As usual on a Saturday night, the people were filing in packing club TRIC from wall to wall. With the prospect of actual peace and quiet inside the basketball house, Lucas had opted to stay home and study while catching up on some much needed rest. But at the last minute he had grown bored and just like every other 19 year old, he wanted a night out on the town. So he had showered and dressed and made the short trek downtown alone. He stood in line, flashed his idea and made his way into the club. The music was cranked up and the party was already in full blast. Several people nodded, waved and spoke in his direction but he recognized less than half. Ah, popularity…another perk of being on the starting line up of one of the best college ball clubs in the country. Searching the place for a familiar face such as Jake or Skills or even Peyton, Lucas finally found one. It was shocking to see him alone leaned up against one of the massive speakers.

"Hey", Lucas said.

Nathan didn't even bother to look up.

"Hey."

"Man, this place is packed", the older brother observed after several minutes of silence.

"I thought you were staying in tonight."

"I changed my mind. What about you?"

"What about me?" Nathan snorted.

"Nothing, it's just that I'm not used to seeing you all by yourself."

"I'm just chilling, checking things out and minding my own business", he added, hoping Lucas would catch the hint and leave him be.

"So. Where's Rachel tonight?"

Nathan rolled his eyes. So much for that thought.

"I don't know. I'm not Rachel's keeper."

"No need to get all defensive. It was just a question."

"Whatever."

Lucas nodded.

"Trouble in paradise?" he quipped.

Nathan made a face.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Normally you two are inseparable and now she's not here and you don't even seem to care. I was just asking."

"First of all, it's really none of your business. And second, I wouldn't exactly call us inseparable. If she's not here, then she's just not here. I don't know where she is. I haven't talked to her all day. Besides, it's not like she's my girlfriend or anything."

Lucas just shook his head. No, of course not. She was just the girl he always happened to be with, the one who seemed to keep him on phone lockdown when they weren't together and the girl who he shared his bed with practically every night. Girlfriend material? Heck no!

"Okay, okay. But she did call the house before I left to come here."

Nathan's eyes darted over.

"She what? Oh man, you didn't tell her I was gonna be here tonight, did you?"

"No. I didn't even know you were going to be here. I just told her you were out already."

Nathan bit his lip as he downed some more of his drink. Shit! Now he had to keep one eye on the door all night.

"Well, look, um, not that you and me are gonna be hanging out all night and stuff but uh, if you see her around, could you give me a heads up?"

Lucas smirked and folded his arms.

"Why?"

"What are you, my mother? I don't have to explain that to you. Quit being a tool and just do it, man. Jesus!"

"Alright. Not a problem. It's obvious you're avoiding her and you ask me to aid your getaway pursuit. Excuse me for asking why."

"It's no big deal. I just need a night to myself."

"Are you sure that's all?"

Nathan was getting antsy. His brother was definitely working his last nerve.

"What else would it be? What are you babbling about now?"

"Nate, it looks to me like your heart is flawed."

"What?" Nathan laughed out loud.

"You heard me. I think it's deeper than Rachel. I don't know, maybe you're feeling guilty about Bevin. But whatever it is, you have to face it eventually. Avoiding Rachel for a night isn't gonna solve anything."

Nathan let out a frustrated breath. Who the hell asked him? He finished his drink while watching the door. A beautiful, familiar young woman did come their way but it wasn't Rachel.

"Well, there you are. Fancy seeing you here."

Lucas swallowed hard.

"Brooke. Um, hey."

"Hey. I thought you were staying in tonight to study and then crash early."

"I am. I mean, I was. That was the plan, then I really wasn't tired after I studied and I kind of felt like coming out so here I am."

She smiled.

"Good. I hope that it was some of my bad influence that convinced you to ditch the books and have a good time. Want to do a Tequila shot with me?"

Lucas cringed. His stomach wasn't really in the mood for hard liquor.

"I don't feel like drinking tonight."

She rolled her eyes and pouted.

"Don't be such a stick in the mud. Come on. Are you 19 or 90? At least have a beer."

He shrugged.

"Okay. Um, Guinness on tap sounds good."

"I'll be right back", she nodded.

Brooke walked away leaving a smirking Nathan staring at his older brother.

"What do we have here?"

Lucas frowned.

"What?"

"The shoe is on the other foot. Now you get to know what it feels like to have somebody butting in your business all the time. Now what was that?"

"What was what?"

"You want to talk about flawed hearts and trouble in paradise? What's the deal with you and your little girlfriend?"

Lucas sighed.

"Brooke is not my girlfriend."

"Does she know that?"

"Yeah. Unlike some people, I'm actually honest with the girls I date and that's exactly what we're doing…dating."

"I see, said the blind man. Well, I'm sure Brooke really appreciates you being so honest about sneaking out."

"Dude, come on. I didn't sneak anywhere. I told you what happened."

"Yeah you did but you looked less than pleased to see her. In fact, you had almost the same look on your face that would have been on my face had Rachel walked in here. Now you're the one always dying to talk and so big on honesty. So let's have it."

"Fine. I really like Brooke and we're having fun and we're dating and things are going well but…"

"But?"

"But she's a little…I don't know, pushy maybe."

"You mean she calls a lot, she wants to hang out a lot, she's not seeing other people and assumes you aren't either and even though she's cool, you need your space, especially with our schedules."

Wow. Nathan had hit the nail on the head.

"Yeah. I mean, that's exactly how I feel. I don't want to lead her on or give her the wrong idea. I'm not really ready for a serious relationship right now. Besides the fact that I have zero time as it is, my last relationship was really heavy and deep and I feel like I may have jumped into it. I don't want to repeat that mistake again."

Nathan shrugged.

"Fair enough but is that all?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. You sure it isn't someone else?"

Lucas shook his head adamantly, perhaps a little too quickly.

"No. No, that's not it."

"So are you gonna tell Brooke to back off tonight and let you have your freedom?"

"No. Because it's not like that. I don't want to be mean and I don't want to hurt her feelings. And I do like her so why would I want to just blow her off?"

"Exactly. Now you know how I feel. It's not like I can just cut Rachel off cold turkey. I can be mean and I really don't care about hurting her feelings but at least I'm familiar with her. And the times I do want to hang out or hook up, she's just a phone call away. It's easy and convenient and it beats having to get used to a different girl every week trying to lay down the rules with her."

Lucas looked over. Could they really have come from the same loins? How could one person be so thoughtless and so arrogant?

"Dude, you're a real prince, you know that", Lucas muttered sarcastically.

"At least the ladies seem to think so."

Brooke returned with Lucas' beer in hand.

"Are we just gonna stand here all night?"

Lucas sighed, avoiding Nathan's penetrating gaze. Finally he took a deep breath.

"Just for a little while, if you don't mind", he said meekly as Brooke didn't object but still seemed less than pleased.

Nathan shook his head. Could they really have come from the same loins? How could one person be so dense and so wimpy?

"Guess who?"

Nathan flinched when he felt a pair of hands cover his eyes. Normally he would not like to be touched in that manner or surprised but he instantly relaxed when he recognized the voice.

"MC Tutor Girl", he grinned. "What's happening?"

"Hey guys", she spoke to all three of them.

"Haley, I'm digging the cute top and the denim mini. Major fashion improvement", Brooke winked with approval.

"Peyton let me borrow it."

"Speaking of my brooding best friend, where is she?"

"Where else?"

"At the studio", Lucas, Brooke and Haley said at the same time.

"Luke, that was really cool of you telling Pey about that abandoned space in that funky, musty old building but now I like never see her anymore", Brooke pretended to hit him.

"I'm glad she's making good use out of it and enjoying herself."

Brooke made a face.

"I admit, it's not as dreadful as it was since we went in and gave it an emergency makeover but still. Why paint and draw and brood there when she could be having fun with her friends here?"

"So you came here all alone?" Nathan asked Haley.

"Yeah. I was bored and this place is pretty cool so why not?"

The deejay played the last song and then Keller Instinct took the center stage.

"I guess that's your other reason", Nathan motioned towards the front.

"And why would you think that?"

Nathan shrugged.

"I still can't quite figure it out myself but practically every girl in here has a crush on that scarecrow."

Haley laughed.

"Jealous, are we?"

"Not hardly. That douche bag is such a poser but the girls like him and he's famous on the local circuit and supposedly his band is getting a recording contract."

"Really?"

"That's the rumor. Anyway, every girl in here wants to sing with him and most of them suck. Why don't you go for it?"

She shook her head.

"Nah."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Because of what? Because you're afraid?"

"No, because I just don't feel like it. What's wrong with me just hanging out here with you guys?"

Nathan grinned.

"That's up to you but don't count on my company for long. See that blonde chick over there in that frilly little top?"

"You mean the one with her boobs spilling out?"

"That'd be the one. Anyway, I gave her the nod and she gave me that little flirty hair flip things you girls do and after one more beer's worth of eye contact, I'm going in for the kill."

Haley rolled her eyes.

"Smooth operator. And what about Rachel?"

He shrugged.

"What about her? I don't see her here, do you?"

"Nathan, you are such a player."

"Don't hate the player..."

"Hate the game. Yeah, yeah. I know. You already told me."

She just shook her head as she watched Keller Instinct finish their set. Then the slow music of the finale started.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies, you know it's about that time for the stars to go blue. You want my attention? Lift up your shirts and flash your tits. You want to keep my attention? Grab the mic and do your best to hold your own on this duet with me. You know the grand prize, a chance to record with and sing live with Keller Instinct and of course, the greatest prize of them all, the chance to spend time with me! I mean, what could be greater. So without further ado…"

"That chump has no game", Nathan shook his head.

The microphone was passed to the first girl. She seemed more composed than the others. Perhaps it wasn't just another over zealous tone deaf groupie.

Dancin' where the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in your wooden shoes
In a wedding gown

Not so much. It was horrible. The crowd cringed. It was fingernails scratching across a chalkboard horrible.

"Oh. My. God", Haley winced.

"That's just embarrassing", Nathan sighed.

"Is it like this every week?"

"Pretty much, unfortunately."

"Wow."

Chris gave a shrug and a hint of that sly grin as he sang his part.

Dancin' out on 7th street
Dancin' through the underground
Dancin' little marionette
Are you happy now?

"Haley, you should sing. I mean it. You would blow all the rest of these broads right out of the building."

"I can't…"

"Yes, you can."

Before she could say another word, Nathan raised his long arm, motioning for microphone.

"Whoa, folks, what do we have here?" Chris joked. "Look, I'm flattered that Nathan Scott wants to duet with me…on a love song…onstage…live but uh, ladies only, dude."

Nathan rolled his eyes. He had a good mind to beat that kid to a bloody pulp.

"Hand the mic over, you idiot. It's not for me."

The roadie did as he was told and once the microphone was in Nathan's hand, he handed it over to Haley.

"Nathan, what the hell are you doing? I can't do this! Are you crazy?"

"Live for the moment."

"But all these people…"

"Close your eyes and pretend it's just me", he instructed softly.

She was frozen like a deer in headlights half because of the amazing set of blue eyes that had gotten her into the debacle in the first place, and half because of the blinding spotlight that was now shining on her. She looked up. The band was waiting. Chris was waiting. Hell, everyone was waiting. It was now or never, Tutor Girl.

Haley climbed up on stage. She couldn't feel her legs and she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She looked out onto the floor and she could see every face. It was terrifying. They were all looking at her, waiting to hear her, waiting to tear apart her performance if she sucked. Gripping the microphone, she did the only thing she could. She focused on the one person she'd had the courage to sing for, the one person who was confident in her enough to put her on the spot in front of a live audience. Haley focused on Nathan. Then she closed her eyes. Suddenly everything was silent. The club was gone. They were back in the tutoring center. It was just the two of them.

Dancin' where the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in your wooden shoes
In a wedding gown

She started off slow and shaky because of nerves. But by the second line, the melody really flowed. There was a hushed silence from the listeners and a pause from Chris in the band. Someone that actually wasn't bad. Someone that was pretty damned good.

Dancin' out on 7th street
Dancin' through the underground
Dancin' little marionette
Are you happy now?

Chris couldn't take his eyes off of her. She opened her mouth and it was like magic. The girl could really blow. And she wasn't too bad on the eyes either. In fact, she was very pretty in a soft, natural, non plastic or too made up sort of way.

Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
When the stars go blue

Holy shit! Their voices harmonized together perfectly. No rehearsal or do overs or anything. Chris was stunned as he looked back at the equally shocked members of the band.

Laughing with your pretty mouth

(Laughing with your pretty mouth)

Laughing with your broken eyes

(Laughing with your broken eyes)

Laughing with your lover's tongue

(Laughing with your lover's tongue)

In a lullaby…yeah

No chick had ever gone the distance and actually made it to the second verse. How did she know to repeat each line after him? It sounded amazing! They were amazing!

Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
When the stars go blue
The stars go blue, stars go blue

Blushing and grinning at the end, she politely handed the mic back to him as the crowd roared.

"Everybody give it up for…what is your name?"

"Haley James", she yelled over the noise.

"That was Haley James everybody."

Haley hopped off the stage, the adrenaline still pumping through her tiny body.

"I could kill you!" she hit at Nathan.

"Told you you could do it", he grinned, picking her up and twirling her around. "That was so good!"

When her feet met the floor again, Lucas was waiting with a high five.

"Haley, that was awesome!" he grinned.

Even Brooke hugged her.

"Look out Gwen Stefani! That was a bitching performance!"

Haley couldn't stop grinning as random people came up and patted her on the back.

"Thank me later", Nathan smirked.

"Or kill you", she teased.

"Actually, I might have to thank you. Look who's coming this way."

Pretty blonde with the major cleavage spillage was headed their way all smiles.

"Wow! You sounded so good up there", she shook Haley's hand.

"Thanks."

"You could say I taught her everything she knows", Nathan interjected.

The blonde's eyes twinkled.

"Really? Who would have known you were so talented off the court?"

He shrugged and grinned.

"I'm full of surprises."

Lucas wanted to gag. Full of shit more like it.

"Nathan, is it? Hi. I'm Becky."

"What's up?"

As if his eyes weren't hypnotizing enough, he was standing closer to her body, oozing out the charm, making her melt right there in front of everyone. Then it happened.

"There you are. Hey, Stud. I was looking for you."

Nathan's jaw dropped to the floor. No! It couldn't be. How could God be so cruel? Why?

"Um, Rachel…"

She seductively kissed his neck and cupped at his crotch.

"Mmmm, I've been thinking about this all night and judging from the feel of things, so are you. Want to get out of here?"

The blonde made a disgusted face as she rolled her eyes and disappeared as quickly as she had arrived.

"Uh…"

"Come on. Let's grab a drink."

With that, Rachel drug Nathan off with the strength of twenty men. Lucas and Haley looked at each other and couldn't contain their laughter. Poor Nathan looked horrified but he deserved it. Karma was a bitch and it was starting to pay him back little by little.

"Haley James, right? Or maybe I should just call you Cinderella."

Haley turned around.

"Yeah. Um, you're Chris. Chris Keller."

"The one and only. But enough about me…for now. That was something else up on stage."

"Thanks", she blushed.

"You have a good sound."

"Really?"

"Really. Look, I've got some studio time coming up in a few weeks. I could see us doing something together. You interested?"

Haley could barely contain her grin or find her voice. Studio time? Recording with Chris Keller? Was she interested? Hell yes!

"Um, sure. Yeah. That sounds cool."

"Of course you're interested. Here's my card. Give me call in a few days and we can work something out."

And then he was gone. Haley looked at Lucas and Brooke who seemed just as thrilled and excited as she was. It was a dream come true. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined something like what would happen. That evening she had entered TRIC as just another patron, another student, plain old Tutor Girl. And she had managed to ignore a burgeoning bout of stage fright to get up and sing in front of everyone. Her initial prayer was just not to fall flat on her face but she had accomplished way more than that. She had rocked the house! Nathan had told her she was good. Chris had thought she was good. He even called her Cinderella and it certainly felt like a fairytale. And they all clapped for her! They liked her! They really liked her!