Chapter 2

Haley POV

I wake up on Lucas couch. There is a half-eaten box of pizza still on table, right beside the empty bowl of popcorn from last night. I smile at the site, as it finally realize how good it feels to be home.

Flashback

I am sitting alone in my dressing room. I continue to stare at myself in the mirror, hoping that the person starring back at me will decide to leave me alone. Suddenly I can't control the tears that fill my eyes.

Director: Haley, It's time to do your set.

Me: I can't. (Pause.) I can't go on tonight.

Director: People are counting on you to play. Don't give me none of this nonsense.

I'm suddenly speechless. The room is starting to spin. I close my eyes and try to escape.

Director: (Yelling.) Chris, come back here and talk to your friend.

I can hear him leave the room, as Chris enters. There is a long pause before he tries to reason with me.

Chris: (Putting his hands on my shoulders.) Talk to me, Hales.

Me: (Turning around to face him.) I just can't play tonight.

Chris: Don't you think I know you better than that? Tell me what's really going on.

Me: (Finally bringing my eyes to meet his.) I want to go home.

All of a sudden I am in his arms, crying even harder. I know that he understands.

Chris: Do you want me to call you a cab?

I nod.

End of Flashback

I stand up to make an attempt to straighten up, and trip over Lucas, who has crashed on the floor. Good thing he isn't a light sleeper. I put the pizza box in the fridge, and as I move to put the popcorn bowl in the sink I bump into Karen. God I'm clumsy this morning.

Karen: Haley?

Me: Hi.

Karen: When did you get here?

Me: Last night. You were sleeping. I hope you don't mind that I stayed here.

Karen: Of course not. (She leans in to give me a hug.) I was just shocked to see you on anything other than a magazine. You are always welcome here.

Me: Thanks, Karen. I'm gonna try and find a place to stay, today.

Karen: Nonsense. You are staying here.

Me: But-

Karen: Don't give me that speech about not wanting to imposs. Your staying here and that's final. (Pause.) Want to help me with breakfast?

Me: (Laughing) Sure.

Lucas POV

As I walk down the hallway, I can hear the sound of Haley and my mum talking, and this is a sound I have heard like a million times in my life, but this morning it feels like the most amazing thing I could ever hear. I almost feel like I'm still dreaming it.

And as I walk into the kitchen I'm greeted by both of them smiling at me, and suddenly I feel like everythings gonna be ok.

Karen: Good Morning, I wasn't sure if we'd see you today!

Me: Sorry I was kept up last night by someone chatting in my ear.

Haley: Lucas if you don't like it maybe you should shut up.

Me: Ha ha. I didn't think you'd be back yet Mum?

Karen: I got back early this morning.

Me: I wanted to meet you at the airport.

Karen: It doesn't matter I'm here now. I'll leave you 2 to talk.

Me: So. How you feeling this morning?

Haley: I feel good. I feel like I'm home.

Me: Good.

Haley: Your mum said I could stay here.

Me: Great! More sleeping on the floor!

Haley: Its a small price to pay for being able to see me everyday!

Me: Yeah it really is.

Haley: So I was thinking... that I should go and see Nathan... I wanted to put it off... but I figured I should just face it right?

Me: Hales.. Nathans leaving today. For high flyers.

Haley: What? Why didn't you tell me?

Me: Because I didn't want to pressure you into going to see him ok? I knew that if I told you, you'd feel like you should run over there and see him.

Haley: Is that a bad thing?

Me: No, but you said that you weren't ready that and you should see him when you are.

Haley: But Lucas the longer I leave it the worse it will be.

Me: I don't think he leaves for another hour or so. So if you want to then you should go. But just think about how he's gonna react to seeing you. And...

Haley: And what Lucas!?

Me: I just want you to be happy. And I don't want you to get hurt.

Haley: He's my husband Lucas. I can;t run from that.

Me: I know.

Haley: So what about Brooke?

Me: I don't know. She left yesterday.

Haley: Thats vague Lucas.

Me: Before she left I told her that I was still in love with her.

Haley: And are you?

Me: All I know is I didn't want her to leave.

Haley: Looks like we both have some decisions.

Me: Yeah.