I do not own How to Rock or any characters ETC

Some Zevie today for you!

How to Rock a Snake

Brewster High School - band room

Kevin was messing around at the drums as Kacey paced the room anxiously. "Where are they?" She asked for the fifth time.

Zander turned to her, looking up from his Uke. "For the hundredth time Kacey, we have no idea."

A bang sounded from the entryway before the door swung open, after Nelson kicked it. "We're here!"

"A little help please?" Stevie asked and Zander rushed to her aid.

Nelson and Stevie both clutched a side of a rectangle box object hidden under a sheet of fabric. "What is this?" Zander asked as he grabbed onto Stevie's side. "It's heavy."

Suddenly the box hissed and Zander lept back from it.

Kacey and Stevie looked at him curiously whilst Nelson and Kevin helped lower the box on the table. "Z? You okay?" Stevie asked, partly concerned and somewhat amused.

Nelson blew back his bangs. "He must've heard the snake."

"I knew it!" Zander says as he backs into the corner of the room. "A snake! Why!?"

Stevie and Nelson share a glance whilst Kevin and Kacey glance at the box warily. "In Bio we're studying reptiles, our teacher's pairing up the students. It's our week to look after Lucy."

"Lucy?" Kevin repeated as he crouched by the box, lifting the fabric carefully. As soon as he did he lept back, falling into the couch.

Nelson grinned at his friend and nodded. "The snake. Our teacher's borrowing him from his cousin's boyfriend's best friend."

"Yes. His cousin's boyfriend's best friend wants it back at the end of this week. So we're the last pair to look after Lucy," Stevie explained as she ripped the fabric off.

Everyone, bar Nelson and Stevie, gasped at the sight.

It was a glass tank, with rocks and sticks and a warming bulb. Also, laying in the middle and staring right at Zander, is a python.

"Cover it again," Zander whispers hurriedly as he covers his eyes.

Stevie lets out a laugh. "You're afraid of snakes?"

Kacey rolls her eyes as she crosses her arms. "I think everyone's afraid of snakes."

"Except you Stevie," Nelson adds. Even though he hadn't flinched away from the snake, his back is rigid and he's clearly uncomfortable.

"Yeh," Kevin agrees. "I don't think you're afraid of anything Steve's."

Said girl huffs and reaches into the tank to pick up the snake, much to everyone's terror. "Stop talking about Lucy like that," she says with a pout.

Zander finally manages to stand, and creeps closer to the reptile carefully. "Are we going to have to practice with that thing in here?"

"Oh right!" Kacey suddenly squeals and everyone (other than Stevie) jumps in surprise.

Stevie huffs once more. "Not so loud," she chastises as she strokes Lucy. "You'll scare her."

"Scare the snake?" Kevin squeaks, incredulous.

"Remember how we sold all the cake and made the most money in the bake sale?" Kacey continues, interrupting Stevie from glaring at Kevin.

Everyone nods.

"Well has given us all coupons to Litsers," Kacey finishes with a wide grin.

Zanders eyes widens and he momentarily forgets about the snake. "Serious?"

"Yeah he was allowed to give them out, Litsers sponsors the charity we had the bake sale for. Seeing as our school didn't need the money from the sale, Brewster High donated it."

Nelson and Kevin turn to each other, performing a rather dramatic high five whilst Stevie places Lucy back in her cage. "So, why are you mentioning this now?"

"The coupons expire today, so instead of practice I was thinking we could all go to the mall," Kacey explains as she pulls said coupons out of her purse and hands them around.

"I don't know," Stevie says as she admires the coupon, somewhat amazed at the value listed. "We have the performance at Zander's mum's friend's cousin's restaurant to prepare for."

Nelson and Kevin frown at each other, the latter whispering, "Why are there so many complex relations being mentioned today?"

Zander shrugged, a huge grin growing on his face. "Litsers though! We have to go. We have a free period at the same time tomorrow anyway right? We can make it up then."

"Great!" Kacey chirps before Stevie can argue more. "Let's get going guys!"

As Nelson and Kevin begin to follow Kacey out, Stevie frowns. "What about Lucy?"

"We'll be back in a few hours," Kevin reassures her.

Nelson pokes his head back in the room. "Don't worry Stevie. Just close the lid and we'll be fine."

As they left Zander walks up to Stevie, reaching out for her hand, which she takes. "Hey, so I was thinking…"

"Yeah?" She prompts as he trails off.

Zander takes in a breath before quickly finishing. "There's a new movie out, Frenjure. Let's go see it. Together. Tonight."

"The new romance one?" Stevie asks, frowning slightly.

Taking another breath he shoots her a hesitant smile. "Yeah, you see romance movies on dates right?"

Stevie freezes.

After a moment she looks at him, nervous. "It'll be a date?"

"Yes," Zander says before he becomes too nervous to ask.

Stevie considers for a moment, pushing away all the emotions bubbling up inside her. "Okay."

"Awesome." Zander grins and leads her out of the room.

But Stevie can't help but feel like she forgot something.

The Mall - Litsers

Stevie looks at the clothes, stunned by how many there are, and how expensive they are. Zander and Kevin had ran off as soon as they entered, boasting about some shoes or something.

Kacey had practically leapt at the many dresses and accesories, immediately purchasing what she wanted. Obviously the girl had figured out what she wanted as soon as she got the coupons.

Everyone in Gravity 5 knows how much Kacey hangs out at Litsers, drooling over different things.

Nelson was somewhat slower, but eventually made his way and bought a few different shirts and other things.

But Stevie had no idea what she wanted.

It wasn't often she bought designer clothes.

Kacey approached her, hands full of shopping bags, labeled in cursive writing 'Litsers'. "What's up Stevie?"

"I don't know what to buy," she admitted. "Also, Zander asked me out on a date." She added, realizing it was better if Kacey found out from her. When there was no one around.

At first Kacey didn't comprehend what her best friend said. Then after a moment, a bright grin lit her face and she let out a very loud and piercing squeal.

Stevie was glad they were at the back of the store, no one could hear.

"Oh my god! You said yes right? When is it? I knew he liked you! I always said he did!" Kacey rambled excitedly. "We have to get you something to wear!"

Stevie held up her hands, trying to calm her friend down. "We're just going to the movies. Calm down."

"Calm down?" Kacey squealed again. "Oh whatever. Quick come with me."

Stevie was dragged along as Kacey filled her basket with items that Stevie would never buy. But at least they were items she would wear. Last time Kacey bought her things, she found herself extremely uncomfortable in the skirt and high heels.

At least this time Kacey didn't buy her anything pink.

"Oh shoes!" Kacey gasped and they left the clothing section to rush and grab some flats and a pair of stylish boots, that even Stevie had to admit, were stunning.

After a few more minutes Stevie checked the basket and with a small smile she turned to her friend. "I think we have enough now."

"I guess…" Kacey trailed off as she turned back to her friend, taking in her casual clothes.

"The date's tonight." Stevie said when Kacey didn't say anything, remembering her earlier question. "We're going to the movies after we finish up here."

Kacey nodded slowly, trying her best not to 'freak'. "Alright Stevie, stay calm."

"I am calm," Stevie said, although she was growing concerned about Kacey's sudden mood change.

"You're going to buy these, then meet me at the bathroom outside."

And then Kacey was gone, leaving Stevie with an overflowing basket.

With a sigh she headed to the counter and handed over the coupon. She thanked the lady when she was done.

"Stevie," Kevin greeted as he walked up to the counter with Zander. "Where'd Kacey and Nelson go?"

Zander pointed to a bored looking Nelson, who held bags of his own. "Nelson's there."

"Kacey's in the bathroom," Stevie explained as they purchased their clothes with the coupons. "She wants to meet me there to get me ready for the date."

Zander understood immediately, whilst Kevin looked confused. "Date?"

"With me," Zander supplied, taking his own shopping bags and leaving the store with Stevie.

"So," Stevie began as she headed to the bathroom. "Wait for me? I don't think Kacey'll take too long."

Zander shrugged, hesitantly tucking back a stray hair of Stevies with a charming smile. "You look beautiful as you are Stevie. You don't need to change or anything."

Stevie fought hard to stop herself from blushing. "I think Kacey would kill me if I didn't let her." She glanced nervously at the bathroom, biting her lip, before turning back to her best friend. "Meet me at the theatre?"

Zander flashed her a wide smile. "Okay beautiful."

Fighting the squeal she wanted to let out, Stevie turned to the bathroom.

She hoped Kacey wouldn't go too crazy.

The Mall - Cinema

When Stevie approached Zander, he stopped breathing for a moment.

It was almost too much. Stevie had on a form fitting black dress, decorated with a brown, leather belt and gorgeous silver earrings. Of course she had tight jeans underneath, but she wouldn't be Stevie without them.

"Hey," Stevie greeted, close to blushing over the way he was staring at her.

Zander took her in for a moment longer. "Hey beautiful."

"Okay. Stop calling me that right now Z," she said with a laugh as she looped her arm around his and they made their way to the ticket booth.

Zander shook his head. "No way beautiful."

Stevie hit his arm playfully and told him to shut up as the ticket salesmen greeted them. Zander bought the two tickets and led his date over to the confectionary stand.

They bought a large tub of popcorn and sat down to wait.

"So…" Stevie trailed off, unsure if she should bring it up. At Zander's reassuring smile she continued. "Why ask me out all of a sudden? We've been best friends for ages."

He grinned sheepishly at that. "I was kind of… jealous after the whole Kacey thing."

Stevie gawked. "No way. A ladies man like yourself? Jealous? Over me?"

"Yup," he laughed at her shocked expression and ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "I hope you don't mind."

Stevie smiled slightly. "Well to be honest I was kind of jealous over the Kacey thing too. I didn't know I liked you… like that… until that night…"

"I've like you for a long time beautiful," Zander said, his voice low.

A shudder ran through her body and finally Stevie Baskara blushed.

Zander, not wanting to ruin the moment, only laughed for just a second. "I finally made Baskara blush huh?" He teased.

She laughed and hit his arm again, lightly. "Shut up Z."

"I actually want to see it again," he continued. "Did you know I haven't had my first kiss yet?"

At that Stevie's blush brightened and Zander grinned, knowing she was imagining kissing him. "No way. You've been on so many dates."

"I've never kissed any of them," he assured her. "Maybe that needs to change though."

"Stop," Stevie poked him when he began leaning closer to her. "They opened the doors. Let's go."

Zander only chuckled as she dragged him up the stairs and Stevie felt him pull her back slightly, wrapping his arm around her waist.

It only made her blush deepen.

The Mall - Cinema

"Well that was ridiculous," Stevie says.

Zander nods in agreement. "We should have seen an action movie."

"There's still time," Stevie offered as they stopped walking. "We could watch a movie at my place? You can sleep over."

A flirtatious smirk grew on Zanders face. "Inviting a boy back after only the first date? I'm flattered."

"Stop it Z," she laughs. "You know what I meant."

He sobers. "Yeah, I did."

"So…?"

"So what?"

"Want to sleep over? I've got more peanut butter. We can finish off this insane amount of popcorn."

"I don't know…" Zander sighed. "What's in it for me?"

Stevie frowns. "Other than popcorn?"

"Mhm."

"Well," she begins carefully, tapping her lips in thought. "How about this?"

And then she leans forward, and kisses him on the cheek.

Somewhat disappointed, but entirely amused, Zander lets out a laugh. "Alright, you've won me over. Let me just buy you a drink okay?"

"Sounds good," she agrees and turns to her pocket as he leaves. Her phone buzzes as she pulls it out.

Three missed calls from Nelson and four text messages:

Call me.

Call me.

Stevie?

Emergency!

"Hello?" She says as the phone rings. "What's wrong?"

Nelson's panting on the other end. "We've lost Lucy!"

"What?" She gasps.

"Yeah I just got up to check on her, Kevin and I have been playing Furious- Oh nevermind. Anyway, she's not there and the lids not shut!"

"Oh crap," Stevie swears. "I must've forgot to shut it."

Suddenly, a very girl scream sounds and Stevie asks what's going on.

There's rushing on the other end. "Kevin found her, he just freaked."

"Oh my- Was that Kevin's scream?" Stevie asks as a laugh escapes her.

Nelson just sighs. "Yes. Alright well we've got Lucy back. I'll call you back in an hour when I bring her to your place."

"Alright, sounds good."

Nelson was scared of Lucy, so Stevie had agreed to keep the snake at her place. Although she realizes that it might upset Zander, she could just hide the snake in the bathroom she decides.

"Stevie?" A voice asks and she turns.

Justin Cole stands, in all his glory. "Oh hey Justin-" Stevie begins but is cut off.

When Stevie had kissed Zander, he had suddenly grown very uncomfortable and terrified. Despite all his teasing and flirting, he was scared by the idea of dating Stevie. He had never truly dated someone before.

So he'd done what he felt most comfortable with.

"There's something wrong with my phone," Stevie heard Zander's voice from behind her. "It doesn't have your number in it."

With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she turns to see Zander handing his phone to a tall blonde.

Stevie doesn't know what to do.

Her eyes burn and her stomach churns, she suddenly feels like throwing up. Her heart beats painfully in her chest and she doesn't understand what went wrong.

"Justin," she chokes back a sob. "Can you take me home?" she asks in a small voice. "Please?"

She's tempted to go back and yell at Zander, but something is wrong with her, she wants to cry. She has never wanted to cry so badly.

The thought of talking with Zander only makes her feel worse.

Confused, but realising something has clearly upset Stevie, he wraps her in his arms and leads her out of the cinema and to the parking lot. "Of course. You okay?"

Zander doesn't even glance at her, even though she watches him send a flirtatious smile the blondes way. "I'm fine," she stutters out before clamping her mouth shut in an effort not to cry.

Justin doesn't press the issue, only decides to make sure she gets home safely.

I hope you enjoyed and remember to review!

Don't worry guys, I'm sure Zander will fix this mess he's made! (I hope)

Poor Stevie though :/

Thanks for reading.

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