Chapter 10 (Part I)

Everytime

Jake drove Haley's car and took her home. He didn't know what to say, she was too quite and it was bugging him.

"Hales, do you want to talk about it?"

Haley smiled. It was such a sad smile that even Jake felt the sadness in them.

"Thanks Jake, but I'm done talking about it. I'm done thinking about it and him as well."

"But you said, you still love him." he reasoned out

"Yeah, I still love him but I can't let him destroy me again. I've worked so hard to be okay with everything, I'm afraid that if I let him in here again …" she said pointing in to her chest "here in my heart, I might end up getting hurt"

Jake nodded his head. He didn't know what to say anymore. He pulled in to her house's driveway and turned off the engine. He turned to her and asked "Haley don't you think it's time to tell Lucas the whole truth?"

"So what? He can hurt me again?"

"He's right Hales. You said you wanted to be free of him and he gave you that freedom"

"He left, Jake. Not a word, not even a letter. You expect me not to interpret is as abandonment and besides he didn't even give me time to think about it. "

"You know that's not true Hales. He gave you time and he wanted to talk to you but you just clammed up"

Exasperated Haley got out of the car but she knew Jake followed her inside. "Stop defending him Jake. You don't know everything."

"Then tell me everything Hales."

"Jake stop it" said a voice from the door

"Peyton, I just need to know why Haley here was such a cold bitch to my friend. Do you know Haley, how he cried for you? Do you know how many times he wanted to talk to you? But you, you just closed your heart. "

A resounding slap shocked Jake, but more so the person who slapped him. Peyton just slapped him, she couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want to get Haley hurt.

"Don't you ever, and I repeat ever call my friend a bitch!"

Haley was emotionally tired but she had to stop the two from fighting. She was destroying another relationship and she hated it.

"It's okay Peyton, he's right. I was a bitch to Lucas back then. "

"Hales…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it..it's just that Luke's my friend too."

"Jake, Luke chose basketball over me. I asked him and though he didn't answer I saw the answer in his eyes. He didn't even have to say anything"

Jake looked at Haley and smiled at her weakly. He walked towards her so he could hug her but before he reached her, Haley lost consciousness.

After hours of waiting Peyton finally called Lucas and Nathan. The two came as quickly as possible. Nathan flew in from L.A and decided to stay at the same hotel as Lucas was. He went directly to the hospital, there he found his brother, Peyton and Jake.

"I'm here"

Peyton went to him and hugged him. She started to cry, just when the doctor came out from Haley's room.

Lucas rushed to talk to him. "What's wrong Doc?"

"It seems that Ms. James has been working too hard. Did you know that since this morning she hasn't eaten anything?"

The four shook their heads.

"She's a bit anemic and she hasn't had any decent sleep at all."

"So all she needs is rest?" Jake asked calmly

"Yes, she needs a stress free environment. She's awake and you can see her one at a time."

"I'm going in" Peyton said. The guys hung back knowing that no one can stop Peyton at all.

Lucas knew he had to go, upon hearing that Haley needed a stress free environment he knew he couldn't be there. Haley had to have some rest and the pressure he was putting on her is enough.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nathan asked

"I…I gotta go Nate…you heard what the doctor said.. I can't be here."

"Don't walk out on her again Luke. I know her, though not as much as you do. But I know she still loves you, she'll always love you" Nathan said it so sincerely. For years Nathan longed to be Haley's love but as time passed by he realized that he was contented being her friend. He still loves her but he knew that all Haley could see in him was a friend.

"She doesn't want me to be here Nate. I talked to her earlier today and….well…I don't think we'll ever work things out"

"Stay Lucas. Do what you weren't able to do, be with her."

Lucas nodded and sat on the chair outside Haley's room. Peyton finally came out of the room and said that Nathan can come in.