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Let Me Go

Chapter Seven: When Lying is No Longer An Option

The Café door swung open, and Karen looked up with a small smile to see Haley, Nathan, Jake, and Brooke. Lucas was hanging out with his senior buddies, and Tim was hanging out with this new girl he was interested in, so that left the four that were taking a seat in a booth.

"I'm hungry," Jake groaned, and Brooke nodded.

"Me too. Get us some food, Haley." Brooke agreed, looking over at her best friend.

Haley rolled her eyes. "Why me? I'm hungry too, but you don't see me asking either of you to get me food."

"Well, you work here, so you're actually aloud back in the kitchen. Come on, Hales! If you don't, then we'll have to wait for someone to take our order, and that could take a while. Look at all the people here!" Brooke whined, causing Haley to cringe.

"Nathan, what do you think?" Haley turned towards Nathan for support.

"I'm really tired, Hales." He chuckled.

"You suck." Haley groaned, standing up.

"Hey, I have an idea," Brooke clapped her hands together, "Why don't both of you go get our food, so it gets here sooner?"

Haley could see the light bulb flicker off in Brooke's head, and she sighed, knowing her friend's intentions. But it was too late to decline, Nathan had already stood up. "Whatever. I'll help."

Haley shot Brooke a death glare before walking towards the kitchen with Nathan. She walked past Karen, giving her a smile and a wave, into the kitchen. Nathan shook his head as he walked besides her.

"Can you believe her?"

Haley laughed. "Actually, yeah. I don't think Brooke's ever made her own meal."

"Very true."

The two joked for a while longer, before preparing the meals they knew their friends would want. They were having a good time, just enjoying each other's presence, by tossing French Fries, and 'accidentally' squirting ketchup at each other.

From afar, Karen watched her son and the woman he loved bond. It seemed to go in slow motion for Karen, as she watched Nathan look down at Haley, and her look up at him. Their eyes both showed a similar emotion; love.

It was easy to see, and now she was almost sure Nathan had been wrong. Haley didn't love Jake, she realized, Haley loved Nathan, but just like he was, Haley was too afraid to tell Nathan her feelings.

Karen could hear their words from where she stood, and she found the smile on her face growing.

"Nathan!" Haley squealed as he tossed a French Fry down her shirt.

"Whoops!" He laughed as Haley grabbed some ice cubes, putting them down the back of his shirt, and then watching him shiver with coldness.

"Oh, you are so going to pay for that.." He told her calmly, before lunging at her, and beginning to tickle her.

"No, no!" Haley squealed, trying to slap his hand away, while laughing hysterically.

Karen turned once more towards the front of her café, where she could see Jake and Brooke. Brooke was explaining something to Jake. He was looking at her like she was insane, and Karen shook her head, knowing Brooke was acting like she'd acted since she was a little girl.

Karen had known Brooke for many years, and had taken care of her many times. Brooke was bossy, extremely bossy. And her opinions were always right, even if they were wrong, she'd learned that years ago.

She turned back to see Nathan and Haley finally calming down, and watched as both began taking their plates towards their booth. Karen saw this as her chance to talk to Haley. As Nathan and Haley began walking past her, Karen stopped them.

"Haley Honey, I need some help with an order. Think there's anyway you could help?"

"Sure," She looked towards Nathan, "Give this to Brooke, okay?" She held out her plate, and Nathan frowned.

"Dude, I'm already carrying two plates."

"Well then here," She placed her and Brooke's plates down on the counter, "You can make two trips, okay?"

Nathan rolled her eyes. "The things I do for you, James."

Haley grinned and followed Karen into the back.

"So, what do you need help with?" Karen looked towards Haley, and found another smile growing on her face. Haley, in her eyes, was not only beautiful, but perfect in every aspect. Haley looked especially beautiful today. Her hair was tossed up into a messy bun, and her face wasn't too makeup-y, with just mascara, blush and lip gloss being obviously apparent. She was wearing a lavender and white striped shirt, that was cut a little high, so you could see just a part of her stomach. Also, she wore comfortable jeans and sneakers.

Karen, right then and there, knew that Haley was the girl for Nathan. If she'd never seen it before, she was definitely seeing it now.

"Karen?" Haley reached forward, grabbing Karen's shoulder, knocking the older woman back into reality.

"Yes, Honey?"

"What did you need help with?"

"Oh yes, the order." Haley found it strange that Karen had seemed to completely forget about the reason she'd initially called Haley back there, but shrugged it off.

The two began working quietly to make the order, putting together the drinks, and the side dishes. It wouldn't take long, five minutes tops.

Suddenly, Karen stopped, facing her body towards Haley, who was filling up a drink. She couldn't take it any longer, she had to know the truth. "You love my boy, don't you?"

Haley stopped, looking up at Karen. Haley wouldn't lie to Karen about this, Karen knew that. This was why she'd asked. Haley's eyes bore deep into Karen's, as she sighed softly.

"Yes." She told the older woman honestly and quietly, before walking away.