This is my first fanfic, so I don't expect it to be very good. The story is told by all of the band members. I don't own School of Rock; I only own the plots and any new characters. Also, I am Australian, so I have had to write this story with my very limited knowledge of American schooling. Please bear with any mistakes I have made or correct them if you want.

CHAPTER 3 –CONFUSING CRUSHES

MICHELLE

The final bell for the day rang. Michelle closed her book, gathered the rest of her things and walked casually out the door. She grabbed her school bag and then went to stand by the classroom door. She was waiting for Leonard. Michelle and Leonard lived in the same street and therefore always walked home together.

Before long, Leonard appeared, talking to Alicia and Marco, who was clearly bothered by something.

"I don't understand," Marco said, annoyed, "I've double checked my answer and it should be right."

"Are you sure?" Alicia asked, "did you check the question?"

"Yes!" he exclaimed, "it doesn't make sense."

"Look," Leonard said, in his usual calm tone, "I'll help you this afternoon, ok?"

"Ok," Marco said, very relieved, "Thanks. That's twice today you've helped me out."

"More than twice," Leonard muttered, so Marco couldn't hear.

"You coming?" Michelle asked.

"Sure," Leonard replied, "bye guys."

"See you this afternoon," Marco said.

Michelle and Leonard parted from their friends and started to walk towards the school gates. On their way out of school grounds, they saw other friends and fellow students. Some were quickly visiting their lockers, before rushing home to do their homework. Others were catching the bus to the shops. They even saw Freddy being pulled along by Mr. Menai, the maths teacher. They were probably headed for the office.

Soon Michelle and Leonard were out of the school and walking along the narrow path to their houses.

"So," Michelle said, starting a conversation, "what have you got planned for this arvo?"

"Oh," Leonard replied, "Marco and I are going to Frankie's house. He's got a new computer game."

"Oh… That sounds like fun," Michelle said with a secret smile on her face.

"Oh no," Leonard said dramatically.

"What?"

"I've seen that look before"

"What look?"

"That dreamy look that you have if you're thinking about someone you really like. It's not Marco, is it?"

Michelle's stomach did a flip as she realised that Leonard had noticed her smiling. She thought she might as well try to deny it.

"No, I don't like Marco. I don't like anyone."

"Yes you do. I know that look. Last time you were smiling like that was last year when you were watching Freddy at band practice. And I know for a fact that you liked him then. So, who is it?"

Michelle sighed, knowing there was no way she could get out of this. Leonard was just one of those people who knew everyone really well. He knew how they reacted to certain things and what their expressions meant. It was good for Leonard, not so good for everyone else.

"Fine… it's Frankie."

Leonard looked at her for a minute, eyebrows raised. Then he suddenly burst out laughing.

"Hey, cut that out. It's not funny. Just because you can't see how wonderful and kind he is. And he's not too bad looking…"

"Ok, ok, I didn't need to know that." Leonard was still sniggering occasionally.

"Promise you won't tell anyone."

"Hey, that wasn't part of the deal."

"Leonard!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

The two teenagers had reached Leonard's house.

"Guess I'll see you later," Leonard said, acting like Michelle had not just told him her biggest secret.

"Ok, bye"

Michelle walked away, deep in thought. Even though Leonard was good friends with Frankie, he wouldn't betray her secret. Or would he?

MARCO

"Pick you up at 7.00, honey," called Marco's mum from her car.

"Ok, mum," he called back.

As his mother drove off, Marco walked up to Frankie's front door. Frankie lived on Newsteed St, the same street as Marta. His house was quite small compared to some, but also quite large. The house had three bedrooms, one of which had been turned into a study filled with the latest computers. Frankie's dad was into all the modern technology, so their house always contained huge television sets, new electronic games and some unusual gadgets.

Marco pressed the doorbell, which promptly blared out 'YOU HAVE A VISITOR!' After hearing the booming doorbell, Marco was so startled he tripped over whilst trying to run away. The front door creaked open to reveal Frankie and Leonard. They burst into laughter at the sight of Marco sprawled on the ground.

"Quit it!" Marco said, very annoyed, "it's not funny."

"Sorry about that," Frankie said, fighting back a chuckle, "that's Dad's latest toy." Marco got up and brushed himself off, still wearing an annoyed expression.

"Cheer up, Marco," Leonard said, "come inside. I've got some news that will make both of you laugh."

The boys headed inside and went straight to Frankie's bedroom. Frankie shut the door behind them and locked it.

"My parents have a habit of listen in on my conversations," Frankie explained.

"Don't all parents?" Leonard asked. Frankie shrugged and sat down on his bed, next to Marco.

"Come on, Leonard," Marco said, "what's the big news?"

"Oh right," Leonard said with a mischievous grin, "get this. I was walking home with Michelle and…"

"You asked her out?" Marco asked.

"No," Leonard continued, "we were just talking and she had this dreamy smile on her face…"

"She likes you?" Marco interrupted.

"No!" Leonard yelled, "Marco, will you shut up and let me finish?"

"Sorry," Marco murmured.

"Ok," Leonard proceeded, "she had this smile that she only has if she likes someone. And I questioned her about it and guess who she likes."

Marco and Frankie gave him blank stares.

"Frankie!" Leonard cried.

FRANKIE

Marco and Leonard burst into laughter, while Frankie sat quietly. Leonard stopped laughing after a bit, but Marco was laughing so hard that he fell off the bed.

"Come on, Marco," Leonard said, "it's not that funny." Marco bit his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"Yes it is," he said, trying to control himself, "because I was talking to Eleni on the bus and she said that she likes Frankie." Leonard and Marco began laughing harder than ever. Frankie was still sitting quietly, wishing that they would stop. It wasn't funny, it was horrible. Michelle and Eleni were his best friends and one of them was going to get hurt. Leonard noticed Frankie and immediately stopped laughing. He then kicked Marco, who also stopped laughing.

"What's up, man?" Leonard asked.

"Well… it's just that…" Frankie stuttered. He had no idea how to tell his friends the secret he had never told anyone.

"Spit it out," Marco said.

"I… kind of… like M… Michelle," Frankie finally managed to stamper.

"Oh…" Marco said, unsure of how else to reply.

"Well, that's a good thing then," Leonard said, "now you know Michelle likes you and you can ask her out." Leonard always knew what to say and how to handle people.

"But what about Eleni?" Frankie asked, "she's my friend. I don't want to hurt her."

"You're going to have to, mate," Leonard said, "I'm sure she'll understand. After all, you can't force yourself to like her."

"Yeah," Marco added, trying to be helpful.

"I guess you're right," Frankie said, "like always. I just wish there was an easier way."

"Don't worry," Leonard said, "we'll help you."

Frankie smiled, happy that Leonard and Marco were his friends. Now all he had to do was find a way to ask Michelle out, while hurting Eleni as little as possible.

ALICIA

Alicia sat on her comfortable bed, crying. She needed to talk to someone. Her best friend. She picked up the phone beside her bed. She dialled the number slowly, wiping back tears.

"Hello?" answered the voice on the other end.

"Hey Tomika," Alicia said, trying to sound happy.

"Alicia? Are you ok? You sound a bit upset."

Alicia smiled a bit. She couldn't hide anything from her friend.

"Yeah, I'm ok. I just need to talk."

"Have you been crying?"

"… Yes."

"Oh, Alicia. What's wrong?"

"I was just talking to Gordon. I asked if he wanted to catch a movie with me tomorrow. Just the two of us."

"What did he say?"

"He said that he had work to do."

"So ask him to go a different day."

"I did. He said that he didn't have enough time."

"Oh…"

"And maybe this is selfish, but I was looking forward to going out somewhere with him. You know, like couples are supposed to do. We've been going out for 6 months and we've hardly ever gone out anywhere. He brings me roses every second day, but I'd rather go out to the movies then get a million roses. I mean, where am I going to put all of them?"

"Alicia, that's not selfish. Maybe he's just scared about going out."

"But he's the one who asked me out in the first place!"

"I know, but you know guys. They're a bit weird sometimes."

"Yeah…"

"Look, just give it some time. Gordon is a smart guy. He's sure to realise what he's missing soon enough."

"Tomika, I've given it heaps of time!"

"Then talk to him about it. Tell him what you told me. When he finds out that he's upsetting you, I'm sure he'll move Heaven and Earth to make time for you."

"Ok… thanks Tomika."

"What are friends for? Look, I've got to go now. My sister wants to use the phone."

"Ok, see you tomorrow."

"Bye."