Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them and I'm glad that people are actually reading my story.. Please if you can write me a review, I really want to see opinions on this.

Chapter title is Keith Urban's "Days Go By"

Chapter Two: Days Go By

Haley still couldn't believe everything that she had just gone through. She was lying on her bed on her back staring up at the ceiling as she could hear people downstairs talking. They had just gotten back from burying her father and she didn't feeling like listening to people share their sympathy with her.

"Hales?"

Haley got up at the voice but instead of getting up from her bed, she pulled her knees to her chin. "Come in."

Nathan opened the door slightly, "Hey."

"Hey," Haley smiled. He was the last person she would have ever thought to come get her. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing," He told her as he sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes bore into hers and he could see that she was taking this really hard. "You seem kinda out of it."

Haley sighed, "It's so weird having everybody here, especially for the reason that we had to bury our father."

Nathan nodded sympathetically and focused his blue eyes on her brown ones, "You're gonna get through this, we're all here for you, even Tim." He suddenly felt the urge to gather her in his arms and never let her go while trying to protect her from anything else.

"Thanks," Haley smiled at the sweetness behind his words. She rested her hand on top of his left one. "Thanks for coming up here and just talking to me. I know it's been kinda awkward ever since…"

"You're my friend Hales," Nathan interrupted and giving her hand a squeeze. "Even if we not dating, I'm not going to just cut you out of my life, you mean too much for me to do that."

Haley could feel the onset of tears and he quickly hugged her before she could say anything else. She relished in the familiarity of his touch and couldn't help but notice the attraction she still had for him.

"Now what do you say we go downstairs?" Nathan pulled away slowly, "Everybody wants to see you."

"Okay," Haley gave him a small smile and let him help her up before glancing at the mirror and seeing her puffy eyes. She shook it off and figured it was okay for people to see her like this today.

He held her hand as they walked down the stairs and Haley could see all her siblings scattered around the room talking to various relatives and all her friends standing in a circle talking amongst themselves. She saw Karen and Deb talking to each other in the corner and her mother in the middle of all of it.

"Hales," Lucas tried not to shout as he saw his best friend descend the stairs with his brother. "Where have you been?"

"In my room," Haley replied as she reached her friends, "Why?"

Peyton came up and gave her a hug, "We were worried about you."

"Yeah Tutor girl," Brooke came up from behind Peyton and surprised Haley by giving her a hug, "I'm so sorry about your dad."

"Thanks," Haley pulled away slowly to be instantly hugged again by Lucas. "How long have you guys been here?"

Lucas pulled back, "A couple minutes. Taylor told us you were in hiding."

Haley nodded knowingly. Even through everything going on, her older sister was always looking out for her and always knew where she was. She glanced around at all of her friend's faces. She could see the worry and love in all of their expressions. "Thanks you guys for being here with me today. I really appreciate it."

Lucas rubbed her arm comfortingly, "It's not a problem, Buddy."

"Yeah," Tim spoke up. "And I get free food."

Haley couldn't help but giggle at Tim's words. This is what she needed in her life. Her friends were always around and always there for her. Even Tim and Brooke who she never really hung out with alone.

Peyton shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Tim!"

"Come on Tim," Nathan gave Haley a smile before leaving the other four teens alone.

Brooke looked around before realizing the current situation. "Blondie and I are gonna go get some drinks, you two want anything?"

Haley and Lucas both shook their heads as Brooke whisked Peyton off leaving the two best friends alone. "Are you really okay Hales?"

"No," Haley shook her head and gave Lucas a sad smile, "But I will be."

Lucas nodded. "You know I'm here for you, right? We all are."

"That's what Nathan said," Haley grinned. They were more alike than they thought they were. "How are you and Brooke by the way?"

"We're good," Lucas nodded surely, "She loved the chocolate. Good advice by the way."

Haley beamed proudly. "Glad you liked it." She looked into Lucas' eyes, "I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I'm glad you found Brooke, she really does make you happy."

Lucas smiled. "She does."

"But you need to stop seeing Peyton," Haley's voice became serious. "You need to stop messing around with her and leading her on."

"I know," Lucas stared at the floor ashamed. "But I can't help it Haley."

Haley sighed, "Then you need to tell Brooke. And if you don't tell her, then I'm going to tell her."

"Since when have you sided with Brooke?" Lucas looked at her; he was trying to control his anger. He hated when people told him what to do. "It's not like you two are even friends anyway."

"You know that I've always hated your little affair. And I guess Brooke and I are friends in some weird way," Haley didn't know what came over her, "You can't keep them both, you need to decide."

"Haley," Lucas didn't know what to do. If this was any other person, he probably wouldn't have listened to them but Haley James was no other person, she was his best friend who was trying to make things better for everyone. "I don't want to hurt either of them."

Haley looked him straight in the eye, "Lucas, you're probably already hurting at least one of them."

Lucas nodded knowingly. He probably was.

"We need to talk."

Peyton glanced at him before giving one of Haley's relatives a smile and following him outside. "Okay? What's on your mind?"

"We can't do this anymore Peyton," Lucas started. He wanted to get this over with quickly. "I can't do this to Brooke."

Peyton sighed, she had been waiting for this day to come. "I know that Lucas, but…"

"There can't be any buts about this Peyton," Lucas interrupted. He hated seeing the hurt look in her eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" Peyton tried to not to raise her voice. She didn't want anybody over hearing them. "I agree with you, this has gone on way too long but why now?"

Lucas ran a hand through his blond hair before answering, "Haley gave me an ultimatum. Either break it off or she'll tell Brooke."

Peyton nodded, she figured Haley knew by now. "Okay."

"That's it?" Lucas looked at her confused. "Just okay?"

Peyton shrugged. "We weren't that serious anyway."

Lucas nodded and pulled her in for a hug. They stood there for a long time as each wondered how life would be without the other that intimately in their life.

Meanwhile the reason for their conversation was walking around the inside of the James' house looking for her best friend. She spotted Haley talking with one of her sisters.

"Tutor girl!"

Haley rolled her eyes and turned around to see Brooke coming at her. "Yeah Brooke? What's up?"

"Have you seen Peyton?" Brooke asked. She gave a short nod to Haley's sister, "Or Lucas for that matter?"

Haley shrugged, "I haven't seen them."

"Are you talking about that skinny girl with the curly hair?" Haley's sister spoke up.

"Yeah Tay, you've seen her?" Haley turned to Taylor who gave them a smile.

Taylor nodded. "I saw her go outside with your hot best friend about half an hour ago."

Haley shook her head at Taylor's words as the realization sunk in. Lucas was breaking things off with Peyton. She was glad her words had an effect on him.

"Okay then," Brooke gave them her signature Brooke Davis grin and turned to find them.

Haley's eyes widened as she watched Brooke turn around. She didn't want her to listen to any part of that conversation. "Brooke wait!"

At that moment Brooke saw someone who she'd never thought would see at Jimmy James' funeral reception. "Dad?"

Haley and Taylor's eyes instantly went to the man standing by the doorway. They watched their mother almost run to him and saw her cling to him as he tried to soothe her. "What's going on?"

"Haley-bub," Lydia turned at the voice, "I need to tell you something."

"Okay," Haley knitted her eyebrows as she tried to figure out what was going on.

Brooke watched her father eye Haley before turning back to Brooke, "This affects you too Brooke, you may as well come with us."

"Us?" Haley was trying desperately to piece the puzzle together.

Lydia grabbed Haley's arm and dragged her into the study. Haley watched Brooke and her father come in before Mr. Davis shut the door.