Author's Note: Here's chapter seven! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven: The Heart Around My Neck

"You've been quiet." Gabriella commented as they sat on the couch in Gabriella's livingroom.

Haylie nodded, but she didn't respond as she took a drink of the bottled water that Gabriella had offered her.

Gabriella looked at the blonde-haired girl closely, and just shook her head.

"Your upset about Ryan aren't you?" Gabriella asked quietly, and Haylie nodded again, afraid she'd cry under the pressure.

Gabriella leaned over, and gave Haylie a hug. "It'll be fine, Haylie."

Haylie broke away from Gabriella's embracment, and felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's not going to be okay! I don't want to betray Ryan!" she explained, and she felt a tear roll down her cheek, and she broke out into quiet sobs, much to Gabriella's alarm.

"Oh, Haylie! Ryan doesn't think that! He loves you!" the brunette said, trying to calm her friend.

"I know...it's just that I'm afraid something is going to happen, and he won't like me anymore."

"Now why would he do that? Ryan's one of the sweetest guys I know." Gabriella stated.

Well, he won't be so sweet after he hears about her date with Connor!

"Besides, you don't know what's going to happen on this date, so how do you know that you will betray Ryan?" Gabriella contuined, while Haylie wiped away a stray tear.

"I don't know...I just know I'll do something I'll regret!" Haylie explained.

"You won't. I promise." Gabriella stated, and Haylie got up, while grabbing her backpack in the progress.

"I think I'm going to go...I'll seeyou later." Haylie said, and Gabriella nodded.

"Of course. Call me if you want, or Taylor, or Kelsi, or..."

That made Haylie laugh, "I get it, Gabby. I'll call if I want to talk."

Once she got home, she was curious to find that Ryan's car was parked near her house, and she walked up to the house, feeling abit better.

"Hello? Is anyone home?" she asked, and Ryan appeared from the livingroom, smiling.

"What are you doing here?" Haylie asked, and the smile on Ryan's face began to grow into a grin.

"I asked your mother if I could see you when you get home, and she said yes. Is that alright?" Ryan asked, walking over to her, and gave her a hug, while Haylie buried her head in his chest, and Ryan kissed the top of her head, and whispered, "I got something for you. Come with me."

Ryan directed her to the couch, and she sat down, while Ryan produced a a small bag.

"I noticed you were going through alot, so I decided to get you something to cheer you up." Ryan stated, and Haylie took the bag, pulling out the tissue paper.

Once she got to the present, she found a black, velvet box, and Ryan nodded at it.

"Open it." he said, and Haylie did. She gasped as she took out a golden locket, on a chain, with the letters, H.A. on the front.

"Ryan, it's beautiful..." she said softly, and Ryan smiled.

"Open it to the inside, you might like it then." Ryan explained, and Haylie did as she was told, and her eyes grew wide.

On one side, it was a picture of her and Ryan, and on the other, was a message that read:

To the most beautiful girl I ever had the pleasure of getting to know, and whenever you feel sad, the locket will be close to your heart, just like I'll be. I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have a girlfriend like you.

I love you.

Ryan

Haylie felt the tears coming back, and she held out the locket, saying, "Here...take it back."

Ryan raised an eyebrow at her, and was confused.

"Take it...back?" he asked.

Haylie nodded, as she looked at him through her tears.

"Haylie, I don't understand. Why?" he asked.

"Because..I...I...might betray you." Haylie hiccuped, and Ryan smiled softly.

"Why would you ever betray me? You said it yourself that nothing will happen." Ryan stated, and Haylie nodded.

"I know, but..."

Ryan moved closer to her, and he smiled.

"Don't worry, okay? I will let you go on your date, and if anything happens, call me or your friends."

At that, Haylie finally smiled.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really." Ryan explained.

As he placed the locket around her neck, Haylie wondered if this will all go right.