Hey, guys! I'm back with and update and I apologize that it took this long. Thank you so much again for all the awesome reviews, they always brighten up my day. Anyways, on with the story. :)

Chapter 7

Haley opened the front door to the Smith residence and let Peyton and Brooke in. She saw Jake's car in front of her house. Apparently the guys had gotten there faster which didn't surprise Haley because it took the girls almost an hour to drive around the city to finally lose the paparazzi. The last thing Haley wanted was for them to find out where she lived.

"Hey, girls. So, did you lose them?" Lucas asked when he came to greet his girlfriend.

"Yeah, took us a while but it was worth it." Peyton said and smiled at Haley who had been mostly quiet during the entire drive from the harbor. Haley saw Tim and the other guys walk towards them.

"Listen girls, I'm pretty beat. I think I'm just gonna take a shower and rest in my room." Haley said when she saw Tim coming. She was tired of fighting with him.

"No, don't go." Brooke said.

"Naw, I'm really tired. But I'll talk to you later." She said and ran quickly upstairs. Brooke sighed. Then she turned to look at Tim angrily.

"We need to talk." She said and pulled him by his arm to the kitchen. She got the chair out and pushed Tim to sit on it.

"What are you-" Tim started annoyed. Brooke raised her finger in the air which meant for him to be silent.

"Tim, I know that siblings don't always get along and that sometimes they are mean to each other but this is getting ridiculous." Brooke said. "I don't know what your problem is but Haley's going through a lot right now and the last thing she needs is for you to be an ass and not let her hang out with her friends."

"Brooke, back off! This doesn't concern you!" Tim said angrily and got up from the chair but Brooke pushed him back on it.

"Haley's my friend and I'm not gonna watch her be miserable. She could leave in two weeks and we both know that she's not gonna get any happier then. She needs friends now." Brooke said. Tim sighed and looked at Brooke.

"I just don't want her hanging out with Nathan."

"Why? I know Nathan doesn't have the best dating record but I think that it's just because he hasn't found anyone he could imagine getting serious with."

"I know. And that's the problem. I've never seen Nathan act like this around a girl."

"So, what's the problem? Nathan likes Haley. It seems that Haley likes Nathan too."

"That's exactly the problem. I know that if they got together, it would get serious."

"And...?" Brooke asked not understanding his problem. Tim sighed but didn't say anything.

"Tim? What's really bothering you?" Brooke said and pulled a chair so she could sit next to Tim. "Tim!" Brooke raised her voice a bit.

"I'm afraid, alright! I'm afraid that they'll get so close that Nathan won't have time to hang out with me. That they'll get so close that Haley will spend all her time with him. I don't want to lose my sister and my best friend."

"So if nothing happens between them, Haley will just go back and you will at least have Nathan. That's your strategy?" Brooke asked when she understood his way of thinking.

"Tim, that's dumb." Brooke said smiling. "You're Nathan's best friend and Haley's brother. They wouldn't ditch you." Brooke said trying to make some sense into him.

"Whatever. But like you said, Haley's leaving in two weeks. It wouldn't work." Tim said. Brooke smiled a little.

"Why don't you let them decide that?" Brooke said softly. Tim sighed and looked at her.

"Fine, they can do whatever they want, fine!" Tim said frustrated but Brooke could tell he wasn't mad.

"Yay!" Brooke yelled enthusiastically and clapped her hands.

"But I won't be happy about it." Tim said.

"Of course not." Brooke said smiling. "I'm gonna talk to Haley and Nathan." she said.

"Good." Tim said and went to play ball with the guys.

Brooke went upstairs and knocked on Haley's door. She opened the door and found Haley sitting on her bed, still wearing her bikini top and shorts.

"So..." Brooke started. "I talked to Tim. I told him he's an ass and he shouldn't be."

"I agree." Haley said.

"Well, I also made him promise that he wouldn't get in your and Nathan's way."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if you and Nathan would for example start dating, Tim would stay out of your way."

"Really? He said that?"

"Yep." Brooke said grinning. When Haley didn't start a happy dance, Brooke frowned.

"Why aren't you happier?" she asked from Haley. Haley sighed.

"Well, it doesn't change anything. I'm still leaving in two weeks. Nothing can happen."

"But you like him. And he likes you." Brooke said. "That should be all that matters." Haley laughed a bit.

"Not in my life."

"So, I just almost kicked Tim's ass for nothing?" Brooke asked frustrated.

"No, it's awesome that I can hang out with all of you now without feeling like I have to be on my toes or something." Haley said. "And there's always a reason to kick Tim's ass." Haley added with a wink. Brooke smiled and turned to look at her right. She saw Haley's suitcase. It was packed.

"You leaving?"

"No." Haley said smiling.

"Then why have you packed it?"

"I never unpacked it." Haley said.

"Why? You have a closet the size of Tim's bathroom."

"I never unpack." Haley said.

"Whatever. Why don't you come downstairs and join us." Brooke said.

"Sure, I'm just first gonna take that shower but I'll be right down."

"Alright, we'll be by the pool." She said and left. She went downstairs to find everyone playing basketball outside.

"Hey Brooke, everything alright?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah, perfect." She said but looked at everyone but Nathan, who was tying his shoelaces, with a weird look.

"Let's go get a drink, guys." Peyton said and linked arms with Lucas and Jake and started to drag them towards the house. She turned to glare at Tim who wasn't moving.

"Tim, let's go." Peyton said.

"But I'm not thirsty."

"Go talk to Haley then!" Peyton said.

"Fine." He said and started towards his house.

"Hey, I'm thirsty too." Nathan said when he noticed that they were leaving.

"We'll bring you water!" Peyton yelled before disappearing into the house with the guys.

"Whatever..." Nathan muttered and threw a 3-pointer. Brooke looked at him for a while.

"Nathan, we've gotta talk." Brooke said.

"Brooke, I know my feet stink but I'm doing my best! I wear flip flops as much as possible, I take a shower twice a day and change my socks-"

"We need to talk about Haley." Brooke said. Nathan fell quiet. "But your right about your feet. They do stink." Brooke said. "Anyways, I talked to Tim and then Haley."

"About what?"

"About you and her." Brooke said. "Long story short, Tim won't be an ass about you and Haley anymore."

"You serious?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah, just wanted to let you know." Brooke said smiling.

"Thanks, it's not gonna change anything though. She's still leaving." Nathan said with a hint of sadness.

"Jesus, what is it with you two..." Brooke muttered.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"Ah, nothing." Brooke said. "I'm gonna go tell the others they can come back." Brooke said and left.

"Huh?" Nathan asked confused. Brooke just waved her hand to make him forget.

Tim had gone to find Haley like Peyton had told.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Tim asked when he met Haley in the kitchen.

"What? No. But since you're here, I gotta make sure I understood Brooke correctly." Haley said. "So, it's ok if I hang out with you and Nathan?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, sure. You're only staying for few weeks, you should have as much fun as possible." Tim said smiling. Haley hugged him quickly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. It really means a lot to me. And I'm really sorry for what I said."

"Yeah, me too."

"If you need anything, just let me know." Haley said.

"Just throw one kick ass birthday party for us and we're even." Tim said. Haley smirked at that. "I'm gonna go play ball. You coming?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there. Just gotta make one phone call really quickly." Haley said still smirking.

"Ok, see you soon." Tim said and left. Haley smirked and took her cell phone out. She started to go through the numbers until she found just the right person. She pressed call.

"Hey. It's Haley... Yeah, it's been forever, I know... I miss you too!.. It's not till next week... Speaking of it, remember when you said that you owe me one?... Well, I was wondering if you and the gang could do me a huuuuge favor..."

Few minutes later Haley joined her brother and friends by the pool. When Brooke saw her coming, she quickly disappeared inside the house and dragged everyone with her but Nathan who was too slow to understand what was going on.

"Where did they go?" Haley asked when she got to where Nathan was.

"I was just about to ask the same..." Nathan muttered. Then they both realized that Brooke wanted for them to spend time together. Alone.

They both blushed and turned to look away. Nathan suddenly found his sneakers very interesting while Haley came to the conclusion that she needed a manicure badly. After a while the silence was getting unbearable.

"Ok, this is ridiculous." Haley finally said. Nathan sighed out load.

"Yeah, damn Brooke. I mean, the only difference is that now we can hang out without Tim wanting to kick our asses."

"Yeah, totally!" Haley said trying to convince herself more than Nathan.

"Yeah." He said in the same voice. They laughed a little and then fell silent again.

"I'm gonna go find Brooke." Haley said quickly.

"Yeah, you do that." He said and grabbed the basketball and threw it neatly through the hoop.

"Show-off." Haley grinned and muttered load enough for Nathan to hear. Nathan laughed and watched Haley get Brooke. He sighed and picked up the ball and did a perfect lay-up.

"Brooke what the hell was that about?" Haley hissed when she got inside. Brooke was standing in front of the window trying to pull the curtains back to cover the fact that she had been spying on them.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She said innocently but grinned.

"That was one of the most awkward moments in my life, and I have walked on my boyfriend cheating on me with his maid so I know awkward!" Haley said. Brooke looked at her surprised. Haley never talked about that incident so openly.

"I don't understand why it has to be awkward between you and Nathan. He likes you. You like him." Brooke said.

"Because nothing can ever happen! I'm leaving in less than two weeks!" Haley said with a frustrated voice.

"Ok, ok. Calm down. I won't harass you anymore." Brooke said.

"Thank you. I know you mean well but this thing can't work out." Haley said.

"I think you're wrong but I respect your decision." Brooke said.

"Thanks, Brooke." Haley said and smiled.

"No problem. Let's go get the others." She said and went to get the rest from the kitchen. They went outside to hang out by the pool while the guys played basketball.

"So, are you and Nathan hooking up?" Peyton asked grinning. Haley rolled her eyes while Brooke laughed out load.

"No, we're not." Haley said.

"Why not?" Peyton asked.

"I already went through with this with Brooke. It's not happening."

"Brooke, don't you think they should hook up?" Peyton asked ignoring Haley's comment.

"Yeah, totally. Just imagine how perfect they'd be." Brooke said while grinning.

"Haley James, the rock star, with Nathan Scott, the NBA star." Peyton said imagining the headline.

"NBA? Is he that good?" Haley asked while looking at Nathan play against Lucas and Tim.

"Yeah, he is. He went to this High Flyers camp that accepts like only one kid from every state. He's probably getting drafted to NBA before he graduates from college." Peyton said.

"See? You two would be so adorable together." Brooke said.

"Come on, give it a rest." Haley said smiling. Secretly she didn't mind thinking about the possibility.

"They would probably get married at the beach." Peyton said.

"Guys-"

"And we would throw the bachelorette-party." Brooke said.

"Come on-"

"Just think how cute their babies would look like." Peyton continued.

"Peyt-"

"Their kids would be so gorgeous!"

"Broo-"

"Yeah, they'd be the popular kids everyone hates!"

"Hey!" Haley yelled a little bit hurt. She then realized why she was upset. "I mean..." she started but Brooke and Peyton started laughing too load.

"So, you do care about your kids." Brooke said.

"There are no kids." Haley said.

"Yet." Peyton said and winked. Haley just rolled her eyes and laid back to soak up the sun. She tried to block Brooke and Peyton's voices but she couldn't help but smile when they started to plan her future wedding.

About an hour later the guys took a break and went to hang out with the girls.

"Had a good game?" Haley asked from Nathan who sat down next to her and Brooke.

"Yeah, but your brother's getting worse." Nathan whispered grinning. Haley laughed out loud.

"Hey, I heard that!" Tim said and threw his water bottle towards him. Nathan dodged it but he forgot that Haley was sitting behind him. The bottle hit her right in the stomach.

"Ouch! What the f..." she took the bottle and threw it at Tim.

"Hey!" Tim yelled.

"Hey!" Haley mimicked his voice.

"Bitch."

"Loser."

"Whore."

"Retard."

"You hungry?"

"Starving." Everyone laughed at the sudden change of conversation.

"We should try to cook something for once. I'm getting sick of pizza." Peyton said.

"Hey, good idea. I can make awesome pesto pasta." Brooke said.

"Sounds like a plan." Haley said. "Just keep Tim out of the kitchen." Haley said laughing. Tim rolled his eyes.

"Why?" Nathan asked.

"He can't cook." Haley said grinning.

"I do too!"

"Oh really? Remember the chocolate cake incident from Thanksgiving '98?"

"It wasn't cake, it was Jell-O."

"My point exactly."

"Well, you're no Martha Stewart either. May I remind you of Halloween '96."

"It was a perfectly fine pumpkin!"

"A girl asked dad if it had been killed in a tractor accident."

"It may have been a bit off, but it was still pretty!"

"Mr. Arnold from two floors up said it reminded him of the mask they used in the 'Scream' movies. And he worked for the movie industry."

"Ok, so I can't cook." Haley finally admitted.

"Yeah, you both better stay away from the kitchen." Peyton said to Tim and Haley.

"No problem." Haley said. "But I do know how to make Macaroni and Cheese!" Haley said excited.

"From the box." Tim said. "And even then you screw up the measurements." He said laughing.

"Whatever. I happen to recall a time when you wanted to boil eggs and you first broke them into a bowl and then asked 'how can I boil these now'." Haley said and everyone started laughing.

"I was five years old!"

"Mom looked at the bowl for the longest time and then just smiled and said 'we'll make an omelette, dear'. The look on her face was priceless." Haley said laughing with the rest of the group. The laughter was interrupted by Haley's ringing cell phone. Tim grabbed it and looked at the screen.

"Who the hell is 'Fergs'?" Haley snatched the phone from his hands.

"Give me that... Hey, babe... You talked to them? Well, what did they say?... Oh my god, thank you so much! I so owe you!... Ok, see you soon!... Bye, hon.!" Haley snapped the phone shut with a huge grin.

"Who was that?" Tim asked.

"Our entertainment for the party." Haley said.

"Haley, I don't want any of your friends performing here. In case you haven't noticed, we're not into the same music."

"Yeah, I know. Don't worry, you'll love them." she said still smiling. Haley put her sunglasses on and laid down while still grinning.

"She's weird." Brooke said laughing. Tim just rolled his eyes.

"Took you this long to figure that out?"

So, how was it? Remember to review like always. :)

-Fes-