Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Spencer and John.

A/N: I need reviews!! It's what keeps me inspired!!!! So please please please REVIEW!!!!

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"So what's her name?" Asked Spencer as Jess came out of the bathroom. He had woken up about 20 minutes ago and was still very tired.

"What?" He asked, his eyes half way closed.

"The girl. The one that's makin you so happy. What's her name?" A smile spread across Spencer's face as his little brother fidgeted a little bit. Jess walked over to his mirror and played around with his hair. "Jess, come on."

"There is no girl. Why won't you lay off?!?" He asked, irritated.

"I want to meet her, Jess!" He exclaimed, comming and standing behind Jess.

"There's no one to meet!" He countered. "I've got practice." He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

"Whoa, practice? I thought-"

"Found another band. That's why I'm happy. Ok? I'll see ya." He walked out the door and slammed it. Spencer felt kind of bad for teasing Jess like that when his happiness was not comming from a girl, like his own happiness usually came from.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So what's our name?" Jess asked as he sat inbetween the two other members of the group, Lane and Dave, with Rory sitting in the back. She didn't want to get in the way.

"Well we've thought about it. And we decided on: Burning Cinders. What do you think? Ya know, since you're a part of the band now, you can have a say in it." Replied Lane, smiling widely at him, awaiting his answer.

"Umm..well I like the name. It's cool."

"YAY! Ok great! So uh, shall we get started?"

"Sure." Replied Dave. "Jess, Rory writes the songs, so if you want to help her, feel free." Jess looked over at Rory who was busily scribbling on a sheet of paper. "Bryan?" Dave all of sudden stated. Everyone looked and saw Bryan, the former bass player standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here, man?"

"I was...uhh kind of wondering....if I could come back..." He looked down at his shoes as he said this, very unsure of himself. Lane and Dave looked at Jess and then back at each other.

"Well..." Lane started. "I suppose you can...Jess? Dave? Is that cool?" Jess and Dave nodded. "Well, then. Welcome back." A smile spread across Bryan's features as he waltzed back into his band.

Lane and Dave went to get some food for the group. Bryan had to go outside for some fresh air because of his breathing problems, this left Rory and Jess alone. She didn't really seem to notice. He walked over to her and hovered over her until she looked up, her blue eyes shining.

"Yes?" She asked, awaiting for a response from him. Her blue eyes and perfect features had captivated him.

"What are you writing?" He finally asked.

"I was just writing a song. Since I am the songwriter." He was so nervous himself, that he didn't even notice how her hands were shaking.

"Oh. What's it about? I could help you if you want. I write songs too." He offered hoping she would let him help.

"Well it's not finished yet and I don't like people reading it until I'm done."

"Oh sorry." He walked over to his guitar, a little dissapointed, and strummed a little. He stopped for a second, looking up. He was trying to think. He looked back down and started playing again. This time he sang quietly:

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Hey Dad look at me

Think back and talk to me

Did I grow up according

To plan?

Do you think I'm wasting

My time doing things I

Wanna do?

But it hurts when you

Disapprove all along

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Rory was now looking up from her paper. Staring at this boy, who was singing this song. Jess noticed she was paying attention and stopped playing.

"What?" He asked.

"Did you write that?"

"Yeah...just now. I usually just play and the words usually make themselves known eventually." *he's amazing* she thought.

"Please. Don't stop." He looked at her pleading eyes and then slowly began to start playing again.

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And now I try hard to make it

I just want to make you proud

I'm never gonna be good Enough for you

I can't pretend that I'm all right

And you can't change me

'Cuz we lost it all

Nothing lasts forever

I'm sorry

I can't be Perfect

Now it's just too late

And we can't go back

I'm sorry

I can't be Perfect

Nothing's gonna change The things that you said

Nothing's gonna make this

Right again

Please don't turn your back

I can't believe it's hard

Just to talk to you

But you don't understand

'Cuz we lost it all

Nothing lasts forever

I'm sorry

I can't be Perfect

Now it's just too late

And we can't go back

I'm sorry

I can't be Perfect

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He looked up at her. She had a puzzled look on her face. "Do you really belive that?" She asked, her eyes now looking at him.

"Believe what?"

"That...that you'll never be good enough." He set his guitar down and stood up.

"I'll never be good enough for my dad. He left me, my brother, and my mom when I was 7. I tried everything to get him to stay...." He looked at her, not believing he just said all of that outloud. "But...it's uh not important." He added quickly as he looked away at one of the walls, wondering where Dave and Lane could possibly be. Just at that moment, they walked in with some food. Bryan walked in soon after. The rest of their practice went well. Rory, never once mentioning the song that Jess had sung earlier because it seemed to have hit a sore spot and she didn't really want to bring it up again. She didn't know this boy very well....but she was desperately hoping that she would get to know him soon.

2 WEEKS LATER:

Practices had been going well for the Burning Cinders. They had a "gig" about a week ago in New York where one of Jess's friends, Lucas, worked. It was a "battle of the bands" concert. Jess saw his old group there.

~FLASHBACK~

"Well, if it isn't Jess Mariano!" Jess sighed at the famliar voice. He turned around and came face to face with:

"John." He stated rather sullenly. Jess's three companions were quite uncomfortable because they didn't know what was going on. "What brings a bunch of losers like you to 'battle of the bands'?"

"Losers? If I remember correctly-we kicked YOU out of the band. So I guess that would make YOU the loser." He thought he had a good comeback, not knowing that Jess was in a new group.

"I want you to meet the new band I'm in." He smirked. "This is Lane, Dave, Bryan, and the songwriter, Rory. We are the Burning Cinders. So I guess I should wish you good luck." He stuck out his hand half way then quickly pulled it back. "But then again, I don't think you deserve it." He walked away, leaving John and the rest of his old group behind. Lane, Rory, Dave, and Bryan followed him.

******

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I PRESENT TO YOU THE : BURNING CINDERS!!!!!" Yelled the announcer into the microphone. The curtains opened as the group began playing. Dave and Jess sang and played their guitars, Bryan played the bass, and Lane played the drums. Rory stood in the back hoping that everything would go well.

******

"After much deliberation, the judges have finally come to a decision." Started the announcer. "In third place: ADDICTION!!!" The group came out, received their award and walked back in. "In second place, BURNING CINDERS!!!" Jess, Lane, Dave, and Bryan came out onto the stage in complete bliss. Jess sort of wished they had won first, but he could definitely deal with second. "And in first place......: FALLEN TRASH!!!!" Jess's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. This made second place feel like last place.

Lane, Dave, and Bryan were all dancing around their trophy. Rory came up to Jess, knowing what he was feeling. "Hey. You ok?"

"I can't believe they won first. I just can't believe it." He sat down in the nearest chair, his head fell to his hands. This sucked.

"Oh, did Jess lose?" Came John's voice, followed by the laughter of his former group members. Rory stepped in front of Jess defensively.

"What's your problem anyways!?!" She demanded. "What did HE ever do to you!!?! Why don't you just get lost!?!" Jess stood up and gently pushed Rory behind him as John started to advance towards her.

"Get out of here, John." Jess stated bluntly. "Just leave."

"Why? Can't take the fact that we beat you guys?" John gloated.

"No, I can't stand looking at your ugly face anymore." The guys laughed mockingly at Jess and started to walk away. "Wait." John turned around. "I'll see you in the next 'battle of the bands'....and John, next time, we're gonna win." The guys continued laughing and left. This wasn't the last time they would see Jess Mariano and the Burning Cinders for sure.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

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A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter! And like I said earlier- please review!!!

Song: Perfect by Simple Plan