The next day Hanna woke up and felt the space next to her empty. She sat up and looked around to see that he was out on the patio chairs by the hot tub.
She got out of bed and walked outside to him. She sat down by him and saw his laptop open, on the Facebook friend requests.
A few people from rosewood high had added him but she knew he didn't really care about those people. She knew this was about his mom.
"Hey how come you're out here by yourself?" She asked softly scooting closer to him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder pulling her frame closer.
"I just wanted to think about this. About her." He said quietly looking out into the view of California.
"Have you looked at the messages? Or her account?" Hanna asked wrapping her arms to hold him in her embrace.
"No I-i don't know, I'm scared. It's just seems so bizarre to me. I spent my whole life looking for her and I thought I would never actually find her. Like it a far fetched dream that wouldn't be accomplished." He admitted.
Hanna looked up to see his eyes starting to water.
"Do you want me to be here with you Caleb? I can do it with you." Hanna offered holding him tightly giving him assurance.
Caleb nodded and Hanna sat up. "Do you want me to do it." She said gesturing to her moving the curser to click on the profile.
Caleb once again nodded and she pulled the laptop over.
She clicked the profile to see a picture of a woman that had long brown hair, she was slim and had brown eyes that Hanna adored. All cause of Caleb.
"She looks just like you." Hanna said looking at him. He however didn't say anything and his face became unreadable.
She scrolled down his profile and
Caleb kept his composure till he seen a picture of her with a man hugging. Then In front of them were two kids.
They were about 7-10 years old and they were hugging his moms leg.
The caption said. "Won the mother and son tennis competition! I'm so proud of my sons!"
Caleb then lost his composure.
Hanna felt him move away from her and she looked to see his forehead in the palm of his hands. He was shaking so she could tell he was crying.
"Caleb..." she said rubbing his back apologetically.
"How could she just dump me in foster care like I was nothing to her but kept her other sons. Why were they so much more important than I was? How come I had to go through hell at only 6 years old and they're here happy as can be in a fucking country club." He exclaimed frustrated.
Hanna felt her eyes water but she knew she had to be strong for him.
"She literally has this rich life and here I am poor, no house jumping in foster home to foster home. I literally was sleeping on bus benches and living in my schools vent!"
"Caleb i-" before Hanna could finished he stood up and walked off. Hanna debated if she should follow him before standing up and following him in. She saw him sitting on the bed and angrily wiping the tears from his face.
She wordlessly sat by him and hugged him. Caleb silently started to cry and she spoke soothing things till he stopped.
"If you want we can take a break and step away from it for awhile. okay?" Hanna asked not knowing if Caleb wanted to see more.
"I just wanna get it over with. I don't want to keep thinking about it." He said before walking outside with Hanna by his side.
Both of them sat down and Caleb took a deep breath and nodded to Hanna. Hanna went to Claudia's messages clicked on it for Caleb to see before looking away. She didn't know if he was comfortable with her reading it or if he wanted to read it first.
Caleb noticed and muttered out how she could read it too.
Claudia: hi. I'm not sure if you remember me Caleb but I'm your biological mother. I've been trying to get a hold of you and find you for a long time. I've hired multiple private investigators to look for you but I couldn't find you and kept going to dead ends. You had no social medias I could find over the years but I try to search monthly for your name just incase you made one and I found you. I'm so sorry it took this long for me to find you Caleb. I have so many things I want to tell you and explain to you.
Claudia: if you want to speak to me please message me back or call my number. Or maybe come visit me? If you don't want to talk to me I understand completely and I'm really sorry. I love you.
Caleb was silent and Hanna rubbed his back. "How do you feel after reading that?" She asked after a while of them sitting in silence.
Caleb shrugged. "Numb I guess. I have so many questions and yet I can't help but have that small feeling that's happy that my mom gave a damn about me."
Hanna was happy he wasn't crying anymore. It made her heart break when he did, how ever he was silent and it kind of scared her.
"It's normal to feel that way. She's in California. This can be your chance to get all those questions answered." Hanna said softly.
Caleb just shrugged. "let me just think about it." He said before closing his laptop.
Hanna nodded and they sat out there in silence.
——————————————————————
The next day
"Do you guys want to go to a party? We have less than a week left here and we haven't been to a single party yet." Toby said to the whole table.
Maya made everyone breakfast and they all sat at the table enjoying each other's company and talking.
"You are right. I know a girl named Bridgette woo. She's out here for break too. I'll ask her about something." Maya said grabbing her phone. They all nodded knowing the alcohol crazed party girl.
"Sounds good." Ezra said eating his bagel.
"Then tomorrow or maybe the day after cause who knows how much Hanna will drink." Aria joked and Hanna shot her the middle finger in reply.
"But we should go to the Santa Monica pier." Aria finished.
"I'm down. I want to get some souvenirs anyway," Spencer remarked.
"I would love to go to the beach again." Maya said with a small smile before looking at Emily with her smile widening.
"And we can go semi man hunting for Hanna." Spencer smirked tauntingly.
Hanna rolled her eyes. "The last thing I need is to get a new boyfriend."
especially when the boyfriend I have now is good. Not even good amazing.
"Oh come on. You can use someone." Aria said walking over to grab Hanna's hand and hold it.
Hanna rolled her eyes.
"It's okay guys. We should just wait. We should use this time to focus on our dates anyway." Emily chimed to help out Hanna. The others reluctantly agreed.
Caleb joined them at table after using the bathroom. Taking the empty seat by Hanna he sat there eating his breakfast. It was hard for Hanna to hold in her smile when she felt him hold her hand under the table.
—————————————————————————
As maya said, her friend invited them to the party later on that evening. It was a beach house party.
Hanna dressed up in a tight v black neck backless shirt and a tight skirt to match. It was a lilac purple and that color made her skin pop.
Spencer wore a tight green dress. That showed off her curves and long legs.
Aria wore a black bikini like top that had strings that crisscrossed on her stomach. Then she had a black mini shirt with fishnet boots. She had a red half jacket with it.
Emily and maya didn't really dress up. They wore jeans, regular shirt and converse. Only thing maya did differently was straighten her hair.
Walking in they all had a good time laughing and drinking.
Toby spotted a girl at the bar and noticed the waitress from that day. He nudged his girlfriend and pulled her away. The others assumed they were gonna make out and continued their conversation.
"It's that girl from the restaurant. We should try to hook her up with Caleb. I know it'll work if we get them alone together." Toby said to Spencer.
"I don't know... Caleb said he was into someone at home." Spencer said hesitantly. She didn't feel comfortable meddling in his love life.
"He doesn't have anyone at home. He would've told me. Plus even if he was crushing on someone, he's still single." Toby shrugged.
Spencer looked at him unconvinced.
"Trust me. He'll thank me. Us." Toby said reassuringly.
Spencer sighed and gave in. "Fine."
Toby smiled and held her hand before leading Spencer to Ariana.
"Hey, um Ariana right?" Toby approached their previous waitress.
She turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Yes who are you?" Ariana said before drinking out of the glass out of her hand, eyeing them both.
"Hey you was our waitress a few days ago you gave a friend of ours your number?" Spencer asked politely.
"Yeah his name was Caleb ?" Toby chimed in so she would remember.
Ariana's questioning face went to a frown. "What about him"
"Well he said he wanted to dance with you." Toby lied.
Spencer gave him a shocked look.
"Really? I find that hard to believe." Was all she said before turning around to walk away.
Taken off guard by her sudden attitude change.
"Wait wait. Why do you say that?" Spencer asked confused with her eyes furrowed.
"Yeah he's into you." Toby tried to lie. Spencer this time just rolled her eyes.
Ariana turned around and gave him a flat look. "He's dating that sharpay wannabe."
Spencer glared at her knowing she was talking about one of her best friends . " first watch it. Second what do you mean?"
She just rolled her eyes at Spencer's first comment and replied. "I saw them both at the nightclub. I tried to make a move on Caleb, but she got all mad and started insulting me and he joined in. After I walked away they were both dancing. And by dancing I mean grinding. Plus they were making out. Not only that he called her his girlfriend." Ariana explained bitterly.
"That had to be a mistake they're both single?" Spencer said in shock. Hanna wouldnt lie or keep secrets from her would she?
"Yeah Caleb and Hanna are barely friends." Toby said confused.
"I can see why you two are dating." Ariana said gesturing to Toby and spencer. The couple looked at each other confused
"You guys are fucking idiots." She said to Spencer and Toby before walking off. leaving Spencer and Toby shocked, slightly annoyed and confused.
—————————————————————————
Hanna sat between Emily and Caleb at the bar as her friends talked.
"So do you think that in college we'll take trips like this?" Emily laughed.
"Yes. We'll all need a break." Hanna said knowingly.
Emily notice spencer and Toby returning back to join them. "Hey love birds. Were you making out in the bathroom?"
Spencer gave her a flat look and Toby just smirked which made everyone laugh.
"As soon as we get back I feel like we're gonna miss this place. I know I am." Aria said drinking her vodka soda.
The rest of the night went really well for everyone. However Hanna noticed Spencer was staring at her a lot. She didn't say anything though.
It was almost hard for her to get any time with Caleb cause it seemed like her friends were everywhere and that Spencer was watching her like a hawk.
Fortunately she and Caleb got some time out in the beach. It wasn't very long but it was something.
Hanna stepped away from her friends and walked outside to get some time alone. Spencer was going to follow only for Emily and aria to distract her with a drinking game.
Hanna walked out to the beach and sat on the beach chairs and watched the ocean. She thought how things were going to be at the house when they got back. They got closer and things were way different than how things were before the trip.
She found herself daydreaming. Imagining Caleb as her boyfriend but in public too. Walking with him in the halls of her school and kissing him, going to school dances with him. Not lying to their friends about where they stood.
She briefly wondered if he'd change if they were public. Would he be romantic? Would he be protective? She smiled regardless. Hanna was scared at how good this was going but she loved every second of them together.
"Hey beautiful." A voice said making snap out her daydreams. She turned around to see Caleb smiling at her before sitting down next to her.
"Did anyone see you?" She said referring to Spencer.
Caleb shook his head. "No she's playing some drinking game." Hanna smiled before looking back into the ocean.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked curiously.
"What would life be like if I was a seahorse." She answered honestly.
Caleb chuckled and held her hand.
After a moment of silence Hanna spoke. "What are you thinking about?"
"This might seem weird but I'm thinking about us in a past life or a alternate universe. If we'd be together." He said.
Hanna thought for a moment. "I think we would. In both actually. In a alternate universe our life is probably a lot more exciting though."
Caleb furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "I don't know. Our secret and keeping up with it is pretty exciting." He said after a moment.
Hanna smiled. "Yeah but like I'm talking stalkers, killers hell maybe even mystery solving. Kinda like Scooby doo."
Caleb laughed before standing up to stretch. "Maybe. I know we'd make it together."
Hanna stood up and Caleb pulled her close. "I do too." She told him looking into his eyes getting lost in them. He smiled before brushing her hair out her face and leaned in to kiss her.
Hanna felt butterflies as she kissed him. It got more and more passionate as their lips moved against each other and their tongues touched.
"What the fuck!" Someone screamed behind them. Their moment shattered as they both jumped in fear that their friends saw them.
A random girl was looking at a guy who had a mask who scared her. She laughed and began chasing him.
Hanna rolled her eyes.
"We should get back before any of them look for us." Caleb said before kissing her forehead.
Hanna went on her tip toes and kissed his nose before agreeing.
Later on they were back in their place. Aria was drunk out of her mind and Ezra was carrying her to their bedroom.
Emily and maya were both laughing and drunkenly stumbling to their room.
Spencer was tipsy but not drunk and Toby was full on drunk. Caleb wasn't drunk or tipsy, he wanted to make sure she was okay. Hanna however was also drunk out of her mind.
When everyone was in their rooms, Caleb led Hanna to their room to help her make it to her room without stumbling or falling.
When the door was closed Caleb went to the bathroom. When he finished using the bathroom he looked in the mirror. Even though he had fun tonight he couldn't help but think of his mom. They were leaving in a few days. He wanted to see her and ask all those questions he's been having in his head for years.
Another thing is he wanted to show Hanna a better time. A redo of their first date. Caleb then had a good idea. He'd surprise her tomorrow. Emily could help him out with the surprise. He'd text her when Hanna was sleep.
Caleb then heard some rustling in the room and quickly washed his hands and dried them. Stepping out the bathroom he looked at the bed and stopped dead in his tracks.
Hanna was laying in her underwear in the bed. She had on pink boy shorts with a matching bra.
"Hi Caleb." She slurred. Caleb gulped before looking away. He's never seen her in her underwear when she was sober. So he highly doubted she wanted him to see while she was drunk.
"Hanna put your pajamas on." He said walking to her clothing to find her something to wear.
"No. I wanna keep this on. It's hot." She slurs before laughing.
Caleb made sure to find shorts and a spaghetti strap shirt for her to wear since she was hot.
When Caleb turned around he seen her reaching behind her back to unhook her bra.
Caleb's eyes bulged as he realized what she was doing. "Stop!" He exclaimed. Hanna stopped and looked up confused.
"What? Don't you want to see? I want you to see." She smiled before reaching back.
"Stop. Hanna." He said jogging to Hanna and handed her the shirt.
He noticed Hanna's rejected face as she heard his answer.
He sighed. "Hanna.Of course I want to see it. But right now you're drunk. And I can't take advantage of you. I care for you too much for that." Caleb explained.
Hanna put on the clothes still pouting.
He got in the bed and laid next to her. "Here let's cuddle." He offered.
Hanna smiled and cuddled against him.
It was quiet for a moment before Hanna started to hum a song.
Caleb smiled and pulled her close before turning off the light.
Meanwhile Spencer was sitting with Toby watching a police show.
"Spence he totally tried to deny the evidence." Toby said incredulously. After a moment he didn't hear anything so he turned and saw Spencer zoned out.
"Spencer?"
Spencer snapped up and looked at Toby. "Huh?"
Toby chuckled before pausing the show. Spencer frowned. "Why did you do that?we can keep watching it."
"Not until we talk about whatever is eating you alive." Toby said focusing on her.
She mentally cursed herself for being so readable before sighing.
"You don't think Hanna and Caleb are lying to us do you? They barely even talked before this trip. it just doesn't make sense." Spencer explained.
Toby shrugged. "Is that a bad thing if they're together?"
"Of course not. It's just the lying. Hanna and all of us promised after Alison left we wouldn't keep secrets from each other." Spencer informed him.
"Is it cause Alison always said 'secrets makes us close or something?" Toby asked.
"Yeah. Secrets do more harm than good. Apparently Emily and Hanna don't care. Emily literally kept a secret about her girlfriend and her being gay. Being gay I can understand but it's just. We won't judge and it hurts cause it felt like she doesn't trust me and aria. But now Hanna's keeping secrets-"
"You don't know that. There might be a, well slim chance that there is a perfectly valid reason for what they were doing." Toby tried to calm down his girlfriends ranting before holding her hand.
Spencer sighed. "I highly doubt it."
"Just talk to her tomorrow. Maybe she'll come clean or open up to you." Toby said squeezing her hand reassuringly.
"You're right. I'll talk to her tomorrow. One more thing. Do you think Caleb would lie to you or keep secrets?"
"Yes. Not on a alison level. On a we've known eachother for only a couple months and he has a troubled past kind of level." Toby explained.
Spencer frowned but nodded understandingly.
"So let's get back to that show." Spencer said before grabbing the remote.
—————————————————————————
"Ugh I hate my life. Why did I drink so much." Hanna groaned in Caleb's arms the next morning. She woke up with a massive headache. She was thanking her lucky stars she wasn't feeling like she needed to vomit. Instead it felt like someone was slamming boulders on the top of her cranium.
"Your exact words was 'I'm in cali it's drink up or shut up." Caleb quoted with a smirk.
Hanna gave him a flat look. "It was a rhetorical question."
Caleb chuckled and reached over to the nightstand to grab a bottle of water and a ibuprofen tablet. "I figured that you'd need this earlier." He said before giving it to her.
She sat up and gratefully took the things from him while muttering thank you.
"So uh I've been thinking..." he started off trying to word out what he was thinking.
Hanna's eyes widened as she thought about him having second thoughts on their relationship because of what she did last night.
Caleb saw her face and realized what his sentence was probably making her think.
Just before she could frantically apologize for whatever she did while she was drunk, he reassured her it wasn't about that.
"It's about my mom. I want to go see her before we leave. I was thinking about going to see her today." Caleb said to her. Hanna looked at him and studied his face. She could tell he was nervous.
"Do you want me to go with you?" She asked him grabbing his hand for support.
Caleb shook his head. "I need to do this alone. But I'll tell you everything when I get back."
Hanna nodded, understanding his need to be alone. "So when are you leaving?"
"I texted her number and told her I'll be stopping by today in a few hours." Caleb informed her.
"Okay. If you need anything while you're there, just text me. I won't be doing nothing but hating my life." Hanna said laying back in her bed making Caleb chuckle.
He couldn't help but inwardly smirk. She wouldn't hate it when he'd surprise her later.
"I'm gonna go take a shower." Caleb said before putting a kiss on her forehead.
"Okay." Hanna said softly as she heard his retreating footsteps. She put her hand on her forehead to stop the harsh pounding that was going on in her head.
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A/N: birthday post! I'm officially 19. Isn't that cool? There's like a few more chapter I have written already just editing them. You might get them today or in a few days. Tell me what you think.
And did you guys see Lucy and Sasha hang out this thanksgiving? I was so happy.
I hope you guys are doing well and hope you had a good and safe holiday.
