I posted this in the reviews but incase Summer and Lola didn't see it…

To Summer and Lola: Sorry you didn't enjoy reading my fanfic. I want to make it clear that you don't have to read my fanfic if you don't like it. It is my version of how I want the show to go and of course won't necessarily be going along with whoever is a couple at the time. That is the whole point of my fanfic-to have Lucas and Haley together. Yes, it is unrealistic but that's why people write fanfic. To show what they want to happen on the show. So, don't bother to read if you don't like it and I would prefer it if you kept the reviewing a little less harsh next time. Thanks.

Thanks to ac5000, thetroublew/loveisi'm2lostinU, and atomiccounty!

Hope you all like this new chapter! Sorry it took so long.

Chapter 14

Lucas tells Haley he has HCM during episode #304, "An Attempt to Tip the Scales"

Lucas looked down for a moment before looking Haley in the eyes. He had been keeping this secret for months now. Only Dan and Nathan knew. However, he knew he could tell Haley and trust her not to tell anyone. "Hales, I have HCM."

Haley's face expressed her mixture of pain and sorrow at hearing the news from Lucas. All this time Lucas had HCM and she didn't know until now. "Luke, why didn't you tell me?" She asked him, her eyes filling up with tears.

"I was afraid to and besides it was getting taken care of until I ran out of pills that Dan paid for while I was living there. When you only asked about Nathan having it a few months ago, I figured you didn't care whether I had it or not," Lucas told her.

"Luke, you know I would care. I'm sorry it seemed as if I didn't but you know you can come to me anytime with anything. I care about you, Lucas and I don't want to lose you," Haley said to him, softly crying now as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Aw, Hales, don't cry. I'll be ok," Lucas said as he pulled her into a hug. He hated to see her crying over him, it made him sad. He didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"I won't lose you, Luke. I can't," Haley embraced him back. "You have to tell your Mom and Whitey. You need help," she urged him.

"Haley, no. Whitey would kick me off the team if he knew and my Mom would never let me play basketball," Lucas argued with her as they slowly pulled back from the hug. Basketball was very special to him and he didn't want to lose the ability to do that because he had health problems but at the same time, he knew Haley had a good point.

"Luke, it's for you own good. You could die if you don't do anything about this," Haley argued back. "I know you love basketball but if you keep doing this to yourself, you're risking death. Please do something about this, Lucas."

"I am working harder to compensate for the medication, it'll be fine," Lucas tried reassuring her.

"Luke, will you listen to yourself? The medicine inhibits your performance so you can live longer. You have to tell your Mom and Whitey so you can get more medication," Haley insisted to make Lucas see what he was doing to himself.

"Will you come with me then…when I tell Mom and Whitey?" Lucas asked her, giving in because he knew she was right about this.

"Of course, Lucas. I'm always here for you," Haley answered.

"Thanks, Hales. I don't know what I'd do without you," Lucas said, as he wiped away her tears softly and looked into her eyes.

"You'd probably go insane and die," Haley joked and they laughed together for a moment. She didn't know what she would do without him either.

"Well, I should probably get going. I think we could both use some sleep," Lucas said as he stood up and she walked with him to the door.

"Yeah, call me tomorrow. We'll tell your Mom and Whitey," Haley said as they reached the front door. Suddenly, Haley tripped over something of Brooke's and Lucas caught her in his arms.

"Whoa, take it easy there, clumsy girl," Lucas joked. Then, he realized how close in proximity they were to each other. He felt unusually close to her tonight, he felt more affectionate than ever towards her.

"Looks like I can't stop falling tonight," Haley said.

"Yeah, you have to watch yourself better. I don't want you to and hurt yourself," Lucas softly told her.

"Right, I wouldn't want to do that…" Haley nodded as she realized how close they were to each other as well.

Lucas brushed dome hair of hers behind her ear and looked deeply into her eyes. She stared back into his eyes as she quickly became comfortable of being in his arms. He had never let his arms down after he had caught her fall. She always felt safe in his arms, like nothing could ever harm her and tonight, it felt natural to be this close especially after his confession to her. Lucas was feeling comfortable holding her, too as his eyes fell upon her lips. He thought of how Nathan had kissed her and felt a pang of jealously. Secretly, he had always wanted to be close to her as Nathan was but knew he would never get the chance. Until now that is because all he wanted to do was kiss her, a comforting kiss. One that he convinced himself would be completely platonic. Haley was having the same kind of thoughts about kissing Lucas as their lips drew closer together. It was the softest and most comforting kiss they had ever had in their lives, not to mention their first real one with each other. It only lasted a short moment but in that moment they knew they would never feel the same about each other. They wanted more. They touched foreheads after and smiled.

"I love you," Lucas spoke to her softly.

"I love you, too," Haley returned the sentiment.