Chapter Nine
Ella came back to the stage just as Connect Three was starting their run through. She, Kelly, and Torrey stood in the wings and watched. Ella couldn't get over how amazing the guys were. Their show was so full of energy. It was a different kind of energy than Headline. As they were watching Dale approached them.
"Have you heard from your dad this morning?" He asked Ella.
"No, why?"
"He's not here yet. Connect Three's run through is almost over."
"He's not here?"
"I talked to him briefly this morning and he said he was going with you to pick up Chevy."
Ella shook her head, "That was never the plan."
Dale sighed, "Hangover excuse?"
"Hangover excuse," Ella agreed.
"I'll get Susan to go over there and bring him here, but he will be late. You'll have to fill in for him," Dale said.
"Me?" Ella asked. "Why Me?"
"Because you know the song and you don't have to stay on your mark for the lighting crew like I do." He told her.
Ella took in a nervous breath, "Fine."
"Good, I'll call Susan," Dale said before walking away.
In the next half hour Connect Three's run through ended and the ten minute intermission took place. The opening act took the stage for his second set and Dale pulled Ella below the stage with himself, Bo, and Randy. She had to come up on the hydraulic platform with them. The opener finished and introduced Headline. The back up band began playing. A stage hand quickly put an ear piece and a mic pack on her before shoving a wireless microphone in her hand. Before she knew it the platform was moving, and Dale was telling her to sing.
"I want you
When the sun comes up,
I wanna make you mine,
I wanna make it count
I want you
I wanna take you home,
I wanna make it known,
I wanna take you on
I want you
Let me say it again,
I wanna say it again,
but let me say it again
I want you
I want ya more than a friend
I'm gonna gonna make you mine!
And the bells will ring and the children sing 'cause you're gonna be all mine
And the people dance as they clap they're hands
Just see what we could be (I want ya)
Just see what we could be (I want ya)
Don't cha see what we could be (I want ya)
Yeah to see what we could be."
Performing with the band on the stage was the most exhilarating thing she had ever done. The lights, the energy, and the skill of the musicians themselves all gave her a thrill. This was so much better than Camp Rock. The song ended and her father rushed on stage. He placed his ear piece in as he ran and she placed his microphone on his stand. She returned to her spot beside Kelly and Torrey. The rest of the rehearsal was just like any other. When it was over the small crowd up front cheered wildly. Tyler rushed her.
"I didn't know you were THAT good!"
Dale smiled at her, "I think the Rock Princess just found her sound."
Every one was yelling and cheering. She blushed, and instinctively looked to wings where Nate stood. He beamed at her with pride. For some reason that look made her feel better than any of the others. She looked back to the crowd and saw Chevy, Caitlyn, Andy, Mac, and Colby all cheering enthusiastically. She smiled and curtsied playfully. The crew reset the stage for Connect Three's second run through while she accepted the applause. Van approached her and gave her a hug.
"Thank you for covering for me," He whispered as he hugged her.
"You owe me one, daddy," She smiled.
"I owe you a lot more than just one, sweetie."
"Girl, you are too good to be back up," Kelly said as they all headed off stage.
"I'm not THAT good," She protested.
"Yes, you are," Torrey smiled. "You're amazing."
"Did you know Ella was that impressive?" Jason asked Caitlyn as the hairstylist touched up his hair.
"No, I did not. I was just as surprised as you. I mean I knew she was good, but back in the Camp Rock days she always seemed to get stuck in the background. She never really had her moment to shine," Caitlyn answered thoughtfully.
"I can't say I was surprised," Nate smirked. "The quiet ones usually hide the most talent."
Shane nodded, "Mitchie used to be quiet."
Caitlyn chuckled, "Nice use of past tense."
"Yeah, well, you sort of corrupted her," Shane teased.
"Me?" Caitlyn asked in shock. "I think you're more responsible for present day Mitchie than I am."
Nick smirked at his friends, and replayed Ella's performance in his head. He suddenly had an idea for a song.
It was the day of the LA show, and everyone was going to be there. Including Mitchie and Lola.
"If you had my love and I gave you all my trust would you comfort me?"
"Hello?" Ella answered.
"Mitchie and I are on our way inside," Lola said brightly.
"I still can't believe you let Mitchie help you finalize that deal with Battery," Ella grinned.
"Neither can I! I'm a signed artist now! I can't believe it!" Lola exclaimed. Ella heard Mitchie laughing in the background. "I can't believe that you're being nice to Connect Three!"
"They really came at us from all sides on this. Peggy and Caitlyn have been working on Barron, Sander, and Andy," Ella said observantly.
"We'll see if it lasts," Lola said darkly.
Ella smiled brightly, "I'm beginning to think it might last a while. Well, I've got to go let the hair ladies work their magic on me. I'll see you after the show."
"Definitely, girl," Lola said as she hung up.
Chevy hesitantly approached Nate's dressing room. Security had told him that Nate was looking for him. Chevy couldn't think of a reason why a popstar would be looking for him, but he was definitely curious. He knocked softly on the door and Nate quickly answered.
"Hey, man, come on in," Nate said as he opened the door wider.
"Security said you wanted to see me?" Chevy asked.
"Yeah, I need your opinion," Nate told him.
"On what?"
"A song. Caitlyn said you're a song writer."
Chevy stared at him in confusion, "Shouldn't you be talking to your bandmates about this?"
"It's not a song for Connect Three."
"Who's it for?" Chevy asked with a quirked eyebrow.
Nate took a deep nervous breath, "…Ella.'
Chevy's eyes widened, "You wrote a song for my sister…to sing?"
He nodded wordlessly.
Chevy sighed and sat down in a near by chair, "Are you going to play this song or do you just want me to look at the sheet music?"
Nate let out a relieved breath, "I was just gonna hand you the sheet music."
Chevy held out his hand for it, and Nate picked it up off of his coffee table and handed it to him. Nate watched anxiously as Chevy looked over the music. Nate's leg began to nervously bob up and down. Eventually he began to chew on his finger nails. Chevy hid a grin and took a little longer than necessary looking over the music. It was strange watching someone famous act normal and vulnerable. Chevy had to admit the song was good, and it seemed perfect for his sister. Her attitudes were reflected completely.
He smiled up at the younger man, "This is perfect for Ella, man."
"Really?"
"It's her style, depicts her personality, and it's catchy. I say show it to her," Chevy told him.
"She won't accept it if she knows I wrote it."
"Why not?"
"We've just started getting along again. I doubt her pride will let her accept a song from me," Nate explained.
"So, you're not going to give it to her?" Chevy asked worriedly.
Nate sighed, "I was hoping you would."
"Me?"
"I wrote it for her to sing. She won't sing it if she knows I wrote it, but if she thought you-"
"I'm not taking credit for someone else's work, dude."
Nate nodded and stared thoughtfully at the floor, "What if I used an alias? Would you give it to her then?"
"I might be willing to do that," Chevy agreed reluctantly.
Nate grabbed the music and quickly scribbled something down. Once he was done he shoved it back in Chevy's hands.
"Music and lyrics by Thomas Cole? Really?"
"I know…but Thomas is my middle name and coal is black, which is my last name. So it works. You try coming up with an alias at the last minute," Nate said defensively.
"Pat Impala."
"What?" Nate asked in confusion.
"My last minute alias…Pat Impala."
"Why Pat Impala?" Nate asked.
"Impala is a Chevy car model and Pat is like the first half of my last name just with a 't' instead of a 'd'."
"Right, Thomas Cole is better."
"Thomas Cole was a real person."
"Pat Impala sounds like a greaser straight out of 'The Outsiders'."
Chevy smirked, "Another reason why it's better than yours."
Nate grinned, "You're definitely related to Ella."
Chevy chuckled, "You doubted it?"
A/N: The song in this chapter belongs to Fefe Dobson, and it's called "I Want You." Go check it out, it's a great song!
