Nathan pulled Haley aside. "You know, you still have time to change your mind and go with us."
Haley smiled up at him. "As much as I want to…I really do, if Jake and I are planning on performing at the next open mic night, then we really need this week to work on our song."
"You two have already been working on it for over two months. What more do you need to do?" Nathan said, irritated. For the past two to three months, Haley had been with Jake more than she had been with him. And now it was spring break and she was choosing to stay home and work on that song with Jake.
"Nate, I'm sorry, but this is the first time I've ever really performed and I want it to be great. You go have fun with Lucas. I'll see you when you get back." She reached up and kissed him.
"Yeah." He looked over at Lucas, who was saying bye to Brooke. "You ready man?"
Lucas looked over and nodded. He turned back to Brooke. "I'll see you in a few days, Pretty Girl." I love you." The two kissed before breaking apart.
"I love you." Haley said before the two guys walked out but got no response. Brooke and Peyton came up on either side of Haley.
Don't worry Tutor Girl, we'll keep an eye on him."
"Thanks, Tigger." Haley smiled weakly.
"Yeah, and when he comes back and hears you sing, he'll forget all about you spending so much time with Jake." Peyton gave Haley a reassuring smile before walking out of the café with Brooke.
Most of the week was the same. Haley worked in the mornings and well into the afternoons, then in the evenings, she met Jake to practice. On Thursday, she decided to go to Miami. She booked a flight, packed a bag and was off. She got to Miami Thursday night.
She figured out where the four had gone out to and left her things in Nathan and Lucas' room. She quickly got ready then headed to a club just down the street. She walked in and was looking around for the group when she saw him. But he wasn't alone. Nathan had been dancing with some blonde female but they were now headed to a back room. She looked and saw Lucas look at Nathan then turn back to Brooke.
"Haley, you came!"
Haley turned to the voice and saw Peyton. "Can I ask you a question? Where does that lead to?" Haley pointed to where Nathan had just disappeared to. Peyton followed Haley's finger and smiled. "Oh, they have these dark rooms with couches…some with beds. Most people just use it to either get some…or make out. I think it's kind of tacky. If I'm gonna sleep with someone, they better at least take me to their place." She said jokingly. However she stopped laughing as she looked back at Haley.
"That's what I thought." Haley said then turned to walk out.
"Where you going?"
"Home…" Haley turned briefly back to Peyton. "And don't tell anyone I was here." She turned and left leaving Peyton standing there, confused.
Haley got back to Tree Hill early Friday morning. She didn't say anything about what had happened. The others got back Saturday afternoon. Haley and Jake had taken off early to rehearse one last time before that night. When she got to the café, she went straight to Karen. After Haley talked to Karen, she went up to the stage.
"Hey everyone…How ya doin?" The crowd yelled. "Okay, so tonight we have a special treat. Well, many of you may remember him from the last open mic night, but tonight…Jake will be performing a duet with Tree Hill and Karen's café's very own…Haley James. But first, Haley will be going solo. So give her a round of applause…Haley James!" Haley picked up her guitar and walked on stage. "Hi everyone. This is a song I wrote…I hope you like it."
As the music started playing, everyone turned their attention up to Haley.
Honey I just can't get around it anymore
You make me feel like home is where you are
And baby I just can't run around it every morn.
It's time that I believe it
Home is where you are
Notes in my drawers Songs in my pockets Fragments of letters that you sent Leftover phone calls Cologne in the bath I still have that bottle of rose
Starin at your photograph Tryin to take it down There's still a stirring in my heart
And honey I just can't get around it anymore You make me feel like home is where you are Baby I just can't run around it every morn It's time that I believe it Home is where you are
I've never been to
Half of these places
But your postcard collection makes me crave
A little space
A little ways
Out of the city to the grace of…
Another land, another tongue, another time
Starin at your photograph I can't take it down There's still a fire in me yet
Honey I just can't Get around it anymore Cause you make me feel like Home is where you are And baby I just can't Run around it every morn It's time that I believe it Home is where you are
Honey I just can't Get around it anymore You make me feel like Home is where you are Baby I just can't Run around it every morn It's time that I believe it Home is where you are
Honey I just can't You better believe yeah yeah
As the music stops, Haley opens her eyes to cheers and applause. "Thanks you." She smiled and stands up. She walks over to Jake and Karen. Karen hugs Haley before the two teenagers walk to the back to get ready. Nathan pulls Haley back just before she disappears into the back with Jake.
"That was amazing, Hales." He said as he tries to pull her into a hug.
"Thanks. I gotta go get ready for my duet with Jake." She quickly pulls away and disappears into the back, leaving a hurt and confused Nathan standing behind.
Jake looked at Haley before they went out. "You ready?"
Haley nodded her head as Karen said, "And finally, what you all have been waiting for…Jake and Haley."
They both took deep breaths as the whole crowd cheered them onto stage. Haley walked up and sat behind the keyboard while Jake sat on a stool with his guitar on his knees. As the two started to play, the room went quiet.
Haley Dancin' where the stars go blue Dancin' where the evening fell Dancin' in my wooden shoes In a wedding gown
Jake Dancin' out on 7th street Dancin' through the underground Dancin' little marionette Are you happy now
Both Where do you go when you're Lonely Where do you Go when you're blue Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you When the stars go blue When the stars go blue OOOOOO
Jake (Haley)
Laughing with your pretty mouth
(Laughing with your pretty mouth)
Laughing with your broken eyes
(Laughing with your broken eyes)
Laughing with your lover's tongue
Both
In a Lullaby, yeah
Where do you go when you're lonely Where do you go when you're blue Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you, yeah yeah
Where do you go when you're lonely Where do you go when you're blue Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you, follow you, yeah yeah When the stars go blue When the stars go blue When the stars go blue When the stars go blue
Where do you go when you're lonely Where do you go when the stars go blue.
The song ended and everyone cheered so loud you could hear them down the street. Jake and Haley said Thanks then walked off stage. Jake walked over to Peyton, giving her a huge hug and kiss.
"Hey, I missed you…and so did Jenny." He whispered in her ear.
Peyton smiled. "I missed you guys too. So you realize I'm staying with you tonight."
Jake nodded. "That's a given." He says and both start to laugh.
Haley walks over to Karen. "I'm gonna head out." She quickly hugs Karen then turns and walks out of the café. Nathan sees Haley leave and quickly follows. As soon as he gets outside he runs over to Haley.
"Hey, why are you leaving?"
Haley stops at the sound of Nathan's voice. She takes a deep, calming breath then turns around. "You know, when we first got together, you told me…no you promised me that you would never hurt me. And do you remember what I told you?" She asked staring intensely at Nathan as he nodded his head.
"Yeah. You told me not to make promises I couldn't keep." He said, still confused at what was going on.
"Yeah. Well, I guess you broke your promise." She said as she finally looked away from Nathan.
"What are you talking about, Haley? I've never broke any promise I've made to you."
"I went to Miami a couple of days ago. I thought I would surprise you. But I guess I was the one that was surprised when I saw you taking some blonde hoe into the back room." Nathan started to say something but was cut off. "Save your breath. I don't want to hear your excuses." She took another deep breath. "We're done." She said quietly before turning and walking away.