A/N: Thank you all for the reviews. And thanks to my beta: Leeese

Chapter Nine

Are You True?

Brooke was walking down the hall when she heard someone calling her name. She wasn't thrilled when she recognized the voice as Peyton's. She just ignored her until Peyton was able to catch up with her. Before she could even say a word, Brooke spoke up first.

"I know you want to thank me for inviting you, but I only did it because I need a good deejay. And Haley told me you know your music. So there are a couple of rules. You take care of the music. And if you need a break, don't spend the rest of the evening flirting with my guests."

Peyton laughed as she asked, "So you want me to keep my hands off Lucas? Do you really think that's fair, considering you two aren't even dating yet?"

"If you want to get paid, stay away from my guests," Brooke warned her.

Peyton knew that she wasn't going to win this round. So she decided to agree before Brooke changed her mind. She then went on to ask a question. "Can I wear a costume? Because it won't be fun going to a Halloween party without a costume."

Brooke was quiet for a moment before she finally agreed. Peyton quickly thanked her before she left her alone. She was relieved that she didn't have to deal with her any longer. She didn't have much time to think about it as she heard another familiar voice. "Did I just see you talking to your enemy?" Lucas asked her.

"We were just discussing rules for my Halloween party," Brooke replied as she noticed Lucas had a wide smile on his face. At first, she wondered why he was happy. She then returned the smile as she figured out what had happened. "You made the basketball team, didn't you?"

Lucas nodded proudly as Brooke embraced him in a tight hug. "I knew you could do it. We should go out to celebrate tonight." Lucas made a face. "You already have plans, don't you?" she asked. She was a little disappointed, but she didn't show it. "It's ok. I understand. You and Nathan go and have fun with your friends."

Lucas smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Brooke. I got to go and talk to Coach Whitey about practices. I'll see you in class." Brooke just nodded in agreement before he hurried off. She let out a heavy sigh before she headed to her locker.

Once the bell rang, she hurried to the classroom. She greeted her classmates as she slid into her seat. As the seats filled in around her, she couldn't help but notice that Rachel wasn't there yet. Neither did Mr. Hargrove. Brooke then realized that she hadn't seen Rachel on school grounds. She was a little concerned. Rachel was sometimes late to get to school, but she was never late to get to her first class.

Suddenly, Rachel rushed in and took her seat. "Where the hell have you been?" Brooke hissed as she leaned over to her.

Rachel just gave her a smile. "I'll tell you all about it at lunch," she whispered back as they heard their teacher close the door. Brooke didn't answer as she started to prepare herself for that day's lecture. However, she was curious to know what was making her smile so much.

At lunch, Rachel could barely contain her excitement. She sat down for only a moment before she explained her reasoning for being late to school. "I slept late because I was up all night talking to Julian," she told her friend. "I can't wait to meet him at your Halloween party! It's going to be a blast!"

"Just remember my rules," Brooke reminded her.

Rachel just rolled her eyes. "No alcohol and no uninvited guests. I think I know the rules by now." There was then a short pause. "Speaking of uninvited guests, Julian knows that Nathan and Lucas are invited to your party." Brooke gave her a look. "Don't blame me. Julian knew that before I even talked to him. And don't worry. He won't tell his parents or Victoria."

Brooke sighed. "Yeah, he will probably want something in return."

Rachel gave her a smile. "What could he possibly want than a night out with me?" she asked. Brooke didn't answer. Rachel knew that it was best to change the subject. "I know it's not right asking the judge this, but what costume do you think I should wear for your party?"

Brooke laughed. "You're right. You shouldn't be asking the judge this. Besides, you know how I like to be surprised." Rachel knew she had a point. "So you're going to have to figure it out yourself."

Rachel pretended to be annoyed with her. "You are no fun, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You haven't been much fun since that night of the car accident." Brooke was about to respond when Rachel continued with what she wanted to say. She knew that that night was still hard to talk about. So she took a gentle approach. "Look, I know you were having problems after that. And I gave you some space, but I think it's time that you get back to doing what you do best."

Brooke didn't let her continue any further. "I am. There are just some changes when it comes to my parties. If you don't like it, then stop coming to them." She then grabbed her tray and moved to another table. She was tired of Rachel complaining about her parties and how different they were to the ones that had been in the past. She was surprised that she was still attending them if she didn't like them.

Brooke just ate quietly until she was done with her lunch. She didn't want to interrupt Lucas, Nathan and their friends. Mouth was also with his other friends. She then decided to check on Haley, who had spent her lunch hour in the tutor center.

As Brooke walked down the hallway, she started to think about what her own Halloween costume could be. She was so lost in thought that she didn't watch where she was going. She quickly apologized as she realized that she had bumped into someone and knocked the files out of their hands.

However, she wanted to take the apology back once she saw who it was. "Renee, what are you doing here?" Brooke asked, doing her best to say it in a nice tone. She couldn't believe that her father's mistress was there at the school.

"I would appreciate it if you call me Ms. Richardson during school hours," Renee told her. "After all, I need your respect if I'm going to be working here."

Brooke didn't believe her for a second. "Look, I don't know what my mother told you, but I don't need a baby-sitter to watch me while I'm at school. So you can go and find another school to teach at."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Renee replied. "I haven't spoken with your mother."

"Maybe you haven't, but I'm sure my father has," Brooke replied. "Why else would you show up right after the disastrous dinner with the Scott family?"

"I can assure you that it is just a coincidence," Renee told her. "Now if you would excuse me, I have to get ready for my next class." She then walked past her without another word as Brooke just shook her head in disbelief.

Brooke tried to contain her anger until she reached the tutor center. She was relieved to see that Haley wasn't working with a student. Instead, she was looking over a couple of papers. She looked up for a second and saw Brooke. She could see that her best friend was upset again. She didn't even let her speak. Instead, she gave her a look. "Brooke, you really need to learn to get along with Peyton. It's getting really old."

Brooke shook her head. "It's not Peyton. It's Renee, the woman that my dad is living with." Haley was about to ask when Brooke continued. "I ran into her right out in the hall." Haley was surprised. "And she apparently is teaching here now. But I know she is really here just to make sure that I stay away from Lucas. It can't be just a coincidence that she has shown up right after the dinner with the Scotts, right? I don't understand why she would pick my high school in Tree Hill when she lives in Charlotte."

Haley just let her rant until she started to talk about Rachel. She then interrupted her. "Ok, I think you need a little pick me up. How about we go shopping for Halloween costumes after school?"

Brooke gave her a look. "You aren't going to enter my costume contest again?"

Haley should have known that this was going to be brought up again. "You know how much I don't like Halloween. I only dress up because I don't want to be the only one who doesn't wear a costume."

"Speaking of costumes, do you have any idea what Nathan and Lucas are planning to wear?" Brooke asked.

Haley shook her head. "No, I don't," she admitted. "And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. But Lucas probably won't be wearing tights."

Brooke laughed. "Yeah, I know. I just would love to see that picture though."

Haley nodded in agreement. She then changed the subject. "So do you want to come with me to the mall after school or not?" she asked her. Brooke didn't even have to hesitate before she agreed.

Hours later, Brooke arrived home to find Victoria waiting for her. Brooke wasn't in the mood to talk. However, Victoria wasn't planning to let her go to her room until after they talked. So Brooke had no choice but to follow her into the living room. She sat down on the couch and wondered what her mother wanted to say this time.

Victoria cleared her throat before she spoke. "I heard that you're planning to have a Halloween party next weekend." Brooke was about to respond, but Victoria didn't let her interrupt her. "Don't even think about inviting those boys or I will cancel the party. Do you understand me?"

Brooke nodded her head. Her mother was satisfied and excused herself from the room. Brooke knew that she should ask about Renee, but she decided against it. She knew that her mother would probably deny asking Renee about watching her during school hours. It is just like with the Halloween party. She knew her mother would not allow Lucas and Nathan access into the party.

However, Brooke was prepared for this. She already had a plan to sneak Lucas and Nathan in. She just had to make sure that Julian would go along with it. She hoped that he didn't expect anything in return. She didn't want to play his game. However, she knew that she would if she had to.

The next afternoon, Brooke drove over to Julian's apartment to talk to him about the party. She wasn't surprised that Julian was willing to meet with her. She just hoped that he understood that it was for business, not pleasure. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. She still had a lot to do for the party.

It didn't take long for her to arrive at the number of the apartment. She gently knocked on the door and waited patiently for him to answer. The door was then pulled open and Julian gave her a wide smile. "Brooke, why don't you come on in?" Brooke just nodded as she walked into the foyer. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" he offered as he closed the door behind them.

Brooke shook her head. "No, I'm not planning on staying long. I just want to know whether you are planning to treat my friends like crap."

Julian tried not to laugh. "It's not me who you should be worried about. It's the ones who you are defending." Brooke just rolled her eyes. "I know you don't believe me, but it's true. Lucas isn't the great guy you think he is."

Brooke started to run out of patience with him. "If you want to date Rachel, there are a few conditions." Julian turned to her, interested to hear what she had to say. "One, you don't cause trouble with Lucas and Nathan. Two, you don't tell your parents or my mom about me still hanging out with your cousins. Three, you cover for me when your parents ask about us."

Julian suddenly interrupted her. "What about my conditions?"

Brooke knew that this was coming. She just hoped that his conditions weren't too extreme. She looked at him, ready to hear his demands. "What do you want?"

"If I cover for you, I want you to cover for me," Julian replied. "And I want you to invite Alex to your party."

Brooke waited for more, but he was quiet. "That's it?" she asked hesitantly. "You don't have any more conditions?"

Julian shook his head. "No, that will do for now. Now are you sure you won't stay for awhile?"

Brooke didn't want to admit it, but she wanted to leave. "I really should get going. I'll see you and Alex at the party." She then quickly said good-bye as she left the apartment and headed towards the elevator. She was so preoccupied in getting to her car that she didn't realize that she was being watched.