preemie seven months later.
With Deb's money, Dan dropped out of school and from the Duke basketball program claiming a knee injury, which to this day is still questioned. Then he moved his new family back to TH, regained custody of Nathan, and opened a dealership.
Luckily, the two brothers had never let their parent's history define their relationship. They had always been close even if they were polar opposites off the court. Lucas was blonde, Nathan was dark headed, Lucas loved school and literature, Nathan loved parties and the perks of the game, Lucas was sensitive and Nathan was closed off. She could go on forever.
"Haley, please don't get into him with him tonight, it won't be good for your buzz. It's so ridiculous that you two can't ever be in the same room without getting into a screaming match. You'd think being best friends with his brother since we could ride bikes would make a difference."
Haley scoffed. "He's an ass Brooke. We've never liked each other, end of story. Some people just aren't meant to get along in this world."
"Whatever, just avoid him because I want you to have fun tonight Hales." Brooke put her arm around Haley in a side hug. The stress Haley had been under to secure her Valedictorian spot and meet her parents' standards had done a number on her this year. She needed a break.
Her parents were world class surgeons, who traveled the world lecturing. When Haley was only fifteen, they'd permanently moved to Boston for work, but let Haley stay in the house in Tree Hill with the live in maid who barely spoke a work of English.
Haley's parents were much like her own. Different job titles, but the same neglect. It's what had brought her and Haley together. When they were five year olds their parents left them at school for a good hour after classes had ended and they'd played on the see saw the entire time they waited, not knowing then, that that hour would literally be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Leaning her head against Brooke's, Haley smiled. "Don't worry, I plan on it. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives."
Getting excited, Brooke pulled away from Haley and jumped on top of a nearby table, garnering everyone's attention on her. The guys were hoping for a strip tease and the girls planning to kill her if she did.
Making a lowering motion with her hands, she achieved success in getting someone to turn down the music, however, she wouldn't start until everyone from outside had made their way in.
"Hey Pookie." Chase came up behind Haley, tickling her sides.
Shifting to face him, she pecked his lips. "Hey, I never got the chance to thank you for coming to dinner with me tonight. I couldn't handle being alone with my parents."
"Your parents love me and I've been doing this for the last eight years so you can quit thanking me now," he teasingly ordered, then kissed her back.
God, it had been eight years. Sometimes it still felt like yesterday, when best friends Chase Adams and Lucas Scott bravely marched up to her and Brooke during fifth grade recess and kissed their cheeks. Ever since that day, the four of them, her with Chase and Brooke with Lucas, made up the two golden couples of their grade and eight years later nothing had changed.
Once Brooke spotted the last few stragglers come in, she began her toast. "Ok, now I'm sorry to disappoint you all but I'm not stripping." A series of boos rang out to which Brooke giggled, blowing a reassuring kiss to Lucas.
"Anyway, my best friend, Miss Haley James," This time a series of cheers rang out. "I know, I love her too." Brooke grinned. "She was saying how today is the first day of the rest of our lives and she's right. So raise your glasses because we're young, we're hot, we're FREE!" she loudly proclaimed raising her cup even higher.
The crowd yelled in agreement, as they chugged their drinks and took their shots. They were teenagers who at that stage in their lives were reveling in the most powerful drug of all; having the world at your fingertips and truly believing you are invincible.
…
A little over an hour later, Haley found herself sharing a porch swing with Lucas Scott, his arm around her, her head on his shoulder.
"You better not pass out already?" he joked; glancing down at her closed lids.
"I'm not, I'm just trying to stop the room from spinning."
He pulled her tighter to him. Out of the four of them, he and Haley were the most alike. While Chase and Brooke were always bouncing off the walls, he and Haley never needed words or distractions, they could simply be together not saying anything and enjoy themselves.
There was only one other person he'd ever felt that with, even if it was on a completely different level—a romantic level.
She idly played with his silk Navy tie, which was completely undone and draped around his neck. He'd complained all graduation about that damn tie and she figured he'd have that knot undone the second the robe was off and she was right. "So, how's your brother?"
He quirked an eyebrow at that. "Why are you asking about Nathan? Is he bothering you?"
She traced the rim of her cup with her finger. "No, I was just curious. He hasn't been home in a couple months."
"Yeah, I know it's weird. He lives twenty minutes away and is usually home all the time and lately nothing. Probably was busting his ass for finals I guess."
"Yeah, I guess," Haley softly agreed. "We got the apartment by the way. Brooke and I will be living next door to you and Chase come August."
He kissed the top of her head. "The way it's meant to be, huh?"
Lifting her head to look at him, she wanted so badly to tell him everything, tell him she was drowning, beg him to help her, to not turn his back on her, but her mouth went dry. Fear of disappointing every one else swallowing her whole once again. Her life was a lie; her future was a lie, yet to everyone else, it was her destiny.
"Hales, are you all right?" He searched her tear filled eyes with his worried ones.
Shaking her head, she managed a smile, a fake one, but still a smile. "Don't listen to me, I'm drunk, my parents suck and it's just getting to me tonight."
Watching her stand, he couldn't help but notice her wobble a bit on her platform wedges. "You're going to break your neck."
Grabbing the end of his tie, she swept it off his neck and tied it around her waist, adding an alluring intensity to her outfit as she did in all the lives she touched.
"And leave you to alone? Never Luke," she promised with a wink and then in a blink of an eye she was gone. And it would be the last time he saw her until he pulled her body from what could very well have been her watery grave.
…
He'd watched her all night, waiting for the moment he could get her alone and now it was time.
Reaching out, he yanked her arm forcing her into a darkened bedroom. "Damn it Chase," she snapped, holding her hand to her heart.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He closed the door behind them, locking it.
Sitting on the bed, she waited for him to join her.
"I know you're thinking I brought you in here for sex," he seductively read her mind.
She bit her bottom lip.
"But I have a present for you." He took a small box out of his pants pocket
Her mouth dropped open. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is?"
He shook his head, chuckling. "Easy there, I know we're not getting married till we graduate college, you've made it clear your education comes first. I just wanted to give you something a little extra special for graduation."
Giving him a thank you kiss on the cheek first, she unwrapped the bright pink wrapping, revealing a plain white box with the signature gold leafing of a local jewelry's store label on the top.
Opening it up, she found a delicate white gold bangle bracelet lying on a pillow of green satin, also another staple of the store. It was simple, elegant, and very sweet. "It's beautiful." She slipped it on.
"You're beautiful." He ran a hand through her hair, pulling her into a deep kiss.
Before she could get her bearings, he had her flat on her back, his hand sliding beneath her dress, inching closer and closer to her center.
If only she could she lose herself in him, but it was impossible. Taking that final step with him would reveal her darkest secret, that'd she'd lost her virginity years ago, even before Brooke, the day of her sixteen birthday.
That night had changed every thing she thought she knew and two years later her life was still in disarray.
Opening up Pandora's box wasn't something she was prepared for and at times she wondered if she ever would. There were just too many hidden truths she'd worked so long and hard to protect.
Rolling him to the side, she pulled her lips from his. "Not tonight…not like this, ok?"
Taking a deep breath, he stroked her cheek. "Sure, we have the rest of our lives, right?"
"Right." She smiled, even when though her heart was screaming to run away from him and from everything.
…
Stumbling out of the room not ten minutes later, citing the need to find Brooke, she ran smack into the hard chest of the one and only Nathan Royal Scott.
"Did you give it up?" he sneered, his voice full of contempt.
"Go to hell," she spit back, turning away from him.
Grabbing her arm, he spun her around to him. "You first."
Snatching her arm back, she placed it on her hip, to aid her pose of indigence. "No thanks, standing here with you is close enough."
Smirking, he chugged the rest of his crown and coke and tossed it haphazardly on the floor, smirking even more when he caught her rolling her eyes. "I haven't seen you drunk in awhile."
'God, he was random.' The boy was a master at switching gears and throwing her off her guard. "I'm not drunk," she defended, then true to form stumbled on her own two feet, Nathan catching her in his strong tan arms.
Groaning, in defeat, she looked up at him, "Ok, I'm a little bit drunk."
Sitting her down on a near by decorative trunk, he stayed upright, leaning against the wall opposite her. "Nice speech today."
She blinked a few times, in surprise, at the fact he was there. He was Lucas's brother, though, so she should have expected it, maybe her mind was just mentally blocking that fact out.
"It was all bullshit," she finally replied, playing with a loose piece of wicker beside her.
"I know, but you still looked hot. Actually made being forced to go by my parents tolerable."
Struggling to her feet, she took two steps till she was up against him, pressing her body into his. "Then it was worth it." She smiled suggestively up to him, throwing him off guard with her own switching of the gears.
She didn't know why she was doing this and if you had told an hour ago she would she would have slapped you. Nevertheless, all she knew, in that moment was that she was tired of pretending, tired of being numb.
Feeling himself harden, as he always did in her presence, he forced his urges down. Grabbing her by the wrists, he shoved her back down to the trunk, "Stop."
Then with that single last word, he left her, alone—her worst fear.
Little did he know, he'd find her alone again that same night, only she wouldn't be breathing and he'd be wishing to God he wasn't either.
Cath