1 year later…

It was once again summer and summer was always Haley's favorite time of the year. It was the first day of practice and Haley was ecstatic. She packed her swim bag and ran to wake up Lucas so they could go to practice but Lucas wasn't in his room. She heard a voice from behind her, "He's at Thomas's. We're going to take you." She turned around to look at her father.

"What?" she asked confused.

"Get your shit together and let's go."

Haley just grabbed her bag and followed him to the car. When she got there she was confused to see her mother already waiting in the car. She jumped in the backseat still excited for practice. She wasn't going to let her parents spoil that day.

As they were driving along Haley noticed something was off, "Umm, wasn't that the turn for the pool?"

"We're not going to the pool," was all that her father said back.

Haley sat in the back of the car completely silent. Boy had she screwed up this time. No, wait. She really hadn't. Sure, she hadn't done too well in school, but she never did. Her parents were used to that. So why wasn't she going to practice? "Where are we going?" she finally asked after several minutes of silence.

"You'll find out soon enough," was all her mother said.

Seriously. This was getting ridiculous. They'd been driving for hours and there seemed to be no civilization in sight. Where the hell are we? Haley looked behind her for the first time noticing her sleeping bag. "Am I staying somewhere?" There was no answer. Haley looked back again confused. Her duffle bag was there too and it was definitely jam packed. What was going on? "Hello? Why is my bag here? Where am I going?"

"Well, took her long enough to notice," her father said annoyed, and still not answering her question.

"Honey, we're almost there, you'll see in a minute," her mother said softly trying to be comforting and a good parent all at the same time. Her youngest child really made being a good parent hard.

Ten minutes passed and they pulled up to a lake house. It was two stories high and looked nice enough. Haley was used to growing up in her 12 bedroom mansion so it wasn't anything she was expecting. It was definitely too low class for her father. "What is this?" she questioned excitedly.

Just then she saw two women in their thirties walking from the yard to her car door. She had never seen them before but they seemed to know her as they opened the door. "You must be Haley, I'm Jessica," said the short blonde who seemed to be the older of the two. "Why don't we get your things out of the back and Briana here will show you to your room."

"Mom?" Haley was beyond confused. "What's going on?"

Lydia stepped out of the car and pulled Haley into a hug, "I'm sorry honey, but you don't seem to listen to anything we say. You're just so mad all the time, I didn't know what to do. But these people, they're going to help you. I just want you to know that I love you so much, but I just can't do this anymore." Lydia broke down in tears feeling absolutely helpless.

Haley stood there speechless. She hated making her mother cry, but it seemed to be all she did these days. She looked at her mother and said, "I love you too, Momma." She then gave her one last hug and walked towards the house that she would be staying at for God knows how long.

Haley was unpacking her bag into the designated plastic tub that would go under her bunk bed. She looked up and saw a gorgeous redhead watching her every move. As she was putting away her Duke sweatshirt the girl spoke up, "Blue devils, huh?"

"Yep."

"Thank God! I was getting worried that I'd be surrounded by a bunch of Tarheels. My name's Rachel, what's yours?"

"Haley. Are there really that many Tarheel fans here?"

"Yes! I swear if I any more clothes in that Godawful blue I'm going to throw up! I think we should start a Duke clique. You in?"

"Umm… sure. Why not?"

"Only beautiful people though. I guess we could allow hot boys who aren't Duke fans, but I think we should have to vote before allowing entry."

Was this girl serious? Haley looked at the girl hard, but she didn't falter. She really was serious. "Okay." What did I just get myself into?

"Awesome. We're gonna rule this place for sure! Let's go new best friend. We've got work to do!" Rachel grabbed Haley's hand and pulled her away from her packing, skipping down the hall to check out the rest of the place.

"Do you see what I see?" Rachel asked Haley giddily.

"What do you see?"

"Cute boy. 9 o'clock."

Haley looked to her left to see a beautiful boy. Her new school did not have boys that looked that good. "No, I see a gorgeous boy."

"Wait here, I'll be right back."

Haley watched as Rachel trotted over to the boy. Rachel was definitely a pro at this. Haley watched intently as Rachel worked over the boy, constantly giggling and touching his arm. As Haley kept watching Rachel turned around and pointed at her with a big smile on her face. The boy started walking over to Haley.

He held his hand out for her to shake, "Hi, Chase Adams, your friend says you're Haley?"

Haley looked at the boy's hand as if it was a foreign body. She didn't know what to say to such a cute boy, "Umm… yeah, I'm Haley." She officially had the goofiest grin possible on her face.

"Some of us guys were gonna sneak out for a swim after dark. Do you wanna come?"

"Umm… sure," Haley stammered out.

"Okay, we'll talk later to let you know when and where." He started to walk away but then he turned around and pulled her into him. He moved in close and whispered in her ear, "I think you're beautiful too."

After Chase walked away Rachel scurried back over to Haley's side, "It's a match made in heaven! You two look so cute together! Now it's time to find me a boy. I mean, we're going to be here a month I need someone to keep me warm at night."

"We're here for a whole month?"

"Yeah, how did you not know that?"

"Because I didn't know I was coming here! my parents dragged me out of bed this morning and shoved me in the back of the car, then they just left. It's ridiculous."

Rachel looked at her in awe, "You're one of those! I never would have known. You look a bit like a goody-goody. You're definitely a hot goody-goody though. I was in your shoes last summer. My parents found a boy in my bedroom so they decided to send me here and instill Christ in me. I went home all 'changed' or at least they think I did. It's fun here though. We pretty much hang out on the lake most of the time. We get to just lay out, go tubing, and ride jet skis. Only what the finest money can buy. We take a few trips to town. There are a few sucky things though. We have to make all of our own meals, there's a schedule they give us. Then there are the Bible study classes we have and then talking about our feelings and jaded childhoods. Oh, and the worst is our 'quiet time.' We have to sit in our beds without talking and write about our feelings and stuff. It's ridiculous. But there are beautifully bred boys that come here. Unfortunately they have to stay in the cabin out back because they can't be trusted to be in the same house as the girls. That doesn't stop us from sneaking out though. After hours are the best. Let's go check our schedules."

Haley and Rachel sat on their neighboring beds gossiping about everything and planning their next month.

"Oh my God, I can't believe you and Chase cook all the same meals and are on all the same sports teams. You two are totally MTB!"

"MTB?"

"Meant-to-be, duh! Okay, so which guy do you think should be my boy toy for the next month? I've narrowed it down to Richard and Kyle."

"I know Kyle, he's a total douche. He's dating this girl I used to go to school with who gets her joy in life by making me cry."

"Then Kyle it is!"

"What?"

"I like a challenge. Plus, it'll be revenge for you. it's not like she's here to stop me."

"No, but her best friend is."

"Oooo, which one is she?"

"The absolutely gorgeous one."

"Wrong answer! WE are the only gorgeous ones here, no other girl stands a chance. So, what's the bitch's name?"

"Victoria."

"Wow, even a bitch name. We're going to make the next month hell for Miss Victoria."

"Did I hear my name?" came a voice from a few bunks over.

"Is your name bitch?" Rachel replied.

"No, my name is Victoria. I could have sworn I heard fat little Hades over there say my name."

"Okay Slutoria, don't even start with me. Haley weighs about half as much as you. You are going to learn your place around here really fast and the first thing you should know is that we are on top here. And if I ever hear you call my friend Hades or fat again, you will have a fat lip to go along with the rest of your fat existence. Mkay? You can go now," Rachel said, shooing her away with one of her perfectly manicured hands.

Victoria left the room dejected. No one had ever spoken to her like that and she didn't like it.

"Thanks Rach," Haley was still in awe.

"No problem. I've got your back here. We'll show that girl her place around here soon. It looks like I'm going to have even more fun stealing Kyle away," Rachel said with an evil smile.

It was time for dinner and the 30 kids sat around three tables waiting to eat. Jessica, the leader of the camp and owner of the property called attention to everyone. "I would like to thank tonight's kitchen crew for making us this wonderful dinner. If y'all would please stand," she waited as they all stood so that the rest of the camp could applaud them. "Thank you guys. You have set the bar high for the rest of your time here. I was hoping that we could get a volunteer to bless this meal before we began to eat." Jessica looked around the room not surprised by the girl who's hand immediately sprang up, "Thank you Rachel."

Rachel stood up from her table and began, "Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us all here together for the next few weeks. Please be with us and let us grow together and let us make each other better. Thank you for this food that you have blessed us with and the company in which we get to share it. In Your son's Name we pray, Amen." Rachel gave a smile and a curtsy before sitting back down next to Haley.

"Where did that come from?" Haley whispered.

"My stepdad's a preacher," Rachel answered. "Pretty good, right?"

"Masterful," Haley said amazed by Rachel more each passing moment.

"Hales, get up," Rachel whispered as she woke her.

"Huh?" Haley mumbled confused, "It's the middle of the night, Rach."

"I know. We told the boys we'd meet them by the lake, remember?"

"Oh shit. Yeah." Haley sprang up from her bed and snuck out of the room with Rachel.

Haley and Rachel walked down the path to the lake holding hands. "So, who's going to be there?" Haley asked.

"Just us and a bunch of the guys, including Chase and Kyle."

"So how exactly do you plan on getting Kyle?" Haley asked interested in Rachel's plan.

"Well, after I have sex with him tonight, he'll be putty in my hands."

Haley was a bit shocked by Rachel's declaration, "Umm… I don't think Kyle is that kind of guy."

Rachel looked at Haley like she was crazy. "Hales, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but every guy is that kind of guy."

"My brother isn't," Haley objected.

"Well then, maybe your brother is gay," Rachel joked. "Look, there are the boys," Rachel said pointing down to the four boys who were waiting on the dock. They both went down to join them. "So, you guys ready for a swim?" Rachel asked as she started undressing.

"Rachel!" Haley screamed as she saw Rachel get completely naked. "What are you doing?"

Rachel rolled her eyes, "Hales, sweetie, if our clothes are wet, the counselors will suspect something. Just take 'em off and come swimming." She turned her attention to a naked Kyle and pulled him into the lake with her, "She's such an amateur."

Haley turned to avoid seeing any part of the boys when she saw Chase next to her taking off his shirt. "Oh shit. I gotta go." Haley closed her eyes and started running back up to the house. She didn't get far before she felt a hand grab her arm.

"Haley." She turned around to see Chase, thankfully still in his boxers. "We don't have to swim if you don't want to. It is a little awkward to go skinny dipping with someone you just met."

"I don't think I could even go skinny dipping with someone I knew," Haley muttered.

"That's why I like you."

"You like me?"

"Yeah," Chase said completely unembarrassed.

"Why?"

"Because you're not a slut like Rachel," Chase said plainly.

"Hey, she's my friend."

"I know, but you have to admit she's a bit easy." Haley just nodded. "I like the girl and all, but I wouldn't want a relationship with her. I mean, look at her," Chase pointed back to the lake where Rachel and Kyle were clearly going at it even with two other guys in the water with them. Haley was actually appalled by the showcase Rachel was making, but Rachel was her friend and had stuck up for her.

"Look, Haley, obviously you're not into that stuff and neither am I, so why don't you just let me walk you back to the main house?"

Haley looked back at Chase not really sure of his intentions, "Okay," was all that she could say. She hadn't even been there 24 hours, but this place had already turned her world upside down.

"Banana Boat!" Chase screamed as the group ran down to the lake.

"Why are you so excited about sunscreen?"

"It's not sunscreen, Hales. The banana boat is only one of the greatest things ever."

"It sounds kind of pervy."

"It's not, it's just fun. You see that over there?" Chase pointed to an elongated raft that looked like a banana. Haley nodded in confirmation. "Well, five people sit on it as they pull it behind the boat. It's kind of like tubing, but it's even more fun because you can make it a competition. We get to hound whoever falls off first. It can get pretty rough. You think you can handle it?"

Any time someone asked her that Haley felt she had to prove herself, "You bet your ass I can handle it."

Briana stood waiting on the boat, "Who's going for the first ride?"

"We are!" Rachel screamed.

"Who is we?" Briana asked.

"Me, Kyle, Chase, Haley and…" she looked around for her victim, "Victoria."

"What?" Victoria asked, just as stunned as everyone else.

"You're not chicken, are you?"

"No, I'm not chicken."

"Okay then, what are we waiting for?" Rachel grinned excited for her evil plan to make Victoria look like a fool.

Kyle climbed on the front, followed by Rachel then Victoria then Haley then Chase. Chase had insisted on going last. He said that only the strongest could be on the end.

As soon as the boat pulling them ahead started moving, the kids popped up in the air. Haley couldn't help but laugh at the scene that played out in front of her. Rachel was working twice as hard to have fun. She had one hand working around Kyle trying to grope him in any form and her feet were behind her kicking at Victoria. The fear on Victoria's face was evident, but Haley wasn't sure if it was more from the ride or Rachel's flying feet. Haley got lost in the spectacle before her and accidentally let go of the handle. She immediately flew back into Chase's chest nearly knocking them both loose, but somehow, he was able to keep one hand on the handle and his other arm holding onto her.

"Grab on," he instructed.

Haley quickly obliged reaching to grab the handle. No way was she going to be the first one off. Haley and Chase were now both holding onto the same handle, their legs dangling and beating against the water behind them. It was an awkward situation to say the least.

"Give up?" he questioned.

"Never!"

Just then the boat took a sharp turn and the two watched as Victoria went flying in the air and off of the float, going at least ten feet in the air. Haley thought her life was now complete after witnessing that sight. Haley rejoiced knowing that she didn't lose, but decided to ruin the victory for Chase. She let go of the handle and quickly slid off the raft, grabbing Chase's shorts in the process and taking them with her. Her laughs only stopped when her head was pulled underwater from the current the boat had caused.

As soon as he felt the tug, Chase let go of the raft, but it was too late. His shorts were gone and so was Haley. Chase took a deep breath and went under the water searching for her through the murky water. He finally saw her silently laughing just below the surface. He moved to her as quickly as possible and pulled her up, but she didn't stop laughing. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"Chase, I'm a swimmer, I can hold my breath for two minutes underwater. I couldn't drown if I wanted to."

"Give me my shorts!"

"Oh, you mean these?" Haley grinned holding his bright red swim trunks in the air.

"Give 'em to me!"

"Make me," Haley screamed as she dove back under.

Chase took a deep breath and followed her under. Thankfully it was not clear water, otherwise he would have been highly uncomfortable.

Haley felt a hand grab her ankle and yank her backwards. She quickly turned around to see Chase in all his glory and immediately let go of his shorts in shock. She obviously hadn't thought this all the way through. He grabbed his shorts and slipped them on as quick as he could, not realizing that she had seen him. He went to the surface to catch his breath while Haley remained under the water. He looked around for the boat and saw it stopped more than a hundred yards away from them. He figured they were still picking up Victoria. Haley still hadn't come up for air so he went back under and pulled her up.

"What are you doing? They are going to freak if they don't see two bobbing heads when they come back over here."

Haley just rolled her eyes at Chase, "It's fun to make them freak out. You should see how worked up lifeguards can get when a kid sinks to the bottom for over a minute. It's great. Keeps 'em on their feet."

Haley went back under pulling Chase with her this time. He surprised her though when he grabbed her and kissed her. Haley floated back to the surface. In the span of five minutes, she caught her first glimpse of the male anatomy and received her first kiss. This was just too much. Especially at church camp. She was turning into Taylor.

"I'm sorry," Chase said when he followed her back up.

"No, it's okay," Haley said unsure.

"I'm really sorry, I thought you liked me."

"No, no, I do like you. It's okay. You just surprised me."

"Are you sure?"

Haley didn't say anything, instead she pulled him back under and kissed him again. She knew she'd be sent home if anyone ever saw them kissing. Besides, kissing underwater was kind of fun, not that she had anything to compare it to.

That night while Haley and Rachel were getting ready for bed, Rachel burst out laughing.

"What's so funny Rach?"

"Looks like Vicky had a bit of a rough ride today. You sure do bruise easily," Rachel taunted Victoria while Haley couldn't help but laugh.

"Could it possibly have to do with the feet that were kicking me the whole time? Bitch."

"You couldn't possibly be trying to say that I had something to do with you falling off the banana boat?"

"I would never say such a thing." Victoria said sarcastically, knowing that Rachel had everyone at the camp wrapped around her finger.

After changing Rachel dragged Haley to the bathroom while she took her shower, "So is there a reason as to why Chase was singing Stevie Wonder at the top of his lungs the whole way back?"

"Huh?"

"What happened when you went off the float Hales? Don't play innocent with me, you know I'm the master."

"Well, I kind of stole his pants."

"What?" Rachel asked excited sticking her head out of the shower to see if Haley was telling the truth.

"Yeah. I stole his pants. So I saw his junk. Then he kissed me. Under water." A smile broke out covering Haley's face as she remembered the kiss.

"So, was he a good kisser?"

"How do you classify good?"

"What do you mean, how do you classify it? Was he better than others or not?" Haley didn't answer. Rachel stuck her head back outside the shower. "You haven't kiss a boy before?!"

"No."

"Oh my God. How is this possible? You are fucking hot Hales. I can't believe you're a virgin! Let alone a kissing virgin. Oh my God."

"Rachel. We're fourteen years old. It's not typical for fourteen year olds to have sex."

"Sure, not typical fourteen year olds, but we are not typical. We are sexy bitches. Besides, I've seen you taking the pill at night. Why would you be taking birth control if you weren't having sex?"

"That's only because I don't have a period."

"So you want one? You are weird Haley James."

"No, I don't want one, but my brother freaks out when I don't have one because he says it's not healthy or that he worries I am pregnant."

"How does your brother know if you have a period or not?"

"He's a genius. It's weird. He notices all the little things that normal people wouldn't. It's annoying as hell."

"That is weird… So, was it a good kiss?"

"Yeah. It was great. Until the boat came back."

"Well, let me know next time you two wanna sneak off. I'm really good at diversions."

"I love you, Rach."

"Who doesn't?"

"Victoria."

"Ugh. That bitch. I've got to think of something better for her."

It was time for story telling and Haley sat nervous on the floor in a sandwich between Chase and Rachel. Every day for the past week they had story time and every day she prayed that she wouldn't be forced to stand up in front of the group and tell her miserable life story about why she was there.

"Do you see that? Vicky flirting with Ethan over there?" Rachel asked Haley.

"Yes. What about it?"

"This is perfect."

"What is perfect?"

"Umm, the perfect opportunity to ruin her."

"What is going on in your demented head?"

"I have a brilliant plan. You'll just have to watch it unfold."

"What are you two talking about?" Chase asked.

"Oh nothing," Rachel answered.

"Rachel is forming a plan to bring Victoria to her knees," Haley informed him.

"Rachel, what is your beef with that girl? You always seem out to get her."

"Chase you have no idea how horrible this girl is. She made Haley cry."

Haley elbowed Rachel, "Shut up, Rachel. Do you not know how to keep your mouth shut?"

"What'd she do?"

"She picked on her constantly. Called her fat, ugly, all sorts of things. She's a bitch. She's got it coming to her," Rachel continued.

"Rachel! Shut up!"

"Why?"

"Because I really don't need the whole camp knowing my business. Thank you very much."

"Telling your boyfriend is not telling the whole camp."

Haley buried her head in her knees. Rachel seriously needed to learn how to keep her mouth shut.

Chase put his arm around Haley trying to comfort her. "Boyfriend, huh?" Haley didn't answer. "Would you really be that embarrassed to be my girlfriend?" Haley still didn't speak, she just shook her head no. "Then why are you hiding your face?"

"Because I hate Rachel," she muttered into her legs.

"Hey, I heard that."

"You were supposed to."

"Okay Chase, hands off the girl," Jessica butted into their conversation.

"Okay, eww, he's like my brother."

"Well, just to be safe, let's separate you two for the night. How about you come up here Chase? We'll let you tell your story tonight."

Chase groaned, but went forward to tell his story. Haley couldn't help but notice how Chase's story was so different from her own. He had grown up in a loving household as an only child. His father was killed in a hit and run accident leaving Chase's mother heartbroken. She turned to alcohol leaving a ten year old Chase to fend for himself. She voluntarily went to rehab when she saw that she was breaking up her family even more. He was sent to live with his grandparents until she got better. Now, he was happy though. His mother was back, but at times he did still feel the heartache of not having his father.

Hearing his story, Haley couldn't help but cry. She was amazed at how strong he was compared to her. She cried for the pain she knew he experienced, but also for herself. In spite of herself. How could she act the way she did when she had two parents? She had brothers and sisters she could rely on, when he didn't have either.

After Chase had finished his story Haley turned to her new best friend, "Rach, is that offer for a diversion still on the table?"

"Time and place."

"Now."

"I'm on it."

As soon as they ended the session and Chase had rejoined them Haley gave Chase a hug. She watched as Rachel walked over towards the counselors and started crying profusely. She had no idea what the excuse was, but it worked. Haley grabbed Chase's hand and pulled him out of the house and behind the boys' cabin.

"I'm sorry," she said before grabbing his face and kissing him.

After getting over the initial shock, Chase gave into Haley kissing her deeply. His curiosity got the better of him though and a few minutes later Chase finally pulled away, "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"

"I don't know. Trying to kiss it and make it better. I'm sorry for what you went through. I didn't know you had to go through all of that. It just… sucks."

"Well, I don't really tell a lot of people. And yeah, it does suck, but the kissing definitely helps make it better."

"Really?" Haley asked coyly.

"Really."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to do a little more."

Twenty minutes later Chase had Haley up against the wall of the cabin, definitely going further than Haley had ever imagined. The snapping of a stick had them separating at lightning speed.

"Umm, guys. They've got a search party out looking for you," came Kyle's voice from the darkness.

"Oh shit. I need to get back," Haley said looking at her watch. "I'll see you in the morning." She gave him one last kiss and ran back up to the house.

Chase looked at Kyle annoyed, but walked over to him to go back to their bunks.

"Bud, I think your girl left something," Kyle said pointing to Haley's bra laying on the ground.

"Oh my God, she's going to die," he said going back to pick up the bra and shoving it in his pocket.

"That is definitely not the Haley I know."

"That's because you don't know her."

Okay, so this is obviously not the end of camp, but I had this much written for it and I'm not sure when I'll be able to finish it, so I wanted to at least give you a little bit to tie you over until my next update. I hope you like it!