Hi, everyone. I know I say this all of the time, but thanks soo much to everyone who reviewed. This chapter is a bit different from my others. It revolves around the main characters point of view. It's another long one, sorry. There isn't much action, it's mostly thoughts, but I promise that there will be more Laley interaction coming soon. On to the next chapter, enjoy.

Ch 10. Reactions

Lucas's POV:
I walk back home feeling completely numb. I can't believe what has just happened earlier. We just have to face facts that we're not best friends anymore... we've grown apart. I can still see Haley's beautiful dark brown eyes, filled with unshed tears and still see the tears that had broken free, falling down her cheeks. I just can't wrap my mind around the thought of me and Hales not being best friends anymore. I replay the conversation we had, over and over again, wishing with everything that I could go back and change the ending. It's killing me, thinking that Haley and I have grown so far apart. More than anything I wish that her "talk" had come out of left field, and it holds no real relevance. But I know that she's right. The truth is, I don't even know her anymore. I know that she's still with Nathan, and seems happy about it. I know that she's still working at the tutoring center and of course, at the cafe, but other than that I have no idea what she has been doing. I would see her in the halls and give her a smile, which she would always reply with her "I'm happy to see you, but I'm very busy and can't talk now." kind of smile.

I always knew everything about Haley, I could look into her eyes and read her like a book. Sometimes, I even knew her better than she knew herself. Now walking home, I realized that I haven't been able to read anything for a long time now. No, that's not true, I was able to read everything she was feeling tonight-the pain, sadness, anger, frustration, a whole range of emotions flashing in her eyes and I could see it all, but then again, I knew that she was reading the same things in mine. I guess that's another way we're connected. We always been able to feel each other's pain. And tonight, I knew that we were thinking and feeling the same things. Part of me wanted to turn around, run back to her, hug her and tell her that everything will be ok. Except, I knew that I couldn't. And I wasn't even sure that she'd want me to. So, instead I walk back home, barely registering that it's raining and I am soaking wet.

I quietly walk inside my house, hoping no one would notice-no such luck. Lucas! My mom gasped. Oh, honey, what happened? I can't answer her, I see that Alex hasn't left yet, she's sitting next to Keith on the couch, and it surprises the hell out of me, that has always been Haley's spot. She looks at me with concern in her bright green eyes and asks if I want to talk about it. I shake my head and head upstairs, not once looking back. I feel really guilty just leaving her there, but I just need time to myself, I need to think. I get to my room and close the door behind me, hoping that Mom would just leave me alone. It's kind of ironic, normally after having a night like I just had, the first person I'd call would be Haley. It didn't matter if it was 9 PM of 2 in the morning, I could always call her and she would give me some of her "sage" advice. I remember calling her a lot, during the drama with Peyton, then Brooke, and then Peyton again. She would always just listen to me as I'd pour out my emotions-something I didn't do with anyone else.

As I lay down on my bed, I recall Haley saying that I was the one you told you're deepest secrets and biggest fears and I was the one who you completely opened up to, and now..it's her (Alex). Haley, I say to myself, you may believe that, but it isn't true. As much as I like Alex and care about her, I've never opened up to her the way I have with you. I get more frustrated with Haley, for not realizing how much I truly care about her, and with me, for taking our friendship for granted. And now, I've lost the best thing that's ever happened to me. I put my pillow over my head and resolve to stop thinking for the night.

Haley's POV:
I've lost Lucas, I've really lost Lucas. I keep repeating to myself, each time causing the pain to sear more and more. I know that I'm the one who basically ended the friendship, and it's my fault, but all I wanna do right now is go over to Luke's and just hang out like we used to, before life got complicated. A big part of me wants to go back in time, and stopped that damn conversation with Lucas before it ever started, but I know that I can't. My mind is telling me that I did the right thing, my heart however... that's a different story. I hear Lucas's I love you Hales. Forever. echoing in my mind, like a constant drum, pounding away at my heart until there's nothing left but shattered pieces. I did the right thing. I try to convince myself. We've grown apart, it was no one's fault. But for some crazy reason, I keep thinking about 5th grade, when my teacher Mrs. Sanders would tease me that someday I was going to marry that boy, that boy being Lucas.

I used to have this fantasy that someday Lucas and I really would get married and live happily ever after. Of course I was like eleven then and had no clue what marriage was like. I think I had a schoolgirl crush on him, but I always managed to play off the "best friend" role perfectly. I even listened to him gripe about other girls and gave him my "sage" advice. That all changed though, when I met Nathan. Nathan, he was the first guy, other than Lucas that I really cared about. He made me forget my silly crush, and just enjoy being with someone, who actually wanted me back. Poor Nathan. I must have really confused him tonight. After crying on his shoulder, for god knows how long, I practically kick him out-saying that I need to be alone. He really is a great guy, but I just can't let myself tell him about Lucas. Maybe it's because of their rocky relationship, I don't know, but I just can't let myself open up to him like I have with Lucas. I need to stop thinking, I feel tears falling down my cheeks once again, and I'm surprised because I really thought that I had no more tears left to cry-guess not.

I'm thankful that my parents aren't home to see this. They are once again, too busy with work to be here. And I believe that they would be shocked to see their youngest child- "the Perfect Haley" crying her eyes out over a boy, even if that boy is Lucas. I am now sitting on the couch in my family room. I can't bear to be in my bedroom right now because there are pictures of Lucas and me everywhere. From the time we went swinging on the swings when we were about nine, to freshman year homecoming where I dragged him to the dance with me, to having a water balloon fight on the roof of Karen's cafe right before the start of sophomore year. There are just too many memories with him, and I can't face them right now. But I doubt that I'll be able to take them down either. So maybe I'll just stay here, in the family room. The couch is pretty comfortable, and it's not like my parents would notice. I lie down on the couch and can't help but wish that Lucas was with me, even for just a little while, to take away the pain of losing our friendship.

Alex's POV:
The second I see Luke's face, I know something very bad has happened. He looks far worse than he did, in even his hardest workouts. He looks like he had just lost his best friend, and I know that he has-literally. I have no clue what to say or do, so I just ask him if he wants to talk. I'm not surprised in the slightest, when he says no. I say good-bye to Karen and Keith, who still look rather confused, and walk to my car. As I drive home, I can't help but feel incredibly guilty-this is all of my fault. I have destroyed Lucas's and Haley's relationship. I briefly think about calling Haley and maybe trying to explain things, but I doubt that she would want to talk to me, or listen to anything I have to say.

This really sucks, I scream silently. I hate that I have caused Lucas and Haley so much pain. And I hate thinking that Haley and I are no longer friends. I realize that this seems selfish, but it's how I feel. I also have NO clue what to do about Lucas. A part of me thinks that maybe I should just stay away from him, but the selfish part of me doesn't want to lose his friendship, it means so much to me.

I somehow make it home without getting into an accident, as my mind has been completely unfocused on driving back. I am relieved to see that Aunt Jolene and Uncle Rich have gone to bed already, I really just want to be alone. I head up to my "bedroom" which is really Uncle Rich's study with a twin sized bed. I am too exhausted to change into my pajamas so I just curl up in my bed and try not to think of the people's lives that I've just, while unintentionally, ruined.

Nathan's POV:
I stroke my girlfriend's hair while she sobs into my shoulder, and try to soothe her. She must have been crying for about a half hour before she finally looks up at me, embarrassed. She wipes away the remaining tears and apologizes for losing it in front of me. I really wish that she would just open up to me. I try to ask her what is wrong, although I'm pretty sure I know the answer in the back of my mind. She just shakes her head at me and begs me not to ask. She shivers, and I realize that she is still soaking wet from the rain. I take her hand and she lets me lead her up the stairs and to her bedroom. I instruct her to put on clean clothes and then I go and wait in the hall. She comes out a few minutes later, wearing dark blues pajama pants with red stars on them, and an oversized "Tree Hill Ravens" sweatshirt. It is way too large for her, I know that it's not mine, and I recognize it as Lucas's. Haley is standing at the doorway, looking like a lost little girl. Her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, her face is devoid of any makeup, and her nose is still a little red from crying. All I want to do is put my arms around her and comfort her. I ask once again, what happened and asked if anyone has hurt her. Haley's eyes well up once again with tears, Nathan, please don't. I just..I just don't want to talk right now. I need to be alone. I meet her eyes and comply with her wishes. I kiss her lightly on the mouth and tell her I will talk to her later. As I walk to my car, I really want to pummel Lucas for doing this to her. She hasn't told me, but I know that it's him. He's the only one who could ever get her to breakdown like this. I could stroke my ego and say that she would cry like this over me if we ever got into a huge fight. But I know that there is only one Scott brother who has the power to do that, and it isn't me.

As I drive back to my empty apartment, I can't help but feel like I should have done more to get her to talk to me. I know that her heart is breaking and that she is going to suffer alone. It's funny, because somehow I know that had it been anyone else, Lucas would be the first person Haley calls and he would be the one to comfort her, and she would open up her heart to him. But I know that's impossible, seeing as Lucas is the reason her heart is broken in the first place. And no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to mend it, because I'm not really the one she wants.

Author's Note:

I don't know how well I did on this. I am trying to be true to the characters, but I don't know if I did or not. Please review and be totally honest. Up next, more Haley/Lucas interaction.