The next morning Haley sat on the couch with Peyton. It was the day of Larry Sawyer's funeral. Peyton had her head resting on Haley's shoulder and Haley leaned her head on Peyton's.
"We should probably go get dressed," Haley mentioned
"Uh-huh," Peyton responded almost robotically.
Haley waited for Peyton to make the first move. "I guess we can wait a couple of more minutes," Haley said after she realized Peyton was ready just yet.
"Okay," Peyton replied emotionless. She stared at the wall that stood in front of her. There weren't any thoughts going through her mind. All she felt was numbness. Even though she was awake and breathing, she didn't feel like she was alive.
A knock on the door interrupted the silence in the room.
"I'm gonna go get that," Haley said.
Peyton didn't say anything. She popped her head from Haley's shoulder and almost robotically brought her knees to her chest, allowing her to rest her chin on them. Haley stood up and answered the door.
"Hey, come in. She's in the living room," Haley said to the visitor. I've got a call to make. I'll be in the bedroom," Haley continued as she made her way to the back of the apartment.
"Peyton?"
"Brooke," Peyton said under her breath as she looked up. Peyton was surprised to see Brooke at first, considering they haven't really resolved their relationship after Lucas had left. But Peyton also understood why she was there.
"Nathan called me. I'm so sorry, Peyt," Brooke sniffed. Her eyes were puffy from crying.
Peyton stood up from the couch. Brooke was about to break down again and on instinct Peyton hugged her old friend. The past feud between them was long forgotten. As Brooke sobbed, a calm and emotionless Peyton held and comforted her. Peyton couldn't cry any more. It was as if she was in denial that her father was really gone and if she did cry, it would mean that it was true.
Lucas was awoken that morning by the ringing of his cell phone. Without opening his eyes, he reached over to his nightstand and felt for his phone.
"Hello?" Lucas groggily answered.
"Lucas, hey. You have to get up,"
"Hales?" Lucas sat up at the sound of her serious voice. It was very uncharacteristic of her to sound serious. "What's wrong?"
"Lucas, I don't know how to say this, but you have to meet us at the church,"
Lucas grinned, "Isn't it a little early for you and Nate to renew your wedding vows?"
When Haley didn't laugh or respond, Lucas became concerned. "Hales, what's going?"
"I really don't know how to say this,"
"Haley, just tell me. You're starting to scare me,"
"Lucas, umm…it's Peyton,"
"Peyton? What about her,"
Haley continued, "She needs you Luke. Her father, he died in an accident. His funeral is in about an hour,"
The color drained from Lucas's face. He began to imagine how lonely Peyton must feel and it made him feel the same. He wanted to find Peyton to hold her and to comfort her. "I'll be there," Lucas said just before turning the cell phone off and jumping out of bed.