13. The Hero Dies in This One

Complete story — includes the ending

Lucas tells Karen he doesn't have HCM. Karen is caught off guard by Keith's engagement and feels like she will now lose him. Nathan finds Haley and Chris’ emails but Haley blames them on Taylor. In response, Nathan tells her she has to leave. Brooke decides to run for student council president and immediately gets into a nasty race with the current president. When Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp (known together as " The Wreckers ") perform at TRIC, Haley is surprised to see Chris is their opening act and has talked her up to them. Haley tells Nathan that she and Chris kissed when telling him that she wants to go on tour with Chris. Nathan says that if she leaves they are done. Lucas tells Karen he has to move in with Dan but won't tell her why. Peyton and Jake's friendship grows stronger and the two cuddle that night. Lucas moves out and it is revealed he does have HCM. Dan promises to pay for his medication and keep it their secret. Karen finds comfort in Andy. Mouth tells Brooke the truth about her window and says it's too hard for him to be friends with her. Nathan goes for a walk and revisits the spot where he and Haley had their first date and realizes he doesn't want her to leave, but when he gets home, she's gone. This episode is named after a song by The Ataris.