AN: Thank you all so much for the reviews! Just to clarify, I will be jumping back and forth between the past and present in this story. The flashbacks begin two weeks after Naley had their initial fight and broke up. The present is at the end of the summer. Here is the next chapter for you guys. Enjoy!


Chapter 2

Then

Haley heard her door creak open for the second time that day. She sighed softly to herself. Her mom had probably come to coax her out of bed, once again.

"Whoa, I feel like I've entered the bat cave," said a voice that definitely did not belong to Lydia James.

Startled, Haley looked up over her covers. The voice belonged to Brooke. And with her were Peyton and Kat.

"Get the shades, ladies," Brooke instructed.

"Brooke, what—hey!" Haley exclaimed when they pulled up her shades, letting the bright sunlight into the room. She shielded her eyes.

"Tutor Girl, I realize that you are nursing one hell of a broken heart right now. We've all tried to give you some space to let you deal with it. But it's been two weeks since you left this room, and now it's time to stop sulking and get your life back."

Haley rubbed her eyes and groaned as she lay back down in bed. "Thanks, but I'll pass. Now if you guys could just shut the shades and the door on the way out, that'd be great." She turned over on her side and closed her eyes.

There was a moment of silence before Brooke huffed in frustration and yanked the covers off of Haley completely.

Haley cringed and shouted, "Brooke!"

"We are doing this for your own good, Tutor Girl." Brooke looked to Peyton and Kat. "Go through her closet and put some outfits together."

"Damn it, Brooke, I just want to be left alone."

"You've been alone long enough."

"What are you guys doing?" Haley questioned when she saw Peyton and Kat pulling clothes out of her closet and shoving them in a duffle bag.

Peyton turned around and smiled. "This is our last summer all together, so we'll be going on a little trip."

"What?"

"Brooke, Peyton, and I have signed up to be junior camp counselors," Kat explained. "The bus leaves tomorrow. There's a week of orientation before the campers arrive."

"Good for you." Maybe then she'd finally get some peace and quiet. When they'd first heard about the breakup, her friends had been stunned. Then the questions had started. After briefly telling them what had happened, she refused to talk about it further. They would try to make her feel better, and Haley couldn't deal with that.

Thankfully, these last few days they'd left her alone. She needed time to herself to think and wallow in her pain. Now Haley wondered if her friends' silence was because they were thinking up some master plan.

"But it gets better," Brooke cut in. "You'll be coming with us."

"What?" Haley shook her head. "No."

"Yes. We already signed you up."

"Brooke! How could you do that without asking me first?" Haley demanded.

"We figured you would come anyway," Peyton stated. "We're not going to let you lay in bed all summer."

"That's right," Kat joined in. "We've all just graduated. Now is the time to get out there and enjoy life. Make things happen. And when s'mores are involved, you know it's going to be a good time."

"I don't even know the name of the camp."

"It's Camp Aldrich. Where else would we be going?" Brooke answered.

If Haley didn't want to go before, she really didn't want to go now. "No. Absolutely not. No way!" she protested.

"Come on, Haley. We're already familiar with it. And we had so much fun the last time."

"Nathan and I just broke up, and you expect me to go to the place where we met and fell in love in the first place?" It was hard to keep her voice steady, she was so upset. Not to mention that Nathan's name had almost gotten caught in her throat. She hadn't said it in weeks, and no one dared mention him around her.

"It won't be that bad. You could use the fresh air, Tutor Girl. Plus, we'll be counselors in training. We'll have plenty to do. It's not like you'll be sitting around, bored."

"And what about the guys?" Haley demanded. "Will they be there?"

Brooke knew exactly what she was asking. "Nathan's doing some basketball program for the summer. But Lucas, Jake, and Tim will be with us."

"No. I'm sorry. I'm not going," she declared. "You guys go and have fun. I'm staying here."

Brooke's eyes narrowed in determination. "Okay. I really didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice."

Haley watched curiously as Brooke leaned out the doorway and shouted, "Mrs. James."

"Oh no." Haley was shaking her head, panicked. "Brooke, don't."

"You asked for it."

Lydia entered the room a moment later. "Wow, it's nice to see some actual light in your room for a change, Haley Bop." She looked to Brooke, Peyton, and Kat. "What is it, girls?"

"We're all going to camp for the summer as counselors in training. We want Haley to come with us, but she's being stubborn," the brunette explained.

"I just don't want to go. What's so wrong about that?" Haley looked to her mom for backup. Unfortunately, it was as Haley had feared when she saw her mother nodding at Brooke.

"Haley Bop, you need to go."

"Mom!"

Lydia turned to the girls and asked if they could give them a moment alone. The trio nodded and left.

"We'll be downstairs," Brooke said, shutting the door behind her.

Haley wiped furiously at the stray tears that had spilled from her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was cry, but her emotions were out of control. She was sure her eyes would be permanently red and puffy after all of this.

Lydia reached out and stroked her hair. "Haley, honey, you need to go."

"I don't want to," she replied in a small voice.

"I know you don't. It's been a rough couple of weeks. You're hurt. You're angry. You're depressed. And that's normal. I know how much you loved Nathan, baby," Lydia said gently. "But one thing you've never been, Haley James, is weak. Lying in bed all day and hiding from the world, that's not you."

"Mom—"

"You've always faced things head on. You're strong and sometimes too stubborn for your own good, but that's you. There's no reason to start changing now." She brought Haley into a hug. "Go to camp, Haley. Be with your friends. I promise it'll get better."

Haley held onto her mom tightly. "I don't know, Mom." Her stomach was in knots and her heart ached. "Without him, I don't know if it'll ever be okay."


"Just like old times, huh, buddy?"

Haley shrugged before turning back to the window. She couldn't really match Lucas's enthusiasm. What was there really to be excited about? Haley didn't want to be returning to Camp Aldrich. Last year it had seemed like a fun adventure with her friends. Now it was like a walk down the Boulevard of Broken Dreams—and hearts.

The only reason she was going was because of her parents. They were worried about her. Her mother had said that camp would be fun and a way to heal her heart. But Haley wasn't convinced until her father had threatened to drag her to every circus show that came into town this summer. He would do it, too. Immediately, Haley had cringed at the thought of all of those clowns. It was a low blow, even for her dad.

"Do you kids have all of your things?" Karen questioned. She was driving them to the bus station again this year.

"If you're asking if I almost forgot my iPod again, then no." Lucas held it up, smiling triumphantly. "I came prepared."

"That's because I found it in one of your sweatshirts last night in the laundry bin and put it in your bag," Karen replied, grinning.

Haley cracked a smile at that. She nudged Lucas playfully. "She got you there."

Lucas crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "I don't know why I continue to let myself be alone with the two of you. It always ends badly for me."

"You know you love us, Luke," Haley teased.

"Sometimes," he mumbled.

"So, Lucas, will you finally muster up the courage to talk to Brooke this summer?" Karen asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I know you have the hots for her."

Haley laughed out loud as her best friend groaned. Lucas had such a big crush on Brooke this time last year. She and Karen couldn't help but poke fun at him. Even now Lucas was getting all flustered.

"I hate the both of you," he grumbled.

Haley sat back in her seat and rubbed her stomach. It hurt from laughing so hard.

"It's nice to see you smiling again," Lucas said once she'd calmed down. He was her best friend. He knew better than anyone the hell she'd been through these last couple of weeks. It was his shoulder that she'd cried on the most.

"Honestly, it feels kind of weird." She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed like that.

"Well, it looks good on you. You should do it more often."

Haley rested her head on Lucas's shoulder. He put his arm around her, and she snuggled into his side. Karen snuck a peek at them in the rear-view mirror and smiled.

It wasn't long before they'd pulled into the parking lot of the bus station. Lucas started to unload their things. Haley was about to help him when she felt Karen gently pull her to the side. Before Haley could say anything, Karen embraced her.

Haley clung tightly to her. "I wanted to thank you for letting me take a couple of weeks off from the café. I know it was a long time, and I didn't mean to put you in a position—"

"It's okay. I understood. Besides, it gave me an opportunity to find another waitress, which is good since you won't be around for the summer or fall."

Haley felt a pang in her stomach at the thought of leaving the café behind. It had practically been her second home. It was one of the things she would miss most about Tree Hill when she left for Stanford.

"Well, I hope the new waitress works out."

Karen pulled back to look at her. "Me, too. But she could never replace you. Your job will always be waiting for you when you get back."

"Thanks, Karen."

"You're welcome, honey. And one more thing. Take it from someone who's had her heart broken by a Scott, it'll get better," she promised. "Just try to focus on your friends and all of the wonderful things you'll do this summer. You still have a lot going for you, Haley James."

Haley felt her eyes watering and pulled Karen in for another hug. The older woman reminded her so much of her own mother—except without the strange habits and constant jokes about crack.

"I hate to interrupt, but are you ready, Hales? We have to check in."

"Yes, I'm ready." As ready as she could be, at least. She broke away from Karen and gave her and Lucas a chance to say goodbye.

The pair gathered their things and headed into the crowd, turning around briefly once more to wave to Karen.

"So where are we supposed to meet the others?" Haley inquired.

Lucas continued to scan the crowd. "Over there." He pointed to the side of the building where the vending machines were located. Peyton, Brooke, and Kat were waiting for them.

Brooke kissed Lucas before addressing Haley. "Hey, Tutor Girl, you made it!"

"I didn't really have a choice, now did I?"

"No, not really." She hugged Haley in greeting, along with Peyton and Kat.

"Where are Jake and Tim?" Haley asked afterward.

"We don't know. I tried calling Jake, but it went to voicemail," Peyton said.

Kat added, "And Tim hasn't texted me back."

Brooke turned to Lucas. "Maybe you should go find them."

Haley frowned. Was she imagining things, or did she just notice a strange look pass between them?

"Uh, sure. I'll go do that." Lucas bent to pick up his stuff.

"You can leave that with us if you want," Haley offered. "We can wait until you find them."

"That's okay. I got it," Lucas replied. "I don't want to hold you up."

Brooke nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and I am not carrying that if we lose him. I've got my own stuff." She motioned to her pile of designer luggage.

With a shake of his head, Lucas chuckled. "I'll be back."

"Did you sign in yet?" Peyton asked Haley.

"No."

"Neither did we," Kat said.

"Let's get in line," Brooke suggested. "It's the same old badilax from last year. She takes forever. I could probably drive across the state backwards by the time she gets us all signed in."

The girls laughed and followed Brooke into the line. They were going to have a long wait.


Nathan checked his watch and shot another look to Jake and Tim. They said Lucas was on his way. That had been fifteen minutes ago. He glanced around the station. Most people were standing around in groups, talking. Some were joking around and looked as if they'd known each other for years, while others spoke a little more timidly to their new acquaintances.

Nathan recognized a few faces here and there. One guy in particular was talking loudly, bragging about how he was a full blown counselor this year. Like that information alone might impress the girls and get him laid. Nathan rolled his eyes. What a loser.

"I still don't see him."

"He's coming," Jake assured him.

"Um, excuse me?" interrupted a high voice. A short girl with strawberry blond hair stood in front of them. "Do you guys know how the buses are organized?"

"Did they give you a number?" Jake asked.

"Um, no. Am I supposed to get a number?" She smiled shyly. "I'm a new CIT. It's my first time here."

"Welcome then." Jake held his hand out for her to shake. "I'm Jake. And that's Tim and Nathan. We went to this camp last year, but it's our first year as CITs, too."

Tim said "hi" while Nathan just nodded.

"It's nice to meet you all." Her eyes lingered on Nathan for a second before returning her attention to Jake. "I'm Kara."

"It's nice to meet you, Kara." Jake pointed behind her. "You see that long line over there. That's where you have to check in, and they'll give you your bus number and cabin assignment."

"Okay, thanks." She started to walk away but then turned and said over her shoulder, "Maybe I'll see you guys around."

Tim snorted and nudged Nathan.

Nathan shook him off. "What, Dim?"

"It looks like someone already has a summer crush."

"What are you talking about?"

"'Maybe I'll see you guys around,'" he mimicked in a girly voice. "She was totally looking at you while she said it, man. I swear, it's like these girls can smell the single on you."

"Like I care," Nathan muttered, annoyed. Lucas had two minutes to show his sorry ass before he took off. His brother was so damn adamant about Nathan going to camp with them. The least he could do was be on time, the jackass.

"Oh, here's Lucas," Jake announced.

"Where the hell have you been?" Nathan pulled at his shirt. It was practically sticking to him in this humidity. "We've been waiting, and it's fucking hot out here."

Lucas wiped the sweat away from his own forehead. "Sorry. My mom had to run an errand before she brought me. Did you check in yet?"

"Yes. You?"

"Not yet."

"Great."

"Let me go do that real quick and find out what my bus number is."

"Good luck in that line—" He was just about to turn around and see how many more people were waiting when he felt Lucas's hand on his arm.

"Wait," he said, panicked.

Nathan stared at his brother's hand on his arm. "What's the matter?"

"I, uh, I…" Lucas squeezed one eye shut. "I lost my contact. Help me find it." He got down on the ground and started feeling around.

Nathan stared at him strangely. "You wear contacts? I didn't even know you wore glasses."

"Well, it's not something I wanted everyone to know—especially when you were a jackass to me."

Nathan looked to Jake and Tim who just shrugged. They also bent down to help Lucas. Shaking his head, Nathan followed suit.

"Okay, I got it," Lucas announced a couple of minutes later. "I'm just going to go to the bathroom to pop this back in. Then I'll get in line."

"Sometimes you can be such a girl, Luke," Nathan replied, smirking.

"Whatever, just stay right here. I'll be back."

"Where are the girls, by the way?" Nathan questioned Jake and Tim. He hadn't seen any sign of Brooke, Peyton, or Kat anywhere.

"They're running late, too," Jake said. "Peyton texted me. She said Brooke was freaking out, because she couldn't find her new bathing suit she just bought."

Nathan smirked. "Typical."

"Hey look, there's Whitey," Tim spoke up.

Whitey was talking to the camp director off to the side. When he spotted them, he excused himself and walked toward them.

"Hello, boys."

"Hi, Coach," they replied.

"I'm glad you all could make it. I'm sure Lucas told you that I'm running the basketball program this summer and could use some help."

"That's why we're here," Jake said.

"Don't worry, Coach. We'll try to go easy on the poor kids," Tim added.

Whitey chuckled. "Well, they can't all be state champions like you boys. But I trust that you'll do your best." He looked to Nathan, who had remained quiet. "It's good to see you out and about, Scott. Lucas said you'd be joining him."

"He told my mom, and she forced me to come," Nathan explained. "If I could leave, I would."

"You're just a bundle of sunshine, aren't you?" he joked. "I gather you're still upset about what happened with blondie. This is where you met her, isn't it?"

Nathan felt his whole body tense. What, did the whole town know about the breakup? He hoped that it was Lucas who had told Whitey. Then again, it gave him another reason to be annoyed at his brother.

"You know, I'd almost forgotten. But thanks for reminding me, Whitey," he stated dryly. "Now I really want to be here."

Usually Whitey would give him a stern look and tell him to stop being a wise ass at a comment like that. But instead he just said, "Give yourself time, son. It takes seconds to say 'hello,' but forever to say 'goodbye.'" He then patted him on the shoulder and walked away, leaving a confused Nathan behind.


Nathan was on bus five with Jake and Lucas. Tim got stuck on the first bus but wasn't complaining. Kat was going to be with him.

"We're totally going to make out the whole ride. It's Tim Time, baby," he'd said.

Nathan had just scowled at his friend's ridiculousness and headed toward his own bus. Jake was in the lead with Lucas right behind him. Nathan climbed the steps and was surprised when his friends only walked down the first few rows of seats and stopped. Why the hell were they sitting so close to the front?

He scanned the seats toward the back of the bus and saw that plenty were open. He also happened to spot Peyton in one of them. Nathan waved to her when their eyes met.

Peyton smiled and waved back with her free hand. She turned away from him quickly, her expression turning serious, and muttered something to the person next to her. He couldn't see Brooke. Peyton was holding up her sketch pad, and it was blocking his view. Either Peyton was showing her drawings or Brooke was primping for Lucas. He wouldn't put it past the brunette.

Nathan bumped Lucas's arm and nodded toward the girls. "Why are we sitting up here? Let's go in the back with them."

Lucas shook his head immediately. "No. It's better if we sit up here."

Nathan looked to Jake, who also agreed. "Why?"

"Because it just is." Lucas looked like he was sweating again. Nathan didn't know how that was possible. Their bus was air conditioned and on full blast.

"Whatever. You guys can stay up front like a bunch of losers. I'm going in the back."

Lucas's hand shot out to stop him. "No, don't," he said a little too loudly. He cleared his throat and spoke more softly, "Look, I didn't want to say anything but there is a reason we're not sitting back there."

Nathan looked to Jake. He just nodded and motioned for him to continue listening. "And the reason is…?"

"Brooke has PMS," Lucas declared. "And apparently she has a zit on her face the size of Tree Hill. Peyton said she's been in a bad mood all morning and that we should just stay away. She's feeling a little extra sensitive at the moment and doesn't want everyone to see her."

"You know how Brooke is," Jake added.

Nathan gave them an odd look. "Okay, fine. I get it." He took his seat.

Lucas seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Nathan might've felt bad if his brother hadn't dragged him to camp in the first place. Maybe the wrath of Hurricane Davis was the payback he deserved.


Haley flipped through her magazine. She and Peyton had ended up on the same bus, while Kat and Brooke were on separate ones. Haley had no idea where Lucas had disappeared to, and she hadn't even seen Jake and Tim. It was pure chaos as everyone was rounded onto their buses.

"Ugh," Haley huffed in annoyance. She knew she shouldn't have drank so much water earlier. She had to go to the bathroom again. Luckily, there was a small bathroom all the way at the back of the bus.

"What are you doing?" Peyton questioned when she started to get up.

"I'm just going to go to the bathroom before we leave. I don't want to be in there when the bus starts moving."

"You can't go now. Um, I just saw someone else go in there."

"Oh. Well, I'll just wait then."

"Why are you getting up?"

"To wait outside the door. I don't want someone else to beat me to it again," Haley replied, staring at her friend curiously. Peyton was acting kind of strange.

"Oh, but, uh, wait a second. What do you think of this?" Peyton lifted up her sketch pad. "I'm trying to draw this sunset, but I don't know if it's coming out right. Do you think the shading is off?"

"It looks great, Peyton."

"Or maybe the sun is too big?"

"It's fine," Haley laughed. She saw Peyton glance down the aisle. A smile formed on her face and she waved.

"Who are you waving to?"

Peyton dropped her hand quickly. "No one. It was just some girl I was talking to earlier."

"Did you want to invite her to come sit near us?"

"No. She's fine. We didn't really get that friendly or anything."

"Okay," Haley drawled, finding Peyton more perplexing by the minute. "Well, I really have to pee. So…" She attempted to get out of her seat a second time.

"But you're sure about the size of this sun. It doesn't look too small either, right? Or lopsided?" Peyton urged.

"Peyton, it's the best looking semi-circle/sun I've ever seen. Now I have to get up, or I'm going to explode." Haley stood up and climbed over her legs. She glanced down the aisle. More people were looking for seats.

Finally the bathroom was free, and Haley took her turn. Afterward, she sat back down. Peyton was working on her drawing as Haley returned to reading her magazine. She flipped through a few pages until she came upon a quiz. It was about how to tell if your love is true. She turned the page quickly.

Haley wasn't falling for that again.