''Everyone, everyone come to TRIC tonight! Monday Madness, open mic night. With a special performance by Haley James!'' Brooke shouted across the quad to all the students, stood on one of the many lunch tables, making a mega-phone with her hands so she would sound louder.

Julian laughed at his 'girl he's getting to know' as he spotted her across the quad. Everyone could spot her, she was shouting so loud. He walked over to her, as she repeated what she just said. ''Brooke, what are you doing?'' he asked loudy in amusement.

Brooke grinned at Julian, immediately stopping shouting. ''Hey.''

He grabbed her waist and helped her down from the small bench, even though it was tiny he didn't want her to fall. ''What are you doing?'' he asked with a chuckled.

''Haley just told us to get everyone to TRIC tonight, I'm surprised she even wants to go, it's Monday, she doesn't like going on school nights.'' she explained.

''Why does she want to go to TRIC? Is she okay now? I didn't know she could sing.'' he said quite quickly, suddenlly feeling guilty over the fact that he'd not really thought if Haley was okay since the party a couple of days ago.

Brooke laughed. ''She's fine, it's crazy. Nathan said they went to the docks on Saturday, she's really over that asshole. We all hung out on Sunday at her house and she was fine, really fine. I know when she's lying too. And she's a really great singer, she just doesn't normally let people hear her. But she told Nate that she wants to, now he wants to support her. That was why I was stood on a table by the way.''

''So that was why he was shouting in the hallway earlier..'' Julian realised, remembering seeing Nathan shouting something in the hallway five minutes ago.

Brooke nodded. ''So, you'll come?'' she asked hopefully, with a smile.

''Yeah, should I pick you up?''

Her smile widened. ''If that's okay.''

'''Course. C'mon, you wanna get some lunch?'' he asked, he was starving, and lunch would be a million times better if Brooke was there.

''Um, yeah. But I can't sit with you.'' she said, feeling really horrible.

Julian's face fell. ''Oh, I understand.''

''No, no. You don't. We just, you're gonna think I'm really stupid. You probably haven't noticed this but no one ever sits on our table, Jake doesn't even sit with us. It's been that way since we started here, we just didn't want to lose our friendship so we agreed to vote if anyone new wanted to sit with us. We just didn't want to drift apart, so we always sit together. We could see try though, maybe they'll agree.'' she rambled. For the first time she actually hated the rule they made at the beginning of freshman year.

''Nope, it's okay. I'll wait another time to get completely embarrassed.''

She sighed. ''I am sorry. Will you pick me up at seven?''

''Sure.'' he nodded.

Great, so now it was awkward.

''Everyone be at TRIC tonight. TRIC tonight. Monday Madness!'' Nathan shouted down the hallway, just like he ordered his other friends to do. He wanted Haley to be supported on the day she finally decided to sing infront of a crowd, he wants her to know how special she is after what Chris Keller did to her on Friday.

Haley walked over to him and smiled, she was so touched that he was doing this for her, that all of her best friends were. But the fact that Nathan told her friends to invite everyone, and has been completely supportive. Well, that just makes her tingle.

''You can stop now, Nathan. I think everyone's got the message.'' she giggled, giving him a hug.

Nathan hugged her back, for a little longer than normal. Just like his feelings aren't normal, that's for sure. ''I'm just proud of you Hales, I want everyone to be there.'' he said, once she broke away from the embrace.

''And I love you for it, but I think everyone's got the message.'' she said. ''I think Brooke's stopped too, I saw her talking to Julian a minute ago.''

Nathan smiled wholeheartedly. ''Okay, let's get some lunch.'' he said, making his way towards the cafeteria with his heart by his side.

Haley rarely tells him she loves him, he knows that she means it in a frienship way. But it obviously means something if she's saying it more and more, right?

Right.

''In a shipment of televisions, 1/50 of the televisions are defective. What is the ratio of defective to nondefective televisions?'' Mouth asked Grubbs after school at mathletes practice. Julian and Rachel were also asking eachother questions on another table, they were all pretty bored, considering that there's no contests coming up. All they have to do is ask eachother warm up questions, there's no pressure yet. So it's not exactly a barrel of laughs today.

''1/49.'' Grubbs answered in boredom, stiffling a yawn.

Just as Mouth was about to ask another question, the door burst open.

''Rach, Rach.'' Chase said running through the door, searching for the read hairr, when he spotted her he smiled. ''She said yes, she said yes.''

Rachel smiled and walked over to her friend, giving him a hug. ''I told you she would.''

Mouth watched the scene in frustration. ''Who said yes to what?'' he asked in jealousy. Rachel never hugs me like that... but she kissed my cheek. Take that Adams! he shouted in his mind.

Chase and Rachel all moved closer to the others, Julian moved to so he wouldn't be left out on what's going on.

''Chase here asked Mia to TRIC tonight, and apparently she said yes.'' Rachel told them. Remembering when Chase asked her for some girl advice this morning, when he didn't know what to do when asking a girl out.

''Congrats man.'' Julian said, smacking him on the back.

Chase grinned. ''Thanks, are any of you guys coming tonight?'' he asked.

''I thought about it, and I saw Peyton shouting about it in the carpark. You wanna come, Mouth?'' Rachel asked, subtly asking him out, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. She's not experienced with liking guys, normally they liked her, this was a new feeling for her, she wanted to handle it in the right way.

Mouth got a swirly feeling in his stomach, and tried to hide his huge smile, also trying to be subtle. ''Sure. Julian, you wanna ride?''

''I'm taking Brooke, thanks though.'' he said, not noticing how Grubbs rolled his eyes.

''You comin', Mike?'' Chase asked his friend.

Grubbs sighed. ''I told you, it's Grubbs.'' he said in frustration. ''And maybe.''

''I see you got along with Peyton at the party.'' Rachel stated, remembering seeing them sat having a conversation, she also remembered seeing Lucas and Jake sat awkwardly next to eachother.

''Yeah,'' he shrugged. ''but she's with Jake.''

''So you like her.'' Chase realised.

''She's cool, she likes the same music and stuff, she's nice.'' he said, a blush riding up on his cheeks.

''She was part of the egging to you know?'' Julian reminded him. He hated the comment he made about Julian not being good enough for Brooke, and he knew that Grubbs hadn't forgiven her for what happened on the first day of senior year. So why was he okay with Peyton?

''I know...''

''She didn't even come in to apologise.'' he reminded him again, hoping that Grubbs would get the hint and apologise for his comment. It had upset Julian, and made his insecure. How about She's Out Of My League? that seems appropriate. Those words just wouldn't escape his mind.

Rachel could tell what Julian was trying to do, so she changed the subject. ''So, Chase? What did you say to her?''

TRIC was packed, obviously everyone had listened to the Scott's, Peyton and Brooke when they told everyone to come. Even though no alcohol was allowed, no one seemed to care. They were all having to much of a good time with their friends to care about what drinks they were drinking.

Julian could help but sneak glances at Brooke as they walked in, she looked amazing. She was wearing a green dress, with tied around her neck, and flowed down to her knees, with a green purse. (AN: THE ONE SHE WORE FOR THE TRIC OPENING 2.07) Her dark brown hair was wavey, flowing down her shoulders. She looked beautiful, as always. But tonight, she just looked more gorgeous than usual.

''Hey guys.'' Lucas greeted as he saw his new favorite couple walk over to the bar. He didn't know many people who were dating, and Brooke and Julian are a better couple than Peyton and Jake, that's for sure. Even though Brooke and Julian aren't really 'together' yet.

''Hi Luke.'' Brooke said, giving him a hug.

''Hey Lucas.'' Lucas said, giving him a man handshake, they'd not really been introduced properly. Julian has only really ever talked to Haley, so it felt weird meeting another one of her best friends. But even though they were meeting now, it felt like they'd already know each other for years, they already know a lot about eachother. Considering Brooke talks about both of them to eachother all the time.

''Where's Hales?'' Brooke asked, looking around the club for one of her best friends.

''She's in the back, panicking.'' he said in amusement, he knew how Haley panicked, it was quite funny. ''Nathan's not here yet and Peyton's dancing with Jake.'' he added, knowing Brooke was about to ask that too.

Julian looked around the club, searching for one of his mathlete friends, or one of the rivercourt boys. He stopped looking around when he noticed someone sat at one of the tables, with a girl.

''Why is Chris Keller here?'' he asked in frustration, knowing that it was going to cause a scene. Especially when Nathan arrives, he knows what Nathan's like already, after seeing him around for a couple of weeks. He knows that Nathan is protective of Haley, he saw what he did to Chris on Friday. So when Nathan see's Chris tonight, it wont be pretty.

''He's what?'' Lucas shouted, turning in the direction Julian was looking.

''What the hell is he doing here?'' Brooke screamed, getting ready to head over there and kick that losers ass.

Nathan walked over to his friends and Brooke's guy after seeing them stood at the bar. ''Hey guys.'' he greeted.

''Chris Keller's here, shall I drag him out and you kiss his ass. Or do you wanna drag him out and I'll kick his ass?'' Lucas asked, knowing to well what they were going to do. They did it for Brooke last year when someone had slept with her and bad mouthed her around the school. And they'll do a lot worse to Chris Keller.

''Just leave him.'' Nathan said, shrugging his shoulders.

The three of them all turned to him in shock. ''Nate, what the hell? If you're not going to kick his ass again, I will.'' Brooke said in determination.

''Guys, have you saw how happy Haley is? I think she knows he's here, she's singing, we can't scare her off by causing a scene. If she sings infront of him, he'll know that she never needed him. And this is my mom's club, I don't want to ruin this. It's Monday Madness.'' he said, over the loud music, he then grinned. ''We'll get him, don't worry. Just after she sings, okay?''

They all nodded. Brooke and Lucas were just glad to know that Nathan still cares about Haley, and isn't losing his tough streak. They'd got really worried before his explanation.

Nathan felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and looked at the text he'd just recieved.

Help me.

''Gotta go, see you later.'' he said, hurrying off in another direction.

''So Brooke, d'you wanna dance?'' Julian asked, offering his hand for her to take gentlemanly.

Brooke smiled her dimpled smiled. ''Of course.'' she said softly, taking his hand.

Leaving Lucas stood at the bar, just like five minutes ago. Only this time he had to be reminded of all the progressing relationships around him. Brooke and Julian. Nathan and Haley. Peyton and Jake. While he's all alone.

''I don't think I can do it.'' Haley said as soon as she Nathan, she was currently pacing around backstage. She couldn't do this, she wasn't ready, she'd only rehearsed in the shower. Everyone was going to laugh, and make fun of her. It was going to be awful.

''No it's not.'' Nathan denied even though she didn't say those words out loud, walking over to her and placing his hands on her shoulders, stopping her from walking. ''You're going to be amazing, I promise. You can do this. You're ready. Everyone is going to love you, and cheer for you. It's going to be great.'' he reassured her, as if he could read her mind.

And she believe him, just from those simple words, she believe him. Nathan always made her feel as if she was on top of the world, like she could accomplish anything. Like she was the most special person on the planet, and she loves it.

''Thank you Junk, for that amazing performance.'' Peyton shouted, microphone in hand to the audience. She worked at TRIC too, it was her job to announce whoever was performing tonight. ''And next up is my beautiful best friend, Haley James!''

The audienced cheers, the loudest coming from Brooke and Nathan. Once they'd died down, the two smirked at Chris, showing him how great Haley was without him, and how proud they are of her.

''Hi guys.'' she said nervously, as she stood on the stage holding the microphone stand. ''Um, I heard this song the other day, and it reminded me of someone.'' she said, looking directing at Chris. ''I changed a few lines, but I hope you enjoy it.''

After nodding at the music guy, the song started to play.

I could say that I'll always be here for you
But that would be a lie and quite a pointless thing to do
I could say that I'll always have feelings for you
But I've got a life ahead of me and I'm still in high school

Since you've gone I've lost that chip on my shoulder
Since you've gone I feel like I've gotten older
Now you're gone it's as if the whole wide world is my stage
Now you're gone it's like I've been let out of my cage

You always made it clear that you hated my friends
You made me feel so guilty when I was running round with them
And everything was always about being cool
And now I've come to realise there's nothing cool about you at all

Since you've gone I've lost that chip on my shoulder
Since you've gone I feel like I've gotten older
Now you're gone it's as if the whole wide world is my stage
Now you're gone it's like I've been let out of my cage

Since you've gone I've lost that chip on my shoulder
Since you've gone I feel like I've gotten older
Now you're gone it's as if the whole wide world is my stage
Now you're gone it's like I've been let out of my cage

There was silence for a moment, until everyone burst into applause. Haley smiled. ''Thanks.'' she muttered, before running backstage. She was already red enough as it is, and needed to get over her shock. She still couldn't actually believe that she did it.

Chris Keller grabbed his dates hand as he tried to walk out of TRIC, but when a drink splashed all over him, it stopped him in his tracks. Once he wiped the water from his eyes, he saw a very pissed off Peyton Saywer and Brooke Davis stood infront of him.

''Get out you asshole, and don't ever come back here. She's over you, she doesn't need you. So don't come here thinking that you can tear her down, because you can't. No get out before I get Nathan to kick your ass again, me and Lucas will be helping him this time.'' Peyton threatened, shaking her finger warningly at him.

He nodded quickly, running out of TRIC with his date in tow.

Brooke grinned and turned around to spot Julian, who she abandoned after Haley finished singing, so she doesn't know where he is. She then spotted him sat at one of the booths, talking to Chase who's sat with another girl.

''Hey guys, wasn't she great?'' she said as she sat down next to Julian, causing his smile to widen.

Chase nodded. ''Really great.'' he agreed.

''Brooke this is Mia, Mia this is Brooke.'' Julian introduced the two, remembering that they didn't meet at the party. He didn't meet Mia at the party either though, he was with Brooke most of the time.

After exchanging 'hello's' it fell into an awkward silence between the four. Brooke only really knew Julian, and before she met him she never really socialised with people other than her friends or the cheerleaders. She feels like she's lived in this bubble with her and her friends, she doesn't know what other people like or do. And Julian isn't really a guys guy and hasn't really spoke to Chase much.

''So, are you going to sing Brooke?'' Mia asked her, asking the first question that popped into her mind.

Brooke snorted. ''I'm tone death, how about you?''

Mia blushed and looked down, now regretting asking that question. ''Um, nope.''

''Can you sing?'' Chase asked in excitement, tonight just got a lot more interesting.

''A little.'' she admitted, taking a sip of a drink so it would look like less of a big deal.

''You should get up there.'' Chase encouraged.

Mia shook her head. ''No, no way. I'm to nervous, only a few people have ever heard me sing.'' she said. ''Maybe another time though.''

''I'm holding you to that.''

Brooke smiled proudly. She couldn't help but think that all this was thanks to her, if she hadn't have met Julian then no one would have been at the party on Friday, there probably wouldn't have been a party on Friday, not at her house anyway. If she hadn't have met him, then Chase and Mia wouldn't have spoken, Haley wouldn't have found out how much of a loser Chris Keller is, and Nathan wouldn't have beat him up (something he's wanted to do for months). Maybe everything was just right.

Maybe it was just meant to be.

''I did it!'' Haley squeled jumping into Nathan's arms after she spotted him at the bar, waiting for her. He had told her she had to come and talk to him first before anyone else after she performed, he wanted to be the first one to tell her she was amazing. Not that she minded.

He hugged her back. ''You did it Hales, I'm so proud of you.''

She broke away from the embrace and grinned smugly. ''You know, I'm pretty proud of me too.''

''You should be, you were...'' he trailed off. ''I can't even think of a word good enough to describe it.''

Haley blushed. ''You're to nice to me.'' she told him. It's true, Nathan has always encouraged and praised her with everything that she did. He always made her feel proud and determined, like she was the most special girl in the world.

But she also hated it, because now she's not with Chris, every little comment she makes gives her tingles. Or it makes her smile, or her always made her heart beat twice as fast. It also made her fall for him a tiny bit more, and she knows that when he stops, or gets a new girlfriend. It's going to hurt so much more than last time, because her feelings are so much stronger than last time.

It may just be unbearable.

''Thanks for the ride.'' Brooke said softly as Julian's car pulled up infront of her house. She didn't want tonight to end, everything was amazing. She finally got her payback on Chris Keller, she made some new friends, and got to dance with the guy she's crazy about. It finally seems like everything's going great, and she's finally getting out of her bubble, she's loving it.

She kissed him on the cheek, and reached for the door handle.

''Brooke, wait.'' he said, stopping her in her tracks.

''Yeah?'' she asked, turning to face him with a smile, thanking god for an extra couple of minutes with Julian.

''You know, you know like you said that you like this like it is?'' he asked, his voice full of nerves as he motioned between them.

Brooke nodded, not saying anything, knowing that he needed to get something out.

''Well, I'm crazy about you Brooke. I can't just do this, and act like eveything's normal. Because it's not normal, it's weird and exctiting, and honestly? I don't ever want to be just normal with you. I can't carry on acting like we're not together, or this is casual. Because my feelings aren't casual. And I can't stand knowing that you're not mine, not officially. And I didn't want to ambush you, or freak you out. And I know we said take it slow, but I think the time is right, so will you go on a date with me of Friday?''

Brooke didn't know what to say, she just stared at him in shock. Julian had never seemed like the type of guy that would be nervous, not to her. But right now, he looked terrified, like he's completely expecting her to say 'no'. He doesn't see himself clearly at all, he thinks she's to good for him. But he's wrong, she feels completely dizzy with emotion from his words. She doesn't feel worthy of them.

So she kissed him softly on this lips, and whispered a word that Julian had been praying for.

''Yeah.''

AN: Hope you liked it!

Thanks for all your reviews, they've completely inspired me.

The song that Haley sang is called 'I Could Say' by Lily Allen. I listened to it and thought it fit in well with Chris, and how he treats her.

Oh, I posted a one-shot this weekend, it's Brulian. It's called 'Anything' check it out, and please let me know what you think about it.

Please review!