Daddyzangel108: Thanks! Lmao, sometimes I do that.
Jacqueline22393: Hey, I know! It's kind of like Nathan and Haley before, only with Jake proposing instead of Nathan, and Nathan thinking it's a completely insane idea. Lmao! I guess I did!
Nathan's Raven: I know I haven't updated TJWS in forever, but I'm trying to finish up this story before I do finally update that. I'm sorry, I'll try to get an updated up as soon as I'm finished with this story. Promise. Thanks!
ILUVOTH: Keep reading, and I promise you'll find out.
1THLUVR4EVA: Thanks!
HalesnLukeBFF4ever: I know, sorry! I'm glad you caught onto that, lol. It's like Naley, except Jaley, and Nathan thinks it's a crazy idea, lol.
Britt: I know! I was angry at her in another story for having some weird, totally untrue speculation. I was like, "Brooke, I hate you!" But I didn't really hate her, lol.
HalesandNathan4ever: Thanks! There would be a major love triangle if that were to happen.
Kate: Thanks!
Tiina: Thanks, I'm so glad to be the first! Thanks so much!
hilaryhilary: Maybe, you'll just have to read. Okay, lol. I know! Tim's always like, stupid. I guess I didn't feel like making him so stupid in this story, lol.
TreeHillGirl323: Yeah! Madly in love with her, lol. Thanks, I'm so glad you like it!
Let Me Go
Chapter Eleven: Taking The Safe Way Out
Nathan swerved past a car, cringing as the other driver cursed at him. He was minutes away from Haley's house, when he heard his phone ring.
It was Jake. He shouldn't have answered it, he knew that. But it seemed he just couldn't not pick up the phone. "Hello?"
"Nate, hey."
"Oh, hey man, what's up?"
"Actually, something really big. Dude, I think you should be one of the firsts to know, seeing as how you're one of my best friends.."
Nathan cringed. Best friends?
"I'm going to ask Haley to-"
"Oh, wow, Dude. Sorry, can you tell me another time? I've got something really important to do."
"Me too. It'll be quick, because I'm going to ask her now. I just-"
"Sorry, have to go." Nathan hung up quickly.
He was in front of Haley's house now, and he really thought he should go back. Jake was one of his best friends, and he'd had Haley first, and- No, Nathan was going inside to see Haley, whether or not he liked it.
Wracking up enough courage, Nathan opened his car door, slamming it shut and then hurrying towards Haley's house.
As wrong as it sounded, he had to beat Jake there. Jake had gotten there first once before, and it'd caused him a lifetime of pain. So now, he was going to change a few things.
Now, he was going to get her back.
He pounded on the door, desperately awaiting the moment she'd open it. She did seconds later, and he watched her lips turn up as she saw him.
"Hey Nathan," She began, but before she could continue, he stepped into the house, pressing his lips onto hers.
She fell into the kiss, shutting the door, and pulling him closer towards her. It was like she suddenly realized what was happening, because a second later, she pulled away.
"Nathan, what are you doing?" She furrowed her eyebrows as she looked into his eyes, searching for an answer.
"I love you, Haley. I have since, I don't know, the eighth grade. That day Jake asked you out? I was walking towards you too, he just got there first. Haley, I love you more then anything, and anyone." He took her hands in his, hoping she'd say she loved him too. Silently, he was begging her in his head.
Tears filled up in her eyes as she dropped his hands, backing away from him slowly. He began to shake his head as he watched her do this. This was her way of rejecting him.
"You don't love me like I love you," He realized softly, "Oh God, I feel like an idiot. I'm just going to leave." He began to open the door, but she ran towards it, shutting it, and then leaning against it.
"It's not like that, Nathan. I do love you. I've loved you since the eighth grade, too. I just, I never thought you felt the same way."
"Well, I do. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Haley. I never want to be without you, as cheesy as that sounds."
She smiled sadly. "But Jake loves me too."
"Do you love him?"
Haley shrugged. "I don't know."
"But you love me?"
Hesitantly, she nodded.
"So isn't it that simple? If you love me, and I love you, and we've been keeping it from each other until now, shouldn't we be together? Isn't it like, some kind of fate?"
"Nothing's ever as simple as it seems, Nathan." She told him quietly.
"I don't get what you're saying, Haley."
"I love you, but Jake's my boyfriend. And I can't leave him for something I'm not even sure will work."
"But that's the thing, you can! Haley, do you really want to spend the rest of your life asking, 'what if'?"
"No Nathan, but either way, it looks like that's going to happen. With you, or with Jake."
"And you're just taking the safe way out?"
"No, I'm just saying that it's not worth breaking everyone's heart."
"Well, too late," Nathan laughed, "You already broke mine."
And with that, he turned on his heel, walking out of her door.