Chapter 2

It was the day before school started and Haley was supposed to go shopping for school supplies with Luke. It was just funny how Brooke had errands she had to run for the day. While this hurt Haley to think Lucas was only allowing it to be just the two of them because Brooke wasn't around, she did not saying anything because truth was she had no one else. At least he made some effort with her.

Lucas picked her up at the apartment in his red truck. He didn't even have to beep and Haley was half way down the stairs. Opening the car door Haley couldn't help but smile at her best friend. No one else she knew enjoyed going to school nearly as much as she did. Arriving at the store they both went into their own little world. Haley was a lot more organized than Lucas, but he was still a nerd in his own way.

Reaching the checkout line Haley paid for her things. When going to pay for his things Lucas realized he didn't have enough money to cover it all. Before Lucas could decide what to put back Haley stepped in. Giving some bills to the lady at the register she smiled at Luke and said, "Don't worry I got it."

"Thanks Hales," Luke responded with an embarrassed smile. "I promise Ill pay you back next week when I get paid," he continued.

"Don't be silly Luke, what else am I here for?" Haley responded. In an odd way she felt like it kind of put them in the right direction.

Coming out of the store they saw a sub shop across the street and decided to go get something. Sitting down they couldn't help but enjoy one another's company.

"I missed this." Haley said, "When I was gone I always missed this, being able to sit down and eat with you while being able to talk about anything and everything. I never really had anyone that would want to talk about the newest book they read. Although sometimes I think there were a few people that didn't even know how to read. But really I missed all this." After staring at Lucas she put her head back down and continued to eat her food.

Luke was taken aback by this. While Haley had tried to apologize to him many times, this time seemed different. Not saying that it was never genuine, but it just seemed different. Like maybe she still missed this, even though she had been back, they never really got to enjoy each other like they use to. Then words Brooke and Peyton had told him came to his mind She brought this on herself. It's her own fault.

"Ya, well you know things change when people change." Looking at Haley he could see that she looked like she had been slapped in the face. He knew she wouldn't say anything because in her head, he knew that she felt she was the one to blame for everything. It was her own fault.

They continued to eat in silence for the rest of their lunch. Walking to the truck Haley asked, "Do you mind just dropping me off at the High School?"

A simple "sure" was all he could respond with. Not even asking why. The old Lucas would want to know why, was all Haley could think.

Around the corner from the school Lucas's phone went off. Haley could tell it was Brooke by the way he answered it. Telling Brooke what he has been up to for the day, but just forgetting to add Haley's name in there. Pulling up in front of the school Lucas covered the phone asking Haley how long she would be. It was clear he was going to meet up with Brooke soon.

"I don't know how long it's going to take, I'll just walk back." Haley said.

"Ok, talk to you later buddy." He responded.

Haley just smiled and walked away. The old Lucas would have waited for her instead of letting Brooke or Peyton get in the way. Walking in the building she noticed Nathan's car in the parking lot. Haley didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing but she was going to find out. But first she had to go to the office.

Talking to the principal she found out that she was behind and would have a lot of work she would need to make up. She was able to pick up some of the work she would need to make up and the rest would be given to her tomorrow. Now she was walking down the hall, knowing she had one more stop to make before she walked home. To the weight room she went.

Through the window in the door she saw Nathan lifting, waiting for him to put down the weights before she came in. Walking into the room Nathan turned around and just stared at her. They both just stared at each other for a moment neither saying a word. Finally Haley was the first to speak. "Hey" she said in a whispering voice.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan said and a cold tone.

Twiddling with her fingers she looked at the ground, "I had to go to the office and pick up something's." She looked him in the eyes. "Then I noticed you were here and I wanted to see you…talk to you. I think we should talk." The last part she said rather timidly.

"What is there to say Haley? You left me! You left me for him!" he screamed.

"I didn't leave you for him, you have to believe me…please" Haley said, her face beginning to crumble.

"Yes you did and there's nothing you can say to change that. What could be your possible reason? Huh,?" before Haley could answer he screamed, "No, there is no answer Haley. You think you writing me all summer telling me you love me and that you can explain when I see you is going to change anything? Well it's not. As far as I know I don't care, you reason is probably shit! I hate you!

With those words Haley stared into his eyes in see the hatred in them. He really hated her. Maybe she should have stayed on that bus. At least he would be safe, even if she wasn't…happy.

Taking a breath Nathan continued, "I don't want to know what your reason is and I don't want to know. If I was ever to forgive you, and that's a big IF in itself, you'll have to prove it to me, and not by giving me some excuse that it took you three months to make up."

Haley's head was down and she just nodded. "Just know I love you Nathan, and that I will fight for you okay? If there are any words that come out of my mouth that you should believe just believe that," and with that she walked out of the room.

Nathan sat there watching her leave wondering if he should have at least let her speak; but that part inside of him just couldn't for fear that he would too easily give in.

Haley's walk home was long, but needed. She took out her iPod and just listened to the words being sung to her. She couldn't even sing the words. Singing and music was just tarnished for her. She lost everything because of a person named Chris, and his obsession with music. Tears continued to fall down her face.

Walking into the apartment she saw Lucas, Peyton, and Brooke sitting on the couch watching a movie. Brooke turned around and asked her where she had been. She saw Lucas turn around, with a look that killed her. He was pretty much telling her not to rat him out with that look, and that same look killed her insides even more than Nathan's previous words.

"Just had to stop at school to talk to Turner," she said simply.

"You getting kicked out further making our lives better," Peyton said her voice full of hate. Haley just looked down and walked to her room. The part that surprised her the most was that she heard someone tell Peyton to "quit it". The part that surprised her most was that it wasn't Lucas sticking up for her, it was Brooke.

Upon reaching her blown up air mattress she let her body fall onto it. As she let the music play in her ears she took out a photo of her and Nathan and just stared at it until sleep came over her.