The time was 2 in the morning, and Haley was wide awake sitting in her bed. The past two weeks had been quite difficult for her. She had somehow encountered her dad at the mall two weeks prior, where he yelled and humiliated her. That was traumatizing enough. She also had tried to stay in contact with Quinn, Santana, and Finn, but they weren't as active as she hoped. She was up late every night studying early for SAT's and thinking about applying for NYU. She had a lot on her mind. To sum it up, she was feeling insecure, horrible, hungry-because she hadn't eaten much, anxious, depressed, and had some insomnia. To make it worse, Kitty had been in her face since the Cheerios started, and although Haley was tough, she had a breaking point.

She sighed as she looked at her phone, seeing if there was a chance Quinn, Santana or Finn had called or texted her back. When there wasn't she put her phone in her pocket before going onto her balcony, and watching the stars.

----

As Haley stood directing the Cheerios in the field the next day, she hoped her bags under her eyes, and her stomach growling, and her anxiety weren't visible. She really didn't want to ask for help, since as her dad pointed out, she was a burden. She chose to believe it. Even though she wasn't one, she knew her dad and mom insisted she was one, so what can you tell a person who's struggled that they aren't one? How can you convey it?

"Shortstack, you are on the top." Coach Sylvester notified her as she nodded, masking her fatigue with a smile.

As she hoisted herself up, she saw Sam, who was involved in his football practice, he sent her a smile, and frowned because he noticed something was up. Something that she wasn't telling anyone.

She wasn't on the top for long, because she lost her balance and fell into two of the Cheerios arms. She sighed, scolding herself silently.

"That was horrible, Shortstack.You are to come to my office. Now!"

Haley was humiliated, and tired, and she didn't want to do anything, but she followed Sue to her office. On the other hand, Kitty couldn't help but laugh, as she went off. She stopped when she saw Brittany who was on the bleachers and Sam sent her pointed looks.

----

"Coach Sylvester, you wanted to see me?" Haley asked quietly, holding herself together as she knocked, and entered.

"Yes, take a seat Haley."

Haley slowly sat down as Coach Sylvester began to speak.

"Haley, I don't get it. Where's your energy been these past two weeks? This is the first time you have looked like a twisted curly fry falling from its habitat. You look overly tired, hence the bags under your eyes. I can tell that you haven't been sleeping, I can hear your stomach growling, and tell you are losing some weight...Now as far as I know, you are struggling-with what? I don't know. I know you are still dating that Hobo McStripper, but I do need to know what's up."

"Um, I...Nothing's up.?" Haley insisted, exaggerating her smile.

"It's your dad isn't it? Or your anxiety, depression, and insecurities, right? And you have managed to struggle everyday for the past 2 weeks without eating as much as you should."

Haley nodded, as she looked down embarrassed. She began to tear up, as Coach Sylvester handed her some tissues. She was surprised at the loving gesture, but gratefully accepted them as she wiped her tears away.

"Before you dive into a self pitying and self-deprecating speech, let me speak. I told you two years ago during sophomore year, and it rings true to this day. You are underrated. You are utterly talented, and managed to keep an impressive 4.0 GPA which will guarantee you the Valedictorian spot at graduation. You are there for everyone, and are a determined, driven, honest, brash and hardworking human being. Your ambition is immaculate. You are loyal, a survivor, the strongest person I know, and you are genuine and intentional with your words and actions.You know the morally right from wrong, still that won't stop me from being harsh, or intentionally rude. You see, Shortstacks, you have everything you need. Don't underestimate your accomplishments or listen to your parents nonsense of abuse okay? You will get through this week of anxiety, and depression, and insecurity and eating disorders. However, that doesn't stop me from suspending you till the New Year,, so you can gain your weight back, get help and heal. Brittany will take over for you, and I will make sure McCurly Fries and Bree stay out of that position until you can come back, okay?"

"Okay, thank you." Haley sniffled, as she left the office, and ran to the bathroom.

----

As Haley arrived in the bathroom, she looked in the mirror, sighing. She tried to give herself a positive and uplifting pep talk, but it wasn't working. She locked herself in a stall, and cried it out. Sick of her struggling, how weak she was, the stupid anxiety, depression, her ignorant and horrible parents, her eating disorder and the bullying.

"I'm a mess." She told herself, as she sobbed.

After she had cried, she went to the sink to wipe her tears and wash her face. "I'm just going to walk to lunch and I'll be fine." She told herself, masking an overexaggerated smile again.

----

When Haley arrived at lunch, she honestly wished she was alone, because the whole Glee club sat together.

"Hayley, come join us!" Marley called out waving.

Haley slowly made her way as she sat between Sam and Blaine.

"Hey are you okay?" Blaine asked, as she picked at her food.

"Yeah I'm fine." Haley lied, smiling.

"It doesn't look like it." Sam muttered, as Haley just shrugged.

"Guys I'm seriously fine, I just had a bad time during a test earlier."

Everyone looked at her, unconvinced but decided to leave it.

——

As Haley passed the choir room, she didn't feel like joining. She did hear a familiar voice, as she peaked to see Finn reuniting with her friends. She debated going in, but decided to pass.

She bumped right into Sam as she was heading out. "Hey why aren't you going to Glee Club today?" He asked, stopping her.

"Um, just I don't feel like it." She said.

"Are you okay? You didn't eat at lunch, and you didn't seem like your usual self." He asked.

"Of course, why would you think I wasn't fine?"

"Well...it's kinda' obvious. I'm going to figure out a way to cheer you up though." He answered, squeezing her hands reassuringly.

"It's not your job to cheer me up." She argued.

"Yes it is, I care about you Hay." He said.

"No, it's not!" She argued again. Not wanting to start an argument, she looked down, before she spoke again. "Okay, Sam, I just need space for a bit okay?" She asked, as she pushed past him, walking towards the doors.

He stood sadly watching her, trying to figure out what was different, and why she wasn't letting him in, and letting help her. He began to come up with a plan.

----

Haley attempted to avoid Sam, most of the week, and she avoided Finn, until she saw Rachel walking out of the auditorium, looking quite upset.

She decided to face Finn, so she slowly walked into the auditorium.

"So I hear that you're back." She said, as he looked up at her.

"Yeah, the army didn't work out, had a little accident." He explained as they slowly met in the middle of the stage.

"I'm sorry, but why did Rachel walk out looking upset? Are you okay?" She asked.

"We broke up." Finn explained, as he cried into her shoulder.

"Ah, Finn I'm so sorry." She said, comforting him back.

After some time of peace and calmness, he spoke up again. "I mean break-ups happen don't they? And I also wanted to apologize for never answering your calls or texts."

"Sadly they do. You don't have to apologize. I was merely wanting to make sure you were okay. I missed you. I miss Quinn and Santana, and Kurt."

"We are all good?" He asked.

"100%." She said.

"You know, you should audition for Grease this next week. I know Sam is." He hinted.

"Believe me, I will, but I need to get better over this week first." She answered, as he turned to observe her figure.

"You haven't been eating, clearly, you are struggling. Why didn't you ask for help Haley?"

"I hate feeling like a burden, and you know me, I always help others, when I should be prioritizing myself." She teared up.

"Well, that's still not a plausible answer, we're going to get you better, and ready for auditions next week." He assured her. "I'll be there, Sam will be there, and you also have the rest of the Glee Club."

He finished, as he brought her into a hug, letting her sob quietly in arms.

"It's going to be okay."

----

The next day, Haley made her way down the hallway towards the choir room. When she got into the choir room, she saw it was pitch black, but there were candles and string lights hung on the ceilings. There was music playing softly.

She sighed, as she took it all in.

"Hey." She heard Sam's voice say as he approached her.

She turned to look at him, sending him a small smile.

"Hey.." She said. "Was this you who set this up?" She asked, gesturing to the candles and lights.

He nodded, as he took her hand leading her to one of the chairs. "Hay, have a seat. I would like to talk to you about something serious." He said.

"Um..sure." She said, as she sat down, he sat beside her, rubbing circles on her back, comfortingly.

"Will you tell me what's going on? You've been avoiding me at all costs this week, I saw you fall from the Cheerio's pyramid, you didn't even show up to Glee Club. I was really worried, thinking something I did affected whatever was happening with you." He explained, as she sighed, leaning into his chest, to hide her face.

She eventually pulled away. "Sam, you did nothing wrong. I-It was me. Um... I don't know how to formulate t-this." She laughed, tearfully.

"It's okay, Hay, just breathe." He assured her. "Please tell me, please let me in. I want to help."

"I'm just... not doing well, I guess. I encountered my dad two weeks ago at the mall, he yelled and humiliated me. That caused my anxiety and depression to increase, and my sleep to decrease, meaning I have had insomnia. I've been feeling so freaking insecure, because my dad, and the bullying, I'm not feeling myself...and I've been struggling to eat. Meaning, my eating disorder has come back, but I'm trying to get better. I was suspended until the New Year from the Cheerios, I wasn't impressed, but Sue surprisingly wanted me to come back, after I healed and rested my body. Frankly, I'm upset about it, and mad at myself...I'm really sorry..." Haley said, as she cried, as Sam pulled her closer into his arms.

"I'm an emotional freaking mess." She continued crying. "I was ashamed of how I was looking this past week and the previous week, and I didn't want you or anyone to see...I'm having a hard time loving who I am." She explained, tearfully, as Sam's heart broke at how vulnerable and upset she was.

"Haley...I'm sorry you haven't been feeling yourself. I'm sorry you had that encounter with your dad, and how stupid he is to think you are a burden, because you aren't. You aren't one Hay, we are going to get you back on track. But, you don't have to be ashamed of how you look. You're beautiful even if you aren't in a hot Cheerios uniform. I have respect and I admire how you have different two sides of you. A confident, driven, loyal, and intelligent side. You are a natural born leader, and I admire how you direct your teammates, I admire how you cheer me on in every football game. You are always the loudest, and I love that about you." He began, as Haley rolled her eyes, sniffling as he cupped her face in his hands to look at her. "Firstly, Hayley, stop that.. It's true. I mean it. I love the other half of you who is vulnerable and honest. You have always been there to help me, and my family, our friends, and you know when I'm not okay. I love you because you enjoy my movies, and my impressions, our dates. You are someone who goes for what you want, you aren't afraid to state your opinion or idea. You make me happy, and I love being around you, and cuddling, and walks to and from school, our music nights on your balcony, listening to your beautiful voice. Your smile always lights up a room, you have beautiful eyes, your words always help many, and even those three things are enough to make my day a hundred times better. So, remember all that I see in you...that, and so much more. I don't see you for your looks, but beyond that, and know that no matter how I try to convince your stubborn ass that it's okay to tell me or anyone when you're struggling, I genuinely mean it."

Haley was really emotional at Sam's touching encouragement. She leaned in to press her lips to his. "Thank you. I love you." She whispered as he brought her onto his lap. "I feel bad that I was distant this week."

"I love you too Hay, and we are going to get you better over the next few days. I can even stay with you during the days and nights, and help you eat again, and we can watch movies, and have some time together." He said, as he hugged her, rocking them back and forth.

"Okay.."She looked at him. "You knew I wasn't okay, didn't you?"

"I know you too well, Haley Aldrin." He smiled as he pressed his lips to hers.

•••••

Awe Haley:/

(Might still edit this chapter some more... but it's so good)