A/N: Songs used in this chapter in order of appearance:
Snuff – Slipknot
You, My Love – Tyler Hilton
The Lonlieness Is Better Near Now – Bethany Joy Galeotti
Idler's Dream - Oasis

Ravens23

Haley looked at Nathan and stood. She offered him her hand and he grabbed it. He got up off of the floor and Haley hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and took in the scent of her hair, vanilla. She then released him.

"Thank you Nathan."

He smirked and put his hand in his pocket. He whipped out a small purple flower that he had picked from their walk along the shoreline of the lake from days prior. He grabbed her hand and placed it in her palm.

"It's not a problem."

He looked at the flower. Here it goes.

"Don't say I never gave you anything."

Haley looked at Nathan, a look of shock on her face. Nathan looked nervous.

"What did you say?"

Nathan lowered his eyes to the ground. His breaths became deeper by the minute and it didn't help that he could feel Haley's eyes boring into his soul. He raised his eyes to be met with Haley's. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to restate his proclamation.

"D-don't…say I never gave you anything."

Nathan threw his eyes back down to the floor and kept himself from falling off of his feet by putting one hand on the balcony. He looked down at the view before him, trying not to make eye contact with Haley. He felt two hands pull his face to look in their direction, but was surprised when such hands led his lips to hers. Was she kissing him? Nathan wrapped his arms around Haley's waist and pulled her close to him. To say that he was surprised was an understatement. He thought that there would be yelling and perhaps the few words that might kill him. Haley abruptly broke their connection, shock written all over her face as she brought her fingers to her lips.

"Oh my God…"

"Haley-"

"I have to go."

Her voice cracked and Nathan rubbed his eyes. She turned to leave, but he caught her arm.

"Haley-"

"Nathan, don't please…"

"But-"

"No…"

She sighed. Nathan didn't know what to say or what to do. In his letters, behind a mask, he could say whatever he wanted; he had said what he wanted. But right now, the mask was off and the only source of communication was silence. And it wasn't comforting for him as it usually was. No, this silence was one that once it broke, determined his fate.

"You lied to me…" She let her eyes fall to the floor and sighed. With her free hand, she removed the hair covering her face and bit her bottom lip, knowing that whatever she said would make her upset. "I-…I want you to leave me alone."

"No, Haley-"

"You should go."

He still had a hold on her arm. He didn't want to let go. In the past month, he had become too attached and knew that once he let go of his only connection to her that his life would be done with. There would be no point to this life he led.

Haley looked down at their link, hand to arm. She felt a single tear form in the back of her eye and it threatened to fall. The touch of his hand on her arm almost made her take back every word that she said to him. Her hand rested on his as she gently took it off and took a few steps back to increase the distance and attempt to lower temptation. She knew that there was just no way that she could feel so strongly for the man in front of her. There was just no way that the one in front of her had hurt her and lied to her. He was always there and honest. And now, she didn't know what to think. Haley looked at Nathan. His eyes were glued to the floor in shame and regret. He attempted to raise his eyes and caught a glimpse of the one he loved. She was walking away, through the window. He followed. She was by the door, holding it open for him to exit through. He stopped in front of the window entrance, gazing at her bed. He stared at it blankly, his mind filing through the many nights he slept beside her, holding her and falling more and more in love with her. Nathan sighed and walked toward the door. He stopped and looked at Haley.

"Is there anything I can do keep you? Just say it and I'll do it…"

To Haley, he looked so blank and helpless. She wanted to say yes and a large part of her would have, had there not been that tiny godforsaken voice telling her that he lied to her. She didn't know what to do. She still held the door open and then said one word.

"No…"

He sighed in defeat. Nathan wanted so badly to fight, but knew that once Haley made up her mind, there was no sense in trying to change it. She was as stubborn as he was. He stood in his place and lifted his eyes to look at her. Fresh batch of tears stinging her eyes, he placed a gentle hand on her face and brought their bodies closer. She allowed the tears to fall slowly and he wiped away every one of them. Nathan lowered his head and gently grazed his lips against hers. Haley's eyes shut abruptly and her eyes shut tight. And then her lips went cold. The cool air of her room attacked them and she opened her eyes. Nathan still stood in front of her, this time in the doorway.

"I love you Haley. Don't ever doubt that."

And then he was gone. Haley closed the door behind him and sunk to the floor, her tears flowing freely now. Her back rested against the door as she hugged her knees. She rested her head on her knees, her tears soaking the material that draped them.

Bury all your secrets in my skin
Come away with innocence
And leave me with my sins
Everywhere around me still feels like a cage
Love is just a camouflage
And war resembles rage
Again

If there were a moment in her life that she felt that her walls were crumbling down, this would be number one by far. She couldn't remember ever feeling so alone. She could feel the pain taking a hold of her heart and wrapping its evil hands around it, strangling it, not allowing any blood to flow throughout her tiny body. Fear grew within her stomach. She clutched her mid section wanting nothing more than to just kill the feeling. Any feeling that grew as soon as Nathan walked out of her bedroom. She raised her head from her knees and looked around the dimly lit bedroom. It all seemed unfamiliar to her. The cream coloured walls seemed to turn into black and the comfortable looking sheets would feel like wood as soon as she sat on them. As quickly as the sadness came, anger and rage arose. She began to tremble and it scared her. This was what this felt like, to have your heart broken. She hated it. Haley stood and straightened out her dress. She turned around and headed out her bedroom, but when she opened her door, she noticed that someone else had heard the tears she cried.

So if you love me let me go
And run away before I know
My heart is just too dark to care
I can't destroy what isn't there
Deliver me into my fate
If I'm alone I cannot hate
I don't deserve to have you
My smile was taken long ago
If I can change I hope I never know

She stood dead in her tracks before being enveloped by her best friends arms. It was then that she lost herself completely. Haley didn't know who she was anymore. Brooke tried her hardest to just be there for Haley to hold onto. She felt completely and utterly helpless. She had never experienced what Haley was going through before, and hoped that she wouldn't and that all of the suffering that Haley was going through would cease to exist. Haley grabbed onto Brooke tighter and Brooke let her. She walked the two of them over to Haley's bed and sat her down. Haley was right; the mattress below her was stiff and the sheets full of discomfort and all she wanted to do was run.

"What happened Haley?"

Haley wiped the many tears that were streaming down her face. Her voice was coarse and it hurt to speak.

"It's him…Nathan. He's the one who's been writing me those letters and he chooses to tell me now…and I told him to leave me alone."

I still press your letters to my lips
And cherish them in parts of me that savour every kiss
I couldn't face a life without your light
But all of that was ripped apart
When you refused to fight

Nathan sat on the bed he slept in at the mansion. His eyes were red and his hands, shaking. He bent down to retrieve a small box from beneath it. Taking the lid off, he was exposed to the many scents that was his love. He picked up one of the envelopes in the back of the pile. Bringing it out of its place, he opened it and the few words that once made his heart patter, now made it wrench. Nathan, the other one I spoke of, he is my best friend and I think I just might be falling in love with him, hence why I said that you are running out of time. He pressed the single sheet to his lips, a few tears staining the piece, the one of many personal things of Haley's that he held, that he could still call his. Couldn't he? He gazed back down at the words. I think I just might be falling in love with him. He buried his head in his hands after placing the letter beside him, tears flowing down his face. He looked up at the light above his head. It shone so bright, stinging his eyes, reminding him of a certain angel who also shone in his eyes. An angel who gave up on him. An angel he would love forever.

So save your breath, I will not hear
I think I made it very clear
You couldn't hate enough to love
Is that supposed to be enough?
I only wish you weren't my friend
Then I could hurt you in the end
I never claimed to be a saint
My own was banished long ago
It took the death of hope to let you go

He fell backwards, his head hitting the pillow. His thoughts consumed him to his very core and the anger came to him quickly. A feeling that he hardly ever experienced. This was one of the firsts of many emotions that he began to feel when he had first met her. He fell back, hard and his head hit something blunt. He raised his head off of the pillow and lifted it to reveal the small set of binoculars that Keith gave him the day he left home. It was through those that Nathan had first seen Haley. He recalled the way her hair flew one with the wind, blonde and the way she twirled it around her exquisite fingers, intrigued by the book she was consumed in.I-…I want you to leave me alone.

He lost it. The tossed aside the binoculars, gazing at them as if they were some sort of demon. They hit the wall opposite of him and they fell to the floor in one piece, although they did leave a massive gash. The blood in his veins boiled. His temperature rose with every breath he took. He didn't remember ever feeling this angry or this hurt or this much pain within his soul. His thoughts were consumed, possessed, haunted by her image. He fell to the floor crouching over to try to be rid of the pain eating away at him, the pain that he felt in the pit of his stomach. If she still cared, he didn't want to know.

So break yourself against my stones
And spit your pity in my soul
You never needed any help
You sold me out to save yourself
And I won't listen to your shame
You ran away, you're all the same
Angels lie to keep control
My love was punished long ago
If you still care, don't ever let me know
If you still care, don't ever let me know...

Brooke held Haley close to her, allowing her to cry so she could be rid of all of her tears. However it seemed as if the more she allowed it, the more came. Haley's thoughts were devoured by Nathan's hauntingly beautiful face. The look of it when he went from scared to terrified. His eyes plead with hers, asking…begging for her to not give up, for her to fight with him and for them. But she didn't. She had run away from him. She asked him to leave…ad he did. The sadness turned to anger. Why hadn't he fought? She hadn't either, but that didn't make him the victim. He was the same as she was. He was as guilty in this as she was. They were both murderous. She felt his kisses, faintly on her mouth. The ones he had given her as two different people. Her angel lied to keep control. Haley's tears had clamed down and the last one she cried was one of execution of feeling. There was nothing but a hollow soul within her. If he still cared, she didn't want to know.

Ravens23

The bright sun shone through Nathan's window the following morning. As his eyes opened, he didn't squint. He took the pain that the light brought to him and the sullen look on his face would tell anyone to have him be left alone. The late morning sun put a damper on his already brutal mood. And when he heard the clicking of the door unlock, he only threw himself back down and closed his eyes, pretending to still be asleep. He heard the muffled voices of Lucas and Brooke.

"He must still be asleep. Poor guy was up all night."

Brooke sighed.

"I know what you mean. Haley still hasn't slept. I spent the night with her last night and all she did was cry. All I could hear were her tears and the clicking of the locket he gave her. Do you think they'll get past this?"

Lucas kept his gaze firmly on Nathan's body rising and falling. Truth be told, he wasn't certain of anything in this situation.

"I don't know. I hope so Brooke. Poor guy has been shedding tears of regret for the longest time. I'm surprised he even got to sleep."

Brooke nodded.

"Haley's the same way. She can't handle it right now and I dunno what to do."

"Maybe we should get out of here. Just in case he wakes up and forces us to leave anyway."

Brooke looked from Lucas to Nathan and nodded. She sighed and when she felt Lucas' hand tugging on hers to lead her out the door, she followed.

At the sound of the door shutting, Nathan shot up feeling the tiniest bit better. To know that Haley was missing him as much as he was missing her, brought a little bit of joy, but no absolution. He still felt guilty for not telling her sooner, but knowing that she missed him, that made able to get out of bed and get to work.

Ravens23

Unfortunately for Nathan, when he exited his bedroom heading for his work helping out with fixing the wall on the east side of the house, he had been able to see Haley. He tried hard not to make their situation seem entirely obvious, but every time he caught a glance of her, he could feel his heart wrenching. She seemed statuesque. She sat in her chair next to Brooke as those around her mingled and communicated about the latest market valued product and such. There was a gathering of those who worked with Mr. James and as Nathan tried not to look at Haley, he noticed Damien approaching Jimmy and excusing him from a group of executives. West brought Jimmy to where they were working. Nathan was used to this sort of thing at this point, having been serving the family for about a month and half now. He was used to being invisible and usually was to those of higher rank, that is, until they wanted something from him. He was able to hear every word of the conversation.

"Listen, Jimmy. This daughter of yours is hard to sell when it comes to marriage. She's stubborn and that she's plainer than her sisters. I mean, Brooke isn't blood related, but she totally capable of satisfying the needs of a man."

As Damien spoke, Nathan's hands crumpled into fists and he turned white with rage and anger. How dare he speak about Haley as to insult her? Haley's anything but plain. Nathan turned to look at Lucas who stood beside him. He was red and shooting daggers into Damien.

"She's intelligent too, but let's face it, no man wants to be dumber than his wife. It's scientific fact."

"She is intelligent. And she has the largest heart of anyone I know, don't you think?"

Nathan smirked.

"Of course," said Damien as quickly as Jimmy had completed his sentence. "But difficult all the same. And you should know that I have been given many opportunities from other girls and parents for their daughters, all of whom are much hotter than your Holly."

"Haley."

"Yes. Haley."

Nathan no longer concentrated on the wall before him. His focus was entirely on Jimmy and Damien. He was seconds away from punching West and telling him to get lost, but knew he would face consequence.

"So, what do you say that we, um…sweeten the pot a bit old man?"

"Sweeten the pot?"

"You know increase the dowry to get her off of your hands."

"I am not looking for someone to take her off my hands," said Jimmy staring at Damien with nothing but hatred. And Nathan looked quite content. "I am looking for someone that she'll be happy with. Someone she wants and I don't care who that is, as long as she is content. He could be a best friend, I don't care, as long as she's happy. The dowry is to make sure that she'll have what she needs when I'm no longer to be able to provide for her. It's not a bribe Mr. West."

"Of course it's not a bribe Jimmy-"

"Mr. James."

"Whatever. You do want to make sure she's well looked after, don't you?"

"Of course I do and I know that your family is very wealthy young man and that you can provide what can be the best care for my daughter without any, um what was the term you used? Oh right, dowry, so what are you getting at here West?"

"You know that I have the utmost respect for you and your family sir, but I am wanted elsewhere and I only want to make sure that I get what is best for me right now and in the long run…and for my future wife. However, under the circumstance that you have insulted me, I shall have to withdraw my position as a possible husband for your daughter and she can marry that idiot of a musician with no future. I shall leave in the morning."

Jimmy smirked.

"Fine by me."

Damien turned to leave, but Jimmy caught his wrist. Damien turned around with the smirk that looked as if he were the victor.

"Let's get one thing West, I never liked you so, you can be certain that I don't give a shit that you're leaving. As a matter of fact, if you're in such a hurry to be out of here, I suggest you leave this evening."

Jimmy let go of Damien West and that was the end of the demon.

Ravens23

Haley sat in her chair beside Brooke. She still felt so hollow. She was very tired and it could be seen easily if it weren't dark out. Her eyes felt like shutting, but she couldn't do it. Every time she had fallen asleep, she had the same recurring dream. She would be standing out on her balcony kissing Nathan, her mind, body and soul in it. She was happy, that it until she pulled away from him and saw the masked figure of the man who had written her letters of love. After that had occurred a few times, she forced herself to not sleep and she constantly looked at their photos of the two of them together in the locket that he had given her.

Blindly, her hand roamed to her neck and she took a hold of the locket. It was enveloped in her fist and Brooke took note of her actions. Haley's eyes wandered around the area and, as fate would have it, her eyes landed upon the east side where she caught Nathan looking at her with longing in his eyes. He wasn't even trying to hide it. Once their eyes made a connection, it was near impossible to look elsewhere. Brooke noticed and placed a comforting hand on Haley's knee. Haley blinked and looked to Brooke.

"I'm sorry Brooke. I can't be here. I'll um, I'll see you later okay?"

"You want me to come?"

"No, no. Stay here. Enjoy yourself. I just need to be alone."

Nathan took note of Haley making a move to leave. She was moving in his direction and he cursed under his breath. Lucas patted Nathan on the back as he tried to calm him down. He did his best to not look at her, but he couldn't. It was difficult. He caught her scent as soon as she became within three meters of him, it was like he was being dragged. She brushed past him, not stopping to look at him and went into the house, leaving both Nathan and herself in more heartache.

Ravens23

Oh, and tell me
Was it all because I
Brought it up for
Conversation in a bed

Haley walked down the hallways of her home. She looked around and everything that was familiar was slowly fading from familiar to becoming a complete stranger. She stopped and stood against the wall nearest to her for support. She was trembling and therefore pressed her back to the wall and closed her eyes. It was then that she heard the sound of a soft guitar strumming in a room not too far from where she stood.

And I wouldn't have started
Were it not for a blue appearing
Someone's trying to please somebody else

She followed the voice. The attractive voice that somehow, had calmed her down. She walked closer to the door and was surprised to see who was on the other side of the door that she peeked through.

Many men are crying
God can't help but He's trying
To find more
Men like me
Or women such as
You my love
Non-existence seemed like
Nothing my love
And though I said I was scared to die
The end seemed so much greater
Than either side of the equator
But, you saved me
God was there to pass me
You my love

Haley stood right outside of the door, listening as Chris played his music and sung his heart out. This was a side of him she had certainly never seen before. He was…well, passionate. The look on his face as he sang was something she had never seen before. Usually she saw the mumbling, rambling, egotistical male. But right now, he was enjoying something. It was different and for a second she felt him to be almost human. She took a step forward and he stopped playing.

"I know you're out there Haley. C'mon in."

Chris set his guitar to his right as Haley entered his bedroom. Then, she saw that stupid smirk return to his face.

"What can Chris Keller do for you?"

"How about stop referring to yourself in third person?"

"Ouch. Harsh. Fine I'll stop. Are you okay though? You look drained."

"Thanks?"

Chris smirked and chuckled. He patted the space beside him for Haley to sit.

"I think I'll stand, thanks."

Chris put up his hands, palms out and nodded.

"Fine, don't sit, I'm just saying I can sense when a woman is upset. I remember how my girl used to be. She was the same way. And I'm sensing the reason for you're being like this either best friend or boyfriend, so tell me."

Haley was surprised. Surprised that Chris Keller, of all people, was somewhat wise. However, as thick and pigheaded as he seemed, there was an aura about him that allowed Haley to open up a bit.

"Seeing as how I have no knowledge of you being involved with anything Haley, I'm guessing best friend?"

She nodded, not wanting to give anything away.

"It's just, I thought…I thought I knew someone and then it turns out that they are this…they have another side to them. It's complicated…my best friend fell in love with me."

"Brooke's gay?"

"No! You moron!"

"You know, I can't help without, at least, a few details."

Haley sighed. She rubbed her eyes with her fingers and looked at Chris. She couldn't speak. The image of Nathan's face popped into her mind. And then her dream hit her like a sucker punch to the face. The vivid images of Nathan and him in his mask and the taste of his kisses on her lips had her suffocating. A single tear fell and it was then that Chris knew he wouldn't get a detail out of her.

"Do you know why…did you know that I dropped my life and came here to be a-a suitor for you because of your stepmother? I dropped the love of my life and my music to be here. On account of my father that is."

Haley examined Chris' face. He looked genuinely serious. Haley kept standing, arms crossed.

"My father was a wealthy man. He got sick with hemochromatosis. It's um an excess of iron in vital organs and joints and what it's caused by a defect in iron metabolism. My grandfather had it too so it made sense. The disease is genetic, but you, my little pop tart-"

"Pop tart?"

"Have nothing to worry about. I am fine."

"How am I a pop tart?"

"On his death bed, he told me to make something of myself. To give up the music and Michelle, she was my girl."

"Is that who that song was for?"

Chris chuckled.

"Yup. Wrote it last week. He told me to give her and music up for the money and to settle down with a girl worth every penny. And I wrote that song and realized that I'm…well, I'm a frigging idiot. I left the two things I care about for what my father wanted. Don't you play music?"

"Used to."

Haley unfolded her arms.

"Do you have a point?"

"Assuming that this friend of yours is a dude and seeing as how you are in love with him as well, you have to decide on whether or not to make your family happy by marrying someone you aren't in love with. You have to decide if making your family happy is worth more than making yourself happy. Because speaking from my experience, it's not. You have to decide Haley…"

Chris picked up his guitar once more and strummed it with the same tune that Haley had entered his room with.

"And Haley, they say music heals a broken heart. Maybe you should try playing again."

Many men are crying
God can't help but He's trying
To find more
Men like me
Or women such as
You my love
Non-existence seemed like
Nothing my love
And though I said I was scared to die
The end seemed so much greater
Then either side of the equator
But you saved me
God was there to pass me
You my love
To pass me you my love
Pass me you my love

Ravens23

Haley walked around the house, roaming the random hallways that it contained. She kept her gaze on the floor, allowing her feet to take her anywhere possible, letting the fickle friend lead her to where she would find a sign or find absolution. For someone who used a small percentage of his brain, Chris had made a lot of sense. She turned into a very dimly lit hallway. She hadn't recognized it right away. Her eyes were still glued to the floor beneath her feet. Suddenly, she felt herself coming to a halt. An unidentifiable force caused her to stop. She looked up and memories of her youth came pouring to her. She was in the most secluded part of the house. It was where she spent most of her childhood with her mother. Staring at the door before her, she brought a shaky hand to the doorknob and clutched it. She pushed it open and there, before her was the room where she would create music.

Haley stepped inside of the room and took a deep breath. The antique walls of stone made her home look ancient, yet it was modern from the exterior. There were books upon books of old musical classics and a few copies of the newer compositions. There were books of musical history and significant figures throughout the ages. In the center of the room was a grand piano and directly beside it was a guitar that Haley hadn't played in a while. She felt the itch in her fingertips. It was happening again; her feet were carrying her and they stopped in front of the guitar. She stared down at it on the stand gleaming in the light. She reached out for it and as soon as it touched her aching fingers, she turned on her heels and sat down on the closest chair. She looked to the ceiling and sighed. Haley closed her eyes and then looked down at the instrument in her hands. She grazed her fingers over the strings once. Twice. And on the third strum she began a song off the top of her head, memories of she and Nathan flowing throughout her mind.

It's loneliest when you're here
It's quietly when you're right beside me
I don't say it to hurt you
I just miss the touch of his hand

Haley closed her eyes, her heart burning with fire from the memories she had of Nathan.

He slipped the 20 into her hand.

"Excuse me honey can I get two Corona's? Thanks."

Nathan began to walk away. Haley was offended and she moved from the bar and began to walk after him.

"Excuse me!?"

Nathan turned slightly.

"With lime."

Nathan continued to walk and Haley just walked after him, moving further from the bar.

"Excuse me! Asshole!?"

Nathan turned around fully. His heart stopped at the sight of her and played everything aloof.

"Wow…I'm so sorry. I thought you worked here. My mistake."

Haley grabbed Nathan's hand, putting the money back into his hand. He felt sparks all over his body as Haley touched his hand. She turned around to walk away, but Nathan held onto her hand. She looked at him and then at their hands. Haley's eyes went back to Nathan's face and he smirked. He looked familiar to her.

The loneliness is better near now
Than to satisfy the crave
The loneliness is better near now
Than to satisfy the crave, and start all over
But I like fingertips on my face
The glances I can retrace in my mind
The holding onto me so I feel it and fall into it
Chase the memories away
I know I'm not the same, but I'm wishful
And I'm strained and strange
And though I won't complain
I know I stray, I know I stay

She cuddled into his chest while they talked and he hadn't remembered ever feeling so happy as he had. He looked at the clock on his phone. He had 12 minutes to get out of that room. He looked at Haley once again and noticed that she still cuddled into his chest, except her arm was draped across his abdomen. Carefully, Nathan grabbed her hand and lifted it so that he could get up. Before he rose, he kissed her hand and placed it gently on the pillow where his head once lay. He sat up and put his shoes on. He then grabbed a small piece of paper and scribbled a tiny note and put in underneath the pillow that her hand laid on. He kissed her cheek and exited her room the way he came.

232323

"Nathan is…everything a girl could want. He's so sweet and caring and, and…"

"Hot?"

"Yeah…but not just that. Last night, he kissed my head and then apologized because he didn't know if it was appropriate or not. He's so respectful and he's great to talk to. I just feel so…comfortable around him. Like I can really be me. Not to mention he's good with making me feel alive, you saw what he wrote."

An ocean away
A woman at bay
She shoots up a flare and beckons him near
And the closer you get
The safer I am
But the further I run to hide me in the dark and

Nathan lay awake in his bed, his hand rested under his head. He turned to side and gazed at the clock. This was the earliest he had ever gone to bed and he couldn't sleep, yet again. He missed Haley and when he closed his eyes he only saw her and remembered her.

Her auburn hair, flying softly, but freely in the gentle breeze that surrounded her, her slender fingers twirling her strands as her eyes sparkled as she read the pages of the old bounded book that sat in between her perfect hands. He wanted to see her again. The sight of her took his breath away.

232323

"Welcome to Ravenna. I'm Vegas, I'll be your waiter this evening and this, is Nathan, he's new."

Nathan gave a small wave and placed his hands behind his back. Everyone turned to look at him and then, he saw her…Nathan only stared and breathed a single word…

"Wow…"

Only to find out that he had said it out loud…


The loneliness is better near now
Than to satisfy the crave
Yes, the loneliness is better near now
Than to satisfy the crave, and start all over
But I like fingertips on my face
The glances I can retrace in my mind
The holding onto me so I feel it and fall into it
Chase the memories away
I know I'm not the same

Haley snapped her head to look at Nathan, who had that smirk planted on his face. She felt her knees become week and, with a shaking hand, handed him the necklace. He took it from her and she turned in her seat. Haley lifted up her long hair and Nathan locked the necklace into place. She let her hair fall down, but noticed that Nathan still kept a light hand on her shoulder. She didn't turn back around, but kept her back to him. Haley's neck became full of goosebumps as Nathan ran a soft hand from her shoulders down her back and slid it around her waist. She could feel him coming closer to her and lightly kissed the back of her neck. Then, bringing his lips to her ear.

"I love you…"

She turned around to face him and opened her mouth, but he cut her off before she could speak.

"I know that it may seem a bit fast, but it's true. I-I've never felt this way about anyone before. You know, having to be around someone so much? And when you aren't with them, your heart is burning to be even remotely near them."

Nathan lifted his hand it rested on her cheek.

"That's how it is for me with you, Haley. When I'm with you…I'm the happiest of men. That's who you make me. I am the happiest of men. I just want you know that when you feel that your world is crumbling, you can run to me and you shouldn't ever fear me because I can only love you. I do love you and that'll never change."

Ravens23

Haley was heading back to her bedroom. She looked down at her hands and the tingling sensation running through her fingers. For the first time in over 8 years, she had played music that night. She heard her cell phone go off and retrieved it.

"Brooke?"

"Haley, you have to get down here. It's urgent."

"What why?"

"Just get down here."

Brooke hung up the phone. Haley was so confused, but ran in the direction of where the party was still occurring. She descended the steps and as she did, she couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on her. Haley looked for Brooke who was standing next to Victoria and her father. As well, it seemed as if Chris had exited his bedroom and was clad in a tuxedo standing next to her father.

My heart it skips a beat when I behold 

The light that's shining through your eyes of gold 

From heavenly blood you seem to spring 

From heavenly waters you can drink

There was the tinkling sound of the champagne glass and Haley's attention turned to Victoria. All eyes were on her now.

"Ladies and gentlemen…"

232323

Nathan kept tossing and turning. He couldn't get the thought out of his head that something big and against him was about to occur. He opened his eyes and threw his legs out of his bed and sat. He rested his head in his hands and rubbed the tired from his eyes. He was so tired, but couldn't sleep. He wanted Haley and wouldn't rest until she was with him.

I'll meet you on a day that never ends 

I'll greet you in a way that heaven meant 

You lay me down gently on the leaves 

You cover me over in my sleep 



Nathan decided in that moment that he needed to see her. He rose from his spot and tossed on his shirt and pants. It was then that he heard a round of applause. He moved to his window and could see the party in front of him. Nathan had a perfect view of Haley. She looked so confused. Just as confused as he was. She also looked scared, like him.

I never did say that I wish I could 

I never could pray cuz it's just no good 

I hope you don't break my heart of stone 

I don't wanna scream out loud 

And wake up on my own 



"Ladies and gentlemen…"

Nathan looked out of the window, staring at Haley and feeling his ache for her grow. He continued to listen to Victoria.

"Thank you for being here on this day for it is a special day. You see, today is the day that I announce the engagement of my stepdaughter Haley James to Chris Keller."

A round of applause broke out. Nathan stepped slowly away from the window, his heart falling piece by piece to the floor. He was losing her. The applause faded from his auditory perception and just like that, he was running out of his bedroom.

And as I close my eyes 

And the sky turns red 

I realize just what you are 

You're an idlers dream 

And you're singing Shangri la 

Shangri la 

Shangri la 

Shangri la

Haley opened her bedroom door and entered. It was dark, but before she could turn on the lights, she felt someone grab her from behind. Their hand covered her mouth to refrain her from screaming. And then she heard that soothing voice in her ear.

"It's me Hales…"

Instantly, she calmed down. She sighed and her heart sped up, knowing exactly who was touching her. He had one arm draped across her chest as he hugged her from behind ad he lowered his hand from her mouth. With his free hand, he kept his other company by keeping her body close to his. He lowered his mouth to her ear. His nose grazed her collarbone. His warm breath sent goosebumps up her spine. Nathan's breathing increased to a rapid speed. His tears came slowly, but came nonetheless.

"What do you want Nathan?"

Her voice was so broken. It was low, soft and refined. There were breaks in her voice, threatening tears to fall. Her heart continued to break. She heard Nathan sniffle and moved his hands to hold onto hers, still holding her from behind.

"You can't marry Chris Keller…"

Ravens23

A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! First of all, I apologize for not UDing this sooner. It's just school has been murdering me and I had midterms until 2 days ago. So I will try to UD as often as I can. I have not abandoned this story. And it WILL get done because I have a few new ideas and one has been developing for quite a while. PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks to ALL of you for keeping this going!