''Julian! Julian, wait up!'' Brooke shouted as she ran down the corridor, chasing after him. But he couldn't hear her, he was listening to music on his mp3 player, and was unaware of all the sounds around him except for his music.

When she finally reached him she pulled his arm and turned him around to face her. He looked at her in surprise for a second, before taking of his earphones and smiling.

''Hey... I shouted you, but you couldn't hear me, sorry.'' she apologised for scaring him.

''It's okay, what did you need?''

''Well, I'm throwing a party at my house, Friday night. I was wondering if you wanted to come?'' she asked nervously. Julian had said that he didn't want to have all the attention on him, but she really wanted him at this party. She wanted to spend time with him out of school, and get to know him more, and his friends.

''Um, what's the occasion?'' he asked. He did go to some parties in L.A., but they were always over the top. But this is Tree Hill, which is way smaller that L.A.. Maybe he would enjoy it?

''Basketball season's starting soon, Naley have been kind of awkward lately. And, I just really wanted to throw a party, you know, to piss my mom off.'' she said nonchalantly.

''Vicky still bein' a bitch, huh?''

''Yeah.'' she laughed at his bluntness, he's the only one that wouldn't feel bad about saying something bad about her mother. Her best friends always think it will offend her, but she honestly doesn't care. ''So, you'll come?''

''Yeah, if you tell me what the hell a Naley is.''

Brooke laughed. ''Nathan and Haley, it's like a mix of their names. I bet you think I'm kinda stupid.''

''No, I think you're kinda terrific.''

She laughed even harder. ''You've gotta stop with the Grease 2 quotes.''

He was amazed that she recognised the quote, but then blushed that he'd just quoted a girls movie, which was his favorite. ''Fine, but just for the record, you are more than terrific Brooke Davis.''

''You too Baker.'' she said, with a smirk. ''And just for the record, are you coming or not?''

He nodded. ''Sure.''

''Invite your mathlete friends, I'd like it if they could come too, and no pranks, I promise.'' she said jokingly, receiving a glare in return. ''Too soon? Sorry. But really, invite them.''

''Fine, I'll ask them later.''

Brooke then realised where they were in the corridor. ''Why, thanks for walking me to class Baker.'' she said dramatically.

''Anything for you Brooke Davis.'' he said with a smile, and continued to make his way down the corridor.

Brooke didn't know it right now, but he really meant it.

Friday night had quickly arrived, and the party was already well on it's way. Most of the school had turned up, most of it because the geeks weren't invited, as usual. That is the exception of Julian Baker, Marvin McFadden, Rachel Gatina, Michael Grubbs and Chase Adams, of course.

After being begged everyday since Tuesday, the day after Mouth's bithday, to come to this party, the rest of the mathletes agreed to come. They were still weary incase it was another trick.

Julian rode on his own, just like Rachel did. The other boys got a ride in Chase's car, so he's not allowed to drink tonight. Immediately when the stepped out of their cars - after all conviniently arrived at the same time- they were greeted by the sight of a guy throwing up on one of the flower beds, and a couple practically having sex against the front door, who didn't even detatch themselves from eachother when Michael pushed them out of the way.

Brooke hadn't been able to keep her eyes away from the door all night, so many doubts were running through her mind. Has he basically stood me up? He said he didn't want all this attention, why did I invite him? Does he still like me? Does he hate me for what I did? But all those doubts got pushed to the back of her mind when Julian and his friends walked through the door.

She walked over to them, forcing her self not to sprint. ''Hey guys, I'm glad you could make it.'' she said cooly, as if Julian Baker being at her house - not shouting - was not the best thing that's happened to her all week.

A smile automatically formed on his lips. ''Hey Brooke.''

''How 'bout a dance?'' she offered with a wink. She was a little drunk, so what? This is her first party in ages, and she's been so nervous incase Julian didn't show up she needed a drink, or two, maybe four, to calm her nerves.

Before he had a chance to respond, she grabbed his hand and lead him to the dancefloor. Where everyone could see them, everyone could see Brooke Davis dancing like an absolute fool, with the new kid/mathlete.

Looks like the rumours are about to start.

''You write music? That's so cool!'' Peyton exclaimed, taking another sip of her drink. She'd been talking to Michael - who preffered to be called Grubbs - for ages. Leaving Lucas and Jake awkwardly sat next to eachother, neither of the knowing what to say.

Lucas had nothing against Jake, he just wasn't his biggest fan. There was just something about him that put him off, that irritated him. Everytime he made Peyton laugh, he wanted to punch Jake in the face for his stupid joke. But he didn't get why. And he hated when he got an sick feeling in his stomach whenever Peyton and Jake talked about music that Lucas had never heard of. But he didn't get why. He also didn't like it when he got a proud smile on his face whenever he saw Peyton and Jenny together, and Lucas always ended up thinking she'd make an amazing mom some day.. But he didn't get why.

Jake looked at his phone when he saw that he had a text message.

She's mine.

He froze, causing Lucas to give him a funny look.

Jake coughed awkwardly. ''Um, babe. I've gotta go, the baby sitter has to leave early. I'm really sorry.'' he said quickly, kissing Peyton on the cheek and hurrying away. Before Peyton had time to blink, he was already gone.

Haley smiled at the picture in Brooke's room, it was one at her eighth birthday party. She remembered that day so well, they all went to Chuck E. Cheese's with her Mom, Dad, Quinn, Taylor, Matt and Vivian. She remembered when she almost drowned in the ball pit, but Nathan saved her at the moment she thought she was going to die, he pulled her out.

If only everything was so simple, if only everyone could be fine again if Nathan would pull her out of a ball pit. But those days are gone, those days when they were all best friends, and feelings were never involved. If she had never felt anything for Nathan, if she had never let his touches make her tingle. Or if she'd never let his smile make her heart beat ten times faster. If she'd never let his compliments give her huge smiles, then everything would be fine.

But it isn't, because all of those things have happened. And she was fine, she was fine after he crushed her heart. She'd mastered the art of fake smiling, and not letting her voice shake when she saw him with a different girl. And always re applied make-up perfectly after she cried, so no one would know that something was wrong with her.

Everything was wrong, it was always wrong when Nathan turned into a man-whore. She always had to listen to girls brag about how good he was in bed, and how hot he told them that they were. She knew she would never be able to jump into bed with him, or look as good as those girls. And she was over it, she got over it eventually. She moved on, she had a couple of boyfriends. She got with Chris, and she started to be okay with being Nathan's friend. Because she'd never be with Nathan if he treated her the way he treats those girls. Treated.

Now he's changing, he's nicer, sweeter, more charming. He hasn't slept with a girl in weeks, apparently. Ane she's beginning to have feelings, like the ones she had for the young teenage boy, when she was a young teenage girl. But these feelings are more stronger, more mature, more powerful. And it's scaring her, because a long time ago, she considered herself being in-love with Nathan. But she was a child then, she's almost eighteen now. She can't be falling in-like with him again? Well atleast like. Can she?

Just like on the movies, Nathan conviently walked into the room, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw her. ''Here you are, I was looking for you.'' he said, his concern formed butterflies in her stomach. ''What are you trying to get away from?''

Brooke always locks her bedroom door, incase any horny teenagers decided to have sex on her bed. But he best friends all had a spare key, incase they felt overwhelmed or have had a bad night, they could just go in her room and get away from it all. So Nathan knew something was wrong when he was looking for Haley and found her in Brooke's room.

''Chris.'' she answerd simply, plopping down onto the bed and lying down, leaving room for him to lie next to her.

He lay down next to her and wrapped his arm around her. Like a reflex, she cuddled up to him without even knowing. She only realised it, when she could hear his heartbeat. Was it her, or was his heart beating faster than normal?

''What's that ass doing now?''

''He's like you were, flirting with everything with boobs.'' she said, she didn't mean too, it just slipped out. Chris was starting to hurt her like Nathan did years ago, she couldn't help it if she took it out on him. She immediately regretted it when she saw the pain on his face. ''I'm sorry, I'm being bitter, I didn't mean it.''

''Yes you did, I really hurt you didn't I?'' he asked softly, staring up at the ceiling.

''No, I just... it was almost four years ago, forget about it.''

''That's a yes then.''

She sat up and grabbed his chin so he'd look at her. ''Nathan, I was fourteen, I thought I was 'in-love' with you.'' he winced at her use of airquotes. ''We've grew up, those feeling aren't there. Don't worry about it being awkward, just forget about what you heard.'' she advised. ''Those feelings are gone.'' she lied. As long as it makes him stop feeling guilty, then she'll lie, to protect their friendship, then she'll do it. Their friendship is the most important thing to her, she can't lose that, she wont.

He nodded, trying not to punch something in anger. Okay, so now he's lost some of that hope, but he's not giving up. They're getting closer, he can feel it, he can see her smiling more, and lighting up when she see's him. Maybe it's just him, maybe she doesn't. But he's going to make sure she does, he's going to be the guy that's good enough to be seen with her.

''So, you want me to kick his stupid punk ass?'' he asked excitedly, maybe she'll say yes this time...

''No.''

Okay, maybe not.

''Come on, Hales? Just one punch?'' he begged. But Haley knows how much trouble Nathan can cause with one punch, and she's not going to let that happen to her boyfriend, even if he is a jerk.

''Nope.''

He sighed. ''Fine, you owe me a dance then.'' he said, and cross his arms over his chest in triumph.

She laughed in disbelief. ''Why?''

''You just do.'' he said like a child, and shrugged.

Haley sighed and stood up, offering her hand. ''Fine, lets go. You're lucky that you suck at dancing, atleast I can have a good laugh.'' she teased.

No way was Nathan having that. He took her hand and pulled her back onto the bed. He put his hands on her waist and started to tickle her sides, causing her to giggle more than she had done in weeks. And caused a real smile to form on her lips, well, she's not smiled like that all day. All thanks to Nathan Scott.

Oh no. She's falling again, just like all those years ago.

''Hey Rach-ho.'' Brooke said, as she walked - and tripped a couple of times - over to the red head. Julian followed behind, chuckling at his drunk girls antics. He'd finally convinced her to get off the dance floor and have a drink, preferably water, and calm down a bit. Wait, his drunk girl?

''Hey Slut.'' Rachel said in amusement. Honestly, she'd completely forgiven Brooke for the egg incident. And thought she was sweet, and could be really good fun. Maybe if Brooke got off her pedestal, then Rachel could see herself being her friend.

Brooke gasped and looked at Julian, she pointed at Rachel and mouthed. 'I like her'.

Julian grinned and gave her a childish thumbs up in return, making her knees go weak, she had to hold the counter in the kitchen to keep herself steady, and not on the floor.

''Hey Rach, here's your drink.'' Mouth said cheerily, handing it to her.

''Mouth, right? That was my nickname in summer camp. Because I slept with my mouth open.'' she explained, like it was a really interesting fact. Then giggled when thoughts of camp invaded her mind, good times.

''Hi Brooke, thanks for inviting us.'' he said politely.

''It's okay.'' she shrugged. ''I need a drink...''

Julian grabbed her arm lightly, stopping her from walking any further. ''I'll get it for you,'' he offered, before she could refuse he picked her up and sat her on top of the counter. ''be right back.''

Brooke smiled dreamily as she saw Julian look through her fridge. Even though she was slightly drunk, she couldn't help but notice how nice Julian was being to her. This reminded her of the night they met, and they got really drunk at the back exit of the hotel. Things are different now, sure, but she wouldn't change it. Because he's here, he's still here. Maybe they have a chance after all?

He unscrewed the bottle lid and handed it to her. ''Here, then maybe I don't have to watch your back all night incase you fall over.'' he said teasingly, smiling successfully when she drank with no complaints.

His mother was known to drink a lot, so he's used to helping her sober up, or help her with her hangover the next morning. Thankfully, Sylvia has been drinking less now the divorce was final. But now she's having celebratory drinks more often, which involves singing. Oh lord.

She pouted. ''Don't you like watching my back?''

''I'll always have your back, I promise.''

''How did this happen?'' she asked in a slight daze.

His face scrunched in confusion. ''How did what happen?''

''You, being here. It's so amazing, I just... can't believe it. But I screwed it up, didn't I? I mess everything up, I mean, my Mom and Dad can't stand to be here. Boys use me for sex. You left, not that I blame you, it was my fault. I'm a bitch, a stupid bitch.'' she ranted, with tears in her eyes. She didn't understand why she was getting so emotional. Maybe it's the alcohol talking, or maybe it's just the fact that she's not been this close to Julian in weeks.

He took her face in his hands. ''You're not a bitch, you're not a bitch Brooke. You're right, it is amazing. You're Mom's a bitch, and those guys don't deserve your tears. I didn't leave, I'm right here. And I'm not going any where. You didn't screw anything up, I just need time. We just need to get to know eachother more, okay?''

She nodded. ''I'm sorry.''

''There's nothing to be sorry for.'' he said softly. ''So, I guess you didn't outgrow me other the summer then.''

She laughed. ''Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm no Stephanie.''

He shook his head. ''Good. Because I really like you Brooke Davis, and a million eggs in the world ain't gonna change that.''

''Good.''

And they kissed. Ignoring everything around them, all the music, all the drunk teenagers, Rachel and Mouth smiling like idiots. Just like those times before, it was perfect. Just like Julian. Just like Brooke. They're perfect together, they just never really realised it. They knew that they would be good but they never knew how perfect they were. Until now.

''Hey Mia,'' Haley greeted as she walked down the stairs with Nathan, he'd finally stopped tickling her, and she remembered the boyfriend that she'd left alone, so they agreed to join the party again. ''and Chase.''

''Hey Hales, good party, huh?'' Mia said with a blush, acting like she hadn't just been caught making out with Chase by her friend.

''You seem to think so.'' Haley smirked.

''Hi Haley.'' Chase said shyly, wrapping his arm around Mia's shoulders, hoping to make her a little better. Sure, he only met her tonight, but he really liked this girl, and didn't want her to be embarrassed.

''I'll leave you two to it.'' she said, as Nathan gave her an awkward tug on the hand he was holding. He didn't know Mia, from her music class. And didn't talk to Chase the mathlete after the egging. It was clear he felt like a... fourth wheel while she was talking to them.

But as they were walking away, she could have swore that she heard Chase whisper. ''I didn't know they were dating?'' which caused her to free her hand from Nathans. She doesn't want people gossiping about them, because they've only just got back on track, she doesn't want it to be awkward between them again.

Nathan tried to brush it off when he hand wasn't holding his, but he couldn't, not fully.

He turned to look at her when he realised that she wasn't walking anymore, he looked at her in confusion when her expression was full of hurt. He turned to her line of sight and he immediately saw red. Leaning against the wall, Chris Keller was making out with a random whore.

He didn't have to think twice before storming over to them looks like Keller's getting that punch after all and grabbed Chris by the collar and pushed him back against the wall.

''Woah man, what are you doing?'' Chris asked in a panic.

''Nathan, stop.'' he chose to ignore that voice, he had to do this, he was doing this for her.

Everyone gasped when they saw Nathan's fist collide with Chris' jaw. ''If you come near her again,'' he shouted and punched him again. ''I'll kill you.'' punch. ''And that's a promise.'' punch. ''Asshole.''

Lucas grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him away from the spikey haired punk. Nathan looked around, and saw Julian stood with Brooke, his arm holding her back from running over there and trying to stop Nathan too, incase she got hurt. He then saw Peyton stood next to Michael, her hand covering her mouth in shock. Just like the rest of the people watching.

But he couldn't see Haley near him, she wasn't there, but he could see her running out of the front door.

So he ran after her, he always would.

''That was... quite a party.'' Julian commented as he helped Brooke clear up the mess after they sent everyone home, she couldn't handle everyone still being there after what just happened to her best friends Nathan and Haley.

''Yeah. Listen, you don't have to help clear this up, you know.'' she said tiredly, she didn't want him to be helping her out because of pity.

''I'm helping you out if you like it or not. Do you wanna go and check on Haley? I can clear up if you want.'' he offered. He to wanted to know if Haley was okay after just finding her boyfriend making out with another girl. And Brooke did look really upset, and completely sober now. He just wanted to help her out in any way he could.

She shook her head. ''Right now Haley will want space, even if she doesn't Nathan's there, he's not gonna leave her. I'll go to her house tomorrow and cheer her up.''

He nodded and continued to pick up plastic cups and whatever mess they caused, and put it in a garbage bag. ''Are you okay?''

Brooke shrugged. ''Not really. My best friends heart just got broke, infront of everyone.''

''I don't believe that.''

''Huh?''

''Has she ever said that she loves Chris? I think she'll be fine, she's got Nathan, right? There's no point in beating yourself up about it, you can't change what happened. She's the only one that can cheer herself up right now.''

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly. ''Thank you.'' she whispered.

''Anytime.'' he whispered back, hugging her.

She broke away from the embrace, but didn't move her arms from around his neck. ''Let's forget about the cleaning for now, how about we watch Grease 2, and get to know eachother a little more?'' she suggested.

''You have Grease 2?'' he asked in disbelief. Brooke Davis definitely didn't look like a Grease 2 kind of girl.

She laughed. ''Actually, I borrowed it from Nathan and Lucas' little cousin Lily.''

He ignored her teasing, and focussed on the word borrowed. ''Why did you borrow it?''

''You said that you liked it,'' she said with a blush. ''you love this movie, I thought that I should give it a shot.''

''You really are terrific Brooke Davis.'' he said softly, causing her to smile the biggest smile he's ever seen, and chills to run down her spine.

''So I've been told,'' she said, and saw he was about to lean in and kiss her. Before he could she grabbed his hand. ''Come on Michael, the movie awaits.'' she announced, sitting him onto the couch.

''Hey, I'm totally Johnny!'' he said teasingly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as she pressed the 'play' button.

''I think I like Julian better.'' she whispered, snuggling into him.

AN: I really hope you liked it, I had so much fun writing this chapter. This time I only had a little writers block, yey! And thanks to kaya17tj for giving me the whole chapter idea, you're awesome!

To anyone who hasn't seen Grease 2. Johnny is the leader of the T-Birds, and Michael is the geek who helps Stephanie(the pink lady) with her work, and buys a motercycle and becomes a badboy to impress her. (I think, I've only watched the movie once.)

Thanks for all your reviews, and now if you review, I'll send you a teaser of the next chapter (if you have an account), just to say thanks:)