AN: I know, I know, long wait(like 3 months). I didn't quite realize it's been THAT long...Sorry about the delay and everything guys. Just...life...and other stories...and NaNoWriMo...heh heh. D:
Good news is...I'm no longer on haitus! XD I wrote over 37k words for NaNoWriMo, which I'm gloriously happy about. ;) And btw, I'm going through editing(grammar, typos, etc), all of TES, and DWTLU. So, there might be slight changes, but nothing big that you absolutely NEED to reread the fic(s) for(Especially TES, but rereading this fic may be a good idea, I'm changing SOME things I don't like)...but if things come up that you don't remember happening, or things you don't remember being said, I'd suggest you go back and reread the chappies I have out.
Oh and I went to Cali over winter break...it's been a while. :/ oops?
But enough chatter! Let's get back to the story!
"Are you serious?"
Everything was going to hell and Iris was worried about their absence in the central light. Of course, they'd gotten everyone back safely...but still.
Dawn placed her phone on the bedside table. She groaned, rolling over and landing on the ground. "Dammit."
"Dawn?"
May's head poked through the door, her hair in disarray. "What happened?"
"Fell," Dawn sighed, pushing herself into a sitting position. "Out of the bed."
"Only you," Marina laughed, prancing into the room.
"What is this, gather in Dawn's room day?" Dawn grumbled. Her bright pink room was illuminated by the rising sun. The large king sized bed easily fit all the girls as they spanned the space with overlapping arms and legs comfortably.
"I'm not missing anything, am I?" Misty walked in, a tray of steaming food heaped on it.
"Please tell me that's for us," May begged, her eyes trained on the food as she tugged her pajamas pants further down. "I mean, you can't bring food into the bedrooms and not expect us to eat it."
"That's just you," Leaf muttered dryly, tapping a pencil against her chin. "None of us have that requirement, May."
She lugged around a clipboard with sheets of empty staves. She jotted down notes and lyrics as she went, looping around the other girls to help Dawn up. "I might float around the house a bit. Need to write a new song."
"I guess this is really gather in Dawn's room day," Dawn said sleepily, but she didn't seem to mind too much.
"Yeah May, this is for you guys. Thank me later. I already had breakfast with the boys. Your soulmate made it May, so you can thank him later. I think Jimmy and Ash tried to help, but only managed to ruin some of it. Perhaps Gary was the only one who did anything. Paul's out back again, dunno when he's back." Misty placed the tray atop Dawn's dresser, dropping down onto Dawn's ottoman.
"So, what TV do you guys want to watch?" Marina prompted, twirling the TV remote with a small smirk.
May gaped at the food before turning to her friends. "You aren't even going to eat first?"
"I think the TV's more important."
"No it's not!"
"Of course it is."
"Anyone want to talk about the other gender occupying this house? I mean lately you've all bee-"
"-No!"
"NO!"
"Definitely not."
"Yes, we totally want to talk about THEM right now Leaf. And plus, it's not like you're so different! You're definitely waay more enthusiastic about Gary AFTER he learned that being a douche didn't earn him any brownie points."
"Sorry, sheesh. You all just seemed like you needed to...talk about it. I don't really know."
"Just...Okay. TV," Marina pointed at the screen.
"Right."
May let out a small groan as she faced her friends. "We literally haven't gotten anywhere."
Dawn nodded, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. She flashed a smile. "Then I suppose we'll just have to decide now!"
"HOW are you so positive? Remember how long it took last time for us pick something to do?" Misty said pointedly.
"Yup. An hour. It's not so bad."
"What do you mean, it's not so bad?!" Misty cried, "With an hour, I could've done a ton of stuff!"
"True, but I mean, our record is like...four hours, right?" Dawn remembered.
"Ugh, I guess that's true. It could be totally worse," Marina said. "Whatever. Time to pick a movie guys."
"So...uh...Can we do-"
"No May, we cannot do a film with Wallace in it."
"Dang it!"
Leaf scribbled on her notepad furiously, humming a tune under her breath. She hopped down the steps, almost running into a wall, but sharply maneuvered away from it.
"New song?" Ash asked with a bright smile. Leaf nodded, shoving her pencil in her mouth as she rushed over to the piano, playing a couple chords.
"Show us what you got," Gary prompted, giving her a small smile. Leaf smiled back, overly glad that she didn't have to deal with a rude Gary anymore.
"Perhaps I can help too?" Paul offered, closing the porch door behind him. He chucked his jacket onto a nearby chair before settling onto the couch next to Gary.
Leaf shot the purple-haired boy a surprised look before nodding quickly. "Yeah. Here...this is what I have."
She took a deep breath before playing, almost as if gathering courage.
"Everybody got their reason, everybody got their way," Leaf sang, playing a couple chords. "We're just catching and releasing. What builds up throughout the day. It gets into your body."
Paul reached for his guitar, strumming along. Ash thought for a moment before creating a beat on the table.
Gary stepped next to the grand piano, playing a harmony unsurely. Leaf flashed him a grin as she continued singing. "And it flows right through your blood. We can tell each other secrets. And remember how to love. Da da dum dum dum dum dum. Da dum dum dum. Dadada dum dum. Da da dum dum dum dum dum. Da dum dum dum."
Leaf stopped, pausing. "Well, that's the chorus. And I think I have most of the first verse done. But I'll need help with a bridge and second verse."
"Shall we have a music writing session?" Gary asked with a smirk. "I mean, we are all musicians."
The brown-haired girl stuck her tongue out, eyes bright. "Yeah. I'll go get the girls. I think they're all upstairs. They're watching a movie."
"Why aren't you there?" Ash asked curiously.
"I've been writing songs during the movie, so I thought it'd probably be smart not to do it in a darkened room." Leaf explained. "Alright, you guys go get the other boys?"
They nodded, and Leaf dashed out of the room. Her footsteps echoed through the house as she pounded up the stairs.
Words Unspoken was totally okay with being interrupted for a song-writing session. The girls flooded down the stairs, carrying various instruments, note pads, pencils and electronic devices.
The boys were all waiting there already.
"Are we adding other things to this song?" Paul asked immediately after Leaf settled into the piano bench. "Like electric music? Dubstepesque type things? That is definitely not a word...I forgot what it was called."
Dawn laughed lightly, "Paul, using a fake word? The world must be ending."
She frowned. "Nah, I think this is a quieter, more soothing song."
May smiled. "Let's hear it Leafy."
"There's a place I go to
Where no one knows me
It's not lonely
It's a necessary thing
It's a place I made up
Let it wash over me
Ready to lose my feet
Take me on to the place where one reviews life's mystery
Steady on down the line
Lose every sense of time
Take it all in and wake up that small part of me
Day to day I'm blind to see
And find how far
To go
Everybody got their reason
Everybody got their way
We're just catching and releasing
What builds up throughout the day
It gets into your body
And it flows right through your blood
We can tell each other secrets
And remember how to love
Da da dum dum dum dum dum
Da dum dum dum
Dadada dum dum
Da da dum dum dum dum dum
Da dum dum dum
Dadada dum dum."
"Alright, so everyone works on the instrument parts? Leaf and Paul can take over the lyrics," May said. No one objected, and they quickly set to work.
Nothing was heard except for scribbling, and a few occasional notes.
Paul tapped his own pencil on his paper. "Huh. Let's see...I think I got the start to the second verse. And maybe finish of the first verse.
"Find out what I'm made of, the nights are stayed up counting stars and fighting sleep," Paul sang lowly. He gave a prompting look. "That way it fits nicely. Then the chorus can come in."
Leaf hummed under her breath before nodding. "Yeah, yeah that's good."
"Okay," Paul said, "This is the second verse part I have."
He took a deep breath before singing, "There's a place I'm going, no one knows me. If I breathe real slowly."
"Let it out and let it in. It can be terrifying," Leaf added on the fly, "To be slowly dying. Also clarifying, the end where we begin."
So let it wash over me
I'm ready to lose my feet
Take me on to the place where one reviews life's mystery
Steady on down the line."
Sometime, Jimmy picked up a guitar, and Marina grabbed one as well. She may not play regularly, but she still knew how to play one. Leaf was playing chords already.
Misty had gotten two sets of drumsticks, handing one to Ash with a grin.
"Lose every sense of time
Take it all in and wake up that small part of me
Day to day I'm blind to see
And find how far
To go
Everybody got their reason
Everybody got their way
We're just catching and releasing
What builds up throughout the day
It gets into your body
And it flows right through your blood
We can tell each other secrets
And remember how to love
"Da da dum dum dum dum dum
Da dum dum dum
Dadada dum dum
Da da dum dum dum dum dum
Da dum dum dum
Dadada dum dum."
Paul and Drew sang together, everyone else falling silent for the moment. Their low tones blending together nicely. Jimmy and Marina strummed the guitars in time with each other.
"There's a place I go to
There's a place I go to
There's a place I go to
There's a place I go to
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of
Find out what I'm made of."
Leaf, May, and Dawn were all harmonizing, while Paul and Drew were were simply singing low tones, as if imitating the bass, or other added music.
They all sat back, quite satisfied.
"That actually sounds really good," Dawn said with a short giggle.
"Should we do a joint album?" Misty asked. She seemed nervous, hesitant, and maybe a little more than curious.
Everyone stared at each other.
"What are the pros?" Ash smiled.
"And what are the cons?" Misty frowned.
They smiled at each other as the others groaned. And they didn't stop staring at each other. They got close and closer...then...
"Too lovey dovey," Marina complained, smirking at her cousin. They broke apart with a flush, everyone else bursting into laughter. Misty stuck out her tongue childishly.
"Another one?" Drew staring at May contemplatively.
She cocked her head at him, a smile creeping up. "What are you up to?"
Drew smiled. "I have lyrics that I've been...keeping in my room."
"That's what you've been hiding!" Gary exclaimed triumphantly. Leaf rolled her eyes, punching her fiance with a glare. "Don't be rude."
Drew was slightly flushed as he glared at his best friend. "Shut up."
"Aww! Did you write a song for me?" May laughed teasingly.
Drew flushed a little more as his eyes darkened a little. "Whatever. I don't care that much."
"It's okay to be care, you know," Ash offered up with a small, innocent smirk. "A lot."
Everyone turned to him.
"Looks like Ash is all insightful today!" Dawn laughed.
He looked affronted again. "Hey!"
They all laughed.
"You want to play a tune, Leaf?" Paul prompted. Leaf nodded slowly, playing a chord.
She shook her head as she changed the chord, before adding another. Soon, there were a string of chords. Paul grabbed a guitar and joined in, playing almost the same chords on the guitar.
Drew thought for a moment before starting to sing.
"Well, you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back."
The song built, the music changing with the words. Leaf and Paul had moved on to a bridge, switching things up as it went.
"Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention.
I reckon, it's again my turn
To win some or learn some."
Drew was singing softly, as if it was one of those heartfelt, quieter songs. May was swaying in her seat with Dawn, the two girls
"But I won't hesitate
No more, no more.
It cannot wait,"
It was almost as if May knew the lyrics. Because for the last two words of the chorus, she joined in, her voice building a lilting harmony.
"I'm yours."
The couple shared a shy smile, though Drew's expression was tinged with surprise. Dawn nudged her friend, continuing to sway. The music took a happier, bubbly turn.
"Well, open up your mind and see like me,
Open up your plans and damn you're free.
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love.
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing, we're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved."
Drew continued singing. Paul added some lower harmony, and Dawn let out a giggle at Drew's once again shocked expression. It was almost as if he hadn't expected everyone else to take to the song that quick.
"So I won't hesitate
No more, no more.
It cannot wait,
I'm sure.
There's no need to complicate.
Our time is short.
This is our fate,
I'm yours."
Drew finished as Paul and Leaf kept playing.
Misty smiled to herself as she kept the spare camera steady. She had been recording the entire session, but none of her friends seemed to realize. It was too bad. They were going to flip out when she posted the session on Poketube.
Misty cackled evilly as she pressed the post button with glee. She of course looked GREAT in the video, but she didn't care that much. She mostly cared about how her friends were going to absolutely go nuts when they saw it. The girls would freak out because their hair was mess. The boys...well, they would freak out because their hair was messy. And NOT the stylish kind.
Misty let out another laugh.
"What're you doing?" Ash knocked on the door, his face peering through the crack. Misty couldn't help herself, and started laughing.
"Um..haha...uh, nothing Ash!"
Ash pushed the door open, coming around to look at the device on her table. "Really? You took VIDEO of us?"
"What?" Misty mumbled sheepishly.
She hadn't photo shopped anything...which is more than she gave the girls from before. Like...before, she had completely photo shopped their faces before posting a previous video with them just jamming. Progress. At least, Misty called it progress.
"No, I'm not mad, I'm just a little shocked. Why?" Ash questioned.
"'Cause it's funny," Misty said, grinning toothily. "I mean, the girls are going to freak, the fans are going to freak, and our MANAGER is going to freak, I mean, Aralyn and Iris will go absolutely nuts! So yeah, I'm bending the rules a little...but you have to admit it'll be funny when they react. They don't even look that bad." Misty explained.
"Huh. I mean, I guess you're right. Though it's a little on the mean side..."
"Oh shush it, it'll be okay. They'll forgive me...over a period of time."
"Okay, if you say so, Mist."
"I do say so."
"Right, bye, I gotta go find where Paul wandered off to..."
"Sometimes," Misty muttered to herself, "I swear that boy is psychic. He totally knows when he needs to leave!"
"I'm actually really glad to be here."
"What do you mean?" Jimmy turned to Marina, staring at her with an apprehensive look in his eyes.
Marina sighed with a deep groan. She rolled over on the bed, kicking her legs in the air as she stared at Jimmy's ceiling. They had all gotten their own rooms, and as time had gone on, they had made the blank rooms a little more like themselves.
"I mean, being here, without a bullet or a fan hurtling towards us."
Jimmy let out a choked laugh, "You make it sound like the fan and the bullet are equally as bad."
Marina shot him a bright smile, "That's 'cause they are!"
He shook his head, his hair drooping and falling in his eyes as he took his cap off. Marina brushed out of his eyes, before snatching her hand back. It was...too domestic. Too familiar for people who weren't even completely sure about a relationship, let alone getting married soon.
"NOOOO! MISTY WATERFLOWER, YOU DIDN'T LET ME DO MY HAIR! OR PUT ON PROPER CLOTHES!"
"Okay, calm down, my hair wasn't done either...just-"
"Shut up Drew! This is 100% not okay!"
Marina fell back against the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "I suppose May found the video Misty posted today."
"Wait, what?" Jimmy's back straightened as his lips thinned. "WHAT."
Marina perked an eyebrow, settling against the covers and pillows. "Yeah. Mist thinks no one saw her recording with the spare camera in the studio, but come on, we're not cousins for nothing. I mean, CLOSE cousins. I know her like the back of my hand."
"So you noticed when she went to the camera and started recording?"
"Duh."
"Why didn't you warn any of us?"
Marina giggled. "Well it wouldn't be as honest if we all were just acting, would it?"
He paused, shooting her an amused look, "So you did so we would be our honest selves?"
"Yup," Marina nodded, brushing a pig tail over her shoulder. "I suppose we should go look at the video with them. Hm?"
"How do you even know they're watching it?"
Marina perked a brow, "That's a stupid question. You can't honestly believe that my friends WOULDN'T want to watch anything out in public about themselves? Okay, that makes them sound conceited. I mean, like usually they do it before it's released...but it's different this time. They always want to make sure they look okay and all that."
"That's true. I mean, I know you care about it too. So why aren't you freaking out?"
"Well, I believe in inner beauty and confidence in yourself. I mean, of course I want to look good, but that's for me, and for my friends, or people I actually care about. I don't care what strangers think about me very much. And maybe a little of it is for the fans, but otherwise...nah. I mean, if you get all dolled up and someone likes you, but when you're not, they don't...then they don't like YOU, they like the dresses and make up. And perhaps some people are okay with fake affection, but I'm not."
"Preach...tell that to all those people obsessed with looking perfect out there."
"Trust me," Marina mumbled darkly, "I have."
"Come on," Jimmy held the door open, arm sweeping as he dipped his hat. He smiled as he pointed towards the source of the loud crying. Marina smirked.
"Oh dear, WHAT has Misty done?"
"No! I look horrible! My hair is everywhere! You can see that we're all in pajamas! Why Misty WHY!?" May wailed as everyone gathered in the girl's red room. "Do you understand what this'll do to my image? We're celebraties! They'll murder us!"
"I don't care about you're image," Drew offered, a half smile adorning his face.
"Well I dooo," May moaned, her limps sprawling from her chair as she stared at the screen in horror.
"If it makes you feel better, I look like a FIVE. And normally I'm a TEN," Gary said solemnly, leaning against the doorway. Leaf punched him in the shoulder with a sharp glare.
"Cut it out."
Gary groaned, but nodded. "Okaaay."
"I'm going to die," May whimpered, holding her hands out desperately. Drew hesitated, and almost moved to hug her before Dawn bumped him out of the way with her shoulder.
"Outta the way mister! May needs a Dawn hug!"
Drew stared at them, half scared, half confused, and perhaps just a tad angry.
"I'm mad at Mist," May complained weakly. "Me mad!"
"Aww, I know you are, I'm kinda too...but we forgive and forget May, remember?"
Drew inched towards Gary. "Uh...why are they acting like May's a child and Dawn's her mother?"
"I don't know, I'm not very good with the emotional part of women!" Gary whispered back, keeping in it all in the corner of his mouth. Drew shot him a look.
"Okay, I'm not good with MOST parts of women," Gary admitted. Leaf turned to him with a sharp, agreeing look.
"Yeah, yeah," Gary mumbled, nudging her. She gave him a small smile before turning back to their friends.
"I thought we were okay," Leaf said, pointing all of them out. "I mean, it's all more adorable than anything else. Not particularly messy, and if it is, it's more realistic and cute than horribly cray. You know?"
"Did you just say, 'cray'?" May laughed incredulously. Leaf flushed.
"Maybe?"
"Oh Leaf, we are SO proud of you!" Marina laughed dramatically, sweeping into the room with Jimmy not far behind. The video continued playing on the screen.
"See?" Marina said, "I TOLD you."
"Yeah, yeah," Jimmy sighed, mimicking Gary from earlier. "I guess we just never win."
"Okay, hit me with it," Misty sighed, appearing in the doorway with a half smirk, half frown on her face.
May, Dawn, and Leaf all turned their attention to Misty. But only May tackled Misty. And only Dawn started screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Are you sure this'll protect our ears from their shrieking cries?" Ash asked seriously, his eyes filled with worry.
Paul gave a silent scoff before plopping down in the corner of the room, his long legs laid out in front of him. "Who do you think I am?"
"Alright, alright," Ash said warily. "If you're sure. I mean, I just really don't want to hear their screams."
"Yeah," Paul muttered, "Me too. That's why I came down here in the soundproof recording studio in the first place."
"No need to get so condescending," Ash huffed. "I get looked down around here enough."
Paul stared at him for a moment, completely unimpressed.
"Remind me why we're friends again?" Paul asked.
"I don't know, Paul," Ash sighed. "I don't know either."
AN: Yeah...short, I know. But I'll get the next one out faster. I promise!
-Ange