Don't forget to review lovelies. Tell me how much you like it, love it, hate it . . . just let me know. :) By the way Ravenswood never happened and Alison didn't go "missing" she went to live with her grandmother those two years she was gone. Yes she lied about it and never told her friends but the truth came out eventually.
Parque was crowded as usual. For the past few years, anytime the girls visited Hanna this is the club they came. The music, the people, the fast pace and the lights screamed New York. Hanna will miss it but not as much as she would have four years ago. Plus when her clients have special events she knew she would be back. Hanna watches Spencer and Emily dance while she crosses her legs and sips her cosmopolitan. Hanna loved pink drinks. As long as it was pink she drank it. Maybe it was due to Hanna trying to prove one of Emily's girlfriends was cheating on her which led her to a gay bar. A gay bar where a chick bought Hanna a pink drink of course, before Hanna could enjoy it, that pink drink ended up on her t-shirt. Jealous girlfriends are a lot worse than jealous boyfriends. Or so Hanna believes. But she did have a soft spot for Cosmos.
Aria sits in front of Hanna talking to a cutie who Hanna believes said his name is Liam. Poor Liam might have actually had a chance a year ago but right now Aria was stuck between two men. Ezra the girls' old English teacher who is now a famous writer. That didn't go over well with Aria's parental faction when they found out their daughter was screwing her own English teacher on a regular since junior year. The second man is Jason, Alison's older now sober and hot older brother. Aria used to have a thing for Jason when they were younger and obviously Jason used to have a thing for Aria. Have they had sex? Duh and if Hanna remembered correctly Aria did say he knows what he's doing bedroom wise since she reached climax quickly every time. Ezra . . . Ezra has Aria's heart and is also really good in the bedroom department. I guess the whole older and experienced thing even though Ezra is just six years older than the girls.
Hanna watches Spencer as she tries to reel her in. Emily starts dancing with a random girl who looks to be Em's type, Hanna thinks to herself. Ballsy and dominating but in a good way. Hanna finishes her drink and dances her way to Spencer who she dances with when she reaches her. Hanna has moves, as does Spencer and soon enough they grab the attention of the opposite sex. Guy after guy initiates contact with Hanna and guy after guy Hanna turns down. Spencer does the same. Frankly, Spencer is practically engaged to her long term boyfriend Tobias. Everyone calls Tobias Toby. That is everybody but Hanna. Miraculously Toby accepts her and only her calling him Tobias. Just the same Hanna was pretty sure Tobias was going to pop the question soon.
"Spence I'll be right back. Stay out of trouble" Hanna says after her arm wraps around Spencer's neck bringing Spencer's ear close enough to her lips so she can hear her. Spencer nods and they shift so Spencer can do the same to Hanna.
"Ok, but meet me at the table. I'm tired of dancing. Another thing you are far too sober Han so I'll make sure I get you another Cosmo." Spencer yells. Hanna winks at her as she walks in the direction of the bathroom. Hanna wonders why there is always a line to go to the bathroom but she deals with it, handles her business and then walks to the table. Hanna can tell Liam is no longer around but she doesn't know if this is a permanent decision or if Aria sent him to get drinks. Hanna sits beside Emily and looks at Aria.
"Where's lover boy?" Hanna says as she takes her drink from Spencer. Aria rolls her eyes making Spencer and Emily laugh.
"Told you. That's three against one Aria. The guy was interested." Emily says.
"Interested? He was like a puppy waiting for his owner to love on him." Spencer says as she drinks another glass of wine.
"He was adorable . . . but I have too much on my plate right now like work." Aria says as she sips her cranberry and vodka. Hanna smirks and rests her chin on the palm of her hand as her elbow rests on the table.
"Speaking of work how are Ezra and Jason?" Hanna asks. Aria flicks her off while Spencer and Emily laughs. Spencer's phone vibrates on the table. Spencer looks at it.
"I'll be back ladies." Spencer says as she gets up. Emily gets distracted by the ballsy girl she danced with earlier while Aria talks to Hanna.
"Han . . . are you even listening to me?" Aria asks amused. Hanna looks at her startled and confused.
"What?" Hanna says. Aria laughs.
"Land your plane Han and stay landed. Let me go get our drinks." Hanna looks at Aria in utter confusion before her mind wanders again as she looks at her left hand. It was weird not seeing her ring and at the same time it wasn't.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Hanna looks at the tall handsome man with an accent. Strong square jaw, light brown hair, tall and a nice physique. Not bad, Hanna thought.
"My mom always told me to never talk to strangers." Hanna says. He laughs.
"Your mother is a brilliant woman. My name is Jordan . . . Jordan Harris." Hanna takes his hand and they shake.
"Hanna Marin, Jordan Harris . . . what brings you to New York and your accent is dreamy." Jordan laughs again which makes Hanna smile.
"I'm on a business trip and decided to take a load off before I return to Los Angeles. What about you beautiful?"
"Wow . . . that was fast . . . a term of endearment already." Jordan laughs again while Hanna smiles. "I'm celebrating my last night in the city." Hanna says. Jordan sits beside her taking what was Emily's seat.
"Oh and why is that?" Jordan asks.
"A better opportunity, more clients, my own fashion boutique, being closer to friends and frankly it was time." Hanna says. Jordan nods.
"Time for what?" Hanna's eyes widen as she looks up at the voice she would know anywhere.
"Caleb?" Hanna says breathlessly. So many questions run through her mind as their eye contact holds. What are you doing here? Where have you been? What have you been up to? Why does your smile and voice have a direct line to my vagina? Hanna's questions stay locked as Caleb smirks.
"Hanna . . . it's been a while." Caleb says. A while implies a year maybe two not five, Hanna thinks as she looks at him. She can't help but to stare. He hasn't changed even though he looks like he has gotten more handsome. His dark brown hair is still slightly in his face. His chocolate eyes are still smoldering. His facial hair still makes him attractively rugged. His wide shoulders are still muscular and he was still very fit under that button down. Caleb screamed sexy bad boy. Hanna's heart beat quickened.
"Yea . . . it has . . . what are you doing here?" Hanna asks almost forgetting about the man beside her. Key word being almost. His delectable cologne made him hard to forget.
"End of a long business meeting. I called Spence since I knew she was in town and she invited me to come." Caleb says his hand resting on Spencer's lower back. Spencer looks at Hanna almost as though she is waiting for a reaction but there were too many things to react to for Hanna. Hanna watched their contact. Hanna watched their body language and she was hoping beyond hope that her mind was playing tricks on her because if it wasn't . . . that would mean . . .
"I see . . . Good seeing you Caleb." Hanna says their eye contact holding.
"Good seeing you too Hanna. Spence you coming?" Caleb says his eyes finally moving from Hanna's and looking at Spencer. Spencer grabs Caleb's hand.
"Yea . . . Han I'll be right back. I need to meet some prospective clients." Spencer and Caleb walk away and for a while Hanna is quiet. She watches them until they're out of her eye sight. She is not sure when it happened but Hanna was positive that Spencer and Caleb slept together. Caleb used to do the same thing to her. He rubbed the top of Spencer's hand with his thumb plus it was in their body language. Like they've known each other intimately. Then the guilt on Spencer's face. When did it happen? Was it recent? Was it in the five years he wasn't with Hanna? Was it when Caleb went to Spain for vacation, a vacation she couldn't go on because of Sybil? Hanna knew Caleb and Spencer met up and spent some time together. Caleb was slightly awkward with Hanna after but after a few days he was back to normal. Hanna had to go. She couldn't be here anymore. Her mind was telling her too many things at once and right now her heart hurt. Hanna felt betrayed and definitely by more than one person.
"Sorry Jordan . . . but I need to leave." Hanna says as she gets up putting on her blazer. Aria returns with their drinks.
"Honestly Han I don't know how you drink that. It's too sweet." Aria says handing Hanna her drink. "Han are you ok?" Hanna looks at Aria. If anyone knew when it happened its Aria.
"Tell me you didn't know Aria . . . tell me my mind was just playing tricks on me." Hanna says looking at Aria. Emily returns and stands by the table.
"What are you talking . . ." Aria says before getting interrupted by Emily.
"What's going on?" Emily says. Hanna looks at Emily.
"Did you know?"
"Know what." Aria and Emily ask.
"About Caleb and Spencer" Aria's lips move into a tight line as does Emily's. Hanna knows betrayal when she sees it.
"Nice . . ." Hanna says as she downs her drink.
"Hanna . . . just calm down and talk to Spence." Aria says pleadingly as she touches Hanna's arm. Hanna shrugs her off.
"NO! I need to leave . . . I need to go home." Hanna says. Jordan gets up and watches Hanna walk past him. Jordan grabs her wrist.
"I'll escort you Hanna . . . you shouldn't be by yourself right now." Jordan says. Hanna walks to the front and turns in her ticket to get her coat. She hears Spencer calling her name but she ignores her, grabbing her coat and walking out with Jordan. Jordan hails for a taxi and immediately one appears. Jordan opens the door for Hanna and watches her get in.
"Be safe Hanna." Hanna looks into his hazel eyes. Maybe he can get her mind off of the betrayal.
"Do you want to get some coffee?" Hanna asks.
"Are you sure?" Hanna rolls her eyes but a smile appears nonetheless.
"Jordan . . . its coffee not an invitation into my underwear." Hanna says. Jordan laughs as he enters the taxi beside Hanna. Hanna gives the cabbie an address and the taxi leaves just as Spencer looks up the street and pulls at the hair on the top of her head releasing the loose top knot.
"Where did she go?" Emily asks as she and Aria join Spencer outside.
"I don't know. She left with that guy she was talking to. Fuck!" Spencer says.
"She wouldn't do anything stupid would she?" Emily asks as thirty yellow cabs drive up the street. Too late to differentiate which one Hanna is in.
"When I found out that Ezra was using our relationship to write a book I left and slept with a random guy, who was thinking about going to Hollis, for three days. The sex was great but that's what I did to stop hurting after I thought about telling the principle we were screwing. So to answer your question Em yes . . . she probably would do something stupid." Aria says as her arms cross in front of her chest. Aria looks at Spencer with eyes narrowed.
"You promised Spence. You said you would tell her about you and Caleb being a semi couple for weeks. Why didn't you?" Aria says.
"I never got around to it." Spencer says now back peddling.
"Since when does Spencer Hastings back pedal. You and Caleb practically dated for two months Aria is just being nice by saying weeks. Regardless Spence you guys had a relationship after they were broken up. It happened, both of you got the curiosity out of your systems, Caleb stayed in D.C while you left. If you would have told her she would have forgiven you." Emily says as she tries hailing a taxi. Where's Hanna when you need her, Emily thinks as she tries again.
"I didn't want to lose her! She's one of my best friends and I didn't want to tell her that I slept with Caleb let alone dated him, wearing the outfits she picked out for me for court almost every day." Spencer says as she tries to get the attention of a Taxi with Emily. Also like Emily she wished Hanna was here. It was always easy for Hanna to hail a taxi.
"What are you guys doing? Where's Hanna?" Caleb asks looking around for her. He hasn't seen her since that night five years and Caleb didn't realize it, until now, that Hanna still has him. He thought he was over her especially when he dated Spencer for that short time.
"She left Caleb" Aria sighs as she looks at him. Caleb pulls the collar up on his pea coat as he puts on his gloves. Hanna would never leave them then again maybe he didn't know her anymore, Caleb thought.
"Hanna . . . Hanna left you guys? That's out of fucking character."
"So is sleeping with her best friend Caleb. What did you think she would do when she found out?" Emily says slightly annoyed at one of her close guy friends. Emily was closer to Toby. Frankly Emily to Toby was how Spencer and Caleb were in high school. Emily thought to herself. Obviously things change when you are no longer in high school.
"What are you . . . Spence . . . tell me you told her about us." Caleb says as he looks at Spencer. No answer was an answer. "Fuck! I'll text you places she might be . . . if she isn't there then wait for her at her place." Caleb says. Caleb hails a taxi and immediately it comes.
"How the fuck did you do that! Do you know how many taxis passed us and we actually have boobs?" Aria says. Caleb smirks as he opens the door for them. He watches them file in before he closes the door and immediately texts Spencer the different places Hanna goes when she's stressed. One thing Caleb loved about Hanna was that she was a creature of habit. She still seemed to be even now. Caleb watches the taxi drive off and is immediately transported five years ago.
"Damn it Caleb just talk to me! Tell me what you want me to do!" Hanna says as she grabs his arm. Caleb shrugs her off and keeps his back to her, He can't look at her. He knew the moment his brown eyes looked into her blue ones he would forget everything he hated about her job and this life and just focus on her. He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't and wouldn't be second to her job. A job that he knew Hanna didn't deserve. She deserved so much more than the bullshit that bitch put her through. Hanna knew it was only for a time. She only wanted and needed the experience but Caleb would never see it that way.
"I want you to quite your job. I want you to be able to speak up for yourself and not let those people walk all over you. I want you to grow the fuck up Han!" Caleb says. She needed to grow up. Maybe it was his fault. He always protected her except now and not being able to protect her from horrible people was driving him insane. He worked his ass off for her, for them, and right now all he wanted was to be with her, alone. Not at another fucking party that Hanna had to host for her boss.
"I can't quit my job Caleb, not right now and last time I checked this job helps us pay our bills." Hanna says. Now Caleb is pissed. He turns and looks at her. He hated when Hanna implied that he couldn't afford her lifestyle or their apartment like he didn't pay her way through school.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean Hanna." Caleb says angrily. Hanna rolls her eyes.
"It means nothing Caleb I just can't quit my job right now. Why can't you understand that? It is only for another year."
"Hanna do you love me?" Caleb asks her.
"You know I do Caleb." Hanna says.
"Then choose. Me or them." Caleb says pointing to the music coming from the club Hanna's boss rented out.
"That's not fair Caleb"
"It's a lot fairer then me feeling like I'm nothing to you while you go to party after party and event after event three days out of the week. Or coming home so late that we can't be together. I'm tired Hanna. I'm tired of being second when I always put you first. So choose . . . me or them." Caleb says. He knew he wasn't being fair. He didn't care. He missed how they used to be. How real and raw their relationship was. Everything about them seemed to always be in sync and the love they had for each other no one was able to match. Now it seemed like a pretense. They didn't even have sex and moving from having sex almost every day when he was actually in Rosewood to going weeks without having any . . . No . . . Caleb had enough.
"You can't ask me to choose Caleb." Hanna says wiping her face as the tears fell. Caleb's jaw clenched before he snickered and signaled for a cab.
"That response was your decision Han." Hanna grabs Caleb's arm and turns him so he could look at her as the cab pulled up.
"Caleb . . . are you . . . are you breaking up with me." Hanna asks. Caleb's hands rest on Hanna's jaw as his lips touch hers in a searing kiss. He moved his lips from hers.
"I'm setting you free Hanna. I'm letting you live your life without having your hacker boyfriend from high school hold you back." Caleb says. Hanna watches Caleb get into the cab.
"You're more to me than just my hacker boyfriend from high school Caleb. I love you." Hanna says as more tears fall down her face. Caleb couldn't tell her. If he did he would back out. He wouldn't follow through. Maybe this is what he needed. Maybe he needed to find himself again. Be Caleb Rivers, the hacker wiz who works for major companies not the pretend socialite to a girlfriend that he no longer fit with. He wasn't a part of Hanna's scene anymore. Finally he accepted that.
"Don't worry about the apartment Hanna. It's taken care of for the next year. If you need any help with rent. Call me."
"Caleb . . . tell me you love me . . . tell me that I will see you later when I get to the apartment." Hanna says. More tears well up in those beautiful blue eyes and they fell as Caleb watched them fall.
"HANNA! I NEED YOU!" Sybil calls out the door as she looks at her assistant.
"I'll be right there" Hanna says.
"Hanna! Now!" Sybil says waiting impatiently.
"Would hate for you to keep her waiting Hanna." Caleb closes the door and the taxi drives off. He looks back and sees Hanna holding herself practically in the middle of the street. He loved her. More than anything in the world he loved her. But he couldn't tell her or he would never let go. Maybe it's time I take a few weeks off and go see my mom Caleb thinks as he tells the driver he and Hanna's address. He will miss her. God will he miss her but this time, this decision is his. His totally selfish decision.
Caleb thought Spencer would have told Hanna about them. Caleb told Toby letting him know after they had sex that first time. Toby, being with another girl, accepted it but Caleb would be an asshole to think Toby was ok with him and Spencer dating. After a while Spencer and Caleb broke up and before Spencer and Toby got back together Toby and Caleb fought. Toby got in great fucking hits and as quickly as it started it stopped. Toby told him the reason why he fought him telling him that it was the whole principle of the situation. Toby told Caleb he should have never gone there. He should have found someone else to be with after Hanna, not Spencer. Then Toby made a joke about being able to sleep with Hanna now that Caleb and Spencer had sex. Caleb seriously thought about breaking his fucking neck and then Caleb realized where he fucked up. Consenting adults meant nothing when you hurt the people close to you which is why Spencer chickened out and never told Hanna. She didn't want to be the cause of hurting her. Caleb's phone vibrates against his chest. He takes it out and looks at the name on the screen, a second longer than he should have, before he answers.
"Hey babe"
"Hey baby, when are you coming back? We still have a lot to pack before we move next weekend."
"I know M. I'll be on a flight in a couple of hours. I'll call you when I get to the airport."
"Alright, I love you Caleb and I'll see you soon."
"Love you too M" They hang up and for too many times to count tonight Caleb realized he wasn't over Hanna.