Chapter 1: Stand Still, Look Pretty

A/N: So this fic is set after Season 2 but without the whole Lucas love declaration type affair. Basically, Brooke is still a bit of a party girl, and still slightly untrusting of boys and Peyton/Lucas.

If any of you have read my other fanfic 'Beg You To Fall', I plan on continuing with it at some point soon. Promise. Reviews are always appreciated! - M

Brooke Davis was not happy. Her parents had banned her from Bevin Prince's party - which let's face was ridiculous considering they barely pay any attention to her normally. It's not as though she hadn't come home drunk before on numerous occasions. Although in fairness, I also never puked on my Daddy's shoes before, Brooke thought.

But this was not just any party. This was the party of the month for sure - she had to be there. Hitching up her skirt and grabbing her purse, she opened the window of her bedroom overlooking the garden and climbed out. Bitchtoria and her Dad were arguing anyway so there's no way they would notice tonight.

Sneaking stealthily across her garden, she decided to take a shortcut through next-doors garden. Nobody had lived there since Felix had left, so she thought it would be easier than having to cut across the lawn and drive.

However, as she was cutting across the garden, she was not really looking where she was going and only looked up when she collided with someone else.

"Ow, oh sorry, I didn't see you there. Wait, who are you?" The brunette boy asked her.

Now, Brooke Davis was not the type to get shy around boys. I mean, she was Brooke Davis. But even so, she could feel the blush entering her cheeks as she realised the ridiculous situation she was in in front of this incredibly hot guy. He had brown, curly hair and deep chocolate eyes. He was tall and lean, yet muscular. And she was standing there, slutted up, having just climbed out of her window and over his fence. Awesome.

"Uhh, I'm Brooke. Brooke Davis. I live next-door." She said in a voice which she hoped radiated her natural confidence rather than embarrassment.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Brooke. I'm Julian Baker. I just moved here from Los Angeles. This how you welcome all of your neighbors?" He asked, clearly amused.

Crap. "Ha, not exactly, there's a party tonight at my friend Bevin's and I was kinda..sneaking out to get there. You should come along, it'll be fun!"

She could see him considering her proposition. The way his eyebrows tightened up as if he was silently asking her whether or not that was okay. His face relaxed as he came to a decision.

"Sure, okay. My mom was badgering me to go out anyway so I guess it can't hurt. What's the worst that can happen?" He responded.

Bevin had really out done herself this time. As Brooke and Julian reached the party, they literally had to climb over already passed out bodies on the floor.

"What's the worst that could happen right?" Julian muttered to himself as he stepped into the room.

He turned towards the beautiful brunette on his arm. He couldn't help but question how he had managed to be lucky enough to be here with this amazing girl. She was beyond any of the girls he had ever even looked at in California. On the bright side, she seemed to like him and he could really use some friends in this alien environment.

"Tigger! C'mere," A blonde, curly haired girl wearing jeans and a band tee, calls out to the girl standing next to him. Brooke guided him towards what he presumes is her group of friends.

"Hey guys! This is Julian, he's new here. Julian, these are the greatest people you will ever meet. This is Peyton, Haley, Lucas and Nathan. Otherwise known as , Tutor Girl, Broody and Boytoy. Beer?"

As Julian was trying to take in all these names, he nearly missed the question she had asked him. He had never actually tried alcohol before. Being a mathlete in his old school, he had never really been invited to the cool kids' parties. He had promised his mom that he wouldn't get in any trouble, but then again, he did not want to pass up the opportunity to reinvent himself.

"Yeah, sure. Beer sounds great."

Two hours later, Julian Baker was hammered.

Brooke had decided to walk Julian home after he had hit the dancefloor and nearly broken several objects in the process.

"That was a good party...we should go back!" His words were slurred and he could hardly walk straight, there was no way they were going back.

"I don't think that's such a good idea Boozy." Brooke stated to the boy on her arm.

She finally turned into their street and turned to face Julian.

"Tonight was actually a lot of fun, we should do it again sometime," Brooke told Julian, "You're going to Tree Hill High right?"

"Yeah, maybe I can give you a ride or something tomorrow?"

"That sounds great...you know where I live so..I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She said as she walked back through Julian's garden to her own house.

As she lied in bed she couldn't help but think about Julian. His hair, his eyes, his amazing grin. Everything about him was exactly what she wanted. And she had gotten through a whole party without drinking excessively thanks to him. Maybe this was what she needed to. For the first time in a while, she went to bed excited about what the next day would hold for her.

A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter. Review! -M xoxo