Chapter 21

A few days later Haley was out of the hospital and back with Nathan who carried her on his hands. Everyone was glad to see her safe and they visited her regularly till Haley would shoo them out. Nathan just watched from the sidelines, content with just having her with him. But in Haley's heart there was a small tare…for she knew that she was the reason Chris was leaving and it was killing her. But she kept it to herself because she didn't want to cause any more trouble.

Finally it was time for Chris to leave and Haley felt the tears slip down her cheek as she stood outside of his room. Nathan, Lucas and Jake had basketball so they all said goodbye earlier. Sophia, Brooke and Peyton also said goodbye earlier and now it was just Haley with him…alone. They hadn't been alone in a room since he had told her he was going to leave. Haley closed her eyes and breathed out as she opened her eyes and the door.

Chris watched as she stepped in and they both gave each other a nervous smile. He noticed she was crying and soon Haley couldn't stop the tears as she saw all the boxes in his room. Chris walked closer and pulled her into his embrace.

"Shh… my dear dear Haley James…please don't cry." Chris said as he stroked her hair and Haley tried to choke down the tears.

"I don't want you to go…don't leave me…" she cried and Chris grinned as he kissed her hair.

"I'm not leaving you Hales. But you know this is what I need to do… and I'm not leaving you…Nathan is still here for you." He said and Haley smiled as they pulled away.

"No more tears okay?"

"No more tears." Haley agreed as she wiped away her tears.

Chris smiled sadly at her as she turned around and helped him to pack the last of his stuff. He watched as she tried her best not to fall apart but he saw from the way she acted that she was very uncomfortable… and he didn't know if he could ever again give her the comfort she needed. She gave him a small smile over her shoulder and immediately Chris knew that he wouldn't be able to fill that void she had in her heart…not like Nathan could.

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Haley stood with her arms around her body outside of the dorm. With a small smile she waved as Chris' car drove away and she didn't stop till he was out of sight. As soon as she left her body was taken over by sobs and she sat down on the floor and cried for even if she didn't want to be Chris' girlfriend…he was still her best friend…and now – now he was gone.

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Chris sighed as his car was out of sight and he relaxed into the seat of the car. Never in his life had he felt like he did at that moment. It felt to him like he had died…which in a way it did…for as soon as he was gone – part of his heart died with the relationship he had with Haley. He drove for hours till he finally came to a stop and put his head in his hands, and cried.

It was only a short while later that he sat in a café…busy writing what looked like a letter…but soon it was clear that it wasn't any type of letter. Chris pressed his hands in his pockets and frowned as he heard a crackling sound. He sat up and took out a piece of paper, opening it to reveal a small hand written note.

Chris

Why is it that we never seem to be happy? Do you release that in the last few months we have fought more than any other year? I'm not saying that this is for the best because I would be lying – for I don't feel that it is for the best… But this is your decision and I respect that…I support it. So I pray that you'll be safe…and that one-day we'll be able to see each other again. So good luck with everything that you're going to do…I know you'll do well!

Don't forget me Christopher Keller…I know I'll never be able to forget you.

Haley

Chris sighed as he reread the letter over and over again. He knew in his heart that he would never be able to forget her…but he had to try. Because having that reminder of not being able to have her was going to be the death of him.