Not close enough

Haley couldn't help her staring.

"Hi guys, I'm so glad you decided to come to the opening I really appreciate it" Aria smiled getting up to greet them.

She wasn't sure if Haley would accept a hug but went for one anyway, relieved when the blonde wrapped her arms around her.
The hug lasted a little longer than expected, with Elliot clearing his throat and causing them to break apart.
Aria moved to hug Emily too, but didn't take her eyes off of Haley. She looked so...beautiful.

Once finished greeting them, she gladly accepted the drink Haley offered her, still staring at Haley in awe.

'What are you doing Aria, get it together, she's probably only here because Emily made her come' Aria thought to herself. She had always been a self doubter and given the situation, She wasn't wrong to be skeptical of Haley's intentions. The pair shared a deep, intense history, once that neither were ready to admit was as deep as it was.

Aria's worries seemed to melt away when Haley took a seat right next to her, there were multiple open seats on the table, this had to mean something.

"Aria I-" "Haley I-" They spoke at the same time, chuckling at how in sync they still were.
Haley signalled allowing Aria to speak first. She hadn't decided how she was going to apologise yet.
"Haley, I've missed you, every day we don't talk it hurts more. I don't expect you to want to be my friend again, you're the one who ended our friendship in the first place, but I invited you here because I can't do this without you anymore. I wanted to know how you felt" Aria spoke, not looking at Haley once, rather looking at her thumbs which had the skin picked right off them from nerves.
"You know I didn't want it to be this way...after the 3rd of spring...I'm sure you remember. When we were talking about the flower dance" The blonde scanned Aria's face, trying to read her for a reaction, part of her hoped that she didn't remember that day, but she knew she'd be annoyed if she had forgotten, even if it was the last day they were ever officially friends.
"I couldn't face my own choices so I did what I do best and I ran, thus driving you away for good and I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm sorry I couldn't be more mature" Haley let's out a breath, it felt good to get it off her chest.
"Haley, no matter what, I always want to be your friend. I asked Emily about you everyday before I left, still do when we talk" Aria squeezed Haley's hand.
"You do?" Haley's eyes lit up and her cheeks pink as ever.
"I do and I hope this can be the start of our new and improved friendship" Aria smiles and Haley nods. Things were finally looking up.

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"I did NOT do that!" Aria grumbles, everyone letting out a laugh.
"Oh you totally did, I still have the pictures from that day on my SD card" Haley teases.
"T-tha-that's so funny" Leah giggles "so you mean to tell me she actually ate one of the treats you and Emily baked for her chickens?" She manages out between laughs.
"Yup I was so confused when Haley came back with three treats saying she couldn't give three of them treats without the other one and that we had to bake another" Emily says with a grin.

Everything was going great, the old friends had been sat for hours, reminiscing about the good old days, swapping stories about their time in pelican town. Some old stories, some new, all a reminder of the closeness the community shared in Pelican town.

As Happy as they were, Haley still felt a pain in her heart, realising she really took a town favourite away from everyone. She felt guilty and regretted her actions. How can she move on from the past when the woman she wishes to be her future isn't near anymore?

The night rolled on, everyone getting more drunk by the hour.
"Well that's me, I'm absolutely exhausted" Leah says making everyone pout.
"There's always the rest of the week to see each other" she reminds them.
"I guess that means I should get going too" Abigail says sadly, Eliot being the next to go.

Emily, Aria and Haley agreed to walk back together, offering Aria a night on their couch, which of course she would never pass up.
It reminded her too much of their saloon days to turn down and admittedly, her house was reminding her too much of her ex at the moment.

The walk back was sobering, but not enough for any of them to walk straight as they all wrapped their arms on each other's shoulders for balance.

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Upon arrival, Haley immediately got some of her clothes for Aria and set up some pillows and a blanket on the couch, although none of them were ready for bed yet, she just wanted everything to be ready for her friend so that they weren't rushing when she was tired.

The three had decided to chat some more into the night, Emily being the first to go to bed.

"Now that we're alone I need to ask you something" Haley lets out, turning to face Aria.

She only gets a nod in response.

"Why didn't you write to me when you got married? Were you trying to spare my feelings?" It was a risky question and she knew that but something compelled her to ask.
"Honestly, I'd heard you weren't doing well, I knew you'd be happy for me but, I wasn't ready to talk yet and I didn't want to risk making you feel worse since I knew Alex had been seeing someone new for a few months" Aria's answer was raw but straight to the point. It hit Haley like a truck.
"You knew Jessica would tell me either way as well I'm assuming" They both stated longingly at each other.
"That too, I knew you kinda became best friends after I left. I was jealous of that I must admit" Aria trailed off, seemingly deep in thought.
"Do you remember when I told you I thought I liked women?" Haley asked, nervous about what she was about to reveal.
"Of course I do, I supported everything you told me no matter what" The former farmer nodded.
"Well I guess I should say it then, I'm bisexual" Haley's nerves were all over the place but it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest.
"Thank you for telling me, honestly. I never thought you'd come to terms with it" Aria laughs a little.
"Was I really that obvious?" Haley laughs too.
"Yeah but I never wanted to make you feel bad so I didn't push you on it" The pair stared at each other, moving inches closer by the second.

Haley's heart was racing. Were they about to kiss? Was it finally happening again? After all these years.

Just as it seemed they were about to kiss, Emily bursts through the door, still very drunk.
"Haleyyyy, Where did you put my charger" she slurred.

Haley and Aria jump apart, pretending nothing was going on.
"Umm it's in my bag on my bed, feel free to grab it out" She replies, clearly frustrated with her older sister. Emily is such a lightweight.

Emily leaves, leaving the two women in an awkward silence, neither wanted to address the moment before, but both of the women thought about what might have happened if Emily hadn't walked in.

"Okay I'm gonna head to bed, I'll see you in the morning for your opening?" Just as Haley was about to leave, Aria pulled her back down onto the couch.
"Stay...please?" How could Haley say no to her?

Sitting back down, Haley pulled Aria into her arms, lying down as she did so, She could settle for a cuddle.
Running her hand up and down Aria's back, Haley couldn't help but feel they were about to enter the same old pattern again, almost going further but never being brave enough.

She was in for a long week and possibly, even longer than that. But at least for now she's had the reunification with the love of her life. That's all that matters to her.

AN: This is my first attempt at writing, three chapters will be released upon the release of the story. If anyone's reading, let me know if you'd be open to some POV chapters. Also let me know what you think!!!