The next morning, Saturday, Haley got shaken out of her dreams harshly by a loud banging on her door. She groaned and grabbed the pillow to push it on her face. The person outside banged on her door again, harder this time.

"Haley, hey I know you are there! Open up!"

Haley sighed, she clutched the pillow to her chest and slowly walked towards the door, opening it.

"What do you want, Lay?" she asked.

"Good morning, best friend, I brought breakfast" Layla held up a bag that read dunkin donuts.

Haley just rolled her eyes and stepped aside to let Layla in. She walked to the kitchen and sat down on a chair, resting her head on her pillow.

"Wait Haley, did you sleep in your clothes?" Layla asked, scrunching her nose up.

When Haley just nodded, not bothering to look up, Layla sat down opposite her, placing the breakfast on the table. She had a worried expression on her face now.

"What happened? How was the date?" her voice was soft.

Haley looked up now, she smiled softly, taking in a deep breath.

"Don't even ask, Lay, I don't know what happened last night" she dropped her head, letting a small sigh escape her mouth.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm sure it'll all fall into place" Layla smiled "breakfast?"

Haley giggled, she loved Layla, she always seemed to know when Haley needed her and she was just there for support.

"Please" she said and got up to grab two plates and let the coffee run through the machine.

They ate in silence, none of them was bothered by this, it wasn't awkward at all. As they ate their donuts Layla glanced at Haley every now and then. She noticed that Haley's make up was smudged around her eyes, it seemed like she had been crying. Her hair was messy and her blouse was wrinkled. Layla wondered how she could even sleep in jeans, this must have been very uncomfortable, then again she thought what that had to say about the outcome of the date. She felt bad that Haley got hurt, she could see that she was still hurting.

"Gosh I love donuts, bless the person who invented this holy deliciousness" she said, her mouth full with with a chocolate donut.

"Gross, shut your mouth" Haley laughed.

"So, what are the plans for today? Maybe we can call Luke to hang out? Or just a girl's day and we will eat cheetos and watch Friends all day long?" Layla suggested.

"I need to shower first, though, I feel like death, but Friends marathon sounds awesome" Haley said.

"Oki doki, I'll be on the couch" Layla got up offering Haley a sweet smile and walked to the couch.

Haley sighed, she watched Layla getting comfortable on the couch and smiled. She was more than grateful for her, she was the best friend you could ever wish for and she knew that Layla wanted to know everything from last night, but Haley had to sort out her feelings and thoughts first.

She quickly hopped into the shower, letting the cold water run down her body. After she got dressed again, in just cozy sweat pants and a hoodie, she walked back to Layla and got comfortable on the couch as well.

"How you feeling?" Layla asked and pressed the play button on the remote.

"Better, thanks" Haley smiled.

The first episode went by slowly, neither of the girls spoke, they just watched it quietly, their eyes never leaving the screen.

Halfway through the second episode, Haley started to shift a little, she had to talk to Layla, because she knew that getting things off her chest would help and she also knew that Layla would always be on her side.

„She broke my heart" was all she said, eyes still on the screen.

Layla turned her head to look at her friend, she scratched her neck and smiled sweetly.

„I'm here, you can tell me what's on your mind" she said with a gentle voice.

„Caroline, she, I don't really know who she is, I mean it was all so great and then she just acted weirdly and I left, because I didn't know what to do? What do I do, Lay?" Haley lifted her head, so she could look at Layla.

„Uh well, tell me what happened? Did she kick you out?" she asked.

„No, she didn't, not exactly, but we spoke about us, she wanted me to tell her about me and I told her about my family and all that and then she was thinking about something, I don't know what, then she got all snappy, it scared me..." Haley forced back a sob and smiled sadly.

„Oh man, maybe something bad happened to her, like some personal stuff? And she isn't over it yet? I don't know dude, but it's gonna be okay, just the way she looks at you, like come on" Layla winked.

„Lay oh god, stop, now is not the time, I don't know how to handle this situation" she threw her pillow at Layla, sighing loudly.

„Just give her some time and space, I think that'll be the best."

Haley thought about this for a while, she turned her attention back to Rachel, Monica and Chandler, not really listening to what they were arguing about. She thought about giving Caroline time and what that could mean for her. She knew she wouldn't be able to get over her, at least not in a short amount of time. Do I love her? she asked herself, she didn't know, because she didn't know Caroline enough, but she knew that she felt something though, she liked Caroline, more than a friend, definitely.

What was bothering Caroline? Haley tried so hard to think about the reasons she had, there must be reasons, good ones and she decided that time was the best option right now, she couldn't just confront Caroline, it would only make things worse.

Her head was starting to ache, she had been thinking and overanalyzing for quite a while, missing out on a whole episode of her favorite show. With one last deep sigh she pushed all thoughts related to Caroline to the very back of her mind, it would only confuse and hurt her more and right now she wanted to enjoy a Friends marathon with her best friend.

* * *

The week went by slowly, too slowly for Haley's liking. She hadn't heard from Caroline since their date on Friday a week ago and with time going by she lost hope that she is ever gonna see her again. Layla had told her to not go and talk to her, because it wouldn't make things better, so Haley did what her best friend advised her. It hurt her no matter what, she missed Caroline and she hoped she was doing well.

Ever now and then Haley caught herself slipping into a daydream about Caroline. She wished that there would be anything that could help her understand what was going on right now, maybe Lily, but she hadn't seen her in ages and she thought that Caroline told her to not stop by for a coffee.

No matter how hard it was for Haley to not just run and check up on Caroline, she tried with all her will power to just let things fall into place, however long that might take.

Whereas Caroline was trying to keep herself busy with work. It was the huge photo-shooting settled for this week and she was swimming in work, she barely had time to even think about anything else. For that she was grateful, since she had no idea how to even approach Haley again, she was nervous and anxious and also mad. But work kept her busy, Mrs. McKay wanted nothing else but perfection.

The first day of the shoot, Monday had started off with a lot of preparations for the shoot, such as instructing the models and checking the lighting and the scenes and if everything was absolutely flawless. Caroline had done that, with the help of Andre and some others. The cameraman had been some famous douchebag that had pissed Caroline off pretty fast, so she had leaned against the wall watching from a near distance. She had instructed Andre to call her if something wouldn't be the way he wanted it to be.

After the first few days of shooting had come to an end, Caroline had felt exhausted from all the pressure and working non stop with an asshole cameraman and stupid models. Everything had been good so far, she had seen a few pictures, unedited though, that she felt like could make it to the final selection that was going to be published in the magazine.

It was nearing the end of the photo-shooting, Wednesday and Caroline was gathering her things together to leave the venue when Lily gently tapped on her shoulder.

„Hey" she said, offering a smile.

Caroline turned to face her, saying a quick „hi" before she continued to pack her stuff.

„So I wanted to ask if everything was alright?"

„Uh yeah, I'm good, why are you asking?" Caroline glanced at her.

„You know, I don't want to offend you or something, but you didn't seem much into the shooting, like when we planned it all together you were basically hyped and now you seem I don't know different?" Lily scratched her neck, trying not to get punched.

„I told you, I'm good and I do care about the shooting if that's what you mean" her voice was getting louder and snappier with every word.

„Hey Carr, I just wanted to ask if everything was alright, I know you care, but that's not how it's looking and we all know that you are doing the best job here" Lily said, trying to calm Caroline down.

„I'm sorry, Lil, I'm just exhausted and stressed and sad..." she trailed off.

„Wait, sad? Caroline what is happening?" Lily placed her hand on Caroline's arm.

„Ugh, you know things with Haley aren't working out" her head dropped and she looked at her feet.

„But what about the date? I thought it was finally working out between you two?" Lily raised one eyebrow.

They got their bags and walked to the exit, Caroline was thinking before she turned her head towards Lily.

„Well, I guess it isn't going to work out" she said trying to sound nonchalant, but failed clearly.

„Come on Caroline, you can't just give up! I thought you like her?" Lily questioned.

„I do, I guess, but it isn't that simple, you know I don't know how it works with relationships and I just cannot be in one."

„Every relationship is different, so just go with it and why can't you be in one? That's stupid, Carr, you don't have to be nervous" Lily giggled.

„I'm not nervous and it's not stupid!" Caroline stated, getting annoyed now.

„Maybe you do have your reasons and that's okay, but Haley is a nice girl and you shouldn't give it up" Lily said.

When they stepped outside the venue, they stood on the street, ready to head home.

„Maybe you are right, I just don't know, anyways, I need to work on the pictures a little more now, so see you tomorrow" Caroline went in to embrace Lily in a hug.

„See you tomorrow, Carr" Lily said and she walked to catch a cab.

It was early in the evening and Lily decided to make a short stop over to grab a coffee and maybe have a little chat with Haley.