Sorry for taking so long to update! Been very busy. But don't worry, I think I make up for it in this chapter. Read and see what happens.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. So please don't sue me!

Summary: A friendly game of truth or dare brings out true feelings and regrets. Jaley/Naley

Ch.4 – Longing For You

The rest of the party went smoothly. Accept for the rare occasions that Lucas would find Haley and Jake making out. Nathan stayed up in his room the whole time, developing his plan to get Haley back.

The party began to die down and soon the only people that were left was Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, Haley, Jake and obviously Nathan.

"So, are you guys ready for the real fun to begin?" Brooke put a devilish smile on her face.

"What do you mean Brooke, the party is over, I'm tired and I'm going to have the biggest hangover tomorrow, so if you don't mind I think I'm just going to skip it." Lucas said as he put his head over his forehead.

"No! You can't leave! We need you here! You're the only available guy here. How can we possibly have fun when the only guy is taken?" Brooke pointed to Jake, then to Haley. Both blushed profusely at the comment.

"Well, if you put it that way…"

"Yes, I do put it that way."

"I guess I could stay; but only for a few minutes. Then I'm out."

"Fine, I'll take what I can get. But that means that we'll still need a guy."

Just as Brooke said this Nathan came down from his room satisfied with himself for concocting the perfect plan. When he saw the group in his kitchen he was a bit confused. Everyone should have been gone by now.

"What are you guys still doing here?" He looked around the room puzzled.

"Well Luke, it looks like we won't need you after all. Hey Nathan. We're just gonna have some fun. Care to join?" Brooke was so evil. Everyone was giving her the look of "are you crazy?"

Nathan considered for a moment, then looked at Luke, he shook his head in disapproval; then at Haley, same; Jake, same; Peyton, nodded "What the hell?"; Brooke gave him a puppy dog face, flashing those gorgeous eyes of hers "PLEASE!"

"Sure. Why not?"

"Good!" Brooke clapped as Nathan stepped into the circle, between Peyton and herself.

"So, what are we playing?" Jake asked wholeheartedly, not knowing what Brooke had come up with this time.

"What do you think… TRUTH OR DARE!" Brooke was so pleased with herself. She loved truth or dare, it was her favorite. It always managed to make trouble and havoc, it made their lives more interesting and zesty.

Everyone had a frown on their faces. But when they saw Brooke turning upset they went along with it anyway.

"Fine Brooke. Just stop doing that! You're making me feel bad!" Haley pointed out. The rest of the group nodded in agreement, even Brooke did. She loved to get her way.

"Okay. Lets get started." She looked around the room for her first victim.

"Lucas, truth or dare?"

"Truth." Lucas didn't think it would be too hard.

"K… of me and Peyton, who would you ever see yourself dating?" At this point both women wanted him and he hadn't chosen yet.

"Uh…" he chuckled a bit

"I don't… I don't know how to answer that."

"It's simple. Just say who you want to go out with and it'll be all over."

"It's not that simple though. I know this sounds stupid but can I say both? I mean… I don't think… I can't answer…"

"What kind of answer is both? Just answer the damn question!" Peyton was getting fed up with him.

"But…" Lucas was being put into a corner. He was being forced to choose and he didn't want to, not yet at least.

"No… I'm not going to." Lucas stormed off and Peyton stayed where she was, not moving a single muscle, she wasn't going to make herself vulnerable.

"Okay. That went well." Brooke said as she turned to Nathan.

"Nate… truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Alright…. I dare you to… to…" Brooke got a devilish smile on her face

"To tell Haley why you broke up with her; the real reason. Not some 'I needed time away' shit."

The room was silent. Nathan didn't know how to do it. He was going to tell her, but alone. He didn't want to bear out his soul to her in front of everyone. But he had no choice, he walked over to Haley and began to speak.

"Haley… I broke up with you… I broke up with you because…" he sighed in frustration. He really didn't want to admit his feelings to everyone.

"Because I was scared. I was scared because I loved you so much. I didn't want to become dependant on you. I always saw myself as the independent one, I could do anything on my own, and the thought of not knowing how to live without you scared me. I wanted to see if I could make it. And I know now that… I can't… I can't live without you Hales. I love you and I need you… so badly."

The room went still again. Lucas had gotten over himself and walked in to catch Nathan's confession to Haley. He had to give it to him, it took balls to tell that to Haley, especially in front of everyone as.

Haley was completely speechless. She knew that the 'I need time off' thing was a line of crap and she admired him for standing up and telling her the truth. But she didn't know what to do, yes she loved Nathan, but she was begging to let Jake in and now she didn't know what to do.

But good old Brooke couldn't stand the silence so she had to speak up.

"Good job Nate. Now let's see here…" Brooke looked around the room for her next victim, and spotted him

"Jake… truth or dare?"

Jake looked on as Haley and Nathan exchanged looks, he was so hurt. He opened himself up to Haley. He made himself vulnerable and got bit for it.

"Truth." Jake said looking at Haley who tore herself away from Nathan's gaze to peer into his. She felt so horrible. She didn't know how to choose. Did she even want to? She didn't know.

"Okay… let me think… Ah, here's a good one…" Brooke put her finger up indicating an idea.

"Do you think that you could ever love Haley?"

Again, the room went silent. How was Brooke coming up with these questions that just hit that hot button that no one dared to go near. She was special that one… very special.

"Yes…" his voice cracked a bit. He was trying to hold back the tears that had threatened to show.

"I think I could love Haley… I think I'm already falling." And with that Jake left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Haley gave Nathan a look of sadness and ran out after him.

"Jake! Jake! Wait up!" Haley caught up to him and was panting, she ran hard. She didn't want him to walk out of her life.

"Why should I! Give me one good reason! I opened myself to you, I let you in, and what do I get! I guess I was always meant for the short end of the stick…" And just like that, he stepped into his car and drove off, leaving Haley to watch, and regret.

Nathan walked out and looked down the street where the car had gone "Good riddance" he thought to himself. He had slipped his arm around Haley's shoulder while she just looked. She didn't know what to do.

She felt like she had gotten a piece of her life back; that she had longed for everyday it was gone but… but now she felt like a different piece was leaving, a piece that was never meant to be there, but it fit so perfectly. She finally tore her eyes off the road and looked up a Nathan, he looked down at her. Pure love. That was all she could see in his eyes. She was beginning to loose the guilt that she had from Jake. Little by little, Nathan would pick it all away. She was certain. But at the same time, she would always wonder, "What if? What if I did let him in? What if I did choose Jake over Nathan?"

It was all too much for her. She took Nathan's arm off of her and walked back into the house to lie on the couch. She was overwhelmed and confused.

"Are you alright Hales?" Nathan asked as he entered the living room.

"I know that this guy meant a lot to you. But it'll be all right, you have me and I'll never make you hurt again, ever. I promise."

He sat by her feet when she sat up and leaned into his chest, letting her tears collect on his shirt. She felt so horrible, how could she be so cruel? She felt like she led him on and that was wrong.

Before Haley could finish thinking Nathan had cupped her chin in his hand and brought it up to his face so they could look into each other's eyes.

"I love you Haley."

"I love you too."

She leaned into his kiss. She forgot how sweet they felt. It quickly evolved as Nathan opened her mouth and ventured inside it with his tongue, he had forgotten the chills he got when they kissed. He missed it.

She unexpectedly pulled away. Nathan was bewildered, he didn't know why she did that.

"It's not right Nathan. We shouldn't be doing this, not after all that's happened. I can't break Jake's heart and then go back to you as if nothing happened. I need some time to figure things out. I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you. Goodnight." And with that she walked out of the house just in time to catch Lucas before he drove away.

"'Night Hales…" he said to the darkness. He felt alone; more alone than he did when they were apart. He didn't know why, but something inside him was telling him that something was off key, but he couldn't place it. But he would. He knew he would.

Reviews are very much appreciated. This is my first OTH fan fic so constructive criticism is very much appreciated. Thank you for reading my fic!