Hey! Yes, I know, I must be crazy. Back with yet another update. And it's not the last. :) If I get some reviews that is. Thank you so much to daddyzangel108 for reviewing for both chapters. You rock! Thank you so much. And I agree, they are just digging themselves deeper with this whole Tim and Michelle thing. lol.
As for everyone else out there, if you're reading and not reviewing, well, you're lazy. And mean. :( lol. Just kidding. I hope you're liking the story anyway. Well, here's part two.
Chapter 12 (part 2):
It had been an hour since the others left and Haley and Nathan were by no means bored. They were quite preoccupied with each other. But the fear that they would be caught, that someone would unexpectedly come home earlier than planned and find out their dirty little secret, was at the back of their minds, preventing them from completely enjoying their time together.
As a result, Haley had offered that they watch a movie. They were seated on opposite ends of the couch, trying to keep their distance, Haley with her feet in his lap. Both were pretending to be concentrating on the screen, but neither could've even told you the name of the movie they were watching.
Haley glanced over at Nathan, a big mistake. 'Man, this guy will be my undoing,' she thought. She could barely restrain herself from staring at him. In fact, she'd like to stare at him all day long, he was the most handsome guy she'd ever laid eyes on. That hadn't changed over the years they were apart.
He looked over, noticed her staring and smirked. He tried to hide how attractive he thought she was. Even after all these years, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. As cliche as it was, he thought everything about her was beautiful, her smile when he did something right, when she threw her head back and laughed, when she would toss her hair and smile in that light, flirty way. Yes, he loved everything about her. He always had and, though he didn't want to, he knew that a part of him always would.
Haley saw him smirk and knew what he was thinking. He'd caught her staring at him. Again. She rolled her eyes, she'd probably inflated his ego too many times to count. They both turned their eyes back to the screen, still trying to concentrate, but it was to no avail.
Finally, Haley succumbed to her gut instinct, screaming at her to enjoy what little time she had with him, and crawled to his side of the couch. He looked down at her and smiled. She smiled back and kissed him deeply. He pulled away after a few minutes and smirked. "You know, it was your idea to watch a movie."
She grinned teasingly, deciding to placate him, rather than play the role of hard to get. "Well, it was a stupid idea."
He leaned forward, taking her lips again in another searing kiss. Haley managed to pull away for a few seconds and breathe out, "Bedroom. We have to be careful they don't catch us."
He leaned forward and kissed her again, slowly getting up and lifting her in his arms, never breaking contact. He carried her back to that empty guest room, the one they'd grown quite accustomed to waking in, next to each other, and kicked the door shut behind them, locking it. He was locking them into a world that was all their own, a world they rarely dared to explore, one where they could show their love for each other without worrying about the repercussions until the dreaded moment when the door would unlock and they would quietly slip out and back to their respective rooms.
And each time, they left with an empty feeling, one of loneliness and desperation, knowing the only satisfaction they would ever find was in each other.
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When the rest of the group burst through the front door two hours later, joking and laughing, they found Haley and Nathan in a completely uncompromising position on the couch: both seated on opposite ends with Haley's feet resting lightly in his lap.
Tim smiled and made his way to her, kissing her gently. "Feeling better?"
She smiled and leaned forward, giving him another quick kiss. "Much."
She lifted her legs and swung them around so Tim could sit between her and Nathan. She lay her head on his shoulder, but not before giving Nathan a small, almost imperceptible wink. Michelle sat next to Nathan and he gave her a loving kiss, pulling her into his lap and giving Haley a smirk in return. She rolled her eyes and settled farther into Tim, who promptly kissed the top of her head.
The others settled around the room in almost the exact same positions as the night before. Andrea sighed. "Why do I feel like this is becoming an unwelcome routine?"
Alex laughed. "Because it is." She shrugged and leaned against him in their chair.
Steve reclined his chair and sprawled along the length of it. "Someone wake me up when it's over."
Rebecca looked at the screen. "What the hell are you watching!"
Nathan and Haley just laughed, no one else understanding their little joke.
Tim was confused, but he shrugged it off. They're allowed to have their own inside jokes.
Michelle was having much the same thoughts. Just because they have their own little joke doesn't mean they're screwing each other. A much smaller, weaker voice in her head said, 'But it doesn't mean they're not.'
She looked over at Tim and Haley just as Tim turned to look at her. They both smiled, knowing they were being bitter towards their respective others. It was almost comforting to have someone else understand what you were going through.
Almost.
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The next morning, Haley's five guests were packing up and everyone seemed a little glum. Haley was sad to say the least to see them go and Nathan, Tim, and Michelle had grown quite attached in the few days they'd been there. It wasn't the Christmas holiday they'd planned, but everything had fallen into place and things seemed to be getting better. Or so it would appear.
As Andrea hugged Haley goodbye, she whispered in her ear, "Don't think you're off the hook telling me about this whole Nathan thing. I will call to get details."
Haley rolled her eyes playfully. "Please, you're just looking for an excuse to call me."
Andrea looked at her with a raised brow. "Girl, I won't miss you that much."
Haley pushed her away with a teasing grin. "Get outta here already."
Andrea smiled. "Love you too girl."
Haley just laughed, turning to Rebecca and in turn, hugging her. "Bye, girl, we'll miss you."
Rebecca laughed. "You've got plenty of good company right here." She winked at Tim and Nathan.
Andrea looked indignant. "Oh, so, you'll miss her, will you?"
Haley gave her another quick hug. "You know we were just playin. Miss you too, baby girl."
Andrea shoved her away gently. "I resent that. Just because you found out I'm three months younger."
Haley laughed and moved toward Steve. "Bye," she whispered. Tim and Nathan looked on jealously as he picked her up and spun her around. She squealed.
He set her down and kissed her cheek. "Bye, sweetheart."
She grinned and hugged him, then went straight for Alex. He wrapped her in a tight bear hug. "This was great, Hales. Thanks."
She grinned and hugged him back. "We'll have to do it again some time."
"Definitely," Sam joined in the conversation, pulling her away from Alex and into his own arms.
"Bye, babe. We'll miss you."
"Aw, I'll miss you guys too," she responded.
He let her go finally and Michelle got a hug from everyone. Then it was Tim and Nathan's turns to shake the guys' hands and hug the girls. Andrea held onto Nathan for a few extra seconds, whispering in his ear, "She loves you, you know."
He glanced around, making sure no one heard. "Yeah, I know."
Andrea smiled, releasing him, whispering a few last words in his ear. "Don't let her get away again."
He looked at her, dumbfounded. For someone he'd just met a few days ago, she was very intuitive. She winked at him and then, the fab five were gone, sweeping out the door in a flurry of laughter.
Haley sighed. "It was so great seeing them again."
Tim took her in his arms from behind. "Yeah, they were cool."
Michelle took Nathan's hand. He smiled down at her. "We've still got 4 days left."
She gave a small smile in return. "I kind of miss California though."
He sighed. "I know, we'll be back soon enough though."
"Yeah..." she trailed off, noticing he wasn't even listening to her.
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It was later that day, in the early evening and the sun was just beginning to set. Tim, Haley, Nathan, and Michelle sat around the small kitchen table in that order. It only felt empty to sit at the dining room table, which sat 15.
There were a few periods of awkward, drawn out silences, but Haley and Michelle took turns filling them, making conversation with each other and the guys. It took all the effort they had not to scream out in frustration. When the other five guests left, the tension which had been eased in their presence, returned. And no one knew what to do about it.
Haley smiled at everyone in another of the silences they were growing accustomed to. "So, Nathan, Michelle, where are you guys living now?"
Michelle was about to answer, but Nathan beat her to it. "We live in California."
Haley smirked. "Fun and sun, right guys?"
Michelle smiled and looked adoringly at Nathan. "You could say that."
He smiled back at her and Haley wanted to puke. She had to restrain herself from gagging. This girl was sickening. She couldn't help the slight smile that graced her lips as she felt Nathan take her hand under the table where no one could see. She squeezed his hand and an almost identical smile appeared on his own lips.
The phone rang and their hands disentangled immediately, not wanting anyone else to discover them when getting up the answer it. Tim stood and reached over the counter, grabbing it. "Hello?" he spoke into the mouthpiece, sounding slightly irritated. His face went pale.
"Tim?" Michelle asked concerned.
He turned slowly to the table. "Haley, it's for you."
The others looked curious.
"Who is it?" she asked slowly.
"It's Jack," he answered quietly. And the world stopped, or it seemed to, with the sound of that one name.
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Uh oh. Drama ahead. I know, I know. You're all ready to strangle me. Another cliffhanger. But how else can I keep you reviewing? Don't worry, as long as I get some good feedback, I'll update again real real soon. :)
