A/N: Glad everyone liked the chapter! Now, here we go: we're on our way to finding out the past of everyone's favourite drummer... Freddy Jones! Plus, I know that this isn't how court rulings usually go, but since I've never been to court, I can't exactly say. So just go along with it.

Warning: This chapter contains alcohol use and slightly violent scenes. I'm not moving the rating up from PG because it's really this one chapter, but if you don't like that stuff, please don't read.

Chapter Seven: How Freddy's world fell apart

Marissa chewed on the end of her pen, debating how to begin her letter to her father. Dewey had warned them all to be sensitive; according to him, the band members of 'School of Rock' had gone through a lot of messed-up stuff back when they were seventeen. In order to find out as much as she could, she had better be gentle.

Marissa paused for a moment, wondering exactly what had made her father stop playing the drums. Apparently, he had been very good at them - he had even been really wild once! So how had a cool, punk rocker turned into the uptight, boring stiff that was her dad? It really was unimaginable. Eventually, Marissa put her pen to her paper and began to write:

Dear Dad,

Hey, how's life at home without me? How's Mom? Are you two enjoying yourselves without me? How's work going? I'm having an awesome time here at Camp Rock, just like I thought I would. Are you missing the sound of my drums, constantly banging at all hours of the day?

Actually, I wanted to talk about the drums with you. We've formed bands up here, and our original band director, Mr. Lemming, came down with mono. Since he's out of commission for the rest of the summer, the camp director, Ms. O'Keefe, hired someone else. It's funny, because I'm pretty sure that you know him. His name is Dewey Finn - sound familiar? Dewey talked to our band Eclipse this morning, and we found out some pretty crazy stuff - like the fact that you were once the drummer for one of the hottest bands around, 'School of Rock', and that you guys eventually broke up. It's actually really weird, because the six other kids in my band are all the children of your former bandmates! How freaky is that? Anyway, Dewey said that the things that made your band break up were pretty serious, and he didn't want to be the one to tell us. So, I was writing to you to ask you for your version of what happened. I'd really like to know about the past of my hardcore drummer father.

But all in all, I'm having a good time up here, and of course, I miss you guys. Say hi to Mom for me, and write back!

Marissa XOXO

Marissa flinched a little at adding the hugs and kisses after her name - they really weren't her style. But somehow, after finding out that she and her dad were more alike than she'd known, she felt closer to him. It was hard to explain, and it was a really weird feeling. Not wanting to dwell any more on it, Marissa stuffed the letter in an addressed envelope, sealed it shut, and ran down the director's office to post the letter.

**************************************

As far as Freddy knew, that Thursday was to be a normal day. Go to work, come home, eat dinner with his wife, spend time with Keisha, and miss his daughter. He was hoping he'd hear from her, but so far, nothing. When he checked the mail that afternoon, however, he was happy to see a letter from Marissa. He tore it open, settled down on the sofa, and read her letter.

After reading the letter from Marissa, Freddy put his head in his hands. Oh, God, he thought, the band. He had been able to push his 'School of Rock' memories to the very deepest corner of his mind, and had almost forgotten them totally. Of course, his daughter's constant drumming never helped matters, but he'd grown used to it. But all of a sudden, it all came back to him. His attitude, the way he acted, and most of all, that night where everything... changed.

********************************FLASHBACK**********************************

Freddy slung his backpack over one shoulder and jumped down the four steps that stood at the entrance to his school, John Adams Secondary. His seventeen-year-old body was lean and trimmed, his white-blond hair spiked up as usual, and his uniform bore his own personal touches: rolled up sleeves, low-waisted pants, and several rock band patches on his bag.

He met his best friend, Zack Mooneyham, out in the parking lot. Zack was just arriving at the spot where their two cars were parked; Zack's, a 1981 Chevrolet, and Freddy's, a brand-new BMW. Rich parents certainly had their advantages.

Freddy high-fived Zack. "Dude, practice again tonight?" he asked.

"You know it," nodded Zack. "I talked to Tomika, Summer, and Katie during chem this afternoon, and they were cool with it."

"I let Lawrence, Alicia, and Marta know," Freddy told him. He opened his car door and slung his backpack inside it.

"Dewey knows, right?" Zack wanted to know.

"Does that guy have anything else to do?" laughed Freddy. Zack smiled.

"I'm off, then - see ya at seven?" Zack asked.

"Not if I see you first," retorted Freddy, always determined to have the last word. They slapped hands again, and got into their cars.

********************************FLASHBACK**********************************

Freddy pulled his BMW into his favourite hangout - Karl's. He climbed out of his car and made his way over to the entrance. He flashed his - fake - ID at the bouncer, who was so used to seeing Freddy he didn't even question his ID anymore. Smiling smugly, Freddy walked inside.

The bar was dark, smoky, and reeked of alcohol. Freddy couldn't imagine anywhere better - except for playing onstage with his band, of course. Plus, the startling amount of girls -single or not, it didn't really matter to him - that showed up at Karl's every night never failed to boost his spirits.

Freddy sidled up to the bar and lowered himself down onto a stool. He flashed his ID and asked the bartender (Karl never worked at the bar. In fact, Freddy had come to wonder whether or not there even was a Karl - he'd never seen him, anyway) for a cold beer. The bartender obliged, and Freddy unscrewed the cap and took a long swig.

At that moment, someone sat down next to Freddy. He turned to see who it was. At first, all he saw were legs. Those legs, creamy and smooth, seemed to go on forever. Eventually he was able to pull his eyes up to the rest of her. She had blond hair that grazed her chin and a very white smile. The only thing that was out of place in her Barbie-like features were her eyes. Instead of Barbie's crystal blues, Freddy found himself staring into deep, mystical black eyes.

"Hey," he said to her.

"Hey, yourself," she said back. "I'm Chrissy."

Freddy turned his head and whipped out his cell phone. Hitting number 1 on his speed dial, he awaited his best friend's answer. Zack answered after two rings.

"Zack, man," Freddy said, "I think you'd better push practice back till eight tonight." He turned his head and eyed the blonde again. She flashed a dazzling smile at him. "I could be here for awhile."

********************************FLASHBACK**********************************

At eight thirty, Freddy staggered out of Karl's with Chrissy on his arm. She was giggling continuously and Freddy was having quite a difficult time locating his car. Probably it had something to do with the large amount of alcohol they had consumed earlier.

"'S here, baby, I'm telling ya... I've got a nice BMW we can go for a drive in..." he muttered. Finally he was able to spot his red BMW and he led her over to it.

"It's so cool!" she squealed. The two of them climbed in. "Go fast, Freddy," she said excitedly, bouncing in her seat.

Freddy gunned the engine and they squealed out of the parking lot. Rock music by Nirvana was pounding out of Freddy's CD player, and the two of them were singing along, rather off-key.

"With the lights out, it's less dangerous, here we are now, entertain us..."

As Freddy was driving, he was paying more attention to the song and Chrissy's hand on his leg than to watching the road. All of a sudden, Chrissy let out an ear-piercing scream.

"FREDDY, WATCH OUT!!!!" she screamed.

Before Freddy knew it, a metal barrier was rushing up to meet him. And then, after the car hit the barrier full-on, he saw nothing but darkness.

********************************FLASHBACK**********************************

"This court finds you guilty of the death of Miss Chrissy Haversham," announced the judge, slamming his gavel down onto the podium.

Freddy, standing in the courtroom in his best suit (with his hair gelled down by his mother) felt his world crashing down around him. This can't be it, he thought to himself, I didn't mean to do it! His brain kept screaming over and over. Please, don't let this be it! I don't want to go to jail!

"However," the judge continued, "while you were both under the influence of alcohol, she was moreso than yourself, and we are only sentencing you to three months in a juvenile detention centre, full parole after the three months have been served, and 500 hours community service. Do you understand me?" the judge asked.

Freddy nodded meekly. "Yes sir," he said quietly.

"Court dismissed," said the judge, slamming down his gavel once more.

******************************END FLASHBACK*******************************

Freddy's hands shook as he reread his daughter's letter. How had his past caught up with him like this? He thought he had put it all behind him. He'd served his jail time, waited out his parole, and done his 500 hours of community service. While it was still on his record, he'd been able to forget about it. Until now, that is.

Freddy's wife, Keisha, came into the room. "What's wrong, dear? You look like death," she said worriedly, standing over him.

Her words made him flinch. "Nothing. I'm fine," he reassured her.

As Keisha returned to the kitchen to begin supper, Freddy crossed the apartment to the table. He pulled a sheet of paper and a pen out from a drawer, and then began to write his story down for Marissa, each word boring a painful hole in his heart.

A/N: And there you have Freddy's tragic past. Sad, isn't it? Just wait until you hear what else happened to the band! But now, as usual, my thank-yous...

Blondie0276: I liked that last chapter too. Wow, I am so flattered that you like my story this much *blushes*. Thank you so much!

RockinBassGirl: I have no intentions of letting this story slip, so never fear! I'm going on two trips this next month, but don't go away, there's more!

quitesirius: I love Dewey, it's not SoR without him. No, Ms. O'Keefe isn't Summer... but we will be seeing Summer eventually, so don't worry.

Krazy Kay: I love Jordan too, he's probably one of my faves. (Likely cause I love his dad so much! Lol)

flatfoot-92: Always nice to hear from you! Yeah, chapters like the last one are always fun.

crazydude: Wow, you think I have talent! *blushes tremendously* I'm honoured!

Firerebel727: I don't think I've seen you before! I'm so glad you love my story. I'll keep writing, don't worry!

Waterbug7: Just be patient, all will be revealed! I promise!

JustVisitingUKgirl: I'm glad you liked my addition of Dewey. Mono is short for mononucleosis, a disease that makes your body really tired and you just can't function properly for several months. It stinks, I had it a couple years ago... it's also called the Kissing Disease cause that's one way it's spread! ;)

chocl8chps: It'd be fun to collaborate and write a story together, I've never tried writing one with someone else... any suggestions on how we'd do this?

MoonlightPhoenix3: That he does, that he does. Glad you like the fast updating-ness! I do my best! :)

Jenny: Glad you like the story! In... *pauses, checks chapter outline* you'll find out exactly how things happened, but as you can tell from this chapter, you're already starting to learn things.

tmrwspromise: I'm so flattered that you love this story... writing is such a blessing. And have people like what you write is even more of one! *beams*

So, read and review, as always! I luv you guys!!