A/N: hey guys im back with a long update--2 chapters! This is for all the great support. Thanks for all the comments, you guys rock:)

Lucas Scott made his way up the James's staircase, eyeing the numerous pictures that lined the white washed walls. He stopped after one particular picture had caught his eye, a 7 year old Haley with hair up in pig tails and a toothless grin. He traced the outline of Haley's face, smiling to himself. The Haley he knew then was still the Haley he knew now. But somehow things had changed. It wasn't like they wanted to change but its like what they say, change was inevitable in life. His thoughts continued to linger, to those times, the times when things used to be so much simpler. God he missed those days. The days when he and Haley would just chill out, no homework no basketball, just him and her. The good old days. Lucas shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. It was silly of him to dwell on the past; his best friend needed him now, not in the past but in the present. A sudden chill suddenly overcame Lucas when he remembered why he was there at Haley's house in the first place.

Flashback:

Lucas was at his locker when he decided to check his voicemail after his last period at school, surprised to hear Haley's voice. "Hey Luke, come by my place later okay? I need you right now buddy." A feeling of dread washed over his body as he heard Haley's voice. Something wasn't right; he just couldn't put his finger on it. He listened to Haley's message a couple more times to figure out her voice. There was a mixture of anxiety, fear, and excitement and was that tears he heard her trying to hold back? Lucas grew even more apprehensive, something was bothering his best friend and he had to get to her quickly. He ran through the hallways of Tree Hill High into the parking lot, getting to his Uncle Keith's old red truck. He practically flew into the driver's seat and managed to buckle up before screeching through the empty lot, dodging a couple of red lights throughout town till finally the James's residence came into view. He slowed down parking the old truck on the driveway. He sat there for a second, silent, composing himself for what was to come.

End of flashback

He slowly made his way up the staircase, bracing himself for what was to come. He wasn't sure what was bothering Haley but he knew one thing; he'd be there for her. Almost at the top of the staircase he put on a brave face, ready to greet her with a smile, until he heard something that suddenly made his heart drop. Crying. And it grew louder with every step he took nearer to Haley's room. Haley, he thought. He wrestled with instinctive big brother in him; he had always been protective of Haley. Finally got to her door his heart racing and palms sweating. He took a deep breath before gently knocking on the door and opening it. He peeped his head inside and the sight he saw broke his heart into pieces.

Haley sat on the floor leaning against her bed with a tearstained face cradling the phone in her arms.

"Hey," Lucas softly said as he closed the door behind him.

She sniffed in return and managed a small smile.

He cautiously made his way to her and took a seat beside her on the floor. Immediately Haley inched in closer to him filling in the distance between them as he took her into his arms. There she continued to cry, burying her head in his chest as he stroked her hair. He waited for her to calm down; he knew she'd open up on her own. After a couple minutes her sniffles lessened and her breathing became normal, preparing herself to speak. "Luke," sniffle.

"Ssh," he rubbed her back in attempt to further soothe her.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Pause. "I'm ok."

"Sure?"

"Yeah," she nodded.

Haley got out of Lucas's arms positioning herself again against the bed. "I'm sorry I ruined your shirt," referring to Lucas's now tearstained shirt.

"Nah, it's alright." he dismissed. "Hales, your avoiding the subject."

"Almost had you didn't I?" she joked.

"Yeah but you can't get anything past me." he joked along.

She laughed but the pain in her chest still weighed her down.

"But seriously Hales, what happened?" he took on a more serious tone.

She knew she couldn't dodge it any longer. She let out a sigh before starting, "You know about my mom's condition right?"

He nodded, "Yea." Lucas knew Mrs. James was sick and was receiving medication in the city leaving Haley all alone here in Tree Hill.

She proceeded, "Well, she has a chance to get a transplant which will make her better—"

"Hales that's great!" Lucas exclaimed but for some reason his best friend was not as happy as he expected her to be.

Haley's heart broke seeing her best friend's reaction remembering her own joy upon hearing the news but she knew it wouldn't last. She cleared her throat, "But."

His face dropped, he should've known things wouldn't be all that simple.

"Its expensive." she finished.

"Really expensive?" he further inquired.

Haley nodded as her eyes darted to the floor.

Lucas groaned, of course things wouldn't be all that simple. Just like him the James's weren't exactly rolling in money nor were they poor, they were somewhere in between, they were just right. They were the river rats, they lived simple lives though they couldn't afford everything they still led meaningful lives. But now was not the time to think like that, he had to give his best friend hope.

"Hey, don't think like that." he reached out to lift Haley's chin up. He smiled, he knew he had to be strong for her.

Haley just stared at him, the numbness overpowered her. To her the situation was just plain bleak.

"We could always rob a bank." he teased in attempt to make her smile.

A small smile appeared on her lips, "Nah, that's too complex, I'll just marry a king." she giggled.

They laughed at her suggestion. That's my girl, he thought. The Haley James he knew was a fighter, she just needed a bit of prodding. They continued to think up of absurd ways to come up with money, each outdoing the each others idea. Half an hour later the two best friends were sprawled on the floor unable to contain their laughter anymore. Haley's last idea of her becoming a singer with a platinum album was just too much for Lucas who was now hugging his stomach in pain. Haley protested insisting she knew how to sing until Lucas pointed out that she was tone deaf, she shrugged her shoulders and joined him in his laughter. The laughter died down and the two laid on the floor of Haley's room recomposing their selves.

An idea suddenly dawned on him and Lucas propped up on his right elbow hovering over Haley, "You could always get a job." he suggested.

She imitated him so that they were now facing each other again, "I know" she replied. "But can I juggle it with my studies?"

"You'll manage, you're a tutor remember?" he encouraged her. "Besides, I'll be helping you."

Haley smiled, she was lucky to have Lucas as her best friend. "I kinda need the money ASAP." she admitted.

Lucas noticed she left out that detail, "Well we'll just have to borrow money then." he said not wanting her to lose hope.

"We already tried the bank," she said as if reading Lucas's mind knowing he'd suggest it. "They wouldn't give us a loan."

Rejection. But he wouldn't give up that easily. "We don't need the bank, we'll find someone else."

"Like a backer." she joked.

"Backer?"

"Someone who's stupid and has lots of money," she said in her duh tone.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You know like in the movie '10 things I hate about you'."

All she got was a raised eyebrow from Lucas again. Chicks and their chick flicks, he thought.

Haley shook her head in bewilderment, "I can't believe you haven't watched it yet, it's a great movie."

He rolled his eyes, girls. But he decided to play along, "Yeah we'll just have to find you a backer here in Tree Hill."

"Yeah someone incredibly rich and gullible." she giggled. "Any suggestions Luke?"

Just then Lucas's cell phone rang, he dug into his pocket in search of the ringing device. "Nathan." he said.

"What?" Haley asked confused. Did she hear him right, he was suggesting his own brother as her backer. Wait she wasn't even serious about that whole backer thing.

"Nathan's calling," he continued but he didn't answer Nathan's call he simply turned the phone off.

"Oh." she understood. Of course he didn't actually suggest Nathan as a backer, right? But now that Lucas did mention him it wasn't such a bad idea. Haley shook her head, this was silly of her.

"He must be freaking out, I'm late for basket ball practice." He said as he stood up from the floor. "I kinda flew right over here after hearing your message."

" I'm sorry to trouble you Luke." Haley said as she also got up from the floor.

"Nah," he smiled as he took her into a hug. "You'll be ok Hales." He said kissing her on the forehead.

"I know." She hugged him back. "As long as I have you buddy. But you better go before Whitey kicks your ass for being late."

He chuckled, "Pick you up tomorrow morning before school?"

"Ok."

Lucas gave her a peck on the cheek and made his way to the door. He waved goodbye before exiting her room.

Haley sighed and flung herself on her bed. Lucas had helped ease her but at the same time something he had said troubled her. She struggled with her thoughts but only one thought kept rearing into her mind . . . Backer.