Disclaimer: I don't own How to Rock. Just to be safe.
He listens to everything she says. And even though she usually sounds self-centered and shallow, he listens. He doesn't say a word, he always lets her finish. Once she's started he doesn't ask any more questions. He lets the other ask the questions for him. He knows they'll ask her just what he's looking for so he doesn't say a word…and maybe he doesn't want to sound like he cares too much.
He also needs to process. While she's talking, usually about how Molly is trying to ruin her, or things as trivial as a lunch table, he's decoding everything. He looks at her and sees right through her mask. The one she's always hiding in. He sees through all the words, penetrates through all the lies and tries to get straight to the root of her problem.
Kacey is the most secretive persons he's ever met. He's also found that it makes her the most fragile. She's torn up inside, he always knew that. And he can't help but feel that it's his job to fix her. He tries many different ways to put back the pieces but most of them fail.
This one plan although, his first intentions weren't to help her. He'll admit he was being kind of selfish in the beginning. He wanted to ruin a date she had with a senior. Yeah, a senior. He despised the guy and wanted her to see that Devon isn't and never will be the right guy for her; that he was. But how could he compete with a senior?
So he came up with the plan to glue their hands together. He will admit it might not have been his best plan. She had become more anxious than before. Things weren't going her way, and it worried her.
Now one would think that her complaining about being glued to him would upset him; and it did at first. He almost blew his cover.
"You would be lucky to date me." He exclaimed without thinking.
Luckily for him she yelled back and didn't even recognize the comment. They continued to yell over each other neither listening to what the other was saying. And yeah he should be distraught that she was so upset about being glue to him but he not and he wasn't; because her name is Kacey Simon and he can almost read he like a book.
He can't explain it but somehow he understands her, he's decoding her. Every encounter they have it's like he's uncovering a different side of Kacey.
Molly Garfunkel. He remembers the time he mindlessly mentioned to Kacey her problems with Molly and how they're never going to end their Freud until someone owns up. He hoped that she would but the girl would have none of that.
That had been the moment that he discovered that most of her problem start with Molly. Something deep rooted in their relationship about this girl always wanting Molly's opinion, or not wanting it.
&&&&&.
The bell rings signaling that class is over and he runs to Kacey meet Kacey in chemistry class. The same class that he's upset that he gotten switched out of; for obvious reasons. He's a science wiz but getting switch out a class with Kacey was a big pain in the butt.
He meets her just in time. The surprised smile on her face is so worth run through the crowded hallways for.
"Oh," She smiles. "Hey Zander!" He can't help but love the way she says his name.
"Hey, Kacey," He says trying to keep cool.
"I was just on my way to lunch to meet you guys." She says keeping her smile and he can't help but notice this.
"Yeah about that," He says. "I was thinking maybe we could hang out alone for a while." She raises a brow but still smiles. "You know two friends…hangin' out. I mean because you have a free period after this, and I have a free period also so why not you and I hang out…together. "He tried to cover. Epic fail.
"Yeah sure," She perks up. "Where to?" She questions.
"How about we hang at the band room for a while?"
"Sounds cool to me."
&&&&&.
"So, what are we going to do?" She asks while taking a seat on the couch.
He had this plan in his mind for a while. He hated when she felt bad and lately that beautiful smile of her always seemed to falter. So, he had come up with suggested something that always seems to make her feel better.
"How about we write a song?" He says while bringing his ukulele in front of him.
"Zander, you know I'm no good at writing songs; this is why you do it." She says in a matter of fact tone but he can't seem the glimmer in her eyes.
"Come on we had a great time the last time we did." He smiles and so does she; which makes his heart jump.
"Yeah, but we got nothing done!"
"So what?" He questions her. "What's the worst that can happen? We write a great song or don't and have an awesome time in the process." He says in the same matter of fact tone she used not too long ago.
"Well when you put it like that…okay." She pats the empty space on the couch signaling him to come over. He complies.
"So what are we going to write about?" She asks curiously.
"I don't know." Honestly he hadn't thought that far.
&&&&&&.
They've been sitting there for about fifteen minutes coming up with words that never seem to flow.
"Okay, how about we take a break?" Zander suggests.
"We'll never get anything done if we do and I really want to finish this." She whines and he can't help but notice how adorable her pouty face is.
"Tell you what," He begins. "How about we go get lunch and then come back and try to finish the song?"
"Okay." She submits. "But not anything from the cafeteria, that would be disgusting. " Kacey adds.
"But how are we going to-"
"When you used to being a Perf and you'd do just about anything to get what you want. You learn a little something." She claims with a knowing smile. "Come on, I'll take you to the place where we used to sneak out before I got the chef in the Perf bathroom."
"A chef in the bathroom? You guys have that?" Zander says baffled.
"Yes." Kacey giggles.
"But isn't that kind of disgusting?" He says as a counter to her earlier statement about cafeteria food.
"Don't worry on of the rules of being a Perf is: Never use the bathroom." She answers.
"But why?"
"Because we have food in there!" She slightly raises her voice in frustration as she grabs Zander's hand and leads him out to the back door of the band room.
&&&&&&&&.
They were sitting alone in a booth together at some fancy restaurant he's never been to. Zander couldn't help but wonder why Kacey had chosen to bring him here of all places; not that he was complaining.
"That food is delicious. How did you find this place?"
"My uncle owns it."
"Really? That's awesome."
"Yeah he makes delicious smoked salmon."
"Where is he?"
"He didn't come in today. No need considering he owns the restaurant." Kacey explains. "But if you really want to meet him I'll introduce you to some other time."
"That sounds pretty cool." He relies. "This place is…nice." It really is.
"Thanks. Sorry if this place is too extravagant," She starts. "I was going to take you somewhere else but I thought I'd bring you here. Some place special to me." He didn't catch her blush because he put quickly put his head down trying to hide his own as a silence form between the two.
"Come on." She broke the silence. "Let's get out of here." He sees Kacey stand up so his takes her lead.
"Hey, Kacey!" A voice calling out to Kacey emerges.
"Oh, hey Benny. What's up?" she relies to the hefty man approaching them.
"It started raining and I thought you might need this." He hands her an umbrella.
"Thanks." She relies. Out of the corner of his eye Zander catches Kacey grimace as she takes the umbrella.
"You better use it." The man warns as he walks away.
"Come on Zander."
&&&&&&&.
They were walking until Kacey stops at a park not too far away from the restaurant but far enough.
"You mind if I let the umbrella down or do you want it?" She asks and hands him to umbrella. Zander takes the umbrella and gives her a perplexed look. He watches her as she steps from under the umbrella and into the pouring rain. She twirls and raises her arms up to feel every droplet. "I LOVE the rain." She informs him.
He watches her twirl around in the rain and can't help but realize how beautiful she looks. This is a different side of Kacey that he's never seen before. She's different. Usually she serious, not too serious but there's always that need to be in command. This Kacey was wild and free; as free as a bird. She didn't have that need be so in control. He can't put it into words exactly but whatever it is he likes seeing this side of her.
Zander lets down the umbrella and runs over to Kacey and starts dancing along with her.
"What are you doing?" He laughs out.
"Dancing!" She simply cries trying to yell over the loud rain. She quickly grabs his hands to twirls around and takes his other to pull him a little closer to her. "Dance with me!" He can't help but follow her as she takes the lead.
Zander finds that dancing in the rain is magnificent. The feeling of it is magical. To let loose and feel every droplet on your skin as you move along with the wind is a remarkable experience. He knows it sounds corny but there's no feeling like it. He can't explain it in any other words.
And the smile she's wearing while doing it; he swears he's never seen Kacey this happy. Her smile isn't faltered or forced. She's truly happy.
Zander realizes now that maybe he spends too much time watching Kacey. Trying to figure her out…or looking at her period. But he can't help it. He's addicted to her.
He realizes this now as they're dancing holding hands and moving to a beat that only plays in there head that even with no sound surrounding them other than pitter patter of million rain drops they're still in sync. They're moving to the same beat. And he finds this incredible because there is no damn music! But somehow, they're still moving like this. They move to the same beat. They're flow together; harmonizing seamlessly.
They dance together for a while nonstop. Weather fast paced or slow they move in a way that can't be possible. They move in a similar pattern, always harmonizing with each other. And no matter what they're hands never separate.
Until now, his hands are around her waist while her arms rest around his shoulders. They're dance slowly never losing they pattern that they share.
And he can't help but notice how beautiful she looks. The way her chocolate brown hair is sticking to her caramel skin so flawlessly. And the way her beautiful eyes are staring into his is making his heart skip beats. Plus that smile. That a genuine smile that hasn't left her face since they've gotten out of school. That smile, is the kicker; because he knows she's happy and when she's happy he's no cloud nine.
It takes him a while but he's now aware that he's been staring at her lips for a substantial amount of time. He looks up and sees that she's watching him; not disproving his action but not completely welcoming him in. But in seconds they're both leaning in at the same time so in sync. They both move slowly into the kiss. His eyes never leave he lips while slowly closing, waiting for that moment when their lips meet. There's no time to think as their lips get closer and closer and he can feel her breathe on his lips. Zander moves closer to close the small gap between them until he hears her gasp.
He opens his eyes and sees back away frantically. She looks shocked. She's quickly backing never taking her eyes off him. She finally does when she reaches the nearest bench and takes a seat. She's sitting on the edge with her back against the arm rest with her arms wrapped around her legs and her head resting in her knees.
He feels horrible like he's did something terribly wrong. He slowly walks closer to her; being cautious with every step. "I'm sorry." He says. And he means it whatever he's done her sorry if he over stepped a bounty.
"It's not your fault." She murmurs. She looks him in the eye as the rain begins to lighten up. "I just can't do it." His heart breaks as she speaks. "I can't do us. It'll ruin everything." She breaks their eye contact. "I'll ruin everything." He wasn't supposed to hear that part last but he does.
"You won't ruin anything." He takes a seat next to her. He looks at her trying to be as comforting as he can. Her eyes glare back at him and he knows it's time to drop the subject. But he makes a note in his head to come back to it later. "So," he says awkwardly. "Dancing in the rain…your new favorite pastime?"
Her face softens and she lets put the cutest little giggle. "It's an old favorite pastime." She stops talking she just briefly grins and he notices this. "It's really weird of me isn't it?"
Zander knew that this wasn't a new habit. He saw her welcomed the rain like an old friend. He loves how she brightened up at the mention of the rain. But honestly he did want answers on how her love for the rain came to be. He liked that she was happy even if the last subject was eating up at him.
"No." He gets up to pick up the umbrella that was long forgotten and sits back down as next to her as she closes it. There's no need for an umbrella when you're already soaking wet. "I mean, I would say so at first but after actually doing it, it's really…liberating." He's glad he finally can put a word on the feeling.
"Exactly." Kacey nods. And he can't help but realize how adorable she looks in her position. She's still curled with her hands wrapped around her legs but he head is lift up and she's beaming. He takes another note to remember that face forever.
"So, when did your love for the rain start?"
"I've always loved rain," She begins. "Ever since I was a little kid; my grandma loved the rain too. She would always take me out to the park and we'd sing on the bench and she'd sing." She pauses and he catches the nostalgic grin on her face. "You know I would always get sick but she never did. She still doesn't but she doesn't go out in the rain as much as she used to." She speaks and he listens to every word. This is a side of Kacey he's never seen before; a more personal Kacey.
"Why not?" He asks.
"I guess she's just gotten old. It's much easier for her to catch other sickness you know?"
"Yeah, I get it." He says calmly.
They both talk for a short while after but not too long because their close starting sticking to them and giving them an icky feeling as the rain turns into a light drizzle. Zander walks Kacey home.
"My parents are going to kill me." Kacey says as they slowly reach her block.
Why?"
"Because ever since my grandmother stopped going out in the rain as much they've hated the idea of me going out on a rainy day and getting drenched. It could be because I get sick but," She has a perplexed look on her face, "It makes no sense because I used to get sick anyway." She smiles at him as they reach her door. "Thanks Zander."
"Thanks for what?" He beams back.
"For everything. I know this might sound weird but what he did…dancing in the rain. It's…personal to me." She gives him a small smile that means that was the most important thing in the world to her.
"Thanks, for letting me be a part of it." He gives her the same smile. A silence starts grow between them once more.
Zander gets an idea on how to break the silence. He leans in just as he did before but this time she doesn't lean in with him. And again it is her call to accept or deny his lips. He leans in until he's mere inches away from her lips.
"Zander." She murmurs. But he isn't discouraged.
"You wouldn't ruin anything." He whispers to her as his lips softly brush against hers with every word. He leans out and sees the looking on her face; Desire. He smirks. "Later Kacey." He says as he turns around.
"B-bye Zander." She chocks out and his smirk widens.
As he walks home he licks his lips to savor the favor; Cherry.
AN: So...did you like it? Yes? No? Should I contiue or just stop now? I know it might be weird and crazy and dancing in the rain and what not. Kind of stupid too but I had to write this, it wouldn't leave me alone. This all lays on you now. If you really want to continue than please review and tell me what you think...or forever hold your peace and I'll never continue again.