A/N: Big thanks to all those who've returned to the story and thanks for the reviews. Not such a long wait this time.

Atmosphere

Monday rang in and for a lot of people it was the first they saw of each other since Rachel's party. There were plenty of whispers; some trying to remember while others were purely gossiping. Rachel had no problem remembering when she wanted to forget. Things didm't go the way she had planned and she ended up drinking a lot. She at her locker when Bevin and Theresa walked by. Bevin stopped to talk to Rachel, much to Theresa's distaste.

"Rumour has it that you finally hooked up with a Scott brother." Bevin said brightly.

Rachel looked at the two of them and ignored the comment. Rachel's hope that they would move on was dashed when Bevin continued. "I was surprised to see you hooking up with Lucas when you've been chasing Nathan for most of the year." Bevin was the only one smiling as Theresa's face turned from distaste to pure anger. Rachel rolled her eyes as she didn't want to spend anymore time thinking about her mistake with Lucas. Theresa reached over and slapped Rachel on the face. The force was enough to knock over the sunglasses that Rachel was wearing. While Theresa was ready for a fight, Rachel couldn't care less. The fact that Theresa slapped her meant that Rachel was not going to let this go. She retaliated by grabbing Theresa's hair. Bevin looked a bit clueless while students started to gather round as they saw the two cheerleaders fighting. Eventually a couple of teachers came to break it up even though Theresa and Rachel were still reaching for each other. Then a lightbulb lit up in Bevin's mind, "What a minute. Isn't Lucas Theresa's boyfriend."

After Nathan told Brooke how good a singer Haley was, the cheerleader tried to devise a way to get Haley to perform at Peyton's open mic night. After running through a couple of ideas, she settled on the only way she thought had an actual chance of working. She didn't have much time to get her plan into action so when she spotted Haley, in school, she decided there was no time like the presence to set the wheels in motion. "Hi Haley."

"Got your text, what's up?"

Brooke took a seat next to Haley, in the tutor room. "I kind of need your help with something important."

"OK."

There was a long pause of silence as Haley waited for Brooke to say something. Brooke was being silent on purpose as part of the plan. After a while, Haley got frustrated with the lack of words from her friend. "It would help if you told me what exactly you need help with."

Brooke was trying not to smile, as Haley played right into her hands. "Sure. Well the open mic night is on Saturday and things haven't been running according to plan. I want to do something to help."

"OK, though I'm not sure where I come in Brooke." Haley knew Peyton was having some teething problems but couldn't think what Brooke would want from her.

Part of Brooke's plan was to show some vulnerability when approaching Haley. She knew that walking in confidently wouldn't necessarily work. Sincerity at wanting to do something for Peyton was her best shot and getting Haley to perform would be the solution. Brooke started to nervously play with her fingers, while avoiding eye contact with Haley. "I want to sing but I need you to accompany me and play your guitar."

"How do you know I play? Did Nathan say something?" Haley looked suspiciously at Brooke and wondered what Nathan had told her since her heard Haley sing.

Brooke laughed, "I've been to your house. I know you wouldn't have a guitar in your room just for show. Please will you help?"

"I don't know." Saying Haley was hesitant, was an understatement. She was afraid of performing.

"All you have to do is play." Brooke tilted her head and started to pout. I'll owe you forever and I know Peyton will appreciate it."

Haley was still undecided. Even though it would just mean her playing her guitar it would still mean she would be on stage and that frightened her. Brooke broke her out of her thoughts by continuing to speak. "Pretty please with anything you want on top. Name your price."

"What?" Haley said, missing part of what Brooke had said.

Brooke went into confident mode to try and press Haley more. "Go on, name it."

Haley sighed before she responded, "I don't have a price."

Brooke tried to turn on the charm more but to also try and make Haley feel a little guilty. "So what do I have to do to get you to help your friend?"

"There's no need for anything."

Brooke clapped excitedly "So you'll do it."

"I never said yes."

"But you never said no." And Brooke knew she had Haley exactly where she wanted her. Brooke started to get up, thinking it was the best time to end the conversation and leave. "I've got to go and get an outfit but I'll be at yours tomorrow so we can rehearse."

"But I didn't agree." Haley shouted while the other students looked at her. Brooke had already left before Haley could finish speaking. While outside the room, Brooke said to herself, 'Phase one completed.'

Melissa had been sitting at the desk of her classroom marking the latest assignments her students had handed in. She had been trying to keep a low profile in fear of what Brooke was going to do next. As she started to think of a way of getting out of her predicament, she noticed the student she wanted to speak to, walking pass her door. She quickly got up to try and catch them. "Rachel, can I speak to you for a moment please?"

Rachel looked around to see if anyone was watching before following Melissa into the vacant classroom. Once the door was closed, she spoke, "I told you not to speak to me at school."

"This couldn't wait." Melissa sighed, not really wanting to deal with all the drama that was laid at her table. "Whatever fight is going on between you and Brooke Davis has to stop now."

Rachel crossed her arms and looked unimpressed. The teacher was one of her least favourite people and she couldn't believe she was trying to order her around. "Why and what does it have to do you with you?"

Melissa started to rub her right temple, something she always did when she was stressed and could feel a headache coming on. "Just do what I say."

"I will never do as you say, Melissa." Rachel raised her voice, making it clear that she wasn't going to obey the teacher's wishes.

"Don't call me that." Melissa didn't like the way Rachel treated her. There was very little respect from the younger girl and Melissa was sick of it. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be anything she could do to make things better.

"Whatever." Rachel walked out of the classroom, leaving a frustrating Melissa wondering how bad things were going to get.

Haley found herself trying to find a way to break it gently to Brooke that her voice wasn't as good as she thought. Brooke was very enthusiastic to help Peyton out and Haley couldn't knock her effort. She just thought that if the actual performance went anything like their rehearsal, the popular cheerleader would become the high school laughing stock.

Brooke could see that Haley was trying not to let her frustration show. To Brooke, this meant that her plan was working. Brooke wasn't the best singer but she could actually carry a tune. She was trying her best to sound as bad as possible but at times found herself singing the correct note. Brooke had even pretended to forget the words to the song to try and highlight how unprepared she was to step on the stage and perform. Deciding that she had tortured Haley enough for one session, she decided to call time. "I don't think I need anymore practice. Thanks Haley."

"When do you want to practice next?" Haley asked, thinking that if this performance was really going to happened, they would need a couple more practices.

"You misunderstood me. That's the only practice I want. I'm ready to serenade my secret girlfriend." Brooke started to gather her stuff to get ready to leave. "I still need to find that killer outfit."

"Brooke, I really think we should have another practice."

"Don't worry. It's gonna be fantastic. I'll see you later. Thanks again, Hales." Brooke walked out of Haley's room, while Haley put her guitar down and threw herself on her bed. Brooke hadn't quite left and she laughed as she heard the muffled sounds of Haley screaming into what she assumed was her pillow.