DISCLAIMER: I don't own School of Rock or any of its characters, as much as I wish I did. I do, however, own Alex Callahan and her family.

A/N: I'm practically in LOVE with the movie School of Rock, so I got uber-excited when I was browsing and found such an alive fan community! Now, normally I HATE stories with original characters with a passion, but please, try to give this one a chance. I'm not exactly sure which direction I'm going to go with it, either, so suggestions are greatly appreciated. Enjoy and don't forget to review!

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"Lex, we're moving back to New York."

A few years ago - three, if you want a number - those 7 words were the ones I wanted to hear more than anything else. I would have given all my limbs to climb onto an airplane and fly halfway across the country and back to my hometown of the Big Apple. But trust me when I say be careful what you wish for - after three years, you might really want to take back that wish.

I mean, I had finally gotten settled in San Diego. At age 10, I was told that my destiny lied close to Pebble Beach. Well, a few fights and screaming matches later, I shuffled onto my little "flight of destiny", longing for the state of Broadway and inevitable traffic.

Getting used to Cali was no joke. I went from prep academy to public school, and the first two years were as close to hell as I've experienced so far in my life. Drama, my attention-whore tendencies and California-bred bimbos don't mix well. In fact, it wasn't until I tried out for - and made - the cheerleading squad in 7th grade that California started to seem like home.

What happened to 7 being a "lucky" or "magic" number? 7 words, 7th grade, etc. Well, anyway, come early May, it was "back to New York for Alexandria Callahan!"

I would've had a repeat of refusals, if it wasn't for an extra variable or two. Christopher and Isabelle Callahan knew what would be coming their way, so they enlisted troops in the form of the Mooneyham family.

Ah, yes, the Mooneyhams - Aaron, Sarah, and their son, Zach. Zach was my best friend when I lived in New York - my partner-in-crime; the calm, sensible getaway driver to my insane, troublemaking bank robber. Well, those "sly" parentals of mine called the aforementioned family before telling me. Yes, I learned of the move soon before receiving an ecstatic, missing-and-can't-wait-to-see-you message from Zach on my cell phone. Oy.

Yeah, try to throw a fit when you have such an enthusiastic homecoming committee. It's not that easy, let me tell you. Well, I made an effort to ignore all the texts, voice-mail messages and IMs sent my way from NY, but all I accomplished in doing so was feeling like a bitch for shunning the guy I considered my best friend.

My San Diego friends whined constantly about how much they'd miss me. I was often reminded of how hard it would be to replace the squad's top flyer, and believe me, headaches formed from all the flat-out complaining. By the time we up and moved; I was practically pining for Zach's quiet peace vs. the chatter of the California cheerleaders.

Still, I had no idea of the "pleasures" I'd soon encounter. And after moving, I was more in the mood for a sleeping-pill-enhanced nap than the cheerful fourteen-year-old boy that awaited me. Apparently, my resting habits were of no concern to Zachary Mooneyham, who stood at the door to our house, grinning widely.

Alright, I'll admit it. I was in such an awful, cranky, jetlag-induced mood that I pushed right past Zach without so much as an indifferent "hi". I ran straight up to my room, slammed the door shut and plopped face-down onto my already-assembled bed. Groaning tiredly, I laid there until my ears picked up the whiny creak of the bedroom door. Seconds later, Zach's earnest-looking face peeked in, soon followed by the rest of his lanky frame.

"Alex?" he piped up in a voice much deeper than the one I'd left.

My own golden-blonde head popped up, complete with recently-instated platinum highlights - my parents' form of bribery and a guilt trip for moving. "Yeah," I stated lazily, barely lifting myself up. "Present and accounted for."

A small smile formed on Zach's lips. He reached up and closed the door with a gentle shove, very contrary to my owl loud, raucous-causing slam. "Or do you now go by something else? Alli? Lex? Dria? Alexia? AC?" he smirked, listing off possible nicknames and finishing with a flourish, teasing bow. "Alexandria?"

I scowled back at him, not very amused by the mention of my full name. Hey, you go around with a big, bulking name that just so happens to be an Egyptian city. "Don't even think about it, Zachary," I hissed back, more than irritated. "No one gets to call me that. Ever. For any reason. And yes, at my funeral, I expect to be referred to as Alex versus the lame name my idiot parents gave me."

I must have overdone the snapping-turtle-slash-wet-cat impersonation, because Zach's face completely fell and his gaze dropped straight to his feet. "R-right," he stuttered meekly. "Sorry, Alex."

Immediately, I felt awful. Good God, I'd almost ruined a friendship in my first two minutes back. Way to go, Callahan, I thought, mentally kicking myself. "Look, sorry, Zach," I apologized with a sigh, trying my best to sound somewhat timid or humble. "I'm just completely dead from that flight. I shouldn't have snapped, but you know me." Luckily, the whole humility thing worked like a charm. Zach's face peered up, this time with a small smile.

"Yeah," he started casually, unable to hide the forming grin of amusement. "I should've remembered how irritable you are." Normally, that would have merited a smack upside the head, but I was just too tired to move. I sat and rolled my eyes, not budging from my spot on the mattress.

"Wow," he added, looking slightly worried as he moved towards me. Placing a hand on my tanned forehead, he pretended to check my temperature. "No chase? No smack? Not even a snappy COMMENT? You MUST be exhausted. Or brainwashed. I warned you about those California types, Alex Callahan!"

And with a slight smile, I realized one thing - I, Alexandria Callahan, was back in New York City. And this time, I was here to stay.

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A/N: There you go! Yeah, I hate the title too, but I couldn't think of a better one. P I should hopefully have my next chapter up soon, but because I'm recovering from a broken finger, I have no idea what "soon" means, exactly - second chapters are always the hardest for me, so cut me a little slack. ; Anyways, hope you all liked it! Reviews would rock my world.