Thanks to: JPNeverlosetheButterflies, nemo123489, mistydm, LiZ457, Emily, Nathanlvr, AngelLuva, x-Brucas-Naley-Jeyton-x, coupling-all-the-time, and OTH.daddy'sgurl.06 for reviewing.

nemo123489: I'm going to try and put more Lucas in here, but I can't make any promises!

Nathanlvr: haha! I loved your rendition of "I will survive"! Very origional! You crack me up!

On to the chapter!

Chapter 17

I looked around the airport, hoping he would come. Everyone else was just waiting for them to call for my flight. I looked around and knew he wasn't going to show.

I sighed and turned to them. My mother was sobbing while daddy consoled her. Lucas was trying to stay strong, even though we both knew he wanted to break down. Brooke, Peyton, and Bevin were crying. My girls! How could I be leaving these people? Jake, Skills, and Lucas held on to the poor girls as the cried. Mouth looked at me with a sad smile on his face, as did Tim and Fergie.

I took a deep breath and started to say goodbye. I went to my parents first. They pulled me into a huge hug. "Don't meet any boys, Haley," my dad said.

I gave a short laugh. "That will definitely not happen," I replied. How could I when Nathan's all I think about?

"Be smart, Haley. Have fun, but not too much fun. Call me everyday and-"

"I will, mama. I promise," I said in a small voice. I pulled back from their embrace. "I love you, mom and dad."

"I love you, too, Haleybub," dad said.

"I love you so much, my little angel!" mom cried and hugged me once more.

I pulled back gave them each a kiss and moved on to Skills and Bevin. "Well, I won't be seeing you guys soon, unless you decide to drive 6 hours to see me," I started.

Bevin jut grabbed me and hugged me hard. "You don't have to go, you know. You can stay here and still have Lucas, Brooke and Nath-"

"No, I can't," I cut her off, pulling back. "It's too hard. Skills, you take good care of my Bevin, okay?"

He nodded and gave me a hug. "You take care of yourself, Haley. We're gonna miss you."

I stepped back and moved to Tim and Fergie. "Aww, guys I'm gonna miss you so much!"

Tim smiled. "You are soo gonna miss your Tim Time!" he said and hugged me.

I laughed. "I really will, Tim. You're such a great guy and I know you're gonna meet the girl of your dreams in school," I said and kissed him on the cheek. I turned to Fergie. "Ferg? Keep this one out of trouble, will you?"

He smiled. "Anything for you, Haley. Just come home soon, okay?"

I nodded and gave him a hug. I moved on to Peyton and Jake. "Okay, so I am totally holding in my tears right now. Peyt, you don't know how much I'm gonna miss you! You've become my best friend, seriously! You, Bev, and Brookie are my best friends. I can't wait til Christmas when I get to see you guys!" I said, hugging her close.

She sobbed into my ear, but I didn't mind. It was nice to see that people really would miss me. "Haley, I agree with everything you said. I mean, when you moved here, we all became closer. I don't know how you did it, but you did."

I pulled back, not wanting to, but needing to. If I didn't, I probably wouldn't get on my flight. "Jake."

He smiled. "Haley."

"You know our affair had to end sometime," I joked, pretending to look sad.

He sighed. "Yes, I know," he replied. Then he pretended to cry. "But it was the best damn 2 months of my life!"

Peyton and I laughed. I pulled him into a hug. "I'm gonna miss you, Jakey!"

"I'll miss you, too, Haley," he replied then pulled back. "See you at Christmas!"

I smiled. "You bet your ass you will!" I exclaimed and then moved on to Brooke and Lucas. Right away I started bawling. Lucas took me in his arms and let me cry. "Lucas, I can't leave you! This is just too much!"

"Haley, you have to. This is for you, not staying because I want you to. You chose to do this and now you're gonna follow through," he replied.

I sighed. I made him say that to me. I remember an earlier conversation where I told him to force me if need be. "Thank you, Luke. Be sure to come and see me, okay?" I said, knowing he wouldn't, but needing to hear it.

He nodded. "I will, Hales. Take care of yourself, okay?"

I looked up at him as silent tears streamed down his cheeks. "I will, Luke. Take care of Brooke. She really loves you, you know."

He smiled. "I know. I love her, too."

I turned to face Brooke. "Tigger."

She smiled. "Tutorchick," she replied and then hugged me.

"Take care of my baby brother. If I come back and you two aren't together, I'm gonna have to kick both of your asses!"

She laughed. "Why would you have to do that?"

I pulled back. "One, he's my baby brother. Two, you're my best friend. Three, you two belong together! Duh!" I replied and she laughed again.

"Well, then, I'll just have to kick your ass now, because you and Nate belong together, but you're not."

I sighed. "Please don't talk about him right now, Brooke! I-"

"FLIGHT 436 TO SAN JOSE, NOW BOARDING!"

"That's me," I said and gave them all one last look. "Can you guys go before I get on? I just don't want you to see me leave, okay?"

They all nodded and walked off. I watched as they left, making sure they really did, before getting in line. I gave the lady my ticket.

"HALEY! WAIT!"

I turned toward the voice. "Nathan," I whispered.

"Wait!" He said and ran up to me. "Please don't go! This is the last time I ask you!"

I sighed. "Nathan, I can't stay here anymore. Please, understand that!"

He looked me right in the eye. "I love you. This is not the last time we'll see each other, Haley. You can count on that. I'm not giving up on us."

I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. "I love you, too, Nate. I know we'll see each other again. I'm coming home for Christmas, you know!" I said.

"LAST CALL FOR FLIGHT 436! LAST CALL FOR-"

"I've gotta go, Nate. I'll see you," I said.

He pulled me to him one last time, kissing me deeply, before turning to leave. I sighed, got on the plane, and cried like there was no tomorrow.

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