Chapter 4

It was a Friday night…or some people would say it was Saturday morning, and Brooke was just getting done her shift at work. She and one of her coworkers were cleaning up the bar, when she took a quick break and stepped out the back for a quick cigarette. A habit Leah didn't approve of, but Brooke took up anyway and only did it at work.

Not too long later she took one last drag, throwing the burnt out cig on the ground, blowing the smoke out of her mouth and stomping what was remaining out with her heel. Just as she was about to head back inside a hand reached out and stopped her. Quickly she turned around reflex having her punch the guy in the face.

"Ow, bitch!" He shouted holding his face.

"Back the fuck off." Brooke sternly said ready to quickly go inside.

"Wait, Brooke!" He called out.

Brooke paused, looking over her shoulder, "You know my name?" She said with a raised brow. "Who are you?"

The guy held his face for a few more seconds, checking to make sure there was no blood. Finally he looked up, "Remember Tony?"

Brooke sighed, "Psycho drug lord, yeah…he rings a bell…"

The guy smirked, his eyes flashing deviously, "My names Leo… I was pretty much his…side man and well you owe him."

"I own him nothing." Brooke spat, "Please leave."

"I just need one more thing from you." Leo replied,

Brooke shook her head, "Pretty sure I'm not in that business anymore."

Leo shook his head, "Not drugs…money."

"For what?" Brooke asked crossing her arms over her chest, a little intimidated, but looking the short, chubby man over she knew she could take him down. One swift kick in between the legs would do the trick.

"You sent him to jail…he was my money source. I'm broke with out him. I just need a few grand and I'll leave and you'll never see me again." Leo said.

"Yeah, that's what they all say." Brooke scoffed, "Once I give you the money you're back for more. Plus I don't have that kind of money. If I did, I wouldn't be living with my girlfriend's parents right now…" She replied, "Now get out of here."

"Are you sure you want to make that choice?" He asked.

"Get out of here!" Brooke shouted, shoving him.

"Okay, okay…" He replied backing off, "You'll regret it…" He muttered so she couldn't hear, and then turned and disappeared into the night.

Brooke stood there for a moment, watching him until there was nothing but darkness, and finally turned back to the door and headed back inside to finish closing up so she could go home.

The next day, which was the 23rd of the month, Haley nervously paced her room, Mimi, Maureen, Angel and Cora all watching her.

"You're going to burn a hole right through the carpet." Cora lightly teased, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

Haley nodded, playing with her fingers, "I know, but I'm so scared…" She said, stopping to look in the mirror, "Do I look okay?"

"You look good!" Maureen nodded, "I still can't believe I let Mimi and Angel dress you like that…I can't wait to see what Joanne thinks…" She replied, eyeing the tight jean shorts, and the button up white blouse, which was tied at the bottom so it pretty much showed all of her stomach. "And when the hell did you get your belly button pierced?"

Haley lightly blushed, avoiding eye contact with Maureen, "A few weeks ago…with Mimi…" She mumbled.

"Hey, you said you wouldn't say who went with you." Mimi replied, carefully eyeing Maureen.

Maureen ran her fingers through her hair shrugging, "Whatever, at least she can take it out at anytime, it's not like it's for forever…"

Angel nodded, walking over to Haley turning her so they were facing, "It suits Haley too…" She replied, brushing some hair out of her face, making sure her make up was perfect. "I think you'll do great, honey." She smiled, kissing her cheek.

Haley smiled, relaxing a little, "Thanks." She replied, eyeing everyone in the room, "Thanks you guys." She said and then walked over to Maureen, wrapping her arms around her, "Where's Mama?"

"Downstairs." Maureen answered, pulling her closer to add comfort. "You'll do great; you've done this before in musicals, in front of a whole student body."

"I know…but I still get nervous…" Haley said.

Maureen smirked, kissing the top of her head, pulling away when there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in." Haley called out.

Roger soon walked in, a grin on his lips, "Hey little rock star, you ready?"

Haley smirked, "I am…but I'm also nervous."

Roger smirked, "You'll do great. Trust me."

Mimi smiled, wrapping her arms around Roger's waist, "Trust him he used to be in a band."

"And he'll be up there with you." Cora added, "That should add comfort."

"Not only me, but the drummer too." Roger said he's face lightly falling, "That reminds me. I have to go make a call…" He said pulling away from Mimi and heading out of the bedroom.

Once Roger left, Tyler walked in the room, clearing his throat, which cued all the women to leave besides Maureen, but Mimi ended up dragging her out of the room anyways before shutting the door to give the two some privacy.

"So…big night…" Tyler said.

Haley nodded, "It is." She quietly replied, "Look…I know we had plans…I'm sorry."

Tyler sighed shaking his head, "Sorry I was mad, it's just…you've been doing this a lot Haley. I know it's your passion, but it's not fair to keep pushing me to the side. At least talk to me about this stuff, so I understand and so we can set time aside for us."

Haley nodded, walking forward wrapping her arms around him, resting her head against his chest, "I'm sorry…I will. After tonight, I promise I'll try harder. For us…and for Kylie."

Tyler lightly smiled, kissing the top of her head, "Thank you."

Not long after, the boho's and family all piled into the crowed bar. Roger and Haley were in the back waiting for their turn to go up on the stage, Haley doing the usual and pacing back and forth.

"Haley, relax." Roger said tuning his guitar, looking up when his drummer appeared, "Finally, you made it." He said, "Haley this is Justin, he's playing with us tonight."

Haley nodding, and finally took the time to stop pacing, turning to face the guy expecting him to be Roger's age, but to her surprise and delight, he looked to be around her age. "Hi…" She shyly replied, reaching out to shake his hand.

Justin smiled a perfect smile, taking her hand into his, "Nice to meet you."

"Thanks for coming out man." Roger said, clasping his hand on Justin's shoulder, "We're up next."

"Yeah, thanks." Haley smiled, which quickly disappeared when the guy on stage ended his performance.

Everything that happened next was a blur, and the next thing she knew she was sitting up on stage with a guitar in her lap and a microphone in front of her, looking over a bunch of people. Some she didn't know, and of course there were the ones she did.

The fact that Roger was sitting next to her didn't register until he leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Relax, you're going to do great." He said, and sat back in his chair, readying his guitar, and his microphone.

Haley swallowed hard, her ears perking up when she heard Collins whistle and Maureen's encouraging shout. She scanned the row where her family was, finally relaxing as her eyes hit each and every one of them, coming to the end of the row where Tyler was waiting and expecting, but she didn't get the burst of confidence from him, she actually found it in Kylie, who was perched on Tyler's lap with an excited smile on her face, shyly waving to her mommy.

Haley smiled, totally calm now, waving back to Kylie, and finally she let out a deep breath, and began to strum her guitar.

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I'll do the rest of Haley's performance in Chapter 5. I guess you can say this was sort of like Part 1 of her performance...

Thanks for R&Ring! :D