Disclaimer: School of Rock and its characters do not belong to me.
Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! This is the sequel to Watch Me Bleed. If you read the summary, you know what will happen, but here's a quick recap. Just when mostly normal lives have finally emerged, Summer finds she has an...admirer shall we say . A Zack/Summer fic. Small bit of Freddy/Katie. I made up a song title for the concert program, don't try and place it. The title of this story is a song by Aqualung. I've never actually heard it, but it was on a site featuring songs about the subject of the story and the lyrics fit the idea I have.
chapter 1
The summer had gone by quickly. Too quickly by most's standards. Summer Hathaway was happy to be back at school though. The break, while relaxing, had lacked structure. And while Summer was a lot less uptight now that her mother was in jail, she still found she preferred knowing what was going to happen next.
Within the first month, Summer had shed as much as she could of what her mother had forced upon her. Her hair was now only chin length, and her ears were pierced twice. She had quit her ballet and horseback lessons, opting instead to learn guitar and take a writing class.
She smiled when she saw her boyfriend, Zack Mooneyham. Zack too had changed his appearance over the summer. His hair was now long enough to almost cover his eyes. He had spent his summer with Summer, teaching him guitar, and simply hanging out. It had been the 4th of July when Freddy's parents had become his legal guardians.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, greeting him. "You ready for your first day of high school, Z?"
"I'd much rather spend the day teaching you guitar then listening to our new teacher try and learn our names." He groaned. "The first day is always so boring."
Summer laughed as the began to enter the school building. "I know what you mean. But once we get past the name stage, school will be fun again."
"You are the only person I know who thinks school is fun." Zack shook his head.
"Have you ever tried ignoring the teacher's dull voices and looks and just listening to what they're talking about? It's really interesting."
"It's more interesting when you tell me about during our study sessions."
"What if I stopped helping you?"
"You wouldn't let me flunk out of band. Or school, Mermer."
Summer rolled her eyes. "Here's our room. The two entered the room. They were the first two there, the weather still being warm and sunny. The black board held instructions that Summer read aloud. "Please stand in a line at the back of the room. When class commences, I will show you your desk. Your teacher, Mrs. Thorngood."
The two walked to the back of the room, talking quietly as people slowly trickled in until the bell rang and a middle-aged woman in a pant suit entered. "Good morning class."
"Good morning Mrs. Thorngood." The entire class answered, as trained.
"Now, before we can get to work on filling your little sponge-like brains with knowledge, I need to learn your names, and you need to have your desks. Now, when I call your name, come to the front of the room, and say a few words about yourself. What you like to do outside of school, your favorite school subject, I'm sure you get the idea. Then you may sit down at the desk I point to. This will be your desk for the whole year, no exceptions. Now, I would like to hear from, Frederick Jones."
Summer and Zack both heard Freddy curse under his breath as he walked up. "I play drums in a band called School of Rock." He looked at Mrs. Thorngood to find her not pointing. "What? That was a few words."
"Very true, but you didn't tell us your name dear."
"You just announced my name."
Mrs. Thorngood looked annoyed at him. "Repetition is the best way to remember things. Now I'm sure you don't want a detention on your first day of school."
"My name's Freddy Jones."
Mrs. Thorngood tsked. "I believe your given name is Frederick."
"I believe even my parents call me Freddy." Freddy was clearly angry.
"In my classroom you will be called by your given name Mr. Jones. Now, sit right there in the front row." The class was trying hard not to laugh at Freddy's plight. "Summer Hathaway."
Summer walked up, standing directly in front of Mrs. Thorngood. As she spoke, she made a few faces, mocking Mrs. Thorngood, looking at Freddy. "My name is Summer Hathaway. I'm a singer and band manager for the same band as Frederick, School of Rock."
"That was very nice Ms. Hathaway. You may take your seat next to Frederick."
"Zackary Mooneyham." Zack announced his name and that he was lead guitar for School of Rock, and took his seat next to Summer. "Garrett Krikor."
A tall boy with well combed short brown hair, walked to the front of the class. As he spoke, he focused on Summer. "My name is Garret Krikor. In my spare time I like taking pictures, and writing." He took his seat next to Zack.
§ § §
It was lunch when Zack, Summer, Katie, and Freddy got a chance to talk about their new teacher. "She's absolutely cracked!" Freddy was fuming. "She won't call me Freddy, she put me in the front of the class!"
"It's not that bad, Spazzy." Katie was smiling at her boyfriend.
Freddy sat down with his tray. "Easy for you to say, you got a seat where you can get away with things."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Who knows, maybe you'll learn something this year."
"Shut up, man." Freddy angrily opened his can of juice.
"He's right." Katie nodded. "Maybe now you won't be on academic probation every other week."
Zack was agreeing. "Your parent did say, if that continued no more band. Dewey would be so pissed if you had to pull out for something like that. I'm not saying you have to like Mrs. Thorngood. I don't. But just ignore the fact that she's the one teaching you. Pretend it's someone who doesn't make you sick to your stomach."
"Summer did you have to rub off on Zack so much?" Freddy complained.
Summer didn't respond. Not because her mouth was full though. She hadn't touched her tray yet.
"Hey Tink, you in there?" Katie asked her best friend.
Summer shook her head. "What?"
"You were spaced out. What's on your mind?" Zack looked at his girlfriend, you haven't even touched your lunch."
"It's nothing. It's just that new kid Garrett. I feel like he's been staring at me. Ever since he was doing Mrs. Thorngood's introduction."
Freddy looked around the lunchroom, finally spotting Garrett sitting alone. "That would be because he is. Probably doesn't know you're with Zack or something."
"Yeah." Summer opened her water. "Probably."
§ § §
Freddy had begun complaining to Dewey the second the group had arrived at Dewey's apartment. Dewey was agreeing with him whole-heartedly. Katie had gone straight to the kitchen, grabbing a soda. Zack had grabbed his guitar and went to work on a song, and Summer sat by the window, working on a checklist for the band's next gig, periodically looking out the window. The others arrived shortly after, and Dewey got practice rolling. "Anybody have anything they need to talk about?"
"Has everyone talked to their parents about Friday's gig?" Summer asked. Everyone nodded. "Remember Dewey is picking us all up at 4:30. All of your equipment will already be at the Civic Center, as will your outfits." She looked to Dewey. "Have you chosen songs and performance order?"
Dewey nodded. "I figured we could open with Long Way to The Top, then Hardcore, then Live With It, Watch Me Bleed, and finally School of Rock."
"We're going to do Watch Me Bleed?" Summer looked from her clipboard where she had written the program.
"Unless that's a problem." Dewey answered. "Is it?"
"No, it's just we've never performed it before."
"Don't worry about it Tink. Have you listened to yourself sing it?" Marta encouraged, knowing the song had a painful origin for Summer.
"I told you, its not a problem. I was just surprised, that's all. Does anyone else have anything to bring up?"
When no one said anything Dewey spoke. "OK everyone warm up."
Zack went to Summer, who was still by the window. "What's up?"
"Nothing."
"Has anyone told you that you're getting worse at lying?"
"Gee. Thanks."
"Seriously Mermer. Something's up. You've been off nearly all day. Does this have to do with the song?"
"Well, kinda. It's a really personal song. What if people don't get it or they think it sucks?"
"Then they're losers who don't get the meaning of music. Mermer, it's a great song. The people who come to this concert are gonna love it." Summer smiled half-heartedly. "Is something else bothering you?"
"I just haven't been able to shake the feeling that someone is watching me."
"The only person watching you right now is me. And you already knew about that. You have nothing to worry about."
"I guess you're right. Thanks, Z." Summer stood and gave Zack a quick kiss.
Dewey interrupted. "Hey less smooching more shredding Zack."
"I'm working on it."
§ § §
Summer entered her empty house instantly turning the lights on, her paranoid side getting the best of her. The entire way home from Dewey's she had found herself constantly looking back to see if someone was behind her. There was never anyone there. "There is nothing to worry about." She muttered, taking Zack's words as a mantra as she entered the living room. Where she found the TV on. She hadn't left the TV on. Her dad was in Los Angeles.
Her breathing was quickening when she picked up the remote and turned it off. She found a manila folder with her name written in a box like script on the cover. Hands shaking, she sat down on the couch and opened it. The first piece of paper was a letter written in the same handwriting.
"My dearest Summer." She whispered. Reading it. "I can no longer hide the feelings I feel for you. Every movement you make has begun to run my life. Your beauty never leaves my mind. Even your name sends shivers down my spine. Simply thinking of your gorgeous body turns me into a spaz. That's what you can call me. Your little spaz. I won't be able to live without you much longer. I'll be seeing you in my dreams. Your loving spaz."
Summer easily made a connection with the nickname and relaxed. Curious though, she flipped to the next page of the folder where many pictures of her were. They each were dated, some dating back to the beginning of the summer. The first was of her at the semi-formal, the most recent of her sitting in the window at band practice today. She was getting a bit more disturbed when she turned the page again, finding pictures of her in her bedroom, some in her pajamas, some in her clothes, some of her in a towel after a shower, getting ready for a date with Zack.
Furious and upset, she turned the lights off and locked the door, running out of her house down the street, folder in hand.
§ § §
Summer was tapping her foot impatiently for the door to open, after ringing the doorbell at the Jones' residence. When Freddy opened the door, he leaned against the door frame. "Hey Summer, Zack's in the kitchen."
"I didn't come to see Zack." Summer entered the house, speaking forcefully as Freddy closed the door.
"What are you talking about?"
"This." She shoved the folder into his hands. "What kind of sick joke is this Jones? Did you honestly think I would find this funny? Sure the note was good for a laugh, but the pictures? Do you have any idea how violated I feel? I can't believe how insensitive, stupid and pig-headed you are."
Freddy, who had been listening and flipping through the packet looked up, concerned. "Summer, I didn't do this. I haven't played any jokes on you."
Summer stopped pacing. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that?! The letter mentions spaz three times! Who else is called a spaz?"
"Summer, I couldn't have done this. You obviously just found it. I left practice after you."
"So? You were gone for like half an hour before we went to practice." Summer challenged.
"Some of the pictures are from practice Summer. This isn't my prank."
"I don't believe you Jones."
Zack walked into the room. "What's with all the yelling? Summer? You look upset."
"Summer thinks I dropped this envelope off at her house before she got there."
"I was with you though. We only got home like three minutes ago. Besides, that label isn't your handwriting." Zack defended his friend, looking at the outside of the folder. "What is it?"
Freddy handed it to him and then looked at Summer. "Now do you believe me?"
"I don't get it. If you didn't do this then ..."
"Summer, were was this in the house and how did you find it?" Zack was dead serious and it was easy to see he was angry.
"It was in the living room underneath the remote. When I got in the TV was on, when I turned it off, I found it." Summer's hands were shaking again.
"You didn't leave the TV on did you?" Summer shook her head. "And your dad is out of town?" Again she nodded. "Freddy, write a note for your parents in case they get back, and then call the police. We have a problem."
That's the end of the first chapter. I hope it's turning out as well as Watch Me Bleed.
Random Quote of the Day: "When life gives you lemons, dance. Dance like there's a monkey in your pants."—Katie B.
Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! This is the sequel to Watch Me Bleed. If you read the summary, you know what will happen, but here's a quick recap. Just when mostly normal lives have finally emerged, Summer finds she has an...admirer shall we say . A Zack/Summer fic. Small bit of Freddy/Katie. I made up a song title for the concert program, don't try and place it. The title of this story is a song by Aqualung. I've never actually heard it, but it was on a site featuring songs about the subject of the story and the lyrics fit the idea I have.
chapter 1
The summer had gone by quickly. Too quickly by most's standards. Summer Hathaway was happy to be back at school though. The break, while relaxing, had lacked structure. And while Summer was a lot less uptight now that her mother was in jail, she still found she preferred knowing what was going to happen next.
Within the first month, Summer had shed as much as she could of what her mother had forced upon her. Her hair was now only chin length, and her ears were pierced twice. She had quit her ballet and horseback lessons, opting instead to learn guitar and take a writing class.
She smiled when she saw her boyfriend, Zack Mooneyham. Zack too had changed his appearance over the summer. His hair was now long enough to almost cover his eyes. He had spent his summer with Summer, teaching him guitar, and simply hanging out. It had been the 4th of July when Freddy's parents had become his legal guardians.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, greeting him. "You ready for your first day of high school, Z?"
"I'd much rather spend the day teaching you guitar then listening to our new teacher try and learn our names." He groaned. "The first day is always so boring."
Summer laughed as the began to enter the school building. "I know what you mean. But once we get past the name stage, school will be fun again."
"You are the only person I know who thinks school is fun." Zack shook his head.
"Have you ever tried ignoring the teacher's dull voices and looks and just listening to what they're talking about? It's really interesting."
"It's more interesting when you tell me about during our study sessions."
"What if I stopped helping you?"
"You wouldn't let me flunk out of band. Or school, Mermer."
Summer rolled her eyes. "Here's our room. The two entered the room. They were the first two there, the weather still being warm and sunny. The black board held instructions that Summer read aloud. "Please stand in a line at the back of the room. When class commences, I will show you your desk. Your teacher, Mrs. Thorngood."
The two walked to the back of the room, talking quietly as people slowly trickled in until the bell rang and a middle-aged woman in a pant suit entered. "Good morning class."
"Good morning Mrs. Thorngood." The entire class answered, as trained.
"Now, before we can get to work on filling your little sponge-like brains with knowledge, I need to learn your names, and you need to have your desks. Now, when I call your name, come to the front of the room, and say a few words about yourself. What you like to do outside of school, your favorite school subject, I'm sure you get the idea. Then you may sit down at the desk I point to. This will be your desk for the whole year, no exceptions. Now, I would like to hear from, Frederick Jones."
Summer and Zack both heard Freddy curse under his breath as he walked up. "I play drums in a band called School of Rock." He looked at Mrs. Thorngood to find her not pointing. "What? That was a few words."
"Very true, but you didn't tell us your name dear."
"You just announced my name."
Mrs. Thorngood looked annoyed at him. "Repetition is the best way to remember things. Now I'm sure you don't want a detention on your first day of school."
"My name's Freddy Jones."
Mrs. Thorngood tsked. "I believe your given name is Frederick."
"I believe even my parents call me Freddy." Freddy was clearly angry.
"In my classroom you will be called by your given name Mr. Jones. Now, sit right there in the front row." The class was trying hard not to laugh at Freddy's plight. "Summer Hathaway."
Summer walked up, standing directly in front of Mrs. Thorngood. As she spoke, she made a few faces, mocking Mrs. Thorngood, looking at Freddy. "My name is Summer Hathaway. I'm a singer and band manager for the same band as Frederick, School of Rock."
"That was very nice Ms. Hathaway. You may take your seat next to Frederick."
"Zackary Mooneyham." Zack announced his name and that he was lead guitar for School of Rock, and took his seat next to Summer. "Garrett Krikor."
A tall boy with well combed short brown hair, walked to the front of the class. As he spoke, he focused on Summer. "My name is Garret Krikor. In my spare time I like taking pictures, and writing." He took his seat next to Zack.
§ § §
It was lunch when Zack, Summer, Katie, and Freddy got a chance to talk about their new teacher. "She's absolutely cracked!" Freddy was fuming. "She won't call me Freddy, she put me in the front of the class!"
"It's not that bad, Spazzy." Katie was smiling at her boyfriend.
Freddy sat down with his tray. "Easy for you to say, you got a seat where you can get away with things."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Who knows, maybe you'll learn something this year."
"Shut up, man." Freddy angrily opened his can of juice.
"He's right." Katie nodded. "Maybe now you won't be on academic probation every other week."
Zack was agreeing. "Your parent did say, if that continued no more band. Dewey would be so pissed if you had to pull out for something like that. I'm not saying you have to like Mrs. Thorngood. I don't. But just ignore the fact that she's the one teaching you. Pretend it's someone who doesn't make you sick to your stomach."
"Summer did you have to rub off on Zack so much?" Freddy complained.
Summer didn't respond. Not because her mouth was full though. She hadn't touched her tray yet.
"Hey Tink, you in there?" Katie asked her best friend.
Summer shook her head. "What?"
"You were spaced out. What's on your mind?" Zack looked at his girlfriend, you haven't even touched your lunch."
"It's nothing. It's just that new kid Garrett. I feel like he's been staring at me. Ever since he was doing Mrs. Thorngood's introduction."
Freddy looked around the lunchroom, finally spotting Garrett sitting alone. "That would be because he is. Probably doesn't know you're with Zack or something."
"Yeah." Summer opened her water. "Probably."
§ § §
Freddy had begun complaining to Dewey the second the group had arrived at Dewey's apartment. Dewey was agreeing with him whole-heartedly. Katie had gone straight to the kitchen, grabbing a soda. Zack had grabbed his guitar and went to work on a song, and Summer sat by the window, working on a checklist for the band's next gig, periodically looking out the window. The others arrived shortly after, and Dewey got practice rolling. "Anybody have anything they need to talk about?"
"Has everyone talked to their parents about Friday's gig?" Summer asked. Everyone nodded. "Remember Dewey is picking us all up at 4:30. All of your equipment will already be at the Civic Center, as will your outfits." She looked to Dewey. "Have you chosen songs and performance order?"
Dewey nodded. "I figured we could open with Long Way to The Top, then Hardcore, then Live With It, Watch Me Bleed, and finally School of Rock."
"We're going to do Watch Me Bleed?" Summer looked from her clipboard where she had written the program.
"Unless that's a problem." Dewey answered. "Is it?"
"No, it's just we've never performed it before."
"Don't worry about it Tink. Have you listened to yourself sing it?" Marta encouraged, knowing the song had a painful origin for Summer.
"I told you, its not a problem. I was just surprised, that's all. Does anyone else have anything to bring up?"
When no one said anything Dewey spoke. "OK everyone warm up."
Zack went to Summer, who was still by the window. "What's up?"
"Nothing."
"Has anyone told you that you're getting worse at lying?"
"Gee. Thanks."
"Seriously Mermer. Something's up. You've been off nearly all day. Does this have to do with the song?"
"Well, kinda. It's a really personal song. What if people don't get it or they think it sucks?"
"Then they're losers who don't get the meaning of music. Mermer, it's a great song. The people who come to this concert are gonna love it." Summer smiled half-heartedly. "Is something else bothering you?"
"I just haven't been able to shake the feeling that someone is watching me."
"The only person watching you right now is me. And you already knew about that. You have nothing to worry about."
"I guess you're right. Thanks, Z." Summer stood and gave Zack a quick kiss.
Dewey interrupted. "Hey less smooching more shredding Zack."
"I'm working on it."
§ § §
Summer entered her empty house instantly turning the lights on, her paranoid side getting the best of her. The entire way home from Dewey's she had found herself constantly looking back to see if someone was behind her. There was never anyone there. "There is nothing to worry about." She muttered, taking Zack's words as a mantra as she entered the living room. Where she found the TV on. She hadn't left the TV on. Her dad was in Los Angeles.
Her breathing was quickening when she picked up the remote and turned it off. She found a manila folder with her name written in a box like script on the cover. Hands shaking, she sat down on the couch and opened it. The first piece of paper was a letter written in the same handwriting.
"My dearest Summer." She whispered. Reading it. "I can no longer hide the feelings I feel for you. Every movement you make has begun to run my life. Your beauty never leaves my mind. Even your name sends shivers down my spine. Simply thinking of your gorgeous body turns me into a spaz. That's what you can call me. Your little spaz. I won't be able to live without you much longer. I'll be seeing you in my dreams. Your loving spaz."
Summer easily made a connection with the nickname and relaxed. Curious though, she flipped to the next page of the folder where many pictures of her were. They each were dated, some dating back to the beginning of the summer. The first was of her at the semi-formal, the most recent of her sitting in the window at band practice today. She was getting a bit more disturbed when she turned the page again, finding pictures of her in her bedroom, some in her pajamas, some in her clothes, some of her in a towel after a shower, getting ready for a date with Zack.
Furious and upset, she turned the lights off and locked the door, running out of her house down the street, folder in hand.
§ § §
Summer was tapping her foot impatiently for the door to open, after ringing the doorbell at the Jones' residence. When Freddy opened the door, he leaned against the door frame. "Hey Summer, Zack's in the kitchen."
"I didn't come to see Zack." Summer entered the house, speaking forcefully as Freddy closed the door.
"What are you talking about?"
"This." She shoved the folder into his hands. "What kind of sick joke is this Jones? Did you honestly think I would find this funny? Sure the note was good for a laugh, but the pictures? Do you have any idea how violated I feel? I can't believe how insensitive, stupid and pig-headed you are."
Freddy, who had been listening and flipping through the packet looked up, concerned. "Summer, I didn't do this. I haven't played any jokes on you."
Summer stopped pacing. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that?! The letter mentions spaz three times! Who else is called a spaz?"
"Summer, I couldn't have done this. You obviously just found it. I left practice after you."
"So? You were gone for like half an hour before we went to practice." Summer challenged.
"Some of the pictures are from practice Summer. This isn't my prank."
"I don't believe you Jones."
Zack walked into the room. "What's with all the yelling? Summer? You look upset."
"Summer thinks I dropped this envelope off at her house before she got there."
"I was with you though. We only got home like three minutes ago. Besides, that label isn't your handwriting." Zack defended his friend, looking at the outside of the folder. "What is it?"
Freddy handed it to him and then looked at Summer. "Now do you believe me?"
"I don't get it. If you didn't do this then ..."
"Summer, were was this in the house and how did you find it?" Zack was dead serious and it was easy to see he was angry.
"It was in the living room underneath the remote. When I got in the TV was on, when I turned it off, I found it." Summer's hands were shaking again.
"You didn't leave the TV on did you?" Summer shook her head. "And your dad is out of town?" Again she nodded. "Freddy, write a note for your parents in case they get back, and then call the police. We have a problem."
That's the end of the first chapter. I hope it's turning out as well as Watch Me Bleed.
Random Quote of the Day: "When life gives you lemons, dance. Dance like there's a monkey in your pants."—Katie B.