A/N:

Hi guys. I know, I know. I'm so sorry for this late update...like what I always say, I'm really busy nowadays. I'm really really sorry. Work's really taking a lot of my time, that when I get home, I'm already tired and exhausted. I've been receiving some messages as well in which I'm so thankful.

Gris bray: I'm so sorry for this super late update! But look I'm posting this chapter because I value my readers! And thank you so much for your message it really motivated me. Here's your update. =)

Sweet-Cakesz24: Hello there, thank you for your message! :) I'm flattered, really, for putting my story in your top list. Here's the update! I hope you'll like it. :)

So before you continue reading and before I receive comments about mistakes or grammatical errors etc... I just want to warn you beforehand that this chapter is still not yet beta-ed. I'm still waiting for the edited version from my beta, but she's now pretty busy but I totally understand her, because I am too. Hehe. =) I don't want to rush her, I just want her to get well soon. =) I'll be posting the edited version as soon as she's done. Bear with us please. I also decided to post this rough draft because I love you all my faithful readers and I don't want you to think that I gave up on this story.

That's all for now. Hope you enjoy this chapter and reviews will be very much appreciated.

Read at your own risk.

Enjoy!

Recap:

Haley's been avoiding Hunter ever since that day when she told Emma the whole story. Emma, being a supportive friend, tried her best to help, but then, while they were debating, the doorbell rang. They immediately assumed it was Hunter so imagine Haley's surprise when it wasn't Hunter but none other than his older brother, Zed. Haley introduced him to Emma and by the looks of it, they really didn't get along that well. But Haley hoped eventually they would. It was that night when they went to Brent's party and Haley asked Zed to help her friend since Emma was obviously wasn't enjoying the company of Brent and his friends. Zed, albeit reluctantly, obliged. When she was left on her own, she was shocked to see Jared at the party. Jared wanted to talk to her and that's when Hunter found them. After a little dispute, Haley and Hunter called a cab and left the party. When they were finally alone, they did nothing but to have a heated argument that turned into a rather heated...kissing.

CHAPTER 15 – Decisions with a Mission that left no Conclusion


Even when I couldn't see his face, I could sense the way he was vividly rolling his eyes. "You made this decision now suck it up."

I made a loud groan, banging my head on the table, a little too hard. "Ouch." Rubbing the sore spot, I lifted my head. "Well, it wasn't supposed to turn out like this, you know."

He shrugged. "But it did." Then he pulled out his laptop and started typing vigorously...as if he was so bored that he needed to do something, aside from talking to a whining girl in the middle of the night.

"Why do you have your laptop with you," I looked at my watch. "At the middle of the night?"

"I knew this would happen." He typed again.

"Knew what?"

He gave me a quick glance and then back to the screen again. "You know," A wave of his hand. "This."

It wasn't that I forced him – well, fine I somehow did – but still. He could have been honest with me that he didn't want to have coffee with me. I didn't know I was such an irritating person until now.

"Okay then, sorry for wasting your time."

"Nah, it's okay." He answered nonchalantly, still engaged with his laptop.

Breathe, Haley.

It wasn't that I was expecting a touching reply like 'Aww, of course not!' or something like 'you will never waste my time! Come on, let's hear that problem'. But 'Nah it's okay?' It was close as to admitting I really wasted his time!

Oh well, the saying was true, expect the unexpected.

"Well...I'm going." I started.

He merely nodded. "Sure."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm standing up now."

But I didn't move. He didn't even glance at me.

"I'm really...standing up right now." I reluctantly stood up, but had no intentions of walking. "Like...really...now..."

He barely said, "Yeah,"

I almost wanted to stomp my feet, cry and have a dramatic exit if I didn't saw his lips slowly tugging upward forming into a smirk.

I slapped his shoulder. "I officially hate you."

"Oh but I'm so loveable!" He finally closed his laptop, his full attention on me. "You love me, admit it." And then wink.

I rolled my eyes and grudgingly sat down again. If I wasn't so problematic right now, I wouldn't tolerate him. But he was a good listener – not that Emma wasn't, but I feel I've been nagging about this to Emma so much – so I talked to the other person who knows him. Best friends need to take a break too, you know.

"Chris, can you do me –"

Pretending to be shocked, he leaned in closer. "Right here? Right now?" He shook his head. "Didn't know you want me that much."

My mouth fell open like a whole basketball would fit it and the heat that found its way on my face would have made my head explode. Now he was back with his old I-like-flirting-with-you-till-dawn Chris.

I cleared my throat. " – a favor."

"Oh, I thought..." He was smirking suggestively while I shuddered just by the thought of it.

I was red as it is, all right. "Mind out of gutter, Christian."

And then he was laughing.

"You could have seen your face cupcake," He controlled his laughter and continued, "It was so red that you looked like little red riding hood."

"Little red riding hood's face is not red, Chris."

He genuinely frowned, as if he was just figuring this out. "Really?"

I sighed, not really wanting to tell him the story why she was called like that. "Yes, really."

He shrugged it off and took a sip off his coffee. "So...Hunter."

Just like that, my ears perked up. Finally.

"Yes. Hunter." I spoke calmly. "He's driving me nuts, you know."

I could see the amusement in his eyes. "Oh, believe me, you're doing the same to him. If not, more."

My heart fluttered at the thought of that.

Eyebrow knitting, I said, "If that's the case, why is he like that?"

Chris puffed his bangs away from his forehead, looking bored. "Like what?"

"Like what? Chris!" I slammed both my hands above the table, thankful there wasn't anyone around. "He's avoiding me like a plague, but acts naturally with other people." I took a deep breath. "And it's like he's changing attitudes everyday!"

"Can you blame him? With the set up you want that's more likely what he would do."

"Avoid me?"

"Well, yes." Chris looked at me, as if I was the most stupid girl he ever met. "You guys kissed– yes he told me, I'm his cousin so don't get mad at him – then turned out to be a full blown make out session," By this time I was so red that my head almost hurt. I wanted to wring Hunter's neck right now.

"You know all the cliché's cupcake, he finally got to kiss you, after all those damn sexual tension between you two, and what?" He paused, raising an amused eyebrow. "You tell him to, forgive my language, fuck off."

"That's not what I said!" I replied immediately, disbelief etched in my face. "I could never!"

He rolled his eyes. "Well, that's what you meant, basically."

"That's not true... what I said was..."

He smirked, touched the cup of coffee to his lips. "Then, pray tell, what did you say to him?"

"Well..."

Flashback two weeks ago...

The kiss was so good that I thought I wouldn't be able to stop. To hell with all that teenage angst we had back in high school. To hell with those issues we had to discuss. To hell with that stupid pink box!

All I know now was his soft lips were placed above mine, practically guiding my untrained ones to some passionate making out. Hell yeah this feels so good. His soft butterfly kisses from my neck, to my collarbone, to the sensitive part of my ear managed to let me throw all the logical reasons why we shouldn't be doing this out the window.

I meant that literally since we were still sitting, well better yet, me half lying on the car with him above me, taking all the time in the world kissing me.

When we broke away, breathing hard, I didn't even have the energy to flutter my eyes open. But I could feel his lips ghostly above mine. We were practically breathing the same air.

I finally opened my eyes and saw that his were still close. As if he was savoring this moment. "Vince?" I croaked out.

"Yeah?" He managed to reply, after a quick peck on my lips.

I smiled then choked out, "I c-can't brea-the,"

In a flash he was away from me, helping me sit properly, face full of worry. "Shit, sorry, I just, you know, it's just that...I didn't know – "

"It's okay," I smiled. He looked cute blabbering like that. "I know."

Yes, I know it too. I felt it too. How nice it would be if we could stay like that forever.

Ehhh. Cheesy.

He sat back, relaxing, trying to control his breathing. He had his arm above his closed eyes. He looked like he was thinking deeply. I didn't disturb him, instead, I slowly fixed my...err...clothes and quietly exited the cab.

Where had Cabby driver gone to, I didn't know.

We were on the beach, the sky so dark, with only stars there to watch with the lonely moon. The cool breeze made me shiver, but it was serene, calm. I practically rolled my eyes. So what now, just one kiss and I become a poet?

I took off my shoes and stepped into the cool sand. Then just like a big wham! It was all coming back.

It's all coming back to me now.

Not to sound like Celine Dion, but well, it was true.

It was like our relationship couldn't push thru. Raging hormones and all that wasn't even helping getting us in a more complicated relationship.

What now? My head asked.

I was so caught up with my thoughts that I didn't hear the sound of sand rustling, until I felt arms around my middle, hugging me from behind. At times like this, I wished he wouldn't be sweet. I wish he would just debate with me, irate me, fight with me.

But maybe we were just too tired of that. It had been years.

"Stop it," He whispered, knowing exactly what I was thinking. "Don't fight this. Don't..." He kissed the side of my neck. "Don't fight us."

My smile was a little bitter, I tried to step away from his embrace but his grip was tight.

"Was there even an 'us'?"

"Lei... Come on," He was almost begging.

His answer was not even a yes or no. Then what is it?

A Maybe.

And I didn't want a Maybe there's an 'us'? relationship. But I wasn't blaming him. Not at all. The blame could also be pointed to me because I didn't want to face the problem. I was still a coward after all these years.

I was afraid, all right. Time had been cruel to the both of us. There were years that were taken away from us that kept all those unspoken issues – which I learned we should discuss sooner or later – hidden.

Hunter turned me around so that I was facing him, his arms still around me. "There's still a lot of things, Vince, that we –"

He took hold each side of my face. "Lei, listen, can we just put it behind us all?" Pause. "Please?"

I looked away, afraid that he would be able to see my true answer. Yes. "No."

There was a pregnant pause, then, "Why?" His voice wasn't mad, but it wasn't gentle either. It almost sounded as if he was fed up.

"Because like I said, we still have lots of issues to discuss. We can't just jump – "

He stepped back and I immediately missed the warmth. "Then let's hear those fucking issues!"

Surprise swept across my face at his sudden outburst. "Hey – "

"Talk, goddamit. Tell me those issues now, Haleina. I want to hear them so that we can fucking move on." He snapped.

Now that got me mad. "You think all it's as easy as that don't you?" I clicked my fingers, "Boohoo let's forgive and forget. Kiss and make up."

His snorted. "I would like to skip to the kiss and make up part, please."

I admit, I blushed at that.

As complicated and as badly this night turned out, I unexpectedly a smile tugged my lips. That's when I saw Hunter's mad face turning into a smile as well.

Well... that fight went... uhm...well.

I need to stop saying well. Really.

"All I'm saying is that I want to take it slow..." I looked at him earnestly.

"And by slow you mean...?"

I frowned. "You know...like...in the movies...like, slow motion...?" I finished lamely.

He gave me a dumbfounded look. "That really doesn't help, Lei."

Sighing, I took a step towards him. "I mean... let's just be..."

"Oh, so now it's the 'lets just be friends line' huh? Can you be anymore original than that?"

"Why are you so sarcastic?" I retorted, annoyed at his attitude.

"Because I don't know what the hell to do with you anymore damn it!"

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that don't know if I want to fucking maul your lips right now, kiss you senseless until you cant feel your lips anymore or I –" he pause to think, then, "It doesn't matter, I'll do it anyway."

I opened my mouth to protest but he did just what he said and kissed me. And we were at it again, like hormonal teenagers who were deprived of such slow intoxicating kisses. There was nothing gentle about the kiss, unlike the first one we had – which was just a few hours ago – because he was still testing the waters. But this was truly intense. It wasn't too rough, but it was passionate enough to make my toes curl in anticipation. If he wasn't holding me so tight, I was so sure I wouldn't be standing now. Especially the way he was kissing me urgently, as if he was running out of time. The way his delicious lips trapped my lower lips with his, nibbling a little, while continuing his journey towards what's inside it.

Oh I was kissing him back. Not that you didn't know that.

It was when I parted my lips, and I felt the tip of his tongue touched mine that I became fully alert. I bit back a moan, and felt the smirk on his face. But that smirk was soon gone when I instantly back away, just a millisecond before our tongues could have dueled.

The sensation was just too electrifying to ignore.

We were both flushed, breathing hard (what's new) and looking at each other...hungrily. I groaned aloud, wanting nothing but to feel his lips once again. But I held my ground.

"That doesn't change anything." I said in a hoarse whisper. "We'll take it slow. This is too much. Maybe I can't handle it. We have school, we have papers, yes, our paper will be due before Christmas break. We need to prioritize that," I paused controlling my breath. "Also, no touching. If we do the paper, strictly professional. We can't be like this," I stretched out my arms. "Kissing like there's no tomorrow. After we finish the paper, we will settle this once and for all."

It was like I was asking him for a wrestling match or something. Heck, it sounded weird, but I hope he got the point. When he didn't speak, I added, "Then we'll take it from there."

I take it back! I wanted to say. But of course I couldn't.

When my speech was done, I waited for his reply, his complaints, his outrage. And at the back of my mind, his kisses. Oh shut it! Those kisses were freaking addicting you see. I'm a kiss addict. Sue me.

"'Kay."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. "What?"

I didn't think I heard him correctly. Did he just said 'kay?

Without even the letter 'O' in it?

Hunter stuffed his hands inside his pockets. He became, calm, cool and collected. "I said, 'kay."

Oh he definitely said it without an O. He even repeated it! You see there's a difference between those two. Okay was always meant to be a nonchalant word. But an OKAY without an O means a freaking I-don't-give-a-damn okay.

Well, I wasn't mad. It was cool how he handled it so well. I need to calm down. This was what I wanted. But wasn't just earlier he was so eager to fight? To have The Talk so we could move on and do some kissing and making up? I shook my head clearing my thoughts. Not that I wanted that. I so did not! Keep telling that to yourself. I will, thank you very much. Hmph.

So I answered him just the same, " 'Kay."

Without an O.

End of flashback.

I know I requested that. I know. But I didn't mean it to turn out like this. It had been two weeks since that incident and yet, here I was this close to being crazy. He was good at avoiding me, I'll give him that. And boy did he take the entire request I said that right into heart.

He sure kept his distance from me. He wouldn't even tap my shoulder if he needed something. He would use his pen would you believe? But I let it pass. The second week was as excruciating as the first. If not, even more. He excluded himself from the rest of our group. He wasn't his bubbly self anymore. He was becoming a different person day by day.

It was too noticeable to be, you know, unnoticed.

And the girls did notice him all right.

Hunter wasn't skin and bones, but he wasn't well built either. He was just toned. And one would never notice that not until you would be able to see what's beneath those shirts he was wearing. He wasn't a trend setter, or was into much fashion, but he carried himself well. But of course, one would notice the big difference from the former boy next door charms he had two weeks ago to the bad boy look he was now portraying. He turned from being playful and friendly, to nerdyand now he was this brooding mysterious guy. I didn't even know how could that be possible.

"If your eyes can squint any better than that, we will call you the squint queen."

"You can come up with something better than that, Chris." It was Emma's voice I heard, but I couldn't loose my focus.

Emma slowly took my elbow to shake me out of my thoughts. "Just talk to him, Hales. He won't be able to receive any message that your frown and squinted eyes are sending him. Boys are made that way."

"Are you calling us stupid?" Chris asked abruptly.

Emma smirked. "You said that, not me."

"Well, I'm not stupid in bed. Do you want me to prove it?" Chris asked suggestively, leaning close to Emma.

Emma threw a fry at him. "You're disgusting."

"No, I'm hot." He chuckled. "And you know it."

The night I talked to Chris turned out to be well, helpless. When I told him the whole story, he just shrugged it off as he already knew what happened. Or maybe Hunter beat me to it.

"Well, I know where he's coming from. Just give him time. He's licking his wounds."

I frowned at that disgusting scene. "He's what?"

"I meant that he's healing from the rejection."

"But I didn't reject him!"

"That's what he thinks anyway."

So maybe I wanted him to be serious like when we do our business paper together. So what If wanted to get an A, and decided that a distraction – namely Hunter – would not be good. I wanted to just prioritize my studies, and him being my partner in a very major subject wasn't easy. As if all the emotional turmoil wasn't enough, he needed to make it a lot complicated.

Hunter wasn't sitting with our usual table, he requested that he wanted time for himself (I made a dramatic roll of eyes when he said that) and said he wouldn't be joining us for a while. I didn't make any qualms about it. If he wanted to be that way, then so be it.

Last week, I tolerated his one liner answers to all my questions. Last week, I tolerated his 'I'm just a little busy,' reasons. But the following week was even worse. He treated me as if I was a wind! Air! Plague! He wouldn't even stop in the hallway if he'd see me. All I asked of him was the no touching rule but he must have interpreted it as NO TALKING, TOUCHING, ACKNOWLEDGING rule since he was doing so well at it.

I stood up and walked out of the cafeteria with nothing but 'I'll be back' to Emma. I felt like a stalker. But there was no any other way but this. I didn't have my glasses on, yes I do wear them occasionally, so it was a little blurry.

And then I spotted him. His back was turned, but it was him. He was wearing dark faded jeans and a black polo shirt with black sneakers on. Okay so what if I checked him out? That wasn't a crime. Since all students were busy, either the cafeteria or somewhere outside the building, the hallways were empty.

I could hear his footsteps nearing.

Step.

Step..

Another step..

Almost there...

And when I was sure he was close enough, I grabbed his arm, dragged him inside the room I was hiding in. My back was facing him, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see his face, so I let go of his hand and stared outside the window – which was the one in front of me.

I gulped. So where should I start?

"Yeah, I said no touching," I still didn't turn around. "But this is an exception."

Behind me, I heard the door slowly shut. Click. Now my heart was pounding because I hear footsteps making its way towards me.

"Stay put," I said. "Don't move and hear what I have to say."

The footsteps stopped, but he was already so near that I could almost feel his breath on my neck.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Yeah I know I said a few things two weeks ago, but none of those things was you should ignore my existence! You're so infuriating." I paused. "And what's with the brooding, quiet, lonely, rebel for a cause character? You think it's hot? Well, yes it's a little hot –

His breath tickled my neck and made me shiver involuntarily. "A little?"

I cleared my throat, not really wanting to admit that to him. " Well, that's beside the point. You should –"

- Not put your hands on my arm and rub small circles in it because my self restraint wasn't that good. And that, "Go on," with such a husky voice wasn't helping either.

And so I spun around.

"Boo."

And I opened my mouth to let out an ear piercing shout but his hand automatically went to my mouth. "Don't scream."

Like hell I won't!

"Whaahmpphhpm!" I looked at him with venom. "Mwhy whar yhu hmere?"

"You dragged me inside if I remember correctly." He answered my incoherent question.

I mentally slapped myself. Yes I did. And now I realized how stupid I was as I lifted my own hands, thinking that if I were in a suspense film I would be the first one to be killed since It didn't even register to me that I had my own hands that I could use.

I struggled a little and pushed him away from me because he was occupying my personal space too much – which made me extremely uncomfortable since we weren't even friends like that.

You know, we weren't even in talking terms. Just...one word terms. If you know what I mean.

"So?"

My mouth settled into a frown. "What do you mean so?"

"I was walking peacefully by myself, minding my own damn business when I get dragged here," He pointed at me. "By some lunatic girl saying that I'm so hot."

I literally choked at that. "I wasn't referring to you!"

"Oh come on, brooding, lonely, quiet rebel for a cause – that's basically pointing towards me."

Rolling my eyes, I started to leave. "You're so full of yourself. I obviously got the wrong person –" He blocked my way. "Please get out of my way."

His hands that should have been kept at his sides, made its way to both sides of my arms. That resulted to a reluctant shudder. I didn't know why – maybe it was because I was a little scared of him.

I gulped. "Let go of me, kiddo."

Yeah, I should show superiority. I was a year older than him for chrissakes!

And he did what I asked by stepping back. "Sure, ma'am."

"I'm not that old." I snapped angrily. "And don't think I'm scared of you because can't you see? I'm almost as tall as you – okay maybe not as tall but I'm still tall enough – and I'm a year older than you so you should at least give me some respect."

"Yes, madam."

"Oh hell," I gave up and sidestepped so that we were side by side. I looked over my shoulder. "Sorry by dragging you here. Go back to your class."

When I was just about to take a step, his hand grabbed my arm. "I'll see you around."

When he let go of me, I hurriedly made my way outside of that classroom. Remind me not to drag random people in a classroom.

And whose fault was this?

Hunter's of course. Funny how his name was Hunter and he was the one being hunted. By me. How ironic. As I made my way to my next class, I was thinking back was just happened inside that room, I shook my head in disbelief.

Was that really Calvin's twin? Calvin was friendly, while Keith was uh, weird.

The though that he was probably adopted crossed my mind evilly because they were just so different.

The day flew by and I just gave up the option that I could talk to him at school. Of course, I had a list of other options to use for him to talk to me. Because of our business paper of course, nothing else.

Yes, it was for academic purposes.

When I was walking to meet Emma at the gate, I felt the vibration of my phone inside my pocket. I kept walking while I adjusted the books I was holding on my left arm, placed it on my right arm. I was almost near the gate when I finally fished out my phone.

"Emma, why?" I answered quickly, continuing my pace.

"Don't go outside!"

I stopped my tracks immediately but it was too late, because when I heard what she said, it wasn't only over the phone. I heard it in the background as well because when I looked around, I saw Emma with her phone placed on her right ear – panic written all over her face.

Then I saw him.

Oh goodness, as if this day could not get any better.

"Haley!" Jared's irritating voice rang my ears. "Hales!"

Well, the fact that I told him that I would call him maybe made his hopes up. One way or another I knew, I could never run away from him forever.

"Jared."

"Hey...can we...talk?" He asked uncertainly.

I was a little hesitant though. It wasn't because I still had feelings for him, it was so long gone now, but... I chanced a look at Emma. I knew she could help me decide.

But she was looking at something behind me. So was Jared.

So naturally I would look at it too, right?

And with what I saw, I fought hard to hide a smile, or better yet a smirk. If we were in the cartoons, a light bulb might have popped out from above my head. You know those things that – okay, moving on.

"Sure Jared!" I agreed immediately, my voice a little loud. "I will come with you right," I was almost shouting. "Now! Yes. Let's go to that place you've been telling me about these past few days."

Of course, there would be confusion etched at Jared's face. "Huh? We –"

I gave him a meaningful smile. "Right Jared? You told that to me last week."

"We didn't talk – oh," He finally understood. "He. He. He..." What an awkward laugh. "Yeah, so that uhm place, you know I was telling you about...where is it again?"

Oh eat me alive now, please. Jared might have failed his acting class. I could hear the snicker behind me, and Emma was obviously amused as well since I heard her choking back her laugh.

"Let's just go." I said to Jared and started walking away so that we could get inside Jared's car, so that I would be watching Hunter from the passenger's seat of Jared's car.

He would be so sorry of course, for avoiding me.

But I then stopped in my tracks and looked back at Jared. Emma was standing there, now beside Hunter. I squinted at Jared.

"Where's your car?"

Jared took a few steps and scratched the back of his head. "Well... it's at the shop....so we'll be, uh, taking a cab."

"You idiot," I muttered under my breath, only the two of us could hear.

"Well, if you could have warned me about this role playing –"

"See you tomorrow Emms." It was Hunter's amused voice that yelled. While he was entering his own car, he then glanced at us with that stupid smirk. "Both of you enjoy."

Then he was gone.

"Argh!" I stomped my foot, annoyed. "That dumbass, idiotic idiot."

I didn't even notice that I was rumbling again and again and again about what happened earlier if not for Jared, who seemed to be enjoying my annoyance.

After that unfortunate incident, I told Emma I would be alright, she nodded and said that she could get her own ride and she'll see me at home. So here I was, with Jared, gripping my coffee so hard the contents of it might burst out.

"You like him that much, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "None of your business."

He nodded. "Fair enough."

I slumped back into my chair, thinking of new ways to get back at him. But then Jared spoke. "So, I just wanted to say sorry."

"Isn't that just a little too late?"

Gosh, I sounded like JoJo now.

"I know, because you won't let me, but well here it goes. I'm sorry for everything I did. If I hurt you back then, I'm really, genuinely sorry. I know maybe you want to kick me now or something so I'm giving you the privilege."

"I'm not a war freak you know."

"That's what I like about you."

"Stop flirting with me."

He chuckled. It didn't occur to me that it was quite a while since I heard that laugh. "Maybe before I will...but now, I won't."

"Because you and that conniving bitch still together?" I said with disgust.

I saw him cringe. I rarely talk like that. "She deserved that."

"You bet she does, that –" I paused when I saw the look he got on his face. "Oh my god! You love her!" I should have been bitter about it, but mostly it was surprise. Or maybe even repugnance.

"You love that bitch? What's wrong with you! You could do better than that!"

"Calm down, I'm not in love with her. And I'm definitely not with her." He said and saw him shudder at the thought.

Relief went through me. "Thank goodness for that."

"Yeah." He sighed. "I'm finally out of her stupid games. Blackmailing games."

I gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

Then he started to tell me the story.

The conniving bitch Amanda was the one who initiated the kiss when I found them. And when Jared wanted to run after me, Amanda stopped him and said that she would commit a goddamn suicide if he wouldn't be with her. Jared said he still went after me, but I was already gone.

The blackmailing continued, Jared being just a stupid teenage kid – not that I blame him – got scared. And went through hell with her mind games.

Jared told me that Amanda had done it once, and he got scared that she could do it again. So the reason why he didn't even deny that he was dating her was because of those threats. Jared said Amanda even showed him the scars at her wrist. It was clear to me now, if I were in his shoes that time, I would have done the same.

"That's really..." I started, finding a word that would be suitable for that situation. "Soap opera-ish."

"I didn't know what else to do that time," He said softly. "I never wanted to let our relationship slide, I liked you so much, you know."

"Well, for what it's worth, I liked you too, a lot." I smacked my head. "And I'm so stupid."

He slowly took hold of my hands. "No, maybe both of us were. I was a coward and didn't admit everything to you first chance I got, and of course I fully understand you didn't want anything to do with me anymore – since I started dating her right after we broke up."

I smiled at the look of pure disgust on his face when he mentioned dating her. "That bad huh?"

He shook his head dramatically. "Yeah, those were the worst months of my life."

I laughed and slapped his hand jokingly. Finally.

A closure of the past. Just one last past issue left.

"I'm really sorry that you had to go through all that." I said genuinely, squeezing his hand. "Really, really sorry."

"Me too." He sat back and sipped his coffee. "But I hope she'll be okay. I heard she's taking medications now."

I nodded understandingly. "That's good."

There was an ominous silence before he broke it. "I really wanted you back, you know," A pause. "So much it hurts. I missed you too a lot. It's just that, you're the first girl that really got to me."

Narrowing my eyes, raising my eyebrow, I said, "Are you flirting with me again?"

His answer was fast. "God, no."

I gave a mock image of being hurt. "Ouch. You didn't have to sound that the idea of it was unbearable, you know."

Then we both laughed.

"So when did you decided that you should give up your undying love for me?" I asked casually, smiling at him.

"You're cute and really charming," Jared tapped his chin. "But please, I was just in like with you. You're a really good kisser, I give you that."

I gulped, blush forming my face. "Shut up."

"Oh especially that face!" Jared pointed towards my cheeks, amused. "That blush never fails to amuse me."

Smacking his shoulders, I said again, "Shut up!"

"But of course, no one will be able to replace Emily." He said dreamily. "That girl's awesome. Mygirl's awesome and I love her." He said proudly.

"Aha, now there's a name."

He smiled contentedly and started to toy with his coffee. "Yeah. Emily."

Just like that, i became comfortable with him again.

Before we dated, we were good friends and I was happy that I talked to him today. Happy that all the things we needed to clear up were already discussed. We were both sorry of what happened to us, but we didn't regret it. After that, we ate dinner, and with a taxi, he took me home like the gentleman he was.

We were standing on my porch when he broke the news to me.

"I'm leaving, Hales."

"Okay then, I'll see you soon."

He shook his head, and then whispered, "Leaving. Going Away." He let out a sad sigh. "For good."

That's when I fully understood what he meant. "When? Where?" I looked up at him. "Why?"

A chuckle came from him. "One at a time," He said. "Next week. And my family's already in Europe. I just couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you. Without having you tell me I'm forgiven."

"But you already are."

He nodded and said, "But it just happened earlier. So that's why I'm saying goodbye."

Sighing, I took a step forward, surprising him with a hug. "It might sound really weird but I'll miss you." I playfully punched his back. "What a way to make our reunion so special."

He chuckled before he wrapped his arms around me too. "I'll still call you...and we'll still be friends."

"But how about Emily?"

I could sense his smile. "She's already there."

Oh.

When we finally pulled back, his face looked really contented. Pure bliss was all I could see. I was happy for him.

Then out of nowhere he leaned down and kissed me.

On the cheek.

So don't get the wrong idea. His lips lingered a little before he pulled back. There wasn't anything romantic about it – it was more like a pure friendly kiss.

"Goodbye, Hales."

"Goodbye Jars." He laughed and ruffled my hair and started walking away. But then he stopped. "And Hales?"

"What now?" I asked, pretending to be annoyed.

He smirked. "I knew there was something fishy going on with you and that Hunter guy." I glared at him but didn't respond. "Oh well, I'm thankful I met Emily or I might still fighting him over you. I liked you that much." He confessed and waggled his eyebrows.

I shook my head and said with a 'tsk' sound, "I'm pretty sure that you are flirting with me now."

"Cocky much?" He rolled his eyes and gave a laugh. "I really missed you. Now I am going to miss you soon."

I sighed, not wanting to really get into a sad mood. "Me too. I hope everything goes well. Invite me to your wedding day." I joked.

"Of course I will." He said and gave me another hug wherein he whispered, "Hunter will get to his senses soon. That guy's head over heels for you."

I pulled back immediately, blushing deep. "Goodbye Jared!"

I could still hear his laughter as he faded into the dark. It was sad, really, because we just as we started to be friends again, it all have to end so quickly by him leaving. I sighed with a heavy feeling and made my way inside the building.

If I wasn't too busy thinking and being caught up with my thoughts about Jared leaving, I could have noticed the dark figure and the car that was all too familiar.

Hunter.

So there...whatcha think?

Again, sorry if there were a lot of mistakes. I did warn you that this chapter was still unbeta-ed. I'll just post the edited one after it's done. Hope you liked this one. I'm saying sorry again if it took me months to update. So sorry. But I hope you understand.

Reviews please! :)

And oh, one of the following chapters might be in the point of view of Hunter. I'm still thinking about it though. Suggestions are welcome. =)

Thank you so much for the reviews last chapter!I love you all! =)

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Bluehart out :)