Hey, I'm back with an update! Thank you all for all the awesome reviews! You guys rock! Anyways, hope you enjoy chapter 10. As always, please review. :)

Part 10

It was Thursday night. Since Monday the week had gone by quickly. Haley had spent all her time at school, studying, working on the car and hanging out with Nathan. They had all decided that the race would be 6 pm sharp on Saturday night. She had tried to talk to Lucas but he just wouldn't listen to her. She hadn't had time to think about the Weast even though Nathan reminded her all the time. She hoped that if she didn't have time to buy a dress, she wouldn't have to go. She hated formal dances and she had a feeling that if she went to this one, something bad would happen. And she hated drama. Too bad there seemed to be so much of that in her life and unfortunately even more to come.

Haley looked at the kitchen clock and saw that it was 8 pm already. She hadn't even started to work on her homework yet. Right after school she had went first to Karen's and then to Keith's. Haley sighed and started to boil water in the pan. She took the box of Mac & Cheese from the cabinet and set it on the counter. She poured herself a glass of iced tea.

She sat down on the coach and turned the TV on while waiting for the water to start boiling. Someone rang the doorbell. Haley turned to look at the door. No one never rang the doorbell. She got up and walked to the front door still holding the glass of ice tea. Haley opened the door and stared at the person in front of her. She dropped the glass and her face went pale.

"Hey, little sister."

"Taylor?" Haley asked. Taylor grinned at Haley and then opened her arms and hugged Haley as hard as she could. Haley stood there motionless.

"How are you, Haley-bub!" Taylor asked using the nickname that only the family used. Taylor grabbed her suitcases and pulled them inside the house. Haley just stared at her without saying anything. She couldn't believe that her former best friend, her sister, was standing in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asked with a quiet, shaking voice.

"Came to see my favorite sister." Taylor said grinning.

"I haven't seen you since last Christmas and even then you were so wasted you couldn't even talk to me. The last time we had a proper conversation was when I wasn't even in high school yet. So I ask again, what are you doing in here!" Haley asked getting more and more upset. Taylor sighed and looked at Haley with a guilty look. She knew that Haley wouldn't be too happy to see her but she still hoped that Haley could put the past behind her.

"I came here for you, that's the truth." Taylor said and closed the front door. Haley's eyes flashed.

"Do not lie to me! Not anymore! What do want! Money? Is that what this is about!" Haley screamed.

"No! I don't need any money. I came here for you." Taylor said again.

"No! Do not lie! You don't care about me! You don't care about anyone!" Haley yelled.

"That's not true." Taylor said. "I came here to look after you."

"You're still so full of shit!" Haley said tears in her eyes. "You can't take care of me! How could you when you can't even look after yourself!" Haley said.

"Listen to me, baby." Taylor said. "I'm changed now. I'm not the same person I was before." She said and touched Haley on her shoulder. Haley flinched.

"Do not touch me. I don't know why you came back and I don't care. I'm gonna go to the bathroom now and when I come down, you better be gone." She said codly and ran upstairs. She went to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. She started to pace around in anger. She definitely didn't expect to see Taylor. She was glad to see that Taylor was ok but there was just too much history between them to just let her forget everything she'd done. Haley hit the wall in anger and cursed when she felt the pain. Suddenly her pocket started to vibrate.

"What!" Haley answered the phone angrily.

"Hey, it's me." Nathan said quietly.

"I can't talk right now." Haley said upset.

"Are you ok?" Nathan asked concerned.

"No!" Haley yelled at the phone.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked. He parked the car so he could concentrate on the phone call.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing!" Haley yelled.

"I'm coming over. Are you home?"

"Don't come! I can't see anyone right now." Haley said.

"Then tell me what's wrong." Nathan said. He heard Haley sigh.

"Taylor came back."

"Oh god. How are you?" Nathan asked. He knew how difficult it must be for Haley to see her sister again after all this time.

"Not good. But I'll be fine." Haley said quietly. She heard Taylor knocking on the bathroom door and asking for Haley to open it. "I gotta go." Haley said.

"Where are you now?" Nathan asked.

"In my bathroom. Nate, I don't know what to do. My parents are gone, she's back and Lucas won't talk to me. Everything is falling apart." She said quietly.

"Don't say that. You'll always have me. Just remember that. Do you want me to pick you up in the morning?" Nathan asked.

"No, I'll drive myself. But I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Call me before you got to bed, ok?"

"Sure. Bye." Haley said and hung up. Nathan stared at the phone. He was about to turn the engine on and drive home when he saw a familiar truck parked on the side of a basketball court.

He hadn't realized he was in front of River court. He looked at the court and saw Lucas playing ball by himself. His back was turned on Nathan so Lucas didn't see him. Nathan thought about driving away and forgetting that he saw him like he always did but he couldn't help but remember Haley's sad and desperate voice telling him how her life was falling apart. Nathan blamed Lucas for the most part of it. Nathan sighed angrily and got out of the car. He walked towards the court his hands in his pockets. Lucas turned around when he heard footsteps.

"Walk away before I kick your ass." Lucas said angrily.

"You need to talk to her." Nathan said ignoring his threat.

"I'm warning you. Leave!" Lucas said.

"She needs you." Nathan said ignoring him again.

"I so do not care." Lucas lied. He did care about Haley but he just couldn't forgive her.

"Yes, you do. She's your best friend!" Nathan said raising his voice a little bit.

"Yeah? If she were my best friend, she wouldn't date you." Lucas said angrily.

"Dude, I'm not the problem." Nathan said.

"What!" Lucas yelled angrily and dropped the ball on the ground. "Are you serious or even more of an idiot I thought you were?"

"Believe it or not, I'm not the problem. You are." Nathan said. Lucas looked like he was about to hit him.

Nathan continued with a loud voice. "She's miserable because of you! Not me. So yeah, I'd say you're the problem." Nathan finished with a bit of sarcasm in his voice. Nathan was getting fed up with Lucas' attitude.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Lucas said and picked up the ball. He knew that Nathan was right, he just couldn't admit it to himself let alone to Nathan.

"She needs you. You know her better than anyone." Nathan said. Lucas just glared at him and scored a free shoot. Nathan looked at him annoyed.

"Stop being so selfish!" Nathan said and picked up the ball.

"Selfish! I am selfish!" Lucas asked angrily.

"Dude, you're not the only problem in her life!" Nathan yelled.

"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked angrily. Nathan sighed and ran his hand through his own hair.

"Her sister came back." Nathan said after few seconds.

"Quinn?" Lucas asked. Nathan shook his head. "Vivian?" Lucas asked. Nathan sighed and shook his head again. Lucas stared at Nathan for a second and then his face turned into a shock.

"Taylor! Taylor came back?" Lucas asked forgetting about their fight. "Oh my god. How is Haley?"

"What do you think? Her parents are out of town, her best friend is not talking to her and her sister just came back." Nathan said with some bitter in his voice. He was sick of Lucas acting childish and making Haley miserable. "She needs you." Nathan said and left.

Lucas stared at the basketball in his hands. It had been horrible for him to not talk to his best friend. He missed Haley more than he realized. But he didn't trust Nathan and he was certain that if Haley didn't break up with him, she would end up with a broken heart. Lucas hoped that Haley would finally choose Lucas over Nathan and save her heart in the process. He knew that his way wasn't the best but desperate times calls for desperate measures. Lucas didn't know how long he stood at the court but when he snapped out of his thoughts it was to clear to him that he needed to talk to Haley. Since avoiding her didn't make her break up with Nathan maybe he could convince her by talking to her.

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Haley finally opened the bathroom door after about 20 minutes of hiding. Taylor stood outside the bathroom her head hanging low. When she heard the door close she looked up and looked at Haley.

"Baby, we need to talk." Taylor said and led her downstairs. Taylor had cooked the Mac & Cheese that Haley had forgotten. She had set the table for two. Haley sat down and started to eat without saying a word.

"I wasn't lying when I said I came here for you." Taylor started. Haley was about to say something but Taylor didn't let her. "I talked to mom a few days ago and she told me that you were here all by yourself so I decided to come and keep you company." Taylor said.

"Look, Hales. I know I have been pretty much a bitch for the past god-knows-how-many years. But I am changed. I'm living in New York, working for a law firm. I just got my own apartment and for the first time in my life, there are no men or booze involved." Taylor said. Haley looked at Taylor shocked. No alcohol?

"Taylor, I'm really happy for you. But you can't just come here and expect everything to be ok." Haley said.

"I know. The biggest mistake I've ever made -and this is a lot coming from me considering that the past 4 years has been nothing but a series of mistakes- was the way I destroyed our friendship. Haley, you're the most important person in my life and I would do anything for you. Words can't describe how sorry I am for everything that I've done to this family and especially to you." Taylor said.

"Why are you here, Taylor? You can't change the past." Haley said a little bit sadly.

"But I can do something about the future. I came here because of you. I heard you were staying alone so I came here to look after you."

"I can take care of myself." Haley said.

"I know. But I know how lonely you get. I'm here to take care of you and keep you company until mom and dad come back. But above all, I'm here to build our friendship back."

"What about your new job?" Haley asked.

"I have my lap top and cell phone with me. They said I can do all the work from here." Taylor said.

"I don't know what to say." Haley said after a while.

"Just say you give me a chance." Taylor said and took Haley's hand in her own.

"Ok." Haley said smiling. Taylor squealed in happiness and went to hug Haley. She then dragged Haley to the coaches.

"Ok, now tell me everything." Taylor said. "I suppose there are still no dirty gossip about you?" Taylor asked smiling.

"Well, do you know Nathan Scott?" Haley asked.

"Lucas' half-brother? The enemy numero uno? What about him?" Taylor asked.

"I'm dating him." Haley said. Taylor's mouth opened in shock.

"Way to go, girl!" she just yelled and high-fived her.

They spend the whole night talking and gossiping about each other's lives like they used to when they were younger. Haley remembered her promise and called Nathan to let him know everything was ok. After gossiping some more and eating a lot of ice cream, Taylor and Haley fell asleep on the coach.

And that's where Lucas found them the next morning.

Haley opened her eyes and blinked. She was staring at the couch. She looked up and realized she was in the living room. What the fu- Then it all hit her. Taylor coming back, them fighting, then making up. Everything. She stared at the ceiling for few minutes and then decided to sit up.

Haley held her head in her hands and rubbed her temples. Then she heard a cough. She looked up and saw a person sitting on the chair in the corner. She tried to scream but only a whisper came from her throat. Haley jumped up and was about to run when she saw that it was Lucas.

"Lucas!" she said and sighed in relief. Haley stood there watching him. She knew how Lucas acted when he was upset. Even if it was Lucas who was angry at Haley, he always went to her first. And that hadn't changed. Taylor woke up before Haley had time to say anything else.

"Jesus Christ, my neck is killing me." She yawned and got up.

"Hi, Luke. Bye Luke." Taylor said like it was no big deal that he was sitting in their living room at 6 am. She headed upstairs to sleep in her own room.

"How long have you been here?" Haley asked from Lucas when Taylor left. She sat down back on the couch.

"A while." He said emotionlessly. "I've told you a million times to lock your front door."

"But how would you get in then?" Haley asked. To anyone else it might seem like playful banter but there was no hint of humor in either of their voices. They stared at each other for few minutes.

"Wanna try to explain?" Lucas finally asked.

"I don't know what to say." Haley said and sighed.

"Well, why don't you try?" Lucas said with a hint of nastiness in his voice.

"First of all: we didn't have sex! The reason I was wearing his clothes was because he threw me in the water and I was soaking wet and freezing." Haley said. "Just wanted to make that clear."

"So, no sex?" Lucas asked. When Haley shook her head in denial she could visibly see Lucas relax a bit.

"I don't want to sound predictable here, Luke, but Nathan really has changed." She said and saw that Lucas sighed in disappointment. "He has! And he really is a nice guy once you get to know him." Haley said.

"Haley, why can't you see that he's just using you?" Lucas asked.

"He's not. He really cares about me." Haley said.

"You can't know that for sure." Lucas said.

"Yes, I can. I know him." Haley said.

"Haley, you know I love you, right?"

"Yeah and I love you too." Haley said.

"And all I want is what's best for you."

"I know that but you should trust me on this. I know him. And he would never hurt me."

"I just don't want you to get your heart broken. Which you will if you stay with him!" Lucas said.

"I know we may not stay together forever but it's ok. We're having fun. We're just dating."

"Just dating? Just dating!" Lucas asked. "Haley, don't you see? You're one of them now!"

"Who?"

"Them. The Wests."

"No, I'm not. I haven't changed, Luke." Haley said.

"Yes, you have! And you're so deep in it, you can't even see it!" Luke yelled.

Then he continued with a normal voice. "One week ago you hated the Wests. You were more than ready to kick their spoiled little asses back to their mansions. You wanted to win the race and shove it to their faces. Now, you haven't even mentioned the race in days and you're dating one of them!" Lucas finished. He knew he was being the biggest hypocrite but if it helped Haley to get over Nathan, it was worth it.

"Luke, I still wanna win the race. More than you know. Last week I wanted to win because I wanted them to know that East ruled and they sucked. Now I just want this whole East vs. West battle officially to stop. And I believe it will stop once we're done with the race. It doesn't matter who wins, what matters is that it's the last competition between East and West ever. After that there is no East and West. Just Tree Hill." Haley finished.

"So, you will still race?" Lucas asked.

"Of course. I wanna win, Lucas. Just as much as you do. I just wanna win it for different reasons." Haley finished.

"I don't know what to do here, Haley." Lucas said and rubbed his head.

"Let's just go back to normal. Hang out, play ball, watch movies, fix our race car... The only difference is that now I have a boyfriend." Haley said.

"Haley, I can try and go back to normal. I can do all those things with you." Lucas said. Haley smiled widely. "But I can't do them if he's there." Lucas said. Haley's smile faded. Before she could speak, Lucas continued.

"But I'm not gonna make you choose between us because honestly I'm too afraid you'd choose him over me. You're my best friend, Haley. And like I said before, I'm not gonna let Nathan ruin our friendship. So yes, we're still best friends." He said and paused. "I just won't have anything to do with him." Lucas said.

Haley knew there was no point in arguing him. He had made up his mind and there was no changing it. Yet. She would try and change his mind after the race, she decided.

"Besides, we made a pact." Lucas finally said.

"What are you talking about?" Haley asked confused.

"Don't you remember? After Nathan and his buddies broke my bike we made a pact that we would always hate them. We would never befriend them and most importantly-"

"-we would never date them." Haley finished for Lucas. "God, that was like sixth grade!" Haley said.

"Fifth. But you promised." Lucas said. He knew he sounded stupid and immature but if it could help him make some sense into Haley, he was willing to be like that.

"First of all, like you said it was fifth grade. We were 11. I still had bangs and braces and you still wore jean overalls." Haley said making a point that they were stupid kids then. They both chuckled.

"But still, a pact is a pact." Lucas said stubbornly.

"Yeah, but you broke it first."

"What?"

"Does summer after our seventh grade ring any bells?" Haley asked smiling.

"What are you talking about?"

"The summer camp we went to."

"On Lake Samuel?" Lucas asked trying to remember.

"Yeah, you made out with that Bevin girl. And we both knew she was a West." Haley said.

"What?" Lucas asked sounding confused. But the redness on his cheeks told Haley that he remembered.

"Oh, don't lie. I saw you guys by the swings." Haley said.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Lucas asked.

"I didn't want to embarrass you and it wasn't any of my business. And I was also waiting for you to tell me." Haley said. "But you never did." She said. Lucas felt a bang of guilt. And he felt it even worse when he thought about him not telling Haley about Brooke. But now wasn't the time.

"Ok, so the pact thing was stupid." Lucas said and Haley laughed. "The point is that I just don't want you to get hurt." Lucas said.

"I won't." Haley said. "Trust me, Lucas."

"I do." He said and sighed. "I just don't trust him."

"I can't change your mind about him, can I." Haley asked.

"No." Lucas said.

"Fine. But the main thing is that we are ok. That we can still hang out and be best friends." Haley said.

"That's right."

"And that's all that I want." Haley said and went to hug Lucas. Lucas hugged her back. Taylor who hadn't gone upstairs, smiled to herself in happiness. She peaked around the corner and saw Haley and Lucas hugging. She tiptoed quietly upstairs to her room still smiling.

"What time is it?" Haley asked. Lucas looked at his watch.

"After six." Lucas said. "I should go home and try to get some sleep."

"Ok, see you in a couple of hours then?" Haley asked.

"Yeah sure." Lucas said. "I hope I'll still get some sleep. Can't be tired at the Weast."

"You going?" Haley asked. Lucas nodded. "With whom?"

"Brooke." Lucas said quickly. Haley looked at him surprised.

"Brooke? Is there something going on between you two?" Haley asked with narrowed eyes.

"What? Me and Brooke? No. She just asked me and I said yes." Lucas said quickly. Haley could see that there was something he was hiding but she didn't get a chance to ask anything because Lucas' cell phone rang at that moment. Lucas sighed in relief while answering.

"Hello?... Mom, calm down. I'm ok... I'm with Haley... Ok, I will... I'll be right there... Love you, too." Lucas closed the phone.

"Mom says hi."

"Why's she calling you at 6 am?" Haley asked.

"Because I haven't been home at all tonight." Lucas said while grabbing his coat and heading to the front door.

"What? How long have you been here?" Haley asked.

"About 2 hours." Lucas said like it was no big deal.

"Psycho stalker." Haley said smiling. He opened the door and went outside. Haley followed him to the porch. She was careful not to step on the shattered glass that was still on the porch floor.

"Gotta go." He said laughing.

"I'm going to Keith's after school to test drive the race car. You coming, right?"

"Yeah, of course. Can't wait to drive that beauty. See you later." Lucas said smiling.

"Bye, Luke." Haley yelled. She watched Lucas walk towards his truck. Then she ran after him and jumped on his back.

"Whoa!" Lucas said laughing. Haley hugged him as hard as she could.

"Did I mention how happy I am to have you as a friend?" Haley said and jumped down from his back.

"Yeah." Lucas said and hugged her back.

"This is so awesome. We're friends, Taylor's back and I can't wait to beat Tim's ass." Haley said.

"How can you be sure he's the driver?" Lucas asked.

"Nathan told me." Haley said. Lucas looked at her with a surprised look. Then Haley looked down sadly. "He thinks you're our racer." Haley said. Lucas just nodded.

"I really gotta go now. But I'll talk to you at school. And I wanna know everything about this whole Taylor situation." Lucas said and hugged her again before going inside his truck.

"I'm so glad we can be honest about everything." Haley said while leaning on the truck. Lucas swallowed hardly and smiled a little. He felt a bang of guilt of lying to Haley again but it was for her own good. At least that's what he said to himself.

"Yeah, just great." He mumbled while turning on the ignition. Lucas waived and drove off towards his house. Haley stayed and watched until she couldn't see Lucas' truck anymore. She sighed happily.

"Today's gonna be awesome." She said happily to herself.

If she had only known better.

So, what do you think?

-Fes-