Reality Check by CHINSKY
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I shall now go wallow in self pity.
"Awesome practice today people. Zack, niiiiiice work on the solo man. You've been practicing. Katie, keep up the good work. And Freddy..." Dewey Finn, had a band of seven 17-year-olds in his small apartment. The School of Rock had been going strong for seven years. Dewey stopped to look at the blonde haired punk rock drummer, Freddy Jones. "Freddy...It was great that you came today dude, but man, you missed the last two rehearsals. What's with that?"
Freddy shrugged carelessly. "I don't know. I goofed. Big whoop."
"Hey." Dewey warned him with his voice. "Be here Monday okay?"
Freddy just nodded. Dewey sighed. In the seven years School of Rock had been together, never until this year had Freddy missed unexplained practices. He was worried, but what could he do? He knew if he tried to talk to Freddy, he'd blow him off. He saw that change in Freddy's attitude. Dewey decided to stop beating himself up over it. If he could do nothing, why freak? "Alright guys. PACK UP!"
Zack walked over to unplug his electric guitar from the amp. Summer stopped him. "Hey Zack, you played really well today."
Surprisingly, Zack stumbled on his words. "T-thanks...Summer...you did too....I mean..."
Summer just chuckled and walked away.
What was that? Zack asked himself. He shook his head and walked out the door.
He had only a few blocks toward home, but most of the time he wished he had someone to walk with. As though reading his mind, at that exact moment, Freddy ran up to meet him, a little out of breath.
"What?" Zack responded. "Oh..." He realized, and slowed down the pace a bit. "No reason. Hey, why don't you have The Car today?" The Car was really Freddy's mothers BMW. Everyone thought it was Freddy's, and only Zack knew the truth.
"Ehh...felt like walking," came his response.
"Oh. Okay. So...man...how come you missed the last 2 rehearsals?"
"I was with Ricki." Upon saying The Flavor of the Week's name, Freddy waggled his eyebrows.
Zack rolled his eyes so his friend couldn't see. "Oh. I see. You missed rehearsals for her?"
Freddy shook his head. "Dude, you really gotta lighten up a bit."
"Do I? Or do you just gotta tone it down?" Zack's quick reply shook even himself. Ever since junior year had began, Freddy had totally been living it up. Zack suspected it was because Freddy's parents had been fighting a lot, but he didn't dare voice that opinion. Being next-door neighbors, Zack always noticed things going on at Freddy's house. Lots of screams and yells coming from his parents. Lots of cars roaring out of the driveway late at night. Coming home really late, music blasting, totally wasted...
Zack might not be Summer, but he wasn't stupid. Freddy was going to get in trouble one day, and soon. He just didn't see it.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
Zack shrugged again. "Never mind."
"Look..." Freddy began, and by the tone of his voice, Zack knew he wasn't going to like what he was saying. "There's this...party. At Jay Hawkin's, the football player? This Saturday night. Come with me man. It'll be fun. Here...I'll set you up with someone." Zack frowned immediately. He didn't like parties and he didn't like set ups. Freddy tried to do more convincing.
"Okay then tell me man, when was the last time you had fun not with the band? Hmm? Um, try, like, fifth grade? That's just sad. Come on. Go to this party. I promise, it'll be awesome. Just...go."
Zack stopped walking and looked at his so-called best friend. "Why do you want me to go so bad?"
Freddy didn't have an exact answer and looked uncomfortable for a moment. Then he started talking.
"Okay, look. I'm not as dumb as I may seem. I know I'm a jerk. I know I'm not acting...responsibly and all that other crap. But, I still pay attention to my friends, though you might find that hard to believe.
"Listen...you never go out. You never let loose. We're gonna be graduating next year man! Do you wanna look back and realize you spent all of high school with some band that never made it big time? Just...let go, and have a life outside School of Rock, for once in your life man!"
Zack was taken aback. He didn't know exactly what to say. Instead, he just nodded.
"You mean you'll go?" Freddy asked.
Zack sighed and just nodded again.
"Awesome Zack Att—"He stopped and corrected himself. 'I mean, Mooneyham, awesome. You won't regret this man. You'll realize what this year is all about. Letting go and not giving a shit. Hey, tell you what. I'll even drive you. So...tomorrow night, sayyyy, 8? I'll pick you up. You won't regret this!" He repeated.
It seemed that all Zack could do was nod. He didn't want to know what he was getting himself into, but he was pretty sure he would regret it.