Nathan was sitting at the familiar picnic table by the basketball court when Lucas showed up.

"Hey! You okay?" Lucas asked, casting Nathan a sidelong look. Nathan didn't answer. "Nathan!" Lucas joined Nathan on top of the table.

"She left," Nathan croaked out hoarsely. "She fucking left."

"Haley?" Lucas frowned.

Nate explained the story in short fragmented breaths. Nathan ended dully, "You were always hassling me about protecting her… well, she's broken my heart before I got a chance to." Lucas went in to hug his brother but Nathan forcefully shoved him away. "Don't touch me!"

"Nathan. She went off to pursue her dream… She wouldn't leave you for some guy she barely knows, all right? She's in love with you. Call her cell or something, don't let her think that she can't come back." Lucas advised.

"You don't get it," Nathan snapped, "I TOLD HALEY THAT IF SHE LEFT, WE'D BE DONE AND SHE LEFT ANYWAYS! SHE DIDN'T CARE ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO EVEN ASK IF I COULD GO WITH HER ON TOUR!"

"Calm down, okay? Haley-" Lucas started.

"Haley's not coming back," Nathan's voice broke, "And don't you ever tell me to calm down! Go back to Dan's place you SOB!" With that he stood up and strode away, leaving Lucas to stare awkwardly after him.

Lucas sighed and pulled out his own cell phone and dialled the familiar number. The phone hadn't even completed a full ring before Haley answered it.

"Nate?" She burst.

"Sorry, Hales, it's me." Lucas spoke.

"Oh, hi Luke." Haley answered, her voice sounding strained.

"So, I heard you took off on that Michelle Branch tour," Luke said hesitantly.

"Um, yeah, my first concert is in an hour," Haley responded, "I actually have to go in ten minutes to rehearse."

"Thanks so much for the good bye," Lucas chided.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I just had so much going on…I should've called or stopped by but there just wasn't time," Haley apologized hastily. "Listen, have you seen Nathan?"

"Just talked to him. How could you just leave like that? Nate's a complete wreck! I know this was a big opportunity, but couldn't you have spoken more to your husband about it before taking off?" Lucas exclaimed.

"Lucas, don't." Haley muttered in a small voice. Lucas could practically see the tears begin to form in his best friend's eyes.

"Hales, I'm sorry, but you've got to talk to Nate." Replied Lucas in a softer voice.

"I left a message on his cell and on our answering machine two hours ago! He's ignoring me, okay?" Haley snapped.

"I'm-" Luke started.

"I've got to go. Just tell Nathan to call me, okay? Tell him that I love him." Haley told him.

"He's kind of pissed at me…more than kind of." Lucas stated.

"Great, Nate's tuning out both his wife and brother!" sighed Haley. "Please, try to talk to him. You stand a better chance than I do. I really have to go. I love you Lucas, you're my closest friend. I'm hoping you see that I had to leave."

"I'm not saying you did something wrong, all I'm saying is you should've talked it over-" explained Lucas.

"Whatever, okay? Bye." Click.

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck and sighed in frustration. He felt like the entire world was pissed at him.