Hello, my lovely readers. This story is dedicated to the Tyler Lockwood fans and the TyLiv. RIP, Ty. On with the show…

Chapter 24: We'll Remember Tonight

When you're a geek, you're seen when people want something from you or they want to hassle you. At least that was Tyler Lockwood's experience. Of course dating a pretty cheerleader had bolstered his social status half a notch while knocking Liv Parker's down one. They didn't care. They were happy. Most of the time. Right now. Right now was not a happy time for either of them, or their friends, with Liv's pal, Hayley, in the hospital.

"She'll be fine. She has to be," Anna Zhou reassured her fellow squad members with a perky smile. Kai, Liv's weird cousin, stood beside Anna, patting her on the shoulder as she spoke. She seemed to be drawing strength from his presence.

There were teenagers all over the waiting room. Some crying. A lot on their phones, texting people, Tyler sat beside Liv who looked pale. Luke had shown up and sat on the other side of his sister, holding her hand while she stifled tears. "She's such a bitch sometimes," Liv muttered. "But she's our leader and if she's…"

"Don't say it. Don't even think it," Luke replied, letting go of Liv's hand and pulling her into a hug.

Tyler watched Elena Gilbert nurse a cup of coffee, glancing at Damon Salvatore who kept pacing around, talking to himself. Damon seemed pretty upset. Damon and Hayley's romance being fake did not seem to stop Damon from having a very real reaction to her being thrown down a flight of stairs in his house. "She'll be fine, Damon," Klaus Mikaelson said.

Damon nodded, glancing at Elena who looked into her coffee cup, unusually quiet for once. "I don't know," Damon said, running his hands through his hair and then kicking a wall.

Rebekah Mikaelson came into the waiting room and looked around at everyone. She didn't look so scary at that moment. She looked like a scared kid. Her makeup had run, mascara streaking down her cheeks. Marcel Gerard came in behind her taking her hand while the others stopped talking.

"You shouldn't be here," Amara Gilbert was the first to speak up. "You should leave." She stated calmly with her arms folded over her chest. Her boyfriend, Jackson, reached for her arm.

"Mara, babe, this isn't the time," Jack's low voice carried through the silent room.

"No! I won't!" Amara glared at Rebekah. "She shouldn't be here. We all know that Elijah is the one who pushed Hayley down the stairs. She shouldn't be here."

"Hey!" Klaus stepped forward. "You don't know anything!" he snapped at Amara who pinned him with a severe look.

"We all know that Elijah hates Hayley. And we all saw him at the top of the staircase. Case closed," Amara said.

Rebekah began to cry, shocking everyone and Kol pushed his way over to his sister. "All of you, back off!" he ordered the group but his eyes were on Amara. Their breakup had not gone well and it looked like this would be just another reason they did not get along.

"Whatever. I just hope she doesn't push anyone out a window or something," Amara muttered, going to sit down with her friends.

"She's my friend, too," Tyler heard Rebekah whisper to Kol who sat a foot from Tyler. "And Elijah didn't do this. They're wrong."

Tyler knew that Rebekah was right about that. He didn't know for sure who had hurt Hayley but he knew it wasn't Elijah. Earlier—at the party—he had come into the kitchen to find something to drink when he found Elijah with his hand up Hayley's skirt and Hayley not slapping the shit out of him like Tyler expected her to but nibbling on his earlobe. It looked like there was much more to their story than met the eye.

Two weeks later Tyler and his friends were trying to get back into the school spirit. Not that they ever really had any. More like they were counting the days until the school year ended. One more year for Tyler, unlike his best friend, Matt, who would be leaving at the end of the year. "So, I need you to help me with something," Matt said quietly at their lunch table.

"Yeah," Tyler nodded. "Anything. Name it."

Liv sat beside him, chatting with some girl he didn't know the name of about a dance that they were going to and was not paying attention to the conversation. Matt snuck a look in her direction anyway before lowering his voice. "I'm going on a date with Caroline Forbes," he whispered to Tyler.

Tyler felt his eyes widen in shock. Did Matt want the beating of his life to occur? Sure, Klaus and his pals laid off of them—most days—but if Klaus knew that Matt was trying to go out with Caroline—or even breathe on her—he would make Elijah look like the do-gooder of the family.

"Have you lost your mind?" Tyler hissed.

Marcel looked up from his lunch. "What's going on?" he asked them.

Matt glanced at him and then at Tyler. "I'm going on a date with Caroline," he replied slowly, looking around to see if anyone else was listening.

"Really? I thought she was working toward being the centerfold for Teen Bride Monthly/" Marcel smiled to make sure they knew he was joking although it wasn't really a joke since she and Klaus were engaged. Technically speaking anyway.

"Yeah. But she's going to go out with me anyway. Which is why I need you guys to do me a favor." Matt was still whispering and Tyler had a bad a feeling about where this was headed.

"Okay," Marcel nodded. "What do you need from us?"

"I need you to come with us. Like it's a big group thing. Not like it's a date date, one-one thing, that might freak her out," Matt explained.

Tyler nodded, exchanging a look with Marcel. "Yeah. That's going to work out really well until Klaus and Damon find out and kick your ass."

"Who's going to tell them?" Matt asked them, looking hurt.

"I'm dating the guy's sister," Marcel reminded Matt who glanced up as Rebekah trudged toward their table. She looked sleep deprived and kept looking around as people whispered and some shouted insults at her.

"Hey, how's Hayley doing?" Tyler asked Rebekah. He knew she skipped third period to go to the hospital and check up on the head cheerleader. Liv looked up at the other blonde, too. The whole table seemed to grow quiet.

"She's tired. She's stressed from talking to the cops. She doesn't have a clue who pushed her but doesn't believe it was Elijah. He's been released, in case anyone cares." Rebekah frowned before sliding onto a seat beside Marcel.

"Why was he released?" Matt asked Rebekah who glared at him.

"Because they couldn't find enough evidence to charge him. Of course they're idiots so they'll keep trying to pin this crime on my brother. He's innocent," Rebekah's voice had risen and she suddenly got to her feet and stormed off.

"Got to go be with my girl," Marcel told them, grabbing his tray and hurrying after Rebekah.

Liv looked relieved. "I'm just glad Hales is doing better. Do you mind if we visit her after school?" she asked Tyler who nodded.

"That's cool. Liv, Matt wants to go on some kind of big group date thing—" Tyler began when she cut him off.

"Matt, you've got a date, good for you. I always thought you were way too cute for the girls to ignore you for long," Liv said, winking at Matt who smiled back at her, flushing.

"Thanks, Liv. So any suggestions?" Matt looked hopeful and Tyler hoped this did not turn into a disaster. Klaus was already pissed with Elijah in trouble over the whole being accused of trying to kill the class Vice President thing.

"There's the Winter Formal. That's next week," Liv replied.

Matt shook his head. "Umm… Yeah. I don't think that's going to work…"

"Why not? Does she not like big dances?" Liv looked curious. "Or is it that she is afraid of being seen in public with you, because if it's the latter, then you should not go out with her. Respect yourself and others will, too."

"Yeah. Okay. Thanks." Matt looked glum.

Tyler shook his head. Yup. This was a bad idea. Then he came up with one of his own as Liv got up to leave. "I'll catch up with you," he said, when Liv leaned down and kissed him before bouncing off to catch up with Anna and Davina Claire, their ponytails bouncing behind them.

"What if Klaus didn't come to the Winter Formal?" Tyler whispered to Matt.

"And how are we going to accomplish that?" Matt retorted, pushing his tray away.

"He's not going to be able to because he'll be somewhere else." Tyler came up with a plan that would involve Klaus being out of the state.

"How are we going to do that?" Matt still seemed confused.

"Klaus loves three things in this world: his family, Caroline and art. So, we send him an official looking letter about an art thing that he needs to attend in New York. There are tons of art things in New York going on all the time." Tyler smiled while Matt blew out a breath.

"Okay. But we don't know anything about art things," Matt replied.

Tyler scoffed. "That's what the internet is for."

"True." Matt smiled and they got up, feeling better about this scheme already.

One week to the day before the Winter Formal, Tyler and Matt sat in Tyler's bedroom. Tyler created a great looking letter to convince Klaus that this whole hoax was legit. Yes, Klaus would be pissed when he got to the museum to find out that he'd been conned but Tyler wasn't worried because there was no way in hell this scam could be connected to him or Matt.

"You got it?" Matt inquired, moving a chess piece. "My rook just took your queen."

"Thanks for that. And, see, I'm being nice guy and getting you into position so you could take the queen right under the king's nose." Tyler grinned, hitting print and grabbing the letter. "Check this puppy out, man."

"Nice." Matt nodded approval before Tyler folded the letter and slipped in into an envelope. He would send it the next morning, First Class, so it'd show up about two days before the dance and Klaus wouldn't have time to think. Hopefully his parents wouldn't make a fuss either since Klaus was eighteen and should be able to go to New York by himself at the last minute if he wanted to.

One day before the Winter Formal, Matt stood in front of a row of lockers listening to Caroline and then Tyler watched Matt's mouth working. Caroline's lips pursed and she looked hesitant but then she spoke. When Matt began to smile, Tyler knew their plan had worked.

"What are you so happy about?" a voice called from behind Tyler and he turned to find Liv.

"Nothing. But I am now that you're here," Tyler told Liv, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her.

The day of the Winter Formal, Tyler and Matt got ready at Tyler's house with Marcel. Marcel hadn't mentioned Rebekah getting a phone call from a furious Klaus—yet—so it looked like things might actually work out in Matt's favor. "You ready to roll?" Marcel called to Matt who finally came out of Tyler's room, looing nervous as hell.

"Yeah," Matt nodded, adjusting his tie. "Man, I hope I don't sweat all night. Caroline's going to think I'm so gross."

"No, she's not," Tyler retorted. "She'll think you're sweet and funny because you're going to be, and by the time Klaus gets back, he's going to find you stole his girl."

Matt chuckled. "I'm not trying to steal her, I just want to have this one perfect memory of going out and dancing with the girl of my dreams. Just for one night, I get to be the guy that other guys envy."

"Cool. Let's go," Marcel strode down the stairs, Tyler and Matt following him. They picked up the girls and Tyler could not stop staring at Liv. She looked smoking in a white evening gown cut low. They hadn't spent the night together and he didn't want to pressure her. He liked that they were going slowly. The last girl he'd been with was Vikki Donavon on the night that Cami Salvatore got hit.

"Oh, my God!" Tyler said and everyone turned to look at him except for Marcel who was driving them to the dance.

"What? What's wrong, Ty?" Liv asked.

Tyler shook his head. "It can wait. I just figured something out. That's all." He felt slightly sick. Vikki had been so panicked and needy that night. He had assumed she was just pissed at Damon, as usual. But now he thought it might be something else. Did she really hit Cami and took off? How could you do something like that?

Forcing his suspicions away, Tyler got out of the car with his girl and their friends. They walked into the high school and down the hall to the gym which looked pretty great. Liv had worked really hard to make this a night they would remember and he wanted to focus on her.

"Do you like?" Liv asked, waving at the decorations.

"It's awesome. Very Wintery," Caroline observed.

Tyler glanced at the fake icy crystals hanging from the ceiling and the snow piled up in the corners. He had to admit that Liv was a genius at this kind of thing. Anna had been helping her out but the main ideas were Liv's. "Liv!" Anna shouted, coming across the floor and hugging Liv. Kai followed Anna. Liv gave Kai a look but said nothing.

"Sweet dance. Love what you've done with the place," Kai told Liv.

Tyler noticed Jeremy Gilbert watched Anna with a hurt expression as he nursed a cup of punch and stood beside Elijah's friend, Genevieve something or other. Bonnie Bennett slow danced with Enzo St. John; looking blissfully in love. Damon Salvatore stood to the side, staring at Elena Gilbert who kept glancing back at him from her table with Andie, and Silas. Kol Mikaelson danced with Cami while Tom sat at their table. Presumably Cami had forced Tom to come but couldn't force him onto the dance floor.

"Thanks," Liv replied drily before taking Tyler by the hand and dragging him onto the dance floor. Tyler couldn't help but grin as Liv looked up at him. "What?" she asked.

"You're so wonderful. I think I'm the luckiest guy in the whole school." Tyler watched Liv shake her head and laugh.

"You don't have to try so hard to get lucky tonight," Liv told him.

Tyler shook his head. "That's not why I said that."

"Uh-huh." Liv rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Tyler," she whispered.

"I love you, too, Liv," Tyler said and she pulled back. He leaned down, kissing her, pulling her as close as he could get her. Several people began to hoot and shout at them. Then a sudden hush descended on the room and Tyler pulled away, wondering what had happened.

All eyes were on the entrance to the gym. In came Hayley Marshall, on a pair of crutches, wearing a long purple dress that hugged her body. Her defiant expression begged anyone to say anything that sounded remotely like pity before she would rip them apart.

"Hayley!" Anna cried, hurrying forward and then stopped suddenly when Elijah appeared at Hayley's side. He unbuttoned his black jacket before placing an arm around Hayley and helping her forward. No one spoke. No one even moved as the pair moved further into the room.

"What are you all staring at? Dance for crying out loud!" Hayley ordered her fellow students, glaring at them. Her voice boomed through the gym as it did during so many games. Only this time it did not hold the same perky and happy-go-lucky cheerleader tone. Her voice sounded harsh and commanding. She sounded a whole lot like Elijah who had not been seen much at school since the cops let him go. Tyler now suspected that he had been sitting vigil at Hayley's bedside—when someone didn't send him away.

"How are you doing?" Liv asked, staring at Hayley who shrugged.

"Good enough," Hayley said while Elijah pulled out a chair for her.

"Punch?" Elijah asked.

"You? Or the drink?" Hayley quipped.

"The drink but if you'd like to punch me…" Elijah smirked at her.

Hayley rolled her eyes. "I want to punch the person who did this to me. Now, go get me my drink," she snapped.

Elijah glowered at the rest of the students on his way past them; bumping into several people before he noticed Matt with Caroline. Shit. It hadn't even occurred to Tyler or Matt that Elijah might have something to say about Caroline coming to the dance with Matt while Klaus was in New York. Not that Elijah cared but he seemed to be in the mood to get into a fight and Matt was just as likely a target for his wrath as anyone. Thankfully, Elena grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the sidelines.

"What are you doing here, with him?" Damon demanded and Tyler turned to see him swaying in front of Hayley.

"You don't own me!" Hayley snapped. "And you're screwing Gilbert," she added. In case anyone was listening they could pick from four options. Tyler figured most people would go with Katherine since she and Damon had history but Tyler thought it was Elena.

"And you're doing what with him? Is he just carrying your crutches around from—what—some deep rooted desire to be nice to you all of the sudden? Hello? That says: Hey, look, everyone, I tried to kill this girl and now I have a guilty conscious!" Damon snarled, leaning over Hayley who glared back.

"Damon, you're drunk and what you said about Elijah is bullshit! He's not the one who pushed me!" Hayley argued. Their voices were rising and attracting a lot of unnecessary attention.

"Really? You think so?" Damon shouted. "Well, let's get this right? Last year the guy read your diary to the whole freakin' school and put out a sex tape of the two of us for the whole junior prom to see! Tell me, Hayley, does that seem like a guy who doesn't hate you, 'cause that sounds like a whole lot of hate to me!"

"It happened in your house, Damon!" Hayley shouted, pushing herself to her feet. "My blood poured out on your floor in front of half the school and it could have been anyone! It could have been you!"

"It wasn't!" Elena shouted, coming to stand in front of the table.

"How would you know?" Hayley shouted back.

"Because we were having sex when you got tossed down the stairs," Elena confessed.

"Oh, wow," Liv muttered to Tyler. "Did not see that one coming."

I did, Tyler thought.

"So it had to be Elijah!" Damon yelled, pointing at Elijah who came toward him.

"Fuck you, Salvatore!" Elijah yelled and then he hit Damon.

Saw that coming, too, Tyler thought. Well at least Matt got his dance.

"Caroline, what are you doing here with Donavon, when Nik is in the Big Apple?" Kol's voice could be heard a couple of feet away.

"Leave her alone!" Matt snapped.

"Make me!" Kol retorted and for the first time that Tyler could remember, Matt turned to violence and punched Kol in the mouth. Soon half the high school had begun to fight the other half. Hayley sat back down, "Can I have your punch?" she asked Tyler.

"Sure," Tyler handed her the cup and Liv sighed.

"At least we got one dance to remember," Liv said quietly.

"Yeah. One good memory. I'll be back. I'm probably going to need stitches later but I'm going to try to stop Matt from being turned into a piñata by Kol and his friends." Tyler took of his jacket, placing it over Liv's shoulders, rolled up his sleeves and joined the fray. Man, he would be so happy when high school ended.

Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing.

Answers to guest reviews:

Guest: Thanks you! Awesome! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. We're going to see Hayley's chapter some time soon with lots of Haylijah moments.

Guest: Yay! And here's something else to scream about: the new update!

Guest: Thank you. It was fun showing the things that Bonnie saw that some other's did not.

Guest: Thank you. This story is really fun to write and I think that's because it is different from a lot of stories we see being published right now.

Guest: Thank you so much!

Peace,

Jessica