AN: Hello everyone! Thanks for all the great reviews you all posted. AWESOME! I love you all! Here's chappie two, please enjoy it. Oh, and enjoy the weekend 'cause on Monday it's back to going to work you hate, in a place that couldn't be more depressing and at a time that couldn't suck more. Oh wait, that's just me. :P No, but really, have a great weekend! Any big plans, by the way?
Quote of the day: Friends
Ross (when pregnant Rachel is mean): "You know, we should probably ask the doctor if she even knows how to deliver a baby that's half human, half PURE EVIL!"
Chapter 1. Welcome to MTV, Newbies.
3 months later in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Week 1, Confessional Room.
You want me to tell you about my first day here? Want me to tell you how my sister totally duped me to do this stupid show? Okay, you got like six hours? Because that's how long it'll probably take me to tell everything about our first day in Mexico from getting here, settling in and meeting the one and only Nathan Scott.
Ok, let me start from the beginning then. Yesterday my sister Taylor and I flew from San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico. In the airport we were directed to a minivan where there were us two, few camera and mike men, some producers and other MTV staff.
Taylor was more excited about getting in front of camera then she was at the birth of her first niece. Me on the other hand? Well, let's just say that I didn't "quite" share the same enthusiasm and excitement that my sister did...
Day 1.
"I hate you. I hate you so much. So frigging much. More than anything else. Have I told you that lately?"
"Only every day."
"Seriously. This is insane. You are insane."
"I love you too, sis." Taylor said with a smile while ruffling her sister's hair.
"Please, stay still." Both Taylor and Haley turned to look at the young woman who was putting microphones on the waistband of the back of their jeans.
They were in a small minivan in Playa del Carmen, Mexico on their way to the resort where they would possibly spend as much as the next 10 weeks, if they made it till the end.
They were anxious, excited and ready to start the most exciting chapter in their lives, well one of them was. Taylor gave Haley an excited grin who responded with an annoyed eye roll and a scoff.
Unlike Taylor, Haley had started to wonder more and more why she had agreed to that. Oh yes, the money. Think about the money, Haley. Money, money, money, money, money, money… she chanted in her head.
"Sure, sorry." Taylor said to the woman who was putting their mikes on and had asked them to settle down. "I'm just so excited. I'm Taylor, by the way. And that's Haley."
"I know who you are. I'm Molly." the girl said with a smile. "I was actually there with my boss when she chose you two."
"Oh, really? So, what made her decide on us? What is my charm? Our looks?"
"We thought you were a fresh change from the others. Not to even mention how hilarious you were." Molly said.
"What's she talking about?" Haley asked from Taylor.
"Nothing!" Taylor said quickly and turned to look at Molly who had just finished with the mikes. "So, now what?"
"I can't tell you much. You'll meet with the rest of the cast once we get to our destination." Molly said. "You can settle down, unpack, get to know each other, et cetera. More information will follow."
"Sounds like fun." Taylor said. "So, I'm dying here. Who else is coming? From the previous seasons?" Taylor asked excited. "I mean, in addition to us Newbies."
"I really can't say anything." Molly said with a grin.
"Oh, come on. Please say that CT will be there. And Derrick. Oh, and definitely Evan. Johnny Banana. They are fine." Taylor said with a dreamy look as Haley just looked at her sister confused, obviously not knowing any of the guys Taylor has listed. .
"I agree." Molly said with a knowing grin. "All I can say is that it's going to be something new, great and it has never been done before."
"Oh, now you got me all excited!" Taylor said while clapping her hands enthusiastically. She turned to look at Haley, who was picking her finger nails bored. "Show some enthusiasm! It's MTV!"
"We're not on camera yet, so give me a break!" Haley hissed. "Let me try to enjoy the last minute of freedom I'll ever have." Haley said her hands crossed over her chest.
"Fine, be like that. But you're gonna have to learn to like it. There's no other choice."
"Oh, whatever." Haley said. "This is madness. I mean, just think about it! Who in their right minds would voluntarily do this?" Haley asked annoyed.
"Apparently we since we, you know, APPLIED!" Taylor said trying to make some sense into her.
"Momentary lapse of judgement followed by a longer period of insanity." Haley said with a sweet smile before continuing. "Which I'm apparently still suffering from considering I haven't bailed out yet."
Molly looked at the couple with a small smirk. They were proving to be far more entertaining than she had originally thought.
"Haley, think about the money. What we can do with it. Don't ever forget why we're here."
"I know, I know, I know. We're in it to win it." Haley said uncomfortably.
"You're damn right we are." Taylor said with a grin and high fived Haley.
"Though we still don't even know how much money we can even win…" Haley said.
"I know, on Fresh Meat season it was 250 grand for the winning team." Taylor said and started to count with her fingers. After about five seconds she looked at Haley with a grin, "That's 125 000 each."
"Wow, you're such a math geek." Haley said grinning.
"Oh, shut up. Didn't we already agree on our strategy? You're in charge of the brainy, geeky stuff while I take care of physical side. I didn't do 3 hours of cardio a day for two months for nothing." she said while lifting her shirt and admiring her almost perfect six-pack.
"Ok, you two ready?" Molly asked from the two.
"Yes!"
"No!"
Molly looked at the completely different girls with a smile. This should be interesting…
"Great! So, your mikes are all set now. You remember the information package we sent you? Please, tell me you have read it."
"Of course. See, I actually enjoy reading and learning." Haley said while looking at Taylor with a sweet smile as Taylor rolled her eyes.
"Great. As you read from the package, there are only three things that you must remember to never do because those are the only things that can get you kicked from the show. First: no physical fighting. You hit, kick or attack someone? You're out. Use words! Number two: always keep your mikes on. Only when you're swimming, showering or sleeping are you allowed to take them off. And number three: you're not allowed to tell details about anything you do to any outsiders. I know you get home sick and you're on the phone a lot, but you can't really say anything specific. Be vague. That's it."
"No fighting, keep mikes on and be vague." Taylor said. "Got it."
"And whatever you think of MTV-" Molly said and looked at Haley quickly with a smile. "-you can always turn to us. We are here for you. If you're sick, we'll have a doctor in less than 2 minutes. If something is bothering or worrying you, the producers are always there. You'll never be alone." She said.
"Sounds great." Taylor said.
"Great." Molly said. "You ready to go on camera? After this there's no turning back."
"Absolutely." Taylor said.
"Alright!" Molly said and then turned to look at two guys who were sitting up front. The other guy was holding a big camera, while the other had a pair of headphones on and he was holding the huge mike that would be dangling over their heads. "Nick! Dan! You're on."
"We're almost there. We just want your first impressions. Whenever we ask you direct questions or if you're in the confessional room, look directly at the camera as if you were talking to the audience. But normally never look straight at the cameras, just pretend they don't even exist."
"Gotcha." Taylor said as Haley nodded her head.
Haley looked at the camera quickly and swallowed while being sure she would never get used to being filmed.
"Alright, so what are your first impressions? Are you eager to get out there?" Nick asked while pointing the camera in front of their faces.
"I can't begin to describe how excited we are! This is gonna be the best 10 weeks ever!" Taylor said while smiling to the camera. She turned to look at the uncomfortable Haley to see if she would say anything.
"Umh... yeah, what she said." Haley muttered.
"Good. Just try to be your self." Molly said to Haley as the van pulled up in front of a huge mansion. "Ok, now go. You'll be meeting the rest of the cast soon."
"Let's go, sis." Taylor said and jumped out of the van.
"I can't believe I'm doing this…" Haley mumbled while following her.
They went to the back of the van to get their suitcases.
Haley looked around and saw that there were nine similar vans. In the groups of two, people were piling out of the vans, getting their stuff and walking towards the entrance of the house where she saw a distantly familiar, young guy waiting for them.
"Haley, come on! Let's go socialize." Taylor said while starting to walk hurriedly towards the guy.
They got in front of the house where there were two huge carpets on the ground opposite from each other, a red and a blue one.
"Girls on the red, guys on the blue!" the young guy, who was waiting for them, yelled.
Haley and Taylor lined on the right side of the carpet, next to a blonde, curly haired girl and her brunette friend.
"You two for the show?" the brunette girl asked.
"Yeah, I'm Taylor and that's my sister Haley." Taylor said excited while hugging the petite brunette girl.
"I'm Brooke and the blondie is my best friend Peyton."
"Nice to meet you." Haley said while shaking hands and exchanging heys with everyone.
"MTV Newbies! Listen up!"
The whole group turned to look at the young, handsome dark haired guy who was trying to get the attention of everyone. Haley looked around and saw that the whole group of people had lined up on the carpets, all 10 guys on the blue and all 10 girls on the red one.
"Oh, my god! That's TJ Lavin!" Taylor said and squealed loudly.
"DJ who?" Haley asked.
"I'm TJ Lavin and I'll be your host! Welcome to the Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Season of the Newbies!" he yelled and grinned when the whole group erupted to cheer.
"Where's everyone from the previous seasons? The alumni?" Brooke asked looking around but could only see unfamiliar people.
"Yeah! That's what I was wondering earlier." Taylor said.
"I know you must be looking around, trying to see which ones are here from the previous seasons." TJ said with a huge, knowing grin that made Taylor and Brooke extremely worried.
"I bet you thought that this would be like the 'Fresh Meat' season in 2005, when there were both new contestants and also the veterans. Not gonna happen, Newbies." TJ said and laughed out loud when most of the girls groaned loudly in disappointment.
"Like I said, this is the season of Newbies." TJ said. "The season of you. Take a look around. That is your competition. You will be competing in teams of two to get to the final three, when money prizes are guaranteed. The team that finishes this season third, will get 10 000 dollars to be divided between the two team members." TJ said.
"10 grand! Yeah!" Brooke said high fiving Peyton.
"The team that finished second, will divide the amount of 20 000 amongst the two." TJ said and paused to let everyone cheer again.
"And finally, the team that finished first... will be getting a check for the total amount of..." TJ paused for a second, knowing that the place would erupt soon. "200 000 dollars."
"What?! Oh my god!"
"Sweet Jesus!"
"Haley, we're leaving this place rich!" Taylor yelled hugging Haley.
"Peyt, there's no way we're leaving without money." Brooke said to Peyton.
"There are no other prizes so you only compete to win the entire thing. If you get sent home earlier, you get nothing. Almost every week you will compete in a challenge that will be a mixture of physical and mental elements, to even the game. The team that does the worst in the challenge, will automatically be sent to Elimination. The team that wins the challenge will be immune from the Elimination. Everything clear so far?" TJ asked and saw a few nods here and there.
"Good. Few days after the Challenge, there will be a Voting where the teams vote who they think should compete in the Elimination against the team that lost the challenge. The team that gets the most votes from the others will also be sent to the Elimination where two teams compete in a serious of different challenges. The loser has 20 minutes to pack their bags and leave."
"So, basically if you lose the challenge, you go automatically to Elimination and the team that loses the Voting, will compete against them. Losing team goes home. Everything clear?" TJ asked and watched all the groups nod their heads in understanding.
"Before I let you go inside to unpack and socialize, let's have a quick name call so you will all know, who exactly is the person in front of you. Trust me, it will play a big part later." he said with an excited voice, already certain that it would be one of the best seasons ever.
"Alright, let's start with the blue carpet. First group, go ahead!" TJ yelled pointing at the end of the carpet.
"Hey, I'm Mouth McFadden, 23 years old from Chicago, Illinois."
"And I'm Skills Taylor, 24, also from Chicago."
"So, Mouth and Skills." TJ Lavin said. "Something tells me you're going by your nicknames."
"You got it." Mouth said while the whole group laughed out loud.
"They look like nice people." Brooke whispered to Peyton, who made an agreeing sound.
"Alright, second group, go ahead."
"I'm Chase Adams and that's my frat buddy Jake Jaglieski. We just finished Ohio State." Chase said.
"I'm already liking what I'm seeing…" Taylor mumbled while looking at the two tanned guys.
"Tay, it's only been like 2 minutes." Haley whispered.
"I know… Aren't you aching for some hot, sweaty lovin' already?"
"How well you know me." Haley said sarcastically as the third group was announced.
"Chris Keller. Age 24 from New York. You're looking at the next Grammy winner, people." He said smugly.
"Yo, yo, yo, yo! How's it hanging, chicas! I'm Tim Smith, also from New York. Party in my bedroom tonight!" Tim said while looking at the girls and kissing his bicep.
"Idiot…" Brooke whispered.
"No kidding..." Taylor mumbled.
"Group number four, go ahead!" TJ Lavin said.
"Hi, I'm Jimmy Edwards."
"And I'm Junk Moretti. We're both 25 and from Nashville." Junk said.
"And no, there will probably be no parties in our bedroom." Jimmy said with a grin.
"But we'll party at yours!" Junk finished as all the girls burst out laughing.
"They look like fun." Peyton said with a smile.
"They look like smart." Haley said looking at the group of guys already thinking of possible strategies to beat them.
"And finally, the last guy group which is also the first of the two sibling groups we're gonna have here. Guys, go ahead." TJ said.
"Hey, I'm Lucas Scott, the older and wiser brother."
"And I'm the better looking Scott. Nathan, age 22, future NBA star." He said while grinning at the group of girls on the red carpet.
"And we're both from Tree Hill, North Carolina." Lucas finished.
"Oh, it's so on..." Brooke whispered while looking at the blonde guy with a sexy smirk.
"Hell yeah…" Taylor said at the same time, while checking out the hot brothers.
"Alright! Those were the guys' groups! Let's go on with the girls' now." he said as all the guys whooped. "Girls!" he said looking at the first group on the left side of the carpet.
"Hi, I'm Shelley Simon. Age 23 and from Miami."
"And I'm Anna Taggaro, age 24, Miami also. Nice to meet you all." She said and they both waved shyly.
"Is she wearing a 'Clean Teen' –shirt?" Brooke asked while looking at Shelley.
"Like that's gonna last…" Taylor said and smiled when Brooke burst out laughing.
Peyton and Haley looked at each other with similar, worried looks about the friendship their friends were forming.
"Group number two, go ahead."
"Gigi Silveri. 22, San Francisco."
"And Erica Marsh, 25, from Vermont. Gigi and I both went to Brown." Erica said while waving to everyone.
"Thanks girls. Let's move on. Group number three, go ahead." TJ said.
"Hi, I'm Rachel Gatina and that's my friend Bevin Marskey. We're 24, hot and gorgeous and here to party." Rachel said and grinned as the guys cheered.
"I smell trouble…" Taylor said while looking at Rachel who was only wearing a jean miniskirt and a bikini top.
"Girls go ahead." TJ said while looking at Brooke and Peyton.
"Hi, I'm Brooke Davis and that's my friend Peyton Sawyer." Brooke said.
"And we're from Los Angeles, California." Peyton said.
"Can't wait to meet you guys." Brooke said while blowing a kiss to the group of grinning guys.
"Alright, and finally last but not least, our second sibling group. Go ahead, girls."
"I'll do the talking." Taylor whispered and turned to look at the guys with a flirty grin. "Hi, everyone. I'm Taylor James and that's my younger sister Haley. We're from San Francisco, California. I'm the beauty, she's the brains." Taylor finished as everyone laughed.
"Was that necessary?" Haley asked irritated but kept the smile on her face.
"Alright, now that the introductions are done, you're free to get settled in." TJ said. "More information will come later. Now, go! Fight for the best bedroom." he yelled and smiled when everyone started to run with their luggage.
"Let's go, Hales!" Taylor yelled.
"Come on, Peyton!" Brooke yelled.
"We'll be right there." Peyton said with a grin as she and Haley stayed where they were.
Haley turned to smile at Peyton.
"So, you two are from LA?" Haley asked.
"Yeah, we've been best friends since we were like eight years old. We're originally from Colorado but we've been living in LA since freshman year in college."
"Cool." Haley said as they started to make their way inside the house.
"So, how old are you?"
"I'm 20 and Taylor's 24."
"Brooke and I are 22."
"So, I guess I'm the youngest here." Haley said thinking of what everyone had said.
"And the tiniest. Dude, no offence but how much do you weigh? Like 90 pounds?" Peyton said with a smile while starting to drag their stuff toward the house.
"Good metabolism." Haley said. "And thanks for calling me skinny."
"No problem, you need some meat on your bones. But don't worry, 10 weeks of drinking and partying should do it." Peyton said with a grin which made Haley laugh.
"I bet we're gonna get so bored after like the first week." Haley said.
"I know..." Peyton said and opened the front door of the house.
"Wow, this is gorgeous!" Haley said while looking around the house, feeling happy for the first time since setting foot in Mexico.
In true MTV tradition, the house they stayed in was gorgeous and had everything one could need. The house was a huge two-story mansion. All the four bedrooms were upstairs along with two huge bathrooms. Downstairs had a big living room with comfy coaches and a pool table. The kitchen was massive and there was a long dining table to fit all 20 people.
There was a small gym downstairs with some weights, tread mills, etc. Next to the gym was the den that had the computer, the confessional room and the T-Mobile Sidekick where they would receive all the clues and information about the upcoming challenges.
The kitchen had a back door that led outside. There was a patio with some swings, hammocks, barbeque grill and bunch of tables and benches. The huge backyard also had a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a full sized basketball court. At the far end of the back yard, a set of stairs led to a small, private beach that was for them to use. All in all, it looked like one of those gorgeous, five-star villas that every luxurious resort had.
"Brooke!" Peyton yelled while trying to find her friend.
"Upstairs!"
Haley and Peyton walked up the stairs while pulling their huge suit cases behind them.
"Jeez, this is heavy..." Peyton said while dragging her huge suitcase with her.
"I know, mine too. I packed like 10 books with me." Haley said just as she made it to the top of the stairs.
"Oh, my god." Haley said while looking at the end of the hallway.
"What?" Peyton asked while coming behind her.
"Umh, Peyton?" Haley said.
"What?" she asked and took two more steps until she saw what Haley was looking at. "Already? She promised to behave for at least the first day..." Peyton muttered as she made her way to the end of corridor where Brooke was having a very heated conversation with Rachel while two cameras where filming the whole thing eagerly.
"-so, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I was here first!" Brooke yelled to Rachel.
"Oh, you're so wrong! Bevin and I got here like two seconds before you did! Right, Bev?" Rachel yelled and turned to look at the blonde girl behind them.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure, of course." She said not really paying attention.
"Brooke? What's going on?" Peyton asked.
"Where the hell have you been? Never mind, it doesn't matter 'cause I found us a bedroom."
"The hell you did! That's ours!" Rachel yelled.
"Sorry, too late." Brooke yelled while opening the door she had been blocking. "You and Taylor are bunking with us." Brooke announced as she pushed Peyton and Haley in while waving Rachel goodbye before slamming the door on her face.
"What's so special about this room?" Haley asked while looking at Brooke who was keeping the door closed so Rachel couldn't get in.
Haley tried her best to ignore the camera man and the other guy who was holding the big microphone over their heads as they filmed their entire conversation.
"There are only four bedrooms, two of them are for 6 people and two are for 4, like this one. I don't know about you but I much rather share a room with three people than with five. Some guys already claimed the other smaller bedroom which is why 'Rach-whore' wants this one." Brooke said with the air quotes.
"Rach-whore?" Peyton asked laughing.
"Oh, isn't that her real name?" Brooke asked sweetly.
"I see you've already made one enemy." Peyton said grinning.
"Like that wasn't expected." Brooke sneered and turned to look at Haley. "Please, don't think I'm a horrible person. People like Rachel just annoy the shit out of me."
"Hey, you saw my sister, right? If I hated you, I'd be forced to hate her too." Haley said grinning.
"True, we two are alike. Should be fun." Brooke said.
"Or scary…" Peyton mumbled while Haley nodded her head in agreement.
"Speaking of scary, where's Taylor?" Haley asked.
"I don't know, she went to chat with some of the guys. It's the last bedroom on the right." Brooke said and opened the door for Haley but before she let her out, Brooke blocked the way out and glanced outside to make sure Rachel wasn't there.
"Clear." Brooke said and stepped out of Haley's way.
Haley smiled to herself while walking towards the last bedroom. Stepping through the open door, she grinned to herself when she saw Taylor already flirting with few guys while drinking beer.
"Tay." Haley said trying to get her attention.
"Hales! Come here!" Taylor said with a grin.
"What's up, guys." Haley said nodding her head.
"Not much... Haley, right?" a blonde guy next to Taylor said while getting up and offering his hand to her. "I'm Lucas and that's my brother Nathan." He said pointing at the dark haired guy who was throwing some clothes in his closet.
"Sup?" Nathan mumbled not bothering to look at her while concentrating on unpacking.
"Hey." She said and turned to look at the two other guys in the room.
"I'm Jake and that's Chase." Jake said.
"Nice to meet you all." Haley said and furred her brows when that Nathan guy didn't even bother to be polite.
"So, what's up sis?" Taylor asked.
"Nothing, just wanted to see what you were doing." Haley said.
"I thought I was supposed to be the concerned, responsible older sister."
"When have you ever been responsible?" Haley asked which made everyone laugh. "I'm surprised you didn't join in on the Brooke-Rachel fight."
"Yeah, I decided to stay out of it. Let them bitch it out." Taylor said as they both laughed.
"What fight?" Nathan suddenly asked. "Was there slapping involved? Maybe torn clothes? Water thrown on each other? Wet, see-through T-shirts?" he asked as he high fived Chase.
"No, but now I know who I should definitely not ask for help if I get into a cat fight." Haley said dryly.
"Oh, don't be so sensitive." Nathan said.
"Whatever." Haley said turning to look at Taylor again. "I'm gonna go unpack. Talk to you later."
"Bye, Hales." Taylor said as Haley waved goodbye and left.
"Your sister seems like a ball of fun." Nathan said sarcastically.
"Oh, shut up." Taylor said laughing.
"She seems nice." Lucas said.
"She is." Taylor said looking into the distance for a second, in her own thoughts.
Taylor was about to say something when Haley suddenly ran back in the room out of breath.
"Haley, what's wrong?" Taylor asked worried.
"We got the clue to our first challenge!" she said.
"What? Already?" Taylor asked and got up. "Let's go."
They all ran to the den where the Sidekick was.
"Okay, is everyone here?" Gigi asked once they got inside the den.
Haley quickly counted everyone in the room.
"20. We're all here. Read it out loud." She said.
Jake grabbed the Sidekick and started to read out loud while the rest of the room held their breaths.
"Welcome to Mexico and to the Real World/Road Rules Challenge: the Season of Newbies. Throughout the next 10 weeks you will compete in a serious of challenges and almost every week one team will be eliminated. You will get all information to this Sidekick, so keep it with you at all times. Your first CHAlleNGE-" he read from the message and paused to look at everyone.
"They spelled the word 'challenge' with capital letters that spell 'change'." he said and then continued the message.
"-will require will stamina, balance and team work. Bring a swim suit, just in case. Be ready to leave 6 pm sharp." He said and looked at the clock on the wall.
"Oh my god, that's in five minutes!" he yelled.
"What?" Brooke yelled.
"Are you serious?" Taylor asked, still holding a beer can on her hand.
"Give me that..." Rachel mumbled and grabbed the Sidekick from Jake. "He's right. We have five minutes."
Everyone looked at each other for a second before sprinting off.
"Haley!" Taylor yelled while dragging Haley upstairs to their room, Brooke and Peyton right on their heels.
"I can't believe they'd do this..." Peyton mumbled while starting to go through her suitcase for her sneakers and shorts.
"Of course they will do this, it's MTV." Haley mumbled while quickly undressing and putting a two piece on.
"And what did they mean by 'change'?" Brooke asked changing into her small, tiny bikini.
"What else do I need?" Taylor asked already wearing her bikini.
"What do you think we're gonna have to do?" Haley asked.
"We're obviously gonna be swimming and probably running our asses off." Brooke said.
"Girls, we gotta go." Peyton announced.
"Alright, let's go." Haley said, while running out of the room after Taylor.
"Taylor, you're not drunk, are you?" Haley asked worried once they got inside one of the minivans that were waiting for them outside the house.
"No, if anything my blood sugar is all nice and high and I'm ready for this." She said cracking her knuckles.
"I'm so lucky I'm in your team." Haley said when Taylor flexed her bicep.
"You bet your ass you're lucky." Taylor said and watched as people started piling into the two minivans.
Brooke, Peyton, Nathan, Lucas, Rachel, Bevin, Chase and Jake joined them in the same car as the rest went to the other.
"So, what do you think the challenge will be about?" Taylor asked making small talk.
"The clue said something about balance and team work, right?" Peyton said.
"I don't know, it could really be anything." Bevin said.
"You all are so going down." Rachel said with a smug smile.
"Oh, is that so?" Brooke asked. "Because Peyton and I were planning on winning this one."
"If any of you chicks think you can beat any of the guys, you're sadly mistaken." Nathan said with a grin as Haley rolled his eyes.
"Oh, don't be so sure. The challenges can't be based on pure strength because that'd be unfair." Taylor said.
"Yeah, because guys are faster, stronger, smarter and better." Nathan said like it was the most obvious thing.
"Better?" Peyton asked as all the girls looked at him with crossed arms.
"Smarter?" Taylor asked through narrowed eyes.
"Puh-leeze." Brooke said.
"I'd bet our grandma that Haley is smarter than you two combined. She goes to Stanford." Taylor said looking at the Scott brothers.
"Oh, really?" Nathan asked and turned to look at Haley. "You think you're smart?"
Haley glared at both Nathan and Taylor; Nathan, for being a chauvinist pig and Taylor for putting her on the spot like that.
"I'll manage." Haley said, trying to hold her tongue so she wouldn't lash out on Nathan, who was starting to rub her off the wrong way.
"Oh yeah? What's 247 plus 489?"
"Do you know how much it is?" Haley shot back as all the girls laughed.
"Well, I don't have a calculator where I could check it." Nathan said.
"The Sidekick has." Jake said, taking it out of his pocket.
"Planning on stealing it?" Peyton asked with a grin.
"The clue said that we should always keep it with us." Jake said. "So, I'm keeping it with me all times." Jake finished with a wink.
"Whatever." Nathan said, already bored at their flirting. He turned to look at Haley. "So, what's 268 plus 476?" Nathan asked.
"That's not what you just asked." Haley said with a grin.
"Just answer the question." Nathan said annoyed.
"I really don't wanna play this game..." Haley said uncomfortably, not wanting people to find out too much about her. It was a game, after all, and keeping your cards close to yourself was never a bad idea.
"She doesn't know it. I guess Stanford is a bit overrated." Nathan said smugly.
"You know, you can be such a jerk." Haley snapped.
Everyone but Taylor ooh-ed as she looked at her sister worried, never wanting her to be part of the drama.
"Don't be so sensitive! I just wondering if you're as smart as you obviously think you are." Nathan said smugly.
"Fine. It's 744." Haley said through gritted teeth.
Nathan looked at her suspiciously before turning to look at Jake for confirmation.
"She's right." Jake said after few seconds.
"You happy?" Haley asked crossing her hands over her chest, annoyed that she'd been put in a spot like that.
"Nope, let's try a new one... 14 times 26?" Nathan asked.
Never breaking eye contact, Haley answered almost immediately.
"364."
Everyone turned to look at Jake who nodded his head.
"Wow!" Brooke said grinning.
"Let's try a tougher one." Nathan said, obviously pissed that she knew the answer. "Square root of 8456?"
"Approximately 91." Haley said picking her finger nails bored. "You done?"
"Fine, I'm done... you freak." Nathan said annoyed.
"Sore loser." Haley said looking at him through narrowed eyes. "Is that how you're gonna be after every challenge you lose to Tay and I?" Haley asked enjoying the feeling of being able to piss off Nathan.
"I really don't know which one I like more." Rachel whispered to the others while they watched Nathan and Haley argue. "I mean, he's totally hot but she's got the whole girl power thing going on. Sass!" Rachel said which made everyone laugh.
Ignoring Rachel, Nathan still glared at Haley.
"You better change that attitude before you get your ass voted to the Elimination." Nathan said his voice raising a bit.
"Nathan, come on..." Lucas said trying to calm his brother down.
"Oh, I have problems with my attitude?" Haley asked ignoring Lucas. "Ever since you got here you've been looking at every single girl here like a piece of meat. I bet you've already decided the order in which you're gonna go through us!" Haley said her voice raising a bit. "So, maybe you should consider the attitude change before everyone will finally get sick of your chauvinism and vote you to the Elimination!"
"Haley, calm down..." Taylor said to Haley while glaring at Nathan.
"Yeah, calm down..." Nathan taunted Haley. "And don't worry, I was never gonna try to hook up with you. I have some standards, you know."
"Oh, forgive me for misunderstanding. I didn't know assholes had any standards." Haley said, determined not to let Nathan get the last word.
"It's like a frigging tennis match." Rachel mumbled excited while looking at Haley and Nathan go back and forth.
"And how about-" Nathan started but got cut off by Taylor.
"You! Shut up!" she said looking at Nathan with an angry glare. "Don't ever talk to my sister like that!"
Taylor then turned to look at Haley.
"And you need to calm down. Don't antagonize him. Both of you need to take a chill pill and shut the fuck up."
Haley looked at Taylor once before shutting her mouth and glaring at Nathan silently.
"What gives-" Nathan started but got cut off by Lucas this time.
"Nathan, she's right. Shut up and quit being a jerk." Lucas said.
"Amen to that." Brooke mumbled.
"You two need to learn to get along." Peyton said.
"Otherwise it's gonna be a long 10 weeks." Taylor said.
"So, can you do that?" Lucas asked.
"Can you just forget this and get along?" Taylor asked.
Haley and Nathan looked at everyone for few seconds while considering everyone's comments and opinions. They then turned to look at each other and both spoke simultaneously.
"Not gonna happen." Nathan said.
"Not in a million years." Haley chimed in.
So, Nathan and I didn't really get along, to say the least. At that point I was thinking how the hell I'm gonna survive the next god knows how many weeks in the same house with him. Had I only known back then what MTV meant by "the change"...
So, when we finally got to the place where the challenge would be held, we jumped off the minivans and noticed that they had those blue and red carpets on the ground again. We were all sure that it was gonna be girls against boys competition or something like that.
At that point I was already hating the game and thinking that my life couldn't get any worse. Oh boy, how wrong I was.
"Take a spot on the carpet, girls on red, guys on blue." TJ instructed as people started to pile out of the vans.
The girls all took spots next to their partners, while whispering to each other and trying to figure out the upcoming challenge. The guys, not really caring about the order, took a random spot on the blue carpet.
"Alright!" TJ said excited once everyone were lined up. He was standing between the two carpets, looking between the girls and the guys.
"First challenge! Everyone excited?" he asked.
"We'd be if you explained what the 'change' means." Brooke said with a smile.
"What do you think it means?" TJ asked with a knowing grin.
"You're gonna change the game somehow, right?" Rachel asked.
"Like girls versus guys, or something. I mean, that's why we're separated, right. You're gonna change the groups!" Taylor said.
"That is correct. There is gonna be a change in the groups." TJ said and paused. "But not the way you think."
Everyone looked at TJ with an unreadable face. Some were excited about the upcoming, some were worried.
"As you see, we've lined up the girls-" TJ said looking at the girls. "-opposite of the guys. But no, it won't be like the Battle of the Sexes we had. We already did that twice."
"Then what is it?" Mouth asked confused.
"Like I said earlier today, getting to know the person opposite of you is crucial. Well, take a look at the person in front of you on the opposite carpet."
"Yeah?" Brooke asked and waved at Chase who was directly opposite of her.
"That's the person you'll be competing with. That's your team." TJ said.
"Wait, what?" Rachel asked confused.
TJ stayed silent for few seconds, just looking at them. He then grinned widely.
"You didn't actually think you'd get to compete with the person you came here with?"
There was an awkward silence when everyone immediately looked at the person in front of them in the opposite carpet. Haley waved to Skills with a smile when she noticed that he was standing right in front of her.
"So, looks like we'll be..." Haley said to Skills but trailed off when she noticed that Taylor, who was standing on her right side, at the end of their carpet, had no one in front of her and Rachel, who was standing on Haley's left side, had two.
"Move one forward." Taylor instructed to the guys.
Skills took one more step to move in front of Taylor. Haley watched in horror as the person who had been next to Skills, stepped in front of Haley.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" Nathan said as he looked at Haley with a look that was a mixture of misery and annoyance.
Haley glared at Taylor who was grinning at Skills obviously happy about her partner.
"A fun, relaxing, long vacation, Taylor?" Haley yelled mimicking her sister's words sarcastically.
Haley then looked up, as if trying to see god or any higher power pointing at her while laughing out loud at her expense.
"Are you friggin' kidding me?!"
I know, I know… It's another one of those love-hate stories where they first hate each other and have funny, sarcastic fights but eventually learn how thin the line between love and hate really is.
I know, I've done this storyline like three times already but I can't get enough of it. :) So apologies to anyone who was waiting for a change, not gonna happen. I enjoy writing these stories way too much.
So, if you are looking for one those sappy, cheesy, über-romantic stories where the main couple gets together in the first chapter, I'm sorry but this won't be one of those. Not that there's anything wrong with them, I just can't write them. But if your cup of tea is funny sarcasm with some cuteness but nothing over the top, hop on the train. You're in for a long ride. :)
As always, please review. :)
-Fes-
