A/N: Well, now we know what happened with Freddy. Honestly, after you got out of jail and suffered through what he did, would you really want to sit down and play your drums again? Especially if you thought your drums and your rock music were part of what had turned you into such a bad-ass? No, I wouldn't either. Anyway, now we find out why Lawrence, the bee's knees of piano, stopped playing!

Chapter Eight: How Lawrence Drifted Away

Aaron capped his pen and leaned back in his chair. He had no trouble writing his letter - talking had always seemed to come easy for him. The part that was difficult was trying to imagine his polite-talking, suit-wearing, briefcase-toting father as a hip teenager rocking out with the rest of his band.Shaking his head in bewilderment, he reread his letter.

Dear Dad,

Hey, how's it hanging? How're things back in good ol' Connecticut? Are you having a horrible time without me? Just kidding, I know you're probably totally busy with work and Mom and Casey and stuff like that. But whatever.

Listen, Dad, I heard some pretty mind-blowing news here at Camp Rock this morning. We ended up with a sub as a band director - his name is Dewey Finn and he says that you were the keyboardist of his old band, 'School of Rock'. Well, when I heard that, I was like "No way! That's so cool!" I'd really like to hear all about it if you'd like to tell me. Plus, I'd love to know why you stopped playing the piano. Well, I should go, it's almost lunchtime. Talk to you later!

Your bud, Aaron

Satisfied, Aaron made his way to the mailbox in the quad and sent his letter on its way. He hoped his father would answer soon - he really wanted to know all about the band!

That afternoon, Lawrence came home from work very tired. He'd argued with three people about different invoices their company had needed to send, spent a half hour chasing a missing package through the office, and had missed his lunch break because of an "important meeting" that had ran an hour and a half overtime. He was looking forward to coming home, eating dinner, watching a little bit of television, and heading to bed early. However, a letter turned up in the mail that day, throwing his whole evening off-balance.

Aaron fingered the letter, shocked. How had Dewey come to teach at a summer camp? More to the point, how had Dewey come to teach at the exact same summer camp as the one his son had begged and pleaded to attend? He glanced up at the ceiling. Honestly, God had it in for him that day.

FLASHBACK

Lawrence played the final arpeggio of his best piece, Air in F-Minor, and pulled his hands back from the piano. Keeping his grimace to a minimum, he sat still while his piano teacher, Mrs. Greer, applauded enthusiastically.

"That was absolutely marvellous, Lawrence! You have such a gift!" she praised him. "If you spent half as much time practicing classical music as you did practicing with that silly rock band of yours, you'd be one of the most well-known pianists in all of Long Island!"

Lawrence nodded, not saying anything. Sure, he liked playing the piano. No, correction, he loved playing the piano. It was practically his life. But somehow, playing classical music just didn't give him the thrill that rock music did.

"You know..." Mrs. Greer said thoughtfully. "I heard about a Julliard audition coming up... they're looking to take on new piano students. They're coming here, to Long Island, to audition students. I actually just received the forms..." she rustled through a large handbag sitting by her chair. "Ah, here we are," she said. Mrs. Greer handed one to Lawrence.

He took it, looking down at it doubtfully. Biting his lip, he began, "You know, Mrs. Greer, I really appreciate this, but I'm not certain that..."

"Oh, please don't turn it away just yet!" she exclaimed. "Do me a favour - go to the audition, play your pieces, and show them what you can do. If you don't get accepted, I'll start giving you more jazz and rock pieces, and I won't ever make you play classical music again."

Lawrence smiled. "Really?"

"Really," she confirmed. "But..." Lawrence raised his eyebrows. He should have known a 'but' was coming. "But, if you do get in, I'd like you to seriously consider going to Julliard, at least for one term."

Lawrence sat in silence, carefully considering his options. On the one hand, if he got in, he'd have to go and play classical music all day long. But on the other, if he didn't, he'd get to play much more music that he actually enjoyed. Besides, getting into Julliard wouldn't be that bad - if he became good enough, this could open doors for both him and the rest of his musical career. He looked up at Mrs. Greer and nodded.

"Okay."

FLASHBACK

Lawrence sat at his piano bench, playing one of Beethoven's symphonies for probably the fiftieth time that day. After playing the last few bars, he sat back, chewing on his bottom lip. The ending chords really weren't working too well for him. He played them several more times, each one more disappointing then the last. Lawrence was becoming frustrated. Why couldn't he get it right?

His mother stepped into the room. "Lawrence, you have a phone call," she told him.

"Who is it?" he asked. "I'm really busy."

"It's Tomika," she told him. "She's called four times already, I had to promise to put her through this time."

Lawrence sighed, but took the black cordless phone from her. "Thanks," he said. Putting the phone to his ear, he said, "Hey, Tomika."

"Hey, Lawrence!" she exclaimed. "Still practising hard?"

"Extremely," he nodded, realizing afterwards that she couldn't see him. "How're things with you?"

"Oh, fine," she said noncommittedly. "Are you getting the math homework okay?"

Lawrence shook his head in frustration. "No! My brain is totally unable to focus right now!"

"I can help you with it tomorrow at lunch, if you can pry yourself away from the grand piano in the music room," Tomika offered, with a slightly shy smile in her voice.

"Thanks, Tom, but I really need to practise. My symphony isn't working at all!"

"Oh, all right," she said regretfully. "Listen, are you coming to band practice tonight?"

"Can't," Lawrence told her. "I need to get started on the aria. Sorry,"

"Oh, that's okay," she said sadly. "I'll let everyone know. I've gotta go."

"Bye," said Lawrence, turning off the phone. Now, time to work on those chords...

FLASHBACK

Tomika and Zack bumped into Lawrence after school three days later. "Lawrence, man, see you at six?" asked Zack.

"Six?" replied Lawrence, confused. "What's going on at six?"

"Uh, it's Friday night," said Tomika. "Every Friday at six we meet up at Jimmy's, grab some burgers and fries, and then play for open mike. Don't tell me you forgot."

"I didn't forget, I just - didn't remember," he muttered.

"Come on, man! Get with it! You've been blowing us off for two weeks now! Yeah, your audition's important, but so's the band - right?" cried Zack, frustrated. Lawrence didn't answer.

"Isn't it?" asked Tomika, biting her lip.

"God!" burst Lawrence. "What is wrong with you people! All you do is bug me - especially you, Tomika! You never shut up about the band! Maybe right now something's a little more important to me than the band, all right?" he yelled at her.

Storming off, Lawrence didn't even turn around. But if he had, he would have seen Tomika and Zack staring after him, Tomika's eyes filled with tears.

FLASHBACK

A week later, Lawrence barged into Dewey's apartment, where the rest of the band was, except for Freddy. "Guys!" he exclaimed excitedly. "I got in! I got into Julliard!"

He paused, seeing everyone's distraught faces. "What? What's wrong?" he asked, unsettled by their upset looks. "You're not still mad at me, are you?"

"Sit down, Lawrence," said Marta soothingly. Lawrence sat down, noticing that the seat behind the drum set was strangely... empty.

END FLASHBACK

Lawrence remembered all to well the outcome of that day - the day that they learned about Freddy's mistake. He also remembered what came after: leaving for Julliard, being shunned by his classmates, kids throwing water bottles at him during his recital because he messed up his piece by Chopin. And finally, he remembered telling his parents, "I'm never going back to that stupid school!" and packing up his piano books in the piano bench - forever.

How to explain all this to Aaron? The boy was so carefree, so innocent (all right, maybe not that innocent - Lawrence had heard through the grapevine about Aaron's new girl, Holly), he didn't need to hear what a loser his Dad had been. But then, he'd asked. Why would he ask, if he didn't want to know? Lawrence sighed. He'd have to tell his son the truth.

A/N: Well, I'm back from BC and am updating! I had such a good time while I was out there! Seriously, Tofino is probably one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada! EVERYBODY GO VISIT TOFINO!!!! It's roll-your-pant-legs-up, wade-in-the-Pacific-ocean-for-an-hour gorgeous. Try it, you won't be disappointed! Anybody wanting to know more about my trip, just ask. Otherwise, I'll just say my thank-yous and be off...

Nanners-77: I love stars, so the more, the better! I'll decorate my bedroom ceiling with all the stars you've given me! Thanks so much. BC rocks!

obsessed fan: So glad you like the story. No, Freddy and Katie didn't get together, and I'm not saying whether or not Marissa and Rory get together. But yes, SoR will be back for one more jam session! (Mm, jam. I could go for some jam right now. Lol.)

mellowyellow36: Your prediction about Zack's problem involving his dad is correct! Tune in SOON and see!

JustVisitingUKgirl: Okay, NOW I understand your name, lol. Where in the UK are you from? I'm visiting England in thirteen days! (Can you tell I'm counting down? Lol.) Oh, and I LOVE A Walk to Remember... such a good book and an awesome movie! Love it love it love it!

sam: Hi! Haven't seen you around before. Since Freddy/Katie is such a popular ship, I'm planning on writing one once I finish this. Where in BC do you live? I visited Langley, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Tofino. I had such a great time!

FaeryPaperPrincess: Good to meet you! I swear, I didn't steal your story. Hopefully you weren't worried about that. I'm glad you like it.

BabyRose129: Nice to meet you! Yay, I get a muffin! What kind is it? I love muffins! Glad you like my story!

stickit2da-maniosis: Does my story rock as hard as School of Rock? Lol j/k. Now that I'm back, expect more updates!

The CheezHead: Hopefully you didn't go totally crazy waiting for this chapter. Hope you like it!

wyverna: I'm so sorry for not mentionning you! I thought I got everyone who reviewed that last chapter, but if I missed you, I'm so sorry!!! Gives you ten cookies

mell5: Good to meet you! Wow, you think I'm talented tear I'm so honoured!

trick of the light: Cool name! Sadly, this is not a Zack/Summer fic, but I might write one someday! So glad you like it. Summer's son will be here soon, never fear!

quitesirius: Glad you liked the chapter! SoR rocks my socks! Yes, poor Freddy.

Freddy'sGirl101: I love your name! Well, I've been to a music camp (I can now say "This one time, at band camp..." without faking it!) but it wasn't a rock band camp. I did take a few things from the camp I've been to (like the extreme heat in the staff lounge) and put it into this story, though. Oh, and my movie takes place at Camp Rock, on Long Island (I don't know if that's where the SoR movie takes place, but in my mind, it does).

A/N: And there you have it! Just so y'all know, I emailed everyone who's email addresses are on their profiles, to tell them that I've updated. If you got an email, great! If not, hopefully you were able to find this new chapter without too much trouble! Read and review, the next chapter's coming soon!