A/N: This story starts in 2005. Cadee is 16, she is my own character. The guys are 17 and are based on the guys from All Time Low. (except for Cadee's brother, who is also 17.) All music referenced corresponds to All Time Low history, as best as I can.. (i.e. you will not find new songs, at least not right away. I plan for this story to expand over the years, so stay tuned for new music.)

Any questions: feel free to ask! ENJOY!

Childhood Memories

Cadee:

It's the beginning of May and I'm sprawled out on my back with my head hanging off the end of Alex's bed. Evan is sitting against the headboard watching the TV on the opposite wall. Alex is on the floor with his head right next to mine.

Evan is my brother. He is a year older than me, and he's one of my best friends. At first glance you would not think we are related. He is tall, about six feet, with light brown shaggy hair that always looks like it needs to be cut.

I on the other hand am all of 5'2", with dark brown, practically black hair with streaks of deep red in it. We could not be any more different on the outside, but otherwise we were practically the same person.

Alex is my other best friend. Alex and Evan look more like brothers then Evan and I look like brother and sister. Alex is also tall, about six feet. Has the same light brown hair, just longer, and messier. He lives next door. Our parents have become close friends, and they've called us the three musketeers since we were little. We do everything together.

Sitting here in Alex's room after school reminds me of so many other days in our past. My mind starts to drift, I can remember the first day the boys let me hang around them.

I was ten. Although Evan and I were pretty close, I wasn't allowed around when he had friends over. I was no longer his friend, just his annoying little sister. On this day I got home from school and followed the guys into Evan's room. I fully expected to be ushered out and for the door to be slammed in my face just like any other day, but I guess today wasn't just any other day. They didn't seem to even notice me, so I sat down quietly on Evan's bed and just enjoyed the moment of feeling included.

The guys seemed excited about something, although I couldn't tell what. Alex grabbed the remote and switched on the TV that sat in the corner on top the dresser, while Evan was talking excitedly.

"So, I think the new girl likes you!"

"What? No." Alex said with disbelief.

"Come on, you didn't notice her staring at us?" replied Evan.

"Maybe she was staring at you!" Alex yelled back.

"Are you guys talking about Sarah? I think she's cool." I chimed in before I realized that probably wasn't such a great idea.

"Cadee, what did I say about hanging around when I have friends over? Scram," Evan said instead of answering.

"No man, its cool. If she wants to hang around that's fine."

I couldn't hide my smile. I was finally allowed to hang out with the guys. I think that's the day we became the three musketeers.

Now, the guys are talking about the new girl in their Spanish class. I guess things haven't changed that much; it's still girl talk. Only now they don't still think that girls have cooties. Apparently this new girl is extremely hot. Not that I would know, I've never seen her. I hate listening to the guys talk about girls. I've had to endure enough girl talk to last a lifetime, so I try to tune them out and pay attention to the music video playing on the TV.

I'm doing such a fine job of tuning them out that I don't realize Alex is asking me a question.

"Cadee?" Alex smacks a pillow over my head. "I asked if your coming to band practice with us?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess," I reply while I roll my eyes at Evan's goofy expression.

"Good. I just finished a new song and I wanted your opinion."

"Why, don't trust the guys to give you a serious answer?" I said with a grin.

"No, actually I don't. Jack would probably just crack a joke about the song being about Ms. Keith or something stupid." Everyone hates Ms. Keith. We all had her for freshman English, and she doesn't like anyone.

I guess I should tell you that Alex is in a band called All Time Low. They started playing together their freshman year. They are actually quite good, if I do say so myself. Although I may be partially biased based on my friendship with Alex, but hey, what can I say?

Alex:

I am so nervous about playing this song in front of Cadee. I've known her since my family moved in next door when I was like seven. She was the annoying little sister of a cool kid named Evan, who became my best friend. A lot has changed in the past ten years. She's not so annoying now; she's actually pretty cool. I guess you could say she's one of the guys. She is kind of a tomboy. Always wearing Evan's old T-shirts and band T's, with jeans or shorts (I think I've only seen her in a skirt or dress like two or three times, tops). She listens to most of the same music as us. You would probably call her the 'good girl,' she's always trying to stop us from doing something stupid, or get us out of trouble. Which happens a lot. She is an amazing listener, which is probably the biggest reason why I like her.

Yes, I like her. I've liked her for a while now. Not that I'd tell anyone that, I mean she's by best friend's little sister. Never going to happen!

I'm starting to rethink asking her to come to this particular band practice. I wrote this song about her, and now I don't want her or her brother to hear it. What if she realizes it's about her? What if Evan realizes it's about her? I don't know what Cadee would do. Evan on the other hand would most likely kick my ass.

We're in our drummer Rian's basement and about to start practice. I suggest we start with a cover song just to get into the grove of things so we start playing Dammit by Blink 182. They are probably my favorite band. A lot of the covers we do are Blink songs.

"I'm going to get some drinks, anyone want anything?" Cadee asks over the music as she heads to the stairs. Everyone starts yelling out their requests. It's very rare that someone offers to get refreshments; I must admit we are a lazy bunch.

While she's gone I inform the guys that I have a new song I want to try out. I start playing, hesitantly at first, trying to remember the chords. Then I start to belt out the lyrics I wrote while I was up late last night.

I'm sitting here wishing for something that's missing

I'm waiting for you to tell me

That time keeps on passing

I'm hoping, I'm asking

To stand by your side

At least for tonight...

Cadee:

I stood at the top of the stairs with the door open, drinks and snacks in hand, listening to Alex sing. He had mentioned a new song that he wanted me to hear. I'm surprised he didn't wait for to come back to start playing it. I decide that I can't stand in the hall forever and make my way down the stairs slowly.

...Now lets take our chances

Please give me your answer

It's all up to you so please take me away

We've waited for so long

I can't say it feels wrong to close my eyes

When all I see is you-

Alex abruptly stopped singing when his eyes met mine. I had just taken the final step into the basement. I feel awkward now that every one has followed the their eyes to the reason why Alex stopped singing. Me. Although I have no idea why.

"Uhmm. I was hungry and thought you would be too. Here." I laid everything out on the coffee table by the large couch closest the guys practice space.

Zack, the bassist, and Jack, the guitarist, were the first to dig in to the bowl of popcorn and sodas I laid out. While the boys dove for the snacks I peeked over at Alex through my bangs. I found Alex was staring at me but he quickly looked away when he noticed me watching.

I decided to break the tension and comment on his new song; after all he had said he wanted my opinion, right?

"Alex I like the new song. What I heard of it anyway."

"Uhh, thanks. I'm still working on it, and they guys haven't learned it yet." He was kind of rushing his words, he seems nervous. I think I caught him off guard. He probably isn't used to hearing compliments, especially around these guys.