Well, here it is... tell me what you guys think. And in a couple chapters, you guys are gonna get full on NALEYNESS! okay... well... not full-on, but kinda, teasingly naley. But it's still naley and not ryan/haley. So anyways... lol. Here ya go. Thank you EVERYONE for still reading it. Even though I am horrible. And I hardly update. But I'm gonna start. Oh, and I'm posting two chapters. :D. Cuz I love you all.

Chapter 18

"Whatever," Nathan said sullenly.

I laughed, ruffling his hair, "don't get pissed off, Scott, it's just that I have mad skills. But it's okay... I can teach you. From now on, call me Master... I am your Yoda, bitch."

"Yeah, right," Nathan lifted me over his head, setting me down on the ground, "you got lucky. But my shot is better than yours any day."

I rolled my eyes, "whatever helps you sleep at night, Scott."

"Hey, Haley," Ryan walked up.

Seeing him, though, I remembered that I had left Dexter at home all by himself, "Dexter!" I clasped my hand to my mouth. "Shit! I forgot all about Dex. Where is he?" I asked Ryan.

"He left earlier. I was going to tell you, but you were really... anyways. He left and went back to Charlotte. He said that he had unfinished business he had to take care of and that you didn't need to come to Charlotte because he'd call you later and don't worry because he isn't going to do anything too stupid."

I shook my head, "I can't believe I just went off and left my best friend. Hey, guys, it was great meeting you all. Maybe we can play again later," I gave them the widest, fakest smile I could and turned around.

"Bye, Mouth," I waved, "Peyton, Brooke."

Mouth and Peyton waved back with a wide smile on their face, but Brooke glared and forcefully waved her hand. Not even a wave. More like just a slight hand motion.

"Hey, where are you going?" Ryan jogged up behind me, falling in stride with my steps.

I took a deep breath, "well, first of all, I'm going to get in my vehicle. Second of all, I'm going to drive back to my house. Third of all, I'm going to take a shower. Fourth of–."

"Ultimately, what are you going to wind up doing? Without any steps, please."

I shrugged, shaking my head, "go to Charlotte. That's the only thing that I can do."

"I thought Dexter told you not to," Ryan countered, confused, his forehead knitted. "And anyway, David wanted us to go eat at the café tonight and meet Karen and Deb."

I sighed, stopping to look up at Ryan, "okay... dinner tonight. But that's all that I can do because after that I have to go and find Dexter."

"But school starts back for you tomorrow."

I shrugged, "so? What does that matter?"

Ryan looked down at me curiously. Well, curious didn't describe it. He looked at me like he didn't know who this person was standing in front of him. And I guess he didn't. Know this Haley, I mean, "Dexter is my best friend. He's going to go into Charlotte tonight, go to some rich kid's party, spin a couple tracks, get drunk off his ass, then hunt Trent down and beat the hell out of him then light up a joint and burn him on the wrist with it..."

"Dexter? Really? Because that guy didn't come off as–."

"You don't know him," I replied harshly, interrupting him. "Sorry, Ryan, but... you just don't know Dexter like I do. And while he's an incredible guy, he gets a little defensive and has this edge to him. He's great when he likes you, but when he doesn't, well... don't piss him off or hurt the ones he care about."

"Well, maybe I don't, but you still don't need to go up to Charlotte tonight. Call him. Talk to him. And then come out tonight to meet Karen and Deb with your dad and me."

I sighed, shaking my head, looking out over the river, "I..." the idea sounded perfect. Or as perfect as perfect could really be. But it just didn't seem like it could be that easy. And I was wondering if something happened with Dexter leaving like he had.

I pulled out my phone, dialing Dexter's number, stored in my internal memory of my brain. I had dialed it a million times before, "hello?" Dexter picked up on the first ring.

"What are you doing?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

"Driving home," Dexter responded.

"Why?"

"Why not?" he came back, laughing, "I told you I was only staying a night and that is what I did. I'm on my way home. Plus, my parents have been calling like crazy. They're pissed. But oh well. Anyways, I really wish I could've told you bye, but Ryan looked as if he had it, so I decided to just let him handle it. He needs to get used to it if he's going to be staying awhile."

"Dex, you're my best friend. Why didn't you come to see me before you left?"

"I'm sorry, Hales."

I sighed, looking over at Ryan, "it's okay. It's just... are you sure that you're okay?"

"Of course," he laughed, "I've never been okay-er."

"Dexter, please don't be funny. I can't take that right now. I just want you to know... I just... I really love you. So much. And anytime you wanna see me, just come down. Seriously. You should really live down here with me. That would be so awesome. That would be rad!"

Dexter laughed, "if it weren't out in the middle of nowhere, I would consider that. But I think I'm too much into the whole partying thing to actually move down there and live down there."

"I know," I laughed.

"Listen, stay cool, Hales, and have fun. And just be happy more than anything. Because you deserve it. Really."

"Thanks, Dex."

"Anytime, Hales."

I hung up the phone, turning around to face Ryan, "you were right," I nodded. "I just... it seemed a little weird."

"So you good?"

I nodded, smiling, "yeah... I guess so. Well... did you just really ask me that?"

he shook his head, sliding his arm around my shoulders, "no, not really. It was more just a question that didn't need answering than a question that needed answering. An understood question. You know what I mean...?"

"Sure. I guess," I shrugged, "I'm gonna go ahead and go back to the house and take a shower and get ready."

"I think I'm gonna hang around here a few more minutes with these kids. I'll be there in a little while. Unless... you want me to go with you now."

I shook my head, "as much as I really do, no. because the reason I want you to come home with me right now is definitely not reason enough for you to give up hanging out with your friends. Okay... well... maybe it is. But, no, I'm fine. Stay. Have fun."

"So... what is this?" he asked after a few awkward seconds.

"Um... bye," I laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll see you... when I see you."

"Ditto," he winked, bending down and giving me a slow, deep kiss on the lips.

I drew back, a little less dizzy than all the other times. Without responding, I turned around, climbing into the car, and leaving.