First off, I just want to apologize for this chapter being a bit messy and not flowing so smoothly. I was just trying to get past camp and was having trouble with it, so she just kind of, ended up at home one day. I hope you don't get too lost. Since I'm getting away from camp, next chapter should be drama filled.
Rachel sat on Haley's bed during free time while Haley painted Rachel's toenails. "Do you have a tattoo?" Haley asked pointing to Rachel's ankle where it looked like there was a white heart.
"No, that's a scar."
"How did you get a scar in the shape of a heart?"
"With a knife," Rachel answered simply.
"What?"
"One of the many times I broke up with my boyfriend, instead of crying, I bled. I took a pocketknife to my ankle and carved a heart for him."
Haley just looked at her confused, "Why would you do that?"
"To feel better."
"Doesn't it hurt though?" Haley asked.
"Not as much as my heart did."
"So you really loved him then."
"Still do."
"Then why aren't you together?"
"We are together."
"But I saw you having sex with Kyle."
"So?"
"So? How can you have sex with him if you're in love with someone else?"
"It's just sex."
"There is no such thing as just sex."
"And how would a virgin know that?" Rachel bit back.
"Nice Rach, really nice." Haley put the cap back on the bottle and threw it at Rachel.
She got up to go for a walk, but had no idea where she was going. The dock was full of people playing, but she just wanted to be alone so she found a picnic table to sit at and cool off. She laid her head down, trying to clear her mind.
"Hey," she heard coming from behind her. Haley lifted her head to see who it was and when she did, she put her head right back down. "What do you want?"
"I guess I just wanted to check on you."
"And why would you want to do that?"
"Because you look upset."
Haley just glared at the girl who was now sitting next to her. "From what I remember, that's usually how you got your jollies."
"Look Haley, I'm sorry."
"Wow. Is that she first time you've ever said my real name?"
"Possibly," the girl smiled, hoping to ease the tension of the situation. "I know I can be a complete bitch sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Haley broke in.
"Okay, pretty much all the time. I just don't like competition and that's what you've always been."
"What are you talking about Victoria? "We aren't on a single team together."
"Not sports Haley. Life. I mean, look at you. You're gorgeous, you're skinny, you're smart, you're funny and you are too nice for your own good."
"Why are you sucking up to me? Did Rachel finally get to you?"
"No, it's just the truth. We could tell the second you came in the door in sixth grade that you were it. You would have ruled the school if we had let you. That's why we had to take you down."
"Okay, so ruining my life HAD to be done, right?"
"No. It was just self-preservation. Outside of popularity, I have nothing. So I will do anything to keep it. Even if it means hurting someone else."
"Is that supposed to make it okay?"
"No, it's not, but hearing your story last night, I felt like part of it was my fault."
"Maybe that's because it was." Victoria looked at Haley shocked. She was not expecting that response. At least not from Haley. "I mean, think about it Victoria. There was that time in sixth grade when I woke up at YOUR sleepover with a foot of my hair cut off. I looked like a boy for months. Then there was that time at the pool when you stole my clothes while I was in the shower. How about at the mixer at the farm when you locked me in the stables. I was stuck in there for two hours. And how could I forget the time you got me suspended from school which in turn caused my father to nearly die?" Victoria just stared. "Yeah, I know that was you."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sure you are."
"I know I was a complete bitch, okay? I'm sorry. Obviously I wasn't thinking about your feelings. I can tell something is wrong now though. I just wanted you to know I'm here to listen if you need it."
"Right, so that you can use it against me?"
"No," Victoria said adamantly. "I may be a bitch, but I'm not that big of a bitch."
Haley didn't respond. She desperately wanted to ask her a question, but didn't want to be laughed at. What the hell she thought. If she laughs, Rachel can beat her up later. "Is it bad that I'm still a virgin?" she asked barely audible.
"Hell no," Victoria said. "No offense to Rachel, I know she's your best friend, but it is not normal to have sex at 14. God, we just finished middle school!"
Haley took a deep breath of relief, "I guess you're right."
"I may not be right about a lot of things, but that is one thing I am sure of. Sure, I'll do stuff with boys, but I'm not going to have sex until I'm in love…unless I never fall in love. Then I'll just wait until prom to spread 'em." Her last comment actually got a laugh out of Haley. "You said you had a lot of siblings. Why don't you ask them these things?"
"Well, I could ask my sister Taylor, but she'd probably just give me a few pointers, a condom, and then just push me onto a stranger. I guess she's a lot like Rachel, which is probably why I get along with her so well. I could never ask Luke about that stuff. He would completely go off the deep end, immediately assuming that I was having sex already. He'd probably strap a chastity belt on me." Both girls laughed at the absurdity of the thought.
"At least you know her cares," Victoria joked. "I really am sorry."
"I know you are. But that doesn't change what you did."
"Can I change what I did?" Rachel asked as she joined them at the picnic table.
"That depends. What did you do?" Haley asked her, wanting to make sure Rachel knew why she was mad.
"I was an insensitive slut who took out the frustrations of my relationship out on my best friend here."
"That works," Haley grinned as Rachel jumped up and gave her a hug.
"I really am sorry. I can't even blame it on PMS. I'm just a bitch today."
"I already told you it was okay. No more self-deprecating needed."
"Thank you, my dear. You wanna hit up the lake?"
"I'd love to," Victoria said quickly before stopping herself. "I guess you weren't talking to me though. Sorry. I'll see ya later."
"Hey," Haley shouted at her back as she walked away. "You should join us. I may not forget, but I can forgive." Getting up she grabbed Victoria's arm and pulled her along with them. "Let's go ladies!"
Haley sat on the dock looking out onto the lake. It was gorgeous. She loved sitting there with her legs dangling over the water. It was perfect now when she was all alone because the rest of the camp was packing. Camp ended tomorrow.
"Hey," Chase said as he came up to sit by Haley on the dock.
"Hey."
"So… tomorrow's our last day."
"Yep," was all that she said back.
"What does that mean for us?" he asked.
"I don't know… what do you want it to mean?"
"Well, just because we're leaving, it doesn't change how I feel about you," Chase admitted sheepishly.
"And how is that?"
"I like you," he told her. "A lot. And I'm hoping that when we leave here, you'll still want to be my girlfriend."
"Me too," she said with a smile, finally letting him see how she feels.
"Good," he said matching her smile.
"I better go finish packing." Haley leaned over and gave him a kiss before standing up and walking back up to the house. She would actually miss it here.
Haley jumped out of her parents' car and ran straight into her house. "Lucas!" she screamed when she saw her brother sitting on the couch. He immediately stood up and she ran into his arms. "I missed you big brother!"
"I missed you too, lil bit! Did you have fun?"
"Loads," she began to tell him before she saw her father enter the room. Not wanting to let him in on her camp experience, she quickly silenced herself, "I'll tell you later. Can you bring in my bags?" She gave him a kiss on the cheek before quickly running off to find her other siblings.
The first room she went to was Nick's. she knocked on the door and waited for him to answer. "Miss me?" she grinned up at him as soon as he opened the door.
"Of course I did, baby girl! I was so mad when I got home and you weren't here. I swear I almost drove out there just to get a hug."
"Well, why didn't you?"
"Because I wanted you to meet someone and I didn't think camp would be a good time to introduce you."
"Okay, so who do you want me to meet?"
Nick stepped out into the hall to talk to Haley before introductions were made. "Okay, Hales. I really like this girl. But she's kind of different than most girls I've dated."
"Exactly how different?" she asked him wearily.
"Just be nice," he instructed her before slowly opening the door. "Hales, this is my girlfriend, Glenda. Glenda, this is my favorite sister of all, Haley."
"Hi Haley," Glenda said from the bed. "I've heard so much about you."
"All lies, I'm sure. I love your hair!"
"Really? I was trying to go for pink, but it turned out purple. I'm pretty sure I gave your dad a heart attack when I walked through the door."
"Oh, if only you really had," Haley said dreamily, obviously imagining her father having a heart attack.
"I like her, Nick," Glenda said as she watched Haley's overexaggeratedness.
"I knew you would," Nick winked.
"It's nice to meet you Glenda, I'm sure I'll see you two very very soon, but I have a sister I must visit now," Haley was talking a mile a minute at this point, excited for her next stop. "Love you," she added quickly with a kiss to Nick's cheek and a slam of his door and she was gone.
Haley ran into her sister's room, not bothering to knock. She jumped on Quinn's empty bed and started shouting at her sister that was in the bathroom, "Quinny, I'm hooooooome!"
"Hales!" she could hear Quinn scream as she turned off the shower. She ran into her bedroom wrapped in her towel and swallowed her little sister in a hug. "I've missed you so much, little sis. I'm so glad you're home."
"I've missed you too… Are you crying?"
"No… yes," she whispered pulling back from the hug, "I just missed my little sister."
"Aww, I missed my big sister."
Quinn looked hard at her sister, "Something's different."
"What?"
"You. You seem different. Did something happen?"
"Maybe…" Haley said slyly.
"Oooo, tell me!"
A grin took over Haley's face as she told her sister what she thought was great news, "I have a boyfriend."
"Ahh! My Haley is growing up. Tell me all about him."
"Well, he is gorgeous. Dark hair, brown eyes. Amazing kisser."
"What?" Quinn screamed. "You little hussy. Hooking up at church camp. I'm so proud! When do I get to meet him?"
"Not until after I meet your new guy," Haley told her with a knowing look.
"What?"
"Quinn, sweetie, these clothes," she said walking over and picking up a pair of mens' pants and a shirt, "are definitely not yours. So, I'd like to meet whoever you have stashed in the shower."
"Actually, you've already met him."
"Ooo, this is exciting," Haley said walking over to the bathroom door and opening it. The man inside scrambled to cover himself even more with his towel as she threw his clothes at him. "Relax, David, it's nothing I haven't seen before."
"Woah, excuse me, since when?" Quinn asked.
"Is that really important?"
"David, maybe you should get going. I'll call you later." Quinn waited until David had changed and left before continuing. "Yes, it does matter. Please tell me that you did not have sex at church camp."
"I did not have sex at church camp," Haley told her, rolling her eyes.
"Are you just saying that because I told you to or is it the truth?"
"It's the truth. So how long have you and the high school sweetheart been back together?"
"Nice change of subject. A few months."
"And you kept it a secret? You whore."
"Right… I'm the whore?"
"I think Taylor has finally rubbed off on us," Haley laughed.
"Oh, Lord help us." Quinn joined Haley in her laughter. It was good to have her back. Pulling her into another hug, she couldn't help but tell her once more, "I really have missed you. It's not the same without you here. Do you need any help unpacking?"
"No, I'm good. I'm going to make Luke help me. I've got to catch up with him. Love you."
"Hey loser, where are my bags?" Haley shouted from the top of the steps.
Lucas soon appeared at the bottom with all of her things. "Yes, your majesty?"
"Get your butt up here mister."
"You do realize that I'm your older brother. I'm the one that is supposed to be bossing you around."
"Yes, but I don't like to follow rules, so let's get to unpacking." Haley walked to her room, leaving Lucas to struggle with her bags.
"Here you go princess," he said as he dropped her bags on her bed. He started to leave when she stopped him.
"Exactly where do you think you're going?"
"To ice my sore muscles," he shrugged as he continued to try to get out of her room.
Blocking his exit, she put her hand on his chest, "Not so fast slaveboy. You're helping me unpack."
"Do I have to?" he moaned.
"Yes, you have to. At least if you want to get the juice on what went down at camp."
"Okay, I guess I can stay." He unzipped her first bag which opened up right to her underwear. "Eww, Hales. I would prefer not to handle your lacy undergarments. Where did you get this anyways?" he asked her holding up the exact bra that had been the topic of their Truth or Dare game.
She smiled remembering it all, which did not go unnoticed by Lucas. She could tell by the shudder that went throughout his body. "Taylor. Where else?"
"Of course. And why exactly is there writing on your underwear? Who is supposed to read this? It makes no sense for there to be something on there if no one is reading it. Who is reading this Hales?"
"No one is reading Luke. Except apparently you."
"Double eww."
"So, tell me about Glenda," Haley said, hoping it would change the subject.
"She's cool. She's actually hella fun."
"Did you just say hella?"
"Yeah. I think I've been hanging out with Sally too much."
"Who's Sally?" Haley asked very interested. She hadn't heard Lucas talk about Sally before.
"Sally is Thomas's girlfriend."
"Luke. Don't even think about it. I will kick your ass if you do anything to ruin your friendship with Thomas."
"Dude, it's not like that."
"Right. Because you are 'just friends' with every girl."
"Exactly. Anyways, Glenda. I like her. It's really weird, her with Nick, but he seems happy. She loves to hang out with the family though, which is so much better than most people who are all about 'couple' time."
"And what do you think about Quinn and David?"
"I like it. He's good for her. He loves her and she deserves that."
"But does she love him?"
"That, I'm not so sure of. If she was in love with him, why did she hide their relationship?"
"Because she wanted something private from the family."
"Maybe. So, how was camp?"
"Surprisingly, it was awesome. I made a lot of new friends… Victoria was there."
"Damn. How did that go?"
"Okay, I guess. She apologized for being a bitch."
"Wow. So, anyone that you'll be keeping in touch with?"
"Yeah, two people," Haley answered with a small smile that she tried to hide.
"Two people? That's all I get? What aren't you telling me Hales?"
"I kind of… met a boy."
"How do you kind of meet a boy?"
"Okay, I met a boy. I like him. And he likes me."
"He did not see these, did he?" He asked her, holding up a pair of underpants that said "you know you want me".
"He absolutely did. First night there."
"Haley James, this is not a joking matter. Did he see you in any of these?"
"No, he did not. Overprotective brother."
"Don't make fun Hales, that's my job."
"Well, I hope it pays well, because you are taking me out to dinner."
"What if I said I didn't want to?"
"Then you'd just be lying to yourself. You know you missed me just as much as I missed you."
"You're right. It sucks being the youngest around here, I don't know how you handle it."
"Yeah, I know. It sucks to be me."
"How about we put unpacking on hold and just get something to eat. I'm starved."
"Me too, let's go big bro."
So yeah, I brought in Glenda. Totally random, but there will be a zillion characters throughout this and she's pretty fun for a straight-laced Harvard boy. Next chapter should bring a bit more overprotective brother and a surprise action from Haley.