Don't hate me after this chapter... and don't worry... nothing is ever permanant until the true love wins out... Leave reviews so I know what ya think...

Chapter 23

Nathan stood outside the James' home waiting for Haley to come out. He watched the door until it finally opened and he was greeted with a familiar face… too bad it wasn't Haley's.

"Hi Nathan."

"Taylor," he said cryptically. "You seem to be turning up a lot lately."

"What can I say," she laughed, Nathan's face remained like stone.

"I came over to talk to Haley, is she here?"

"She's upstairs but she doesn't want to talk to you."

"Can you please just ask her to come talk to me?"

"Nathan we both know she's a very stubborn girl and she doesn't want to talk to you."

"Fine, then I'll sit out here and wait for her till she does."

"Don't be so desperate Nathan, go home. Let her come to you."

"I'm not desperate. I'm fighting for love."

"What if it's not worth fighting for?" Taylor questioned.

"It is."

"Just go home Nathan."

"You James' are unbelievable!" He yelled before stalking off down the sidewalk. Taylor watched him for a little before entering back in the house. As soon as she closed the door she was greeted by a very tired and a very angered looking Haley.

"What did you just do Taylor?"

"Oh you're awake!" Taylor squealed.

"What the hell did you just do?" Haley said taking a step closer towards her sister.

"Nothing."

"You just sent my boyfriend away."

"You were sleeping I told him to come back later," Taylor stated nervously as she saw Haley take another step closer.

"I don't believe you."

"Fine don't."

"So tell me the truth, what the hell are you scheming now?" Haley said, her voice rising.

"Nothing." Taylor replied giving her a blank stare. And that's when it dawned on her, scheming. It's what Taylor does best.

"It was you."

"Wh-what?" She said nervously.

"You're the reason Nathan was being so weird today."

"What? No." Taylor replied trying to hide her fear.

"He said something about secrets… what the hell does that mean? Huh?" She said, a realization coming over her that caused her to run up the stairs.

"I don't know Haley, I really don't," Taylor yelled up the steps to her sister. And just as soon as Haley had gone upstairs she was back down looking more fired up than ever.

"Where is it Tay?"

"What?"

"The journal."

"I don't have your journal Haley. You keep that at an arms length at all times."

"Not mine, Nathan's," Haley stated, her eyes narrowing at her sister.

"Shit," Taylor mumbled under her breath. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You seem to not know a lot lately. Kind of surprising considering you're always ready to give me some lameass advice. 'Save yourself from the heartache.' That was classic. Well you know what Taylor? Screw you! Just because you mess up everything that's thrown your way does not mean you have to ruin my life! You had your chance, I was actually starting to forgive you, but do you know what?"

"What?"

"It's over between us. You're not my sister. I refuse to be related to such a monster," Haley seethed, not caring about the fresh tears pouring down her sister's face. "I'm going to go try and fix things with Nathan. And if you ever, ever, mess with me and my love life again, you'll wish you'd never known me Taylor. I mean it," she yelled before turning out the door.

Once she'd reach Nathan's she knew he wouldn't hear the bell and since his dad lived at the beach house she just left herself into the mansion and made her way up to his room. She opened his door to find him in his room staring at the ring on his middle finger.

"I thought you didn't want to talk to me," Nathan stated coldly as Haley closed the door behind her.

"No, that was Taylor shoving words down my throat. I was asleep after some hardcore crying from our episode at the café until I woke up to see Taylor ushering you off our lawn in a huff."

"Listen Haley, I came over to apologize. I was a bit harsh in the café."

"Ya think?" Haley stated sarcastically, "I still don't know what happened by the way."

"Before our shift Taylor came over to my house asking if I was okay and claiming that you told her a bunch of my secrets that were for well, your ears only. I mean, she even knew about Lucas. When I asked her how she found out she said that you told her."

"She said that I told her?"

"Yep."

"God, why is my sister such a twofaced bitch!"

"I don't know Haley. But when she said that I felt betrayed. Like you stabbed my heart. I mean, I trusted you to keep my secrets, not spread them."

"Trusted?"

"Well, uh. I don't know how uh, how much I trust you anymore."

"Are you serious Nathan?"

"Well, I mean, how else would Taylor know…"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this. Nathan I would never tell anyone; let alone Taylor your personal stuff. And that fact that you think I would really hurts."

"Listen Haley I…"

"She found out because she stole your journal from my room. She used it to her advantage for whatever sick game she's playing. But I'm done."

"You're done?"

"I can't deal with Taylor and her little games anymore Nathan. I need to get away."

"What are you saying Haley?"

"I'm saying that after tomorrow I'm booking a flight to one of my other sibling's houses and I'm getting away from Tree Hill for a bit. Too much bad stuff has happened here and I'm sick of having to be reminded of it, and having to go through it."

"But what about the good stuff Haley? What about me?"

"Right now Nathan, the bad is outweighing the good. I'm sorry."

"You still didn't answer my question Haley… what about me?" He said looking distressed.

She grabbed his hand and brought it over her heart. "Do you feel that Nathan? That is my heart racing, you do that to me. Why? Because you have my heart. But sometimes, giving your heart away isn't enough."

"What are you saying Haley?" Nathan questioned, his voice shaking.

She looked up at him with glassy eyes. "I'm saying that if you love someone you have to set them free. And if they're truly yours they'll come back to you. I need to let you go right now Nathan. You don't need me an all my extra baggage. And I don't need to be a burden to you."

"You're not a burden to me Haley! I love you!"

"That's what makes this so heard Nathan. I love you too. More than you'll ever know, but I need to do this."

"You're going to leave all because of Taylor's stupid mind games?" Nathan questioned.

"No, I'm leaving to clear all the skeletons out of my closet. Taylor's latest scheme was just the icing on the cake. It was the last straw in the domino affect of my life. I need to leave Tree Hill for a bit Nathan. And I need to do it on my own. I've become too dependent on you and I've got to finally deal with all this by myself. I just… please don't contact me. Let me contact you. I love you Nathan, don't think I don't. We will find each other again whether it be a month or a year. We're not over."

"Haley I just…" he couldn't find the words. There was no way to describe this feeling building inside him.

"I love you Nathan and I'm sorry. Goodbye," Haley whispered leaning in to give him one last kiss on the lips before turning to leave out his room. She was almost out his front door when she heard footsteps at the stop of the stairs. She stood in her spot but the footsteps had stopped. She knew he was there watching her but she couldn't look back. It'd hurt too much and most likely cause her to buckle and stay in Tree Hill.

"I love you," she whispered, thinking he was too far to hear, but just as soon as those words left her lips he whispered words of his own…

"Always and forever," he stated into the emptiness, Haley's figure no longer in the house. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that throughout all her doings, Haley had not mentioned their coveted 'Always and forever.' "I guess love isn't always forever," he mumbled to himself before going back to his room where he cried like he'd never cried before.

Haley entered her house after leaving Nathan's with her eyes swollen from the crying. She saw Taylor instantly run to her side but she pushed her away. "Get away from me Taylor. There's nothing you can do to change this. I didn't come here to forgive or even let you explain. I came here to lock myself in my room until tomorrow morning when I'll be leaving Tree Hill."

"You're leaving?"

"Yep, and you don't even get an explanation why, because you don't deserve it," Haley said trying to go upstairs but Taylor was blocking her. "Haley wait."

"Get out of my way," Haley said shoving her sister aside so she could get up the stairs, "and out of my life." And once she reached her room and locked the door behind her she laid on her bed and cried like she'd never cried before.

Yes, I know this was a very sad chapter, but it was much better than last chapter if you ask me. And although Naley is on the rocks, they can never stay apart for too long. Have no fear! I've got to stir up some drama before the major major fluff begins. Expect to see in upcoming chapters a different side of Nathan which could be either good or bad, Haley trying to deal, and more of the whole Taylor/Dan scheme (possibly an ending to it ;) who knows yet!), but let me tell you... you're goign to love how Naley comes together again. This of something that goes along the lines of "the journal" which started this all. Not the exact same thing but I've got some cute tricks up my sleeve that I think you'll love! I hope my last chapter didn't scare some readers away. Have no fear, Naley will never be over for good! I love Naley and this story is a Naley... they will reunite again! Dorp a review please!