One week later

-Haley-

I rubbed Lucas' shoulder as he cried.

As I started thinking, I bit my lip.

Suddenly, as the idea hit me like a flash of brilliance.

Yes, I knew exactly what I would say to Lucas in the morning.

He wouldn't like it, that was a given, but I'd quit caring about what he liked.

This was what he needed. Whether or not he saw that.

"Hey Lucas, you think I could talk to you?" I asked the next morning.

He nodded. "Sure. What's up, Hales?"

I bit my lip. "Sit down. This might be a long conversation."

"Ok. Long as in, continue it as we walk to school long? Or long as in-"

"Long as in, we might miss school today, long." I crossed my arms. "And before you get all judgmental, this is a lot more important than school."

"Ok..." Lucas slung his backpack off his shoulder and sat down in his desk-chair. "So what's up?"

I sat down on the edge of his bed. "Lucas, you know I love you right?"

He nodded. "Of course I do, Haley."

"Ok." I pressed my palms and fingers together. "There's just something that's been bothering me. And before I get started, I wanted you to know that. No matter what I say, just know that nothing is going to change that and I will always love you."

Now he looked worried. "O...k?"

I inhaled, and cleared my throat. "I think you should see a therapist."

He gave me this look. "What? Why?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because not four hours ago, I held you while you cried because you were scared to go sleep. Again."

He made a noise. "Haley, the doctor called it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and he says it'll go away eventually. It's only been a week since I've been back. Give it time."

"Lucas, I'm not asking you to see a therapist. I'm telling you that you need to see a therapist." I replied.

He stood up and grabbed his backpack. "Come on. We're gonna be late for school."

"No, Lucas. Sit back down. We have to talk about this."

He made another noise, but sat back down. "Fine. What else do you have to say?"

I hesitated. "I've thought about it and if you don't see a therapist, I'll drag your mom into this."

His mouth dropped open. "Haley..."

"I will." I threatened. "I'll tell her everything, Luke. The waking up screaming, the constant panic attacks, the flashbacks, the walking out of class because of panic attacks and flashbacks, the crying at night, the constant looking over your shoulder. I'll tell her about it all, Luke."

"You can't do that to me, Haley. You promised me you'd keep it a secret." He told me.

"Oh wake up, Lucas. If you think that keeping a secret is more important than keeping you safe mentally, then you're crazy. You need help."

"I don't need anything. Except my best friend to keep her mouth shut." He snapped.

I groaned. "I want to help you, Luke...but.."

"Then help me by not saying anything." He stood up. "Let me handle this in my own way. Please?"

I jumped up from his bed. "You've been handling this your own way for the past two weeks! And you know what? I don't really see a difference."

"You suck Haley! You're supposed to be on my side in all of this but

you know what? You really suck!" He yelled.

"Who sucks?" Karen asked as she opened the door.

"Nothing, just a little disagreement between Haley and me. Right

Hales?" He asked.

I couldn't lie to her any longer. I was Lucas' friend, but I had to

get him help.

"Lucas isn't sleeping at night." I blurted, my eyes on Lucas.

He shot me a death glare.

"What?" Karen asked, looking from me to Lucas. "What are you talking

about?"

"It's nothing mom." He glared at me. "Haley and I are just going to

school."

"No, Lucas. You need this." I couldn't look at him. "You need to talk

this out with your mom."

I grabbed my backpack, slung it across my body, and opened up the door.

"I have to go, Luke." I turned around and looked at him. "Open up this

time, please. You need this more than you realize."

He glared at me as I walked out.