Two Stupid Brothers

By angellwings


How It All Begins


Caitlyn sat on the stairs outside of her cabin and tried very hard not to glance at the porch next door. He was sitting on the railing strumming his guitar softly. He wasn't looking at her. He had no idea she was even outside. He was caught up in whatever it was he was working on. She bit her bottom lip and rubbed the back of her neck nervously. What was she going to have to do to get his attention?

She was wearing her shortest shorts, since she'd heard he had a weakness for legs, and a bright yellow top that showed just a hint of her stomach, and she left her hair down and wavy. He'd complimented her on wearing it that way once before. She stood up and leaned against the railing of the porch. She dared to look up and stared longingly at the oblivious boy next door.

His curls looked a bit fluffier than normal. She grinned softly. She liked when his hair didn't look so tamed with all of that product. And the warm sunlight reflected the gold tint to his brown hair. The faint sound of his guitar drifted toward her and she could have sworn she heard him singing. He never sang, but when he did she always listened. She didn't think anyone really told him how good he truly was.

She sighed and slowly made her way inside. It would do her no good to sit out there and pine after him. He'd never see her. It didn't matter how she dressed or what she did.

"Still nothing?" Mitchie asked sadly.

"Nope, no change."

"Maybe he's just distracted. He is Jason, after all," Mitchie said with a good natured teasing grin.

"I guess," Caitlyn said with a shrug. "It's not really a big deal. It's not like I would see him after the summer ended anyway. I mean, maybe its better that I can't seem to get his attention." She paused and took a deep breath. "Right?"

Mitchie gave her friend a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Maybe."

"So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?" Caitlyn asked.

Mitchie gave her friend an apologetic look. "I, um, have plans with Shane. I'm sorry."

Caitlyn tried to hide her disappointment but she didn't really succeed. "No big deal. He's your boyfriend. I'd be surprised if you didn't have plans with him. Maybe Ella or Peggy can do something with me. I'll figure it out. Have fun."

"We usually do," Mitchie said with a wink. "Don't stay here and mope, okay?"

"Okay."

"Promise?" Mitchie asked warily.

Caitlyn nodded and smirked. "Promise."

"Why don't you go to the bonfire that Tess and Dana organized for tonight?" Mitchie asked. "Maybe you'll meet a rare sweet and humble Camp Star boy or maybe there's a new Camp Rock guy you haven't met and flirted with yet."

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "I don't flirt with every guy here, Mitch. I'm not Ella or Lola, you know."

"You flirt with quite a few of them," Mitchie told her with a chuckle.

"Well, when guys don't flirt with you then you have to flirt with them," Caitlyn said with a shrug and a smirk. "It's either I let myself remain sad and celibate or I take action and determine my own fate. Which would you prefer?"

"Maybe Jason hasn't made a move yet because he thinks you like other boys more than him," Mitchie suggested.

"Maybe a little competition is good for him," Caitlyn fired back. "Besides I think it's clear he's not interested so I'm not going to worry about it."

"I think you should worry about it," Mitchie told her. "It's completely possible, Cait. I mean think about how much time you two spent together last summer. You helped him with the JRs more than any of us did and you two talked nearly every day. So, what's changed? What's kept him from saying more than two words to you since camp started a couple of weeks ago?"

Caitlyn bit her bottom lip and shrugged. "Maybe I bugged him and he's avoiding me. Maybe he thought I put my nose in his business unnecessarily and he wants to handle the JRs on his own this year. Maybe he just never really liked me."

Mitchie shook her head. "I'm positive that's not true."

"Whatever," Caitlyn said dismissively. "I'm going to go take a shower and then head to that bonfire. Have fun with Shane."

Mitchie sighed and then smiled weakly at her friend. "I'll see you later tonight. Try and have fun, okay?"

"Will do," Caitlyn said with a small grin before she headed into the bathroom to get ready.

She emerged from the bathroom dressed and ready to go. She grabbed her wallet and put it in the back pocket of her jean shorts before she slipped on her high tops and headed out the door toward the small patch of neutral ground between the two camps. That was where Tess and Dana decided to have the bonfire. They thought it would keep Axel from doing a repeat performance of last summer's bonfire and trying to steal campers and staff. Tess and Dana had worked really hard to try and make this a truly social event for the purpose of making friends.

How successful this event would be was yet to be seen, but everyone seemed to be excited about it. Caitlyn ran into Ella on the way. Ella had been busy settling in to her brand new wardrobe cabin the last two weeks but Caitlyn had noticed she'd looked as unhappy as Caitlyn felt most days. Ella was muttering to herself as she walked but when she noticed Caitlyn she pasted on a bright excited smile.

"Cait! Hi! How are you?" Ella asked with faux brightness.

Caitlyn looped her arm through Ella's and smiled kindly. "No need to pretend with me, El. I know you're dreading this bonfire."

Ella sighed and leaned her head on Caitlyn's shoulder. "When Dana told me she and Nate had broken up a couple months back I was really excited about this summer, but it's been two weeks and do you know what Nate's been doing that whole time? Do you?"

Caitlyn quirked a brow at her. "Writing angst ridden break up songs?"

"No, that's what I expected him to do. Nate and I have been talking at least twice a week since last summer and in all that time he's become one of my best friends so when I found out he and Dana had a mutual break up I thought, 'okay, so he'll shut himself up and write a bunch of sad songs and then he'll snap out of it and everything will be great. Maybe he'll even notice me.' But no, no that hasn't happened. Do you know what he's done instead? He's been trying to set me up! He's been sending guys my way for me to date. What the hell is that about, Cait? Can you tell me that? Because, seriously, I am mystified. No guy I've ever been interested in has tried to set me up with other guys. That's worse than being ignored!"

"He's been sending his buddies your way to date you?" Caitlyn asked with a furrowed brow.

"Yes! It makes no sense! I mean I actually thought he might like me before camp started. We'd been talking a lot more and even flirting. At least, I thought we were. But then we get here and he's introducing me to his friends or leaving me alone with one of them and winking at me. Winking. Sometimes I want to punch him in the face! You'd think eventually he'd notice I was politely declining every one of them. Why are boys so weird?"

"I have no idea. My guy of choice is currently ignoring my existence all together so I'm just as confused as you," Caitlyn said with a shrug.

"If he throws another guy at me I swear I will slap him," Ella said with a huff. "He's an idiot. And so is Jason. I mean I thought for sure you guys would have been together by now considering last summer. I mean you two were totally flirting during that water battle. I could have sworn I spotted an almost kiss too."

Caitlyn sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "You did. I completely ignored every guy that was interested in me this past school year in anticipation of coming back here and seeing Jason, but given the way he's been acting maybe I shouldn't have."

"And if Nate wants me to date someone else so badly then maybe I will," Ella said with a decisive nod. "Caitlyn, will you be my prowl partner tonight? We can scout out the new talent and maybe find some worthwhile guys to waste time with while Nate and Jason continue to be morons."

Caitlyn laughed and nodded. "That sounds like a brilliant idea. I will definitely be your prowl partner."

"Yay!" Ella said excitedly. "This will be the most fun I've had all summer. Dana said there are new Camp Star recruits that are actually nice guys and she said Axel got a celebrity instructor of his own."

"He did?" Caitlyn asked curiously.

"Yes," Ella said with a bright smile. "None other than Christopher Wilde. And I think Christopher brought his buddy Stubby with him too. Dana promised to introduce me. Of course, I was so caught up in Nate drama that I didn't really seem to care too much when she told me. But now…now I think I might just take her up on that offer. Want to join me?"

"Yes, please," Caitlyn said with a smile. "I've heard Stubby is hilarious. Mitchie met him once at Shane's birthday party. She loved him."

They finally reached the party and Ella immediately pulled Caitlyn toward Dana. Caitlyn spotted Jason and Nate chatting as they passed right by them. Nate looked up at the two of them and his brow furrowed in confusion and Jason had waved sheepishly at her. Caitlyn had pointedly ignored his wave and turned her attention to Dana.

"So," Dana said as she winked at Ella. "Christopher Wilde is here. Are you still uninterested or should I introduce you?"

"Introduce me," Ella begged. "Please introduce me."

"Nate being a moron?" Dana asked knowingly.

"Yes! Was he like this with you?" Ella asked.

Caitlyn's eyes widened and she grinned. "Wait, Dana, you know about Ella's thing for Nate?"

Dana nodded. "Nate and I grew apart very quickly. Our relationship quickly became merely a friendship. We were both just too stubborn to admit it. I haven't really felt anything for him in a very long time. I don't mind."

"She practically blackmailed my feelings out of me," Ella said with a grin and a roll of her eyes.

"So, this situation isn't awkward for the two of you?" Caitlyn asked.

"It was at first," Dana said with a shrug. "But now that I'm into someone else I just want Nate to be happy and I think Ella would make him happy."

"You're into someone else?" Caitlyn asked with a secretive smile. "Who?"

Dana bit her bottom lip and glanced over at Andy discretely. "Oh, just a certain drummer we all know. And if he wasn't so painfully shy we'd be dating by now."

"At least you know Andy likes you," Ella grumbled. "And at least he's not shoving you toward other guys."

Dana's eyes widened and she smirked in amusement. "Nate's trying to set you up with other guys? God, he's so stupid. He probably doesn't even realize he likes you."

"He doesn't like me!" Ella exclaimed. "He wouldn't want me to date other people if he did."

"Trust me, Ella, he likes you. He was talking about you all the time even before he and I stopped dating. That's how I knew I didn't have feelings for him anymore," Dana said honestly.

"What do you mean?" Caitlyn asked.

"He spent so much time talking about Ella," Dana answered. "And yet I wasn't jealous. Not even a little bit. I just…didn't care. And that's the moment I knew. Come on; let me introduce you to the guys. You'll like them."

"I don't think your situation with Nate is as hopeless as you think, Ella," Caitlyn told her.

Ella scowled. "Then there shouldn't be anything stopping him from making a move, should there?"

"What about you and Jason, Caitlyn?" Dana asked. "I got the impression you guys were an item last summer."

Caitlyn blushed and smiled shyly. "You did?"

"Yeah, weren't you?" Dana asked as they made their way through the crowd.

"No, we weren't. But I thought that this summer we might—but we haven't. He's completely ignored my existence," Caitlyn said with a huff.

"Ah, so the moron thing must run in the family, huh?" Dana asked with a teasing grin as they finally reached the mob of girls next to the fire pit. Dana rolled her eyes at them and cleared her throat loudly. "Ladies, let me through. Geez, you'd think you'd never seen a celebrity before." Dana pushed her way through and then put herself between the girls and the two new guys. "Back off. Go mingle with some other people for a little while. Shoo!" She dismissed the girls and waved them all away before she motioned Ella and Caitlyn forward.

"Sorry, Chris," Dana said with a sigh. "I was hoping the girls would be a little cooler than that, but that shows how much I know." Once Ella and Caitlyn were standing beside her she smiled warmly at them. "Chris, this is the girl I told you about. Ella Pador, Van Pador's daughter."

Christopher Wilde beamed at her and eagerly shook her hand. "Oh man, I am so happy to meet you! Headline's music was such an inspiration to me growing up. They're legends."

Ella blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll be sure to tell him you said so. He'll love to hear that."

"And this is Stubby, Chris's partner in crime. And then this is Caitlyn Gellar. She's one of the dance instructors at Camp Rock," Dana said as she finished the introductions.

Stubby beat Chris to Caitlyn's hand and winked playfully at her as he kissed the back of it. "Caitlyn, it's a pleasure to meet you. I think I've actually heard about you before."

"You have?" Caitlyn asked in surprise.

"You're Mitchie Torres's best friend, right?" Stubby asked. "She told me all about you at Shane Gray's birthday party last year. She said you've won several dance competitions?"

Caitlyn blushed and nodded. "I have. How do you remember something you heard about me nearly a year ago?"

Stubby shrugged. "Her description of you impressed me and it…stuck with me I guess."


"What is that?" Jason asked with a huff. "Did he just…kiss her hand? You know, I've always liked Stubby, but right now…I'm not so keen on him. Why is he kissing Caitlyn's hand? Why is she letting him?"

Nate crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the couples by the fire pit. "I don't know, but I'm beginning to regret agreeing to do that collaboration with Chris on our last album. Do you see the way he's looking at Ella?"

"I thought you wanted her to date someone else? Didn't you say having her date someone else would keep her from being a distraction to you?" Jason asked in confusion.

"Yes, but I wanted her to date someone harmless. Not freakin' Prince Charming," Nate grumbled.

"Hey, guys," Andy said with a smile as he joined them. "What's up?"

"Oh nothing, just watching the show," Nate said with a sigh as he motioned to Chris and Stubby. "Everyone seems to fawning over them."

"Oh yeah," Andy said with a nod. "Dana told me she wanted to set Chris up with Ella. She said something about Ella having a weakness for musicians."

"Dana did this?" Nate asked with a glare. "I think I need to have a little talk with her."

"Wait, haven't you been trying to set Ella up with someone?" Andy asked in confusion. "I kinda thought you'd be happy for her. They seem to really be hitting it off."

"I've been setting her up with guys who are nowhere near as interesting as Christopher Wilde. Guys who would bore her after a while and certainly weren't anywhere near her equal when it comes to talent—"

Jason smirked at Nate. "And guys who also weren't a very big threat to you, right?"

Nate huffed. "I never said that."

Andy suddenly understood. He chuckled and shook his head. "Nate, why didn't you just ask her out?"

"I'm trying to write this summer. We've got an album to produce this year and I need to focus. I can't do that with her distracting me with her eyes and her smile and her…everything," Nate said with a sigh. "Besides, she deserves someone a lot nicer than me. I lack a certain social grace that Ella possesses in leaps and bounds. She likes to dance and socialize and I'd much rather spend a quiet night at home. And I look like an idiot when I dance."

"You look like an idiot right now in my opinion," A new voice said.

Dana joined them and Nate figured she must have made her way over to them while they were watching Caitlyn and Ella.

"Gee, thanks," Nate said with a sigh.

"Ella doesn't care about what you look like when you dance or how terrible you are at talking to people. She likes you, dummy. And have you ever thought that her eyes and her smile and her everything might inspire you to write? That she might actually help you write better songs?" Dana asked in a scolding tone as she put a hand on her hip. Then she turned on Jason and glared at him. "And you, what's your excuse? Why have you been ignoring Caitlyn?"

"Me?" Jason asked sheepishly. "What did I do?"

"Did you know Caitlyn has been waiting for you to make a move?" Dana asked with a sigh. "Or at least talk to her? I mean, even I could see how close you guys were last summer so why haven't you spoken to her or acted like you even wanted to talk to her since summer started?"

"I—I wanted to make sure she liked me as much I liked her so…I was giving her space to come to me," Jason said lamely. "I was afraid I was more invested than she was so I thought if I avoided her she'd come find me."

"That's stupid. If you wanted to know how much she liked you then you should have just asked her," Dana told him with a shake of her head. She turned and looped her arm through Andy's before she kissed his cheek slowly. "And you, Mister, had better ask me out tonight. I've been waiting far too long. I mean I get that you're shy, but…enough already."

Andy quirked a brow at her and grinned. "You've been waiting?"

"Yes, and don't pretend you didn't notice because I know I've been obvious," Dana said as she poked his chest. "Now come on, let's leave these two idiots to think about what they did."

Jason and Nate watched Dana and Andy walk away in silence. Once they were out of earshot Jason turned to Nate and shook his head. "She's right. We're idiots."

"Yeah, well, too late now," Nate said with a scoff. "Ella's smitten with the Prince of Pop."

"I thought Justin Timberlake was the Prince of Pop?" Jason asked with a furrowed brow.

"Fine, the Prince of Pop-Rock, is that better?"

Jason shrugged. "I guess. Honestly, I'm not sure I care. Are you really going to just give up?"

Nate sighed. "I can't compete with Chris Wilde, Jason. He's a lot more charming than I am."

"Well, I'm not about to let Stubby steal Caitlyn right out from under me," Jason said with a determined glare. "I've been an idiot, yes, but it's nothing I can't fix."

"What are you going to do?" Nate asked curiously.

"I'm going to go talk to Caitlyn," Jason told him. "I should have had this conversation with her two weeks ago, but I chickened out. Well, not anymore. Are you coming or are you just going to stand here and be unpleasant all night?"

"I'm coming," Nate said with a sigh. "What else have I got to do?"