Chapter Twelve

The next day Haley found herself at the high school, running laps around the track, her I Pod blaring though her head phones. She was far from athletic but she found that running helped her to focus. It kept her mind from running away with things she couldn't control when she was on tour.

Today, however, running wasn't having it's usual affect. Instead of feeling soothed and at ease she just felt beaten down and tired. After she ran two miles she called it quits and headed into the school locker room to shower and change.

After her shower she quickly dressed and exited the locker room. In her hurry she wasn't paying attention and ran right into a hard chest. "I'm so sorry," she said looking up into the eyes of Lucas.

Lucas looked down at her, a guarded look on his face. "It's alright. How are you Hales?" he asked, concern for his friend over powering his need to side with Nathan.

"Super, Luke, I'm super. How are you?" she bit out sarcastically.

Lucas nodded, knowing after the conversation he had with her at her house that he deserved whatever hostility she felt toward him. "Hales, about what I said-" Lucas started to say but was cut off before he could say what was on his mind.

"Oh, you mean how I ruined Nathan's life? How selfish I am? How you don't think you can ever forgive me? Yea Luke, what about what you said? I mean it wasn't as if I didn't already know all of that," Haley said, tears threatening to over flow from her brown eyes.

Lucas took a deep breath, it felt as if she punched him in his stomach. He knew he had been cruel, but until this moment he hadn't realized just how cruel, until his words were repeated back to him. "I'm sorry Haley, I'm so sorry. I was angry at you for hurting Nathan for so long. I know that doesn't excuse what I said, but I was wrong, I do forgive you," Lucas told her, looking ashamed.

"Did you ever think about the fact that Nathan, never once, came to try and get me back? I know I left him and the mess that is our relationship, or lack there of, is my fault but he could have tried," she said the tears no longer holding back as they ran down her checks.

"He wanted you to be happy Hales. He didn't think he could make you happy anymore."

Haley laughed sadly. "I haven't been happy for a long time. By the time I realized Nathan is the only thing that makes me truly happy, which was about a month after I left, it was too late. Don't get me wrong I love my music but I would give it up in heart beat if it meant I could be with Nathan again."

Lucas could see the struggle in her. He knew she was being sincere but he didn't know how to help his once best friend. "I think you need to talk to Nathan. If the two of you have any hope you need to stop waiting for it to fix itself," Lucas told her hoping his brother would hear her out so at the very least he could move on.

Haley nodded, "I think I'll try that. If he won't listen to me then I'll just have to find another way. Thank you Luke," Haley said as she walked down the hallway, a million scenarios playing out in her mind.

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Nathan felt like an idiot. He had no idea what the hell he had been thinking showing up at Haley's house drunk. No, that was a lie, he thought driving his black undercover SUV around looking for any trouble. He missed her, it was that simple, he wanted the comfort her arms always brought him after a hard day. Maybe his dad was right, maybe he needed to make things right with Haley and fix his marriage to be happy.

No sooner did the thought form in Nathan's mind he squashed it. Haley may be around now but it wouldn't last, she would leave for a tour or to record another album, leaving him another heartbroken mess. He couldn't go through that a second time, he wasn't sure he would ever trust anyone with his heart again. Not that it would matter, Nathan thought, Haley was the only one for him.

With the little hope he had built up for fixing his marriage gone and his shift over, Nathan stopped and bought a six back and headed for the pier. He had plans on getting drunk and numbing the pain, and tonight he wouldn't go to Haley and ruin what the alcohol would temporarily fix.