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Hailey's POV

"You nervous?" Brian asked me, I continued to stare out the window as he drove the thirty minute drive to where his hotel was.

"Reason why I should be?" I asked nervously.

"Because you're going to see your best friend you haven't seen in a while and there is always that chance you will see Nick."

"It's all in the past...right?"

"Right," Brian said, not sure what else to say. He pulled the car up to the hotel and into a parking spot. I took my bag from in front of my feet and stepped out of the car. I followed Brian into the hotel and to the elevator. We were both quiet until we reached his floor.

"Relax, we're going to have a good time." Brian opened his door and I walked inside. "Make yourself at home and I'll have everyone come in here so we can chill and catch up a little." I nodded my head,setting my bag on the bed. I sat on the bed, tucked one leg underneath me and waited.

Just as I got comfortable A.J. ran into the room.

"HAILEY BABY!" he yelled and picked me up, swung me around and then set me back on my feet. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey Alex, how are you?" I squeezed him tight and let go.

"I'm doing great, I'm so glad you're here! Brian said he was going to try to get your ass here to spend some time with us, I honestly didn't think you would. But hey, what do I know?"

"That is very true," I responded.

"Your hair looks great, I love the cut!" He added. "Trish don't you love the cut?"

"I do, makes you look sexy," she responded and gave me a hug.

"I think it makes you look sophisticated as well," Howie's voice entered the room.

"D!" I yelled and gave him a hug. Seeing everyone again was great I had to admit.

"Kay, get your butt in here," Howie said and Katie walked into the room further and slowly. We stood in front of each other, both not sure what to say or who should speak first.

"Oh, hell with it, it's good to see you," I said and pulled her in for a hug. She held back a little and then gave in, hugging back.

"God Hails, I've missed you. Hailey, I'm sorry for the last time, there just wasn't anything left-"

"You did it for my own good, and I probably wouldn't be alive. Thank you," I told her with a smile.

The group of us continued to talk and catch up with one another for the next two hours and at midnight we decided it would be best to hit the bed, since we'd have a long day together tomorrow.

"See, that wasn't so bad," Brian told me brushing his teeth.

"No, it was nice." I looked through my bag to find my pajamas. Brian went back into the bathroom and came back out.

"Bathroom all yours," he said and hopped into bed.

"Thanks," I took my pajamas and my bag that had my face wash, tooth brush and all that good stuff. Five minutes later I came out, wearing a satin pair of pink boxers and and a matching top.

I couldn't help but notice the way Brian was staring at me.

"You're making me blush B, stop," I joked and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I can go sleep on the couch so you can have the bed."

"We've shared before Brian, I think I can handle one more night." I climbed in under the covers. Brian reached up and turned off the light.

"I'm really glad you're here," he rolled over onto his side. I rolled and faced him.

"Me too. Hey Bri?"

"Hmm?"

"Does Nick know, well that I'm here?" I heard Brian let out a long sigh and then he finally spoke.

"He was around when I told everyone I was going to go see you and try to get you to come out. He didn't acknowledge me however and I doubt if he's even in the hotel tonight."

"Where would he be?"

"At a bar, the beach, out walking somewhere."

"He's not well?"

"I don't want you worrying about Hails, he's an adult, he needs to just get this out of his system."

"How long has been like this?"

"I don't think you need to know this."

"Brian how long?"

"Since you two broke up." I was silent and was once again speechless. "I honestly don't know how we're still a group."

"I didn't realize things were so bad. Brian I'm sorry."

"Shh, things are a lot better than they were about a year ago but there are still hard times. The only time Nick opens his mouth though is when he's singing." I remained silent. "Look, you shouldn't have to know about any of this, I know you're doing everything to move on."

"Let's just get some sleep, we're going for breakfast at eight?"

"Yeah what time do you usually get up?"

"I'll be up at six, my internal clock will go off for my run."

"Well, do not wake me." Brian laughed. "Goodnight, Hails," he kissed my cheek and rolled over.

"Goodnight Brian."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day I was woken up to the sun coming through the shades of the hotel room. I looked over to the red glowing clock, it read 5:47. I quietly pulled the sheets down form me, and covered Brian back up. I then took my bag into the bathroom to brush my teeth and get dressed to go for my run. I put on a pair of legging pants, a tank to and tied a light sweat shirt around my waist. After getting ready, I took the room key from the table, wrote Brian a note saying I would be back by 7:30 to shower and meet everyone for breakfast.

Quietly, I exited the room and made my way to the elevator where I went through the lobby and stepped outside. It was already in the low sixty's and the sun was shining brightly. Having lived in South Carolina all my life, I was familiar with Charleston because it was one of my favorite places to be in the state. I decided to begin running towards the water and would make my run a short one since we'd be walking all day.

I was still unsure about being with everyone, a part of me wanted nothing to do with them. They had all been such a big part of my life, but a long with the great memories, there are a lot of painful ones. The good memories were almost more painful than the bad times. I found my pace had picked up and Pink's song, "Who Knew" came through my ear buddies from my ipod.

After running for almost an hour, I was about to head back to the hotel when I saw someone slip on some rocks and down into the creek that lead into the ocean. I immediately headed for the fallen person, taking my ear buddies out and hanging them over my neck I carefully went down the ledge.

"Hey are you alright?" I asked the man who had slipped and went closer to him.

"I think I'm alright," he replied and looked up at me. I almost slipped myself when I saw who it was.

"Nick-" I whispered, mouth gaping.

"Hailey?" He asked and now sat up.

"I-I was running and saw you fall." Nick continued to just stare at me.

"Well, I'm fine, thanks." I watched as he struggled to stand and he let out the f-bomb.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yes," he snapped and attempted to climb up the hill and I noticed he was hopping on one foot.

"Let me help you," I inched closer to him.

"I don't need help," he now continued to climb the hill on his knees and I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness. It was almost amusing me and I placed my hands on my hips and raised my eye brow as he made it to the top. "See," he said as a matter-of-fact.

"Uh huh, now start walking," I said as he stood up. He took a step forward and winced in pain.

"Okay, so I may have twisted my ankle a little. But I'll be fine, you can go back to your run."

"Stop being stubborn, let me help you back to the hotel, its a ten minute walk from here." I walked up to him, feeling the butterflies start to swarm in my stomach. He let out a sigh, looked out into the ocean and then nodded his head. I put his arm around my neck and we slowly headed towards the hotel.

"So, Brian went and talked you into coming here huh?" he asked limping.

"Yeah, we're going to the beach and hang around here and do some tourists stuff." I couldn't believe I was actually there with Nick, non-the-less having his arm around me.

There was a good five minute awkward pause between the two of us and Nick spoke up again.

"You cut your hair," no way genius what was your first clue.

"You've let yours grow," I said stating the obvious.

"Short suits you."

"Thanks."

"Hails I-"

"Nick don't. You don't have to." I stopped him from saying anything else. Just hearing him call me 'Hails' hurt. We got up to the hotel and walked up to the elevator. "What floor?"

"Fifth, same as Brian's." I nodded and hit the button and Nick leaned against the wall. He looked good, the longer hair definitely was sexier, however his eyes weren't the same. They weren't as blue, almost as a grey. His usually tanned skin was pale and his face was thinner. However, it looked as though he had a bit of a beer belly. What the hell was I talking about, he looked amazing still. His eyes caught me looking at him and I looked away. The elevator opened and I helped him out.

"There you are! It's almost-Nick!" Alex realized we were together.

"I was out running and um, I saw him slip, he hurt his ankle. I'm going to go shower," I took Nick's arm off from my shoulder and walked briskly towards Brian's room.

"What the hell happened?" Alex asked Nick.

"Doesn't matter," Nick said and limped to his room, leaving Alex confused.

~*~*~*~
"No, I asked him if he wanted to come spend the day with us, looks like actually hurt his ankle." Howie was explaining to everyone as I had just come down and joined them for breakfast in the diner. As I sat down at the table everyone was quiet and exchanged glances.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, we were just waiting for you to come down before we went up to the buffet," Brian smiled.

"Well, I'm here lets go eat."

"Right," Brian said and stood up. I followed along with everyone else and we walked up to the long table. Buffets weren't really my style, I found them disturbing and were just an excuse to let people eat more than they needed. But then again, it was easier to go just go pick what you wanted rather than order something you think you might like.

I took a plate at the beginning and walked through. I put two scoops of a fruit salad on my plate and took a whole wheat bagel. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and headed back to the table. I was the first one back and waited while the others joined.

I couldn't help but notice the looks I got when they looked on my plate.

"I usually just eat a light breakfast," I shrugged trying to ignore the fact they all knew about how I was just recently hospitalized for being anorexic. It actually made me not want to eat all.

"Relax, no one is thinking what you're thinking," Brian tried to reassure me. I nodded my head and pushed around the fruit with my fork before putting a piece of melon into my mouth.

"So, how was it seeing Nick today?" Katie asked quiet enough that no one else heard.

"Weird," I replied.

"That's understandable, but very big of you to help him."

"Well, I didn't know it was Nick at first but I probably would've done the same anyway if it had been."

"You would've, that's just the type of person you were, I mean are." When Katie slipped and said were, it hit a nerve in me. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and claustrophobic.

"Excuse me," I said politely and stood up. I headed out into the lobby and went out the main doors to get some fresh air. "What am I doing here?" I asked myself and leaned against the historic building.

"Spending some much needed time with some old friends," Brian's voice broke through.

"Brian, I know you meant well and all but I just don't feel as though I'm supposed to be here. This isn't my circle of friends any more."

"You're wrong Hails. Everyone back there cares deeply for you and whether he or not he chooses to show it, so does Nick. That will never change. If I can remember correctly, non of us shut you out...you pushed away." Brian squinted towards the sun.

"I had no other choice."

"But we all tried, okay well maybe not Nick but the rest of us did. And even after Katie came to see you after you were in the hospital and you told her you never wanted to speak to her again, she still tried."

"Alright so I'm this horrible person now and obviously not the same. You guys want to hang out with the person I used to be, I'm not that girl any more Brian. I am not weak and this opened up book you can read. I'm not the Hailey James I once was."
As I went to turn away Brian took my shoulders and pinned me against the wall.

"So, we all change. We're always changing into the person we're going to become, every day we go through things to become stronger and be that person. But that does not change your heart, YOU control your heart."

"Well, maybe that heart is too damaged and there is no fixing it." I looked away from Brian because there was more to that than the obvious. Brian let out a sigh and released my shoulders.

"I know you've been through a lot, but you're still in there Hailey and I'm not going to just let you walk away. Don't walk away, spend the day with us."

"Just the day?"

"Yes."

"You better go check on him and make sure he's icing his ankle...oh and maybe put a wrap around it to keep the swelling down."

"You still care," Brian said smugly.

"I was a nurse for a bit," I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'll go check on him, you go back in and eat some of your breakfast."

"I'm not hungry, I'll wait out here." Brian paused and looked at me as though he waned to say something but he kept it ack.

"Alright.

~*~*~*Nick's POV*~*~*~
I was lying on my bed thinking of the the mornings events, I had been up since four this morning and probably wouldn't be sleeping any time soon. The whole thing seemed surreal and couldn't get the image of Hailey rushing to see if I was okay.

"She didn't know it was you Carter, get it out of your head," I told myself and and heard a knock on my door. I rolled out of the bed and hopped on one foot to answer it.

"What do you want?" I asked opening the door.

"Came to give you this," Brian handed me an ice pack. "Sit on your bed." I hopped back over and sat down.

"That bad huh Nick?" Brian asked kneeling down.

"No, I'm fine. Aren't you supposed to be going out for the day?"

"Well, Hailey wanted to be sure I wrapped your ankle up to keep the swelling down, but it looks like it's already there." I placed the ice pack on the right side of his left ankle and wrapped an ace bandage around it. Hailey asked him to do that? It's been two years and despite it all she was still thoughtful.

"Oh," was all I could reply.

"I think maybe you two should talk at some point." Brian finished wrapping my foot and stood up.

"Why, you and I don't even talk."

"Nick YOU don't talk so don't give me any of that. You two really are a piece of work though I'll tell you that. Both so stubborn and both so..." his voice trailed off.

"So what?"

"Nothing. Look I'm going to go, we're going to go to the beach I think around one if you want to come. And I don't know why you wouldn't because you love the beach."

"Yeah we'll see."

"See you at one Nick," Brian shook his head and walked out of the room.