X-Men Evolution is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah.
"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 15
***************************************************************************
Only one day until the big show. Early training session, school, and then band practice were on the schedule for the day for Kitty and Kurt. That was the major difference between them and the brotherhood house. Their day was pretty filled, by comparison.
The last bell rang, school was finally out. Kitty met up with Kurt in the hall and headed to the front entrance to Bayville High to leave.
"I'll be so happy when this is over with." Kitty stretched.
"I thought you were enjoying this?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... no... well... reminds me sophomore year, when I'd stay up all those hours talking on the phone with Lance, then we'd have a training session with Ororo or Logan. It's tiring. It's like twice as much work with practice, now. Because it's not just staying up a few extra hours to talk on the phone, it's actual... work."
"Satisfying but exausting, ja. While we're used to the hard work... I can see what you mean." Kurt pointed over to Lance's jeep and started walking with Kitty over in that direction.
Kitty nodded. "I almost messed up earlier, too. I swear, Logan will not cut any slack for sleep deprivation."
"Never!" Kurt laughed. He hopped into the back of Lance's Jeep.
Kitty climbed into the passenger side. She leaned over and gave Lance a hug. "I hope you're well rested, because I sure am not."
"No rest for the weary, huh?" Lance commented.
"Not a chance. You remember how it is at the institute." Kitty fastened her seatbelt and leaned back. "I hope the lack of practice hasn't made me suck at playing guitar, again."
"Let's see how things go at practice. I haven't lost faith in you yet, Pryde." Lance smirked, "Hey, if you want to get something to eat, we should pick up something on the way."
"Phone still dead? Geez... "
"Seriously. After Toad broke the box outside they haven't bothered to come and fix it. Something about it not being worth the cost. Pietro's phone hasn't been working very well after he had that fight with Wanda, either." Lance sighed.
"Maybe it's time YOU get a cell phone. Everyone has one." Kitty commented.
"It's an extra cost I don't need. I've got a car, that's still expensive enough even when I DO my own repairs." Lance added. "So anyways, what do you want to eat?"
"We can eat after practice. Is that fine, Kurt?" Kitty looked back at Kurt.
"I don't want to starve! They were out of the good stuff at lunch today.." Kurt whined.
"Fine, fine. Let's stop at that burger place. I'll get a grilled cheese or something." Kitty pointed to the place up the street.
"Gotcha." Lance changed lanes to get to the drive through.
Food was ordered, mainly by Kurt along with Kitty and Lance's small orders. Even a little something for Wanda. They pulled around and paid for the meal, then sped along down the Bayville city roads to the brotherhood boarding house to get ready for practice.
Kurt wandered inside ahead of everyone else to hand Wanda her meal. Kitty climbed out of the jeep and stretched tiredly. Lance looked over at Kitty, concerned.
"Hey pretty Kitty, you doing okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, just peachy." She grabbed her backpack, "Sometimes I envy you guys. But then I think about how I'd be missing school... and then I don't envy you."
"You are so strange, you know that?" Lance scratched the back of his head.
"I like a challenge, that's all." She headed for the door. "Better hurry, or Kurt'll eat our food too."
"I forgot about that. He's like a garbage disposal."
"That's putting it mildly. C'mon." Kitty grabbed Lance's arm and headed inside.
***
They worked through their songs. The band decided on the final three they felt would be best for the competition at hand. And then they practiced. Working through the rough parts over and over again. Nearly three non-stop hours of playing, for just three songs. Lance wanted perfection. And he was closest to it today than any other practice session. They were trying their best, and it was obvious.
"Alright guys, let's take a break." Lance set his guitar on it's stand.
"It's like my arms are on fire." Kurt whined.
Wanda set down the bass and headed up the stairs. "We should wrap up soon. We have to check in really early tomorrow."
"Like I could sleep." Lance commented. He looked up at the time, a little after eight. He took a deep breath and said, "... okay. Maybe it IS time for us to close shop for the day. You think we've got it down?"
"If we don't by now, we'll never have it. Stop worrying so much." Wanda shot back the comment and left the basement area.
"Seriously, Lance. We rock." Kurt set his drumsticks down. "I'm going to go grab a cold drink. Anyone else want something?"
"Sure Kurt." Kitty waved to him as he bamfed away. "I know you're pushing us hard, because of me." She remarked over to Lance.
"No, not really." He walked over to Kitty's side, "I'm just nervous. With the exception of the club yesterday, I've never performed in public. Totally different experience."
"I'll say.." She looked down at the guitar neck and idly formed chords with her fingers along the fret. "I bet I'm more nervous than you."
"No doubt. But you've come a long way." Lance smiled. "Here... I saw you having trouble on a few parts. Let me show you a few tricks."
"Okay..." Kitty straightend up as Lance slipped in close beside her.
***
"Hey Wanda, want a soda?" Kurt held up one fron the fridge.
Wanda walked over to Kurt and nodded, "Sure."
Kurt handed her the soda, then retrieved three more. Two in hands, one held by his tail. "So, your honest opinion... do we have a chance in Hell tomorrow?"
Wanda opened up the drink and took a sip. "Honestly? I think we underestimate ourselves. I like the sound. It doesn't sound too amateurish. We don't exactly sound like we started this thing less than two weeks ago, and that's a very key thing to remember. We're going up against other bands, and other people who have been working at this longer than us. Who I really feel for is you and Kitty."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He set down the soda in his left hand onto the counter, then opened the one in his right hand to take a sip. "Feel for us?"
"You guys aren't exactly musicians." Wanda leaned against the counter.
"And you guys are?" Kurt seemed annoyed.
"Don't get offended." Wanda looked at Kurt, raising an eyebrow. "It's just the truth."
"I suppose you're right, ja. So, tell me, Wanda... have you always wanted to be a rock star?" Kurt smiled.
"No." She said flatly, then took another sip of her drink. "I can't even remember why I learned how to play. Real hazy part of my memories." Wanda made a motion with her hand. "I think it was to lower my stress. I... vaguely recall being angry a lot, so I suddenly found myself taking lessons. I took away a lot more than I thought I did."
Kurt smiled, "You're really cool. I mean..." He thought about it, "It's fantastic you helped us. And you look great up there on stage. You really fit in. Me and Kitty... not so much."
"Don't go dissing yourself. You've developed into a pretty good drummer over these last few weeks. And... thanks. Thanks for having me join. I was getting pretty bored avoiding Toad anyway. Gave me something to do." Wanda commented. "And you DO look pretty good up there, Kurt. Both you and Kitty. Whatever Lance has done as a crash course really worked."
Kurt took a sip and said, "We all know he's doing this for Kitty."
"She's... something else. Lance really hasn't a clue. Out of his league, by far."
"They've been together before, Wanda. Before you showed up." Kurt frowned.
"I'm not saying it won't work. Don't misunderstand. It's working pretty good, when they're not conflicting over something." She made a motion for Kurt to follow. He did. She cracked open the door to show Kitty and Lance very close to each other, practicing now on an accoustic guitar. "I'm just saying that I think she's going to seriously break his heart if it doesn't work out well."
Kurt said to Wanda quietly, "What, Lance wouldn't break her heart? Why would it be the other way around?"
"I wouldn't know... but given the track record... it would be abnormal." Wanda looked at them and said softly, "But they sure seem to enjoy each other, don't they?"
"Ja... they do." Kurt then asked, "Hey, I'll go deliver these sodas and maybe give them some privacy. Up for a movie?"
"In the name of a good cause? How could I say no?" Wanda turned away from the door, "I'll get my coat."
***
"-- I always seem to have trouble switching to the next chord if it's a barred chord..." Kitty said.
Lance sat on the couch next to Kitty, holding the accoustic guitar. He said softly, "It's all about how you position your hand. If you do it this way, then just move over one..."
"Oh right... I see what you mean. What about--" She looked up as Kurt entered. "Hey Kurt."
Kurt smiled, setting the soda's down onto a small table beside the couch. "If it's okay with you, Wanda and I are going to cut out early to catch a movie..."
Kitty looked at Kurt. 'Wanda... and Kurt?' She thought, then said out loud, "Oh uh... sure Fuzzy. Go for it. We're just going over some stuff I'm having trouble with. It's cool, right Lance?"
"Sounds fine. Just remember, we're picking you up at eight sharp tomorrow morning. Don't stay out too late." Lance looked suspiciously at Kurt.
"Don't worry! Have a good night, you two." He headed up the stairs with a wave and closed the door on his way out.
Kitty made a face, "I think we've been ditched."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Lance smirked. "A week ago it would have been impossible to get any sort of privacy, especially from Kurt."
"Yeah, the change of heart weirds me out too." Kitty shrugged.
Lance set the guitar aside, then scooted up behind Kitty. "So, it's not a bad thing." He wrapped his arms around her.
"..hey... you said you'd be a gentleman.." Kitty teased, a little embarassed.
"Practice is over. You want me to stop?" Lance asked shyly.
"No..." She turned around to face him, "Just... well, I should get back to the institute soon if we've got such an early morning."
Lance smiled and said warmly, "Then we'll leave in a few minutes, if that's okay?" His hands went to her side, pulling her closer so that she sat on his lap. He looked up into her eyes, tilting his head a little to make himself look innocent.
"Okay." Kitty wrapped her arms around Lance's neck, giving into temptation with an affectionate kiss on the lips.
***
"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)
Chapter 15
***************************************************************************
Only one day until the big show. Early training session, school, and then band practice were on the schedule for the day for Kitty and Kurt. That was the major difference between them and the brotherhood house. Their day was pretty filled, by comparison.
The last bell rang, school was finally out. Kitty met up with Kurt in the hall and headed to the front entrance to Bayville High to leave.
"I'll be so happy when this is over with." Kitty stretched.
"I thought you were enjoying this?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... no... well... reminds me sophomore year, when I'd stay up all those hours talking on the phone with Lance, then we'd have a training session with Ororo or Logan. It's tiring. It's like twice as much work with practice, now. Because it's not just staying up a few extra hours to talk on the phone, it's actual... work."
"Satisfying but exausting, ja. While we're used to the hard work... I can see what you mean." Kurt pointed over to Lance's jeep and started walking with Kitty over in that direction.
Kitty nodded. "I almost messed up earlier, too. I swear, Logan will not cut any slack for sleep deprivation."
"Never!" Kurt laughed. He hopped into the back of Lance's Jeep.
Kitty climbed into the passenger side. She leaned over and gave Lance a hug. "I hope you're well rested, because I sure am not."
"No rest for the weary, huh?" Lance commented.
"Not a chance. You remember how it is at the institute." Kitty fastened her seatbelt and leaned back. "I hope the lack of practice hasn't made me suck at playing guitar, again."
"Let's see how things go at practice. I haven't lost faith in you yet, Pryde." Lance smirked, "Hey, if you want to get something to eat, we should pick up something on the way."
"Phone still dead? Geez... "
"Seriously. After Toad broke the box outside they haven't bothered to come and fix it. Something about it not being worth the cost. Pietro's phone hasn't been working very well after he had that fight with Wanda, either." Lance sighed.
"Maybe it's time YOU get a cell phone. Everyone has one." Kitty commented.
"It's an extra cost I don't need. I've got a car, that's still expensive enough even when I DO my own repairs." Lance added. "So anyways, what do you want to eat?"
"We can eat after practice. Is that fine, Kurt?" Kitty looked back at Kurt.
"I don't want to starve! They were out of the good stuff at lunch today.." Kurt whined.
"Fine, fine. Let's stop at that burger place. I'll get a grilled cheese or something." Kitty pointed to the place up the street.
"Gotcha." Lance changed lanes to get to the drive through.
Food was ordered, mainly by Kurt along with Kitty and Lance's small orders. Even a little something for Wanda. They pulled around and paid for the meal, then sped along down the Bayville city roads to the brotherhood boarding house to get ready for practice.
Kurt wandered inside ahead of everyone else to hand Wanda her meal. Kitty climbed out of the jeep and stretched tiredly. Lance looked over at Kitty, concerned.
"Hey pretty Kitty, you doing okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, just peachy." She grabbed her backpack, "Sometimes I envy you guys. But then I think about how I'd be missing school... and then I don't envy you."
"You are so strange, you know that?" Lance scratched the back of his head.
"I like a challenge, that's all." She headed for the door. "Better hurry, or Kurt'll eat our food too."
"I forgot about that. He's like a garbage disposal."
"That's putting it mildly. C'mon." Kitty grabbed Lance's arm and headed inside.
***
They worked through their songs. The band decided on the final three they felt would be best for the competition at hand. And then they practiced. Working through the rough parts over and over again. Nearly three non-stop hours of playing, for just three songs. Lance wanted perfection. And he was closest to it today than any other practice session. They were trying their best, and it was obvious.
"Alright guys, let's take a break." Lance set his guitar on it's stand.
"It's like my arms are on fire." Kurt whined.
Wanda set down the bass and headed up the stairs. "We should wrap up soon. We have to check in really early tomorrow."
"Like I could sleep." Lance commented. He looked up at the time, a little after eight. He took a deep breath and said, "... okay. Maybe it IS time for us to close shop for the day. You think we've got it down?"
"If we don't by now, we'll never have it. Stop worrying so much." Wanda shot back the comment and left the basement area.
"Seriously, Lance. We rock." Kurt set his drumsticks down. "I'm going to go grab a cold drink. Anyone else want something?"
"Sure Kurt." Kitty waved to him as he bamfed away. "I know you're pushing us hard, because of me." She remarked over to Lance.
"No, not really." He walked over to Kitty's side, "I'm just nervous. With the exception of the club yesterday, I've never performed in public. Totally different experience."
"I'll say.." She looked down at the guitar neck and idly formed chords with her fingers along the fret. "I bet I'm more nervous than you."
"No doubt. But you've come a long way." Lance smiled. "Here... I saw you having trouble on a few parts. Let me show you a few tricks."
"Okay..." Kitty straightend up as Lance slipped in close beside her.
***
"Hey Wanda, want a soda?" Kurt held up one fron the fridge.
Wanda walked over to Kurt and nodded, "Sure."
Kurt handed her the soda, then retrieved three more. Two in hands, one held by his tail. "So, your honest opinion... do we have a chance in Hell tomorrow?"
Wanda opened up the drink and took a sip. "Honestly? I think we underestimate ourselves. I like the sound. It doesn't sound too amateurish. We don't exactly sound like we started this thing less than two weeks ago, and that's a very key thing to remember. We're going up against other bands, and other people who have been working at this longer than us. Who I really feel for is you and Kitty."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He set down the soda in his left hand onto the counter, then opened the one in his right hand to take a sip. "Feel for us?"
"You guys aren't exactly musicians." Wanda leaned against the counter.
"And you guys are?" Kurt seemed annoyed.
"Don't get offended." Wanda looked at Kurt, raising an eyebrow. "It's just the truth."
"I suppose you're right, ja. So, tell me, Wanda... have you always wanted to be a rock star?" Kurt smiled.
"No." She said flatly, then took another sip of her drink. "I can't even remember why I learned how to play. Real hazy part of my memories." Wanda made a motion with her hand. "I think it was to lower my stress. I... vaguely recall being angry a lot, so I suddenly found myself taking lessons. I took away a lot more than I thought I did."
Kurt smiled, "You're really cool. I mean..." He thought about it, "It's fantastic you helped us. And you look great up there on stage. You really fit in. Me and Kitty... not so much."
"Don't go dissing yourself. You've developed into a pretty good drummer over these last few weeks. And... thanks. Thanks for having me join. I was getting pretty bored avoiding Toad anyway. Gave me something to do." Wanda commented. "And you DO look pretty good up there, Kurt. Both you and Kitty. Whatever Lance has done as a crash course really worked."
Kurt took a sip and said, "We all know he's doing this for Kitty."
"She's... something else. Lance really hasn't a clue. Out of his league, by far."
"They've been together before, Wanda. Before you showed up." Kurt frowned.
"I'm not saying it won't work. Don't misunderstand. It's working pretty good, when they're not conflicting over something." She made a motion for Kurt to follow. He did. She cracked open the door to show Kitty and Lance very close to each other, practicing now on an accoustic guitar. "I'm just saying that I think she's going to seriously break his heart if it doesn't work out well."
Kurt said to Wanda quietly, "What, Lance wouldn't break her heart? Why would it be the other way around?"
"I wouldn't know... but given the track record... it would be abnormal." Wanda looked at them and said softly, "But they sure seem to enjoy each other, don't they?"
"Ja... they do." Kurt then asked, "Hey, I'll go deliver these sodas and maybe give them some privacy. Up for a movie?"
"In the name of a good cause? How could I say no?" Wanda turned away from the door, "I'll get my coat."
***
"-- I always seem to have trouble switching to the next chord if it's a barred chord..." Kitty said.
Lance sat on the couch next to Kitty, holding the accoustic guitar. He said softly, "It's all about how you position your hand. If you do it this way, then just move over one..."
"Oh right... I see what you mean. What about--" She looked up as Kurt entered. "Hey Kurt."
Kurt smiled, setting the soda's down onto a small table beside the couch. "If it's okay with you, Wanda and I are going to cut out early to catch a movie..."
Kitty looked at Kurt. 'Wanda... and Kurt?' She thought, then said out loud, "Oh uh... sure Fuzzy. Go for it. We're just going over some stuff I'm having trouble with. It's cool, right Lance?"
"Sounds fine. Just remember, we're picking you up at eight sharp tomorrow morning. Don't stay out too late." Lance looked suspiciously at Kurt.
"Don't worry! Have a good night, you two." He headed up the stairs with a wave and closed the door on his way out.
Kitty made a face, "I think we've been ditched."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Lance smirked. "A week ago it would have been impossible to get any sort of privacy, especially from Kurt."
"Yeah, the change of heart weirds me out too." Kitty shrugged.
Lance set the guitar aside, then scooted up behind Kitty. "So, it's not a bad thing." He wrapped his arms around her.
"..hey... you said you'd be a gentleman.." Kitty teased, a little embarassed.
"Practice is over. You want me to stop?" Lance asked shyly.
"No..." She turned around to face him, "Just... well, I should get back to the institute soon if we've got such an early morning."
Lance smiled and said warmly, "Then we'll leave in a few minutes, if that's okay?" His hands went to her side, pulling her closer so that she sat on his lap. He looked up into her eyes, tilting his head a little to make himself look innocent.
"Okay." Kitty wrapped her arms around Lance's neck, giving into temptation with an affectionate kiss on the lips.
***
