Saturday. Toby's birthday.
Hanna parks her car at Spencer's lake house. "We are here, baby" she tells Chocolate who is asleep on the back seat as she takes her purse and Toby's present from the passenger seat.
She gets out of the car and goes open the rear door for the dog before taking her suitcase from the trunk.
Hanna "Over here, Chocolate" she tells him while walking toward the house.
She is feeling really anxious and the only reason for her anxiousness is Caleb. She hasn't seen him since he walked away from her two days ago. When she called him on the phone later that day, he was on his way to Allentown. Learning about it, worried her at first, but he assured her that she had nothing to worry about, that he only needed some time to himself, and that they would see each other again at Toby's birthday. And there she is: about to see him again. She only hopes that things between them aren't awkward.
Hanna "Hey, everyone!" she greets her friends after letting herself in and they all greet her back.
Everyone is already there. Aria, Ezra, Alison and Emily have arrived in the morning, ready to spend the beautiful summer day at the lake. Caleb, who came straight from Allentown, has gotten there just in time for lunch. They are still sitting at the table, since they had lunch in the house because it was too hot outside. Everyone greets Chocolate as well, but he rushes toward Caleb immediately.
Toby "You brought a large suitcase?" he asks amused.
Aria laughs. "You know that we are staying only one night, right?" she adds and everyone laughs.
Hanna rolls her eyes. "Yeah, I know. Is someone going to help me take this upstairs or you will just stay there and make fun of me?"
Caleb "Here" he says and stands up from his chair, still smiling amused, and goes take her suitcase.
Hanna smiles at him.
Toby "Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?" he tells Hanna.
Hanna "Oh, sorry, baby!" she grins and goes hug him. "Happy birthday!... this is for you" she gives him the present.
Toby "Thank you" he smiles.
Caleb "Where should I put this?" he asks from the stairs.
Hanna "Oh, mm… I am still sharing room with Ali, right?" she asks to Spencer and then looks at Alison.
Alison "Yeah" she only says, a bit awkwardly.
Hanna "Okay" she gives her a smile.
She was hoping that Alison and Emily would sort things out by now so she could sleep in the same room as Caleb and maybe have some time to talk to him, but it seems like they didn't.
Hanna follows Caleb upstairs and then to the room that she's sharing with her friend.
Hanna "Thank you" she tells him after he places her suitcase next to the bed.
Caleb "You are welcome" he smiles at her and he is about to leave the room but Hanna stops him.
Hanna "Wait" she takes his arm and he turns back around to look at her. "Are we okay?" she takes the opportunity to talk to him, since she's not sure if they will be able to have some time alone again.
Caleb "Yeah, of course we are"
Hanna "I didn't go to Boston"
Caleb "It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything"
Hanna "Yes, I have to… I want to. Can we talk?" she approaches him and wraps her arms around his neck.
Caleb "Look, Han… we are fine, okay? I don't want to talk. But everything is okay between us, don't worry" he places his hands on her waist but doesn't pull her closer or anything, there's still a distance between their bodies.
Hanna "You said the same the other day and then you just left"
Caleb "I didn't go to Allentown because of you. I needed to go get back some of my things that I had left there and I just took the opportunity to think about all this. That's all. I just need some time right now, some space" he takes his hands off of her waist and then he uses them to unwrap Hanna's arms from his neck.
Hanna "Let's talk, I have many things to tell you" she tries to hug him, but Caleb places his palms on her shoulders and stops her gently.
Caleb "Hey, we don't need to talk. We are okay"
Hanna "We obviously aren't okay, you don't even let me approach you… I missed you"
Caleb gives in now and he pulls her into a hug himself. "I missed you too, Han"
Hanna "Let me talk to you, then" she says while hugging him back.
Caleb remains in the embrace for a few seconds more and then pulls away. "I need some space right now" he says again. "I need to take a distance… we will talk when you are free... I think we should put our thing in pause until you are ready to let Jordan go" he walks toward the door.
Hanna "Stop saying that! You know that I am ready, I have been trying to break up with him for a week, and I would have already done it if it hadn't been-"
Caleb cuts her off again. "Hey, it's okay, I'm not telling you what to do, I won't ask you anything. This whole thing is overwhelming me, that's why I need to stay away, that's all. I don't want you to tell me when you will talk to him, when you are planning to meet up, just let me know when it's done and we will talk then. I'm sorry, I thought I could handle this better, but I can't"
Hanna "Okay, but listen to me… just give me a minute to-" she stops speaking because Caleb's already gone.
/
Hanna gets out of the house after changing her clothes, wearing only her bathing suit and sunglasses. She walks toward the lake where all her friends already are. Ezra, Emily, Toby and Chocolate are already in the water, Caleb is standing at the shore, and Alison, Spencer and Aria are lying on their blankets, sunbathing. She approaches the girls, extends her blanket as well and lies down, without saying a word. She is still feeling frustrated after her unfinished conversation with Caleb.
Spencer "You should put some sunscreen on, Han"
Hanna "Didn't bring any"
Spencer "Here" she says and hands Hanna her sunscreen.
Hanna "Thanks, mom" she grabs it but places it next to her on the blanket instead of using it.
Spencer rolls her eyes. "Come on, Han… you don't want to get sunburned, it will hurt"
Hanna "Fine" she sits up on her blanket and takes the sunscreen. Then she starts to apply some of it on her legs.
Alison "Did you lose your engagement ring again, Han?" she asks, noticing that she is not wearing it.
Hanna "No" she only says.
Alison "You took it off?" she asks with a smile.
Hanna "Why are you smiling? I just took it off precisely not to lose it" she lies. She took it off two days ago, for Caleb.
Aria "Why are you so grumpy all of a sudden?" she asks Hanna.
Hanna "I am not grumpy"
"Yes, you are" Spencer and Alison say at the same time.
Hanna "Okay, maybe I am a little in a bad mood. I'm sorry"
Aria "What's going on, Han?"
Hanna "Nothing, I'm okay" she forces a smile. She doesn't want to ruin her weekend with her friends. "Can you give me a hand, Spence?" she asks while turning around, asking her to put some cream on her back.
Spencer "Sure" she says and takes the sunscreen.
Hanna "So… how did it go your birthday surprise for Toby last night?" she smiles amused.
Spencer laughs. "I'm just going to say that he started his birthday the best way possible" she answers while applying some sun cream on Hanna's back.
The girls laugh.
Spencer "And he will end it the same way" she adds and makes the girls laugh again.
Aria "Just keep in mind that we will be in the same house… keep it quiet" she jokes, still laughing.
Hanna "Seems like your hormones are playing in Toby's favor"
Spencer laughs. "Yeah, we are having amazing sex"
Aria "Hey! Ezra and I too and I am not pregnant"
Alison "I envy you, guys" she sighs. "For me, it's been a week without even a kiss"
Hanna "Yeah, me too… it's been months since last time I had a good night of sex"
The girls turn their gazes toward her.
Alison "Months?"
Hanna "I mean weeks" she tries to correct what she just said and looks away.
But Alison won't miss the chance to mess with Jordan. She can't stand the guy.
Alison "If I were you, I would think it through before marrying Jordan… I mean, a life of bad sex? Ugh… anyway, he looked like he wasn't good in bed"
Hanna looks at her. "I didn't say that. And for comments like those is why you are losing Emily, by the way" she fires back.
Alison looks down. The expression on her face changes and she seems really affected by what Hanna just said.
Alison "I know… I can't help it… it's like they just come out of my mouth before I can even process them. I'm sorry, Han" she apologizes.
Hanna "It's okay"
Alison "I really want to work things out… I miss her like hell" she says while looking toward the lake in front of them, fixing her eyes on Emily.
Aria "Why don't you go with her right now?"
Alison "I don't want to make her uncomfortable. She's still mad at me"
Aria "Just go there with the guys for a while, stick around. You won't get anything by staying away from her"
Hanna "Yeah, spend some time with her now that you two are here… and try not to make mean comments"
Alison smiles. "Yeah, you are right. I'm going there" she stands up and walks toward the shore.
Shortly after, Ezra approaches them and convinces Aria to go into the lake with him, so she joins the guys too.
Spencer "Don't you want to take a swim as well?" she asks Hanna.
Hanna "No, I'm fine here… I want to tan a little. But you go if you want"
Spencer "Well, I won't get in the water… I've gotta keep this little one warm" she says and caresses her still flat tummy. "But I think I'll go to the shore at least"
Hanna "Okay"
Spencer stands up. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"
Hanna "Yeah, I'm sure" she smiles at Spencer and she walks away.
Hanna closes her eyes and enjoys the warmth of the sun hitting her skin while relaxing.
Caleb "Are you getting in the water?" he asks to Spencer. He is still standing there at the shore, his feet in the water.
Spencer "No… I'll just stay here" she smiles at him. "You should go ask Hanna, though" she adds as Caleb starts to walk further into the lake.
Caleb stops his walk and turns around. He sees Hanna lying on her blanket. He doubts for a moment, but then he decides to go with her.
Caleb "Yeah, I will" he tells Spencer and starts to walk toward Hanna.
As he gets closer, he gets a better view of her. He can't help checking her out, she looks breath-taking in that black bikini of hers. But as soon as he gets to her, he fixes his eyes only on her face.
Caleb "Hey" he stands in front of her.
Hanna "I'm trying to get a tan here and you are stealing my sun" she says cuttingly.
Caleb doesn't say anything and lies down on Spencer's blanket next to her.
Hanna "What are you doing?"
Caleb "I'm getting a tan too… shouldn't you take your sunglasses off? You don't want to get a mark…"
Hanna knows that he is right but she won't take her glasses off because there's no way that she's conceding that to him. "I'm fine" she just says.
Caleb chuckles. He reaches out and takes her sunglasses off himself.
Hanna looks at him. "I'm doing my best not to treat you bad again, but you are really pushing me right now, you know?"
Caleb smiles amused. "Sorry, it wasn't my intention to piss you off"
Hanna "Why don't you just go there with the guys? Go swim or something"
Caleb "Because I want to stay here with you"
Hanna "I don't get you, Caleb… you just asked me for space and here you are"
Caleb "Oh, come on… It's not like I'll push you away or something, we are all here to spend the weekend together and I told you that everything is okay between us"
Hanna doesn't answer. She looks back to the sky and closes her eyes to continue sunbathing. Caleb turns to lie on his side and stares at her for minutes. He takes a while to observe her face, which is perfect to him and then he runs his eyes over her body, her skin is shinny under the sun light because of the sunscreen. He wishes that he could freeze the time and everything around them and have her all for himself for a while at least. He takes his eyes back to her face and he is still staring at her when Hanna opens her eyes and turns her face to him, so their looks meet.
Caleb "Wanna go for a swim with me now?"
Hanna only smiles slightly. She misses him and her need to be around him is stronger than the annoyance that she feels because he refuses to listen to what she has to tell him.
Caleb sits up on the blanket and looks toward the lake, where the guys are. "Seems like Chocolate is having a blast over there"
Hanna takes a look as well and sees Chocolate going get a stick that Toby just threw for him. He is swimming happily after it.
Hanna "Okay, let's go" she sits up too.
Caleb stands up and offers his hand to her. Hanna takes his hand and he helps her up, but they release their hands as soon as Hanna is on her feet.
/
The rest of the afternoon goes well, everyone has fun at the lake and enjoys the sunny day. Chocolate is probably the one who enjoys the most since he loves the water and being the center of attention. And Hanna and Caleb get along just as well as always, and given that they are with the guys the whole time, Hanna doesn't try to have a serious talk with him again.
Evening.
Hanna gets downstairs after taking a shower. She goes straight to the kitchen where Aria and Ezra are making dinner.
Hanna "Do you guys need some help?"
Aria "No, it's fine, we've got this" she smiles at her.
Ezra "Well, I could use some beer…"
Hanna chuckles. "Okay" she approaches the fridge and gets Ezra a beer can.
Ezra "Thanks"
Hanna "No problem… well, just let me know if you need a hand" she says and leaves the kitchen to go to the living room.
She finds Spencer, Toby, Caleb and Chocolate there.
Hanna "Where are Em and Ali?" she asks while sitting down on a chair.
Spencer "They are gone for a walk" she says smiling.
Hanna "Oh, that's good" she grins and then turns her gaze to Toby and Caleb who seem to be checking over a fishing rod. "Are you going fishing?" she asks them.
Toby "No, Caleb got me this as a birthday present" he tells Hanna and then looks at Caleb. "Really, man, you didn't have to buy me this. It must be really expensive, this is the latest model, this is a state-of-the-art rod"
Caleb smiles. "Hey, it's the least I could do, you have helped me a lot since I moved here… besides, it's just a rod"
Toby "It's not just a rod, this is great" he says fascinated while examining the reel.
Chocolate stands up and walks toward the back door. He scratches the door, asking to go outside.
Hanna is about to stand up, but Caleb beats her to it.
Caleb "I'll go" he tells her and walks to the door.
Hanna "Okay, just make sure he doesn't get in the water again"
Caleb nods and they go outside.
About five minutes pass and Caleb is still outside with Chocolate. Hanna knows that it would be a perfect opportunity to go talk to him and make him listen to what she has to say. But she also needs an excuse to go outside without being too obvious, since her friends already suspect that there's something going on between Caleb and her. She spots her purse on the coffee table and something pops up in her mind. She grabs it and takes a cigarette, that's the best way to get outside, she's making Spencer kick her out herself.
Hanna is about to light up her cigarette when Spencer, just as Hanna thought, gives her an odd look.
Spencer "You are not planning to smoke in here, are you?"
Hanna does her best and fakes surprise.
Spencer "I'm pregnant, remember?"
Hanna "Oh, right. Sorry!"
Spencer "It's fine. Just go outside"
Once she is outside, she takes a look around and spots Caleb standing aside, his hands in his pockets as he watches Chocolate who is sniffing the ground a little further from him.
Hanna "Hey" she says while walking toward him and Caleb turns around.
Caleb smiles at her, but then he sees the cigarette in her hand. "Are you serious?"
Hanna chuckles and crushes the cigarette in her fist, destroying it. "No, this was just an excuse to come here with you" she throws it away and gets closer to him. "Are you going to listen to me now?"
Caleb sighs. "Look Han, I'm sorry. I thought that I could handle this better, that I could bear anything as long as you were with me, but I can't. I don't want to talk because we won't get anywhere right now"
Hanna "Okay, let's not talk then" she wraps her arms around his neck and lays her lips on his right away, starting to kiss his mouth.
Caleb "Han, please" he says against her lips and places his hands on her hips with the intention of pushing her away, but he just can't, so he only closes his eyes.
Hanna "No" she says and keeps kissing him, although he doesn't kiss her back.
She takes one of her hands to his face and cups his cheek, still moving her mouth on his, and she tries to deepen the kiss but she fails because Caleb doesn't collaborate.
Hanna "Come on, kiss me back" she says still against his mouth, but Caleb turns his face to the side this time, moving his mouth away from hers.
Caleb "I can't do this, Hanna. This is getting out of my hands. My feelings for you are getting the best of me" he pulls away from her embrace. "What happened the other day at your place… I had no right to ask you anything… it's just that… fuck, I feel you so mine already that I can't bear thinking of you being with him again, not even for a minute. That's why I want to stay away for now. I can't meddle in your business, I can't tell you what to do, I can't tell you how to break up with your boyfriend, or when. You should have gone to Boston if you wanted to. I need to step aside… I've never been in such a situation. It freaks me out how much it affects me anything you do. I no longer have control of my emotions. You have no idea how much it hurt seeing that ring back on your finger the other day"
Hanna shows him her hand. "I'm not wearing it anymore… I took it off the other day after you left. If you only listened to me-"
Caleb cuts her off. "Still, I shouldn't have thrown it in your face because I have no right. He is still your fiancé after all… and I am no one… I'm just the guy you are hooking up with"
Hanna "Would you just stop and listen to me once and for all? I have some things to tell you, and they have pretty much to do with everything that you just said"
Caleb "Okay, fine" he gives in since he knows that Hanna won't give up and even if he walked away from her now, she would find a way to get alone with him again.
Hanna "First of all, you are not just the guy I am hooking up with… you are my BAE" she says and grins.
Caleb can't help laughing. "I'm your what?" he asks amused. Hanna's words have just changed his mood drastically and they have also blown away the seriousness of the talk.
Hanna "My BAE, as cheesy, stupid and teenaged as it sounds…" she chuckles. "I was thinking about that the other day… I have been thinking a lot these last two days after you left... and that popped up in my mind"
Caleb "And how's that?" he asks intrigued about how she came to that idea.
Hanna "Well, I was trying to find out what place you were occupying in mi life… I mean, this has been so weird from the beginning… we started fighting, we barely put up with one another at first, then we started hanging out, spending more and more time together, to the point where I spent most of my days with you… I can't tell the exact moment I started feeling things for you, and then we just started to have this thing between us, which I don't even know how to call it… Anyway, back to my point, you are my BAE, or at least, that's what I want you to be for me… I want you to be my 'before anyone else', that's the place that I want you to occupy in my life. But I haven't been doing it right, I neglected you. I didn't put you first… I guess it is not possible to do everything right… I mean, I can't end things with Jordan the best way possible and protect the beginning of our relationship at the same time. I said that I didn't want to mix things up, but it's all already mixed up, and it's been like that even since before we first kissed. I have only hurt you while trying not to hurt Jordan, I made mistakes, I made decisions that were unfair to you, and I don't want to do it anymore. From now on, you are first. So yes, you have the right to ask me things because I give you that right. And I also want you to tell me when something hurts or bothers you. It doesn't matter what we are right now, I don't care about titles, only our feelings count… and that suitcase that I brought today wasn't just to spend one night here… I was planning to go to DC straight from here, if you are okay with that, of course. I'm done with all this and I just want to go there and give Jordan that ring back once and for all" she wraps her arms around Caleb's neck again. "But I will only do that if you are okay with it, if it doesn't hurt you. Otherwise, I'll just talk to him on the phone again and mail him the ring"
Hanna stares at him for a moment and then she leans forward and starts to kiss him on the mouth again, but Caleb is still doubtful. He only places his palms on her lower back.
Hanna "Come on, babe…" she says between kissing him. "Kiss me already"
Caleb's resistance eases off and he wraps his arms around her, pulling her closer to him and he finally kisses her back, but only for a few seconds, because he has things to tell her as well, so he pulls away from her lips and looks at her, still in the embrace.
Caleb "I won't tell you what to do. I don't wanna be that guy… I think you should go to Washington if that's what you need… but since you are giving me the chance to ask you things, I would really appreciate if you don't kiss him again… like a good-bye kiss or shit like that that people do when they break up… Just the thought of it makes me sick…"
Hanna smiles. "No kisses, I promise. It wasn't in my plans anyway. Don't worry, we will talk about it before I leave, okay? We will talk this through"
Caleb nods.
Hanna "I'm really sorry about the other day, I was so thoughtless" she runs a hand through his hair, caressing him.
Caleb "It's okay" he gives her a smile. "So… I'm your BAE?" he asks amused, teasing her a little.
Hanna rolls her eyes. "You really know how to use my own words against me"
Caleb laughs. "I'm just kidding… besides, I liked it. I guess you mean the same to me" he says and he kisses her lips himself this time, starting a very romantic kiss.