The Sunday after her accident, Haley decided it was time for her to face her father. He was still in the hospital so she had Nick give her a ride. At this point he was still in a coma, but she decided she'd try talking to him anyways. It was easier this way. This way he couldn't yell at her.

She went into his room and sat down beside his bed, "So Dad, I know you're really mad at me, but I wanted you to know that I'm really sorry. I just wanted to have friends. I didn't mean to disappoint you. I'm going to do better in school too. I promise. I want you to know that I can be better than the fuck-up you called me. Yes, I heard you call me that, but I'm hoping that you just said that in the moment."

"It wasn't just in the moment," He had woken up and heard everything she said, "You are a fuck-up and I think you know that. I don't care why you did any of it, the fact is that you did it and that is not okay with me. You could have been so much better. I did not raise a failure. I'm ashamed to call you my daughter."

Haley couldn't believe what he was saying to her. The only people who had ever spoken to her like that were the popular girls in school, never someone in her family. "I should go tell them you're awake," she ran out of the room before he could see her cry. She told her mother that he was awake and asked Nick to take her home immediately.

When they got in the car Nick was confused, "What happened in there Hales? You seemed to be in a hurry to leave."

"He told me that I was a fuck-up and that he was ashamed of me. He told me I was a failure." Haley started to cry just remembering the situation.

"Haley, you cannot believe anything he says. He is an asshole and we both know it. You're not a fuck-up or a failure. I'm sure as hell not ashamed to call you my sister. I'm damn proud of you. You were sick all week and somehow you managed to do a month's worth of homework. You're amazing at sports. You could beat me at anything. He is an idiot. Thank God we aren't going to have to see that asshole for the next month and a half."

"What do you mean? Why won't we have to see him?"

"Well, they're making him stay in the hospital for another two weeks and then he has to go to rehab for a month. If he doesn't go to rehab he goes to jail for drunk driving. Maybe he'll actually be better when he comes back."

"Yeah right, you know the second he is back home it's back to drinking and Mom is such an enabler it won't matter."

"See, you're smart! You know what an enabler is! Why don't you take that time to prove him wrong?"

Haley decided to take her brother's advice to heart and spent the next month and a half as the perfect citizen. She ended up getting all As on tests, papers, and homework bringing her final grades to Bs.

She was constantly being applauded by her siblings for how well she was doing. However, her mother had slipped into a deep depression and hadn't even noticed the change in her daughter. Haley was excited for her father to come home so that she could tell him how much she had improved. She may not have liked him, but that doesn't mean she wants him thinking badly of her.

She went into his bedroom, "Hey Dad, guess what!"

"I'm not in the mood Haley. What is it?"

"I got As on everything this semester which brought my grades up to straight Bs!"

He looked at her unimpressed, "If you hadn't been a lazy fuck you would have had straight As all semester. Have you put on some weight? Trying to cover your guilt with food?"

"Better than alcohol." Crap, she didn't mean to say that, but sometimes he just goes too far.

"Get the fuck out."

"Gladly." Why had she even thought he would care? He was the same asshole he had always been.

It was finally summer and Haley could finally relax. The only thing she had to think about this summer was swimming. She also had to read two books for summer reading, but she picked the two shortest books on the list, so it shouldn't take her too long.

She loved swimming. She was the best at swimming. She always won every event at every meet ever since she was little. She always practiced with the older kids because she was faster than everyone her own age. It was fun too. She had friends at the pool, unlike at school. Swimming took a lot of work though. Three hours of practice everyday but Sunday. Haley decided to get serious that summer. Not only was she going to win every event, but her times had to beat every other girl on the team, even the girls 5 years older than her. If she was the best, her parents would have to notice, right?

Wrong. Unfortunately her foolproof plan didn't work. Then, in between races at one swim meet she passed out. Luckily Lucas was with him at the time. He took her to the hospital worried that what had happened before might repeat itself. Nick and Taylor both met them at the hospital, extremely worried about their sister. When they got there Haley was talking with the doctor.

"Have you had anything to eat or drink today?" the nurse asked.

"Umm… I can't remember."

"Last time she passed out she had temporary amnesia," Taylor said from the corner of the room.

"No, she doesn't have amnesia. She's just dehydrated and malnourished. She's going to be a little weak and tired today, but she'll be absolutely fine. The IV is going to give her a little bit of energy, but not much. She needs to get some food in her, especially with the vigorous activity she seems to be doing. Once you finish up that bag, you can go."

As soon as they got in the car Nick went to the McDonald's drive-thru, "Okay, little bit, what do you want?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Hales, this is your favorite place."

"And like I said, I'm not hungry."

"Haley, the nurse said that you have to eat. It'll make you feel better."

"I feel fine, I'm not hungry Nick, just leave it alone."

"I will not leave it alone. Haley, you passed out today. That's not normal. I've already been to the hospital twice this year because of you and I am not going back again! So just eat, damn it!"

"Whatever. Get me some fries."

"I'll take a number two with ketchup only, and can you make that a large please? A Sprite to drink. Thank you."

"I said I just wanted fries."

"Well, I say you need protein."

"I'm not going to eat it. You just wasted five dollars."

"Quit being a bitch and eat."

"No thanks… Dad."

"That was a low blow."

"You called me a bitch, that's what Dad would say."

"Well the difference is, I care about you. I want you to be okay. I'm going away to college in a month and I want you to be okay when I do. So please, just do this for me."

"Fine. If I sink in next week's meet, I blame you."

"I think I can live with that. Thank you."

There was still a month left of summer, but it was already time for Taylor to leave, "You know I'm going to miss you like crazy, little sis."

"I'm going to miss you too, big sis!"

"You know, I'm really glad we've gotten so close this year."

"Me too. Now don't make me cry! You're still going to call and e-mail me every week."

"Whenever you aren't grounded, which is pretty much all the time."

Haley rolled her eyes."Okay, go. I love you," Haley said and gave her one last hug.

"Love you too. I'll call you when I get there. Bye guys!" Taylor waved and got into her car for her 24 hour drive to Texas.

As they watched their sister drive away, Lucas and Haley made a pact. No matter how far away they end up from each other, they would always be best friends. They promised to value the next two years together because they knew that as soon as high school ended, nothing would be the same.

The night before Nick was to leave for Harvard, the three siblings went to eat dinner at the country club. Haley hated going there, but it was Nick's favorite and it was buffet night. Haley felt like she was walking into the lion's den. Most of the girls from her school were members there and she didn't want to see them until school started the next week. Knowing how much she hated going there, Lucas held his sister's hand, trying to give her some courage.

As her brothers scavenged the buffet table, Haley sat in her seat amazed by the piles of growing food on their plates. Nick even had two plates going now.

She then looked over and saw the Queen Bitch approach Lucas. "Oh please don't tell me you are responsible for Hades being here. You are much too beautiful to be slumming with something like her," she said.

"Really? Slumming?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, you know she's only at Prep cause she's on scholarship, tight? And she still fails. She's such a fugly idiot."

"Actually, I'm pretty sure she has more money than you do, she just doesn't flaunt it. You know her father owns the James Corporation and bought your school that pretty new library, right?" he said mocking her. "So, obviously she's not on scholarship, but if she needed to be, she could. She made straight As last semester, which I'm sure is better than a bimbo like you. And she is more beautiful than you could ever hope to be." He started to walk away, but turned around once more, "By the way, you would never have a chance in hell with me."

Lucas went back to the table and Haley immediately pounced, "So, what did Queen Bitch want?"

"She was just telling me how beautiful I am. Oh, and she thinks we're a couple."

""Ewww, gross! I hope you set her straight."

"Well, not really, but I did make her insanely jealous of you. She totally wanted me."

When Nick sat down he put his second plate in front of Haley, "Here you go."

"What is this?" Haley asked.

"Your dinner."

"No thanks, I'm not hungry."

"Come on Hales, you haven't eaten all day," Lucas stepped in.

"How would you know what I've eaten?"

"Because I've been with you all day."

"No, you haven't. you took a shower and I grabbed a snack then."

"What did you have?" Nick asked.

"None of your business."

"Right. That's what you say every time you can't some up with a lie quick enough."

"No, that's what I say when I'm pissed off! Why are you two ganging up on me?"

"Because we love you and we're worried about you."

"Well, you can quit. You're leaving tomorrow and you can forget all about me! I'm going home."

"Hales, don't do this. You don't even have a way to get home."

"I'll walk." She left the club and started on her way home. She knew she had made a scene, but her brothers had been complete assholes. It was a five mile walk, but she didn't care, as long as she was away from them.

The boys got the food to go and then went after their sister. They pulled up next to her as she was walking, "Hales, get in."

"No. Leave me alone. Go home."

"Come on, Hales, just get in."

"No."

"Okay then, I'm getting out. Luke, go ahead and go. We'll see you at home." Nick got out of the car to walk with Haley, "So, this isn't how I expected to spend my last night at home."

"Yeah, well I wasn't expecting to get ambushed."

"Haley, we're just worried about you."

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm fine."

"The fact that you are getting so defensive about this proves that something is wrong."

"Well then, what do you think is so wrong with me?"

"You know what."

"No, I really don't. Enlighten me."

"Have you stepped on a scale lately?"

"Are you trying to tell me that I've gained weight? Is that what you think? That I'm fat?"

"God, Hales, no. You're too damn skinny! Why do you think that we keep shoving food in your face? How could you think that you are fat? You couldn't even weigh 80 pounds." He then grabbed her and picked her up with one arm, "See, you weigh nothing."

"Put me down you jackass. I weigh more than 80 pounds."

"How much do you weigh then?"

"I'm not telling."

"Am I going to have to weigh you myself? You know I will."

"82."

"What?"

"82, I weigh 82 pounds. Are you happy now?"

"Hell no, I am not happy. I researched it Haley, you are unhealthily underweight. Normal weight for someone your height is 120. That is almost 40 pounds underweight!"

"I can do math, you know. Look, I am not skinny," she lifted up her shirt and tried to pinch fat from her side. "See, I have fat everywhere!"

"Hales, put your shirt down, we're on a public street. And that is just skin, not fat. I can see your fucking ribs!"

"Nick, keep your voice down, we're on a public street," she mocked.

"Not anymore, get your ass inside, we are not done!" he said as they walked up to their house.

When they got inside, Lucas was waiting for them. He went over, picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, "Damn it Hales, how much do you weigh?"

"I get it, I'm fat! I know, now leave me alone!"

She tried to squirm out of his grasp, but he wouldn't let her go, "Is she serious, Nick?"

"Apparently. She only weighs 82 pounds. She's gone loony."

By now Haley was beating Lucas's back and kicking his gut, "Let me down! I hate you both!" She was sobbing uncontrollably now. Lucas finally sat her down on the couch. She immediately got up and ran to her bedroom locking the door behind her.

The boys stayed downstairs for a minute talking, "What are we going to do, Nick?"

"For starters, I'm not going to school tomorrow."

"Nick, you'll miss orientation. You can't not go."

"Well I can't leave her like this. Mom and Dad are useless and she needs more than just you."

"I can call Quinn. She's only two hours away. Why don't you just stay until she gets here."

"Go call her. I'm going to try to talk to Hales. Call Taylor too, just to let her know. Wish me luck."

Nick sat outside Haley's room begging her to come out, "Hales, please open the door."

"Nick, just leave me alone."

"Haley, I'm not leaving. You know I can't leave when you're crying."

"Like it even matters. Tomorrow you'll be gone for good anyways. Why not just leave now. It won't make any difference."

"I'm not leaving tomorrow."

"Yes, you are, so just go."

"I'm not leaving until I see you eat something."

"Fine," Haley opened her door and popped a lifesaver in her mouth. "Happy?" She slammed the door back shut.

"Why do you keep saying that? No, I'm not happy. That has no nutritional value. You need to put on some pounds and a fucking lifesaver isn't going to help you."

"Shut up and leave me alone."

Lucas came up after making the phone calls, "Not going well, I take it."

"Not going at all. You talk to her, I'll go find the key thingy."

"Hey bitty. I sent him away. Will you talk to me now?"

"Luke, I'm sorry."

"It's okay Hales, just let me in."

"I can't. I'm sorry, Luke."

"What are you talking about Haley? Why are you sorry?"

"Because I can't keep our pact."

"Why?"

"Because I can't do it anymore."

"What can't you do?"

"Any of it…" Haley's voice was trailing off. "I'm sorry Luke. I love you."

"I love you too Hales. Will you please just let me in?" Haley didn't answer. "Haley, come on, stop being stubborn. Just let me in." She still didn't answer. He started beating on the door, hoping to piss her off enough that she'd talk to him. It wasn't working. What had she been talking about? He needed Nick. "Nick, get up here!"

"I haven't found the key yet," he screamed back.

"I don't give a damn. Get your ass up here. We've got to break it down."

Nick made his way up the stairs, "What are you talking about?"

"She quit talking. She said she was sorry and that she couldn't do it anymore. Then she stopped talking. Help me knock down the damn door!"

Five minutes later, the boys finally got the door down. When they did, they were horrified by what they saw. There, on the floor at the foot of her bed, was their little sister's unconscious body accompanied by two pill bottles and a spilt glass of water.

Lucas ran over to her, "Damn it Hales. Why do you keep doing this to me?"

Nick went and grabbed the bottles, "Grab her Luke, we're going to the hospital."