Thanks to all of my fans who have been patient with me. Trust me its not easy working 40 hours a week pulling a full summer schedule in college and still doing all of the chores at home. So I literally just finished writing this chap. A little short in my opinion and the ending is a little off but it will get better. Much love to all of my fans and if there is anything you want please tell me in a review or a personal message. I will try to get back with everyone. As for those of you who haven't read my other fics please do. Some are going to have sequels and others I feel were ended nicely. Anyone up for continuing my stories please ask me first and throw some of your ideas at me. Til next time….. L.Kerr

Chapter 6: Runaway

I flipped the radio on and began blasting music. Tears streamed down my face as I swerved around corner after corner. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I struggled with the fabric to free the phone. My hands were shaking and that made it ten times as hard. I continued to speed down the streets as I pulled my phone out. I quickly glanced and saw the word "Mom" illuminate the screen. I can't believe after all that, that she has the nerve to call me. My tears fell faster and I could feel the anger surge through my body and cause my heart to beat faster. I slammed the phone into the seat next to me as I swerved around another corner and almost jumped the curb. I was slowly losing control because everywhere I turned all I thought about was Haley. I passed the school, Tric, the record shop and even the bridge. Everywhere I looked I saw her and it was beginning to take its toll on me. After almost rear ending a parked car, I decided it was time to walk. So I grabbed some things from the car, shoved them in my pockets and locked Brooke's car up.

My mind became glazed as I began walking aimlessly through the neighborhood. My mind had become so numb that I couldn't even cry anymore. I couldn't decide if I was angry or hurt or sad. I was becoming devoid of all emotion and thoughts. As I passed by shop after shop, I noticed that everything was empty. There were no people around and I suddenly felt lost. My eyes shifted over buildings looking for any remnant of a memory, something to tell me where I was. My eyes gazed up at a light pole and I realized I had made my way to the Rivercourt. This was the place where I often went when I needed to clear my head. I walked on the familiar black top and I suddenly felt exhausted. I collapsed on the hard court and I once again began to let my mind wander over various subjects as I lay on the hard ground. I wondered why my mom didn't tell me that Haley was in the hospital. I wondered when Nathan began having feelings for me. I thought about James growing up without his mom. I felt like a lost child hoping that his mom would find him. Instead I wanted Nathan to come and rescue me.

I felt my phone once again vibrate in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. I pulled the phone out and glanced at the screen. It was Brooke. I figured if mom wanted to reach me she would have had Nathan call first. So if Brooke was calling then it was in fact Brooke calling. I flipped my phone open and took a deep breath.

"Hello." I said trying not to sound as if I'd been crying.

"Oh thank god Broody." She breathed into the phone. I heard a sudden rustle of noise and assumed my mom had taken control of the phone.

"Hey baby, are you alright?" Nathan asked. His voice surprised me. Firstly, I didn't expect to hear him and secondly, the concern in his voice overwhelmed me.

"I'm not sure Nate." I cried, once again letting my tears come.

"Listen Brooke and I are out looking for you. Tell me where you are Luke."

"I think I just need to be alone."

"Come on Luke. Where are you?"

"Nathan, I just need to be alone, alright?"

"Please baby. I just need to know your safe and in my arms." Nate pleaded.

"I'm safe and I'm fine. Just give me some space." I argued.

"Luke, baby, please. Brooke and I are going to search this city high and low until we find you. So why don't you just make it easy and tell us where you are?"

"Fine, I'm at the Rivercourt Nate. I parked Brooke's car about two blocks away."

"I'll be right there Luke. And remember I love you."

"I love you too Nate."

I waited patiently for Nathan and Brooke to arrive. I began pacing in anticipation but was forced to quit after feeling dizzy and nauseous. My breathing became shallow and I decided to sit down. As I sat on the bench, I heard doors slam and saw Brooke and Nathan coming towards me. My chest began to feel pressured and I closed my eyes to quell the pain. I heard Nate shout as I fell to the floor. My chest was on fire and my breathing became labored. I felt his arms around me as I took one last look at him.

"I love you Nathan Scott." I said.

"I love you too, Luke. But I need you to stay with me." I heard him command as I blacked out.

3 days later

I awoke to the sound of beeps. My head hurt and my body felt stiff. A bright light reflected off the glossy white walls at blinded me the minute my eyes opened. I diverted my gaze away from the light and tried to focus on the room. I couldn't lift my head so I attempted to move my hands. My fingers grazed someone's hand and I felt their fingers intertwine with mine. The lights dimmed and I began to make out a face. Brooke's face came into view and I saw her instantly light up. The happiness in her eyes soon faded and was overtaken by sadness.

"Hey Pretty Girl." I said my voice sounding raspy from not talking.

"Hey Luke, we were worried about you. I just told Nate to go get some coffee. Poor guy hasn't slept for three days. He missed you, yah know. Wouldn't leave your side until I started jabbing him in the side." Brooke laughed. "Let me go find him. I could use some coffee myself. Be right back."

I watched as she quietly exited my room and my eyes began to feel heavy. I closed my eyes waiting for Nathan to come back. I could hear people walking and talking past my room. I began concentrating on those sounds hoping to drown out the constant beeps being emitted from the countless machines. I heard the door creak open and could smell Nathan. He was wearing that new cologne from David Beckham. It was my favorite one. I kept my eyes closed and waited for him to come to the bed. I hear the chair shuffle and knew he had taken a seat. He moved the chair closer to my bed and took my hands in his.

"Hey baby. I'm back. I miss you so much. Luke, I really need you to wake up because I can't do this without you. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you and I can't if you don't wake up. So please baby move a finger or make a noise, something that will tell me you're here and your fighting baby." He sniffled.

I opened my eyes and found Nathan's head buried in the sheets. I could see his chest heaving and knew that he was silently crying. His hand still entwined with mine. I looked down at him as I began to grip his hand. His head immediately jerked up and looked straight into my eyes. I could see the mood in his eyes change from dark and stormy to crystal clear. A grin adorned his face as tears fell freely from his eyes. He rushed up and hugged me tighter than ever before.

"Oh baby, I love you so much. I was so worried."

"I know Nate, I heard everything you said. I love you too. So when can I go home?" I asked Nathan.

"Hopefully within a couple hours." The doctor said standing in the doorway. "Just need to do a final check up and go over some things with you first."

"Good. Let's get started then." I sad anxiously.

Between the blood tests and chest scans, it took forever. After 3 hours of testing and waiting the doctor told me I have a genetic disorder called HCM. It pretty much causes the muscles around my heart to thicken without warning. So now it's no more basketball and a pill everyday. Not curable but treatable. It definitely left me a little shell shocked seeing as how I could have died not knowing I had this disorder. Nathan was a little upset hearing this news and he vowed to protect me. His hand was intertwined with mine and refused to let go for fear he'd lose me. Once the doctor gave me the full lecture and a handful of pamphlets, he gave me a relatively clean bill of health and released me.