CHAPTER EIGHT: A Weeks Worth Of Mayhem.

MONDAY:

Theme Song Of The Day: Fireflies – Owl City

Lavi awoke that morning to the sound of the radio. He curled onto his side in a desperate attempt to block out the noise and return to the beautiful world of dreams. He had been having a rather strange dream. Bookman had attached a rocket to the back of a push bike. He then rode to Mars and never came back, apparently dieing in the outer reaches of space.

Okay so maybe that wasn't the best dream to go back to. But anything was better than the cold clutches of the day...even if it was 23 degrees outside. "C'mon Lavi! Get up!" said a voice. The red head groggily opened his eyes to gaze at a potted plant. "Nooooo." he moaned, "Five more minutes please, Mr Potted Plant."

Lavi was not a morning person.

"What? Potted Plant?...Oh jeeze Lavi! Just get up!" the voice said again. Foot steps faded away and the sound of a door opening was clearly heard. "Fine. Im'up. Im'up. Bloody Potted Plants, can't let a guy sleep in..." he mumbled. Sitting up and wiping sleep from his eyes. He yawned and stretched his arms above his head. "Yo!" he called, looking around. "Where'd ya go Mr Potted Plant?"

A chuckle came from a room directly to his left. "Over here, oh sleepy rabbit!" Lavi jumped around and trotted lazily towards the door. "What'cha doin in here Bean-whoa!" Lavi exclaimed.

"Bean-Whoa?...That's a new one." he mused.

Lavi just stood there in shocked silence. Looking like a rather stunned fish. What he saw, was not what he expected to find.

The room he was standing in was an office-sized room, meaning it was small but not overly so. What was amazing, was that the whole room was filled with art! Paint brushes, pencils, charcoal, oil paint, acrylics, paper, canvases and even one of those mannequin things. Allen himself, was sat at a desk. Hair spiked up, sleeves rolled up, paint brush in hand and eyes focused on paper.

"Hamster Steak." Allen stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What?"

"It got you to talk again didn't it?...anyways I told you. I'm taking Art. It's only obvious I'd have some stuff..." Allen mumbled. Wiping the blue paint off the slim brush and placing it in a glass of water. The white haired boy rose gracefully from his chair, tugging a large, paint coverd, black shirt over his head and chucking it lazily aside. He walked forward and gently brushed past Lavi...whom was still standing in slight shock, looking somewhat like a lamp post.

"Lavi! If you want any break...okay lunch... If you want any lunch stop standing around like a lost puppy!" Allen called. Lavi blinked his eye a few times before turning on the spot and heading towards the sound of the whitehaired's voice. He found the boy in the kitchen, studying a calender that was hung on the wall. "Yo Allen!"...

"You do realise," Lavi said, roughly half an hour later, "That is already three in the afternoon...we're gunna have to do some major rehearsal tomorrow!" He thumped his fist onto the table. "That's fine."Allen said, smiling towards the red head. "I'm looking forward to it!"

TUESDAY:

Theme Song Of The Day: Looking Up - Paramore

"Is anybody listening?..."

The last notes of the song drifted to a halt. Lavi was panting slight. Sweat was glistening on his brow and dripped slightly off his red hair. He was secretly thankfull he had worn a green Tank-Top today, instead of his tee-shirt. He turned to face his Band Mates who were probably worse for wear.

Linalee's legs were trembling and she looked like she was about to drop at any minute. Kanda's arms hung limply by his sides, drum sticks slipping from his grip. Allen was leant up against the wall, his fingers were flexing in experimentation and clicked every time.

Maybe, after six straight hours, it was time to call it a day.

Lavi stumbled over to his guitar stand, three sets of eyes folowing his moves. He carefully place the valuable instrument back. The red head turned to face his friends, "That. Is enough." and with those words he slumped onto the floor. Stretching out like a cat and breathing heavily.

He heard the thuds of Allen, Linalee and Kanda as they dropped to the floor. "Never. Make. Us. Do. That. Again." Allen said between pants. Lavi chuckled weakly, running a hand through his hair. Kanda and Linalee were murmuring to each other about something or other. Lavi twitched his foot slightly. Something soft and fuzzy brushed against it.

"What's touching me foot?" he asked. Ever so slightly creeped out.

"Wild Hamster."

"What?"

"A Wild Hamster. Their quite common in the Bristol Area."

"We're not even in Bristol."

"They Migrate for the Summer..."

Lavi laughed and hauled himself to his feet. He turned his gaze to the small white haired boy who was curled up on his side. Allen's face was flushed and his gaze turned up to meet Lavi's. The red head immediately felt a slight blush arise because of the cute boy. It shouldn't be physically possible for a boy his own age to be that adorable.

He reached out a hand and pulled Allen up saying, "C'mon. I think we need to get you some sugar, you're going mental." Allen glared at him, which was ruined completely when he yawned. "S'not my fault...you made us practice for six hours...and you brought and apartment in the hamster migration area...not me...you." he muttered.

Lavi heard Linalee chuckle from the other side of the room. Kanda snorted, "Moyashi really is an idiot." Allen turned to glare at him. "My names Allen!"

Lavi shook his head in exasperation. He swung an arm around Allen's shoulders, "C'mon Allen. Ignore Yu-Chan. He's just being a sourpuss." Allen giggled. Not chuckled. Giggled. Lavi could practically guarantee that his face was as red as a tomato. But hey! It wasn't his fault! Allen was just to darn cute!

Kanda's head shot up at the mention of his first name. "Ah we better run Al! Or we'll have to face the wrath of Yu!"

Allen stumbled a little as he was dragged into the other room. In all truth he found it amazing how Lavi could still joke around after six hours of singing. Allen smiled, Lavi was a strange yet oddly charming person. He always saw the brighter side of things.

"What is it with you and Hamsters?" Lavi asked, chucking a Yorkie bar at Allen. Allen caught it deftly and tilted his head to the side, prompting Lavi for an explanation.

"Yesterday. When you wanted my attention you said, and I quote: Hamster Steak. And just now you talked about wild Hamsters...Why?"

Allen shrugged his shoulders. "I just think Hamsters are funny creatures...but honestly i'm surprised you remembered slash noticed." Lavi's ears pricked up at this. "Of course I remembered! Not only am I Bookman but I am your best friend in the world."

'Best Friend'

Those words truly stung Lavi's heart. They didn't seem quite right. It was almost as if something was missing...however these motions of the heart always seemed to elude the persistent red head.

No one truly understood their own thoughts and/or the thoughts of others. If there was such a person out there, they would probably try to rule the world, go mad with power and 'The Voices In Their Head', make sure all the statues in the world were pointing north-east, stamp out Belgium because they have a phobia of Crepe's, make their 'Trusted Adviser' some named 'Alfred William Griffin', eventually wage war on 'The Fish People', have their ship sunken by the Elves who were getting information from Alfred, fall into the ocean and wash up on the shores of Hawaii only to die in the arms of the only man who ever loved them.

In other words. If that person did exist. They were all screwed...well that is until Alfred, who was actually called Karim, infiltrated and then-...well you get it.

Lavi looked up to meet the stare of Allen, who smiled. "Only three more days." Lavi said, holding up three fingers to emphasise his point. Allen grinned at him, reaching across the empty space to give Lavi a much needed high five.

WEDNESDAY:

Theme Song Of The Day: Halfway There – Big Time Rush

"ALLEEEEEEEEEEN WALLLLLLLKEEEER!" shouted an obnoxiously loud voice. Said boy whipped his head around abruptly. Recognising that voice in an instant. "L-Lavi?"he asked none the less, not wanting to be rude if he was wrong. The red head waved joyously at him and bounded over.

Allen was standing in the middle of the 'Arcade', or shopping centre. He had three bags in his hands and had clearly been shopping. Just before Lavi had, seemingly, appeared out of no where the eighteen year old had been heading towards Costa Coffee. After all no student could live without there coffee. Especially not an art student. It was common knowledge.

"Yo! Lil'Buddy! What you doin' in the Arcade?" Lavi asked, thumping the petite boy on the back and nearly pushing him over in the process. "I could ask you the same question..." Allen mumbled, vividly aware that they were drawing attention. "Point taken! Soooo, what's my favourite little pianist doing so far from his hidden art studio?" Lavi exclaimed, clearly not bothered by the attention.

Allen looked around, blushing furiously. He caught the gaze of a teenage girl. She raised and eyebrow and gave him a sympathetic look, gesturing at the boy beside her as if to say 'I know how you feel.' Allen smiled back at her before turning to Lavi, who incidentally was still making a scene. Allen sighed and gripped the red heads wrist, dragging him in the direction he had previously been going.

"Lavi! You prick! You're sooooo embarrassing!" Allen whined. Lavi chuckled and swung an arm across Allen's shoulders. "That's my job remember!" Allen turned to him briefly and grumbled something. Lavi snickered, which earned him a kick in the shin.

"Where were you going anyway?" Lavi asked. Allen sighed, turned to the right and walked into the Coffee Shop. Lavi made an 'ooooooooh' sound as the bell tinkled on their entry. Allen rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway. Lavi was such an odd being.

A few minutes later the two boys were sat opposite each other, chatting idly about friday. "I'm really nervous!" Lavi exclaimed. Allen smiled over his mug. "You'll be fine Lavi." The red head shook his head. "No. No. No! What if I forget my words or my voice cracks or I sing the wrong song or what if I-"

"Lavi!" Allen said, cutting of the taller boy. Allen reached across the table and reassuringly placed a hand over Lavi's, "You'll be fine. Trust me. I know you. You'll do brilliant." Lavi smiled back at him, a definite look of appreciation on his face. The scarred boy looked at him gently. Slowly Allen removed his had, lingering just longer than was necessary.

THURSDAY:

Theme Song Of The Day: Insomnia – Craig David

Lavi flopped down tiredly onto his bed. He was so tired, his limbs felt like lead and his mind was foggy. All he really wanted to do was sleep. However, tomorrow was the day. The day they either made it, or they went back to how they were before.

This played on Lavi's mind. Depriving him of his much needed sleep and keeping away the sweet bliss of dreams. Lavi sighed angrily. He Really should be sleeping.

It was just infuriating! "Dammit! I need to get some God Damn Fricken Sleep!" Lavi let out a frustrated growl. If he wasn't going to sleep he at least needed a distraction...

"Hello?"

"Hey Allen It's Lavi!"

"Yah. I know. But why are you calling?"

"No...reason?"

"Uhhuh?"

"Ehhhhhmm"

"Couldn't sleep?"

"...yeh."

Allen let out a short laugh. His voice muffled by the phone.

"I can tell. You sound like you're about to drop dead at any moment!"

"Thanks Mate. That makes me feel much better."

"Hey it's not my fault!"

"Yeh yeh. I know. Im just teasing my little Moyashi~"

"MY NAMES ALLEN!"

Lavi rapidly drew the phone away from his ear. That boy could shout LOUD!

"Not. So. Loud! You big goof!"

"S-sorry"

"Soooooo"

"Sooooooooo"

"Bra"

"Bra?"

"That's right. Bra."

"What?"

"I...have no idea..."

"Are you actually a girl Allen?"

"Oh shut it!"

Lavi snickered. Allen growled but was interrupted with a huge yawn from the red head.

"You should go to bed."

"I'm rolling my eyes at you right now. I can't sleep!"

"You could try now."

"But-"

"Lavi. No offence but we do not want you collapsing on stage. Kay."

"Jeez. You're scary, dude."

"You're calling me dude again! You're tired!"

"No im not!"

"Lavi."

"Yes?"

"Sleep."

"But-"

"Good night."

"Wait!"

"...what now?"

"I got you to stay!"

"Lavi!"

"Ok. Ok. I just wanted to say thanks for being there."

"..."

"Allen?"

"h-huh? O-h. T-thanks. Lavi. I really appreciate that. A-and, you've being doing amazing you're self."

"Thank you."

"Now. Go. To. Bed!"

"Fine. Fine. Cya tomorrow!"

"Bye, Lavi."

"Bye Allen..."

"..."

"..."

"Lavi why are you still on the line?"

"Uhhhhh..."

"Go to bed...or else."

"Alright...I don't want to die at the hands of a white haired ninja pianist."

"Uhuh...Good Night Lavi."
"Night."

FRIDAY:

Theme song of the day: Hot Mess – Cobra Starship

Lavi twisted his hands nervously in his lap, toying with the hem of his shirt. The four members of were waiting in the large hall that was 'the waiting area' of the Millennium Contest. Now that Lavi was actually here...he was scared! He was very very scared. His feet were tapping to the tune of 'Brick By Boring Brick'. Allen reached over and squeezed his hand gently, smiling up at the taller boy. The eye-patched-fool gave him a grateful lopsided smile.

"Hello. My names Chomesuke. I'm the presenter and here to interview you." Lavi looked up to meet the gaze of the very pretty brown haired presenter. He then noticed the cameras. He shot them his winning smile. "That's fine by us. Do you're thing TV people!"

^PlayingThePart^

"Good Luck Guys." Chomesuke whispered, patting each band member on the back as they made their way onto stage. Lavi could feel his heart racing. However he pulled on his poker face and setting his trainer clad foot on the stage. (they had ditched the elaborate costumes). His eyes widened as he noted the size of the audience. There were thousands of them! Everywhere! Starring! AT HIM! Lavi gulped, pulling himself to gether, and looked over at the others who were calmly making their way over to the Instruments.

Lavi strode over to the microphone and faced the judges. They were more frightening than the crowd. On his left there was Winters Zocalo, world renown rapper who had sold over 50 billion albums. Next to him was a tall woman with blond hair. This was Cloud Nine, female solo artist for four years and was already known in every country of the world. And next to her was the famous pianist Neah. Neah leaned towards his microphone and asked, "Who are you?" Lavi quickly composed himself and replied.

"We're DGRAYMAN." Neah nodded his head, the other judges noting it down on paper. "And what are your names?" the black haired man asked. "I'm Lavi Bookman." Lavi said, smiling his trademark smile. "I'm Linalee Lee." Linalee chimed in, leaning to her mic. "Kanda Yu" Kanda said simply. "And I'm Allen Walker." Allen said, smiling politely.

"You may begin." Neah stated.

Lavi gripped the microphone with one hand as he heard Kanda tap them in. Quickly his hands flew down to the red guitar around his middle, strumming out the music and readying himself for song.

'She lives in a fairytale somewhat to far for us to find.

Forgotten the taste and smell of a world that she's left behind.'

Lavi looked up to stare at the crowd. He was amazed. They were clapping along with the drums and genuinely looked as if they were having a good time.

'It's all about the exposure, the lens that's older.

The angles are all wrong now, she's ripping wings off of butterflies.'

He could see the cameras sweeping around, recording his every movement.

'Keep your feet on the ground.

When your heads in the clouds'

Lavi was smiling. He was fully into the song now. His surroundings faded away until it felt like it was just him and his friends. Back in their little music room in his apartment. Laughing with each other as they sung their hearts out. Lavi decided to try something he hadn't tried before. There was a moment at the end of the song, where he just said:

'Bada ba bada ba ba da.'

He raised his arms from the guitar. Clapping into the microphone. The large crowd clapped in unison creating one of the most fantastic things he had ever seen...from a music point of view obviously.

He struck the last note, kicking one leg out slightly from the force. Quickly he turned around to see Allen beaming at him. As the aplause died down, and after Kanda, Linalee and Allen had made their way over to the front of the stage. The judges began to speak:

"I think," Cloud Nine said, smiling at the band, "That you are very good. You have amazing potential and you definitely have a great look. For those reasons, and more, I'm going to say. Yes." A large green tick sprung into existance at the back of the stage, casting a green glow across the nervous band members. Lavi reached down and grabbed Allen and Linalee's hand. Squezing them tightly.

The next to speak was Zocalo. "You definitely have potential, as Cloud pointed out. If you go through I would like to see some new songs from you. Yes."

Lavi's heart was racing now.

Calmly Neah began to talk, " I think you have a great sound. And you're all very skilled in your instruments. From pianist to pianist, Allen. You are an amazing player. I think you have more surprises for us...for that reason. Yes."

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Lavi spun around and engulfed his friends in a bone crushing hug. "Lavi! You were brilliant!" Allen said. Through sheer excitement, the red head hugged the smaller boy. Spinning him in a circle."So were you!"

"Thank you so much!" they all said, even Kanda...it was his dream too. The four of them ran off stage. Running into Chomesuke and hugging her aswell.

The four band members ran from the hall. Hope high in their hearts. Smiles on their faces and the promise of a chance in their minds.

"WE DID IT!" Lavi cheered.

Allen broke into fits of giddy laughter, soon followed by Linalee and Lavi. Kanda shook his head and chuckled slightly. They were tired and slightly sweaty but they didn't care.

They had a chance. And that was all that mattered.

^PlayingThePart^

AUTHORS NOTE:

I own none of the songs. Or the characters. And yes. Zocalo and Cloud are OOC but who cares! My story my rules! (lol my cake my rules).

Ah. 'Sooooooo...Bra': Yes another thing me and my chums say at school, if there's an awkward silence some one goes 'soooooooo' and another replies 'bra'.

Yes. I have nearly finished the next chapter and should be up shortly.

Oh c'mon. Of course they were going to get through! We wouldn't have a story If they didn't, ne?

Pleaseeeee put up with my slow updating and my strange imagination! I will see you next chapter!

Oh in previous chapters it may have said -man as the name...i have no idea WHY did that to it but ut is DGRAYMAN! K.