A/n: Hey guys! This chapter was super hard to write. I'm bad at music-type stuff... Also, it's super long. I'm sorry. But I hope you like it! And be prepared, the next chapter, may or may not be a little bit M-rated.


The auditorium is buzzing loudly, the chatter of parents, students, and faculty. It was really warm, partially because the heater was on, partially because there were just so many bodies.

Back at Clementine's old school, no one ever went to the talent shows, not even the parents, so she expected the same thing to happen here. It was one of the reasons why she didn't have many qualms about jumping into the talent show at the last minute; there wouldn't be a lot of people there to see her if she flubbed on stage. She didn't get nervous often, but she was definitely nervous now.

She worried that maybe her and Luke didn't rehearse enough. What if she couldn't hit that one damn note during the breakdown of the song? What if Luke messed up and dropped his guitar on stage and it shattered into a million pieces? What if she choked?

"Calm down, Sweat Pea," Lee says, comfortingly, "You got this. I heard you two practicing and you sound great. Just relax."

Clementine frowns, "I didn't think so many people would be here."

"Just pretend that everyone is in their underwear. Except Luke. Luke should always be fully clothed to you." Lee grins, pulling his foster daughter into a hug. "You got this. If I were betting on anyone, it would be you. Not that I am betting my whole last paycheck that you guys are going to win. I have overtime on that check, by the way."

"Lee!" Clementine laughs, "I can't handle that kind of pressure! How are you going to pay the bills? We'll have no home!"

Lee grabs Clementine by her shoulders and lightly shakes her, "Unless you win! If you win, we can have two homes!"

"And my own car?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Lee smirks.

The lights above flicker deliberately, a signal, Clementine learned, that meant it was time for the performers to start getting ready. Or something. She gives Lee one final good-luck hug before heading to the backstage area. There were going to be quite a few acts tonight, so the backstage was really full. It took her a little bit of time to find Luke.

She took his hand in her's, causing him to flush slightly, and lead them to their little group. Because there were so many acts tonight, the talent show coordinator split the show into three segments: theater, song, and dance. Of course, Clementine and Luke were up against Becca and Russel, and three other acts (two girls that were performing solos and one guy that does a three minute guitar solo). There were six dance acts and four theater acts. Everyone knew that the most anticipated acts were the singing ones though, so the singers would be performing last.

The talent show coordinator is an anxious young lady, skinny and pale, her name is Irene. She gathers all the "Talentos", her nickname for the performers, into one big group.

"O-okay guys, um, the show is starting real soon and I just want y'all to remember: it is a competition, but win or lose, all of you are amazin' at what you do. We were worried about how we would be able to give each winning group their cash prize of five hundred dollars, but we just got the numbers back from ticket sales and... Well, each group is still going to get that five hundred dollars I promised them! Miss Rapp was very pleased, by the way, with that. But, uh, the show is going to begin in about three minutes, so, yeah. Break a leg, guys! Just not each other's legs." She laughs nervously before clapping, dismissing the group of Talentos.

Luke looks down at Clementine, "You nervous?"

Clementine nods, "Yeah, super nervous. I've never sung in front of anyone before, besides you."

Luke shrugs, "I get you. None of these people really matter though. I mean, except for Lee. And my parents."

"Your parents are here?" Clementine nearly screeches, "Why didn't you tell me that? I can't sing in front of them. I never even got to meet them when we were dating!"

Luke shoves her lightly, "You'll be fine, Clem. You've got a nice voice. We're good together, musically and otherwise."

"Shut up," She smiles, "Maybe we should practice once more before we go on stage."

"Don't bother," Becca says, as she walks up, her hands on her hips, "We've heard you practice and we can say that there's no way your guy's stupid, pop-punk song is going to beat our tragically beautiful indie love song. You're just going to embarrass yourselves in front of our whole school's community."

Clementine sticks out her tongue and blows a raspberry at Becca. Becca's face flushes with rage.

"You're such a baby, Clementine!" She yells.

Clementine presses her thumb against her septum and wiggles her fingers, "Yeah? Well, you're a poopy-head. Go away before I tell Irene to give me all your juice boxes for the rest of the year!"

Becca stamps her foot before turning around and storming off to her side of the backstage.

"That was mature." Luke comments, "Calling her a poopy-head."

"Hey, I just calls it as I sees it." Clementine grins, "Now, let's rehearse."


After about an hour, the first two groups had already performed. The winner of the theater group was a girl who passionately delivered the Samuel L. Jackson speech from Pulp Fiction, "And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!" And the winners of the dance section was a trio of boys that flawlessly recreated the choreography of "Single Ladies". It made everyone laugh but they were genuinely great at the dance.

Luke whispered to Clementine that they definitely had the legs and butts to pull of their tight black leotards. Clementine then asked Luke why he was checking out other guys, to which Luke responded that he should be able to comment on another guy's amazing thighs without any judgement being placed on him.

Irene takes the stage, shaking the hands of the dance group winners, before shooing them off the stage. "Thank you to Single Guy's dance group for that amazing performance, and congratulations again, on your victory. They wanted me to tell every available girl in the audience that all of them are single and very, very lonely. The next and final section of our talent show is the singing portion. Our first performer is the wildly talented Victoria, who is going to be performing her rendition of Chandelier."

Irene exits the stage and taking her place is a small, blonde girl. She seems nervous and her voice shakes during her performance.

"I'm scared I'll sound like that." Clementine confesses.

"You'll be lucky if you sound like that." Becca comments, Russel in town behind her.

Luke looks past Becca and at Russel. "Dude, you can't control your girlfriend? She's being kind of a huge, raging bitch."

Russel shrugs, "Sorry, man. She's my girlfriend, not my pet." He turns to Becca and whispers something in her ear. She smiles at him before throwing one last murderous glance at Clementine and walking away. When she's gone, Russel steps forward, closer to Clementine and Luke. "Hey guys, I know Becca talks big and tough, but the truth is... You guys sound really great. Maybe better than us. But we were planning on using the prize money to run away. To Hollywood. Becca really wants to go for the whole indie label thing and I'm going to support her. I know it's kind of a dick move, but could I talk you guys into throwing the competition?"

Clementine and Luke exchange looks of surprise.

"Ah, well, I don't know, man." Luke says, uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck.

Russel frowns, "Well, Becca told me that the only reason you guys are even in the show is some sort of revenge act for the way Becca's been treating Sarah."

Luke looks at Clementine expectantly. Clementine grimaces, "I asked her to back off of Sarah and she pretty much told me to fuck off. So, I guess, this is kind of a payback thing. But we're not bowing out of the competition. If Becca really deserves to win, then you guys will."

"Alright, I guess I can respect that." Russel nods, "Well, I guess I'll leave you two alone. Good luck."

When Russel is out of sight, Luke turns and faces Clementine. "I thought you said you just wanted to sing with me."

Clementine pouts, looking away. "I'm sorry. I just- I knew that if I had told you I was doing it to get back at Becca, you wouldn't have done it."

"So, you were using me." Luke says.

Clementine lowers her eyes, "I guess, in a sense, I was. I'm sorry, I should have been honest with you. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Luke grins, weaving his fingers between Clementine's. "I could do that. On one condition."

Clementine looks up at Luke, "And what would that be?"

Luke grins mischievously, before leaning down and kissing Clementine sweetly. "I guess you'll have to wait and find out til after the show."


"Alright. Up next are the penultimate performers. Singing a duet, please welcome to the stage: Becca and Russel."

Becca and Russel make their way to the stage, Becca shoving Clementine with her shoulder on the way out. They both have their guitars and they sit across from each other on stools in the middle of the stage. The lights dim and Russel begins strumming his guitar. Becca begins strumming her guitar after his bar, their guitars syncing together perfectly.

Russel begins to sing, "Love of mine, someday you will die, but I'll be close behind. I'll follow you into the dark. No blinding lights or tunnels to gates of white. Just our hands clasped so tights, waiting for the hint of a spark." Becca joins him in the chorus, "If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark." Becca takes the lead, with Russel, only strumming his guitar next to her, "In Catholic school, as vicious as Roman rule, I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black. I held my tongue, as she told me, 'Son, fear is the heart of love.' So, I never went back." Russel's voice slowly join's Becca's once again, "If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark. You and me have seen everything to see. From Bangkok to Calgary, and the soles of your shoes are all worn down. The time for sleep is now, it's nothing to cry about, cause we'll hold each other soon. In the blackest of rooms. If heaven and hell decided that they both are satisfied, illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs. If there's no one besides you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark" Russel sings the last line by himself, "I'll follow you into the dark."

The lean in and meet in the middle, sharing a sweet, chaste kiss. Before standing up and bowing. The applause for them is loud, louder than all the other acts had gotten. There are a few whistles.

Clementine feels a knot in her stomach. Oh God, the audience loved them. Could she and Luke compete with that?

"Good luck, Clem," Becca sneers, joining them backstage, "You're gonna need it. Cause they fucking loved us."

Clementine doesn't say anything. She feels like she's going to throw up.

"And our final performers of the night, please welcome Clementine and Luke!"

The two make their way to the middle of the stage. They look at each other and steps ten paces away from each other, like they rehearsed. Luke takes a second to settle his guitar strap comfortably on his shoulder before he begins strumming. The lights switch to a sad blue color, before dimming and settle on Clementine and Luke's figures on stage. Clementine watches Luke, trying not to be nervous. His verse was first. If he could pull it off flawlessly, they had a shot at winning this thing, or at least not looking like a couple of dorks.

Luke starts singing, his voice nearly angelic, "And hey darling, I hope you're good tonight. And I know you don't feel right when I'm leaving. Yeah, I want it, but no I don't need it. Tell me something sweet to get me by. Cause I can't come back home til they're singing. La, la la la, la la la. Til everyone is singin'. If you can wait til I get home. Then I swear to you, that we can make this last. La, la, la. If you can wait til I get home, then I swear come tomorrow, this will all be in our past. Well, it might be for the best." He strums the short instrumental, before looking at Clementine, expectantly. It was her turn. She closes her eyes and begins to sing.

"And hey, sweetie, well I need you here tonight. And I know that you don't wanna be leaving me. Yeah, you want it, but I can't help it. I just feel complete when you're by my side. But I know you can't come home til they're singin'. La, la la la, la la la."

Luke jumps in again, "Til everyone is singin'. La, la la la, la la la. If you can wait til I get home, then I swear to you that we can make this last. If you can wait til I get home. THen I swear come tomorrow, this will all be in our past."

Clementine then takes over, "You know you can't give me what I need, and even though you mean so much to me, I can't wait through everything."

"Is this really happening?" Luke sings. He strums the guitar faster, the tempo of the song picking up. It was almost to the breakdown. "You know, I'll never be happy again. And don't you dare say we can just be friends. I'm not some boy that you can sway." Here it was.

They both run and meet each other in the middle. Luke is leans over, while Clementine clutches at her chest, trying to let the feeling of the song take over her body.

"We knew it'd happen eventually!" Their voices come together in pure, raw emotion, "La, la la la, la la la. Now everybody's singin'! La, la la la, la la la. Now everybody's singing, la! If you can wait til I get home! Then I swear we can make this last! If you can wait til I get home, then I swear we can make this last!"

Clementine and Luke are breathing hard and heavy. They're facing each other, watching each other's chests heave heavily. Clementine wasn't sure what it was that was making her feel so overwhelmed. Was it the song? Was it the emotion in it? Was it Luke?

She reaches up and grabs Luke by the front of his shirt, and pulls him down, smashing their lips together in a fervent, passionate kiss. She runs her fingers through his long, slightly damp hair and he wraps his arms around her small waist.

It's like a giant wave has swollen in the auditorium. The audience explodes with applause, cheers, whistles, and people crying out in joy. Clementine flushes, realizing that she had just made out with Luke in front of the whole school. And various parents and family members, including Lee and Luke's parents.

Irene joins the couple on stage, smiling nervously. "Well, it doesn't even look like we need to talk it over. It seems like the crowd has made our choice for us. Congratulations, Clementine. Luke. On behalf of the whole school, we award you first prize: five hundred dollars."

Irene reaches into her pocket and hands the couple a thick, white envelope. Clementine accepts it, smiling tightly. She takes Luke's hand in her free hand and makes her way backstage. They look around for Becca and Russel. Finding them near the secret exit, Becca's arms crosses and a deep frown on her face. She spots Clementine and Luke making their way towards her.

"What do you want?" She hisses, "Come to gloat?"

"No," Clementine says, "I- Actually, we- decided that we don't want this money. And we thought we should give it to you guys, since we- well, I- totally ruined everything by jumping in the talent show at the last minute." She hold the envelope out to Becca, who scrutinizes it for a second.

"Why are you doing this?" She asks, warily.

Clementine shrugs, "Cause it's not really our money. This whole competition was a popularity contest anyways. Everyone loves us just cause they think we got rid of Carver."

"Even though all we did was get our asses kicked." Luke laughs.

Becca holds the envelope in her hands, squeezing it, feeling it like she doesn't believe the money is actually inside. "Thanks, guys." She says, her voice shaking, "I... I really appreciate it. I don't know what to say."

"Just go," Clementine smiles, "Don't look back."

Becca looks up at the girl in front of her, her eyes shining. "Yeah, okay. Thank you, Clementine. Thank you." She throws her arms around Clementine and hugs her tightly, "Thank you so much." She holds her hand out and Russel takes it, waving Clementine and Luke a half-hearted good-bye.

Luke speaks when the door shuts behind them, "Is this what we're gonna do to anyone that's a problem to us or our friends? Send them away? Carver to juvie, Becca to Hollywood?"

"Hey, Hollywood doesn't sound like a bad place to be sent to." Clementine grins, "Besides, Becca and Russel will be fine. Worse comes to worse, they'll make their way back here. Until then, no one will be bothering Sarah anymore."

"You really care about her, huh?" Luke comments.

"Yeah," Clementine nods, "She was my second friend here."

"Oh? And who was your first?"

Clementine turns and looks up at him, before pulling him down for a kiss. "Oh, just some guy that's been fawning all over me since I met him."

"Is that right? Maybe you should tell him to back off." Luke grins.

"Nah," Clementine smiles, "I like him as much as he likes me. I'm just not a total loser about it."


The songs used in this chapter are I'll Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie and If It Means A Lot To You by A Day To Remember