This chapter is- okay, I think. It could be better. I need to get back into writing regularly, and not just for school. I'll probably update a few other things tonight as well, so keep checking. Maybe I might just pop out another one for this story. Also, I'd love it so much if I could get a lot of reviews for this chapter, because we're about to reach three hundred! Thank you all so much! This is my most successful story yet, I think, and I'm enjoying it so much, it's not even funny.

Cap'n Keira Sparrow: It may take Brooke a while to figure that out, if she ever does.

Daddyzangel108: I think a lot of people are frustrated with Brooke now. Hell, I would be too. I know! Damn, she's supposed to make Hales happy, but that's not working, is it?

CutieRay: Sorry! Yeah, I know. Brooke has a lot of stuff that she needs to realize.

Anarchist278: Brooke is making herself miserable, so we'll have to see how that ends up. And I'm glad you are in confusion, because it just makes the story so much fun to write, hehe. Ange! Congrats on your new story success! I have yet to read it, but I plan to soon.

CCScott23: Aww, thanks! I love Haley too, but I have yet to end a story with a sad ending, so I'm trying to see how I can expand my horizons. I'm so glad you like the PNB friendship, because I have some of that in this chapter! Brooke is really stubborn, hopefully that'll change.

Emilie: Look, I spelt it right! Hehe. I know! It's depressing to write. Brooke has some priorities that need to be figured out.

Brucas4ever: Thanks! Me too. I know, Brooke's very, very stubborn, even on the show. I'm trying to keep her in character, lol.

Jacqueline22393: Aw, Jackie! Poor Hales! Thanks! And I'm glad you enjoyed the tiny bit of Naley-ness. There may :cough: be more soon. I love you too, Jackie!

Cait: Ah! I hate the thought of waking up early, but then I love being up early, and I love mornings, lol. Haley is, you're right, and you're also correct about Brooke, too. Exactly. The irony of the situation is just killing everyone. Haley's spirits are up, but Brooke's aren't. I know, I feel bad for my little Brooke.

PrincessSparkle15: Brucas is love. But Brooke doesn't know that.

HalesnLukeBFF4ever: Well hey, thanks for the long review, my good friend, Amber! Heh. I hate makeup work. Brooke's a stubborn (as seen on the show) character, so we'll have to see how much more convincing she'll take before she'll snap. I know! Naley are together, so Brooke and Lucas can be together, too. And the parents? They have a little storyline, don't worry.

Hilaryhilary: Yeah, it's pretty obvious I'm OC-obsessed, lol. Me too, in a way. I love Brooke and Lucas, but Haley is her sister, and best friend. Thanks! I'm so surprised myself, too. It's just- wow.

Only The Good Die Young

Chapter Eighteen: Little Haley James, Tell Us Your Heart

Leaves rustled around Peyton's window, as she gloomily looked outside. The rain had been pouring for over three hours, and suddenly, staying inside didn't seem so exciting anymore.

Her attention focused on the door, when she heard footsteps, walking towards the door. The faint sound of voices was also there, and she could now clearly identify the footsteps as Brooke's and Nathan; one pair was obviously heel-clad, while the other was stomping heavily.

"Hey." She smiled warmly as her two friends entered, instantly dropping themselves beside her.

"Lucas is being all quiet around the house, so I have no one to talk to." Nathan sighed.

"And having no one to talk to is no fun." Brooke complained, her thoughts on not only Lucas, but on Haley as well.

"Are you referring to me or yourself?" Nathan half smiled, turning towards her.

"Myself, duh. You know how self-centered I am." Brooke brought herself up onto her elbows, as she looked back and forth between her two friends.

"Apparently not, B. Davis." Peyton smiled.

"Yeah. That whole 'breaking up with Lucas' thing may have been stupid, but it was a pretty nice thing to do for your sister." Nathan agreed.

"Thanks, Guys. But honestly? I feel terrible."

"Then get back together with him, Brookie! Come on, I'm sure Haley would understand." Peyton grabbed Brooke's hand for support, tired of seeing her friend unhappy.

"She actually wants me to get back with him." Brooke admitted, almost laughing at how ironic everything seemed to be.

"Well then it's settled." Nathan shrugged. He enjoyed talking about Brooke's problems. It helped him forget about his own.

"No, it's not. Maybe, after-" Brooke stuttered, unaware of what she'd say next.

"After what?" Peyton asked quietly, already knowing the answer, but needing to hear it, still.

"After- Haley's cancer is gone." Brooke finished, averting her gaze from her friends.

Peyton sighed, laying her head beside Brooke's. Brooke's eyes had glazed over, as she stared up at the ceiling. Nathan had also quieted down, his hand holding Brooke's. Peyton swallowed hard. "Right."

"Yeah." Brooke repeated.

The three were silent, afterwards. Pain hung around them so casually, they almost mistook it for something else. Anything else. Maybe, honestly, they hoped for something else so much, they'd actually convinced themselves of this very fact.

Nathan sighed. Brooke blinked back tears. Peyton bit her lip.

"We'll," Brooke began, "We'll always be best friends. Us three. Right?"

"Always." Nathan agreed.

"The bestest of all best friends." Peyton smiled in spite of herself.

"And for college, we all have to go to the same place. And when we're old and we grow up, we have to live in the same place."

"We will." Peyton nodded determinedly.

"Pinky promise it." Brooke held out her tiniest finger, and Nathan stronger one attached to hers, and then Peyton's as well.

"Always and forever." Brooke whispered, closing her eyes tightly.

Lucas tapped on Haley's bedroom door, smiling softly as she beckoned him in.

"Hey Buddy." He said nervously, kicking around at the carpet around him.

She was sitting on her bed, reading a book, tears in her eyes. The book, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck sat comfortably in her hands.

"Hey." She sniffled.

"Why are you crying, Hales?"

"This book is just- so sad. I know I've read it like two million and sixty four times, but, I just- it just gets me. Poor George, forced to kill his best friend because of life's cruelty. And Curley's Wife? She never meant to hurt anybody!"

"Something tells me this is about more then just the book." Lucas smiled, taking her hands in his.

"No, I'm fine. It's just so sad. I mean- everyone's life is just destined for tragedy."

"Well, I guess some people are just born with tragedy in their blood." Lucas smiled sadly, placing his head next to Haley's.

"I don't get that, though. It's so unfair. Lennie was so innocent and happy, althought he wasn't smart or anything, why did he deserve to die?"

Lucas found himself having a sad answer for every one of her questions. "Because only the good die young."

Tears ran down Haley's pretty cheeks, as she turned her head so that it rested against Lucas's.

"Luke?" She asked in a tiny voice.

"Yes, Hales." He whispered back, equally as tiny.

Attempting to stop the sob that escaped her lips, Haley James admitted something into the arms of comfort her best friend held out towards her.

"I don't want to die young."