Peyton and Brooke watched the truck pull over on the driveway of the clinic. One car was already parked, with two people leaning outside the door. Must be Haley's parents. The four them, two from a distance and the other two up close, watched Haley and Lucas get out of the car, with him who appears to be assisting her. She seems to be so delicate. What in the world is wrong with her? Brooke thought, as she and Peyton watched from her car, parked a few feet from the clinic. They saw her parents hug her tight, and did the same to Lucas. She and Lucas are almost like brother and sister. She thought in amazement. The group them proceeded to enter the clinic and disappeared from their sight.

"Now, what are we going to do?" Peyton asked, looking at her.

"I don't know Peyton... just wait I guess." Brooke replied with a shrug.

-- inside the clinic --

"So Doctor... what is going to happen with my daughter?" Mr. James asked, gathering all the courage he could muster.

Haley's mom and dad were sitting in front of the doctor's desk with Haley and Lucas seated at their back. Lucas was holding Haley's hand, and he could feel it shaking severely. He leaned forward and whispered, "I'm here Hales. I'm always here." Haley looked at Lucas at gave him a lopsided smile and gave his hand a squeeze in return.

"Well, based from the Haley's visits to the clinic for the past few weeks, she has been doing pretty okay. Still no changes from the last prognosis... Since we were able to know her cancer at an early stage, there is still a huge chance for her to recuperate. But she will not be as healthy as before. But in order to do that, Haley needs to go to chemotherapy regularly."

"Chemotherapy?" Haley's mom asked, her voice breaking.

"Yes Mrs. James. Chemotherapy is the next possible solution. If this will not work as we predict, she will need to undergo a bone marrow transplant. And this operation can be costly..."

"I'd say I'll go with chemotherapy." Haley chimed in the conversation. For the most part of the visit with the doctor, she has been quiet, absorbing all the news she was just receiving.

"Does it mean she has to stop going to school?" Lucas asked.

"I guess that'll be the case. She'll be to weak to participate in regular class activities, during the time she will under chemotherapy..."

The group fell silent, stunned on how things change in a matter of time. Now the straight-A student will stop going to school to take care of her health. None of the spoke for a while, then Haley broke the silence.

"I'll go with chemotherapy. School can wait. Mom, Dad, Doctor... let's proceed with the chemo."

"Are you sure, hunny?" Her mom asked her, with a look of sadness in her eyes.

"Yes Mom. And besides, I need a break from all that school stuff anyway. Right Lucas?" Haley asked as she looked at her best friend.

Lucas was still at a daze when he replied. "Yeah. She's right Mrs. James. I think a break from all that school crap is just what Haley needs."

Haley looked at Lucas as if to say thank you for backing her up. She needs all the support she can have, especially at this moment.

"Alright baby, we'll do it." Her dad said as she reached forward for a hug from her daughter. When he released her, he stood up, faced the doctor and said. "We'll do chemo."

"Ok. Haley, we have to schedule your chemotherapy as soon as possible. Can you come back here tomorrow?"

"Sure. Can you drive me over Luke?"

"Of course. Anytime." Lucas replied with a smile, collecting her in an embrace.

"Thank you Lucas." Mrs. James said to the boy whom she herself treats as her own son.

"So Haley, I'll see you tomorrow okay? Take care yourself for the meantime and rest."

A chorus of thank you's followed, then the group ushered themselves out of the clinic.

"Mom, can I hang out with Lucas for a while?"

"But Haley, the doctor said you need to rest..." Her mother said apprehensively, but her father interjected.

"Sure hunny. Be home before dinner okay."

"Okay, thanks Dad. I'll see you later." Haley replied and she hugged her parents' goodbye.

"Lucas" Her father said, facing him. "Take care of my baby, okay?"

"No problem Mr. James. She's my baby too." Lucas said, draping his arm around her shoulder.

"I know she's in good hands with you, son. See you later!"

They waved as her parents returned to their car and drove off.

Haley faced Lucas and said, "So what now?"

"It's just you and me Haley. You and me against the world." Lucas replied with a smile.