Authors Note: Hey guys ! I just wanted to thank everyone who has been sticking with the story. It means a lot to me. It means even more when you guys review, so thanks. Anyway, Chapter 5 ! Trust me, more Naley to come (I have big plans). -EC

Chapter 5: This is Going to Get Interesting

" Hales ! Come on, we're gonna miss the bus!" Brooke yelled to Haley, she was getting very irritated. Haley was scrambling around her dorm room, trying to make sure she had everything she needed. As soon as she knew that she was going to Florida for Spring Break, she had started packing. But the packing was put on hold throughout the week because she had many tests to study for lately. Not to mention, cheerleading practice every day. Haley was not usually one to procrastinate, but she had been extremely busy. Needless to say, on the day she was leaving, she woke up and realized she wasn't nearly finished packing and had been running around all morning like a crazy women, trying to finish. She didn't want to forget anything considering she would be in a different state. She just started stuffing things in her bag, barely looking at what they were or thinking about whether she really needed it or not. When she finally finished, she realized she had packed most of her dorm room.

" I'm coming!" Haley yelled back. Brooke was standing outside of their room. Haley grabbed her bags and ran as quickly, out the door ,as possible. Brooke couldn't help but laugh a little at the sight of Haley running full speed ( well, trying to) out the door, with a suitcase and two smaller bags. " It's about time !" Brooke said grabbing one of Haley's bags to help her. "Where's your stuff?" Haley asked confused, when she noticed Brooke didn't have anything with her. "Luke already brought it down to the bus. Almost everyone is already on it Hales." Brooke said, as the two girls headed down the stairs to the front doors and then outside to where the bus was waiting. Surely enough, they were the last two on the bus. They hurriedly got on and found one last open seat and sat together. This seat happened to be conveniently located next to Nathan and Lucas' seat. "Geez you guys, what took you so long?" Lucas asked. Haley stuck up her pointer finger, indicating that she needed a minute. Lucas and Nathan took another look at the two girls and realized their faces were bright red and they were gasping for air. "Haley wasn't finished packing until like five minutes ago!" Brooke yelled. Nathan laughed. "I'm sorry. I guess I didn't have any time to pack with you dragging me out to go shopping or to a club every hour!" Haley yelled back. " You begged me to take you shopping!" Brooke argued. "Dude, cat fight." Nathan whispered to Lucas. All of a sudden the girls burst out laughing after realizing what they were arguing about and how stupid it actually was.

"I thought when girls got pissed at each other, they like held major grudges?" Nathan said, confused. "Not these girls." Haley said, putting her arm around Brooke. " Damn, I wanted to see a cat fight." They all looked to see where the voice came from and noticed Tim Smith sitting behind them. "Shut up Tim!" Brooke said as she hit him. Tim wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed and was often saying stupid things.

Haley looked over and noticed Nathan leaning against the seat, looking out the window. He had his ipod on and looked so very gorgeous and peaceful. Like he was at ease with the world, even though she knew differently. He was probably thinking about twenty different things, like she was. They hadn't talked really since he waited for Luke at her place and they played video games. Before that they used to have at least one conversation every day and Haley found herself missing that more and more each day. She loved the way Nathan opened up to her when they talked. She could tell that he always told her exactly what he was thinking. She knew he was a hard person to get to open up to you, but Haley was successfully breaking those walls down. They were kind of like each other in that way, only Haley would have a tougher time letting her guard down but we all know someone has to break through eventually. Right?

" Haley. Haley" Haley opened her eyes and noticed Nathan right next to her with his hand on her shoulder. " Hmmm.." Haley grumbled. "You were sleeping the whole time, we're here." He said. "Where's Brooke?" Haley said looking around the almost empty bus. "She went to get your bags and check you into the hotel." Nathan said, finally moving his hand away from her shoulder. "She just left me here, asleep?" asked Haley. " I kind of offered to stay here with you because she didn't want to wake you, but since the bus is pretty much empty I figured I should." Nathan said. " Oh, that's sweet of you. Thanks." Haley said, hugging him unexpectedly, even for her.

When they pulled away, it was all too soon for the both of them. "We should probably go inside." Haley said and Nathan nodded and stood up.

When they got inside the hotel, Haley looked around the lobby for Brooke. When she spotted her, standing next to Lucas, she pulled Nathan over there.

"Hey Hales, sorry I didn't wake you. You've just been so tired lately. I wanted to let you sleep as long as possible." Brooke said, when they walked over. "It's okay Brooke, Nathan woke me up. I just can't believe I slept through the whole bus ride. Anything interesting happen?" Haley asked. "Well, someone dared a cheerleader to kiss this other cheerleader. That was pretty much the highlight of the trip." Brooke announced. "Yep, definitely was." Lucas said, smirking. "Oh, shut up." Brooke said, and hit him playfully on the chest. "Okay Hales, here's your key. We are room 323." Brooke handed Haley her key. " Nate and I are in 333. They kept us all in the same hall." They all grabbed their bags and headed for the elevator.

Haley inserted the card into their hotel room door and then walked inside, throwing her bags on the floor not caring where they landed. She plopped down on the bed, facing the ceiling with her hands on her stomach. Brooke came over and laid right next to her.

"I think we both really need this week, to just get away from everything." Brooke said. "Mmmm, I agree." Haley said. "So what's goin on with you and the blonde Scott?" Haley questioned. Brooke looked at her. "What ever do you mean?" She asked, playing dumb. "All I know is that you guys have been have hanging out a lot lately. Plus, you like him." Haley pointed out. "I never said I liked him!" Brooke defended. "Please Brooke, you're not the only one who can read people. I see the way you look at him." Haley said. "Kinda like the way you look at Nathan?" Brooke said. "No. Not like that and don't try and change the subject missy. We are talking about you and Lucas right now." Haley demanded. Brooke signed. "Okay, so, maybe I like him. But how am I supposed to know if he likes me?" Brooke asked. "You leave that up to me." Haley said, with an evil grin. "Haley James, what are you thinking?" Brooke asked, a little a worried. "Nothing, I'm just gonna need a little help from Nathan." Haley said. "I bet you do." Brooke said, smiling. "BROOKE!" Haley yelled. "What?" Haley just shook her head.

Haley changed into a sundress, grabbed her book and ipod, and headed down to the pool. She was on a mission to get Brooke and Lucas together. She had a goal set to have them together by the end of break. Usually, the scheming and plotting was Brooke's thing, but Haley was going to give it a try. How hard could it be? She knew Lucas and Brooke were perfect for each other and all she needed was to talk to Nathan. Little did she know, Brooke had the same idea she did.

Brooke walked down the hall until she came to room 333. She knocked once first and then opened the door without waiting for someone to answer, in typical Brooke fashion. "Well, hi Brooke! Come on in." Lucas said, sarcastically. He was sitting on his bed watching TV. "Is Nathan here?" she whispered. "Yeah, I'm right here." Just then Nathan came walking out of the bathroom. "Oh, hey, umm Luke, I need to talk to you, sooo - you can leave!" Brooke said, pointing to Nathan and motioning to the door. " You're kicking me out of my room?" Nathan asked. "Yep, go." Brooke said, seriously. "Where am I supposed to go?" Nathan asked again. "Haley's at the pool, go visit her." Brooke said, literally pushing Nathan out the door.

Nathan stood outside of his hotel room for a second, in shock. But then he remembered it was Brooke and wasn't at all surprised that she just did that. He then turned around and headed for the pool.

"What was that all about?" Lucas asked. "I have the BEST idea!" Brooke said, very excitedly. "Oh no." Lucas said, not joking at all. "No, I promise this time it's actually good!" Brooke said, confidently. "Fine, what is it?" Lucas asked. "We are going to…. ready for this….ready…" Lucas was getting a little annoyed, but at the same time thought it was a kind of cute. "Brooke, just tell me!" he said. "We are going to get Naley together. AGHHH!" Brooke finally got out. She started jumping up and down. "Brooke, we already went over this, you can't meddle in other people's relationships." Lucas told her. "But, why not?" Brooke said putting on her best pout face. "If you don't help me, you know I'm still going to do it myself." Brooke said, exchanging her pout face for a confident smile with her hands on her hips. "Fine, I'll help you!" Lucas gave in, knowing fully well that what Brooke just said was the truth. "Yay!" Brooke squealed and Lucas covered his ears. "Lucas, you know they like each other." Brooke said, when she saw the hesitant look on his face. "That's not the problem, It's just, in the movies these things always end badly. If anything goes wrong it's all your fault." He said, pointing to her. "Fine." She said, putting her hands up. "I take full responsibility for operation Naley. But, nothing is gonna go wrong!."

Haley was laying peacefully on the lounge chair next to the hotel pool. She had her ipod on and was contently reading and enjoying the sun. She was planning on visiting Nathan later to ask for his help. All of a sudden her sunlight faded and was replaced by a dark shadow above her. She looked up. "Hey Nate." She said, looking at him through her sunglasses. "Hey, Brooke kicked me out of my room and told me I could find you here." He said, sitting on a lounge chair next to her. "Yep, that sounds like Brooke." Haley said and Nathan nodded. "Actually, I'm glad you found me here. I need your help with something." Haley said. "Anything." he responded sweetly and Haley's heart just melted. "I need you to figure out if Lucas like Brooke, becau-" "He does." Nathan cut her off. "How do you know?" Haley asked. "Come on, you're telling me you haven't noticed all the flirting and the way they look at each other?" Nathan said. "Well yeah, I have, but Brooke really likes him and I need you to ask him and make sure." Haley said to him. "Okay." Nathan agreed. "Really?" Haley asked. "Mhmm, but what are you gonna do for me?" Nathan asked with a smile. "What do you mean, what am I gonna do for you?" Haley asked, confused. "If I find out what you want me to find out, then you have to do something for me." Nathan said, smirking. Haley thought about this for a minute. What could possibly happen? It was only Nathan. "Okay, fine. I'll do anything you want." Haley said, daringly. "Anything?" Nathan asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yep, just keep it legal." She said. Nathan smiled. This could be fun.

"Stand up for a minute." Nathan said. Haley gave him a questioning look. "Just do it." Nathan said. Haley hesitantly stood up. Before she knew it, he had lifted her up and was running toward the pool. "NATHAN NO!" Haley screamed. "Can you swim?" he asked quickly. "Yes, but don't -" Haley was cut off. Nathan had jumped in and they both fell into the pool with a big splash. When Haley swam to the top she game Nathan a very evil look. " You are going to pay for that." She swam toward him as fast as she could and put her hands on the top of his head. She pushed as hard as she could, trying to dunk him under water. He, being much stronger than her, grabbed her again, and through her back in the water. When she came back up again she started splashing him. They were laughing and playing in the pool for the whole afternoon. " Does this count as the thing I have to do for you?" Haley asked. "Hell no." Nathan responded. "This was just a bonus."

Haley walked into her room and threw her stuff on her bed. She had to get in the elevator and walk all the way back to her room soaking wet because she wasn't expecting to go for a swim. That was Nathan's idea, an she didn't really get a choice. So she didn't have a towel with her. But she wasn't going to deny that she had fun. She actually had really enjoyed herself. That was something that she hadn't found herself doing in a while. But, it seemed like whenever she was with Nathan, she forgot about all the crap that was going on and had a good time.

When Haley was all showered and had dry clothes on, she grabbed her laptop and sat on her bed. She decided she would send a quick e-mail to her sister, Taylor, telling her what an amazing time she was having in Florida. She knew it was nothing like Hawaii, but she didn't care where she was as long as she was having fun again. And lately, it had all been with the same person. Haley could tell that her and Nathan were growing closer and she was glad that they had become good friends. Even though a part of her wanted more than that, she didn't know if he felt the same way. And she also still had the same question. Was she ready to give her heart away again? That was the part that scared her the most. But for right now, they were just friends and so she pushed that disturbing thought aside. They were just friends ….. for now.

Authors Note : Chapter 5 ! Sorry, I know I didn't update this one as fast as the others , but hopefully it's worth it. Let me know what you think! Thanks

- Love EC