𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭

𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 portrayed by Sofia Carson

...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐩. 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐩. 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐩.

The pounding of drums and guitars echoed through my earpieces as the crowd cheers were muffled.

"He said, "Let's get out of this town. Drive out of the city away from the crowds."

I gripped the microphone tightly as I moved across the stage, moving with the music. It was all muscle memory as I strutted down the stage, as my dancers moved with me to the lyrics that flowed out of my mouth.

"Say you'll remember me standing in a nice dress. Staring at the sunset, babe."

I moved from the dancers, crouched, and smiled, reaching my hand out, waving, and watching as the crowd went into a frenzy. I gazed out into the crowd one last time as gratitude flooded me like a river.

"Say you'll see me again, even if it's just pretend."

The beat dropped, and I got to my feet as the music picked up. I moved across the stage. My hand reached out as one of the dancers grabbed it and twirled me into his arms, dipping me in an arch as my hand brushed against the floor of the stage. Another set of hands grabbed my legs, and they proceeded to lift me, their hands digging into my arms and legs, clutching me tightly underneath my dark green mini-skirt.

"In your wildest dreams, ah-ah, ha."

I braced myself as they lowered me carefully to the ground. I stepped out of the hold and strutted one last time to the center of the stage, holding the last note. As the last beat of the drums echoed, I turned my head and looked at the crowd over my shoulder.

Cheers erupted, and I turned around, feeling my chest rise and fall. I took out one of my earpieces and smiled, which caused more cheers to erupt.

"Mylah!" They chanted.

"Thank you, Madison Square Garden," I said into my mic.

The lights slowly dimmed, and I rushed off the stage. I felt slaps on my back and smiled before reaching for water, waiting for me in the outstretched hand of a tech. I took a sip, trying to calm my reaching heart.

I had just reached my dressing room, pulled out the other earpiece, and heard a voice call out, "Not bad for your first tour."

I sat in a white high chair, and my eyes met warm brown ones. "I guess. I'm sorry, but who are..."

"Camilla Reyes," she said, leaning against the door with her arms crossed. I stared at her, feeling exposed as she looked me up and down. "I want to produce your album."

I blinked, stunned. "Excuse me?"

"Everyone will be coming out of the woodwork to find you and ask for you to sign to their labels," Camillia explained, taking a step into the room. "I want to be the first and only."

I was just about to shoot her offer down when a voice interjected, "Mylah,"

I turned from Camilla, who decided to make herself comfortable on the white couch in the back of the dressing room.

Marissa, one of the techs, walked over to me with white roses. "These came for you,"

I went still.

I didn't have to read the card attached to the bouquet to know precisely who they were from. The stillness of the roses caused fear to run through me, stealing my breath. Every memory and every time that I got white roses was stamped into my memory, no matter how much I tried to erase them from my mind. Because it always came after as a way to apologize.

I hate roses.

"Throw them away," I muttered, fear lacing my tone.

Marissa blinked. "What?"

"Did she stutter?" Camilla cut in.

I turned to her, trying to calm my racing heart. I felt my chest rise and fall quickly with every passing breath.

"Um..." Marissa blinked, staring doe-eyed at me, shifting her gaze from me to the roses and Camilla. "It came with a note."

I took a steadying breath and pushed myself to my feet, crossing the room. I tried to ignore the way my hands shook and took the roses from Marissa. I grabbed the envelope from the roses, turning my back to Marissa.

"Anything else?" Camilla voiced irritation in her tone.

"No," Marissa's meekly reply came out. "I'll...just go."

"Good idea," Camilla said.

I waited until the door closed and tossed the roses into the trash, holding the envelope for a few seconds before tossing it. I moved over to the couch and sat, crossing my legs.

"Ex-boyfriend?"

I peered at Camilla, who was frowning in the loveseat across from me. "I'm sorry?"

"A girl who receives flowers either knows right away who they are from or doesn't." Camilla gave me a pointed look. "Seeing as you knew exactly who they were from, I'm guessing an ex who doesn't want to let you go."

I let out a breath. "You could say that."

More like a deranged psychopath.

...🏀...

"What the hell is a Tree Hill?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's the name of the town." I crossed my arms as Camilla made the airport employees carry her bags. "Why did you bring so many bags?"

"It's just clothes...and some other essentials." Camilla shrugged.

I eyed the seven bags between the two employees as they struggled to push the cart holding Camilla's things. "What essentials?"

"Just because you are going back to school," Camilla huffed as if the thought of me finishing high school was so beneath both of us. "Doesn't mean I can't bring the studio to you."

I grabbed her arm, turning her to me. "I thought we agreed to wait until I graduated to finish the album."

"Why not do both?"

I gawked at her, wondering if she could actually be serious. The smug smile on her lips told me everything that I needed to know. I only knew Camille for a couple of weeks as she was finalizing my deal with her record label, but so far, she got exactly what she wanted.

I glanced up at the ceiling. "Lord help me."

A flash went off, and I blinked as the light blinded me for half a second. But it wasn't long before another one went off.

"Mylah!"

Another flash.

"Over here!"

Someone shoved into me, and I tumbled into Camilla, who had to steady me before I hit the floor. I winced as another flash went off, and cameras closed in around me. I gripped tightly to Camilla's hand, probably cutting off her circulation, but she just squeezed my hand as tightly.

"Why are you Tree Hill?"

"Are you working on anything new?"

"Can you sign my shirt?!"

A microphone was shoved into my face, and the paparazzi looked at me like I was a piece of meat, eager to be the first one I talked to. I tried to avoid them when I was on tour, but like vultures, they wouldn't stop until they could learn everything they could about the girl Beyoncé brought on her tour at the last minute.

I thought they would leave me alone once I got home. But apparently, that was just wishful thinking.

"Where the hell is your security?" Camilla muttered, steering me through the crowd.

I couldn't answer, not when it felt like everything was closing in around me. I tried to steady my breathing, but the best I could do was to let out a shaky breath. All I wanted was to get home so I could finally see my daughter and...him.

Nathan.

God, I missed him.

He spent the whole summer at High Flyers while I was on tour, and I just wanted to see him.

"That's enough,"

I watched as the airport's security pushed the reporters back, and I felt like I could breathe again. Camilla gripped me tightly, and we moved quickly down the terminal, heading for the doors that would leave us outside.

"I have no idea how they found you," Camilla sighed, letting go of me and grabbing her phone. "But I'm going to get to the bottom of this right now."

Another thing I learned about Camilla is that you do not want to get on her bad side.

I ran my fingers through my hair, shaking off the tightness in my chest, and looked around at the almost deserted airport. I had caught an earlier flight from New York back to Tree Hill and didn't tell anyone I was coming home so I could surprise everyone. But after the paparazzi took all those pictures of me, I doubted my arrival would be a surprise any more come morning.

I looked around the airport, about to sit down, while Camilla yelled at whoever she needed to yell at, but I stopped dead in my tracks.

The first thing that caught my eye was his messy dark brown hair, which made me want to run my fingers through it. My gaze shifted to those piercing blue eyes that kept me up at night, questioning if I had done the right thing. It didn't feel right following my dream when all I wanted to be was with him.

My bag fell off my shoulder, hitting the ground, but I didn't hear it or care. I took a step and then another before I was into a full-blown run, pumping my legs faster, not caring how I looked or if the paparazzi would snap another photo of me.

All I cared about was him.

"I was going to wait—"

I didn't let him finish as I jumped into his arms, wrapped my legs around him, and slammed my lips against his in a bruising kiss.

He stumbled back, and his grip on me tightened, never letting me go. My lips moved against his, slowly waiting, and it didn't take long for him to kiss me back. I melted against him, kissing him and digging my fingers into his hair, and he let out a groan. A smile graced my lips at the sound and how his fingers were digging into my thighs.

It was like he was a drug, and I couldn't get enough.

He pulled back, breaking the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. "I dropped your flowers."

I peered at him through my thick lashes, catching my breath. "I don't care. You can buy me new ones."

He slowly set me on my feet, and my hands fell from his hair. I gripped the front of his black shirt, anchoring him to me.

"God, I missed your voice," Nathan murmured, his hand digging into my hair and pulling me until I was flush against him.

"I missed you," I mumbled.

"I missed you too," he said.

"As much as this reunion warms my heart, we need to move now."

I looked over my shoulder at Camilla, who gave me a pointed look.

"And you are?" Nathan asked, a hint of protectiveness in his tone, gripping me tightly to him.

Camilla rolled her eyes before moving back to her phone. "I'm her manager."

...🏀...

"Mama!"

Tears filled my eyes, and I grabbed Leila from her high chair. She was slightly taller, and curly dark brown hair covered her head. My heart ached, and I pulled her against my chest just as a tear fell down my cheek. I could feel my daughter relaxing in my arms, gripping tightly to my shirt, and I swallowed a sob, aching to be released.

"Haley taught her that, " my mom explained, walking around the kitchen counter. "Everything is set up in the backyard."

She headed for the backdoor, and I pulled back, looking at my daughter, who was resting her head on my chest.

Burning guilt ran through me, making me question everything. I missed three months of my daughter's life. Months that she and I couldn't ever get back. I just hoped that going on tour for three months was the right thing.

"Don't,"

I looked over my shoulder just as Nathan came up behind me.

"You're scrunching your nose, and you only do that when you're overthinking." he pointed out with a raised brow.

"I am not," I grumble,d resisting the urge to touch my face.

"Uh huh," Nathan mused. "Come on, we have a cake to cut."

Nathan grabbed my hand, and we headed into the backyard.

My lips parted as my eyes glanced over the patio. Fairy lights hung above me, lighting up the patio against the setting sun. I could see my dad on the patio's edge, wrapping his arms around my mom while my brother talked to Lucas. I shifted my gaze to the big table in the middle of the patio where Haley was setting the table with help from my cousin, Atlas, while the rest of our friends were scattered throughout.

"Haley, I said purple and pink for the napkins, not white," Brooke's voice echoed, reaching me.

"The store didn't have purple and pink napkins, just white ones," Haley told her with a hint of irritation.

"So you just gave up. Does our goddaughter mean so little to you?" Brooke huffed, crossing her arms.

I watched Haley's jaw tick and knew that was my cue. So, I grabbed Brooke's arm, moving her to me. I gave Atlas a look, and he moved Haley to the other side of the patio by the drinks.

"Brooke," I started, and she turned to me. I made sure to look in her green eyes. "Let the napkin thing go."

"But—" she started.

I cut her off. "Nope. Let it go."

I raised a brow at her, giving her a pointed look until she sighed, pouting. I handed Leila over to her, and Brooke's eyes lit up. She moved towards Leila's high chair, which my mom must have taken out at some point.

"Brooke and Haley really outdid themselves," Nathan said, pulling me into his side. "But I thought only Brooke was the godmother?"

I sighed. "I figured it was only right since I have two godmothers. Plus, they would have fought until one was the godmother, and Haley would have won. I couldn't have Brooke subjected to that...Haley wouldn't have played fair."

"I see," Nathan chuckled. "Her godfathers?"

I looked up at him. "Lucas and Skills."

"It's time to cut the cake!" Brooke called out.

I moved from Nathan, but not before grabbing his hand and intertwining his fingers with mine. I stood at the head of the table beside the high chair. I knew for sure that Brooke had Peyton decked it out as a princess throne for Leila, the purple glittering under the fairy lights.

I pointed to the chocolate cake, and Leila clapped her hands, trying but failing to blow out her one candle. I grabbed the candle carefully and brought it closer to Leila, and together, we blew it out.

"Happy birthday, Lei-Lei."

...🏀...

"Rise and shine."

I rubbed my eyes, feeling groggy. I was sitting on Peyton's bed and looking at Brooke, who was walking around Peyton's room with a skip in her step.

"Brooke, why did you drag me over here?" I groaned, wishing for my bed.

"Nice of you two to knock," Peyton grumbled, slowly pushing herself until her back was against her bed's headboard.

"I didn't wanna wake you, sleeping bitchy!" Brooke smirked, holding a Sharpie in her hand. "Besides, I had to get the list ready."

"What list?" Peyton questioned.

I raised my hand, looking between my friends. "I second that."

"This list," Brooke announced, pushing Peyton's closet door open with glee.

I blinked at the painted black doors etched in silver writing. My gaze read one side, which had 'Brooke' at the top and 'Peyton' at the bottom before I looked at the other side, which had my name standing out on its own.

I sat up straight, looking at my best friend, hoping she hadn't lost her mind.

"What is that exactly?" Peyton asked with a hint of apprehension.

"Are we planning a murder?" I asked, looking slowly from Brooke to the doors lingering. "Or multiple murders?"

"No," Brooke said. "Since you and I are both officially available again and Mylah's with Nathan, and tonight is the end-of-summer beach party, which means partial or not total naked nudity," Brooke skips into Peyton's bathroom grabbing her toothbrush and walked back but not before shoving it into Peyton's mouth. "I have made a list of all the available guys so that we can avoid the pain and hardship of another 'Lucas love triangle.'"

Peyton got up and headed to her bathroom, all while mumbling.

"But I was never a part of this 'Lucas love triangle." I sighed.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't get any of that. Did you just say something about me puking in a rave?" Brooke asked, ignoring me.

Peyton spits in her sink and leans against her bathroom door. "I said, 'the Lucas you're supposedly dating.'"

"Non-exclusively," Brooke smirked.

I rolled my eyes at her and scooted until my back was on Peyton's headboard, snuggling into my sweatshirt.

"Huh." Peyton scoffed.

"What 'huh'? I have dated multiple guys before!" Brooke said defensively.

I stare at Brooke, raising my brow. "Lucas isn't just any boy to you, Brooke. He's the boy you are head over heels in love with."

"Exactly. Plus, I thought you were the new responsible Brooke," Peyton groaned, slapping her on her ass before climbing back into her bed.

"Eurgh, so last season—responsible Brooke is good, but party Brooke is gooder," Brooke smirked. She walked back to the closet, waving the Sharpie in her hand. "Check it out; I get Lucas, Mouth, half the guys on the team—" Brooke pointed at the names as she went down her list. "I put my first choices here, but we can totally mix and match any and all lifeguards. Nathan's uncle Cooper's so hot, Larry—"

"Whoa!" Peyton interrupted. "Larry, like...my dad Larry?"

Brooke nodded. "Of course, he's my hot dad fantasy, along with Matthew."

I shuddered from revulsion at the thought of my dad and Brooke. "Gross."

"Don't worry," Brooke told her. "Unless he becomes magically single, I'll have to focus on Peyton's. Anyway, Peyton's dad is a total DILF! And besides, I gave you Dan."

I sat up, staring at Brooke like she had lost her goddamn mind. "You gave Peyton Dan the fucking devil incarnate Scott."

"Yes, and I get Dave Grohl from the 'Foo Fighters.'" Brooke continued. "You get it," Brooke continues with the names under Peyton. "Jake—as promised, Alex and Atlas maybe together if you know into that, the other half of the guys on the team, Anna—because well...you never know, and she was totally into you, and all the Rivercourt boys—Skills, Fergie and Garbage."

"Junk." Peyton corrected.

"Right!" Brooke nodded. "And finally, the rest of the Foo Fighters."

Peyton pouted. "Why do you get Dave Grohl? I want Dave Grohl!"

"No way." Brooke denied.

"So I get a fugitive and a married guy," Peyton frowned.

Brooke sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. You take Dave Grohl. I'm taking Anna."

"Deal." Peyton agreed.

I nodded at the other door with my name on it. "Who the hell are the other names besides Nathan?"

"Well, superstar." Brooke started with a hint of a smirk on her lips. "That's all the celebrities that are hot for you after your tour with Beyoncé." She handed me a Cosmo. "It's all in there."

I flipped through it, and my mouth dropped. "Oh my god."

"I know, especially with Usher and Ryan Gosling calling you hot." Brooke gushed.

I shook my head and got to my feet, moving over to Brooke and shoving the magazine into her chest. "As much fun as this been, I got to go make sure my dad doesn't kill Nathan."

"How's that going?" Peyton asked. "You all living under one roof.

"Well..." I exhaled a deep breath. "Pretty much as can be expected. My dad's happy since Nathan's packing to move back to his parents."

"Because of the dealership fire?" Brooke guessed.

I nodded. "Bingo."

I turned and hugged Peyton a little longer, especially after everything she told me about her mom not being her real mom, and Ellie being her biological mom. I had a feeling she needed it.

I pulled back and walked over to the door. "Come on, Brooke, you're my ride."

"Fine," Brooke grumbled. "Nighty Night."

I was already halfway out of the house when Brooke locked her arm with mine.

I raised a brow at her. "Yes, Brooke."

"I was just wondering...when you're going to bone Nathan finally," Brooke asked so casually that I almost tripped down the steps onto the sidewalk. "I'm not trying to rush you, but I see how you look at each other."

I got into her car and put on my seatbelt just as she got in. "Wow, okay, um..." Brooke drove down the road nodding her head for me to continue. ""I want to take that step with him, not to rip the bandaid off and get it over with."

"But?" Brooke pushed, turning at a light.

I licked my lips, feeling self-conscious. It's been almost over two years since I was raped, and I knew that Natan would wait no matter what until I was ready.

"But what if all he sees is—"

"Mylah Persephone Evans." Brooke gasped.

She slammed on the brakes, and the car jerked.

I braced my hands onto the dash while the seatbelt dug into my skin. "What the fuck, Brooke?"

"Don't Brooke me." She said, turning to me. "You are enough, Mylah. Nathan will wait until you are ready, even if that's fucking ten years or never. Nathan will wait." Brooke grabbed Mylah's hand and squeezed. "Don't let that fucking psycho win. You are my best friend, Mylah Persephone Evans, and you are enough."

I hugged her, ignoring the way the console dug into my side. "I love you, Brooke Penelope Davis."

"Good because you're stuck with me," Brooke muttered against my shoulder. She leaned back, looking into my eyes. "Now, let's figure out what to wear tonight for the bonfire. We have a couple of Scott brothers to drive mad."

...🏀...

As I walked along the beach, my curls blew in the wind, and I looked out at the ocean. It was peaceful watching the tide come in and out. I could hear the faint cheering and laughter from Brooke's bonfire getting fainter with each step of the party I took.

My bare feet moved through the wet sand, and I picked up my long skirt, moving my leg through the slit in the side. I look over my shoulder, frowning at the two men following me while scanning the beach.

Why couldn't they just stay at home?

"Hey,"

I lifted my head and watched Nathan walk over to me with his hands shoved into the pockets of his tan cargo shorts.

"Hey," I smiled just as footsteps reached my ears. I looked over my shoulder, watching as one of my moved in. "It's fine, Adam."

He nodded before moving back to scanning the beach. I brushed wisps of curls out of my face when I found Nathan's gaze on me frowning.

"Camilla's idea." I sighed, really hating having people watching me at all times. "After the airport, she thought having security would keep the paparazzi and everyone else away."

"But you hate it," Nathan said, grabbing my hand.

"Yes," I answered, muffled, resting my head on his chest.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I melted against him, looking at the ocean. Nathan didn't say anything; he just rubbed soothing circles into my back while I looked out at the waves. It was nice, almost normal, as if my life hadn't changed when I went on tour for three months, and the whole world didn't know who I was.

"Did I tell you that you look beautiful today?" Nathan murmured.

I peered up at him, biting my lip, trying to hide my smile and failing. "No."

"Well..." Nathan moved his hands to my waist, pulling me flush against him. "You, Mylah Evans, look beautiful."

I could feel heat dance along my cheeks at his words. I stared at him, focusing on his blue eyes, making everything fade away like I was the only thing that mattered to him, and I liked that. Not only that, but I liked how it made me feel—protected. I haven't felt that way in a long time.

I shivered through my long-sleeved green crop top.

"Are you cold? We can go—"

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him until my lips crashed into his. Nathan moved one of his hands from my waist into my hair. I felt his hand tangle with my hair and sharp pain when he tugged. A moan escaped my lips, swallowed by Nathan, who deepened the kiss.

He kissed me like he was devouring me, and even though my chest tightened from the lack of oxygen, I didn't want him to stop. Heat licked my skin, erupting goosebumps in its wake and spreading throughout my body as Nathan's fingers dug into my hips.

Nathan broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. I peered at him through my lashes, finding conflict in his eyes.

"Um..." Nathan cleared his throat,t pulling back. "You want a drink?"

I blinked taken aback. "Um, sure."

Nathan squeezed my hand before heading back to the bonfire. I stared after him, watching him get further away from me. He rubbed the back of his neck, shaking his head, which just confused me even more.

"What the hell was that all about?" Brooke voiced.

"I second that," Haley said, coming to my other side.

I looked at them and then went back to Nathan, who was disappearing into the crowd.

"I have no idea."

...🏀...

𝐀/𝐍: I'M BACK!!!

I know it's also been a minute, but I'm bringing back author notes because I missed interacting with y'all and getting you input.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy having Nathan and Mylah back. I missed writing them. Also, this chapter took a minute since I changed things around in this rewrite.

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: How do you feel about the rewrite? What would y'all like to see more of in the rewrite???

-𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑎 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘