Thanks to all my reviews! It's the most I've gotten for one chapter, I think!

blackmagic111090: Guys with attitudes are sexay, until they give an attitude to you then ya know ya got to give them a fresh one lol.
hippie-chick-forever: It's finally here! And I thought I'd never get to the B.O.B chap. Glad you liked it!
Tehsylvania: Your probably right...she's most likely running around on him...probably with Tim Shepard to... 00
Just Playin: It's just to torture our dear little Stephie.
Dreamer for lyf: He will! I'm so happy you love this story! I really am!
streetpanther1: That's a good idea...but she won't die. But she ain't gonna be around much longer either.
Princess of the Moon: Yes Montana is a your curse word goes here lol. We'll see how things between Steph and Dal work out..
Banana4422: You thought the Dally's POV was good? I was a little worried you'd all think it was horribly out of character and stuff. But that's what I get for criticizing myself to hard -bad hope bad!- Hope you like this chapter!
Hannah: You'll see what happens in this chapter.
Miru Amai: Of course it was going to happen! I hate being predictable but that's the way this cookie crumbles...lol
Mrs. Benji Madden: Lol. He's got a dirty little mouth!
ZiggyGurl: Two-Bit always makes a chapter all that much better!
babygurl33: When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore... Lol. Dally's got a little lovin' goin' on lol. Hope you like this chapter
JupermanPinkyInc: Oh Dally's always cute! Hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 26...drum roll please...


Chapter 26: Battle of the Bands

STEPHANIE'S POV

It's amazing how lucky bad people can be. Montana didn't get into the Top Five, for obvious reasons. She whined, and cried, and moaned, until she got in. So now six bands are playing! Wonderful.

"You girls are going to be great! Better than the Montana's for sure," Steve spat out Montana's band's name out disgustedly.

"No shit, we're cool though," Belle replied from Two-Bit's lap.

Everyone had shown up, all the guys minus Dally, Tim Shepard and Rick, even Hooka Man. Dal's still in the hospital, which was good. I'm terribly confused by how he acted yesterday.

"Chicklets your on in 10 minutes, right after Coach Class Brats," I tall, red headed man in about his late twenties told us. We nodded and turned to the boys.

"Ya'll better get some good spots," Sage said and kissed Johnny, and Bethany. They all agreed, and after kissing their appropriate opposite, left to go get a spot.

We watched as the band before us, CCB as we have nicknamed them, sang an original song. Funny now that I think of it, they were always before us.

They got off the stage and a familiar dinky guy came back on, and clapped for them.

"And now, the Chicklets with their original song, Sober!" he smiled with false enthusiasm. We walked out onto the stage and the flourescent lights burned into my eyes and forehead.

I sat on the drums and the girls took their places, we all shared a quick glance and wink and went right into the heavy beginning of the song.

Drunken with thoughts
Get out of my head
I want to be sober
Don't want to be dead

Your like my drug
I'm such an addict
But I swear I won't
Put up with your crap

Get me to the rehab
Get me to my life
I just want to start over
I want to be sober
Give me my meds
Get me unhooked
I want to be sober

You make me sick
You make me cry
Make me scream
Make me die

Get me to the rehab
Get me to my life
I just want to start over
I want to be sober
Give me my meds
Get me unhooked
I want to be sober

Get me to the rehab
Get me to my life
I just want to be sober
Want to be SOBER!
I want to be sober
Not dead

Can you believe we wrote that song on the way here? The audience went into a thunder of clapping and whistling. As soon as we were behind stage and away from all the people we knew we jumped up and down and screamed! It let out all the happiness and excitement. We grabbed each other into one big embrace.

"I can't believe we just played at Battle of the Bands! Did you see the judge's? They were totally into it!" Belle smiled and jumped up and down.

"I know! I so think we have a chance of winning!" Sage hugged me again and I hugged right back.

"We haven't won yet, so let's not get our hopes up incase we don't...but we were so fucking awesome there's no way we didn't make it!" Amanda exclaimed and we started jumping up and down and screaming like the kids we were.

The guys found us amidst our little group hugging-screaming bit.

"Ya'll actin' like ya won or somethin'," Johnny laughed and handed Bethany to Sage after whispering to her that she looked beautiful up there.

"Hel-lo, did you not hear how great we were!" Belle couldn't stop smiling, and it matched Two-Bit's ear to ear grin when she jumped into his arms hugging him.

"Yea, we heard alright," Dally's deep voice came from behind us. We whirled around.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" I asked, smiling as big as Two-Bit and Belle.

"I came to hear ya play, ain't nothin' wrong with that is there?" he let a small smile spread across his lips and brushed my hair behind my ears. I could feel the heat rush to my face and my stomach do a 360.

"No, nothing wrong with that at all."

"You were great," he went on, tracing his fingers down my arms to my hands. I shivered.

"Dally!" as if her timing wasn't horrible enough, Montana came skipping over to us and flung herself onto him.

"Watch where your flingin' yourself. I may not be in the hospital but that don't mean I shouldn't be," he growled.

She looked surprised. "Ya seem fine touchin' her."

"Think I wouldn't find out about you an' Tim? In case you haven't heard I don't go with broads that two time me, so get your slutty ass out of my view," he ordered. I just stared at him, this ridiculous smile spread far across my lips.

"If that's how you want it," Montana muttered, glaring at me! She is so funked up!

"Good job Dal!" Steve high fived him.

"Bitch got to learn her place somehow," he was pretending to act all tough. I rolled my eyes, but shouldn't I be happy? I permitted myself to smile once more.

The band after us got off and Montana's got on, they were the last band to play. I was leaning against the wall, Dally beside me. I guess we silently made up with one another. As Lynn's scratchy voice "sang" over the microphone, Dally's fingers stroked mine, and then he took my hand into his, entwining our fingers together. I didn't look at him but I knew he was looking at me, as I blushed and smiled.

"I was jerk to you," he whispered into my ear.

"I know you were," I looked into his icy orbs.

"You're not going to forgive me?"

"I was never mad at you," it was the truth. I was upset and hurt, but never mad.

He smiled, and lightly nipped my neck. I giggled and moved away from him. His long arms encircled my waist and he pulled me closer, placing his lips on top of mine.

"I hate to break up this little love fest," Amanda cleared her throat and spoke a few minutes after we had started our little make-out session, "But I have to borrow Stephie, they're going to announce who won."

I blushed and left Dally, walking with Amanda.

"So it looks like you and Dally are back together?" Sage was smiling. She just loves "happy endings".

I shrugged, "I guess we are."

"Hush!" Belle yelled, silencing us as we watched Constantine hand Dinky Man an envelope. I involuntarily held my breathe.

"In this envelope is the name of two bands. One band is the grand winner, getting a thousand dollar check and a record deal. The second band, will get a five hundred dollar check, along with a chance to audition for Lee Goodman, the head of New York Records..."

I sucked in more air.

"The second place winner is...THE CHILDREN OF THE FLOWERS!" he yelled with fake happiness, and gave the hippie girls a check. They squealed and stood to the side.

"And the grand prize winner is...COACH CLASS BRATS!..."

So we didn't win...though I was upset, I smiled.

"What are you smiling about? We didn't win!" Amanda slapped me upside the head. I only laughed.

"I say it was rigged!" Two-Bit protested.

"Nah, they were just better," Sage admitted.

"They'll be more opportunities," Belle spoke brightly.

We all decided to celebrate our good performance by going to lunch at Jay's. We thought about inviting Montana but we couldn't find her anywhere. A few people said she had left with Tim Shepard. Good, I didn't want her to come anyway.

"You guys go ahead, I'll meet up with ya'll," I told them and headed back to the gym.

"You okay? Want me to stay with you?" Dally asked right away. He really could be sweet when he wanted to be.

I smiled, "I'm fine, I just want to talk to someone." I shoved him a little and he nodded, catching up with the rest of them.

I walked back to the gym and bumped into Rick.

"Oh hey Rick!"

"Hi Stephie! Sorry you didn't win, but ya know you were the best band."

"Thanks Rick."

"I know someone's gonna find you, and when you make you're first record, know that I'll be the first one to buy it," he smiled. I smiled back.

"I'd love to stay and chat but I gotta run to the airport I'll miss my flight," Rick glanced at the clock.

"Where you goin'?"

"Back home, to New York!"

I smiled and hugged him goodbye.

I kept walking, hoping he didn't leave yet. No matter how I acted Constantine was my dad, and I did want to see him. But when I got to his "dressing room" he wasn't there. Dinky man said he had left about ten minutes ago. I frowned, but hid my disappointment...maybe I'll write him a letter.

Just as I turned I almost knocked over a guy with jet black hair that was just about my height.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" I cried.

"It's okay...hey you're the drummer for the Chicklets," he waggled his pointer finger at me.

I smiled proudly, "Yes I am."

"I'm Peter Hanning of Pixie Dust records. I think I have a deal you and the rest of the band would be interested in.


Well there's Chapter 26, we're getting so close to the end! Hope you liked it! Love you all! Toodles!