2004 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

Brooke and Felix became Friends with Benefits after Dare Night, which Aurora didn't think was a good idea, but it also wasn't her business, Brooke could do what she wanted. Aurora also found out that Felix has a twin sister named Anna, which is the girl Lucas met, and kissed in the photobooth on dare night.

Karen opened a club called TRIC to help Peyton pull off her 'all-ages' night since there are barely any clubs with live music available for people under 21, which Aurora thought was awesome. Peyton asked Haley and Aurora to sing at opening night because Nathan sent her a recording of the twins singing together.

Haley has horrible stage fright; Aurora does get nervous sometimes, but once the music starts, she's able to let it all go and sing. They also met this guy named Chris Keller, who Peyton said was very arrogant and a jerk.

Aurora was currently at school, walking through the hallway with Peyton and Haley, and they were approaching Brooke. Aurora felt bad, Brooke's Dad's company went bankrupt, and they lost all their money. Brooke had a yard sale the other day, and Aurora bought some of the things she knew were Brooke's favorites and gave them back to her, that way Brooke could still have some of her things and the money Aurora paid for it.

Then Aurora noticed the jar with a picture on it.

"Come on, pony up, people! There are kids in this world a lot more miserable than you!" Brooke exclaimed. One girl who was walking by heard her and dropped money in the jar. Brooke smiled. "Thank you. God bless," She said and Aurora shook her head.

"Brooke, I had no idea you were so... charitable. What's the cause?" Haley asked.

"Just... needy people," She said as someone else passing by put money in the jar and Brooke turned to them. "God bless you," She said.

"Brooke," Peyton said with an amused smile. "I recognize this photo. It's from an ad for camp medicine," Peyton said. Aurora looked at Brooke and raised an eyebrow.

"Wow! Homeless and PMSing... poor girl," Brooke said.

"Brooke!" The twins and Peyton said simultaneously.

"Alright, the money's for me. I'm the needy one as in I need some things for your club opening," Brooke said. The trio shared a look before turning back to their friend.

"Brooke, do you realize how wrong this is?" Aurora asked and Brooke sighed.

"Sort of... but what am I supposed to do for money?" Brooke asked.

"Try getting a job," Peyton said and Aurora nodded. Brooke started laughing as she shook her head.

"Right, doing what?" Brooke asked. Aurora frowned. She knows that Brooke is really talented, and if she did put her mind to something, she would be able to accomplish it.

"Anything, a number of things. What are your skills?" Haley asked.

"I dunno... I'm good with guys, dates, dating," Brooke said.

"Yeah, and?" Aurora asked. She knows there is more to Brooke than meets the eye, but she doesn't think Brooke believes in herself.

"Sex, but...-" Peyton cut her off.

"...-That would make you a hooker," Peyton said in all seriousness. Brooke laughed and shrugged. Someone else walked past and put money in the jar. Brooke smiled.

"Thank you," Brooke said. Peyton shook her head and touched Brooke's arm before continuing down the hallway. Haley followed after her, and before Aurora followed behind them, she turned to Brooke.

"Haley and I will take you shopping for tonight on a budget."

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

The twins made their way over to Nathan after Peyton separated from them to go to her locker. The trio was approaching Lucas, but they waited until Anna had walked away and it was just Lucas. Aurora wasn't actively avoiding Lucas, but she didn't understand how he could move on so quickly.

"Hi," Haley said to Lucas.

"Hey, ready for your big debut, rockstars?" Lucas asked. Haley and Aurora exchanged looks. Aurora knew her twin was nervous, borderline freaking out. Aurora wasn't as nervous, she knew once she started singing, she would get lost in the music and forget the crowd, but that would all depend on Haley as well since she would be playing the piano.

"Please don't remind us," Haley said.

"They're ready," Nathan said as he turned to his wife. "You know. Didn't you once tell me that there was such thing as over-preparation?" Nathan asked and Aurora laughed.

"Haley every time she takes a test," Aurora teased and Haley rolled her eyes.

"This is different. This is like... avoiding public humiliation," Haley said.

"She does have a point," Aurora said. Lucas sighed as he looked at his best friends.

"You're going to do great," Lucas said. Haley had an unconvinced look on her face and Aurora shrugged. She didn't like that Peyton practically forced them into it, but she was going to show up for her friend.

She just hoped Haley would too.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

As promised, after school, the James twins took Brooke shopping. She was standing and looking at a purse in a glass display case, that Aurora could tell she wanted, but now she could no longer afford it. "But I want it so badly," Brooke said as she frowned.

Haley pulled Brooke away from the case and the sisters linked their arms through Brooke's. "No, it's not in the budget," Haley said.

"Besides, if you get the purse, then you can't afford the outfit for the opening," Aurora said. Brooke shook her head as she continued to pout.

"Screw the opening. I'll stay home with the purse," Brooke said and Aurora laughed. As they continued to walk, the girls noticed that Brooke looked like she was dozing off.

"What's going on, are you alright?" Haley asked and Brooke nodded.

"Yeah, I just feel a little light-headed," She said.

"Why?" Aurora asked.

"I... um, sold some stuff," She said. Haley and Aurora shared a look before they turned to Brooke.

"What stuff?" They asked.

"None of the freaky twin stuff, please... and I sold some blood," Brooke said.

"Blood!" Haley exclaimed. The twins stopped walking, which made Brooke stop as well. "You sold blood?" Haley asked.

"Brooke, do you really think that was a good idea? You don't look well... You look kinda pasty," Aurora said.

"I'm discount shopping!" Brooke exclaimed as she continued to pout. "I'm gonna have to get used to looking like crap, and besides, I needed some extra money for the dress," Brooke said and Aurora shook her head.

"Which is only thirty-six bucks," Aurora said. Brooke held up the gold shoes she was holding.

"And the shoes," Brooke said.

"Eighteen dollars," Haley said.

"Eyeliner to go with the shoes," Brooke said. Haley did the math in her head.

"Seven-fifty, which is what? Sixty-one fifty, with tax. I mean please, you have plenty left over for...-" Brooke cut Haley off.

"...-Alcohol! We'll stop by the liquor store on the way home," Brooke said as they started walking again. Aurora shook her head.

"I don't think you should be drinking after you gave blood, Brooke," Aurora said.

"No! The woman told me to rehydrate myself...-" Aurora cut her off.

"...-Brooke, alcohol actually dehydrates you," Aurora said.

"And anyways," Brooke continued as if she didn't hear what Aurora said. "If I'm going to be seen in these shoes, I'm going to need a drink or two," Brooke said. The girls laughed while Aurora shook her head.

She still didn't think it was a good idea.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

Peyton, Karen, and the James Sisters were at TRIC. Peyton and Karen were talking while Haley was pacing. She was freaking out with nerves, and Aurora was trying to not panic, but seeing Haley panic was making her start to feel nervous. Aurora had her hair down in curls, she had on her favorite pair of ripped black jeans with a red silk shirt. Haley had her hair in a ponytail, she was wearing white jeans and a black shirt with a cute vest.

"Okay, we'll have the DJ downstairs. The bar is stocked. Wristbands?" Karen said as she was going through her opening night checklist.

"Uh, they are down front with Junk right now," Peyton said.

"That's it!" Karen exclaimed as she looked at Peyton. "It's out of our hands," She said right as her son Lucas walked inside.

"Oh no, you forgot something," Lucas said. Peyton's eyes widened as she turned to him.

"What!?" She asked on the verge of panic.

"To take a deep breath," Lucas said and Peyton smiled. "Just for a second. Look around... You guys did this and it's great," He said and Peyton nodded.

"Yeah," She said, and then her eyes widened. "Oh, goodness, but what... what if I didn't make better flyers? What if I didn't put up enough? Then, what if nobody shows up outside and...-" Lucas cut her off.

"...-Come here," Lucas said. He led Haley, Karen, Aurora, and Peyton outside to show them what was going on. "I don't think that's going to be a problem," He said.

They all looked outside at the back stairs where everyone would be coming in, there were a lot of people waiting outside for them to officially open. Aurora's eyes widened, she didn't realize just how big having an all-ages night would be. She looked over at her sister, who was leaning her head against the doorframe.

She felt herself getting more nervous.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

"Aurora, I'm freaking out. I don't think I can do this." Haley said to her sister as they were standing in the club. Opening night was underway, the music was booming, and people were everywhere, dancing and enjoying themselves. Haley saw the size of the crowd and she started freaking out.

Brooke walked up to the sisters, linked her arms through theirs, and they started walking through the club. "Okay, my thighs are itching... not so much in a good way. I think I'm allergic to polyester." She said, and Haley looked away. "But it's fine. I've had a few drinks." She said.

"We should have a few drinks because... do you see all of these people?" Haley asked.

"You two are going to be fine!" Brooke exclaimed. Aurora grabbed ahold of the bar for support, mainly for Brooke, and then Brooke pat Karen on the shoulder.

"Hey, Miss Roe! The club looks great." She said.

"Uh... let's see the wrist, Brooke." She said. Brooke held up her wrist that had a green 21 and over wristband on it, and Karen cut it off. "No alcohol! Are we clear?" Karen asked, and Brooke nodded.

"Yes." She said.

Karen smiled. "Good, now go have some fun." She said to her. Brooke also smiled before she offered her hands out to Aurora and Haley. The twins took her hands and allowed Brooke to lead them away.

But Haley was still freaking out about performing.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

The twins were now approaching Peyton. She had already talked to her sister and said that she couldn't perform. She didn't want to leave Aurora to do it on her own, but she was too panicked and she wasn't going to be able to do it. Aurora said she understood and said she wouldn't do it if Haley won't, but she does feel bad about doing this to Peyton.

"Hey," Haley said. Peyton looked at her friends and smiled.

"Hey!" She shouted above the music.

"I can't do it," Haley said. Peyton took off the headphones she was wearing and looked at Haley.

"What?" She asked.

"I can't do it," Haley repeated.

"Do what?" Peyton asked.

"Play," Haley said and Peyton's eyes widened. "At all... I...-I have to back out," Haley said.

"And you're telling me this now!? What about Aurora?" Peyton asked.

"Peyton, Haley told you that she gets nervous and panicked playing in front of others. She told you she didn't want to play, that she wasn't ready to play in front of a crowd and you pretty much forced us into it. You can't be mad at her," Aurora said as she shrugged. She understood this was important to Peyton, but at the auditions, Haley told Peyton to book Chris, but she said Haley and Aurora would do it instead, even though neither twin ever actually agreed.

"Your names are already on the poster, Aurora. There are people here expecting you to play," Peyton said and Aurora shrugged.

"You shouldn't have booked us for something you knew Haley wasn't 100% comfortable with," Aurora said.

"And so what? I mean, who's gonna know the difference, right? You've already got two acts and a DJ," Haley said.

"Fine. I'll figure it out," Peyton said.

"Okay," Haley said.

"But you're going to have to get on that floor sometime," Peyton said. Aurora rolled her eyes.

"And she will. When she's ready. Come on, Hales."

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

"Thanks for having my back, Ari," Haley said to her sister when they found Nathan and explained to him what happened. Aurora looked at her sister and smiled.

"You told Peyton upfront that you're not good with performing in front of crowds and it makes you anxious. I understand she's trying to help you get over your stage fright, but exposure therapy doesn't work for everyone," Aurora said.

"Previously on Saved By the Bell," The girls heard. Aurora rolled her eyes when she saw Chris.

"Hey, Chris. This is my husband, Nathan. And you already know my sister Aurora," Haley introduced. Nathan shook his hand while Aurora looked away.

"Married in high school? Yeah, that'll work," Chris said as he scoffed. Nathan blinked, hard. Aurora could tell Nathan already didn't like him. "Peyton told me the two of you bailed on the gig. I guess I was wrong about you guys," Chris said.

"Aurora didn't bail, I did," Haley said.

"Then I guess I was wrong about you," Chris said as he walked away. Haley sighed and looked down at the ground before she leaned forward and put her head into her hands. Nathan and Aurora shared a look of concern and Aurora frowned.

She hated seeing Haley this upset.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

Peyton introduced Chris as the next performer. He went to the stage and strummed a couple of notes, but got irritated when the crowd wasn't paying attention. He announced they weren't ready for him and walked off the stage, which led to people booing. When he walked off, he looked at the James sisters who were still backstage.

"Ah, what are you going to do, right?" He said.

"Hey, wait a second, what about Peyton?" Aurora asked.

"Tough break! At least it beats getting screwed over by two friends, right?" Chris asked as he walked away. Aurora sighed as she turned to her sister.

"I know you have stage fright, Hales... but it isn't fair to Peyton to be abandoned by two acts. We have to go out there," Aurora said. Haley sighed as she looked at her sister, and she knew she was right. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"I know."

Peyton was so pissed when she found Chris walking through the crowd, that she didn't even notice Aurora and Haley had made their way onto the stage. "Hey! What are you doing?" Peyton asked.

"Not playing," Chris said with a shrug.

"Why!?" Peyton yelled.

"Because playing to a bunch of mall rats who hate anything they can't PoGo to ain't what Chris Keller is about," He said.

"Really!? That would've been nice for you to tell me before I put you on that stage. Also, it would've been nice to know that you talk about yourself in the third person!" Peyton said.

"Okay, I get it. Curly's pissed. Look at it this way, if I hadn't done what I did. Would they be up there right now?" Chris asked as he pointed to the stage. Peyton turned around and noticed her two friends. Haley was seated at the piano while Aurora was standing at the mic. Aurora looked at her sister and nodded.

"Don't think, just play," Aurora whispered to her.

Haley nodded and started the first note of the song, also letting Aurora know what key to sing in. The girls started to sing together in perfect harmony and as soon as everyone heard their voices, they were locked in.

When their song was over, a roar of applause went up for the twins. Nathan proudly shouted for his wife and best friend. Lucas and Karen were clapping. Haley stood up from the piano and both girls smiled.

"Thank you," Aurora said as she took her sister's hand and they left the stage. Once they were backstage, they hugged each other. "You sounded great, Hales," Aurora said.

"So did you. Thank you," Haley said and Aurora knew she was thanking her for more than the compliment.

"Anytime, sister."

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

The sisters caught back up with Nathan, who was singing their praises about how good they were. Chris found them backstage again. "Predictable sappy ballad. How's it feel?" Chris asked. Haley looked at her husband who was still smiling and then she turned back to Chris.

"Uh great until you just dissed us," Haley said and Aurora laughed. Chris shook his head.

"No, look, you've both got a good sound, especially your harmonies. And watching you two tonight, I could see the three of us doing something together," Chris said.

"Really?" Aurora asked.

"I never joke about music. Here's my number," He said as he handed Aurora a slip of paper. "I've got some studio time coming up," Chris said.

"Oh, wow... Okay," Haley said and then she laughed. "Oh, I just remembered. Ari, THUD magazine wanted us to interview with them, and it's probably going to take a while," Haley said as she turned to Nathan. He shook his head and he was still smiling.

"Nah, it's cool," Nathan said.

"Okay," Haley said.

"This is your night. Enjoy it. Hales, I'll see you at home," Nathan said.

"Are you sure?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, I have to work early tomorrow anyway," He said.

"Okay, I love you," Haley said as she leaned in and kissed him. "Thanks," She said to Chris. "Let's go, Ari!" Haley said as she walked in the direction of the interviewer. Aurora smiled, but she turned back and hugged Nathan.

"You did great, Ari," Nathan whispered to her and she smiled.

"Love you, Nate," She said before following after her sister. When they walked away. Chris laughed as he looked at Nathan.

"You have any idea how many guys in the room want to nail your wife and sister-in-law?"

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

"Ari!" Aurora heard her name after her interview was over. When she turned around, she saw Lucas. She hadn't been expecting to talk to him tonight, which she thought was sad. He's her best friend and they've barely spoken since the party they threw for Nathan and Haley getting married.

She hated that.

"Hey, Luke," She said as she moved some of her hair behind her ear.

"I just wanted to say you sounded great tonight. I'm glad you finally got on stage and performed. I've been telling you to for years," Lucas said and Aurora smiled.

"Thanks, Luke... and I know, but you know I prefer dancing," She said and the two fell silent. Aurora hated how awkward it felt. When did things get this way? And were they going to stay that way? They both started to talk at the same time and then they stopped.

"You first," Lucas said.

"Oh, um, I was just going to ask... how are things with um... Anna, that's her name, right?" Aurora asked and Lucas laughed as he shook his head.

"Ari, we don't have to talk about this," He said and Aurora shook her head.

"No, I'm still your friend," Aurora said and she watched the shift in Lucas' eyes. "Best friend. We can still talk about these things... just like we used to," Aurora said and Lucas smiled.

"I met her on Dare Night. She was the stranger I kissed in the photo booth," Lucas said.

"But you didn't use the pictures to win," Aurora said and Lucas shook his head.

"She wasn't just a game to me. That was before I found out she was Felix's sister. After finding out, I was really glad I didn't use the pictures to win" Lucas said and Aurora shook her head while laughing.

"Yeah. Well, that's good Luke. As long as you're happy, that's what matters to me. You know that, right?" She said. Lucas nodded and wrapped his arms around his best friend as he closed his eyes. It felt good to hold her again, and to Aurora, it felt good to be held by him again. She couldn't remember the last time they hugged.

"I'm so proud of you, Ari," Lucas whispered and Aurora felt her eyes watered. She had no idea why she wanted to cry, maybe because she missed Luke so much, and not even as her boyfriend, she missed her friend. She felt so disconnected from him and she hated it.

"Thanks, Luke."

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

"There's my twins. You two are awesome!" Alexander James said as he threw his arms around his sisters Aurora and Haley once they caught up with Peyton. Haley smiled as she wrapped her arm around his torso and Aurora laughed.

"I'm glad you could make it," Aurora said.

"Yeah, class ran a little late, and I sped all the way back. I couldn't miss your performance," Alex said and Aurora yawned. "And it seems I need to get you home," He said and she laughed.

"Hell of a night, huh?" Peyton said to them and Aurora nodded before checking the time. It was 3 in the morning, she was exhausted.

"Yes, I'm still shaking!" Haley exclaimed and they all laughed. "Thank you so much for everything, and I'm sorry about earlier. To both of you. I was so nervous and let it get the best of me, I almost ruined this night for both of you," Haley said. Peyton and Aurora shook their heads.

"No, dude! You totally redeemed yourself after indie-boy flaked on me!" Peyton said. Haley laughed.

"You guys wanna get out of here?" Haley asked.

"Yes, my bed is calling for me," Aurora said and Alex laughed.

"Yes, but I have to clear out some stragglers," Peyton said and Alex nodded.

"We'll wait for you," Alex said. Peyton nodded and they walked to the door that had 'Private' written across it. When they walked inside, a man named Rick, who Peyton knew. He was her connection to the bands. He was doing lines of cocaine with other people.

"What the hell is going on in here!?" Alex asked.

"Hey! Relax, they're cool. In fact, Peyton and I did a couple of lines together the other night. Isn't that right, Peyton?" Rick asked as he turned to her. The James siblings all turned to the blonde and their eyes widened, but Peyton wouldn't look at any of them.

She was too ashamed.

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

s2 portion is probably going to be a bit shorter, there wasn't a lot to fit aurora into.

don't forget to vote/comment. 

xoxo.