Prologue
Laney's P.O.V.
"Corey, I'll miss you. Just promise me you'll stay strong…no matter what. And that we'll stay," I breathed a heavy sigh. 'Really? Chickening out again are we? 7 years Laney! 7 years! God, listen to me for once will you?' "Best friends!" I smiled wanting to kick myself in the gut. 'You idiot! Ugh!' "Lanes, you sure you can't stay?" His head was lowered and was clenching the knees of his orange khakis. "Core, you know if I could I would! But, I gotta do this. You know that." He breathed out a heavy sigh and finally responded after the silence."Okay Lanes. If you gotta do it, I'll support you." He smiled. I could see right through him, he put on a fake smile. For me….he was distraught. "Corey, I really like you and you're my best friend. I wanna see you in a few years….ok?" He smiled, really this time. I gave him a hug and it was returned. "Okay, Lanes….no prob." I squeezed my one-sided lover tightly and whispered to myself. "I love you…"
10 Years Later….
"Laney, really?" Claire said, snapping me out of my trance. I was in awe of the unchanged Peaceville. I wasn't in Peaceville for more than 10 minutes and was already eager to see my Grojbandians together, Gentle Giant Kon, Creepy Nerd Kin, and Corey. My best friend….I was so homesick and worried. 'What if they all moved away? What if they broke up? What if…they all moved on?' I thought and cringed. Yes, I, 23 year-old Laney Penn was spazzing out. I don't know what happened I'm all shy now and…afraid. I am so scared of…being rejected and left out like my sister, Lindsay did to me. My face fell slightly. But, I'm not going to tell you about my boring flashback. "Chin up, will ya'? I've got a surprise for you Elaine." Claire proudly announced. Yeah, she called me Elaine. I have gone by 'Elaine Adrienne Penn' for most of high school and college. My nickname is Laney. I thought Laney would make me sound slacker….ish. I had been so worried, I hadn't noticed Claire was talking "Laney, there's this place called 'Sing it, Sign it!', and….I got you a gig!" "WHAT?!" "Yeah! I thought it'd be…ya' know cool….since your talented and all." "Psh….w-what? I can't sing a lick." "OH. ELAINE. PENN. I. KNOW. THAT. GAME! You can't fool me!" Yep, Miss Dominance is back in business. That's what she's known around campus for, her ability to just take charge. "I heard you sing before in the shower-" "Singing in the shower? You know it changes your voice when you sing….right?" I interrupted, embarrassed. "Will you let me finish?" "Sorry." "Mmhmm. ANYWAY! Also, you should learn to quiet down when listening to your IPod, Elaine." "Oh…" "So will you do it?" "I guess so….but you owe me!" "You won't be saying that when you see who's there." "What?" "Nothing." "So when is it?" "At 8…why?" "8…tonight?" "Yes….why?" "8 TONIGHT? I'LL BARELY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET READY! HURRY UP!" Claire quickly grabbed her keys, found her car and put the luggage in the trunk. "COME ON, CLAIRE I ONLY HAVE LIKE, 5 HOURS TO GET READY!" "That's plenty of time!" "JUST DRIVE, DANG IT!"
*Wicked Cool Transition*
I was in Claire's cousin's apartment lavatory applying light make-up when Claire came inside. "Could you hurry up?" I sighed, putting down my mascara. "Now, Claire honey. You can't rush beauty!" I turned towards the mirror. I had on a white blouse, sparkly black bowtie, sparkly black shorts, white and black oxfords, and fingerless gloves. My butt-length hair was into a side ponytail with a tiny black bow to hold the rest of my hair up. "Oh gosh. You and Nicole. I'll be in the car. WAITING." She walked off .Claire had on a peplum shirt with jeggings and sneaker boots (A/N: Don't remember the real name. Sorry!). Ah, how cute. "K, honey!" I finished with my make-up and left out the door.
*SKIPPIN' DRIVE TRANSITION *
"Well?" "Okay. Let's go." We walked into a club-like scene. You know flashing lights that could make someone have a seizure, popular music BLASTING, and drunks. Dancers, hookers, people that bob their heads, and partiers. You know, the usual. 'I don't think I can do this. I haven't performed in 10 years, and by MYSELF! I only do duets or something. I practically need someone to DU-ET with me.' Claire noticed my nervousness, and tried to break it. "Whatcha going to sing?" "It's….a surprise." "Okay, I'm gonna eat. You go on in a few minutes. Scan the stage, walk around, dance, practice. Whatever makes you feel better about performing?" Claire trailed off walking away. I walked around, I slightly bumped into someone. "Watch it will you?!" I turned around to face the person. "Sorry, about that!" I said smiling sheepishly, backing up slowly. I bumped into someone again. "Oh! I'm sorry about that-" I turned and saw him. Corey. OMG. "Lanes?" My mind went blank. Suddenly, I was dumbstruck didn't know what to say. "Uh….um…" "It's me, Lanes! The only one who calls you Lanes?" "C-…." I was unsure. Not this smoking hot, nonchalant, muscular guy. He couldn't be my sweet sided, big-headed Corey. No, I won't believe it. "It's me, Corey!" "Corey Riffin?" "Yeah Lanes!" "LANEY! LANEY! What are you…doing…you…go…on…now." Claire replied, feeling like she interrupted us. "Good-Bye Corey." He waved as I walked away with Claire. "Who was that?" "I don't know." "Yeah, yeah! Now, get up there and sing, yeah!" She said pushing me onstage. 'Here we go.'
You gotta help me out
It's all a blur last night
We need a taxi
'Cause you're hung over and I'm broke
I lost my fake ID
But you lost the motel key
Spare me your freaking dirty looks
Now don't blame me
You wanna cash out
And get the hell outta town
Don't be a baby
Remember what you told me
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Why are these lights so bright?
Did we get hitched last night?
Dressed up like Elvis
Why am I wearing your class ring?
Don't call your mother
'Cause now we're partners in crime
Don't be a baby
Remember what you told me
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
You got me into this
Information overload, situation lost control
Send out an S.O.S.
Ha, and get some cash out
We're gonna tear up the town
No, don't be a baby
Remember what you told me
Remember what you told me
Remember what you told me
Told me, told me, oh yeah
Shut up and put your money where your mouth is
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
Get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now
That's what you get for waking up in Vegas
That's what you get, baby
Shake the glitter
Shake, shake, shake the glitter
Gimme some cash out, baby
Gimme some cash out, baby
"LANEY! LANEY! LANEY!" The crowd chanted. I didn't care I was just staring at Corey when I see a blonde girl walks up and peck his cheek. He pointed at me and she smiled up at me. She seemed fishy to me, her smile was so….phony. I was so focused on those two, I didn't notice the crowd. "ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!" "You want one?" "YEAH!" "OKAY!" "1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4!"
You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah, you PMS like a bitch
I would know
And you always think
Always speak cryptically
I should know
That you're no good for me
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no
You, but you don't really wanna go, oh
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
We used to be just like twins, so in sync
The same energy now's a dead battery
Used to laugh 'bout nothing
Now you're plain boring
I should know
That you're not gonna change
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no
You, but you don't really wanna go, oh
You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down
Someone call the doctor
Got a case of a love bipolar
Stuck on a rollercoaster
Can't get off this ride
You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no
You, but you don't really wanna go, oh
You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up and you're down, down, down, down...
I broke away from the mike. "Thank you Peaceville! Good-Night!" I looked towards the back and Corey was still there. I missed my best friend, I want to hug him, and smother him. The blonde chick is back. Why does she want to ruin my life, ugh?! They started walking towards the stage. I walked offstage where I was engulfed in Claire's life-threatening grasps. "LANEY! I'm so proud of you! You were great!" "Thank you, Miss Dominance." She rolled her eyes and let me go. "Whatever…ohh I think oreCay antsway to alktay with you." (A/N: It's Pig Latin if you were confused.) 'Talk with me? I could barely remember the guy's name. I wouldn't talk to me either.' I thought. "Lanes! You were awesome!" No blonde chick in sight. Good. "T-thanks Core." I said, smiling shyly. "What are you doing after this?" "Going home with my friend, Claire." "Who's Claire?" " I'm Claire Owens, Ecology Major, Junior in college, and therapist in training, thanks to my client Elaine Penn, here." "Elaine? I thought your real name was Laney." "Heh….heh heh, Elaine? What?" I elbowed her and grunted slightly. She caught the hint. "Uh…okay. I gotta *cough* Youoweme *cough* use it. See ya in a while Laney." She walked away and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Corey…honey. Who's this?" No. Of all things this had to happen. The blonde chick. Asking Corey who I am. "Oh Dionne this is Laney. Lanes, Dionne." She put her hand out for me to shake. Inside I was like, "EEW! DON'T PUT YOUR FILTHY HANDS ON ME!" But, I played it cool, and reluctantly shook her hand. "Umm, Corey. May I have a word with Lenzie?" "Laney." I quickly corrected. I knew her game. Make me look like a shy idiot. COMPLETE AND UTTER FAILURE. "Yeah, sure. Nice to see you again, Lanes." He walked off, awkwardly. As soon as he was out was earshot, her nice smile faded. "I knew this was all a façade." "So, we finally meet, Penn." She snarled. "You better lucky Corey's not in an insane asylum or a mental hospital. He was vulnerable…anyone could have taken advantage of him. ANYONE. He was grieving over the loss of his precious friend/bassist. Laney Penn." "Your bluffing." "Oh, please. Kin/Kon introduced me to Corey. I could tell he was depressed. Long sleeve shirts in summer, he wasn't as enthusiastic as he was about gigs, and bags under his eyes. That was until put back together his broken pieces. I am his glue, his one and only. I am his GIRLFRIEND. So, I'll tell you now before you get too friendly. BACK OFF MY MAN, PENN. And I mean it, if you dare try something….I will make your life so miserable, you wished you'd never came back to Peaceville. So, watch your back." Dionne walked away. I was frozen with fear, not at Dionne's "threat", but the thing that scared me the most was….Corey almost dying after me just leaving. I had to find Claire. I need some of her therapist vibes running through me. I was red with fury. "Wait up, Lanes!" I stopped. He was with Dionne. "I want to invite you to the after party at Miracle Peak. You remember where it is right?" How could she forget? It was her favorite place on Earth. She began to reminisce the feeling of the lush green grass between her toes as she twirled around. It was where she and the guys began Grojband. "Of course! See you there!" They walked off and Dionne turned her head and mouthed PISS OFF. "What's your beef with her?" I was startled and jumped. "Claire!" "What?" "Nothing. We're going to Miracle Peak to meet with the rest of the guys." "Kin, too?!" I snickered. "Shutup!" She pouted. Claire had a 'schoolgirl crush' on Kin. I thought it was cute but also major blackmail. "So what's up with you and the blonde chick?" "All you need to know is that she is GOING DOWN." I smirked.