Hey!! Sorry it's taken so long to update! Basketball games and practice are taken up so much of my time!! Please R&R!!!!!!!!!!

CHAPTER 8

The following day, everyone was meeting at Karen and Lucas's house to put the final touches on Keith's funeral. Nathan walked into the house, unsure of what to except. Karen, Lucas, Dan, and Deb were all standing in the middle of the room talking quietly with one another. Karen and Deb had steady tears streaming down their face. As Nathan started to approach them, Haley emerged from the bathroom. He immediately froze and stood there just starting at her. She walked over to Lucas and started talking to him. She felt someone's eyes on her, and knew it had to be him. She turned her head and made eye contact. She gave him a slight smile, but the smile was not returned. Since he wasn't making any effort to go up and talk to her, she decided to take upon herself to make the first move.

"Hi." She managed to stumble out.

"Haley." He said with a nod.

"How are you?" she regretted saying that as soon as the words left her mouth. She knew what a dumb question that was.

"I've been better. How about you, what how've you been?"

"Same as you. not great."

"I've missed you, Haley." He said, totally serious, not even cracking a smile.

She didn't know what to say. She missed Nathan too, but her voice had disappeared. All those feelings she had for Nathan, so many years ago, came flooding back and she didn't know how to deal with that. Since she hadn't spoken in about 20 seconds, and she still couldn't find her voice, she wrapped her arms around Nathan's waist and just hugged him. He hugged her back, wanting to kiss her, but knew that was totally inappropriate. He never got completely over Haley. Sure he had other girlfriends after Haley left, but he never stopped loving her, never. Even when she was miles away, he couldn't get her out of his head.

Karen interrupted the joy they had being in each other's arms. They reluctantly pulled apart, as she wanted to get started and decide what exactly was going to take place during the funeral the next day. They had ordered the flowers and hired a minister already, now they were working on the actual ceremony part. It was hard for all of them.

It was hard for Lucas because Keith was like a father to him. Since Dan was never around, Keith had stuck by his side. He was there when Lucas need a man to man talk. He was there when he had his first kiss, and his first girlfriend. Lucas would never forget him.

It was hard for Nathan because Keith was his uncle. He was always the uncle Nathan went to when he needed a joke. Keith always kept things on the positive side, always thinking of the funny situations in life. Nathan was going to miss that greatly, and now needed a new enlightener.

It was hard for Haley because Keith and Karen were like second parents to her. Since there was about 5,000 other kids in her family she didn't get that much attention from her real parents. She went to Keith sometimes with her problems, knowing that he would help in any way he could. She knew she would still have Karen, but the way Keith said things to try and lighten up the mood always made her feel a lot better.

It was hard for Deb also. Keith was her brother in-law, and she even thought that she got along better with him then Dan. Keith understood what a pain in the ass Dan could be so she found someone who she could confide in. She couldn't talk to Karen about it, so she would have to find someone new. She knew that wasn't going to be easy.

Even if you think it wouldn't be, it was hard on Dan. Keith was his other brother, the one that tried keeping him in shape as a boy. Dan felt bad that he had never really gotten close with Keith, but what's done is done. He didn't dwell on it to much because he knew he couldn't change the past. Even though he wasn't close with his brother, he would still miss him greatly.

And of course, the hardest it was on, was Karen. In high school, when his stupid younger brother decided to leave her, Keith was right there with her. He helped her raise Lucas into the great man he is today. She's glad that Keith did the raising instead of Dan, she didn't was Lucas to turn out as Nathan almost did. He was a good person now, but back in high school he was a total mess. She and Keith were also married. Right before she left for Italy she had kissed him. When she came back, they got together and got married a year and a half after that. She loved him very deeply, and knew life was never going to be the same, for anyone.

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