Thanks for all the reviews so far, and the favorates and alerts:).

I really hope you like this one, it took me ages to write. Like 6 hours? I kept stopping and starting. It's abit bigger than usual:)

Chapter 23

''Road trip! Road trip!'' Brooke sang while climbing out of the car, bouncing around excitedly wanting to get on the bus.

Tomorrow is the day of the competitons, but they're all going today to get settled in. It also gives the girls more chance to practice closer to the contest. And the boys can just prepare for there game, which is tomorrow afternoon. The girls is in the morning.

''Yey, 4 hours with Brooke.'' Nathan commented sarcastically. He and Haley got a ride with Lucas this morning. Nathan said it was because more cars waste gas and he wanted to save the planet, he just couldn't be bothered driving.

''Shut it, Scott.'' Brooke stook her tongue out at him.

''Both of you shut up. Or I'll sit with Lucas on the coach.'' Haley said.

''No way, Lucas won't sit with you anyway Hales.'' Brooke said, slightly jealous. She knew Haley was serious, she gets really mad when Brooke fights. Haley always loves to give her payback.

''I don't mind,'' Lucas spoke for himself this time. ''Haley is my bestfriend.''

''I thought I was your bestfriend!'' Brooke and Nathan both said in unison.

''No. Brooke's my girlfriend and Nathan's my brother, there's a difference.'' he said, not speaking to anyone in perticular.

''How?'' Brooke asked annoyed, even though Haley is her main best friend, she's still wants to be Lucas'.

''Well girlfriends are always like your best friend, and a brothers like an automatic best friend. Haley gets the main title.'' he grinned at his best friend, she grinned back.

''Well Haley's still sitting with me on the bus.'' Nathan stated.

''Really?'' Haley asked, raising her eyebrow at him. She was just teasing him, something she loved doing.

''Yeah.'' he sent her a mischievous grin. He picked up her bag with one hand then using his other arm he slung her over his sholdour.

''Nathan! Put me down!'' she shouted, while giggling.

Nathan just ignored her and continued to jog towards the bus, getting wierd looks from the people in the carpark. Mainly people were smiling at the fun couple, they're so care free. They look like a couple who are in love.

''They're crazy.'' Lucas commented, watching his brother and bestfriend.

''They're Naley.'' Brooke grinned.

''So you'll call me when you get there?''

''Yes Skills, I'll call you when I get there. And when I get back from practice and before I go to bed.'' Bevin confirmed. Sure, she loves Skills. And she is going to miss him loads, but it is only two days. He's acting like it's two weeks.

Skills, Junk, Fergie and Anna can't go on the trip. As Anna isn't a cheerleader and the boys arn't on the team they're not allowed to go. Mouth is able to go because of RavensHoops, which Whitey has become a fan of and allowed him to go.

''Bye baby.'' he kissed Bevin and watched as she climbed onto the bus.

''Yo Mouth.'' he called over to his friend who has just packed his things on the bus.

''Yeah?'' he asked as he walked over to him.

''Look after Bevin, okay?'' Skills really wants her to be okay, even though she's a cheerleader she's still a klutz. He doesn't want her getting in trouble or getting hurt. He's going to be four hours away and it's already killing him.

''Sure man, I've got to go. See you in a couple of days.'' he patted Skills on the sholdour and climbed on the bus.

Skills watched as the bus drove away, just wishing Bevin would call him already.

''So Mouth, is Millie going to join us at the hotel?'' Bevin asked.

Bevin and Mouth are sat next to eachother, seen as there other friends are sat with there partners. They decided to sit together, Mouth is Bevin's boyfriends bestfriend, they should get to know eachother a little more.

''Yeah, were going to hang out tomorrow.'' he grinned.

Bevin noticed his huge smile, it was hard not to. ''You really like her don't you?''

''Of course, there's nothing not to like.''

''Isn't it hard, the long distance thing?'' Bevin wondered. She'd asked Skills about Mouth and Millie's relationship but he just said he didn't talk about it, they don't have 'girl talks'.

''Yeah, but we make it work.'' he smiled.

''How?'' she pressed.

''We talk everyday, we constantly plan when were next going to see eachother. We don't let the distance come between us, because we know were going to see eachother soon. It's just hard waiting for the day we planned to see eachother again.'' he sighed. ''But I have you guys, you help me forget about it.''

Bevin just smiled at Mouth proudly, happy her and her boyfriend help Mouth feel better.

Nathan and Haley got in trouble with Whitey for there little 'performance'. They have to sit at the front of the bus, not at the back with there friends. Haley gets to sit with Clay, of course she doesn't mind, she would rather sit next to her boyfriend though. But Nathan, he has to sit with Whitey. He knew what would happen if he was sat next to Haley, they'd talk, make out and maybe sleep. But what can he do when he's sat next to his coach?

''So... have you been to TRIC?'' Nathan asked Whitey, trying to start a conversation. They've been sat there for a hour in silence already, he casually snuck glances at Haley and she was just talking to Clay, atleast she's having a good time. Whitey's not even acknowledged Nathan.

''No talking, Scott.'' Whitey said, not taking his eyes of his newspaper.

''Fine.'' he muttered. He pulled out his phone so he could atleast text Haley.

''No phones, Scott.'' Whitey said.

Nathan groaned, this is going to be a long bus ride.

..

Across the isle Haley is sat with Clay, doesn't mind talking to him, he's one of her closest friends. She does keeps sneaking glances at Nathan though, who's across the isle, looking bored out of his mind.

''So, have you met anyone lately?'' Haley asked. She wants Clay to have a nice girlfriend, not just a sleezy one night stand with a different girl everynight.

''Well, there was this girl called Kylie last night.'' he grinned, thinking what he was up to with the model.

''Eew,'' Haley wrinkled her nose in disgust ''you really need to meet someone Clay.''

''Didn't you say you have sisters?''

''Yeah, three. Why?'' she then realised why he asked, she shook her head. ''No, no, no. I'm not setting you up, Vivian's married, Quinn's engaged and Taylor.. Taylor's a whore!''

''Exactly my type.'' he said while wiggling her eyebrows.

''I swear Clay, the next time she's in town if you ever sleep with her I will never talk to you again.'' she said angry. Her sister leads boys on, she'll string them along then hurt them. She wont let her sister hurt Clay.

''Okay okay, I wont.'' he laughed at Haley's outburst. ''So Quinn's engaged, huh? Not married.''

''Yeah, she's coming home soon to get married.'' she smiled. ''You know, if Quinn wasn't with David I'd set you two up.''

''Really?''

''Yeah, you and Quinn would be really cute together.''

''Thanks... I guess.'' he laughed.

''Okay, lets play rock, paper, scissors.'' she grinned.

Three hours later they finally arrived in Charlotte. Nathan was the first to get off the bus, that was the most boring bus ride ever. He's going to have to beg Whitey to let him sit with Haley on the way back.

When they all get off the bus they all have to wait in the lobby for the room keys. Haley, Nathan, Brooke, Lucas, Peyton, Jake, Bevin and Mouth all sat down on the chairs. Haley is sat on Nathan's knee, Peyton's sat on Jakes and Brooke is on Lucas'. Bevin and Mouth are just sat awkwardly, missing there partners.

''I know what we can do tonight.'' Brooke squeled.

''What?'' Jake asked, hoping it involved him and Peyton in the same room.

''Girls sleepover!'' she declared.

The girls all smiled at Brooke's idea, the boys wern't happy about it. They'd hoped they could share a room with there girlfriends, except Mouth. Skills would kill him if he slept in the same room as Bevin.

''No way, Brooke.'' Lucas said.

''Why not Broody? Me and Haley havn't had a sleepover in ages, the last time Quinn was there and I was drunk. And Peyton and Bevin havn't ever been the one of mine and Haleys sleepovers, they have to come.'' she reasoned.

Lucas sighed, knowing Brooke wasn't going to change her mind.

''We could have a guys night?'' Mouth suggested.

''Yeah, like a boys sleepover.'' Bevin said, wanting to make them happier.

''Guys night, Bevin.'' Nathan corrected, he didn't want to sound like a guy. What would people say if they knew he was at a boys sleepover?

''Yeah, we can't ruin Nathan's macho reputation.'' Peyton joked.

''Shut it Sawyer.'' he barked ''It's just a little girly don't you think?''

''It wont be, I brought my xbox, we can plug that in the television, order room service. The girls wont be doing that.'' Lucas reasoned, he actually liked the idea of it now. It does sound fun.

''Listen up. In each room there is four beds, I'm allowing you to pick who you can share with. But no boys and girls sharing, I'm talking to you Scotts.'' he said pointing to Lucas and Nathan, which cause Haley to go bright red, she buried her head in Nathan's chest. Brooke just thought it was hilarious and burst out laughing.

''That was lucky.'' Jake mumbled

''How?'' Haley asked turning her head towards him slightly, her face isn't as red as before, she's still embarressed though.

''Well there's four of us boys and four of you girls, atleast we wont have to share with someone we don't like or there's no one left out.''

''Oh.''

''Lets go, we've got lots to do. I still have to go shopping tonight after practice.'' Brooke said, standing up.

After practice they all had an hour to do what they want. Brooke went to the store for ice cream and junkfood for tonight, Lucas went with her so he could get some snacks. Jake and Peyton went to a park where Peyton used to play when she was a kid. Mouth had to set up his equiptment, Haley is helping him. Bevin is on the phone to Skills. Nathan is going to do something he hasn't done for a while. He's going to see his Mom.

He walked through the grave yard, which was conviniently not that far from the hotel. He stopped when he found her gravestone. He sat down on the grass, he wanted to talk to her. He knows he looks crazy but he doesn't care, he wants to talk to his Mom.

''Hey Mom, I know I've not been here for a while and I'm sorry. I didn't want to risk seeing him, I'm only in Charlotte now because I have to be. I did want to see you though.'' he took a deep breath ready to continue. ''So I moved to Tree Hill, I guess you already know that. Kieth says your watching over me, but I don't really know how it works, so I'm going to tell you instead, just incase you're not.

''When I moved there I was so scared, you wern't there. We used to do everything together... when you were sober. I don't blame you Mom, I know what he was like, you've had to put up with him for longer. I know you didn't mean to leave me with him, it just happened. But I'm okay now, I'm happy.

''I didn't talk to anyone really, I just pushed them away. I just thought it would be like Charlotte, well I thought they would be like the people I used to hang out with. They wern't like them at all.

''Peyton's moved to Tree Hill, can you believe it? It's so awesome, she's happy by the way. She's happier in Tree Hill, she got a boyfriend too, and this one isn't an ass. I thought he was when I first moved there, but he isn't. Jake's great, especially for Peyton, compare to her asses of ex boyfriends.

''Karen and Kieth have been great, they treat me like I'm there's. Karen's having a baby, she thinks it'll be a girl but Kieth is certain it will be a boy. You know, the Scott genes.'' he chuckled.

''I joined the basketball team, after weeks of saying no I finally got convinced. Kieth told me you'd be proud, I really hope you are Mom. Because I love being on the Ravens, were actually a team. Oak Lake always had fights, the Ravens get along.

''Me and Lucas get along too, we actually call eachother brothers now. I've made some great friends. There's Brooke, she's the craziest person I've ever met, Lucas is in so in love with her, so I think in a few years time she'll be my sister, because she loves him too. There's Jake, Peyton's boyfriend he's really cool. Skills is one of the funniest guys I've ever met, his girlfriend Bevin's abit stupid, but she's really kind. Not a bitch like I thought she'd be. Junk and Fergie are awsome, they're amazing at basketball, they're just not in love with it like me and Luke. Clay's great, he offered to help me in basketball, like be my sports agent. He's older than me, but he's still really fun. Mouth's into sports, he just doesn't play. I don't really know Anna and Lauren yet, they're Junk and Fergie's girlfriends. They're all awsome.

''I guess I saved the best person till last. Haley. She was dating Jake when I moved here, but they broke up after a while. Then about a month later it turns out she liked me. It was so happy, I'd liked her since the day we met, and she liked me. We started dating, I told her about you and Dan, she was supportive when I cried like a baby.

''She's beautiful, she's the most gorgeous person I've ever met. She doesn't believe it, she doesn't even wear make up, only when it's a special occasion, she's naturally beautiful. She has the biggest heart, she always helps people out. She's like the greatest friend, she does so much for people. She's a tutor too, and a cheerleader. She works at Karen's cafe too, I know you would have loved her.

''She doesn't deserve whats happened to her. She never see's her Mom and her Dad's always out. She got attacked almost two months ago, me and Clay got there in time, but she still didn't deserve it. I can tell it really effected her, she's less trusting of people.'' Nathan wiped away the tear that had just fell.

''You would have loved her so much Mom, I just wish you were here. You could meet her, we could be a family. Like it was supposed to be.'' he looked at his watch, ''I've got to go, I'll try and come back again. I love you Mom.'' he got up and glanced at the gravestone one more time and walked away.

The girls are in there room. Brooke had bought alot from the store. She'd bought four different flavours of icecream, chocolate, crisps, popcorn, soda and even some beauty products. She'd bought some DVD's aswell, luckilly there was a DVD player in the room.

''So, where did you and Jake go before Peyt?'' Bevin asked.

''There's a park around the corner, I used to go all the time with my Mom before she died. I've not been for about two years, I told Jake about it a few weeks ago, he remembered and took me there today.'' she smiled, she always smiled when she talked about Jake, looked at him and thought of him. Like Nathan said, she's happier in Tree Hill, because of Jake.

''Aaaw.'' the girls cooed at Jake's romanticness.

Flashback-

''Jake, where are we?'' Peyton giggled. Jake was walking behind her with his hands over her eyes so she can't see, they've been walking for a few minutes and he still wont tell her where they're going.

Jake stopped and removed his hands, Peyton gasped at what she saw. It was the park she loved, the park she never went to, she was always scared incase it had changed. It hasn't, it's exactly the same. It's not perfect, it only has two swings and a slide. But Peyton always loved it. No one hardly went there, it's so peaceful.

Jake saw that Peyton had tears in her eyes, ''Oh my god Peyt. I'm so sorry, I thought you'd like it... You do this with your Mom, I'm so stupid.'' he ranted.

''No, Jake. It's perfect, thank you so much.'' she smiled.

Jake blew a sigh of relief, ''You're welcome.'' he grinned back.

''Let's go on the swings.''

''You sure?'' he asked, he didn't to intrude on a place that was Peyton and her Mom's.

''Yeah, lets go.'' she grabbed his hand and ran to the swings.

They sat on the swings talking and laughing, untill there time was up. They both got up and walked out of the park, Peyton took one last look at the park and walked away, hoping to come back soon.

Flashback over-

''What about you Hales?'' Peyton asked.

''I just helped Mouth with his broadcasting equiptment, he had to get it set up today so he could see Millie tomorrow.''

''He really misses her.'' Bevin commented.

''I know, when I was helping him all he could talk about was her. A few months ago I couldn't get him to shut up about sports, now he's talking about Millie all the time. It's nice, his face lights up when he says her name.'' Haley smiled, knowing the feeling when she hears Nathan's name. ''What did you do Brooke?''

''I spent the whole hour with Broody at the store, he was being really slow.'' Brooke moaned. ''What did you do Bevin?''

''I called Skills and walked around Charlotte, I got lost and had to get a taxi back.''

''Did the taxi cost much?'' Haley asked, she didn't want Bevin to have no money for things in Charlotte now because she spent it all on a taxi ride.

''Nope, it turns out the hotel was around the corner.'' The girls just laughed at Bevin.

When they calmed down Brooke spoke up, ''Okay, what film should we watch?''

''Brooke, have you got 'Lost'?'' Haley asked. Causing the girls to go into a fit of giggles, even Bevin laughed.

''How about 'Taxi Driver'?'' Peyton said, which just made them laugh harder.

''Enough of the jokes, it's time for face masks!'' Brooke announced holding four packs of them.

''Beat you again Jagielski.'' Nathan cheered.

''Damn you Scotts'' Jake muttered. He thought he might have chance of beating Nathan at NBA Live, Lucas beats him all the time. He was wrong, it must just be those Scott genes.

''Hey baby.'' Mouth said. They all looked at him in confusion, they then realised he was talking to Millie over the phone. They all stayed silent and waited till Mouth had finished his conversation, they didn't want to distract him. When he hung up the phone he looked at Nathan. ''Your girlfriend it awesome.''

''I know, but why this time?'' Nathan grinned.

''She helped me set up the equiptment this afternoon, now I have more time at Millie's house.''

''You lookin' forward to it Mouth?'' Jake asked.

''Yeah, it's getting harder being away from her, I just can't wait. I feel bad that she always comes down to Tree Hill, I do need to start making more of an effort.''

''You can only do what you can Mouth, you're busy with Ravens Hoops and stuff.'' Lucas said, trying to make him feel better.

''It was easier when Jimmy helped.'' Mouth sighed.

''Who's Jimmy?'' Nathan asked.

''We used to be really close, Me, him, Skills, Hales, Brooke, Luke, Junk and Ferg. He started getting distant after Jake came, then when Haley and him started dating he hardly ever hung out with us. We tried to get him to come out but he kept making excuses, we eventually stopped trying. He told me he didn't want to do Ravens Hoops anymore, now he doesn't even glance at us in the corridor. Haley still talks to him, he only talks back to her.'' Mouth explained.

''So it's my fault?'' Jake asked hurt, he had no idea it was because he moved to Tree Hill.

''No, I mean I don't know. It must of been hard, he really liked Haley.'' Lucas said.

''WHAT?'' Jake and Nathan shouted.

''Yeah, didn't you know?'' Mouth asked Jake, ignoring Nathan.

''No, I thought he might have a little crush. Why did he drift off just because I moved?''

''I think that was my fault.'' Lucas said. ''I caught Haley staring at you, and then told the rivercourt guys, Jimmy was there.''

Nathan felt a twinge of jealousy at that, ''Great best friend you are, Pucas.''

''Hey! I was only kidding, I didn't know it was true.'' he defended.

''Why didn't he come back when Haley and me broke up?'' Jake asked, he was still feeling guilty.

Nathan spoke up, ''Wait, does Haley call him Jim?'' they all nodded. ''Has he got brown curlyish hair? Abit chubby?'' they all nodded again. ''I think he did.''

Flashback-

Haley and Nathan are at the rivercourt, it's been a week since she was attacked. They've been spending a lot of time together this past week, both of them loving every minute of it. Nathan's just shooting around and Haley's sat on the bench watching. Haley heard the sound of footsteps and saw Jimmy Edwards walking towards her, she'd not spoke to him in weeks. She hates that he's never around anymore, they used to be so close.

''Hey Hales.'' Jimmy said as he sat down next to her.

''Hey Jim.'' Nathan looked over and saw a guy sat next to Haley, smiling at her. He actually felt jealous of this guy.

''So I heard about you and Jake, what happened?''

''Um, we were just better being friends.'' she said, abit taken back by him being so forward all of a sudden.

Nathan walked over and sat next to Haley, looking at the guy sat on the other side of her.

''Jim, this is my friend Nathan. Nathan this is Jim ,my old friend .'' Haley said.

''Hey.'' Nathan said.

Jimmy just ignored him, ''I've got to go, see you later Hales.'' Jimmy got up and walked away.

''Bye Jim.''

''What's up with him?'' Nathan asked once Jimmy was fully out of sight.

''I don't know, will you walk me to Karens? My shift starts soon.''

''Sure.'' They got up and walked from the rivercourt.

Flashback over-

''I guess he only talked to Haley when she was single and didn't like anyone?'' Lucas suggested.

''That's kinda messed up.'' Jake said.

''Kinda?'' Nathan scoffed. ''You're not mad at Haley are you, because of the Jimmy thing are you?'' he asked Mouth.

''Nah, it's not Haley's fault, Jimmy doesn't want to hang out with me.'' Mouth sighed.

''It's not your's either Mouth.'' Jake said.

''Why don't you call him? Tell him to come down and help you out.'' Lucas said. Sure, Skills and Mouth are best friends, but Jimmy and Mouth were really close, he didn't know it hurt Mouth so bad.

''I will.'' Mouth smiled. He got his phone and dialed Jimmy's number.

''Hello?''

''Hey Jim, it's Mouth.''

''Yeah?''

''I was wondering if you wanted to come to Charlotte and help me with RavensHoops?''

''Is Haley there?''

''Yeah. She's here.''

Nathan knew who he was talking about, ''Yeah her boyfriend is too.'' he shouted towards Mouth.

Jimmy heard what Nathan said ''Gotta go.'' he hung up the phone.

''NATHAN!'' the boys shouted.

Skills, Junk, Fergie, Anna and Lauren are at Hot & Twisted. Nathan told them about his job, they had to tell Gary that he wouldn't be there tonight because of the game. After they told Gary they decided they were hungry. They've just got there pretzels and they sat down at one of the tables.

''I can't believe Nathan got a job.'' Junk said.

''and he got it just to buy Haley a present.'' Anna added.

''It's so romantic.'' Lauren gushed.

''How did they get together anyway? We don't know the story, we just saw them makin' out on the court that day.'' Anna said, speaking for both her and Lauren.

''I'm not gonna give you every detail, I'll cut it short.'' Skills said. They nodded there heads so he continued. ''Nathan moved here, he met Haley, he really liked her, but she was with Jake.''

''Jake? Wow, I didn't know she was with Jake.'' Lauren said.

''Yeah. So they hung out abit, Jake got jealous, they had a fight, they didn't talk for a few days, then Haley and Nathan didn't come to school one day, the next day Haley and Jake are finished. I don't know what happened, I wouldn't have been some affair, Haley isn't like that. If it was they would have been together right after and Jake would've been pissed, and he wasn't. So for like the next month they got really close, then he told her he liked her. She ran away from him.'' he laughed, ''It was messed up. When you come to the game and saw them makin' out, that was just after she said she liked him back. They've been 'Naley' ever since.'' Skills said. He grabbed his drink and gulped it down, after saying all that, he's thirsty.

''How do you know all that?'' Junk asked.

''Who do you think told me?'' Skills asked sarcastically.

''Brooke.'' They all said.

Little did they all know, sat at the table behind them is Dan Scott. Who's just heard everything they said, know he knows about Nathan's relationship and job. He's going to find out as much as he can, then take it all away.

Please let me know what you think:)