A few days later found Nathan, Lucas and Whitey in the coach's office. It was a few minutes before the start of the first game since the school shooting.

"How are you, son?" Whitey asked Lucas, sounding surprisingly concerned.

"I'm fine,"At their skeptical looks, he added, "Really. Ke-Keith would want me to play and be happy."

His voice broke every time he mentioned his name. And as usual, he felt on the verge of tears. He cleared his throat to prevent his voice from sounding too weak or trembling. It didn't work.

"Anyway... I figured he wouldn't want me to be bitter and sad forever. He would want me to live my life, and basketball is definitely part of it." He didn't want to tell the truth and say that it 'was his life'.

Nathan put a comforting hand on his shoulder and nodded supportively. He was glad his brother was dealing so well with the loss of his uncle, who was more like a dad to Luke than his biological father could ever be.

"I'm proud of you, son." Whitey said, sounding genuine, which made Lucas somehow feel guilty. "If you need anything, to talk or just to get away, my door's always open. I know it's hard, but you're strong. Remember that."

The sympathy and understanding in Whitey's eyes made it hard for Lucas to speak without crying. So he just nodded.

"If anything's bothering you and you wanna stop the game. We will. We are there for you, Luke."

All that made speaking even harder, but Lucas tried nonetheless.

"Thanks." he croaked.

There was silence for a moment, all lost in their own thoughts of grief.

"Now. We have a game to win." Whitey announced. "Get your asses to the changing room!"

And it was indeed a game they won. Everyone seemed to be trying harder than ever to win.

Especially Lucas. It was impossible to miss how well he played, since more than half of the points were scored by him. Most thought it was because of his newfound healthy determination to do what he liked and were more than happy about the success it brought for Tree Hill.

Haley on the other hand was far from pleased. She was angry at her best friend's recklessness and stubbornness.

It became painfully obvious tonight that Lucas had stopped taking his heart medication. She had suspected it before, but now all her fears were confirmed. And she was determined to do something about it.

"Hales, are you in there?" Nathan interrupted her musings.

"Yeah, sorry. What did you just say?" She shook her head to get herself back to the present, in which she was walking to the car with her wonderful boyfriend. She would banish her many worries for now and talk to Lucas later.

Oh, she wasn't looking forward to that.

"I was just saying how well Luke played tonight. We couldn't have won the game without him."

Great, not exactly a change of topic.

"Really?" she asked faking nonchalance.

"Yeah, it's almost like he practiced a lot outside of the painful hours we have to with Whitey. But that's probably not true. I mean who would want to do that on top of everything?"

Haley hoped Nathan was right. If Lucas exercised without supervision, no one could help him in case he had... problems with his health.

"I hope not." she muttered.

"Anyway, I'm just glad he's doing so well after Keith." Nathan said sadly. Just thinking about it made him sad.

"Yes." This was finally something she could whole-heartedly agree on.

Lucas made the best of this terrible situation.

She knew her best friend enough to know that he was still hurting, but she also thought that he was dealing with it pretty well.

He hadn't distanced himself from his friends, instead, he had gotten even closer to them. Grief had brought them all closer together.

"...finally took them, didn't you?" They heard Brooke's cheery voice from somewhere behind them.

"No, I told you a million times I didn't." Lucas' soft voice complained in amused annoyance. Haley turned around immediately, dragging her husband behind her.

"You don't just jump around like that without a little 'push'." You didn't have to look to see the look on her face at the last word.

"Come on! You flew around like a bird playing basketball for the first time!" Brooke explained.

"I have to agree with Brooke on that one." declared Peyton's voice, obviously trying to hold back laughter.

"You were like an ostrich flying around throwing balls into the basket."

"Ostriches can't even fly!" Lucas said exasperatedly.

"Yes they can!" exclaimed both female voices.

"No they actually can't." Haley said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.

They had had to jostle through some drunk people to get here.

"Haley/Hales!" The trio yelped surprisedly at her sudden appearance.

"Hey guys."

"I think you might be wrong this time, tutorgirl." Brooke explained confidently. "I heard ostriches like to move somewhere else by flying."

"You mean flamingos." Haley said, raising an eyebrow.

"Aren't they the same thing?"

"No, they aren't."

"I was right yet again." Lucas said wearing a playfully smug expression.

"Why are we talking about birds again?" Brooke whined. "I never really liked them."

"Hey, where's Nathan?" Peyton inquired.

"He got... distracted." Haley answered vaguely.

As if on cue Nathan's voice could be heard, shouting something like 'If you ever touch my wife again it won't end this nicely!'.

"Yeah..." Haley said, flashing an abashed smile.

Brooke just smiled knowingly.

"Overprotective husband, huh?"

"I swear if I meet any of them again I'll..." Nathan muttered darkly, joining his friends.

"Hi Nathan, it's nice to see you too." Peyton greeted sarcastically.

"You should've seen those guys! They-"

"It's alright babe." Haley soothed, rubbing his back.

"What are you guys even doing here?" Lucas said dramatically. "You don't usually hang out with us lowly people at game nights."

"Yes you prefer the comfort of lying in bed on top of each other-"

"Brooke!" Haley admonished, looking around.

"What? It's true." Brooke replied, shrugging.

"So, what are you really here for?" Peyton demanded, eying them both suspiciously.

"I was only dragged here." Nathan responded innocently, sending Haley a 'look'.

He was also interested in why they were wasting the precious time they had.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to Lucas." she said seriously.

When no one reacted she added: "Alone." She grabbed his arm and dragged him away.

"Hey, remember he's my boyfriend!" she heard Brooke's voice as she practically carried Luke through the crowd. It was easier than it had once been, but she was too preoccupied to pay this any mind.

"Hey, Hales. Is this your plot for murder?" he asked as they finally stopped in a secluded place. "Finally gave in to your desires?" He stopped joking when he saw her face. "What's up Hales?"

"I can't do this anymore Luke!" she yelled angrily.

"What?"

"I just can't watch you kill yourself for a game!"

"I'm fine, Haley!" he said, getting angry, fast.

It was HIS decision. He was the only one to decide how he wanted to live his own life. "For the thousandth time: I. Am. Fine. Haley. It's none of your business. Just leave it alone." He added softly in a tone that left no room for arguments.

"Luke, please! Just please think about the consequences. If not for yourself, think... think about your mom. How would she feel if she lost you too?"

Suddenly, Luke looked like he was about to cry. Haley instantly regretted bringing it up.

"Luke...I..." she started cautiously, reaching out an arm to comfort him. But the words of hurt anger she expected didn't come. Instead, she was met with hopeless resignation.

"She wouldn't care Hales." He said weakly, sounding strangely hoarse. "She doesn't care."

He then cleared his throat to continue in a voice that hopefully sounded strong and determined. "Just leave it alone, Haley. I'm fine."

And Lucas bolted before she could even think of anything to reply to that shocking statement. She stayed there, staring at the empty wall the thin body of her best friend had been leaning against.

A million thoughts circled around in her head... Nothing made sense anymore.