Rockin Rivals Chapter 1, a school of rock fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own School of Rock or it's characters. I just love them and enjoy writing them. I gain nothing from this other than my own enjoyment. Also, I do not own the song used in this chapter.

Rockin' Rivals

Chapter One

Summer Hathaway, the band manager of School of Rock, was currently walking down the nearly empty street, on her way to Dewey's apartment for Band practice. When she was younger, her mother had given her a lift in the car, but as she got older, she found herself walking more and more, until eventually she always walked. She didn't mind though, it gave her time to think.

She didn't walk all the way though. She took the bus into the city from school and walked the rest of the way. It wasn't all that far. Normally Katie would accompany her, or some of the other band members, but today wasn't a properly scheduled practice session so most of the band wouldn't show.

Katie and Freddy where apparently going to see a movie, and then would stop by later.

Lawrence was helping his parents at home, redecorating the bathroom.

Zack hadn't come into school today, as he was sick, so Summer assumed he wouldn't be there either.

Tomika, Marta and Alicia had decided to forgo practise at Dewey's in favour of hanging out at Marta's house and going shopping.

Some would think the band was getting slack, but that wasn't the case. They practised at least four times a week and spent even more time at Dewey's just hanging around, playing music, having fun. However, they weren't that arrogant as to think they didn't need real practise, hence the four official practise sessions.

Summer thought back on everything that had happened in the last few years, and how everyone had changed.

Summer herself was even smarter now, as she was older, and had grown a lot in the last few months. She must have reached a growth spurt. She wasn't as tall as Zack, he was like a giant compared to her, but she wasn't considered tiny anymore. Her hair was longer, coming down to her lower back. She didn't have that rock look, not really, but she was completely dedicated to the band. At first it had been strange. She wasn't all that into Rock music, but it had grown on her, and she had grown to love it - especially Zack's solos.

Zack had changed quite a bit. He was still quiet and reserved, but less so. He would actually say completely irrelevant things now, as opposed to when they where younger, and he would only speak if he had something to say. As stated before, he had grown extremely tall and filled out quite a bit as well. He wasn't huge in the muscle department, but he wasn't a twig either. His hair had also grown, falling around his face, his bangs covering his eyes, in a messy style that he pulled of amazingly. He normally wore a long sleeved top (occasionally with some of his favourite bands on – Led Zeppelin, the Hives, Three Doors Down) and jeans these days.

He always looked really sexy…

She stopped, blushing and chastising herself for thinking that. She couldn't help herself lately. Every time she thought of the guitarist it was like some cat like heat took over her, making even the slightest movement on Zack's part somehow unbelievably sexy. She was going crazy.

She looked up…and blinked. She hadn't even noticed, but she'd stopped right outside of Dewey's apartment. She could hear music coming down through the window, but it didn't sound like Dewey's style. It sounded like Zack. After all, Zack was way better than Dewey. No offence meant to Dewey, of course. Summer straightened herself up, turned towards the door and entered the building, making sure to check if she was still blushing as she passed the glass door.

Nope, all was right with the world.

(----)

Indeed, Zack was inside Dewey's apartment, rocking out one of his incredible solos. He had grown tired of hanging around his house, and as he was feeling a lot better, so his mom had agreed to let him go over to Dewey's. Dewey wasn't in, but that didn't really matter, he always let them inside anyway. Summer even had her very own key for apartment and the rest of the band knew where the spare was kept anyway - on top of the doorframe, near the middle.

Zack was wearing a faded black long sleeved t-shirt with a huge smiley face on it - its eyes represented by two 'X' symbols – and baggy jeans. His hair was hanging around his face, covering his eyes, as he strummed his fingers on the guitars chords. His head went with the rhythm of his solo, rocking back and forth, his fingers moving rapidly up and down the strings.

Zack always found jamming on his guitar relaxing. He was practising one of his own original songs, one that he had yet to show to Dewey and the band, going against their "no secret songs" policy, but what the hell. This song was special. It was about his feelings for a girl. It was private, and until it was done, he wouldn't be unveiling it to the rest of the band. He only had the basic plan for the song anyway - it was nowhere near done. The lyrics needed a lot of work. He wasn't that good at writing lyrics, especially ones as complicated as his feelings.

The tune his was rocking out was mellow, less hardcore than his usual style. He didn't want the song to sound that way. He wanted it to be soft and beautiful, like the girl he was writing it about an, in a way, for. He didn't have any other idea how to tell her how he felt. He just hoped she got it.

Zack shook his head - she would get it. She was smart. Very smart.

As he spun around, going into what was probably the heaviest part of the song, his eyes closing, his fingers moving automatically to the right chords, he failed to notice Summer coming through the door.

(----)

Summer stood watching as Zack went into another fantastic solo. Of course, the whole song was one long solo. She was mesmerized though. He was such a great guitar player. He looked so magnificent. With his eyes closed, his entire body moving with the music. Summer didn't know what song it was, but it was wonderful. Zack still hadn't noticed her. She smiled to herself. He was so cute when he played.

Alas, it had to end, so Summer cleared her throat. Zack didn't hear, so she decided to just call out to him.

"Hey Zack."

Zack jumped, his eyes shooting open, his fingers slipping on the guitar, making a 'bjjing' sound before fading of into a mass of feedback squeals. He stared at her, his face flushed from both embarrassment and the excitement of playing. Sweat was beading on his forehead, his hair sticking to it in some places. Yeah, Summer still thought he looked gorgeous.

"Summer," Zack finally said, then shook his head, smiling a little. "Hey, sorry about that. I didn't hear you come in."

She smiled back. "It's okay."

"How long have you been watching?" he asked.

"Not long." She replied. "You where amazing, as always, what was that song?"

"Oh, erm…" Zack stuttered, pausing, not having any idea what to say. How could he tell her it was a song he wrote for her? "It was just something I was playing. Not a song. Just…random."

"Oh," Summer nodded. "It was good, you should remember it."

"I will." Zack nodded too. "Thanks."

"I didn't think you'd be here." Summer started again, making her way over to the coach and dropping her bag by its side. "You feeling better?"

Zack joined her, bringing his guitar with him, placing it between his legs as he sat beside her. "Yeah, a bit, thanks."

"Good." Summer smiled at him again. She couldn't help herself. Stop smiling you moron, she chastised herself, he's going to think you're a nut job.

"Are any of the others coming?" Zack asked, after a moment of silence. Comfortable silence.

"Oh, yeah, Katie and Freddy said they'd drop by later." Summer answered. She leant over the arm of the sofa and reached into her bag, bringing out a bottle of water. She always carried one with her. She got thirsty a lot.

"Cool." Zack murmured, watching her as she took a long gulp of water from the bottle. Her head was arched back slightly, revealing her neck. Man, she's so beautiful, he thought. Shaking his head, he turned away. Wouldn't be good if she caught him staring at her.

"Want some?" her voice reached his ears, and he turned to face her again, finding the bottle held out towards him. He nodded and took it from her. He looked down at the bottle, at the rim of the bottle to be precise. Thinking about it, this was like an indirect kiss. Oh man. "What's wrong?" she asked again.

He looked up sharply. "Nothing. Sorry, just spaced out." He took a sip and then handed it back to her.

(----)

Summer watched as Zack took a sip from her bottle of water and then took it back from him as he handed it back. She placed it on the coffee table in front of them. Then it hit her. He didn't wipe the rim. Does he? She shook her head. She was being stupid, over analysing, like always. Why would the awesome Zack Mooneyham like the smart, overly bossy Summer Hathaway? He could have any girl he wanted. She was just being stupid.

Don't get your hopes up Summer, she told herself.

The strumming of guitar chords once again reached her ears and she turned her head to face Zack. He was leaning back on the sofa, his legs stretched out; guitar held in both hands, eyes closed. He was playing a soft melody lightly.

"What's that?" she asked.

Zack opened his eyes. "It's one of my favourite songs. I was just thinking about the lyrics, this one line."

"What line?"

"Tonight girl it's only you and me." He sang softly. He wasn't much of singer, but it was sweet. She couldn't help but smile.

"Will you play the song for me?" she asked again, a little hesitantly.

"Nah, I'm not a good singer, it'd…"

"Please?" she interrupted him, her eyes pleading. Zack smiled slightly. He couldn't resist that look.

"Okay."

Summer beamed and lifted both legs up and then under her, turning to face him with an ever-increasing smile on her face. Zack started playing softly, and then began to sing:

A hundred days have made me older since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder and I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separated
They disappear now when I'm dreamin' on your face

I'm here without you baby but you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby but you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me

The miles just keep rolling as the people either way to say hello
I've heard this life is over rated but I hope it gets better as we go

Everything I know, and anywhere I go
it gets hard but it won't take away my love
And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done
it gets hard but it won't take away my love

I'm here without you baby but you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby but you're still with me in my dreams
but tonight girl it's only you and me.

As the last chord and line was sung Zack looked over at Summer. She smiled again, well, she actually hadn't stopped, but Zack didn't know this. He gave her a look that said "Well?"

"That was amazing." Summer whispered. "What song was it?"

"'Here without you' by Three Doors Down." Zack answered. "I'm glad you liked it. I could lend you the Album if you wanted…"

"Sure!" Summer nodded happily.

"Okay." Zack smiled at her.

A loud bang from outside the door made both of them jump. They looked at each other, smiled, and then laughed. A curse came from the other end of the door but they didn't hear it as they laughed. Moments later, Dewey Finn came through the door to his apartment. He looked at the two laughing teenagers and shook his head.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

They just cracked up more.

Dewy shrugged to himself.

(----)

Hey again, hope you all enjoyed that, and thanks a bunch for the Reviews. It always makes me happy. You guys rule!

Sweetcaroline – thanks for pointing out that typo. Sometimes I get a bit too excited writing and make a few minor errors. If you spot any more be sure to mention them. Thanks!

Nanners-77 – You don't have to worry. It will be a Freddy/Katie pairing at the end. No promises on the start though. Hope you keep with it and enjoy this chapter. Thanks.

Marcy Bayd – don't worry, Nix wont be a Mary Sue. At least I hope not. I have no intention of that anyway; she's just a plot device really. Thanks for the Review.

Degrassicouples93 – Here ya go. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for the Review.

Now then, with that out of the way, I really do hope you all enjoy this chapter. The band 'Three Doors Down' is a personal favourite of mine, and so is that particular song, I recommend it to anyone who loves a good kick ass rock song. In my opinion they have one of the best guitarist in the world. The other favourite band's of Zack come from Joey Gaydos Jr. (the kid that plays him in the movie) website, and are his own favs.

Again, hope you all enjoyed, see ya next time. Much love.

Piccolo999