Je t'adore (I adore you)
Title: Je t'adore (I adore you)
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance
Pairing: Summer/??? (a band member)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nothing remotely School of Rock-ish. Or the Ramones (I wish) or East Side Mario's. Or Paris, for that matter. Please don't sue me!
Summary: Summer reflects on her relationship with a boy she's always known, and always been in love with. One-shot.
This fic is a one-shot. I came up with the idea at 10:00 pm last night, so if it sucks, please tell me. If you like it, though, tell me anyway. If you really couldn't care less, tell me. Basically, just review!
I went on a trip to France this summer. Paris is absolutely lovely; it's easy to see why it's called the most romantic city in the world. During the day, vendors are everywhere, selling ice cream, roses, miniature Eiffel Towers, and artists paint people's portraits as they pause in their touring. At night, the beautiful lights from the Eiffel Tower and l'Arc de Triomphe shine down on couples stealing good-night kisses. While I was there, I managed to pick up some of the French language. But one phrase sticks out in my mind: Je t'adore.
Je t'adore. I adore you. As I walk into my eleventh-grade homeroom and see all my bandmates, I can see how true these words are. I've known each person in 'School of Rock' almost my whole life, but we hadn't become inseparable until fifth grade when the band started. I got to know everyone, and I've formed a special bond with each of them. They're all so important to me. But there's one of them who I thought of as soon as I learned those two words.
Zack Mooneyham and I have lived two houses away from each other our whole lives. Our parents attend the same Block Parent meetings every Sunday, so we've spent our Sunday afternoons together for as long as I can remember. Zack had always been a shy boy, keeping inside his shell, and I - I was just Summer. A plain girl who likes to do homework. But with the start of 'School of Rock', Zack began to grow into himself. He became best friends with Freddy, the band's attractive drummer, and became hooked on all things rock 'n roll. He also started to get closer to the girls, playing songs for them on his guitar and eating lunch with them. This really threw me into a tizzy. Zack should me mine, not theirs.
Those girls didn't hear him speak for the first time (of course, I don't remember this, but our mothers love telling the story of the time he called me "Mommy"). Those girls haven't spent evening after evening making peach smoothies in his kitchen with him. Those girls don't have a running tradition in buying each other band t-shirts for our birthdays (he was born four days before me in May). Those girls don't admire the back of his head every day, wanting desperately to run their fingers through his hair. Those girls don't relish every crooked smile he sends their way. Those girls don't look deep into his chocolate eyes and see everything they ever wanted; everything they can't have.
They don't. I do.
As class is about to begin, we all select seats for the new school year. Zack and Freddy sit right next to each other at a two-person desk. I can't help but wish bitterly that I was in Freddy's place. I slide into the seat directly behind Zack, noticing slightly that Marta (my best friend other than Zack) had taken the seat beside mine. The teacher, a boring-looking woman in her late forties, strides to the board and begins the lesson. Against my better judgement, I feel my thoughts slipping away...
Zack and I, typical awkward eighth-graders, were walking towards our houses on the last day before Christmas break. After seven minutes of hurried discussion about the Ramones tribute album, we fall silent. Sure, I didn't play an instrument, but I loved rock music with a passion. I couldn't help but notice how very close our hands were dangling, the back of my red-gloved hand occasionally brushing against the back of his bare one. Suddenly, Zack broke the silence.
"What are you doing Friday night?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing," I replied, holding my breath. Zack was being so formal. Was this it? "Why?"
"I thought the band could all go see 'Lord of the Rings' together," he told me, grinning. "What do you say?"
What could I say?
My thoughts were interrupted by a small square of notebook paper, appearing on the desk before me. I turn my head to look quizzically at Marta, but she is focused on the geography lesson; it was clear the note wasn't from her. I raise my head and my eyes fall on Zack. His head is turned and he is sending me an infamous crooked grin. Involuntarily, my heart speeds up.
I curse myself almost at once; I was being stupid. Zack and I pass notes several times a week. Why should this one be any different? But I can't help myself. I somehow have a good feeling about this one.
Summershine, (I smile as I read the nickname that only he uses for me)
School bites; I wish we were at Dewey's, jammin'. Even a Block Parent meeting would be better than this, at least we could have some fun. Look, we haven't properly hung out since you've been back from Paris. How about dinner at East Side Mario's on Friday? We can go after rehearsal.
Keep it real,
Wacky Zacky
I smile ruefully. 'Summershine' and 'Wacky Zacky' - we've had those nicknames for each other since second grade. Dinner with Zack; something I know half the junior class females dream of. But he's not asking me because he wants to take me to the Homecoming dance - he's asking me because we're best friends. Something we've always been, something I've always wanted to be more of.
Biting my lip, I write, "Of course, Wacky. Sounds great! - Summershine", lean forward, and drop it over his shoulder and into his lap. I see him unfold it and read my reply. Zack glances over his shoulder at me and our eyes meet.
Je t'adore.
A/N: Well? What did you think? Did it suck? I tried making it longer, but it just didn't work out. I thought it was sweet, at any case. Don't worry, I'll still keep writing my other fic, "School of Rock: The Second Generation" (if you haven't read that one, check it out!). This is my first attempt at one-shot. Please read and review!