Don't you love me? I'm updating again! It's a good day, or night. Whatever, enjoy the chapter, because it's definitely better then the last sorry excuse for a chapter. Please review!

Let Me Go

Chapter Eighteen: Last Minute Trip

The next day at school, Haley had managed to narrowly avoid talking to both Jake and Nathan, and she was quite happy because of this.

She'd walked home, quite cheerfully, and opened her front door, stepping in, and then closing it, her smile still intact on her face.

"Baby Sis!" She heard a squeal from behind her, and Haley jumped.

"Taylor, you scared the hell out of me." Haley grabbed her chest.

"That's kind of a good thing, isn't it?" Taylor grinned, and gave her sister a hug. "Come into the kitchen, I want to talk to you about something."

Haley dropped her backpack and binder, and Taylor grabbed her hand, leading her into the kitchen.

"Sit." Taylor gestured to one of the wooden stools by the island in the middle of the kitchen, while she got some drinks from the fridge.

She sat in front of Haley, and let a grin play up on her lips.

"Taylor, you're scaring me."

"Okay, so you know our Aunt May?"

Haley frowned. "Well yes, considering she is out aunt."

"Well, I talked to her this morning, and I already ran it past the 'rents, and they think it's a good idea too, and she wants us to go visit her in Hawaii for the first week after school gets out for you."

"That's like, tomorrow."

"I know! And it would take your mind off all this Nathan-Jake drama! We'll have so much fun, Haley! Come on, the sun, the surf, the guys." Taylor winked.

"I don't know, Taylor. I was planning on lazing around and eating junk food.." Haley realized how pathetic she sounded right after she let these words out of her mouth.

"And you still can! Just in Hawaii, where it's way cooler, and better."

"You really want me to go?"

"Hell yes! I feel like I've finally connected with my Baby Sister after years spent hardly ever speaking to each other, and only insulting each other when we did speak, and now we're going to be separated again! It'll be no fun without you, Hales. Please come." Taylor made a puppy dog face, and Haley laughed.

"Okay, Taylor! You had me at 'hell yes'. It'll be fun, and I really need this trip away from heartbreak." Haley laughed.
Taylor grinned. "Yes! This is going to be so much fun! So we leave tomorrow right after you get out of school. Our flight takes off at around seven, so we'll have to be at the airport at around five." Taylor handed Haley her ticket.

"You already had this planned, didn't you, my devious sister?"

"Of course! Now, you should get packing!" Taylor tapped Haley's ass before running away, out of the kitchen.

Haley sighed contently. Now, all she had to do was avoid the boys for just one more day. And then it was:

"Hawaii."

After saying good-bye to everyone (especially Lucas, whom she would never be in school with again, seeing as how he was graduating), Haley rushed home, eager to leave Tree Hill as soon as possible.

She opened the door to her room, observing the mess that had become of her perfectly organized room.

Everything was strewn across the floor, and her suitcase was on her bed, filled with everything she'd be taking. Her carry-on lay beside it, still partially open.

"Taylor, are you ready?" She called out to her sister, as she tried pulling her bag off of her bed.

Her sister appeared at her door, clad in a mini-skirt and a tiny tank top. "Hell yes, I'm ready. The car's downstairs. You're packed, right?"

"Yes, I'm packed. My stuff just weighs ten tons. Could you help me out here?"

Even with the help of Taylor, it took the two about ten minutes, just to get down the stairs. After saying good-bye to their parents, and making sure they had all their stuff, the two James girls hopped into the car that would be taking them to the airport, and zoomed away from their house.

Throughout the car ride, all Haley could think about was Nathan and Jake, and how she hadn't said good-bye or anything.

It was funny, less then a month ago, she was going out with Jake. Completely unhappy, but still. Now, it was like they were strangers. She shook her head, as they drove past the Scott household.

The Scott's probably had the biggest house in Tree Hill, besides Brooke's, which was only slightly larger. She'd had so many memories at that house, before she'd discovered her 'crush' on Nathan.

She wondered what Nathan was doing right then and there. Was he thinking about her, like she was about him? It didn't even really matter that much. He'd probably never speak to her again.

Suddenly, she became wracked with sadness when she realized that her "circle of friends" no longer existed, and it was probably due to her. It had been Lucas, Brooke, Tim, Nathan, Jake, and her.

And now, Lucas was gone, so he was out. Jake wouldn't hang out with her anymore, and neither would Nathan. Tim would probably hang out with Jake, and she'd only have Brooke.

She felt a nudge, and looked over to see her sister. "Penny for your thoughts."

"I'm fine." She promised, looking back outside.

They were now far past the Scott Mansion, and the airport was now clear in her view.

Pretty soon, she'd be in Florida, away from all this drama. And she really couldn't wait.

"Ma'am, we need to check your bag." Haley looked up at the guard and groaned.

"For what?"

"There's a strange looking object on the monitor, and it's mandatory we check to see what it is."

"Whatever." She handed him her purse, wondering what in the hell it could be.

He looked through her things for a moment before shrugging. "You're clear."

"Thanks." She took her bag back, and her and Taylor proceeded through the airport.

"So, we have time, I was thinking we would like, get food and magazines and stuff." Taylor told her, as they neared their gate.

"Cool. I just want to call Brooke first though. So I can say good-bye again, you know?"

Taylor shrugged. "I'm going to go to the bathroom while you do that. I have to redo my makeup."

Haley nodded and picked up her cell phone, dialing Brooke's number.

After two rings, she heard her best friend's cheery voice.

"Hello?"

"Hey Brooke, it's me."

"Haley! You miss me already, don't you?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "Of course, Brooke."

"Well, you totally should. I can't believe you sprung this on me at the last minute! Who am I supposed to hang out with when my best friend ditched me to Hawaii?"

"I don't know, your boyfriend?" Haley laughed.

"It won't be the same. I miss you already!"

"I miss you too, but I just wanted to call you to tell you that you'll be in my thoughts while I'm gone, if it's any consolation."

She heard Brooke sigh on the other end. "I better be in your thoughts all the time."

"I promise, you will be. You're my best friend, who's really hard to forget."

"Aww! Okay, I have to go now, because Lucas just got here, and he's shirtless, so I'll talk to you later, kay? Call me when you land."

"Okay. Love you."

"Love you too. Bye!"

Haley hung up just as Taylor was returning.

"Okay, let's get some food and magazines. I heard Lindsay Lohan is on the cover of US because she's like, anorexic or something. I totally partied with her in Cabo a while back, and she looked fine!"

After stocking up on magazines and snacks, Haley was ready to go. She grabbed her carry on, as did Taylor, and the two made their way towards where they were boarding.

Taylor handed her ticket to the woman, and Haley sighed. Here it was, the moment where she'd leave Tree Hill, whether it was just for a couple of weeks.

She felt kind of sad, to be honest. She'd wished to be rescued, but, obviously, it was too late. Now, she was leaving, and she'd never have to be with Nathan or Jake, and although it kind of depressed her, maybe it was time to get over it.

She reached over to the woman, the ticket in her hands.

"Haley, wait!"