The water was running down Haley's back as she was taking a shower. She heard her bedroom's door slamming and opened the cabin's door, shouting.

"Nathan?"

The bathroom's door was half opened and Nathan's head popped in, "It's me, babe" he said walking in and taking a sit by the closed toilet. Haley went back to the shower and he sighed loudly, "I'm beat."

"Hard day?" she asked washing the shampoo off her hair.

"Yeah" he leaned back against the wall, "As always…" he glared through the cabin's glass where he could see Haley's blurry shape. He smirked and leaned his head back on the wall, staring at the ceiling. "I talked to Lucas today."

"You did? How was that?" she turned off the shower and stuck her hand out, "Can you reach me a towel?"

Nathan stood up, picked up the towel from the bathroom's hanger and handed to Haley as he sat back on his place, "I went to talk to him about Brooke and all but I don't think he's very willing to share his feeling just now so I didn't push it much."

She wrapped herself around the towel, "I can say the same about Brooke then" she pulled her wet hair over her right shoulder and Nathan brushed some of it from her face, "I tried to talk to her but she wasn't positive about it."

They walked back to the bedroom. Haley opened the top drawer of their nightstand and took a nightgown to put on. Nathan dropped his tired body on the bed and just watched her change.

"I wish I wasn't this tired right now."

Haley giggled and threw the wet towel on his face, as she pulled the covers to quickly get under them. He threw the towel on the floor next to him which caused Haley to gasp.

"Tell me you're gonna pick that up."

"Are you kidding me?" he scoffed, "Have you seen our living room? It's like El Niño stopped to visit."

Haley made a face, "I know. It's La Niña, actually" then she noticed his puzzled look and added, "Brooke did it. She's just lost now and needing our help and we gotta help her."

"You're right. I told Lucas to talk to her."

"You did?" Haley smiled.

"Yeah. Before it's too late, you know?" he turned on the bed to face her, "I felt what it's like losing the love of your life and I don't wish that to anyone."

She caressed his cheek with one hand softly, "But you never lost me for real. Never."

He smiled and then bragged, "That's cause I was quick."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah."

"You went after me?" she asked on a doubtful tone.

"I have a big heart" he nodded as he leaned towards her, "And it's your to take."

Haley giggled putting one hand over his chest, "Then I guess I should claim this heart of yours and make it officially mine."

"How?"

"I'm thinking about it…" she let her hand slip down his body and tickled him on his belly. Nathan started to laugh as he tried to get away from her.

"C'mon, Haley. Stop it! This is not the time… Haley! I'm serious… you wanna fight?" he finally managed to grab her hands and rolled over her, trapping her under him with his legs as he tickled her on her belly too.

"Stop it, no!" Haley tried to get loose from his grasp as she laughed loudly, "Ok, I quit…" she tried to breathe, "I'm done!" but he didn't stop so she shouted, "Nathan, stop it!"

They suddenly heard a knock on the door and Nathan finally stopped. He turned to glance at the door as Haley laid under him, trying to catch her breath. The door slowly opened as Brooke's head appeared, looking up to the ceiling as if she was trying not to look at anything.

"Hey, guys? Sorry to interrupt, but…" Nathan scoffed and Brooke looked at them on the bed. He was already sat next to Haley who was still lying down, "Do you think you could keep your voices down a bit?" she forced a grin, "I'm trying to sleep and I have an early wake up call tomorrow. So do you mind?" she made a cute face as she whispered, "Thanks…" and closed the door.

Nathan and Haley exchanged looks as Nathan sighed, "Ok. She's gotta go." Haley laughed again as he pulled her to a kiss.

…

It was around 8am when Haley got up on a jump and rushed to get changed and go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. She got there and saw Nathan by the stove and Peyton sat by the kitchen's counter, having breakfast. Haley made her way in.

"Good morning, good morning."

"Morning" Peyton mumbled chewing a piece of toast.

"C'mon" Haley patted Nathan on the back as she reach for an apple, "We gotta go."

Nathan watched her going around the kitchen, "I made French toasts."

"And I'm super late. Let's go!" she pulled him by the back of his shirt and went towards the door.

"You're not gonna eat anything?"

"There's no time, c'mon."

They walked past Peyton who rose her hand in the air to get their attention, "Hello?"

Haley stopped suddenly and turned to her, "What?

"Luggage" Peyton pointed to her bags by the kitchen's door.

"Oh my God!" Haley put one hand over her mouth, "I'm sorry. I forgot you're leaving today" she went to hug Peyton, "I'm so glad you came. I'm gonna miss you!"

Peyton hugged her back, "I'm gonna miss you too."

"Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for having me!" Peyton giggled.

"How're going to the bus top?" Haley asked already walking towards the front door.

"I'll get a cab. Don't worry."

"You sure?" Peyton waved at her and she waved back, "Ok. Bye! Have a safe trip."

"Thanks, bye."

She saw Haley leaving the apartment and felt Nathan hugging her.

"Bye, Sawyer. Take care."

"Bye, Scott" she hugged him back, "Watch out for the wife."

He laughed, "You're welcome anytime, you know that."

"I know" she winked at him, "Thanks again!"

Nathan left right after Haley and closed the door behind him. Brooke was coming from the guest room in time to see the door closing and figuring she'd be alone with Peyton as she walked in the kitchen. She went straight to get a mug to fill with black coffee. Noticing her vibe, Peyton stuck her nose inside her own mug and mumbled.

"And then there were two…"

Brooke heard it but didn't comment, "Good morning" she said dryly.

"Morning" Peyton answered watching her friend ignoring her. She was getting tired of that. Sure, sometimes she actually deserved the cold treatment but that was definitely not that case. She was just trying to help, she didn't do anything wrong. "Look, Brooke, I…"

"Actually you need to hear me out" Brooke spoke suddenly, interrupting her. She took a long breath, staring at Peyton while holding the coffee mug. "What happened yesterday was childish and unfair" she had a weak voice that made Peyton feel almost guilty which she knew she wasn't, "I didn't mean to be… well, mean. I was mad at Lucas and totally went off on you when you were just trying to help me really, and I actually love you for that…"

Peyton smiled. Brooke was clearly rambling, which she always did when she didn't want to get to the point. Sometimes because she was scared, sometimes because she couldn't find the words, but mostly because she didn't want to get vulnerable.

"So what are you saying?" Peyton asked at once.

Brooke sighed, "I'm sorry, Peyton" her voice trembled, "I really need my best friend."

"C'mon here, B. Davis" she walked to Brooke and pulled her closer to a tight hug. They kept hugging for a moment.

"Can you forgive me?" Brooke asked between some tears.

"Don't I always?" Peyton faced her and wiped her tears, "Works both ways."

"Can you help me?"

Peyton giggled, "Well I'm trying if you let me! I'll always be there for you, Brooke. No matter what, ok?"

Brooke looked down and played with her mug, "I should've known that by now, shouldn't I?"

"You're getting there" Peyton joked as she took a sit by the kitchen table, pulling her along, "Now c'mon… tell me what's going on. It's not just Lucas, is it?"

Brooke just stared at her. How did she know? "Not fair, you know me too well" she was avoiding this conversation to anyone really, "He's part of the problem with the fight we had and all, but… there's something else. One of my professors came to me yesterday to tell me how he sent some of my stuff to a contest last week and I won. First place with prize and all."

Peyton's face lightened up, "What? Brooke, that's great news!" but her smile quickly faded away as she saw Brooke's reaction, "Wait. What's the catch?"

"The catch's that the prize is a one year internship with one of the biggest clothing designers of the world in South Beach, California."

"California?" Peyton repeated excited.

Brooke nodded not half as happy as Peyton seemed to be, "Yeah. And it's one year starting three weeks from now."

"But that's awesome!"

"I know" Brooke closed her eyes as she sighed, "But it's one year, Peyton. Twelve whole months."

"And it starts next month?" Brooke nodded and Peyton shook her head, "I don't know what to say. This is an amazing opportunity for you and your career. I mean, after all what's one year compared to the rest of your life, right? And I think the same goes for you and Lucas."

Brooke stood up and went to lean on the counter, "But what if I don't have the rest of my life to work out with Lucas?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we've been bouncing on and off for far too long now. I don't even know anymore if it's really all worth it."

"Of course it is!" Peyton got up and went to her, "Brooke, you and Lucas were meant to be. Anyone can see that. I saw that! Even though I didn't want at the time… you know that."

Brooke shrugged awkwardly, "I just wish I was more sure of it."

Peyton looked at Brooke and could see the doubt in her eyes. She had been the one person to actually follow their whole relationship closely. Closer than she wished she had, once she got in the middle of it more than one time. But all along, she knew those two were bond to end up together and that was even the main reason why she gave up on Lucas all together. They could never happen. He was already Brooke's to take. And now she was watching her best friend giving up on all that. Or at least thinking about it, in the worst time ever. Lucas was sick and he needed her by his side. He needed her to be with him. And Peyton couldn't help herself but to butt in.

"Listen…" she took Brooke's hand and held it tight, "Lucas needs you right now. You should stick by him."

Brooke frowned. That was a fast change of heart. "What happened to the rest of our lives?"

"Might not include his" Peyton said softly but firmly.

Brooke stared at her for a moment to sink all in. She knew her friend was right and she couldn't say otherwise. But was she willing to let it all go for Lucas' sake when it was Lucas himself who shut her out to leave her away from his problems? Maybe she should get the opportunity and go for it. Something just for her. Just this once. Maybe.