*A/N-God how I love weekends! Thus I have posted this chapter up too. I
take into consideration some of the things people say in reviews, so thus I
make a shout out to fanficgirl1, cause she inspired me to do something...and
no...I don't believe this ficcie will turn out to be Freddy/Katie, but you
never know. I'm not good at predicting the length and path of a story, ya
know? I write one thing, and then it branches from there, but I think I
will have Freddy/Katie moments splashed here and there...*reigns self in*,
wow I'm just the queen of rambling. Just read and review, thanx. NO FLAMERS
AS STATED BEFORE! Constructive criticism is accepted.
Disclaimer: Same as before, but I want Kevin even more. I'm such a poet.
Katie paced around her room late into the night, the receiver cradled between her shoulder and ear, face in what might turn into a permanent frown. Everything Summer was saying wasn't really registering in her brain, but she continued to listen to her friend's nonstop chatter about school work.
"I think I did a good job on that essay. I wrote it on the nature of language, and how inadequate words are to describe an emotion. It is of my opinion that I did quite well on it. But it was nearing five pages, so I had to cut it down to three."
"That's great you know." Katie muttered darkly, her thoughts returning to the other morning's events. Summer sensed something was wrong, and asked blatantly, not even trying to be subtle.
"Well let's put it this way." The bassist paused for a moment, "We had practice, Mr. S needed to get breakfast, we had a few minutes of break..."
"And?"
"And then Freddy..."
"OMG, did he ask you out?" Summer's voice rose a few octaves, making her friend flinch.
"I wish. But no. He was too wrapped up in checking out another girl on the far end of the room. He had Lawrence introduce her to us because he was that interested in her." She complained. "It's not fair. I kept protesting the whole time, but everyone, especially Freddy was against me. Luckily that bitch declined hanging out with us because her brother's class had ended, and Mr. S was there."
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds after Katie ranted. "I think someone's jealous." Summer stated in her know-it-all voice. "But I told you Katie. I told you that he was going to find someone else if you just let him slide."
"Shut up!" She snapped flustered now. "Now what am I going to do?"
"Well you can go and congratulate this girl for catching Freddy's eye, and tell her that you were a stupid loser that wouldn't listen to your friend when she told you to go for it."
"Pessimistic much?" Katie rolled her eyes. "Look. I gotta go. I still have to finish that draft of the paper, and it's due tomorrow. Bye." She slammed the phone down, and kicked the pillow at her feet across the room, watching with satisfaction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Arin, get up!" Aunt Ruby shook her niece roughly before groaning and pulling the covers off of her. Cold now, Arin rolled her eyes and got up, yawning and running a hand through her hair. She faintly remembered waking up, and viciously plotting to murder her non-living alarm clock, applying a heavy hand to it, and then going back to sleep.
"Mornin' Aunt Ruby." She bit back another yawn. "S'5:45 already?"
"Past that, and it's your first day of school. Your uniform's right there, and breakfast should be on the table momentarily. If you hadn't stayed out so late, you wouldn't be so tired."
Arin grinned sleepily, remembering how into the wee small hours of the night she had hung out with Freddy. He had been really cool about her past experience, and they had shared other stories about childhood pranks and fantasies, their dreams, and their love of music. It was like he said, she felt like she had known him all her life, and loved that feeling.
"Let me guess, you were out with some good-looking guy." Aunt Ruby smiled knowingly at the glow of Arin's face. She nodded energetically.
"Actually yes. And actually I had better get ready for school, or I'm going to be late."
"Ah, right." Her aunt excused herself to let her niece get ready. In about five minutes, Arin was at the table, surprising her aunt with her rapidity.
"What's for breakfast?" She inquired, fastening her necklace as she sat down and stared expectantly at the empty spot in front of her.
"Pancakes." Uncle Ben replied, bouncing Debbie and spooning better into the frying pan. Aunt Ruby set a plate in front of Arin and watched the girl eat. "I'm sending you to school because there is not bus. At least, not at this distance." She told her. Arin nodded as she took another bite.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The school was bigger than it seemed, Arin discovered as she wandered through the front doors, taking in the neatly painted white walls, the bright lights, and the burgundy lockers that lined the halls. Shifting the strap of her messenger bag nervously, she entered the office, pausing in front of the lady, Mrs. Wallace as her plain but bold nameplate read, who was busy sorting papers.
"Can I help you?" She asked, looking up from her work as if she had just realized that there was someone other than herself in the room.
"Uh...yeah. I'm new here, and I don't know where I'm supposed to go." Arin bit her lip as Mrs. Wallace pulled out a file.
"Arin Kam, right?" the aging lady inquired in an almost businesslike manner. Arin nodded politely, taking the sheet of paper Mrs. Wallace now offered her.
"That has your schedule, locker number, and locker combination on it. And here's your assignment notebook for the year."
"Thanks...is there anything else I should know?"
"Students are allowed to carry backpacks to their classes." It was like she rehearsed that line. Arin thanked her again, and ventured back into the crowded halls to locate her locker.
As she was spinning the combination, and opening it, she was aware of the whispering around her. Confused, she glanced sideways at the senior who was clearly checking her out.
"Hey. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" He greeted casually, sauntering up. Arin put on a tight smile.
"Ehehehe. No. I don't think you're gonna be scoring anytime with this bitch. Don't even try it."
"Feisty. I like that. You know, girls that play hard to get are so intriguing."
"You must be really desperate if you're stooping this low and using corny pickup lines. Leave me the hell alone now."
"But..."
Another girl with dirty blonde hair stepped out from behind Arin and placed herself between the two of them.
"Jimmy, let her be. You heard her!"
"Marta, come on."
"No. Get your damn ass away from here."
"That's no way to speak to a senior." Jimmy snapped, but he departed from the two of them. Marta turned back to Arin with a friendly smile.
"Don't take anything Jimmy says seriously. He's just a jerk."
"I got that the moment he said 'hey'." Arin joked, returning the smile.
"You're Arin right? Remember me? I'm Marta, backup singer in 'School of Rock'." She went back to her locker, which was right next to Arin's.
"Yeah, I remember you."
"Next time you really should stay longer and hang out with us." Marta suggested, opening her locker and pulling out a few books. "I know that Freddy, Lawrence, and Zack were all for it."
"Maybe next time I will." Arin's heart did a little flip-flop when Freddy's name was mentioned, and she quickly quieted it, forcing herself to remember how long she had known him, which was quite sad if you thought about it. "Who are the other singers along with you? You guys were really good."
"Thanks. Tomika and Alicia sing backup too, that's what you asked, right?"
"Yeah."
"So tell me what you honestly think of the band." Marta looked a little nervous about asking.
"I think it's great. You all rock." Arin said truthfully, but her mind wandered form the topic slightly to that of the drummer of the band, her smile growing brighter. Marta didn't notice the change of expression as she was busy organizing herself and checking stuff off in her planner.
"I'm so glad. Cause we're participating in this competition, and we need to do well. It was nice talking to you. I have got to get to class though. So I'll see you later, okay?"
"Aight." Arin mumbled, consulting her schedule. "Hey, do you know where...?"
But Marta had already disappeared. Arin groaned, beginning her search for the chemistry lab. Never in her life had she felt so out of place, and she wished she could just replay the previous evening of laughter, bask in that sense of security, and enjoy the pleasant company. Arin searched for a familiar face. She found Katie.
"Katie! Hey Katie!"
"Oh. It's you." The coldness coming from the girl was enough to give a person frostbite. "What do you want?"
"Do you know where the Chem. lab is? It's my first period, and I can't find it." Arin shrugged in admission, smiling in a friendly manner, even if the alarms were going off in her head. Katie's face darkened, as she recognized her first period and only period with Freddy.
"Yeah I know where it is, but I'm not going to be telling you." She watched the confusion appear on Arin's face, and the girl took a step back.
"Why do you hate me?" Her blunt question surprised Katie.
"Cause you're a bitchy whore." Katie snapped, "And you don't know what's off limits."
"I got here less than a week ago, so of course I wouldn't. But what the hell are you talking about?" Arin retorted, going on the defensive.
"Oh don't act all ignorant and innocent." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "You know exactly what you want, and you step over other people to get it."
"Would you calm down and shut the hell up? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!" Arin cried frustrated.
"Well then let me help you. Stay away from what's mine. I don't like it all that much, and if you don't, you'll answer to me."
"Oh, like that's gonna scare me. It looks like someone has had bitchy lessons one-on-one. Or are you caffeine deprived today? Or maybe this is just your natural state. Do you honestly go around attacking every new kid that walks through the door? Cause I have no idea what you are talking about, or what's yours, OK?"
Katie was about to crack a comeback when the shrill ringing of the warning bell cut off their bickering.
"I'll deal with you later." Katie tossed over her shoulder, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Arin in her wake. Not wanting to be late to class, she quickly asked an upperclassman where she could find the Chem. Lab.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We have a new student today!" Ms. Regan, the chemistry teacher chirped. "Why don't you introduce yourself dear."
Rolling her eyes imperceptibly, Arin tapped her foot and scanned the faces of the class. Right away she saw Katie in the front looking mutinous. That dang bitch was in the same class with her after all! Why couldn't she have shown Arin the way? In the back corner sat Freddy, all alone on his one side of the black lab table.
"I'm Arin Kam, I just moved here from Toledo, and I live with my aunt."
"What's that around your neck?" Someone asked loudly. Arin laughed.
"It's a fang, and a guitar pick with a hole near the top."
"Cool!"
"Thank you Arin, now take your seat next to...Freddy. He's needed a lab partner for a while. Now the class is evenly matched." Ms. Regan didn't notice the dark scowl that Katie sent her as the chemistry teacher frisked about, gathering papers, and picking up chalk.
Arin grinned as she walked down the aisle and sat down next to the blonde boy.
"Hey stranger."
"Hey yourself. Fancy seeing you here in first period." Freddy's mind went over the night before, fondly remembering the jokes, attempted jokes, and just plain cheesy jokes they had shared, and the way she would wryly smile and tilt her head.
"Well, it's back to school."
"Yeah. Let me take a look at your schedule." Freddy reached across and snatched the paper up. Arin pretended to smack the back of his hand lightly. He grinned and scanned her schedule.
"We have Chemistry, Modern Euro, and a study together." He observed, passing it back to her. "Zack's in the study too. We get into way too much trouble during then. The proctors get kinda pissed."
"Why am I not surprised?" Her eyes danced with a mischievous glow.
"Mr. Jones and Miss Kam, is there something you wish to share with the class?"
Both straightened considerably, and the conspirital air evaporated in a wink.
"No Ms. Regan. I was just talking about random subjects. Like different classes, and who she might know from those classes." Freddy said innocently, and smoothly. It was apparent that he was very used to being asked that question. He looked very much and angel, but with a smile that would better fit a devil. Ms. Regan frowned, but shrugged, turning back to the board. Arin snickered as Freddy did a tongue thing to Ms. Regan's turned back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Well, this has been a pretty eventful day." Freddy announced loudly to the group, even though he was watching the door on the sly, waiting for a particular person to walk through it. Sure enough, Arin came, hesitantly looking around the cafeteria. He raised his arm and waved, catching her attention. Arin smiled and began to walk over to them, but then paused when she saw the evil look Katie was shooting her.
"Come on Arin! Join us!" Tomika yelled, smiling before turning back to her sub. Katie rolled her eyes and refused to even acknowledge Arin's presence any longer. Taking this subtle back down, Arin hastened in her steps and sat down next to Marta, across from Zack and diagonally from Freddy.
"So, how was your day so far?" Alicia asked, leaning out to address the black haired girl on the other end.
"It was so so." Arin appreciated their efforts to be nice, and though she tried to be defensive, Arin couldn't find a way to be bitchy towards their ongoing friendliness. Katie was a different story however. Arin could not help herself from being the biggest bitch to the girl, partially because Katie was being one to her. She had no idea what was making the bass player so huffy.
"Well I didn't really have the greatest day." Freddy said to no one in particular, and making it clear that he didn't care if anyone wanted to know. "I forgot to do the English rewrite, and Mrs. Leighton was like 'Rrrraaaaw!', and I was like 'Rrrrrraaaaw!', and it didn't go off to well. I have detentions for three days. God how I love that lady." He smiled sarcastically. Detentions were obviously a common occurrence in his life.
"I don't really like her that much either." Katie smiled shyly, quickly glancing to Arin, "But of course, I did do the rewrite, and..."
"I got it all done, and Mrs. Leighton said it was absolutely marvelous." Summer cut her off, kicking her friend under the table. "Katie and I were brainstorming about it over the phone."
"Yeah, and we got a lot of topics covered." Either Freddy didn't notice, or purposely-avoided Katie's wandering eyes. Instead he was focused on eating, and occasionally sneaking looks to Arin, who would put on a strange face whenever she caught him. It was as if the two were telepathically communicating or something. The green monster of jealously was rising over Katie's head as she beheld the scene.
Marta watched the interchange, and the annoyed look on Katie's face, putting two and two together. She bit her lip as she wondered how this would all turn out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She was there at her locker, a vision in white, navy blue and green, the colors of their uniform. Freddy felt himself grin, his mouth seeming to have a life of it's own, and there was nothing he could do to stop it from appearing. It definitely must be the company he was keeping, there was no doubt about it. Was he really frowning this soft if one girl kept dominating his foremost thoughts? Freddy hoped not, as he was not about to lose his title as "The Rebel" anytime soon.
He waltzed right up to her, leaning on the locker next to hers, presumable Marta's if his memory served him correctly, and twitching his eyebrows suggestively. He recalled the afternoon's events in Study, where a couple of well executed pranks had landed them in detention for that day, Arin included even though it was her first day there.
"Wassup yo?" He greeted, seeing her once solemn face split into a grin.
"The ceiling. That's what's up." Arin tossed haphazardly, flipping a sheet of raven hair over her shoulder as she turned to face him. "How 'bout you?"
"It could have been a hell of a lot worse." Freddy said optimistically. Arin placed another book carefully back into her locker and laughed softly. He was amazed at how neatly she kept her locker in contrast to the gigantic mess that would probably take a year just to clean out which was his. It was amazing how he was able to get his stuff out of it. "One detention isn't all that bad."
"You always find the bright side of everything." Arin shook her head. " It's just gonna be the three of us there."
"Well if you want me to start quoting dark poetry, I can do that."
"That's okay. I can live with your 'I hate the human race' swear filled lines, and your cheesy jokes."
Freddy pretended to look insulted, but he couldn't keep it up. "Hey, you doing anything tonight? We don't have band practice today, and we could jam again like last night."
"That would be great. Okay then, I'll take you up on your offer. What time?"
"Six?" Freddy kept a cool outward attitude, but he just wanted to jump up and down.
Arin nodded in agreement. "I'll be there. Just don't try to keep me out as late as last time though."
"Fine." He threw his hands up in mock surrender, laughing before he punched her shoulder, flinging a low 'Later' over his shoulder. Arin watched in amusement as he wove his way though the massive waves of students. He was like a little boy being pushed around in the ocean by the torrents of water. She was so absorbed in watching his slow progress that she didn't notice the hesitant tap on her shoulder.
"Arin?" Lawrence asked quietly, tapping once again before she came to, turning towards him with a confused look.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you would like to do something with this afternoon." He asked, adding in a flustered manner, "With me."
Arin bit her lip. "I'm sorry, but I've got detention right now, and I'm hanging out with someone else after that."
"If you don't like me, you can just tell me." Lawrence said dejectedly, making Arin feel really bad.
"I do like you. It's just that Freddy asked me first, and well...I accepted." Arin said, defending herself somewhat. "Tell you what, tomorrow I'll hang out with you, is that all right?"
"That would be nice." A small, bashful smile flickered onto his face, making him seem younger than his age in that moment. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah." Arin shut her locker and smiled quickly before heading to room 104 for the detention she had received thanks to Zack and Freddy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zack remembered the fight that had taken place a while after Freddy had left. It wasn't one with his dad, surprisingly, as his dad was just as strict and loved to lecture his son as Mr. Jones. That's why the two had become fast friends over the years since they both understood the other so well, and neither understood the female species that well either, so they sympathized with each other's love lives, or Freddy's lack of.
He never really was one for chasing girls, and that worried Zack for a point in time, but the fact that Freddy never stopped checking them out smoothed out some of his worry. Freddy didn't use the good looks, money and charming wit he had to his advantage, unlike Zack who was just Mr. Popular.
Of course, that comes with a price like what he was going through. There were two girls, pretty, smart, and extremely ready to strangle each other. It had started out pretty cool when they hadn't met, but then at one time they did meet, sharing their thoughts about him, and then from there it really slid down the drain as they found a rival in each other.
Shalyn was a brunette with a set of intense honey colored eyes and a personality to match. She was spontaneous, calm and collected, and possessed a quiet drollness that made you smile every time she wanted you to.
Candace on the other hand was equally as funny, with a hint of an attitude that made you look past the pretty face to the intelligence that lurked in her golden haired head. But she was on the moody side, and she could turn sour in seconds.
And that sourness had started it all off in the beginning. Zack sighed as he recalled them talking it out with the barest of civility, but then one fell swoop from Candace's mouth and it was an all out catfight.
"If your looks weren't so fake, maybe I might consider you to be worthy of even walking the face of the earth. Some people think you're pretty, some people think you're ugly. To me you're pretty ugly."
"He doesn't want you for anything other than what bitches like you are good for!" Shalyn had retorted, her eyes on fire and her chin tilted elegantly.
"Oh, like you've got anything remotely great about you to offer him. I mean, come on your personality's a flop, you've got no social life, and face it Hon, your musical taste sucks." The blonde smiled cynically.
"Flogging Molly and 3 Days Grace aren't sucky."
"They are too. They've got nothing on GC."
"I honestly don't see what Zack sees in you." She said it in such a way that Zack had wondered if they remembered he was present in the room. Candace really kicked it into high gear then.
"You wouldn't be able to answer that cause obviously you're not a guy. Unless you aren't telling us something, and happen to be one."
"I can draw a line about as straight as you are, so shove off!"
"Ouch, I'm shaking with fear. Go to hell you whore."
"After you, stupid slut."
Seeing them duke it out wasn't that much fun, and whenever they glanced over towards him, Zack wanted to burrow into the ground, or shrink into a tiny worm. Finally he couldn't take any more of it, as it had gotten worse and worse as the minutes ticked by, and he had walked out on their battle, which was yet to be resolved. Faintly at the back of his mind he though he heard someone whisper his name, and jab his arm sharply. That turned into a brutal pinch when he didn't snap out of it.
"OW!" He winced, and earned a 'Shut up right now, you hear?' look from Mrs. Leighton. "Sorry ma'am. I just gave myself a...paper cut." He improvised quickly, stopping himself in the nick of time from sighing with relief as Mrs. Leighton turned back to her book, an annoyed look on her face.
"What was that for?" Zack asked the blonde drummer who sat in his tipped back chair with his arms behind his head in as hushed a voice as humanely possible. Freddy rolled his eyes and smiled devilishly.
"Dude, you so spaced. What is up with you?"
"Female problems, like I told you last time." Zack responded.
"Ah..." Freddy shrugged sympathetically before turning to talk to Arin in quiet whispered tones. Their candid way of leaning in towards each other whenever they had something to say really amused Zack, and at the same time, made him wish for a relationship like that. It struck him that there was something sparking between the two of them. Normally Zack didn't believe in love at first sight, but maybe there was something of truth in it after all.
But it was apparent that they hadn't really thought about it all that much, but to observers like the guitarist of 'School of Rock', the way Arin's face lit up whenever Freddy spoke to her, and the way Freddy always tilted his head to the side whenever she smiled to him, that was enough to say that something was definitely going on.
But then the thought of Katie idly rambled through his head. Zack had "accidentally" heard Katie angsting to Summer about how Freddy never noticed her, and blah blah blah. He hadn't told the blonde drummer, as it would probably be more weight on his shoulders, and Zack was believed it was best to just let Katie tell Freddy that she liked him herself. But apparently she wasn't taking any action.
He watched the two of them a bit longer before thinking of the two girls again. Which of the two would make him happier? Which one would he connect with better? And would he ever have a relationship so...perfect? No, that wasn't the word...blissful.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zack walked out of detention alone, letting his friend carry on the conversation he had started. Sighing, he turned a corner to head down the stairs, but at that same moment, he crashed into a person coming from the opposite direction. Papers flew about in the air much like confetti, only a few times too big. When the chaotic mess finally settled, it revealed a very embarrassed looking Summer.
"I'm so sorry!" She squeaked, biting her lip as she righted herself and began collecting the lost articles with a shocking rapidity that spoke of past experiences. Zack shook his head and helped her retrieve the loose belongings.
"No, if there's anyone who should be sorry, it would be me." He grinned, seeing the same play of expression being reciprocated. Summer was an ongoing enigma in Zack's mind. She was smart, a shoo-in for class Valedictorian when their senior year would roll around, Class president, and involved in various activities concerning school. But then she was their band manager, as hard-core as the rest of them, and could easily rebuff Freddy when his sarcastic streak got the best of them all. Plus she was pretty...to him. But she was also talking to him.
"I'm guessing Freddy got you into another detention." She was saying when he tuned back in. "I've lost count how many detentions the two of you have gotten since freshman year. It goes on your record you know."
"Yeah. But when Freddy starts showing off, he gets a little...insane." Zack laughed, remembering her say exactly that the last time they had gotten detentions, only it wasn't in such a nice tone.
"You should tell him to save his insanity for band practice. Mrs. Leighton's getting really annoyed with him, as is all the other teachers. I don't even want to go into what Mr. Hoy thinks of him." Summer casually tucked a stray lock of hair that had escaped from her ponytail.
" Freddy has informed me of that one many times. According to Mr. Hoy, Freddy is impudent, obnoxious, boisterous, obstreperous, rambunctious, and too damn witty for his own good. I guess that charm of his doesn't work on the teachers."
"But it works on Katie, and the new girl." Summer muttered to herself. It was too soft for Zack to hear, but he asked what she said anyways. " Nothing, just making sure I had all my stuff together."
He shot her a strange look, but shrugged it off, handing the remainder of her scattered items to her. She accepted them graciously, a beaming smile lighting up her face.
"What were you here for?" Zack stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to mask his uneasiness in the silence that had followed the contact of their hands. Summer looked relieved of the change in topic.
"I had to help out some of the teachers for community service. Let me tell you, never pick Mr. Marr, cause he just makes you stick labels on envelopes until you don't want to see another envelope in your whole life."
That earned a chuckle out of her companion. "I'll remember that so that when I do have to perform 'good acts of service for the community' that I don't choose him."
"Or Mrs. Leighton. You have to clean her car." Summer giggled. "Or maybe that's just because it was Freddy..."
The two exchanged knowing looks, bursting out into uncontrolled fits of laughter.
"It probably is just because it was him. Did she make him polish the hubcaps too?" Zack asked in between laughing.
"Yup. Definitely a defining Kodak moment. I got a picture of it to remind me for the rest of my life. I was thinking of posting it up all around the school...but I don't think Freddy would like it much."
"Got that right."
They both whirled around to see the blonde drummer sitting on the railing of the staircase, Arin next to him with a large smile on her face.
"Freddy! We didn't know you were...there. How was your menial labo...I mean community service?" The guitarist joked, elbowing Summer. She rolled her eyes and nodded.
"It was a blast! She had me carry her bag and whatnots into the car too, so not only was I her car washer, I was her porter boy too. That lady just loves to torment me."
"Well you do give her hell in class." Summer pointed out, shooting a look to Arin to convey what kind of mischief, and the two dark haired girl suppressed smirks.
"Ah well she deserves it after treating me like shit that day."
"Come on. We'll be late for practice if we don't go now!" Zack tapped his foot impatiently. "Hey, why don't you and Arin both come to watch us today? I mean, usually you're busy with school stuff, so you don't come to practices anymore, and Arin...you did say you would take a rain check. How bout today?"
"Great." Arin nodded cheerily. "I'd love to."
"So would I." Summer stated, putting her papers into her bag. "It's been so long since I went to one, and I miss watching you guys."
"And we've got that competition to work to." Freddy reminded them, sliding down the railing as the other three walked down the normal way.
"Who wouldn't forget that?" Zack resisted the urge to pretend to push Freddy off. "I can't wait for it."
"Neither can I."
*A/N-And there you have it. Now review I say. *evil smile* Reviews really inspire me to write faster. To the shout outs!
fanficgirl1: Thanks so much for reviewing! You hold the title of being first reviewer! Your review made me smile, and totally made my day. Like I stated in my note, I'm not sure it will turn out to be a Freddy/Katie, but oh well, I'll play it by ear. However I am really liking your suggestion of Zack/Summer. See? I worked it in because I liked it. Kudos to you for inspiring me.
iluvnoodles: Nice name. No really, I think it's cool. Thanks so much for reviewing!
picklesniper: Kevin Alexander Clark is the kid who plays Freddy, and he is hot beyond belief. But I love Joey too. (even if he is kind of young for me), but oh well, I can still hold the opinion that he's cute right? RIGHT??? Just kidding. I'll try to keep your advice in mind for later chapters. I appreciated that you told me that. And the cookie was very good. Lol.
slazenger77: Well I don't know...we'll just have to see what happens. I'm not sure how it's going to all turn out, and at the same time I do (curse the way my evil mind works), but just in case, do you have any suggestions for other pairings? Thanks so much for reviewing, cause it really means something to me when people take the time to drop you some.
Mystre: That's great news! I've been hoping that someone would do that! (Cause frankly I don't know how to do that myself, so...yeah. Kudos to you!) I'm so glad you like my story! Made me really smile. Many thanks for reviewing! Totally made my day.
Disclaimer: Same as before, but I want Kevin even more. I'm such a poet.
Katie paced around her room late into the night, the receiver cradled between her shoulder and ear, face in what might turn into a permanent frown. Everything Summer was saying wasn't really registering in her brain, but she continued to listen to her friend's nonstop chatter about school work.
"I think I did a good job on that essay. I wrote it on the nature of language, and how inadequate words are to describe an emotion. It is of my opinion that I did quite well on it. But it was nearing five pages, so I had to cut it down to three."
"That's great you know." Katie muttered darkly, her thoughts returning to the other morning's events. Summer sensed something was wrong, and asked blatantly, not even trying to be subtle.
"Well let's put it this way." The bassist paused for a moment, "We had practice, Mr. S needed to get breakfast, we had a few minutes of break..."
"And?"
"And then Freddy..."
"OMG, did he ask you out?" Summer's voice rose a few octaves, making her friend flinch.
"I wish. But no. He was too wrapped up in checking out another girl on the far end of the room. He had Lawrence introduce her to us because he was that interested in her." She complained. "It's not fair. I kept protesting the whole time, but everyone, especially Freddy was against me. Luckily that bitch declined hanging out with us because her brother's class had ended, and Mr. S was there."
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds after Katie ranted. "I think someone's jealous." Summer stated in her know-it-all voice. "But I told you Katie. I told you that he was going to find someone else if you just let him slide."
"Shut up!" She snapped flustered now. "Now what am I going to do?"
"Well you can go and congratulate this girl for catching Freddy's eye, and tell her that you were a stupid loser that wouldn't listen to your friend when she told you to go for it."
"Pessimistic much?" Katie rolled her eyes. "Look. I gotta go. I still have to finish that draft of the paper, and it's due tomorrow. Bye." She slammed the phone down, and kicked the pillow at her feet across the room, watching with satisfaction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Arin, get up!" Aunt Ruby shook her niece roughly before groaning and pulling the covers off of her. Cold now, Arin rolled her eyes and got up, yawning and running a hand through her hair. She faintly remembered waking up, and viciously plotting to murder her non-living alarm clock, applying a heavy hand to it, and then going back to sleep.
"Mornin' Aunt Ruby." She bit back another yawn. "S'5:45 already?"
"Past that, and it's your first day of school. Your uniform's right there, and breakfast should be on the table momentarily. If you hadn't stayed out so late, you wouldn't be so tired."
Arin grinned sleepily, remembering how into the wee small hours of the night she had hung out with Freddy. He had been really cool about her past experience, and they had shared other stories about childhood pranks and fantasies, their dreams, and their love of music. It was like he said, she felt like she had known him all her life, and loved that feeling.
"Let me guess, you were out with some good-looking guy." Aunt Ruby smiled knowingly at the glow of Arin's face. She nodded energetically.
"Actually yes. And actually I had better get ready for school, or I'm going to be late."
"Ah, right." Her aunt excused herself to let her niece get ready. In about five minutes, Arin was at the table, surprising her aunt with her rapidity.
"What's for breakfast?" She inquired, fastening her necklace as she sat down and stared expectantly at the empty spot in front of her.
"Pancakes." Uncle Ben replied, bouncing Debbie and spooning better into the frying pan. Aunt Ruby set a plate in front of Arin and watched the girl eat. "I'm sending you to school because there is not bus. At least, not at this distance." She told her. Arin nodded as she took another bite.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The school was bigger than it seemed, Arin discovered as she wandered through the front doors, taking in the neatly painted white walls, the bright lights, and the burgundy lockers that lined the halls. Shifting the strap of her messenger bag nervously, she entered the office, pausing in front of the lady, Mrs. Wallace as her plain but bold nameplate read, who was busy sorting papers.
"Can I help you?" She asked, looking up from her work as if she had just realized that there was someone other than herself in the room.
"Uh...yeah. I'm new here, and I don't know where I'm supposed to go." Arin bit her lip as Mrs. Wallace pulled out a file.
"Arin Kam, right?" the aging lady inquired in an almost businesslike manner. Arin nodded politely, taking the sheet of paper Mrs. Wallace now offered her.
"That has your schedule, locker number, and locker combination on it. And here's your assignment notebook for the year."
"Thanks...is there anything else I should know?"
"Students are allowed to carry backpacks to their classes." It was like she rehearsed that line. Arin thanked her again, and ventured back into the crowded halls to locate her locker.
As she was spinning the combination, and opening it, she was aware of the whispering around her. Confused, she glanced sideways at the senior who was clearly checking her out.
"Hey. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" He greeted casually, sauntering up. Arin put on a tight smile.
"Ehehehe. No. I don't think you're gonna be scoring anytime with this bitch. Don't even try it."
"Feisty. I like that. You know, girls that play hard to get are so intriguing."
"You must be really desperate if you're stooping this low and using corny pickup lines. Leave me the hell alone now."
"But..."
Another girl with dirty blonde hair stepped out from behind Arin and placed herself between the two of them.
"Jimmy, let her be. You heard her!"
"Marta, come on."
"No. Get your damn ass away from here."
"That's no way to speak to a senior." Jimmy snapped, but he departed from the two of them. Marta turned back to Arin with a friendly smile.
"Don't take anything Jimmy says seriously. He's just a jerk."
"I got that the moment he said 'hey'." Arin joked, returning the smile.
"You're Arin right? Remember me? I'm Marta, backup singer in 'School of Rock'." She went back to her locker, which was right next to Arin's.
"Yeah, I remember you."
"Next time you really should stay longer and hang out with us." Marta suggested, opening her locker and pulling out a few books. "I know that Freddy, Lawrence, and Zack were all for it."
"Maybe next time I will." Arin's heart did a little flip-flop when Freddy's name was mentioned, and she quickly quieted it, forcing herself to remember how long she had known him, which was quite sad if you thought about it. "Who are the other singers along with you? You guys were really good."
"Thanks. Tomika and Alicia sing backup too, that's what you asked, right?"
"Yeah."
"So tell me what you honestly think of the band." Marta looked a little nervous about asking.
"I think it's great. You all rock." Arin said truthfully, but her mind wandered form the topic slightly to that of the drummer of the band, her smile growing brighter. Marta didn't notice the change of expression as she was busy organizing herself and checking stuff off in her planner.
"I'm so glad. Cause we're participating in this competition, and we need to do well. It was nice talking to you. I have got to get to class though. So I'll see you later, okay?"
"Aight." Arin mumbled, consulting her schedule. "Hey, do you know where...?"
But Marta had already disappeared. Arin groaned, beginning her search for the chemistry lab. Never in her life had she felt so out of place, and she wished she could just replay the previous evening of laughter, bask in that sense of security, and enjoy the pleasant company. Arin searched for a familiar face. She found Katie.
"Katie! Hey Katie!"
"Oh. It's you." The coldness coming from the girl was enough to give a person frostbite. "What do you want?"
"Do you know where the Chem. lab is? It's my first period, and I can't find it." Arin shrugged in admission, smiling in a friendly manner, even if the alarms were going off in her head. Katie's face darkened, as she recognized her first period and only period with Freddy.
"Yeah I know where it is, but I'm not going to be telling you." She watched the confusion appear on Arin's face, and the girl took a step back.
"Why do you hate me?" Her blunt question surprised Katie.
"Cause you're a bitchy whore." Katie snapped, "And you don't know what's off limits."
"I got here less than a week ago, so of course I wouldn't. But what the hell are you talking about?" Arin retorted, going on the defensive.
"Oh don't act all ignorant and innocent." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "You know exactly what you want, and you step over other people to get it."
"Would you calm down and shut the hell up? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!" Arin cried frustrated.
"Well then let me help you. Stay away from what's mine. I don't like it all that much, and if you don't, you'll answer to me."
"Oh, like that's gonna scare me. It looks like someone has had bitchy lessons one-on-one. Or are you caffeine deprived today? Or maybe this is just your natural state. Do you honestly go around attacking every new kid that walks through the door? Cause I have no idea what you are talking about, or what's yours, OK?"
Katie was about to crack a comeback when the shrill ringing of the warning bell cut off their bickering.
"I'll deal with you later." Katie tossed over her shoulder, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Arin in her wake. Not wanting to be late to class, she quickly asked an upperclassman where she could find the Chem. Lab.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"We have a new student today!" Ms. Regan, the chemistry teacher chirped. "Why don't you introduce yourself dear."
Rolling her eyes imperceptibly, Arin tapped her foot and scanned the faces of the class. Right away she saw Katie in the front looking mutinous. That dang bitch was in the same class with her after all! Why couldn't she have shown Arin the way? In the back corner sat Freddy, all alone on his one side of the black lab table.
"I'm Arin Kam, I just moved here from Toledo, and I live with my aunt."
"What's that around your neck?" Someone asked loudly. Arin laughed.
"It's a fang, and a guitar pick with a hole near the top."
"Cool!"
"Thank you Arin, now take your seat next to...Freddy. He's needed a lab partner for a while. Now the class is evenly matched." Ms. Regan didn't notice the dark scowl that Katie sent her as the chemistry teacher frisked about, gathering papers, and picking up chalk.
Arin grinned as she walked down the aisle and sat down next to the blonde boy.
"Hey stranger."
"Hey yourself. Fancy seeing you here in first period." Freddy's mind went over the night before, fondly remembering the jokes, attempted jokes, and just plain cheesy jokes they had shared, and the way she would wryly smile and tilt her head.
"Well, it's back to school."
"Yeah. Let me take a look at your schedule." Freddy reached across and snatched the paper up. Arin pretended to smack the back of his hand lightly. He grinned and scanned her schedule.
"We have Chemistry, Modern Euro, and a study together." He observed, passing it back to her. "Zack's in the study too. We get into way too much trouble during then. The proctors get kinda pissed."
"Why am I not surprised?" Her eyes danced with a mischievous glow.
"Mr. Jones and Miss Kam, is there something you wish to share with the class?"
Both straightened considerably, and the conspirital air evaporated in a wink.
"No Ms. Regan. I was just talking about random subjects. Like different classes, and who she might know from those classes." Freddy said innocently, and smoothly. It was apparent that he was very used to being asked that question. He looked very much and angel, but with a smile that would better fit a devil. Ms. Regan frowned, but shrugged, turning back to the board. Arin snickered as Freddy did a tongue thing to Ms. Regan's turned back.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Well, this has been a pretty eventful day." Freddy announced loudly to the group, even though he was watching the door on the sly, waiting for a particular person to walk through it. Sure enough, Arin came, hesitantly looking around the cafeteria. He raised his arm and waved, catching her attention. Arin smiled and began to walk over to them, but then paused when she saw the evil look Katie was shooting her.
"Come on Arin! Join us!" Tomika yelled, smiling before turning back to her sub. Katie rolled her eyes and refused to even acknowledge Arin's presence any longer. Taking this subtle back down, Arin hastened in her steps and sat down next to Marta, across from Zack and diagonally from Freddy.
"So, how was your day so far?" Alicia asked, leaning out to address the black haired girl on the other end.
"It was so so." Arin appreciated their efforts to be nice, and though she tried to be defensive, Arin couldn't find a way to be bitchy towards their ongoing friendliness. Katie was a different story however. Arin could not help herself from being the biggest bitch to the girl, partially because Katie was being one to her. She had no idea what was making the bass player so huffy.
"Well I didn't really have the greatest day." Freddy said to no one in particular, and making it clear that he didn't care if anyone wanted to know. "I forgot to do the English rewrite, and Mrs. Leighton was like 'Rrrraaaaw!', and I was like 'Rrrrrraaaaw!', and it didn't go off to well. I have detentions for three days. God how I love that lady." He smiled sarcastically. Detentions were obviously a common occurrence in his life.
"I don't really like her that much either." Katie smiled shyly, quickly glancing to Arin, "But of course, I did do the rewrite, and..."
"I got it all done, and Mrs. Leighton said it was absolutely marvelous." Summer cut her off, kicking her friend under the table. "Katie and I were brainstorming about it over the phone."
"Yeah, and we got a lot of topics covered." Either Freddy didn't notice, or purposely-avoided Katie's wandering eyes. Instead he was focused on eating, and occasionally sneaking looks to Arin, who would put on a strange face whenever she caught him. It was as if the two were telepathically communicating or something. The green monster of jealously was rising over Katie's head as she beheld the scene.
Marta watched the interchange, and the annoyed look on Katie's face, putting two and two together. She bit her lip as she wondered how this would all turn out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She was there at her locker, a vision in white, navy blue and green, the colors of their uniform. Freddy felt himself grin, his mouth seeming to have a life of it's own, and there was nothing he could do to stop it from appearing. It definitely must be the company he was keeping, there was no doubt about it. Was he really frowning this soft if one girl kept dominating his foremost thoughts? Freddy hoped not, as he was not about to lose his title as "The Rebel" anytime soon.
He waltzed right up to her, leaning on the locker next to hers, presumable Marta's if his memory served him correctly, and twitching his eyebrows suggestively. He recalled the afternoon's events in Study, where a couple of well executed pranks had landed them in detention for that day, Arin included even though it was her first day there.
"Wassup yo?" He greeted, seeing her once solemn face split into a grin.
"The ceiling. That's what's up." Arin tossed haphazardly, flipping a sheet of raven hair over her shoulder as she turned to face him. "How 'bout you?"
"It could have been a hell of a lot worse." Freddy said optimistically. Arin placed another book carefully back into her locker and laughed softly. He was amazed at how neatly she kept her locker in contrast to the gigantic mess that would probably take a year just to clean out which was his. It was amazing how he was able to get his stuff out of it. "One detention isn't all that bad."
"You always find the bright side of everything." Arin shook her head. " It's just gonna be the three of us there."
"Well if you want me to start quoting dark poetry, I can do that."
"That's okay. I can live with your 'I hate the human race' swear filled lines, and your cheesy jokes."
Freddy pretended to look insulted, but he couldn't keep it up. "Hey, you doing anything tonight? We don't have band practice today, and we could jam again like last night."
"That would be great. Okay then, I'll take you up on your offer. What time?"
"Six?" Freddy kept a cool outward attitude, but he just wanted to jump up and down.
Arin nodded in agreement. "I'll be there. Just don't try to keep me out as late as last time though."
"Fine." He threw his hands up in mock surrender, laughing before he punched her shoulder, flinging a low 'Later' over his shoulder. Arin watched in amusement as he wove his way though the massive waves of students. He was like a little boy being pushed around in the ocean by the torrents of water. She was so absorbed in watching his slow progress that she didn't notice the hesitant tap on her shoulder.
"Arin?" Lawrence asked quietly, tapping once again before she came to, turning towards him with a confused look.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you would like to do something with this afternoon." He asked, adding in a flustered manner, "With me."
Arin bit her lip. "I'm sorry, but I've got detention right now, and I'm hanging out with someone else after that."
"If you don't like me, you can just tell me." Lawrence said dejectedly, making Arin feel really bad.
"I do like you. It's just that Freddy asked me first, and well...I accepted." Arin said, defending herself somewhat. "Tell you what, tomorrow I'll hang out with you, is that all right?"
"That would be nice." A small, bashful smile flickered onto his face, making him seem younger than his age in that moment. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah." Arin shut her locker and smiled quickly before heading to room 104 for the detention she had received thanks to Zack and Freddy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zack remembered the fight that had taken place a while after Freddy had left. It wasn't one with his dad, surprisingly, as his dad was just as strict and loved to lecture his son as Mr. Jones. That's why the two had become fast friends over the years since they both understood the other so well, and neither understood the female species that well either, so they sympathized with each other's love lives, or Freddy's lack of.
He never really was one for chasing girls, and that worried Zack for a point in time, but the fact that Freddy never stopped checking them out smoothed out some of his worry. Freddy didn't use the good looks, money and charming wit he had to his advantage, unlike Zack who was just Mr. Popular.
Of course, that comes with a price like what he was going through. There were two girls, pretty, smart, and extremely ready to strangle each other. It had started out pretty cool when they hadn't met, but then at one time they did meet, sharing their thoughts about him, and then from there it really slid down the drain as they found a rival in each other.
Shalyn was a brunette with a set of intense honey colored eyes and a personality to match. She was spontaneous, calm and collected, and possessed a quiet drollness that made you smile every time she wanted you to.
Candace on the other hand was equally as funny, with a hint of an attitude that made you look past the pretty face to the intelligence that lurked in her golden haired head. But she was on the moody side, and she could turn sour in seconds.
And that sourness had started it all off in the beginning. Zack sighed as he recalled them talking it out with the barest of civility, but then one fell swoop from Candace's mouth and it was an all out catfight.
"If your looks weren't so fake, maybe I might consider you to be worthy of even walking the face of the earth. Some people think you're pretty, some people think you're ugly. To me you're pretty ugly."
"He doesn't want you for anything other than what bitches like you are good for!" Shalyn had retorted, her eyes on fire and her chin tilted elegantly.
"Oh, like you've got anything remotely great about you to offer him. I mean, come on your personality's a flop, you've got no social life, and face it Hon, your musical taste sucks." The blonde smiled cynically.
"Flogging Molly and 3 Days Grace aren't sucky."
"They are too. They've got nothing on GC."
"I honestly don't see what Zack sees in you." She said it in such a way that Zack had wondered if they remembered he was present in the room. Candace really kicked it into high gear then.
"You wouldn't be able to answer that cause obviously you're not a guy. Unless you aren't telling us something, and happen to be one."
"I can draw a line about as straight as you are, so shove off!"
"Ouch, I'm shaking with fear. Go to hell you whore."
"After you, stupid slut."
Seeing them duke it out wasn't that much fun, and whenever they glanced over towards him, Zack wanted to burrow into the ground, or shrink into a tiny worm. Finally he couldn't take any more of it, as it had gotten worse and worse as the minutes ticked by, and he had walked out on their battle, which was yet to be resolved. Faintly at the back of his mind he though he heard someone whisper his name, and jab his arm sharply. That turned into a brutal pinch when he didn't snap out of it.
"OW!" He winced, and earned a 'Shut up right now, you hear?' look from Mrs. Leighton. "Sorry ma'am. I just gave myself a...paper cut." He improvised quickly, stopping himself in the nick of time from sighing with relief as Mrs. Leighton turned back to her book, an annoyed look on her face.
"What was that for?" Zack asked the blonde drummer who sat in his tipped back chair with his arms behind his head in as hushed a voice as humanely possible. Freddy rolled his eyes and smiled devilishly.
"Dude, you so spaced. What is up with you?"
"Female problems, like I told you last time." Zack responded.
"Ah..." Freddy shrugged sympathetically before turning to talk to Arin in quiet whispered tones. Their candid way of leaning in towards each other whenever they had something to say really amused Zack, and at the same time, made him wish for a relationship like that. It struck him that there was something sparking between the two of them. Normally Zack didn't believe in love at first sight, but maybe there was something of truth in it after all.
But it was apparent that they hadn't really thought about it all that much, but to observers like the guitarist of 'School of Rock', the way Arin's face lit up whenever Freddy spoke to her, and the way Freddy always tilted his head to the side whenever she smiled to him, that was enough to say that something was definitely going on.
But then the thought of Katie idly rambled through his head. Zack had "accidentally" heard Katie angsting to Summer about how Freddy never noticed her, and blah blah blah. He hadn't told the blonde drummer, as it would probably be more weight on his shoulders, and Zack was believed it was best to just let Katie tell Freddy that she liked him herself. But apparently she wasn't taking any action.
He watched the two of them a bit longer before thinking of the two girls again. Which of the two would make him happier? Which one would he connect with better? And would he ever have a relationship so...perfect? No, that wasn't the word...blissful.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zack walked out of detention alone, letting his friend carry on the conversation he had started. Sighing, he turned a corner to head down the stairs, but at that same moment, he crashed into a person coming from the opposite direction. Papers flew about in the air much like confetti, only a few times too big. When the chaotic mess finally settled, it revealed a very embarrassed looking Summer.
"I'm so sorry!" She squeaked, biting her lip as she righted herself and began collecting the lost articles with a shocking rapidity that spoke of past experiences. Zack shook his head and helped her retrieve the loose belongings.
"No, if there's anyone who should be sorry, it would be me." He grinned, seeing the same play of expression being reciprocated. Summer was an ongoing enigma in Zack's mind. She was smart, a shoo-in for class Valedictorian when their senior year would roll around, Class president, and involved in various activities concerning school. But then she was their band manager, as hard-core as the rest of them, and could easily rebuff Freddy when his sarcastic streak got the best of them all. Plus she was pretty...to him. But she was also talking to him.
"I'm guessing Freddy got you into another detention." She was saying when he tuned back in. "I've lost count how many detentions the two of you have gotten since freshman year. It goes on your record you know."
"Yeah. But when Freddy starts showing off, he gets a little...insane." Zack laughed, remembering her say exactly that the last time they had gotten detentions, only it wasn't in such a nice tone.
"You should tell him to save his insanity for band practice. Mrs. Leighton's getting really annoyed with him, as is all the other teachers. I don't even want to go into what Mr. Hoy thinks of him." Summer casually tucked a stray lock of hair that had escaped from her ponytail.
" Freddy has informed me of that one many times. According to Mr. Hoy, Freddy is impudent, obnoxious, boisterous, obstreperous, rambunctious, and too damn witty for his own good. I guess that charm of his doesn't work on the teachers."
"But it works on Katie, and the new girl." Summer muttered to herself. It was too soft for Zack to hear, but he asked what she said anyways. " Nothing, just making sure I had all my stuff together."
He shot her a strange look, but shrugged it off, handing the remainder of her scattered items to her. She accepted them graciously, a beaming smile lighting up her face.
"What were you here for?" Zack stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to mask his uneasiness in the silence that had followed the contact of their hands. Summer looked relieved of the change in topic.
"I had to help out some of the teachers for community service. Let me tell you, never pick Mr. Marr, cause he just makes you stick labels on envelopes until you don't want to see another envelope in your whole life."
That earned a chuckle out of her companion. "I'll remember that so that when I do have to perform 'good acts of service for the community' that I don't choose him."
"Or Mrs. Leighton. You have to clean her car." Summer giggled. "Or maybe that's just because it was Freddy..."
The two exchanged knowing looks, bursting out into uncontrolled fits of laughter.
"It probably is just because it was him. Did she make him polish the hubcaps too?" Zack asked in between laughing.
"Yup. Definitely a defining Kodak moment. I got a picture of it to remind me for the rest of my life. I was thinking of posting it up all around the school...but I don't think Freddy would like it much."
"Got that right."
They both whirled around to see the blonde drummer sitting on the railing of the staircase, Arin next to him with a large smile on her face.
"Freddy! We didn't know you were...there. How was your menial labo...I mean community service?" The guitarist joked, elbowing Summer. She rolled her eyes and nodded.
"It was a blast! She had me carry her bag and whatnots into the car too, so not only was I her car washer, I was her porter boy too. That lady just loves to torment me."
"Well you do give her hell in class." Summer pointed out, shooting a look to Arin to convey what kind of mischief, and the two dark haired girl suppressed smirks.
"Ah well she deserves it after treating me like shit that day."
"Come on. We'll be late for practice if we don't go now!" Zack tapped his foot impatiently. "Hey, why don't you and Arin both come to watch us today? I mean, usually you're busy with school stuff, so you don't come to practices anymore, and Arin...you did say you would take a rain check. How bout today?"
"Great." Arin nodded cheerily. "I'd love to."
"So would I." Summer stated, putting her papers into her bag. "It's been so long since I went to one, and I miss watching you guys."
"And we've got that competition to work to." Freddy reminded them, sliding down the railing as the other three walked down the normal way.
"Who wouldn't forget that?" Zack resisted the urge to pretend to push Freddy off. "I can't wait for it."
"Neither can I."
*A/N-And there you have it. Now review I say. *evil smile* Reviews really inspire me to write faster. To the shout outs!
fanficgirl1: Thanks so much for reviewing! You hold the title of being first reviewer! Your review made me smile, and totally made my day. Like I stated in my note, I'm not sure it will turn out to be a Freddy/Katie, but oh well, I'll play it by ear. However I am really liking your suggestion of Zack/Summer. See? I worked it in because I liked it. Kudos to you for inspiring me.
iluvnoodles: Nice name. No really, I think it's cool. Thanks so much for reviewing!
picklesniper: Kevin Alexander Clark is the kid who plays Freddy, and he is hot beyond belief. But I love Joey too. (even if he is kind of young for me), but oh well, I can still hold the opinion that he's cute right? RIGHT??? Just kidding. I'll try to keep your advice in mind for later chapters. I appreciated that you told me that. And the cookie was very good. Lol.
slazenger77: Well I don't know...we'll just have to see what happens. I'm not sure how it's going to all turn out, and at the same time I do (curse the way my evil mind works), but just in case, do you have any suggestions for other pairings? Thanks so much for reviewing, cause it really means something to me when people take the time to drop you some.
Mystre: That's great news! I've been hoping that someone would do that! (Cause frankly I don't know how to do that myself, so...yeah. Kudos to you!) I'm so glad you like my story! Made me really smile. Many thanks for reviewing! Totally made my day.