A/N – Since I'm telling you, you are not allowed to flame me for this. Since I wasn't alive when Sydney, Vaughn, etc were really 14 I have no clue what movies and music they listened/saw. So, I am pretending that it is the year 2002. OKAY? Good. Enjoy.
I have used Moulin Rouge in this story and two (three, four) songs (not all from it).
Vaughn's POV
I know no guy would ever admit this, but I am terrified of Sydney's dad. He has this attitude about people that no one would take not comfortless and he knew my father… come on.
The house was bright, radiating with a light from the living room window. Jumping up the steps, I knocked on the door slowly, softly.
"Hey Michael!" Francie gave me a quick hug and pulled me inside. "We were wondering where you were. It's four thirty." We passed the living room and I saw Jack sitting there watching a movie… a kind of comedy/drama crap that only people his age watched. No offense, but it was pathetic.
I looked around; taking in every little detail I could as Francie pulled me along to Sydney's room. Now that was what I wanted to see, Sydney's room, where she slept, kept to her self.
"Look who is finally here." Francie announced letting go of my arm, shutting the door and sitting on the bed next to Will. Sydney was on the floor next to the bed… next to Will.
"Hey. We were wondering if you were even coming." Sydney smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. "I'm sure Will wanted another guy around… not two girls."
I smirked and looked around. Nice room. Desk, phone, bed. Normal room.
"Hey." I nodded to Will. God, the guy didn't even have the decency to nod back. Moron.
"Sit." Sydney reached up and pulled my arm and I fell to the ground next to her.
"You are too strong for your own good." I sat up and pulled my knees up, resting my arms on them.
She just smiled. "Here." She spun around on her knees and reached toward her stereo. "I need to drown out the sound of that damned movie." Her fingers pushed the buttons and the number changed to a five. "You boys are gonna hate this song, but I just need something to get the sound of the television out of my head."
I'm not looking for someone to talk to
I've got my friends
I'm more than okay
I've got more than a girl could wish for
I live my dreams
But it's not all they say
Sydney bobbed her head and listened to the music.
Still I believe
(I'm missing...)
I'm missing something real
I need someone who really sees me
She looked up at Francie who was telling Will a joke and he burst out laughing.
(Don't want to wake...)
Don't want to wake up alone anymore
Still believing you'll walk in my door
All I need is to know it's for sure
Then I'll give
All the love in the world
She smiled and turned towards me, still smiling.
I've often wondered if love's an illusion
Just to get you through
The loneliest days
I can't criticize it
I had no hesitations
My imagination
Just stole me away
I moved closer and whispered that Will doesn't know what he's getting himself into.
Still I believe
(I'm missing...)
I'm missing something real
I need someone who really sees me
Sydney slapped me playfully.
(Don't want to wake...)
Don't want to wake up alone anymore
Still believing you'll walk in my door
All I need is to know it's for sure
Then I'll give
All the love in the world
Will looked up and he and her exchanged smiles.
Love's for a lifetime
Not for a moment
So how could I throw it away
I'm only human
And nights grow colder
With no one to love me that way
I sat back against her dresser and closed my eyes.
I need someone who really sees me
Sydney hummed to the music as it faded.
(Don't want to wake...)
Don't want to wake up alone anymore
Still believing you'll walk in my door
All I need is to know it's for sure
Then I'll give
All the love in the world
The red light blinked the number six and we could still hear the TV in the background.
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
I'm begging you to beg me
I looked over to Sydney. The song had a fast beat and no guy would admit he liked it. But it summed me up perfectly.
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me
She smiled at me and strained to hear if the TV was still on.
I'll shine up my old brown shoes
Put on a brand new shirt
Get home early from work
If you say that you love me
Sydney reached over and paused the music. All I could see was the red six blinking and Sydney with her finger barely touching the play/pause button.
"Is the TV off?" We all listened carefully and we heard no TV. "Finally." She sighed and hit the stop button and then clicked the stereo off completely.
The door to Sydney's room opened and her dad's head popped in and then his whole self.
"Hello." He said. Sydney's eyes seemed to be pleading him to continue. "I'm going out, Syd. If you guys leave, just leave a note or something." Without waiting for an answer he left quickly.
I listened as Sydney sighed and looked over to her. She just smiled.
Francie looked over to Sydney. "Do you guys wanna rent a movie? We could get a DVD and some popcorn…"
"Yeah…" Sydney got up quickly and went over to Francie, pulling her up.
"Now, what movie?" I stood and followed the girls into the living room.
"Will… you're really quiet." Francie went behind me and pulled Will further into the living room.
"Nothing to say…" His voice trailed and I couldn't wait until he was quiet again. Bad thoughts… I know, but I can't help them.
Sydney's POV
When Francie had dragged Michael into my room I breathed relief. I like Will… he's a cool guy to be around, just like Francie is a cool girl to hang out with. But Michael brings something to our little group. I don't know what… just something…
"Come on… we need suggestions for movies." I jumped a bit to get the jitters out of me. "If you want you can look in the DVD selection over there." I pointed to a little stack of DVDs.
"Ten Things I Hate About You?" Francie pulled out the first DVD. I shook my head and so did the guys. "That's a no. Heartbreakers… no. Hardball… we got a maybe." She stuck Hardball on the top of the shelf. "Pearl Harbor… no, too long. Moulin Rouge… another maybe." We went on and on, but the pile never rose from those two movies.
"Okay." I grabbed the two movies. "We got Hardball and Moulin Rouge. Both have sad parts in them… one has a happy ending… one has a sad ending." I held them both up. "Which one?" All I got was three shoulder shrugs. "Okay. Fine." I put the two movies behind my back and switched them from hand to hand until I couldn't remember which was in which hand. "Will, pick a hand."
"The right one." He pointed to my right arm.
I pulled the movie from behind me. "Moulin Rouge it is." I threw Hardball back on the shelf and took out the Moulin Rouge CD and stuck it in the DVD player. "You guys start the movie. I hate the beginning. I'm gonna get drinks and popcorn." I watched the others sit, except Michael who stood watching me, and then I left the room and went into the kitchen.
I pulled out two blue cups, two green cups and large bowl for the popcorn. When I turned around I jumped. Michael had been right behind me.
"Oh, God." He stepped back. "Sorry." Grabbing the bowl before I dropped it he set it on the counter.
I laughed and then (laughter is contagious) he laughed too. Soon we were both hysterical. "We are so stupid." I put down the cups and went to another cabinet and got the popcorn as he got the drinks.
"You're right." He smiled. God, I love his smile. It's so warm and bright.
"Francie doesn't like Coke. There is a Pepsi in the fridge, if you don't mind…" I stopped when he opened the fridge door. I smiled. He's sweet too.
"Does… Will… like Coke?" He could barely get the name out and I shuddered thinking that he thought I like Will… I didn't.
"Yeah. He had some in lunch." I glanced over to Michael as I stood in front of the microwave. I gave him a smile and he gave me one. That was us… we exchanged smiles and words, but we both wanted more…
"I'll bring these to them." I was almost going to stop him, but decided against it.
When I was six or seven and me and my mother were making popcorn I used to sit on the counter and watch the bag grow and grow, wondering if it was going to pop. It never did. Mom always took it out before it could. I wanted it to pop… don't know why… I just did. But now I don't. It seems just stupid.
I opened the microwave and touched the bag. "Shit." I put my finger in my mouth. The bag was hot and I was stupid to even think it wouldn't be.
"What happened?" Michael was behind me again.
"You are good at scaring people." I sighed as I took my finger away from my face. "It's nothing, I just burned my finger."
"Let me get it." I watched him take the bowl and put it right next to the microwave. Taking the bag by the edges he pulled it out of the microwave. He was loosing his grip on it. Before it dropped to the floor he threw it up a bit and caught it with his hands. "Ouch." He bounced it on his hands all the time saying 'ow' or 'ouch'. I laughed at the site. Finally he got the bag in the bowl.
"You laughing at me?" He turned and smiled at me.
"Well… yeah. Cause now someone has to open it." I pointed at the bag and we both started laughing.
Michael smiled and then put his finger up like he had an idea. "Knife?" I grabbed one from the draw and handed it to him. Carefully her slit open the bag and steam came out. Only a little. He smirked and looked over to me. Then he picked up the edges and pulled it upside down. We both watched the popcorn pour out.
I picked the bowl up and smiled taking a popcorn in my mouth. He took one too. "Let's go." I nudged him with my shoulder and lead him into the living room.
There were two couches in the living room. Francie and Will were sitting on one of them. Across from each other. Michael sat on the other one (which happened to be the smaller of the two) and I sat next to him, pulling my legs up to lean on. I put the popcorn on the ground. I wasn't hungry. I had Michael next to me. I wasn't hungry… for popcorn anyway.
Vaughn's POV
I was sitting next to Sydney. I looked over to Will and Francie and sighed. They were so engrossed in the movie. I glanced at Sydney. I had felt her eyes on me a few times during the movie and I smiled at the thought.
The movie was already up to Ewan McGregor singing Your Song.
My gift is my song
And this one's for you
And you can tell everybody
That this is your song
It maybe quite simple
But now that it's done
Hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
Now you're in the world
Sydney shifted next to me and I looked over to her. She was sitting differently now. Now she was sitting with her legs off the couch and she was slouched.
Sat on the roof
And I kicked off the moss
Well some of the verses well
They got me quite cross
But the sun's been kind
While I wrote this song
It's for people like you that
Keep it turned on
She looked over to me and smiled. "Sorry." She mouthed.
I moved over a bit so she could hear me. I was touching her barely and neither of us really minded. "Why are you sorry?"
"I disturbed the movie for you." She leaned so that her mouth was right next to my ear.
So excuse me for forgetting
But these things I do
You see I've forgotten
If they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
"You didn't disturb anything." I could barely keep my voice from choking, we were so close.
"You sure?" She pulled back and looked me straight in the eye. I nodded and she smiled. "You mind if I lean on you? I can't get comfortable." She looked so shy even though the lights were off.
"No." I whispered and turned my attention back to the movie. I felt her lean on my side and I sighed. Her head rested on my shoulder. I looked over to Francie and Will. They were still watching the movie.
And you can tell everybody
This is your song
It maybe quite simple
But now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
Now you're in the world
I moved my head and looked at Sydney on my shoulder. She turned a bit and looked me in the eyes. The brown was deep and beautiful.
Hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
I put down in words
How wonderful life is
Now you're in the world
Suddenly I felt a vibration coming from my pocket. Reaching for it I pulled my beeper out and sighed.
ERIC – 911
"Do you have a phone somewhere, I could use?" I whispered as to not disturb Will and Francie.
"In the kitchen. Come on." She pulled me up and into the kitchen. "Here." She handed me the phone.
Dialing the number I threw my beeper on the counter and leaned against it.
"Yeah?" I heard someone answer on the other end.
"What'd you want Eric?" I sighed into the phone.
"You mom called her and said you were at Sydney's. When I said Sydney who, she asked me to find you." I heard him cough and then continue. "And since she still doesn't know you even have a beeper, I thought, why not try that. Who knew you were actually going to answer it this time."
"Yeah, I'm still wondering why I did." I said sarcastically to him. "What'd she want from me?"
"Shit." I heard rustling and a bang. "Sorry… I dropped the phone." He sighed. "She said that your aunt Heather was coming for dinner and she wants you at your house by seven."
"It's five thirty." I argued. "Whatever. I'm going. If she calls you again tell her that." I hung up without a good-bye and looked over to Sydney.
"Gotta go home?" She asked with a sigh.
"Yeah." I put the phone on the counter and walked into the living room. As I was picking up my jacket (not disturbing Will and Francie) the phone rung.
"Francie!" Sydney came into the living room. "It's David. Your dad wants you home."
"Okay." Francie got up and looked at me strangely. "You are leaving too?" I nodded, putting on my jacket then throwing her hers.
After small good-byes, not from me and Will though, me and Francie headed out.
"Where do you live anyway?" Francie started to walk down the block with me.
"About a mile from here." I gave Francie a smile and then reached into my pocket. "Crap. I forgot my beeper there. Go on without me." I waved to Francie. "See ya later!" I ran back to Sydney's house and reached the door. Do I knock or go in. I just needed to grab my beeper, so I decided to slip in then out.
I grabbed the doorknob and opened it slowly. The movie was still playing, I could hear it. I saw my beeper on the counter and heard something from the living room. Not the movie. I threw my beeper in my pocket then making sure no one saw me I looked in the living room.
It was Sydney and Will. Kissing.
That wasn't good. I quietly made my way out of the house and back down the block.
That site had not been good for me. Not good for my ego, my brain… but mostly, not good for my heart.
A/N – You all hate me now don't you? I hate myself at the moment. But don't worry… no never mind… you should worry. I'll be back with a new chapter soon!