Hi guys. I promised you guys that I was going to update more regularly now so here I am with a new chapter. Thank you so much for your reviews, though I've noticed there was a dip in the reviews compared to previous chapters :( Anyway, here's the new chapter. I hope you'll like it and lemme know what you think ;) Cheers!

Chapter 14

Haley closed her eyes as she leaned against the door and took a deep breath. She was so frustrated with Nathan and could not believe that she had just slammed the door in his face. She headed towards her bathroom, took off her clothes closed her eyes as the water hit her face. She could not understand how Nathan could have done this to her again. It was another half an hour before she came out of her bedroom, towelling her hair dry. She removed the towel from her face and saw that Nathan was in the living room. "You're still here?"

"Haley I don't know what your problem is. One minute we were fine and we were dancing and having fun and the next minute you seem like you can't get away from me fast enough. Will you just tell me what the hell is going on?" Nathan said, his voice rising with every word.

"Can you really blame me?" Haley sighed and looked at him impatiently. "Nathan, we're both tired. Why don't you just go home."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on. Why are you doing this Haley? You keep blowing hot and cold you're making my head spin. So what's it gonna be? Do you want to tell me what's going on? Trust me. I can wait here all day." He said, his eyes flashing with anger.

Haley gave him an incredulous look. "Wow. You're one to talk Nathan. Trust you? That's a joke. Don't talk about trust when you don't even know what it means."

"Haley stop this." He pleaded, sensing that she had built a wall around her once again. He took her hands and looked into her eyes. "Tell me what's bothering you. Did I do something wrong?" She couldn't bring herself to look at him an turned her face away from him. "Haley don't do this. Don't shut me out. Not again. Look at me. Whatever it is, we can work this out but you have to tell me," Nathan said, panic slowly rising with every sentence that came out of her mouth. "I love you Hales..."

"Stop that Nathan. That's not fair."

"Why? What is that not fair? Haley if you don't believe anything that I've said to you, believe it when I tell you that I love you."

"That's just it Nathan. I do believe it when you tell me that you love me. With all my heart I do. But I don't think that's enough. I don't think you love me enough." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "You promised me that you will never hurt me Nathan. And you're still doing it and I don't know why I keep letting you. Tell me something Nathan and I want the truth this time." Nathan nodded and waited for her to continue. "Remember that day I asked you about the pills and what they were for? What were they really for Nathan?" she asked looking him straight in the eye.

Nathan was stunned into silence. He let go of her her and turned away. He closed his eyes and covered his mouth in his hand. "I told you Haley, they were for my chemo treatment," he finally said.

"Stop it! Stop lying to me! You know what Nathan? I can't do this anymore. I heard you and Jake and Luke talking at the wedding and I know there's more to the pills than your chemo treatment. You asked me to trust you. You're asking me to let you in. How can I do that when you can't trust me to tell the truth. How do you expect me to let you in when you yourself won't let me in?" She took a deep breath as she felt the tears brimming in her eyes, threatening to fall. "I think you should go. At this point I don't think I'm interested in what you are going to tell me. For all I know it could be another lie on top of another lie."

He looked at her with vacant eyes and said before turning to leave, "I'm afraid I'm not enough for you. Maybe I'm not." With that he let himself out of the door, not even bothering to wipe away the tears that were already wetting his face.

"Hey Tutorgirl! Ready to go shopping?" Brooke's voice snapped Haley out of her thoughts as she entered her classroom. While waiting for Brooke to pick her up from school, her mind drifted off to the argument she had with Nathan a few days ago. Why would he think that he was not enough for her?

"What? Yeah, hang on let me just get my purse." She had agreed to go on a shopping spree with Brooke, if only to provide her with some distraction. Peyton and Jake were not due to be back until Sunday so Brooke had one less person to bother, which was why Haley became her next target.

"Are you alright Haley? You seem distant." Brooke looked at her worriedly. "Ever since the wedding you've been in this zombie like state. Wanna tell me what's going on?"

Haley shook her head and managed a smile. "It's nothing. I got into a small argument with Nathan. Don't worry about it."

"What? What did he do this time? I swear to God I'm gonna kill him." Brooke's voice was seething with anger.

"Ok easy tiger. Like I said, it's nothing, so you can retract the claws. Come on let's go." She picked up her purse from her table and grabbed Brooke's arm and led her out of the door. They were just about to leave the school ground when they saw Nathan at the parking lot. Brooke immediately came up to him with murder in her eyes.

"What the hell did you do to Haley this time Nathan?" She asked poking her finger at Nathan's chest. Haley quickly pulled her back.

"Brooke stop it. It's nothing. Come on, let's go."

Nathan looked at Haley and said to Brooke, "Brooke it's none of your business ok?"

"No it is my business. Haley's my friend and when you keep on hurting my friend, it became my business."

"Brooke please. Let's just leave ok?" Haley pleaded as she looked at Nathan's face. She thought she saw a hint of pain in his eyes. She had expected to Nathan to try and talk to her, just like he did everytime they had an argument, but not this time. He hadn't even called her and everytime she saw him in school he would take a look at her before walking in the opposite direction.

Brooke took a last look at Nathan before backing away, leaving Haley to face Nathan. She looked at him questioningly before leaving, "Why?" He knew what she meant by the question. She wanted to know what he meant when he said he was not enough for her.

"Haley...I'm sorry," he whispered as he watched her leave until she was out of sight before he got into his car and wept.

It was a Saturday morning and Haley, Lucas and Brooke were at the cafe having breakfast. "You know it's really weird not having Peyton and Jake joining us for breakfast." Brooke said as she munched on her croissant.

Lucas laughed. "Brooke I know you miss Peyton but she's coming back tomorrow. You know if I didn't know you better and you weren't my girlfriend, I would think that you two were gay. Maybe you were the one who should have married her instead of Jake."

"Ewwww Luke. That's gross!" Haley laughed at his remark. "Hey Luke, is Nathan joining us?" she asked him, her face not giving anything away.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since yesterday. Why?"

"Nothing, I was just asking." Haley sipped her coffee quietly and couldn't help but wonder if Nathan was alright.

Brooke got out of her chair and asked them, "Hey do you guys want anything else? I'm getting a pie."

"Wow you sure are eating a lot today." Haley looked at her friend with raised eyebrows.

"What are you talking about? I always eat a lot. I refuse to succumb to the pressure of being stick thin. Anorexia is a disease, not a fashion statement," Brooke said, flicking her hair before heading to the counter, leaving Lucas and Haley alone.

Lucas looked at her suspiciously. "Hey are you alright Hales? You've been quiet. Everything ok?"

"Yeah. Well actually no. Luke can I ask you something? At Peyton's wedding I overhead you and Nathan and Jake talk about the pills that Nathan is taking. What are the pills for?" When Lucas did not answer, she continued, "I asked him about it and he said that they're for his chemo treatment. Is that true?" She was hoping that Lucas would tell her the truth. They've been best friends since they were kids and he has never lied to her about anything before.

"Haley, maybe you should ask him yourself," Lucas replied as he focused his attention on a piece of crumb on the table.

"That's just it Lucas. He refuses to talk to me about it. Look I know he's your brother but if there's anything I should know, you have to tell me." Haley pleaded as he reached over for his hand.

He gave her hand a squeeze and said, "Hales, I'm sorry. It's not my place to tell. I'm sure he'll tell you when he's ready. And Hales, you should know that whatever he does, he has your best interest at heart."

Haley sighed. "I know. Oh there he is. Maybe I can try to talk to him." Haley looked up and saw Nathan entering the cafe.

"Hey bro. You're late. We're finishing already. Late night?" Lucas asked his brother and looked a bit concerned seeing his disheveled look.

"Yeah I couldn't sleep. Sorry." Nathan said as he tried to avoid looking at Haley. "Hey I'm gonna go get some coffee," he said heading straight to the counter.

"He even can't bring himself to look at me Luke," Haley said softly. "You know what? Maybe I should go. I'll catch you later ok?" she said before shouting over her shoulder at Brooke. "Hey Brooke I'm leaving. You wanna come?"

Brooke came up to her and said, "Yeah, hang on." She kissed Lucas and gave him a wink. "I'll see you later Broody." Lucas watched the two friends leave and before turning his attention to Nathan.

"Ok what's going on between you and Haley? Just now she was asking me about the pills. Is that why are you avoiding her?"

Nathan looked at him in surprise. "You didn't tell her anything, did you?" he asked worriedly.

"No, I didn't. But you should. Look I you're not telling her because you're afraid of what it might do to her. But don't you think she should be the judge of that?" Lucas looked at Nathan pleadingly. "Nate, you told me that you guys are trying to work things out. This is not working things out. Not when you keep hiding things from her. She deserves to know."

"I know she does and you're right. I'm gonna tell her today." He looked up to Lucas with a look of resignation. "But Luke, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I'm thinking I should go back to New York. I've already packed my things and my plane is leaving tomorrow." Seeing that his brother was about to protest he said, "Don't Luke. I know what you're going to say but I've made up my mind. Haley deserves better than me."

Lucas looked at him incredulously. "You selfish son of a bitch. You're not doing this for her. You're doing this for yourself. You can't stand the guilt of what it's gonna do to her. Dammit it Nathan, grow up! You want her to be happy? Well she can't do that. Not without you. She loves you Nathan."

Nathan shook his head. "What if love is not enough?"

"Nathan, I'm begging you. Don't do this to her. Not again." Lucas looked at him, head bent down. "You know what, for a minute there, I was almost ashamed that you are my brother. I'm gonna go. You do what you have to do but if you leave again, make sure you don't come back." He took one last look at his brother in disgust and left.

The house was quiet which gave Nathan the opportunity to think. His mom was out helping Karen out at the cafe. He laid on his bed and thought about what Lucas said this morning. He couldn't believe that he was in this position again. Just when he thought that he and Haley could have the life that they had always wanted, another obstacle came in their way. He took out from his drawer the photo of her which he found in one of the boxes at her house and traced the outline of her face. He closed his eyes and images of her face flashed before him. He thought of all the times they spent together and all the laughs that they shared and he smiled. Nobody could make him laugh the way Haley did. He thought of the times he was in the hospital, wishing that he could get out soon so he could find her again. Thinking about all those things made his heart ache. And he ached for her. He thought of all the things that he had done to her. All the pain that he had caused. Tears started streaming down his face. He quickly wiped them away when he heard his mother's voice.

"Nathan? Are you home honey?" He opened his bedroom door and let his mother in. "What's with the bag? Are you going somewhere?" she asked, looking at the mess in his room.

"Emmm...yeah. I was gonna tell you. I'm going back to New York tomorrow morning."

Deb looked at her son incredulously. "And when is it that you were gonna tell me? What's going on?"

Nathan sat down on his bed. "I just thought I'd go away for a while to clear my head."

Deb walked over and joined him on the bed. "Does Haley know that you're leaving? Again?"

"No. I'm gonna tell her tonight."

Deb took his hand in hers and shook her head. "What are you doing Nathan? Is it about those?" she asked him, indicating the bottles of pills on his bedside table. "What happened to you Nathan? You used to be so strong, so sure of yourself, like the world couldn't stand a chance against you. You didn't tell Haley, did you?"

"I don't know how Mom. I don't think I can stand seeing her face when I do, not after everything she's been through."

"And you think by going away, you could spare her the pain? Do you even know her at all?" She wiped away the tears from his son's face and continued. "Let me tell you something Nathan. Haley is like a daughter to me and I know her. I know that she's stronger than you give her credit for."

"You don't understand Mom. She already lost a baby. How do I tell her that I can't give her anymore?" He covered his face in his hands and sobbed.

Deb pulled his son into her arms and said soothingly. "Nathan, you don't know that. The doctors said that there's a chance that you still could. That's what the pills are for. Let me ask you something. Why do you keep taking them if you don't believe that one day you and Haley could have the family that you both have always wanted? Now you need to clean yourself up and go see her. Tell her Nathan. And then you can decide if you want to go back to New York or not ok? Promise me you'll tell her?"

Nathan pulled himself away from his mother's embrace and nodded. "Ok I will. Thanks Mom."

Deb smiled at her only son. "I know you'll do the right thing. You always have." She got up from the bed and walked out of the bedroom, closing the door softly behind her leaving Nathan staring after her.