Title: Friends?

Pairing: Mia/Alex

The applause, the anticipation, the cheering that comes from the crowd when she performs the songs that she has carefully crafted, gives her the best feeling in the world. It makes her feel good; knowing that she could touch the lives of others through the simple messages that the lyrics of her music convey. And she loves the attention too; the feeling of importance, the paparazzi stalking her every move, the young girls eagerly waving pieces of paper in her face for a simple autograph, the many fans that gather at her concerts to sing and dance along. She simply loves it all. This life was made for her.

"Not bad at all Dupree…"

The dark brunette looks up from her vanity as she finishes pulling a silver hoop from her ear. The voice registers instantly and her teeth start to grind together in frustration. Mia Catalano, another fellow musician, and Alex's arch nemesis in both music and love, appears through the reflection in the mirror, a haughty and rather conceited smirk planted on her face.

"Mia, look, if you're here to fight, I don't want to hear it," Alex responds calmly, her hand flying up in the air in dismissal. "This juvenile behavior is getting really old. We are adults, not immature sixteen year old girls."

"I didn't come here to fight," Mia replies back, her smirk turning to a warm smile. "And I mean it Alex; your music is really good."

Alex nods, although she is still unsure of what Mia's intentions are. "Well then why are you here? Not to sound rude or anything but we aren't friends... so why are you here?"

"It's about Chase…"

"Look if you're here to tell me that you want to make a move on Chase whatever, you do what you need to do. He deserves to be happy and if you want to be the one that makes him happy, I guess there's not much I can do about it. Just don't rub it in my face please… It hurts badly enough."

"I'm not here to tell you that I want Chase back," Mia responds firmly. "I ran into Chase a few weeks ago and we had a great talk. I'm here to tell you that you need to go back to Tree Hill and tell that boy that you love him."

"Excuse me?" Alex's eyes shoot open in disbelief.

"I know that we haven't been the best of friends, or really friends at all for that matter, but what I do know is that Chase loves you, don't know why but he does, and that you love him. You should see him Alex; he's so broken, so lost. It hurts me so badly to see him that way. I've tried to fix it, others have tried to fix it, but I think you're the only one that truly has the power to fix him."

"Mia… I… look, I hurt him, I know that, and I have to live with that regret every single day of my life. And I hate myself for it but I did what I had to do. You have to understand that."

"Why'd you do it?" Mia asks, hands firmly planted on her hips. "Why did you leave Chase to come on tour after you finally won the battle for his heart?"

"You're a musician Mia, you should understand of all people. I was talking to Chris Keller and he told me that he missed a lot of chances as a musician, chances that he wishes he could go back and take. And ten years from now, I don't want to look back on my life and wonder 'what if I had taken that tour'. I can't explain it Mia, I can't. But I love this life; nothing beats the sound of twenty thousand screaming fans in a sold out arena, the paparazzi following you everywhere just to dig up some dirt or snap a picture of you doing something ridiculous, the autographs, the parties. I think this life was made for me. It's what I'm destined for."

"It is pretty great," Mia nods in understanding. "But, here's my biggest problem," her smile dissipates into seriousness. "Why the hell didn't you invite Chase to go on tour with you? Why did you just let him go?" she yells, animosity tainting her words.

"I love him," Alex smiles sadly, glancing at the photo of her and Chase on her vanity. "I love him so much that it hurts and that is why I left. I'm no good for him Mia. He deserves someone like you; someone that can give him stability, security, and unconditional love. That girl isn't me. And I'm not sure it ever will be. I love living this life, in the fast lane, always on the go. I thrive off of the pressure, the anticipation. I'm not ready to settle down and live my life in a small town, regretting that I didn't take the tour that could change my life."

"I think you should be telling someone else this, not me," Mia responds finally, glancing at her cellphone. "Chase deserves to hear your reasoning."

"I have a few days off… maybe I could make a trip up to Tree Hill."

"I think you should. It's the only way that you are going to resolve the guilt that obviously lies beneath the surface, and it's only fair to Chase that you two get some proper closure," Mia replies. "Well, I have to get going or I'm going to miss my flight."

"Hey Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks," Alex smiles. "For everything, for making me realize that I left a lot of unresolved feelings back in Tree Hill, and that I owe Chase a proper explanation."

"Just looking out for a friend," Mia shrugs, because Chase's happiness means everything to her. And even if she won't admit it aloud, Alex's happiness means a lot to her too.

"Do you think we could ever… you know… be friends one day?" The look of confusion that disperses across Mia's face causes Alex to let out a weighted sigh. "I mean, I see the fierce loyalty that you have to Chase and your other friends and I don't know… I thought that maybe we could put this juvenile behavior behind us."

Mia's lips curve up into a smile as she reaches the door. "I'd like that. See you around Alice."

"Hey, only my really close friends get to call me that!" Alex retorts, as a playful smile dances across her lips.

Mia isn't sure that they'll ever be friends. After all they love the same boy. And they both belong to the same record label. But at least it's a start. And who knows, maybe someday she will actually be able to stand Alex Dupree without wanting to stab her every time she opens her mouth.