Summary : Alternate Universe. Haley and Jake have been together since the eighth grade, and everyone has always thought they were the cutest couple. Except for one person. Nathan's always had feelings for Haley, and he can't seem to make them go away. What he doesn't know, is that Haley feels the same way for him, and that's why she's putting off finally making the next move with Jake. When both of them realize the other has feelings for each other, things just get harder. With the love and support from her friends around her, Haley must make a choice. She needs one of her two love interests to let her go. If Jake does, he'll let her be happy with Nathan, and if Nathan does, he can let her go on with her life. But it's not that simple, because maybe she doesn't want to be let go of.
Jacqueline22393: Mommy moments are always adorable. We already talked about the story thing, lol. It's cool, we all get a little scatterbrained sometimes.
Nathan's Raven: I'm glad you found it and decided you liked it! It'll probably be a while before any Naley action, but we'll just have to see. Thanks for the review!
TinyDancer7: Yeah, Karen as Nathan's mom is amazing, so I decided I had to explore the idea! Exactly! That's sort of the point I'm also trying to get across, the whole 'sex issue'. Nathan isn't the only guy who doesn't want to wait. Yeah, as Haley's best friend, Brooke should be super supportive. Thanks for the long review!
HalesnLukeBFF4ever: Yeah, I decided that Karen is always awesome as Luke's mom, so therefore, she would be Nathan's mom too, but then somehow I made him a Mama's boy, which I don't think really matters. I know, but the requester wanted Haley's boyfriend to be played by some other guy, and I was like, no, I'd rather have the readers read about someone they actually know, but yeah, he'd a sex-hungry beast! I'm joking, lol. Hehe, Brooke's like opinion- bipolar or something. She can have thoughts on something for five minutes, and then completely do a three-sixty, and be like anti-whatever she said before, lol.
Brittany: Thanks so much!
Let Me Go
Chapter Four: Movie Night
For as long as they could remember, Friday night was always movie night for them. Whether it was the newest at a movie theater or an old film they'd watch at one of their houses, it had always been their night to watch movies.
Usually, they were prepared. They had a schedule. They'd prepare times on Monday, decide what they were going to watch on Tuesday, and then where they'd eat on Wednesday.
But somehow, this week had gotten messed up, with schoolwork and other parties, and they'd had no time to prepare.
Friday came, and the group was desperately trying to keep their Friday night tradition.
"Okay, what should we see?" Haley asked her friends as the school bell rang, indicating that school was over.
Brooke whipped out her cell phone, punching in numbers, looking intently at the small object in her hand.
"Brooke, what are you doing?" Haley questioned her friend, attempting to peer over her shoulder.
Brooke grinned. "Checking which movies are playing."
Haley shook her head, laughing. "Modern technology these days."
After a moment of silence, Brooke finally spoke. "Okay, so our choices are, The Ring Two, The Amityville Horror, Hitch, Guess Who, and Miss Congeniality Two."
"Something scary." Jake decided, receiving nods from his friends.
"Besides," Lucas spoke up, "We've already seen all the comedies."
"All in favor of Ring Two, say I."
A chorus of 'I's were heard, and Brooke nodded.
"Seven, then. That's when we'll meet. We'll have to do dinner afterwards, if that's okay with everyone."
Everyone nodded once more, and it was agreed. The Ring Two, at seven, dinner afterwards.
"Tonight should be fun," Brooke whispered to Haley. "You and Nate."
Haley shook her head. "No, me and Jake."
"Whatever, you know which one you'd rather have." Brooke shrugged, walking next to Lucas and linking arms with him.
Haley sighed, allowing her gaze to shift discreetly off to Nathan. He was talking to Tim, playing with his cell phone. As he laughed, Haley felt her heart beat slightly faster. She didn't want to have feelings for him. It just sort of happened. And now, she could only feel sadness, because she knew he didn't feel the same.
God, she was beautiful.
They'd been at the movies for only ten minutes, and were ordering the beverages and snacks that would comfort them as they watched the scary movie, and all he could do was look at her, and her stunning beauty.
She was dressed simply, for spring at least. An orange tank top, with a pink one over that, a jean skirt, and flip flops. Her hair was down, and her bangs framed her face as they always did.
Nathan tore his gaze away from her as the group walked towards the theater, stopping in front of theater two.
Jake had gone to the bathroom as they were seating themselves, so he'd have to stick with what he got.
Nathan sat next to Lucas, and by some chance Haley had been placed next to him as well. Haley knew somehow it was of Brooke's doing, when Brooke plopped down next to her with a satisfied grin on her face.
"Brooke," Haley leaned in close to Brooke, not wanting Nathan to hear their conversation, "What are you up to?"
"Nothing." Brooke shrugged, innocently, turning to converse with Tim who was sitting beside her.
The previews flashed by, and Haley found herself smelling Nathan's aftershave. Man, did that boy smell good. Jake used some other weird kind that made her get allergies.
She found herself moving her body closer towards his seat. She had realized long ago that she seemed like a cheesy Ax commercial, where the girl was always trying to find away to move closer to the guy, even if he was a statue, but she didn't really mind.
She relaxed soon after she'd done this, as the beginning credits rolled by.
Just like any other girl would, during a scary part, she'd hidden her head in his shoulder, giggling softly as he looked down at her like she was crazy, murmuring that the movie, 'wasn't really that scary'.
"Haley." She heard a voice, and she leaned forward, looking over Nathan.
Lucas was passing the popcorn to her, smiling as he did. Brooke had probably told him she had feelings for Nathan. No, Brooke wouldn't do that. She could keep a secret.
Haley took the popcorn from Lucas, leaning over Nathan.
The familiar smell of her fruity shampoo filled his nostrils, and he sighed contently. He could live like this, with Haley leaning over him. Constantly frozen in this position with her seemed like a dream come true.
When she leaned back into her seat, he quickly realized his dream had become a nightmare. Haley was with Jake, and he was always having flings. That was probably how the rest of his life would go.
His mother had been wrong. He couldn't just waltz up to Haley and say, "Hey, I love you." He'd have to plan it, and make it perfect for her, not to mention, he'd have to make her magically fall in love with him, and what were the chances of that happening?
Pretty slim.
Haley yawned, leaning into his shoulder. So comfortable, and warm, Nathan was. She felt sadness fall upon her as she wished he was hers. Jake was great, and she loved him, but it wasn't the same. Not at all.
The movie credits rolled by, proudly announcing the movie was over. She was almost jumping for joy, and not just because the movie was scary. Now she could finally go out in the open, away from Nathan. She could breath fresh air, and not be intoxicated by his amazing smell.
But then it hit her. No, she couldn't.
She still had to sit through an entire dinner with him.