Chapter Six: Life is Good in His Arms

Hanna was finally in Jason's arms. She couldn't be any happier than she was in this moment. Even though she had a fight with Sean about spending the weekend with Jason, it didn't matter. Hanna knew that Sean was just a high school boyfriend and that while her and Sean may not last, her and Jason's friendship would. She felt at peace and like all the pressure she felt in Rosewood was gone. She wasn't the Queen B, she wasn't the girl whose best friend just randomly disappeared one day and wasn't the daughter of the woman whose husband left her for another woman.

Jason was at peace. Hanna was here. Hanna was in his arms. If only he could claim her lips in a kiss. Yes Jason finally admitted to himself he was in love with Hanna Marin. It ripped him in two knowing that she had a boyfriend, but what made it bearable was knowing that it was only a high school relationship. To Jason, Hanna was just Hanna. She was his best friend and the only woman he could see holding his heart.

"Hey stranger," Jason said kissing her forehead.

"Hey yourself," Hanna said with a big smile on her face.

"How was the train ride?" Jason asked letting Hanna out of his arms and led her inside the house.

"It was long. I really wished it would have gone faster to get me here sooner," Hanna said sitting on the couch next to Jason.

"Well you're here now. How is everything in Rosewood?" Jason asked with genuine interest.

"It's Rosewood. My mom works all the time and I still put on a good show at school being the Queen B. It makes me miss you all the more," Hanna said resting her head on his shoulder only to have him wrap his arm around her.

"I've missed you too. How is Sean?" Jason asked really hoping that they would break up soon.

"Things are okay. I mean I love him, but I don't think I'm in love with him. I just don't understand why he hates it when I come to visit you," Hanna said feeling comfortable to finally just let what she was feeling out without fear of being judged.

"Then why are you with him?" Jason asked out of curiosity. He really hoped his question didn't upset her.

"High school politics. According to Mona, I am the "It Girl" of the school so to cement my status I need to date the "It Boy" of the school. It really doesn't make any sense. I mean it's just high school," Hanna explained.

"Then why be with him at all?" Jason asked when all he wanted to do was confess to Hanna how he really felt so she could break up with Sean.

"Honestly, I guess I'm just comfortable in the relationship. Plus breaking up with him would mean Mona would be on a mission to just set me up with someone else," Hanna said looking up at Jason.

Jason sat with Hanna in his arms. He took a moment to absorb what Hanna had told him. At first it seemed Mona was a great influence and friend, but now Jason felt something was off with Mona. She put so much pressure on Hanna to be perfect and to create this image that was not Hanna at all. The few times he went to Rosewood to visit, he felt like Mona could see into his mind and know exactly what it was he felt for Hanna.

"I didn't know there was a rule that you had to date anybody in high school. Besides it's like you said it's just high school. You should be having fun and enjoying yourself not worried about what everyone thinks of you," Jason said hoping to ease Hanna's mind.

"Jason, Mona thinks I should have sex with Sean," Hanna said chewing on her lip not sure how Jason would take that bombshell.

"Wait? What?" Jason said not sure if he liked where this conversation was now heading.

"She thinks Sean will stop fighting with me about being friends with you if I have sex with him. I feel like if I do that then I'm just using sex to keep him happy, you know?" Hanna said really wanting her friend's advice.

"Well do you want to have sex with Sean?" Jason asked really dreading Hanna's answer.

"Not really. I feel like if I have sex with him for that reason then I'll just end up hating myself for it. Honestly I want to have sex with someone I am in love with and see a future with," Hanna said taking a huge wait off of Jason's shoulders.

"Then don't do it. Never do something that you don't want to do Hanna," Jason said cupping her face so he could look into her eyes.

"You know I won't ever do something I don't want to do. You helped me with that," Hanna said with a sweet smile and wrapped her arms around Jason.

Whatever happened between her and Sean, at the end of the day Hanna knew she would still have Jason. Hanna tried really hard to not analyze the difference between her feelings for Sean and for Jason. Hanna knew that should she and Sean break up she would be okay, yet the idea of not having Jason in her life hurt her heart in way she never wanted to think about or feel. At the end of the day Hanna knew that life was good wrapped in Jason's arms. So what did that say about her?