AN: Thanks for the reviews guys. I love reading them. I hope you like this chapter. The end of the first part is my favorite part of this chapter, I mean I love it all but it's a Baley moment and I love writing for them. In fact, I don't think I've had a story so far when they haven't been BFF's. Anyway, I laughed my ass off when I wrote it and I just love writing for Brooke. I think she's one of the funniest characters ever created and I just love reading and writing for her. I hope you enjoy.

Also, someone asked how long this story will be and it won't be long. It has a total of 30 chapters including the epilogue.

Quote of the Day:

Dean Winchester: [Looking at the haunted hotel] We might even run into Fred and Daphne inside. Mmmm...Daphne. Love her.

Chapter Ten –Letting Go

She kept her eyes glued to the TV. Reruns of I Love Lucy were on and she had been watching them most of the day. The storm had come and gone. That had been two days ago. Now, it was Thursday and she still didn't feel like leaving the house. Staying home was safe, going out was bad. In this small little town these walls were like a safe haven.

In the end it comforted her more than she thought it could.

So she stayed inside recovering. Sure the storm hadn't been too bad. But she was still recovering from him, from what he did –from what he made her feel. It was bad enough that he stuck himself at her house for the storm but it was even worse when he just had to bring up the past –pain –they were words that she thought of as together now. She never thought of one without the other. It was almost as if they belonged together. Past equals pain. That's how it registered in her mind.

As much as she didn't want to think about it, she had.

The sincerity in his voice, the softness in his eyes, and the way he touched her. She shivered at the thought. A tiny part of her wanted his words to be true. In fact, she ached for it. But it was only a small little part –a stupid part. The bigger, more reasonable part, didn't believe a word that came out of his mouth. Why should she?

He was a liar. He always had been. She couldn't trust him, she knew that. Still a part of her that was still weak wanted his words to be the truth. She was an idiot. Coming back here was such a mistake. Big mistake. Taylor had been right. She should have stayed away from here. He would only hurt her again. That's all that would come of trusting him again. He would just break her heart again. Why had she kissed him back? She didn't understand it. One minute she's just waiting for him to back off and then the next she couldn't help herself. She had wanted to kiss him...it felt good. She shook that thought out of her head.

She was more confused than ever.

Was he telling the truth?

Had all of her pain been for nothing? Did she waste all those tears on a misunderstanding? Had he been telling her the truth or was it another lie? So many nights, after she first left here for months, she cried herself to sleep. Had that been all wrong? Had it really been for nothing?

She couldn't find reason that the pain had been for nothing. He had broken her heart.

It had to have been. It destroyed her whole world and everything inside of her. He couldn't just take it back now like nothing happened. Where was the justice? What did he mean when he said that her leaving destroyed him or did she even care? She was too worried about getting herself back together to worry about if he was celebrating his big victory. He had won his little game. He had used her. He got what he wanted.

Maybe, if you hadn't of run away, she thought.

Somehow instead of answers she only had more questions. Instead of peace there was only more confusion. When the hell would it end? She was tired of feeling the pain of the past. She truly wanted to let it go. But how?

The truth was the pain never really went away. It was always there, always present. It had become a part of her over time. Her mother had once told her that time heals all wounds. She had wanted so badly to believe that. In fact, she looked forward to the day when that would be true. It never came.

She didn't heal.

The wound was still fresh as if it happened hours ago.

The only difference now is that instead of falling apart, she was keeping it in. Her mother had been wrong. So wrong. Over time she learned to live with the pain. It was always always there. It was a part of her now.

She laughed as Ricky started yelling at Lucy. She smiled at the TV when they finally made up. Then Lucy was back doing something that she wasn't supposed to do again. Same old story, different episode. She could watch this all day long. Why couldn't life be like this? No matter what happens you know at the end of the episode that everything was going to be ok.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

She felt a sense of dread at the pit of her stomach. Maybe if she didn't answer they would go away. No such luck. Another loud bang came from the door. What if it was him? What if he had come back to tell her more lies? The dread was quickly replaced with uneasiness as she slowly stood up and made her way towards the door.

Her stomach was doing flip flops by the time she opened the door.

Relief rushed through her at the sight of Brooke. Her face must have showed it to, because Brooke was looking at her like she was crazy and she laughed nervously. Why was Brooke here? The sun was shining bright in her eyes. She brought her hand right above her eyes keeping the bright sunlight out.

"Brooke," Haley greeted.

Brooke looked her up and down. Yeah, she was still in her pajamas. So what? It's not like she had any plans on doing anything at the moment. All she wanted to do was get that stupid storm out of her head…and him.

"Tutor girl, you do realize that it's four o'clock in the afternoon?" Brooke asked in a disapproving tone as she continued to look her up and down.

Of course, perfect Brooke Davis…Baker…whatever, was dressed like a Runway Model. She had on bright red cutoff blouse with a black skirt and stilettos. It looked like someone ripped her out of Vogue or…B. Davis magazine. She smiled at that thought. Brooke continued to look her up and down.

"I am aware of the time," Haley nodded.

"Then why are…?" Her finger moved the length of Haley's body before looking back up at her face again. Hadn't Brooke ever had a bad day? Wasn't she allowed to wallow in the pity that was her life? Couldn't she at least have that? She was here, wasn't she? Nathan had seriously messed up her resolve.

"I don't feel well," Haley lied shyly.

With the look Brooke gave her, she knew she didn't believe it. "Either way can I come in?"

She opened the door fully and let her in. They walked in silence until they reached the kitchen and Haley motioned to the barstools. Brooke took a seat and Haley quickly put on a pot of coffee. Of course, it wasn't quiet for long.

"Any damage to the house?" Brooke asked casually.

She shook her head. "Nope." No damage to the house, she thought. Me on the other hand…damaged, damaged, damaged!

"Good. Our house is fine, too, but my store had few broken windows."

"That sucks," Haley muttered apologetically.

"Well, it's back to work tomorrow for me," Brooke smiled. "How are things?"

Was Brooke trying to be subtle? Did Nathan tell them what happened? These questions swirled in her head as she glanced away from Brooke. She hated not knowing and even worse she hated playing games. She turned to Brooke again, where she sat waiting.

"What did he tell you?" Haley asked with a glare.

Brooke's brows knit together. "What are you talking about?"

"Nathan," Haley answered flatly. "What did he tell you? It's why you're here isn't it?"

"No. I'm here because I want to be. Nobody's making me. When did you talk to Nathan? He hasn't said anything. In fact, I haven't seen him since Tuesday. Did something happen?" Brooke questioned now suddenly more intrigued.

"Nothing," Haley muttered quickly turning to grab two coffee mugs.

Brooke chuckled. "Liar."

"So he told you," Haley replied dryly as she glanced back for a second.

"Nah," Brooke beamed. "But obviously something did happen. On with it. It's better to talk then hold it all in. You can't just keep everything all bottled up inside, you know. Remember what I said about help? You look like you need it."

She was clearly serious. Haley could tell by the look on her face. How did she just do that? If Nathan hadn't told her, then how did she know to ask? Was she that perceptive? This was not good. She started to panic as she fixed them two cups of coffee. What was she supposed to say? The truth?

"He was sort of…here for the storm," Haley muttered.

"I know that. Peyton told me that much when she dropped you off and he was here. I want to know what happened after," Brooke demanded. She folded her arms over her chest as she waited. "All the glory details. Don't leave anything out."

"Brooke," Haley mumbled shaking her head. She didn't want to talk about it.

"No way," Brooke said firmly. "If we're going to be friends then you're going to have to talk. If not than I can just leave now. We can't be friends if you don't trust me. What's it going to be, Tutor girl?" She wasn't smiling. She was serious. It was either talk or be alone. She didn't like the latter part. It made the pain somehow hurt more.

Plus, Brooke would understand, wouldn't she? Brooke knew what it felt like to be completely in love with someone and then just have it be over. Brooke knew what it felt like to have her whole world shattered into a million little pieces. Brooke knew about the pain. Only now Brooke had someone to put her back together. Julian. He fixed her.

"He said stuff," Haley shrugged while placing the cup in front of Brooke.

Brooke smiled pleased enough. "Like what?"

"He was sorry," Haley replied shyly. "He said that it was all a big misunderstanding."

"Did you believe him?"

"Of course not." Only a little, she thought.

"Why?"

"Because I don't," Haley snapped. "Look, I know that you're Nathan's friend and I get that. I understand that. But you can't just expect me to –"

"You don't have to explain," Brooke cut her off. "And I'm your friend, too. You don't have to worry about me taking his side or…yours. You're both my friends and I don't want to change that. I was just asking." She held up her hands and smiled.

"Sorry," Haley mumbled sheepishly.

"I was just wondering why you didn't believe him, is all," Brooke stated with a smile on her face. She brought the steaming cup to her mouth and took a sip before placing it down.

She felt herself relax. "Then that would mean that everything I've been through, every once of pain that I've felt, has been for nothing. I can't accept that, Brooke. I just can't. I don't think my heart can take it. In the end he was still using me. Whether it was just the beginning or not doesn't matter. He still used me to get back at his brother." She said the words quickly hoping that they wouldn't sting but they still did. It left a bad taste in her mouth.

"It matters a little," Brooke pointed out.

"Why should it?"

"At least, you know it wasn't all a lie," Brooke added.

"But it was," Haley insisted. "It was all based on a lie, Brooke! Our whole relationship…we were nothing. It was all just a game." The words still hit her hard when she said them. It would never get easy to say.

"I don't believe that for a second," Brooke announced in honesty.

"Yeah, well, it was real for…" she glanced down before finishing. It had been real for her. That's what was so hard about the whole thing. It was real…or at least, she thought it was.

"Is that all he said?" Brooke demanded.

Three little words flashed through her mind but she quickly pushed them out. She didn't want to think about it. She was very careful not to think about them at all. She couldn't deal with that right now. It would definitely drive her insane if she did.

But Brooke wanted more. She cringed before answering.

"He, uh, he sort of kissed me," Haley muttered as her cheeks instantly blushed. She glanced away from Brooke's huge smirk and took the time to compose herself. She could feel the heat radiating off of her face. When she glanced back Brooke was still beaming.

"Kissed you how?"

"What do you mean?"

"How did he kiss you?" Brooke asked brazenly.

"I, um…what?" Haley asked nervously.

Brooke stood up then and waked directly towards her. "Was it like this?" Before she even knew it Brooke's lips were pressed to hers. She stayed still for a few seconds. Her eyes wide open in shock. Brooke pulled away and smiled, "Or like this?"

Then Brooke was holding her face while she moved her mouth above hers. Again, she stayed completely still in shock. When Brooke pulled away she took a deep breath before waiting for her answer. Haley stood there frozen.

What the hell just happened?!

Her head was spinning. "Uh, the second one…with tongue."

"Nice," Brooke approved.

"Did you and I just make out?" Haley asked shakily.

"Sure," Brooke smirked before winking. "No wonder Nathan never got over you!"

~***~

Karen's Café was still beautiful. It didn't surprise her that the place brought back nothing but good memories –warm memories –all of them perfect. Of course, all of them were before their world changed, when it was just the two of them against the world. She smiled. Everything had been so simple back then.

Now everything was complicated.

After taking the advice of Olivia, she called Lucas last night and asked him to meet her here for dinner. It wasn't exactly a relief when he agreed but she also wasn't dreading it either and that was good.

Yesterday had been pretty interesting talking to Brooke. She wasn't going to include making out with Brooke. The girl totally took her by surprise and then pretended like nothing happened. She had been mortified after that. Brooke even tried to assure her that it wasn't a big deal, but in her defense, she had never kissed a girl before. Leave it to Brooke just to lay one right on her. She shook the thought out of her head.

Brooke was her friend now. She couldn't let a really awkward moment ruin that. Besides, Brooke seemed fine with it. Why shouldn't she? It was just a kiss. Of course, Brooke kept teasing her about it as they talked for the rest of the afternoon. She just wasn't going to let it go.

Before she could even feel the urge to back out and run, she made her way inside. Lucas was sitting at the side table smiling at her as she took a seat. He seemed happy to see her.

"I was wondering when you were going to come inside and join me," Lucas chuckled.

"You saw me?" Haley asked blushing.

"What the hell were you thinking about for fifteen minutes?" Lucas wondered.

She grinned awkwardly. "Nothing important."

"I was surprised when you called," Lucas stated while looking at her.

"Well my therapist thinks –"

"You have a shrink?"

"Uh-huh."

"And she wants you to…?" Lucas asked confused.

"She thinks that we should spend time together," Haley answered. "She wants me to get to know you."

"You already know me," Lucas pointed out.

She smiled nervously. "The new you Lucas."

"Is that the only reason why you're here?" Lucas asked carefully. "Because she wants you to be?" He looked hurt and she instantly regretted telling him that little detail. Hurting him wouldn't help anything. Plus, she didn't want to hurt Lucas.

"Of course not," Haley promised. "I'm here because I want to be. She just suggested it." She smiled and she hoped that he believed her. It was the truth. Olivia just suggested that they spend time together, she didn't require it. It's not like she had to be here. She...wanted to be.

"Oh," Lucas mumbled with a smile.

"Are you sure this is a good time? I know you have a family now. You could have brought them along or we could have done this another time," Haley said quickly. The thought that he left his family for this didn't sit well with her. She didn't want him missing out with his family.

"Its fine," Lucas assured her. "I ordered for us. I hope you don't mind."

He must have noticed the waitress walking up to them because before she knew it their plates were being set on the table. He had ordered them their favorite meal, fries and cheeseburgers with chocolate milkshakes. She smiled as he gave her the ketchup.

"I've craved this for years," Haley muttered before lifting the cheeseburger in her hands and taking a huge bite. Lucas chuckled before doing the same. Her eyes closed at the familiar amazing taste. No one made food like this.

"Every time I get this I think of you," Lucas smiled before taking another bite.

She smiled at him, her mouth to full to reply. After that they ate in silence until they were finished with the cheeseburgers and started on the fries. She watched as Lucas dipped his fries into his chocolate milkshake before eating it.

"You did not just do that," Haley mumbled in disgust.

Lucas chuckled. "It's good. Try it."

"Yuck," Haley shook her head before dipping a few fries into her ketchup. "I'll stick to the normal regular old ketchup."

"When Peyton was pregnant with Anna she craved this nonstop," Lucas explained.

"I see," Haley laughed. "Your children are really beautiful, Luke."

"Thanks," Lucas smiled. "So tell me…what have you been doing since you left? I want to know everything." He leaned in closer as if to hear better when she finally started talking. She wanted to know about him.

"It's really nothing. I'd much rather hear about you," Haley mumbled nervously.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything," she repeated his words.

He chuckled. "I'm not going to lie. After you left it was pretty hard for me. You leaving…I didn't take it so well. When we, uh, when we told Brooke the truth and she reacted the way that she did…that was hard. Peyton wouldn't talk to me after that. She said that we couldn't be together because her friendship with Brooke meant too much to her. How could I be upset about that when I felt the same way about you?" It was a rhetorical question.

"But you and Peyton –"

"Yeah, Brooke pretty much told both of us to go to hell before she left. Peyton wouldn't talk to me after that. She thought it was all her fault when really…it was mine. I had talked to Nathan about it…"

She looked at him confused.

"I know that sounds weird. But we just started talking and honestly he wasn't that bad. He was kind of the reason why Peyton and I got back together," Lucas explained.

"Nathan?"

"Yup," Lucas nodded. "I told him that I couldn't be with Peyton because you would be disappointed in me and then he told me that you would be happy for me. He said that you would have wanted me to be happy."

"That's true," Haley agreed.

"I am sorry for the whole situation. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand like that. I've carried this with me for a really long time and I had this whole speech prepared for when I finally saw you again. Now, I can't seem to remember what I wanted to say," Lucas chuckled nervously.

"You don't have to explain."

"But I want to," Lucas added. "The thought that you…hate me –"

"I don't hate you," Haley pointed out. "I've never hated you."

He seemed relieved by her words. It was like a weight had been lifted off of his chest. His face somehow seemed happier. He was grinning wide now. How could he think that? She could never hate him no matter what.

"I'm still very sorry," Lucas said sincerely. "I never wanted to hurt Brooke and I never wanted to hurt you, Haley. I was being stupid and irresponsible. I wasn't thinking about anyone but myself and I'll never forgive myself for hurting either of you." He looked down ashamed and instantly she reached for his hand holding it in hers.

"You were just in love," Haley soothed him. "Granted you could have gone about it another way but…I want you to know that I'm not angry with you anymore."

His eyes met hers. "You're not? Does that mean that we can be friends again?"

"I would really love that," Haley muttered. It was more like she really needed it. Being this close to Lucas was doing nothing but making her want his comfort. She never could resist Lucas for long. She needed him. She just didn't know how to put it into words.

Seeing how happy Lucas was with his family changed something inside of her. It was like she had already let go of her little sting of betrayal that she once felt. It was no longer there anymore. Talking to Brooke had settled that for her. If Brooke could forgive them, then would couldn't she? Lucas hadn't cheated on her. Brooke was an amazing person for forgiving them and letting them back in her life.

"I'm glad you said that," Lucas smirked.

She nodded before smiling. It felt amazing to look at Lucas and just see him and not feel any pain. They could start over. They could get back what they once had. She was sure of it. She needed him.

"I have a surprise for you," Lucas added as he stood up. She realized that their hands were still twined and he pulled her along with him. As he pulled her to the back of the café she knew instantly where they were going. She smiled.

When they made it to the roof of the café she stopped by the door in surprise. Lucas didn't stop though. He walked until he was at the center of the roof before turning and smirking at her before motioning around.

The place was just as she remembered. The mini golf course that they worked on for weeks had been exactly like she remembered it and small colorful lights covered the roof. It gave off a beautiful colorful glow in the night. Her heart was pounding and she could feel tears in her eyes. For the first time in a long time, they were happy tears. She wasn't going to let them fall and ruin this moment.

This belonged to the both of them.

"When you called I figured I could fix this place up again," Lucas smiled.

She looked at him surprised.

"After you left I sort of took it down," Lucas explained. "But Nathan helped me all last night and this morning. I think I've got everything right where we put it." He glanced around to make sure and she nodded.

"It's perfect," Haley beamed. Her heart was exploding with love at his gesture. How could this be so easy? It didn't seem possible, but yet it felt like nothing had ever happened between them. Looking at him now, smirking at her, he was suddenly her Lucas again.

More than anything this felt right. No matter what Lucas was still that good guy that she loved. He made one mistake, so what? He was sorry and he made up for it. What right did she have to stay angry with him? He was a good man and he had a good heart. And she loved him. Even after all these years, she still loved him, like she always had. This was more than friendship. Lucas was her…brother. How had she lived without him for so long?

She missed him more than words could say.

"I wonder if you still suck." Haley suddenly asked. He chuckled and that's exactly what she wanted. She wanted him laughing. She didn't want to think about how emotional this all was. If she did then she would break down and cry in his arms. She didn't want to ruin their night.

"You're on," Lucas declared.

They played happily. Their banter didn't seem to leave with the little friendly competition going on between them. She had always been better at mini golf but Lucas was the one winning now. He was playfully rubbing it in every once and a while as they chatted. They talked about what each of them had been up to. She stayed clear of the topic of Nathan and so did he. She was grateful for that.

He told her all about Peyton and the kids. His eyes would light up when he mentioned any of them and she could see the love he felt for his family. It was in him. He told her about the wedding and the births of both his kids. Peyton had been in labor for six hours with Hayden and twenty three hours with Anna. He explained how mean and loving Peyton had been giving birth to their kids and she laughed.

He then told her about moving back home and how he was working on his first novel in-between teaching at the high school and coaching the Ravens. He had done well for himself and she told him so. She was proud of him.

It didn't hurt to be around him anymore.

He had stopped talking and she didn't pay attention until she felt something cold hit her. Turning around she noticed him grinning. The memory of them having water balloon fights up here flashed in her mind. She was just noticing the water balloons placed around the roof. They used to play all the time. Sometimes they would even fill some of the balloons up with milk. It used to be a lot of fun.

"Oh, you are so dead," Haley stated while glaring at him. He laughed.

He grimaced. "I guess that was a milk one." He then chuckled. He closed his eyes as he laughed and that was a big mistake. She hit him in the face with the first one that she saw. Water splashed in his face and he opened his eyes. She took off running.

The next thing she knew, water balloons were being thrown back and forth between the two. A few hit her and she got him a couple of times. They laughed the whole time and it finally felt like them again. She loved the feeling. The game continued as she hid from him. It felt like forever that they played.

"Luke," Haley called out. "I'm all out of balloons. Can we please call a truce?" She glanced around. Still no sign of him.

Finally he answered. "Is it a real truce or a fake truce?"

Damn it, she thought. He knew her so well. "A real truce, I promise." She then licked her fingers before crossing them over her heart.

"Ok," Lucas mumbled standing up and holding out his hand.

"Ok," Haley repeated as she walked towards him. "Or not." She ran towards him laughing with the water balloon in her hand. He held out his. He threw his first before grabbing hold of her so that she couldn't hit him. "Lucas, stop it." The water balloon popped all over her jeans and they both laughed. Turning she noticed his face on her back. He looked at her suddenly confused and she instantly pulled down her shirt.

"What's on your back?" Lucas asked pointing.

"Nothing," Haley answered quickly.

"Haley, is that a tattoo?"

"No. No, it's nothing."

"Haley is that Nathan's jersey number," Lucas muttered.

"Luke, just drop it," Haley snapped.

"I thought you were afraid of needles," Lucas continued. "I thought you weren't –"

"It just happened ok," Haley whispered looking down. "It was a stupid mistake and I have to live with it for the rest of my life. Guess that's what I get." She instantly walked back to her golf club and went back to the game. She didn't want to talk about it. It felt like a different lifetime ago when she had gotten it. People in love do pretty crazy things. This is what she did. She had just wanted the feeling to last forever. Now those numbers were burned into her skin as a reminder of what he had did, how he had used her.

They played the game in silence and it wasn't long before she couldn't take it.

"Why didn't you play basketball at UNC?" Haley asked changing the subject. She was focusing on hitting her ball when he answered.

"I couldn't play, Hales," Lucas mumbled.

She didn't flinch when he called her Hales anymore. It was just getting better and better. All of her attention was focused on the ball as she angled it to the hole. Anything was better than talking about that stupid tattoo on her back.

"Why not? You love basketball."

"When Dan had his heart attack, it was because he had this heart disease…called HCM and it was hereditary," Lucas explained as she swung her club. At his words she accidentally hit the ball a little too hard and it hit the wall before flying back towards them. They both ducked before it flew over the roof and then they couldn't see it anymore. It was lost in the darkness.

"What?" Haley asked hesitantly turning towards him.

"I have HCM," Lucas shrugged. "I've had it since high school, Hales."

She was standing in front of him a second later, her heart pounding. Instantly, without even a second thought, she was touching him. Her hand covered his heart as she stood there looking blankly at his chest. She could feel his heart beat. She could feel the tears coming. They were both wet from the water balloon fight and her hand was covering a huge wet spot over his chest. It didn't matter though.

"But you're –"

"I'm fine," Lucas assured her. "I just can't be like I used to. I have regular check ups and I take my meds every day. I'm perfectly fine." Her hand was trembling as she held it on his wet shirt. How could his good heart be bad? She felt her stomach drop. If it was genetic then…

"Nathan…" it was just a whisper and she looked up with anxious eyes as Lucas took her hand in his. Before she could freak out further, he answered.

"No," Lucas smiled. "Just me and Dan. Nathan's fine. I promise."

Then she was crying in his arms. He was holding her tight against him in a comforting hug and she cried. She cried for him and his heart. She cried for leaving him and the time they missed. The thought of something happening to him…she cringed at the thought. No, Lucas had to be fine. The thought of him not being here only made her cry more.

Somewhere deep inside of her she felt relief for Nathan. If he had had it too, well then…she couldn't even go there. It wasn't possible. The relief was a little comforting along with Lucas's arms. In that moment she let much of her pain go –as much that would leave her.

She only found that she was angry...with herself. She was angry that she had left like she did. Nathan had been right, she ran the first chance she got. He might have broken her heart but that didn't mean she had to cut Lucas out like that. She had been wrong to leave like she did. This was her fault...all of it. If she had stayed then she would have been there for him when he needed her most. She would have been there for her bestfriend. She had been a coward. Nathan had hurt her so badly that nothing else made sense at the time. It's why she ran. The anger was burning everything inside of her. She didn't know how to make it stop. It was like a wildfire taking everything down in its way. The only thing she knew now is that she shouldn't have left like she did.

"I'm so sorry, Luke," Haley sobbed. "For everything. I shouldn't have left...I..."

"It's ok," Lucas mummbled. "It's ok, buddy." She felt him kiss her forehead softly, and she hugged him tighter in her arms. Somehow at that moment, she felt different. She couldn't explain it but she was sure that something inside of her changed. She could feel it changing just about everything inside of her...everything she ever thought she knew. With it she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her chest. It wasn't holding her back anymore. She was here trying to make things right with people that she...loved. People that she just realized never left her, no matter how much she wanted them to. They had always been a part of her...with her. She held onto her bestfriend like he was the only thing keeping her together.

AN: Let me know what you think. That was my favorite Laley scene.