I'm back! I've been trying to upload this chapter since the other day but I think there was something wrong with the upload function here. Anyway, finally I was able to post it, so here it is!

catcat51092 - I appreciate that you've noticed that. Right now, Luke hasn't really thought about him loving her, its more of him not wanting to lose her, why? You will find that out later! Right now I am still trying to give you all the other people's point of view on their relationship, I'll move on to his' own in the latter chapters :)

To all the rest - thank you so much for all the reviews! I appreciate them! Keep 'em coming! Some of you are asking if I'm going to skip into the future and make this a future fic, but I don't want to tell you guys just yet because it may spoil the ending. Hope you understand, I just don't want you to predict what may happen and just keep you guessing throughout the story. I will tell you this, sometime withing the story we will move on to the future, but when that would happen will remain kept. Just take it from the title :)

Hope you enjoy this chapter, and please, review... review... REVIEW:)

"I still can't believe she's really leaving for good this time." Haley said followed by a sigh as she made herself comfy in her husband's well toned arms.

Right before the graduation ceremony, while Haley was rehearsing her valedictorian speech, Brooke approached her and told her the sad news. After a lot of crying and hugging, they had to break it up because the ceremony was already about to start. They said they'd still keep in touch, even if they know that it wasn't good enough, they had to settle with what they had. When Haley asked her why she needed to leave, she just told her about her parents and the college thing, but even if she sounded really convincing, Haley knew otherwise. In the past two years, they have formed such a great friendship; they even considered each other as their best friend. Brooke found her confidant in Haley, and Haley found a true friend in Brooke.

They really formed a tight bond the past few years. Even if they don't really know much about each other's past and they have been friends with others such as Lucas for Haley and Peyton for Brooke longer, they understand each other in a way that no one else does.

Lately, their old friends really hadn't quite been there for them, so they had to come to each other for support. Sometimes, they don't even know what the other's problem is but somehow it didn't matter. They were there for each other when times were rough. This was the kind of friendship that a person truly wants to keep. Both of them wanted to keep it too.

It really sucked that Brooke had to leave.

"I know what you mean. I thought that things were looking up for Brooke. I can't believe she suddenly made this decision without even confronting with us. And also, I don't see why she wants to go." Nathan tightened his arms around Haley and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I do."

During the past few months, there would be times wherein Brooke would come to her door crying. Haley would just take her in her arms and let her cry on her shoulder. Sometimes, Brooke would continue crying on Haley's shoulder or her lap for hours. They don't talk much during these tear sessions, fearing that they may only complicate things more. They didn't need to talk in the first place; they'd rather show it than say it. She would just sit their trying to comfort her tired friend. There would be times when she felt that Brooke just needed to rest, so she would sing to her as she cradled her in her arms. She thought that Brooke felt like a small child in her arms; an innocent, scared and lonely child that just wanted to be loved. Sometimes, she felt like she was Brooke's mom or something, but she knew that Brooke didn't really have a mom to be there for her. So, if what she needed was a mom, Haley would be honored to be hers.

They never really talked about these "sessions," not even Nathan knew about it. He always thought that they were just bonding and stuff since he wasn't allowed to enter their room when Brooke was there. Haley didn't tell him because she wanted to respect Brooke's decisions, even if she didn't agree with them.

Brooke never really told her why she was crying, all she'd say was, 'Hales, I need you,' and that was enough for Haley. Even if she didn't really tell her about her problems, Haley already knew. Sure Brooke is a little complex, but Haley knew that there were only very few things that would really get to her. From those things, she could just guess what her problem was, and her guesses always lead to one conclusion.

It couldn't have been her parents that were the problem because she was very open when she talks about her parents. She doesn't need tears to show how she felt. With her parents, it was more of whining, resentment and upset, but not hurt and broken hearted.

It couldn't have been school since she really worked her way up this senior year. Her grades improved a lot. People loved her. Though there were some who envied her and talked trash against her, she knew that she didn't care. Brooke never really cared what other people thought about her and what they say about her. Even when she hears them personally, she would just smile and walk past them. This would always be her routine, except when what they talk about is them. When she hears people talk about their issues, no matter how hard she tries to conceal it, Haley could pretty well see through her and see that she was definitely affected.

During the time that Luke and Peyton got together, Brooke went out with Chase, the clean teen. Chase was really a nice guy and he was hot too. Though they didn't look like a good match before, people kind of grew into the idea of opposites attract. They were really happy, and people thought that he was the one who could replace Lucas in her life. They all thought that Chase helped her to finally move on. Brooke loved Chase, but Haley knew that they don't really fight about anything. They don't also have any major issues that could lead to her crying almost every night. She knew that sure, Chase was special, but still not someone whom she could cry over again and again. He had her affections, but not her heart. She loved him, but what she felt for Chase was not even close to how she felt for him.

Though they don't talk that much anymore, Haley still considered Lucas as her best-guy-friend. They did grow up with each other and Karen was like her second mom so what they had been kind of special. It was the kind of friendship that was made through time so it really isn't something that you could easily forget. She loved Lucas and even Peyton, they were her friends, but she was really disappointed at both of them. Sure, Brooke never really showed any signs of bitterness and especially of pain, but they should have known better. If they were there for her, they could have seen past through her defense. She too felt like the two were really distant from them especially from Brooke since they got together. Although she understood why they had to distance themselves when they were together from Brooke as to avoid any friction between them, but Haley knew that the real reason was because both were guilty and ashamed for hurting Brooke. They avoided talking to her and even seeing her just to decrease their guilt and avoid any more frictions between them and Brooke. From an outsider's point of view, they would have thought that that was what Brooke wanted, to never see them again, but again, Haley knew otherwise.

She kept asking herself what happened to the old Lucas that cared for everyone and other's feelings. It was like all he cared about was his precious Peyton. She wasn't jealous of him spending all his time with Peyton; it was just that she knew that he was better than this. He could always have his relationship with Peyton and still keep his friends, especially those who really cared about him. He focused himself too much on her that he couldn't take time to hang with the others. Others say that it was just that he was so inlove with her that he wanted to spend each moment with her, but Haley knew that he wasn't that kind of guy. When he was with Brooke or anybody else in fact, he never forgot his friends even when they were the ones who caused their fights, and his love now wasn't more than what he felt before. She knew that he had other reasons, she wasn't sure what exactly they were, but she was sure of one thing: his reasons revolved around a girl named Brooke not Peyton.

She knew that Brooke was really hurt with the things that happened before, but it hurt her more when she saw that she was losing them both. She loved them so much, even just as friends, no matter how much she hated them. They used to be the two people who Brooke held on to with everything she had, but they left her all alone. Even if Haley wasn't as close to Luke as before, at least she had Nathan and her family to love her, but Brooke, Brooke had no one. No real family, no real home, no boyfriend and no best friend. Unlike Luke before who kept saving Peyton, she didn't need to save Brooke, she just had to, no, she just wanted to be there to comfort her. She was always there for Brooke when she needed someone, and somehow, they've become attached to each other, you know, like sisters. They depended on each other.

Now, she was worried about what may happen once Brooke leaves Tree Hill. She didn't want to lose another close friend, but aside from that, she was more worried about what may happen to Brooke when she's not around anymore to help her. Who will Brooke run to out there? Sure Brooke was a strong girl, but she knew that her heart was fragile, and no matter how put together a girl is on the outside, as long as she's shattered on the inside, she was still considered broken.

'How is she going to handle herself there? What if she suddenly breaks down? Who's going to be there for her? Who's going to take my place? '

All these questions added to her worry. She feared what may happen to her if she finally decides to give up. Even if she knew that Brooke was a great person, she's afraid that if none of them are around her to show her that, she might just go back to the way she used to be, not that it was that bad, it was just not her. Brooke Davis had one of the biggest hearts she has ever encountered. She even admitted to herself that Brooke gave more of herself to the people she loved than she ever did. Brooke sacrificed more than she ever did. She loved her parents, Peyton and Lucas unrequitedly, and until now she keeps on loving them despite all the pain they've put her through.

Brooke deserves to be happy. She deserves to be loved. Sure there are people who love her, I know they do, they just don't show it. Maybe its fear or intimidation that's stopping them, but still, they have been selfish.

When Haley said she knew why Brooke wanted to leave, Nathan simply nodded. He too knew what she meant.

Sure, he really wasn't that close to Brooke, but he always knew when something was wrong. He has known Brooke since they were kids and he knew her very well. In the past, there were times when she came to their home looking for Haley. Then they would stay inside their room and lock him out. He wasn't eavesdropping or anything, but there would be times when he'd walk by the door and hear faint sobs through the door. He confronted neither Brooke nor Haley about it. He decided to give them their privacy.

He knew that things were pretty hard for Brooke, even when she never showed it to any of them. He's known her since he was seven, and he knows when something was wrong with her. She showed so many signs that were probably oblivious to some or chose not to look out for them, but he made sure that he would be able to see and decode them.

The first few weeks after things had gotten better between her and Peyton, she seemed happier. Maybe she was, but things never really changed. Peyton still wasn't there and so was Lucas. Maybe the anger had died down, but the pain was never lost, not even reduced by a little.

There were times when he'd catch her watching them from a distance, sigh and then go back to whatever she was doing. She didn't party that much anymore, which surprised a lot of people. Personally, he thought that after losing Lucas, she'd go back to being the wild, bitchy, cheerleader, but again, Brooke surprised him. Instead of letting herself loose, she remained collected to the public. People thought she was great, but privately, she was a wreck. She cried herself to sleep every night, the bags under her eyes were getting darker and darker, she would just cover it up with her make-up so that no one would notice. Her eyes have lost their sparkle; they were just filled with such sadness now. She would drink in their room when Rachel wasn't around, and she'd just sit on the floor and rest her head on the side of the bed. Alcohol lost its taste, and sex lost its feeling, these things just didn't work on her anymore, but that didn't mean that she'd stop trying.

Sometimes Nathan wondered if this was any better than her old outlet. She kept things bottled up. She shut herself from everyone, well everyone except Haley. He was so proud of Haley for being such a good friend to her. She took care of her with such love, and he was sure that when their baby would be born, she'll take care of them just as much. He loved her so much and he would die if he lost her. He could only imagine how it felt for Brooke.

As much as he wanted to help her, what could he do? He wasn't involved in this. There was only one person who could help her.

"Do you think if he comes and talks to her, she would stay?"

"Who?"

"We all know who he is."

"Maybe Hales, if only he knew that that he were talking about was him."

Right after he finished his words, they were distracted by a loud noise of footsteps that were basically stumbling through the stairs. When they turned their attention to the person making the noise, it was none other than Lucas who was now pushing his way through the crowd motioning towards the door. He passed in front of them as he went through the door and into his truck. He went out so quickly that he wasn't even able to say goodbye to anyone, and he wasn't planning to, which was why he needed to do this before it was too late, but of course people didn't know that. He left them clueless of what was happening.

Everybody looked up to where he came from, trying to figure out why he just stormed away like that. They thought maybe he was upset or angry, but about what? When the others saw Peyton standing in the hallway with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes a little puffy, they figured that they had a fight. They usually fight all the time, so this really didn't shock them that much so they went back to what they were doing before but Haley and Nathan knew that it had to be something more than just a mere fight to make him that upset. They simply stood there and gave her questioning looks. She gave them a small smile while Jake rushed upstairs towards her. She still kept her eyes on Haley's hoping she'd get her message.

Haley smiled, and that's when Peyton knew that she understood her, so she turned her back and walked towards the room where she came from but now with Jake.

Nathan simply stood there confused. He kept looking back and forth from Haley to Peyton then from Peyton to Haley. He wondered why she and Peyton were smiling. He knew they were communicating from the way they had kept their eye contact for a while but just couldn't read what they were trying to say.

"What? Am I missing something here?"

"He knows."

There it was. So what do you think? Hopefully I can update soon. Stay tuned for the next chapter and please leave a review! Thanks:)