Ch 14: Karaoke Time

Mmm...I stretch out on the couch, and unwrap my blanket from around my waist. Seems like I'm always waking up with my blanket tangled around me. Yawn...Mmm...Wonder where Oliver is? That's another thing; seems like I'm always falling asleep with Oliver, yet I always wake up alone!

I get up from the couch, and pad into the kitchen, my sweatpants rustling as I walk. That's what I don't like about sweatpants, is that when you walk, everyone can hear you coming a mile away. Definitely not the best outfit to wear for sneaking up on someone.

Oh gee, I see a note. Wonder what that could mean? Humph. Let's see where Oliver is now;

Kates-

Sorry I left before you woke up, but training has begun. But don't worry, its' only for two more weeks, and then I get a few weeks off for holiday. I'll be home around 5, so be ready to go.

-Oliver

PS- Don't ask- it's a surprise.

Grr! He knows I hate surprises! Well, I don't exactly hate them...just waiting for them.

OK, let's see what we have for food...Milk...OJ...cabbage...moldy cheese (that's GOT to go)...something that's...MOVING?!

"AHHHHH!"

What the hell was that?! Ew. I'll be having a word with Oliver later.

I shudder as I reach into the cupboard. Oh dammit, is this all we have? Instant oatmeal? Cuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss!

Eh, might as well. I'm broke, and I don't feel like changing just yet.

"2/3 cup milk or water, and microwave for 1-2 minutes on high. Ok, where is the measuring cup?" I ask myself, sifting through the bottom drawer. Let's see...One cup, half cup, ¼ cup, one cup (we have like 3 sets of measuring cups), ¾ cup...

"WHERE IS THE 2/3 CUP?!" I bellow. Stupid cup! I know you're in there!!

Eh, might as well settle with this 1/3 cup.

After snagging a bowl and emptying the powdered contents into it, I poured the milk in and slammed it in the microwave. Mmm...For something packaged and powdered, it sure smells good. I chance a glance at the ripped packet, and ooh! Apples and Cinnamon! Hopefully this won't suck.

"Oi! Katie! I know you're here!" I hear a feminine voice yell from the foyer. What the hell?

I peak around the corner, and see the green head of Alicia in my fireplace. Oh right, Floo Network.

"Yessssss?" I purr, coming closer to the fire.

"Can I come over?" she grins. I roll my eyes. Never her place, always mine.

"Oh alright," I agree.

"Want me to stop and get you anything from the coffee shop?" she asks.

"Mocha frap," I reply automatically. Oh no...Alicia? With caffeine?! Dear sweet merciful Merlin. Why this early?!

"Be over in 10," she replies before vanishing from my fireplace. I plop down on the couch, heaving a massive sigh. I'll never get used to the Floo Network and people's faces appearing in my fire place. Just the thought that someone could be just sitting there...watching you...It's creepy I tells yah! Creepy!

The microwave dings, and I pull it out of the contraption, nearly burning my fingertips off in the process. Note to self: when using Muggle microwaves, do not use ceramic bowls.

Blah, this is gunna be too hot to eat for a minute, but that's ok. I'll just eat fruit till it cools down. Mmm. Melon medley. But that's one thing I've never really understood. It's called 'Melon Medley,' and it makes sense because there's honeydew melon and cantaloupe, but...why are there grapes? Not that you find me complaining; I love grapes! But yeah...Kinda gets the brain juices flowing, doesn't it?

Hmm, I think my wonderful 2 minute breakfast is ready. OK, gross. It looks like slop but it sure smells good! Maybe if I just stir it up a bit. Right, that did NOT help. It's like chunky yet...Oh hell I don't know. But I'll eat it anyways!

Eh, it looks worse than it tastes. And there's the door. I take another spoonful, carrying the bowl to the door. Ugh. Starting to get gross. I tug open the door and leave, knowing full well that Alicia is following me into the kitchen.

"This sucks," I mutter, holding up my bowl of slop. I turn around and WHAM.

"Dammit Alicia! What the hell was that for?!" I demand, clutching my forehead. She just smacked me out of the blue! Maybe I should start reaching for my wand...She might have gone mental.

"Life's tough, get a helmet," Alicia says, shrugging. Mature. Real mature. And to think, she's been my best friend for...Geeze, going on 10 years now.

"Must I beat you with toothpicks?" I threaten her calmly.

"Beat me with toothpicks? Run for shelter! Hehehe. But geeze, Katie. Calm down! Just something I heard my young American cousin say," Alicia smiles, handing me my frap. Mmm...Frozen coffee in the middle of the morning. Most excellent indeed.

"Tell me how that works again," I implore her.

"Well you remember that mum was the youngest of five right?" She pauses so I can nod, then continues, "Well mum's sister Jone married an American named Richard. Leave 'em alone for a few years, and you got my cousin Anna-Lai,"

"Right," I mutter against the rim of the cup. Oh man, I love Galaxyknut coffee (AN: Yes, it's an extremely cheap take off on Starbucks, which is copyrighted, mind you). It's like there's a party in my mouth and everyone's invited! Hahah, I've always wanted to use that line.

"So where's your Scottish lover?" Alicia asks with a smirk. I rather dislike that smirk of hers right about now.

"If you mean Oliver, then he's at Quidditch, duh. But if you mean Payton..." I lead her on. Oh the look on her face is PRICELESS! Must. Not. Laugh.

"Katie!" Alicia screams, slamming her coffee cup down on the counter, splashing some over the sides. She curses under her breath and sticks her burned skin into her mouth, sucking away the pain. Yet another thing to point out, Galaxyknut has scalding hot coffee; drink with care.

"I'm kidding you ditz! Besides, Payton is Oliver's little brother!" I say in exasperation. Alicia quirks an eyebrow and a small, devious smile forms on the corners of her lips.

"He's seven," I mutter, taking a sip of my frappuccino. Mocha-y goodness!

"Ooh Katie. I didn't know you liked younger guys! And even then, seven is a bit of a stretch!" Alicia chides me. I close my eyes, taking another long sip.

"Toothpicks," I remind her off-handedly.

"Shutting up," Alicia says quite clearly. Hehe, like I said before, all of my friends know I'm serious when I make a threat.

"So, what are you and Oliver up to these days?" Alicia asks. Well...

"He said he had a surprise for me today, and that I should be ready by 5," I say. Wonder if she's picked up on 'it' yet.

"That boy likes you, you know," Alicia says, eyeing me wearily. I think the toothpicks are starting to get to her or at least haunt her.

"I know," I shrug.

"What?" Alicia shrieks. Um, ow?! I put a finger up to my damaged ear drum and shoot her a glare, but her glare is far worse than mine.

"We told each other how we felt just last night," I say as casually as I can. Ooh, I can tell Alicia is absolutely livid.

"And you didn't tell me sooner, WHY?!"

"You didn't ask," Hehehe, that should do it.

"KATIE!" She screams, rising from her seat.

"Sorry, I just didn't really feel the need to tell you. Plus I don't know if Oliver would have wanted me to tell or not,"

"I understand," Alicia says, sitting back down. Whoa. Double take. She understands?

"What?" I question.

"I understand. I mean, he's a shy boy. Well...sometimes," Alicia says. I nod in response. She knows what she's talking about! I clap for you!

"So what are you going to wear?" Alicia asks. I have to laugh.

"Are clothes all you think about?" I ask between giggles.

"Well yeah. Oliver kind of put me off Quidditch with all those game plans and strategies and trying to be tough like a boy. So it's only natural I start catching up on my girly side," Alicia shrugs, smiling cutely. She fits our store so well. Uh oh...

"By the way Alicia, why aren't you at the shop?"

"Fine, just toss me out of your flat after I bring you coffee," she sniffles dramatically, walking to the door.

"No! You don't have to go!" I yell after her.

"I can tell I'm not wanted here, so I'll just go. Goodbye forever!" She cries, closing the door, partway. Then she bursts back in.

"Talk to you later! Better start coming to work though!" she says, closing the door behind herself. Oh Alicia, You little weirdo.

"Crap, I didn't ask her what to wear," I mumble aloud. Eh. Jeans and a tee should be fine. If worst comes to worst, all he has to do is say I have to change!

Blah. I just spent the whole day reading romance novels in my bed. I even took a break to make lunch and put on a pair of dark denim jeans and a novelty shirt. Hehe, the shirt says 'Orange you glad to see me?' I love that shirt. T'was a gift from Ange.

Ooh, is that a tinkling of keys I hear? Oliver's home!

"Oliver!" I screech, sprinting down the hall and jumping on him.

"Hey Kates," he says, planting a kiss on my forehead. I guess ever since he said he liked me, I'm going into affectionate mode extreme.

"Hey! You're not sweaty! And you look nice!...You didn't go to Quidditch did you?" I say, stepping back from him to look him up and down. Oliver laughs and sets his navy duffel bag down.

"Yes I went to Quidditch, but I just showered and cleaned up there. Now, are you ready to go?" he asks, checking his watch.

"Alright. But where are we going?" I ask. Mmm, is that another new scent he's wearing? Smells like the ocean...Geeze, he has more scents than I do!

"You'll see," he whispers, holding me tight. I smile against his chest and concentrate on him. I feel a rush of wind blow through my hair, and the air grows considerably warmer.

"Oliver?" I ask, timidly opening my eyes. He loosens his grip, and grabs my hand, and starts leading me somewhere. Man, I don't even get to look around?

He leads me over to one blue door and...it's like a gigantic corridor of blue doors. How does he know where to go? Where am I?!

"Oliver!" I say his name impatiently. I tried to instill the "if-you-don't-tell-me-what's-going-on-right-now-I'll-hurt-you" tone, but how am I supposed to know if it works?

"You'll see in a minute," he says quietly, opening the door. What the-?

"Fred? George? Alicia? Angelina? What are you guys doing here?"

"Triple date, mate," Fred volunteers with a wink. His arm is around Angelina, while George has his hand on Alicia's knee. They're all sitting on a circular couch, across from a miniature stage.

"Is this what I think it is?" I ask, eyeing a few black box-type thingies up on the miniature wooden stage.

"Depends on what you think it is," Oliver says in my ear. Ooh, I didn't know he was that close. I manage to suppress my shudder, but just barely.

"But if you think it's Karaoke," Angelina starts.

"Then you're right!" Alicia yells happily. I look over at George, whose grinning apologetically. You gave her more coffee...DIDN'T YOU?!

Ooh, Karaoke? I turn to Oliver, and he smiles as he takes my hand to sit down next to Alicia.

"So whose first?" I ask.

"How about you go?" Oliver says, looking down at me. Sure, just take advantage of being taller than me!

"How about no?" I say, crossing my arms.

"George and I will go!" Fred volunteers. The twins grin at each other and bound up to the stage. Aww, how cute! They match! Both are wearing striped white and orange polos with their initials on it with some khaki shorts and sandals.

The boys busy themselves by flipping through the catalog of songs, and I turn to Alicia.

"You knew about this! Didn't you?" I hiss. Alicia just smiles.

"Some friend you are," I mumble, turning back to face the boys.

"Would you really want me to spoil the surprise?"

"YES!"

"Shh! Katie!" Oliver shushes me, putting his hand on my knee. I think I'm gunna melt. It's kind of weird that just a simple touch from him makes me weak in the knees each and every time.

"OK, everyone ready?" the twins ask in unison. We all smile and turn our attention to the boys as the music starts playing. Hmm...sounds familiar already.

"I see the crystal raindrops fall

And see the beauty of it all," Fred sings in a surprisingly deep voice.

"Is when the sun comes shining through

To make those rainbows in my mind," George continues in an equally deep, rich voice.

"When I think of you some time,"

"And I want to spend some time with you,"

"Just the two of us

We can make it if we try

Just the two of us, just the two of us (Ange and Alicia sing the repeat from their seats)

Just the two of us

Building castles in the sky

Just the two of us, you and I," The twins sing together.

The song continues and we all clap in time with the music, and when the song ends, the twins bow as one and the room is filled with our applause...and a cat call from Alicia.

"So who's next?" George asks, beaming from his spot next to Alicia.

"Oh me!" Alicia chirps, bouncing up to the stage and setting the track number. The music clicks on and a guitar and drum starts pounding.

"You're the kind of friend who always bends when I'm broken
Like remember when
You took my heart and put it back together again," Alicia sings. Wow, she has a really great voice. Then again, she and I did take singing lessons a long time ago. We just did it for fun, but apparently she's been practicing!

"I've been wasting time with clueless guys
But now it's over
Let me tell you why
I'm through
I've met someone new
Just like you

You're it
You're the ultimate
It's automatic.
I'm sure of it
No lie
So don't even try
To tell me that you're not the guy
Cuz I've been waiting all my life
For someone just like you
But you're it
You're the ultimate, you

You're the kind of guy who's hands and mind send shivers up and down my spine
You took my heart and put it back together again

You're the kind of guy that blows my mind
But now it's my turn
You've been right in front of me
Everything I need
Why didn't I see

You're it
You're the ultimate
It's Automatic.
I'm sure of it
No lie
So don't even try
To tell me that you're not the guy
Cuz I've been waiting all my life
For someone just like you
But you're it
You're the ultimate, you

You're it
You're the ultimate
It's automatic
I'm sure of it
No lie
So don't even try
To tell me that you're not the guy
You're it
You're the ultimate
It's Automatic.
I'm sure of it
No lie
So don't even try
To tell me that you're not the guy
Cuz I've been waiting all my life
For someone just like you
But you're it
You're the ultimate, you

You're it
You're the ultimate, you...." Alicia bows and beams around as we all roar with applause.

"Alicia that was bloody brilliant!" I exclaim, clapping a hand on her shoulder. Alicia just blushes and giggles a bit. Seriously, she should get a record deal or something.

"So, who's next?" Fred asks, grinning at me. What? Me? Noooooo way.

"Me?" I ask in a squeaky voice. The twins look at me with an evil glint and nod their heads vigorously.

"I'll go after Oliver," I say, wrapping myself around Oliver's left arm. I look up at him and his eyebrows are raised pretty high. What? Too cute to handle?

"You want me to go first?" Oliver asks. Did I NOT just say that?

"Yes!"

"...Fine," he says, disengaging my arm from his and standing up. Ugh, I cannot stress enough how cute that little tush of his is! Glad it's mine! Bwuahaha! Well...not officially.

I see him look through the catalog, and only a page or two in, he selects the number and punches it in to the machine. Guitar and symbols are heard at the beginning, strumming a slow, almost mournful tune. It reminds me of that Muggle band 'Linkin Park'. Oliver leans forward, spacing his legs apart, the microphone stand between them.

"When all is said and done
And dead does he love you
The way that I do
Breathing in lighting
Tonight's fighting
I feel the hurt so physical," he sings. Wow, for someone having such a thick Scottish accent, his voice sounds really deep and well...English.

"Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around come around no more
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around no more." Aww, he's singing a threat. Stupid Flint. Hopefully the prat can hear this, wherever the hell he is.

"She spreads her love
She burns me up
I can't let go
I can't get out
I've said enough
Enough by now
I can't let go
I can't get out

Wait till the day you finally see
I've been here waiting patiently
Crossing my fingers and my T's
She cried on my shoulder begging please

Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around come around no more
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around no more

She spreads her love
She burns me up
I can't let go
I can't get out
I've said enough
Enough by now
I can't let go
I can't get out

What is it you really want
I'm tired of asking
You come wasted

When I showed up and he was there
I tried my best to grin and bear
And took the stairs but didn't stop at the street
And as we speak I'm going down

Cause she spread her love
And burnt me up
I can't let go
I can't get out
I've said enough
Enough by now
I can't let go
I can't get out

Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around come around no more
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around no more."

Instead of bowing or anything, he just hops down from the stage and plops down next to me, throwing his arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer. Fred and George are applauding him in the background, and I hear the girls talking about his voice. But I ignore them, and I gladly move towards him, and he kisses me on the forehead in reward.

"Will you be my official girlfriend?" he asks. OK, kind of out of the blue.

"Of course," I whisper, kissing him soundly on the lips.

"You do have an audience you know!" Ange taunts us. I lean back and stick my tongue out at her.

"Yeah, Katie. Better keep it PG-13, or else you'll get kicked out!" George jokes. I roll my eyes.

"Try to kick me out and I might have to hex you back to whatever rock you crawled out from underneath," I mutter. George's eyes widen and he leans forward.

"This is a Muggle Karaoke bar!" He hisses. What?! I whip around and see Oliver smiling sheepishly, shrugging.

"You could have told me, ya know! What if I had worn a Weird Sister's shirt or something?" I ask. Seriously! Why not just wear a gigantic sign that says 'WITCH' and see how many Muggles report me.

"I would have told you to take it off," he whispers seductively in my ear. I cough and smack his leg.

"So who's going next?" I ask nervously. Hopefully no one heard that tone he used. That would have been embarrassing...not that I'm ashamed of him in any way. It's just, usually when things like that happened around Oliver and I, even if it was Oliver who had done it, his fan girls would find a way to blame me and pour scalding bubotuber puss all over me.

"Well, it's either you, or Ange," Oliver says. Angelina and I share eye contact, and make a break for the mini stage. We both grab an end of the catalog.

"Dammit, Ange! I was here first!" I hiss. Angelina glares at me and tugs hard.

"Nuh-uh! I was here first!" She hisses back through gritted teeth. Ugh, it's like tug-of-war with a plastic bound notebook.

"Would you both quit acting like children?" One of the twins bellows.

"Yeah! That's up to Forge and I!" the other says. I can't help but start giggling, and Ange rips the catalog out of my hands. She sticks her tongue out at me, and I just give her a dirty look. We both can't hold out, and we start giggling again.

The whole thing starts up again, and after a quick few minutes, spent cuddling with Oliver, Angelina chose a song. Drums meet base in an upbeat tempo, and the song begins.

"I..was waiting all my life to know you
(all about you)
And now..I'm staring in your eyes ocean blue
(I'm all about you)

And in our minds, it comes so easily
But theres a feeling comin over me
I want to show you,
But theres nowhere we can really be free
Everybody's watchin'," She croons in a rough, but talented voice. Am I the only one in our little group not blessed with great vocal cords?

"Wouldn't it be good if we could be together

Take me away,
Take me far away from here
I will run with you
Don't be afraid
Navigate and I will steer
Into the sun, we will run

I try...to remember when I was just a child
(In my roo-oom)
And my...imagination used to run wild
(I never knee-ew)

Then nothing ever as it seems to be
When a dream collides with our reality
It should be easy when two people love each other truly
Everybody's talkin'

Wouldn't it be good if they would understand us...

Take me away,
Take me far away from here
I will run with you
Don't be afraid (afraid)
Navigate and I will steer
Into the sun, we will run...

We, will run.
Whoooaaa whoa whoa whoa
We, will run.
Oh yeah yeah yeaah

Wouldn't it be good if they would understand us
Wouldn't it be good if we could be together...
TAKE ME AWAY!

Take me away, (take me away)
Take me far away from here
I will run with you
Don't be afraid (Don't..Be..Afraid)
Navigate and I will steer
Into the sun, we will run...

Run, whoa whoa whooaa
I will run with you wherever you go
Don't be afraid
Let's runaway and I will steer
Into the sun, we will run," Angelina ended. She panted a bit, and we all stood and clapped. Agh, once again, everyone here is so vocally talented!

"OK, Katie! You're up!" Angelina says, pulling me out of my seat. No! I was just getting comfortable!

"Crap," I mutter. Everyone's songs have been all heartfelt and good! How am I supposed to know what to choose?

OK, opening up the first page...We have...112 to Garth Brooks. Eh, none of these look that good. Let's check out the next page; Ginuwine to Mandy Moore. Ooh! Mandy Moore! I love her! Let's see what songs they have...

Crush M-24

Cry M-25

Gonna Be Love M-26

Have a Little Faith in Me M-27

Help Me M-28

In My Pocket M-29

Only Hope M-30

Walk Me Home M-31

Hmm...It's between 'Have a little faith in me' and 'Crush.' Screw it, I'm going with Crush. I don't have to hit so many notes. Heheh, such a slacker I am.

I see a little keypad on an electrical box and I punch in M-24, and the lyrics line springs to life. Not that I need it, I know this song by heart.

"You know, everything that I'm afraid of
You do, everything I wish I did
Everybody wants you, everybody loves you," I blink back tears. I'm not such a great public speaker, and when I get embarrassed or something, my eyes will water. I hope I sound alright. I blink back some more tears and smile weakly at Oliver, who smiles back.

"I know, I should tell you how I feel
I wish, everyone would disappear
Every time you call me, I'm too scared to be me
And I'm too shy to say

Ooh, I got a crush on you
I hope you feel the way that I do
I get a rush
When I'm with you
Ooh, I've got a crush on you
A crush on you," I sing. Yes! No missed notes...yet! I close my eyes and get into the song – not to mention my eyes are STILL watering.

"You know, I'm the one that you can talk to
Sometimes, you tell me things that I don't wanna know
I just want to hold you
You say, exactly how you feel about her
I wonder, could you ever think of me that way

I got a crush on you
I hope you feel the way that I do
I get a rush
When I'm with you
Ooh, I've got a crush on you
A crush on you

Ooh, I wish I could tell somebody
But there's no one to talk to, nobody knows
I've got a crush on you
A crush on you, I got a crush

I got a crush, I got a crush on you
You say, everything that no one says
But I feel, everything that you're afraid to feel
I will always want you, I will always love you," I open my eyes and stare at Oliver, before going back to singing. This song is just so...me!

"I got a crush on you
I hope you feel the way that I do
I get a rush
When I'm with you
Ooh, I've got a crush on you
A crush on you

I got a crush on you
I hope you feel the way that I do
I get a rush
When I'm with you
Ooh, I've got a crush on you
A crush on you

I got a crush, I got a crush on you
I got a crush, I got a crush on you
I got a crush, I got a crush on you
I got a crush, I got a crush on you," I fade out with the music in that last part, and I open my eyes and smile. Alicia claps loudly from George's lap, while George peeks around her shoulder, giving me a wink, and whistling loudly. Angelina is hooting from her seat, with Fred's hand around her waist, the other cupping his mouth where he's yelling things like 'Bravo!' and 'Encore!' while Oliver comes up to greet me.

"That was great," he whispers, pulling me into a tight hug. I close my eyes and squeeze him back. I don't suck! Yay! I separate myself from his arms and turn to my adoring fans.

"You like me! You really like me!" I say, putting a hand to my cheek, and trying my best to look shocked.

Angelina gets up and punches me lightly in the arm as we all exit the booth.

"That was so fun! Let's do it again sometime!" Alicia chirps, bouncing around George, who is smiling at her. Those two are so cute, just like Angelina and Fred, who are holding hands nearby. I don't think they're official yet, but they really should be!

"So now it's time for Kates and I to say our goodbyes," Oliver says, leading us out into the street. Wow, night fell fast! But it's only 7:30! And he wants to go home?

"We do?" I ask, giving him a confused look. He blinks at me, and I know to stay silent. I think he has something else up his sleeve.

lol, LONG chapter, despite that most of it was just lyrics and stuff. Oh well. Hope yall like it! ::looks around:: HALL OF FAME TIME!!!
-CandyMoon
-Crying Pixie (who DOESN'T like to puddlejump?)
-lindalee4
-endlessromance
-J
-ShadowStar21
-sumeR'sGirl
-Webster
-Ihopeforanarchy (hope your party was fun. I know the bar mitzvah i went to totally rocked!)
-freekofnature
-GypsyJade
-Creepy Susie
-old school rocker