This chapter sucks, and was also really hard to write. Please forgive me. Hopefully the next chapter will be out sooner, and will be of much better quality. I don't know what happened here. I re-wrote this chapter like, twice, though, so at least it's better then it's previous attempts. Thanks to Hilary (hilaryhilary), for being my personal cheerleader. Also, thanks for all the reviews. I didn't realize I had so many people reading, and it was selfish of me to ask you to review, and I apologize for that too.

HalesnLukeBFF4ever: It's pretty sad. I'm depressing myself, lol. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be Mark.

Haley: For a second, I thought you were serious. I was like, that's nice, lol.

PrincessSparkle15, JLS Naley, Washed Out, Jessa, Brucas4ever, SonnyCarlyJasonCourtney, CutieRay, lily, Cap'n Keira Sparrow: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the chapter!

OTHretard: Thanks! I'm glad to see that you like it so far! Yeah, their parents weren't the best parents, but hopefully, they'll make up for everything. Glad you like Bubbly-Boo and Cuddly-Sue. They're fun. I'm glad to know. I don't want this story to be, just depressing, you know? I want it to be sad, and happy, and funny, etc. I hate stories that only give us one emotion the entire story. Thanks! That's kind of weird, too, because I don't have any sisters. Best friends, maybe, but no sisters. Only brothers. Brucas is a great couple, but I have a few things happening, so, you'll see. I like realistic stories, too. I'm glad you liked the prom chapter. That one was probably one of my favorites, too.

Lizzie: Yeah, it was weird. But I was actually surprised to see that I had the most reviewers in the last chapter then I'd ever had before, so that was good. I forgot about the tissues warning. Don't worry, you won't need tissues this chapter. At least, I don't think so. Well, when she goes to the doctor, I'm sure they want to see her in her natural state, so it can help them determine everything, you know? The only reason Hales didn't want Brooke to go is so that if it came to her not having treatment, she knew if Brooke were there, she wouldn't allow it to happen. College will be a mystery for now. They all want to go to the same colleges, but who knows it that'll actually happen. I loved your 'more then friends' rant, hehe. Really? Which story? Oh, is it Haley and Me? I need to read that. Exactly. I'm glad you understand, lol. Haley can't live a life where she's only ever sick and/or sad. That just wouldn't be fair to her. I'd rather her be happy, and dying, then sad, sick and alive. I'm sorry this took forever, Lizzie. I'll try not to take so long next chapter.

Dinky: Aw, I'm glad you liked it.

CCScott23: I'm so glad you liked it! And I hope you enjoy this Scott-filled chapter.

Daddyzangel108: Me too, hehe. Yeah, there will definitely be more Naley, no worries. Brucas will be a tough one. Will there or won't there be? What do you think?

Jojogirl: Yeah, intense is my middle name. No, not really, lol. I'm sorry about the Brucas thing. Everyone's sort of mad about that, lol. I'll try my hardest.

Kalee: Hehe, thanks.

Friends Fan: Yeah, I know, but you know how your stats go up and down? I used to have like, 20 per chapter, and my reviews were going down to like, 12, 14, 16, and stuff, so I thought people weren't reading. Seriously? Your favorite? So glad to hear it! That's a shock. I didn't know people liked this story so much, lol.

Bubblz: Thanks! It's fine, you know? I was just curious as to why so many people hadn't reviews in so long, lol.

Cait: Thanks so much! It means a lot. I loved this review, like all your other reviews. I mean, they so inspire me to write, and just enjoy the story. Not for the readers, but for myself. Thanks, dude. Yes. Haley needs to do what she has to do, and everyone needs to respect that as being her wish. Hehe, I'm not spoiling anything, other then you should keep assuming, because I'd like to see whether you're right or not.

TutorGurl: Aw, it's cool, Britney. Maybe one of these days I'll write a Baley only story. But my liking for the friendship needs to grow a little bit more, you know? This coming season will definitely do that, I hope.

OTHBaby08: Happy Birthday! I didn't know it was your birthday, lol, but yeah, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks! I'm so glad you like it. As for the Brooke and Haley situations, you're right. They're both going through equally different and tough times, but hopefully they'll make it.

Jacqueline22393: Me either, but then again, I won't know until I've ever put into that situation, you know?

Ali-Chan1: I hope you didn't mean the chapter, lol.

Anarchist278: Every time I read a review from you, I'm constantly reminded of A Bright Eyes song, do you know of them? At one point, it goes, 'In the ear of very anarchist that sleeps but doesn't dream, we must sing, we must sing, we must sing..' It's an amazing song. Anyway- Don't be starting petitions, Ange, hehe. You may like this chapter. Hopefully.

Only The Good Die Young

Chapter Twenty-One: Twenty Three Reasons

When Haley entered the bedroom early the next morning, she was surprised to see her sister up, smoothing out her shirt while looking in the mirror.

"Hey," Haley called softly, suddenly remembering she had a voice.

Brooke smiled slowly. "Hi."

"So, about last night-"

"Forget about it," Brooke interjected, "Look, it's your decision, and it's obvious I can't change your mind, so, I guess I'll just learn to live. I mean, one of us has to, right?"

Haley swallowed.

"So, anyway, how'd it go with the boys?"

"It was weird," Haley said honestly, "Lucas wasn't too okay with it at first, but he understood. Nathan did too. I mean, it was hard, explaining it to them, but I know they understood."

Brooke nodded. "So, I need you to get ready right now."

"Uh, why?"

"Because, Silly, I'm taking you out for the day. And Nathan's coming along too."

"He is? Wait- what?" Haley had no idea what was going on. She dropped her bag and ventured deeper into the room.

"You'll see. So, get ready, make yourself hot, and I'll be right back. Just gotta make a call." Brooke breezed out of the room, and Haley stared after her, still completely confused. But that didn't stop her from complying.

As Brooke walked out of the room, she managed to fight back tears. Be strong, be strong, be strong. Her mantra wouldn't stop running through her mind, and eventually, she took a seat at the edge of the stairs, bringing her cellular phone up to her ear.

It rang twice, before a groggy voice answered. She'd almost forgotten it was only eight in the morning.

"Hey Nate." Brooke chirped, and frowned when she received an inaudible reply.

"Nathan," She repeated sternly, "Answer me clearly, or I'm going to scream."

Brooke could almost hear his eyes open, and suddenly, he seemed to sober up. "What do you want, Brooke?"

"That's no way to answer your best friend, Darling." Brooke joked, but he found her joke humorless.

"Well no offense, but I'd rather be sleeping right now then talking to you."

"I feel so loved."

"I said no offense." Nathan defended himself.

"That doesn't make it less offensive." Brooke laughed.

"Sorry. Anyway, what did you want again?"

"I need you to come pick Hales and I up right now."

"Why?"

"Do you always ask such annoying questions? Just do it. Please Nathan, this is important to me- and her. She just doesn't know it yet."

"Okay, okay. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"I love you." Brooke grinned into the phone.

"Yeah, yeah. Love you, too."

Brooke hung up, cheerfully making her way back to her bedroom, where Haley was, changing. She wore a white tank top, with a magenta mini-sweater, and jeans.

"You look so pretty, Hales." Brooke smiled, and Haley looked down at herself awkwardly.

"Thanks. You too."

"Duh," Brooke grinned, "Come on. Let's go meet your boy toy downstairs."

She grabbed Haley's hand, dragging her down the stairs of their large house, careful not to wake their sleeping parents.

Haley was genuinely confused. The night before, Brooke had been hysterical, and now she was acting as if she didn't care. What the hell was going on?

The two were outside in seconds, waiting for Nathan's car to pull up. When he did, the two girls slid in; Brooke in front, Haley in back.

"So, where are we going Boss Lady?" Nathan asked after they'd said their hello's.

"We are going to New Point Field." Brooke turned up the heater, and Nathan frowned.

"What are we going to do there?"

"You'll see. Drive."

"Yes Ma'am." Nathan grinned, as he and Haley exchanged looks in the rearview mirror.

The ride was silent, except for the radio, as the trio drove down the freeway, and then highway, and then through the tiny streets of the fields in New Point, a small area near Charleston.

Brooke had only been there once, with Lucas. They'd been on a date, and they'd played around by the park, near the field. Haley had always wanted to go, having heard of the wonderful field of flowers, but had never had a chance.

Nathan's car pulled onto the dirt road beside the field, and Brooke grinned, stepping out. Haley followed, as did Nathan, who wore a confused look on his handsome face.

"Uh, Brooke?" He asked, taking in his surroundings, "What the hell are we doing here?"

Brooke grabbed his hands, "We, my Best Friend, are going to visit the field of flowers."

A clueless replaced the confused one, although, Brooke was sure that they were practically the same thing. "Why?"

"Because," Haley interrupted, tears in her eyes, "It's been my dream since I was a kid."

"Exactly." Brooke grinned, grabbing her best friend's, and sister's hands, and beginning on their journey through the field.

The three ran around in flowers, and laughed, and enjoyed themselves. Even Nathan. Haley pulled a small flower off of it's stem, placing it in her wavy hair. Brooke smiled at her sister, and simultaneously, the three lay down, somewhere in the field, all together.

"I feel like a little kid again." Brooke laughed, and Haley nodded her head.

"I love it when that happens. When you can just be five again. Before there was ever drama." Haley agreed.

"Or cancer." Nathan added in, and the three were silent once more.

They were there for hours, maybe. Talking, playing, sleeping. It was fun. But of course, all fun things would eventually come to an end.

At some point during the day, Brooke stood up, trying once more to fight tears, knowing that this would be one of the last fun days she'd spend with her sister.

She'd learn to get over it, in the short time that she'd been informed. But it was hard. She'd have to forget, and Brooke didn't want to do that.

"Okay, Nate, we're off to our next stop."

Nathan, who was laying down, his arm around Haley, and hers on his chest, sighed.

"Okay, okay. Just when I start to have fun.." He mumbled, and Brooke laughed.

"Like you didn't have fun."

"I had an okay time." He rolled his eyes, but a smile formed on his face.

"This was a great idea, Brooke." Haley wrapped an arm around her sister.

"I know. But my next idea is even better."

"Oh. Hell. No." Haley looked up at the place that they would be going to, and instantly regretted allowing Brooke to take her out.

"Oh Hell yes, Haley. You are so doing this." Brooke smiled.

"I don't want to." Haley grabbed Nathan's arm, and buried her head into it.

"Come on, Hales. This'll be fun." Nathan smiled down at her, and Haley pushed him away.

"Traitor." She muttered.

"Don't be a Drama Queen, Hales. Come on."

"But Brooke!" Haley whined, "I don't want to get a tattoo."

"Yes you do. I've got one, and it doesn't hurt. That much."

Haley sighed, allowing Brooke to drag her towards the parlor.

"Plus," Brooke added, "You've always wanted one."

"But now the whole idea of it is kind of gross."

"How is it gross?"

"Scarring yourself for life with ink. I mean, what if it seeps through and I get poisoned, and then-"

"Haley Davis, shut up before I make you. You are getting a tattoo, and you are getting one right now."

Defiantly, Haley shook her head, "No, I'm not!"

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Less then ten minutes later, Haley was in the tattoo parlor, preparing to scar herself for life, as she would say.

Brooke had decided where she would get it: right above her ass. In Brooke's opinion, it was a sexy, but innocent spot. Guys would see the tattoo, and not only want to know the root of it, but they'd most likely want to lift up the back of her shirt, deeply intrigued by the tattoo.

The man that would be tattooing Haley prepared the area with alcohol, and then sighed.

"Can I see that ID of hers again?" He turned towards an anxious, grinning Brooke and Nathan, who both swallowed.

Brooke raised the small card, and he examined the picture carefully.

"Okay, Jamie, what would you like a tattoo of?"

Haley frowned. "Uh, I don't know."

"Well, I can't just do anything. Can you tell me?" The guy impatiently checked his watch, and Brooke sighed.

"Hales, you know you've always wanted one of these. Well now's your chance. Come on!"

"Okay, okay. Can I like, look at a book or something?"

She was handed a book, and after a while of looking, she came across something that made her smile, and she pointed to it, mouthing something to the man. Brooke and Nathan exchanged looks, and Nathan spoke up.

"Whatcha got there, Hales- Uh, Jamie?"

"You'll see." The girl suddenly found confidence, and grinned, turning away from her sister and brother.

The man worked quickly, and quietly. Haley bit her lip hard, and Nathan squirmed just watching her, but she was fine. She still wore a smile on her face when it was over, and then even when she told Nathan and Brooke to go pay.

They left the tattoo parlor with instructions on what to do, and a very confused Nathan and Brooke.

Haley wouldn't lift her shirt to show them, but eventually, Brooke stopped in her tracks, refusing to leave until Haley showed them the tattoo.

"It's killing me. Come on, Hales. Let me see."

Haley turned away from them, lifting up the back of her shirt. Brooke grinned, and pulled the tape off of the tattoo.

When the two saw it, both gasped.

Number Twenty Three.

Nathan's basketball jersey number, and Brooke's soccer jersey number.

Oh, how they'd miss her.