A/N: I'M SO SORRY! I know it's really late. If you want excuses, they're at the bottom. If you just want to read, well...
Thanks for the reviews:
Unlikely-to-Bear-It: Yes. It was pudding day. Isn't pudding great? I love pudding. No, you cannot have my Led Zeppelin shirt. I almost bought a Who shirt, but then I saw an Aerosmith shirt, and I was like "Oooooh". All the Who shirts were really big anyways….
Saynt Jimmy: It's good that you wanna see where this fic is going. I'm sorry the update was so late, and yeah, Mr. Philbur was really cool.
sweetcaroline: I do understand what you're saying…and that's funny. It made me laugh for a good five minutes. I've done the same thing, so don't worry…I wouldn't say I'm the queen of cliffhangers…maybe the court jester of cliffhangers…and nope, you had to wait (checks calendar) five days! Yeah…sorry about that…I liked Mr. Philbur's character, but I think that's the last we'll see of him in this story. Aw…so sad. And yeah, Austin and Summer do care about each other, it's just that they were raised in a household constantly pitted against one another competitively. Hey, that's how I get jealous too! I noticed that back when I had a crush on whatshisname. I've seen over-jealous stories, stories where everything has to be to the extreme, and I'll admit, there are places in my story that are a bit over the top (emotion-wise). But you know, at least they have emotion in their stories. I've seen stories where it's like. First chapter, Summer and Freddy hate each other. Second chapter, Summer and Freddy are madly in love. Or any character for that matter, and you're sitting there staring at the screen kind of like, "what happened? What I miss?" Yup, this was a long review! My favoritest kind! Study hard!
Vaguely specific: Yay! I'm a celebrity…anyways…I'm just evil all the time, except for the rare time when I'm apathetic. I am brutally honest. At work, when they're introducing me, they always say, "She's going to be really honest with you. If you're doing something wrong, she will tell you." And then I add, "Yeah, I'm a bitch, don't take it personal". And then we all laugh. I've had people take what I say really personal, and I was always like, "Psh, get a life". Some "obese 40 year old balding guy", for some odd reason that just cracked me up and I laughed a long time. It's funny because it's true. You didn't like the original "Come Together"? My dad likes the original better, but I kind of like Aerosmith's version better. I guess it depends on the sound you want to listen to. Beatles is a bit more mellow than Aerosmith's, with their wailing electric guitar riffs. Actually, I think the Beatles' original version is done on acoustic guitar…I'll have to pull my album out and check that, though. Eddie Vedder? Don't think I know him…I love the Who also, my favorite song is "Baba O'Reiley", god, I hope I spelled that right…I liked the Limp Bizkit cover of Behind Blue Eyes, at least they didn't completely shred it like they did George Michael's "Faith", which I will admit, I like the song as well. No, you don't offend me. I'm not Fred Durst, and I didn't do a cover of the song. The thing about the American Idiot CD is that you can't just listen to one song, you don't get the effect of the whole CD. Yes, the radios totally overplayed that song (which is why I don't listen to the radio) but if you haven't heard the songs before it, and you don't hear the songs after, you don't get an idea for how great the CD actually is. And yeah, their older stuff is all good. I would recommend buying International Superhits, because it's kind of like a greatest hits CD. That way you could like get a taste of all their work, without having to buy all their albums. I wouldn't mind my date taking me to a concert, in fact, I would love him forever…whoever he may be. Don't hate Marta, for she knows not what she does. And who knows where Freddy's going, and you have to understand, Summer doesn't have a lot of confidence in herself. But yeah…it is annoying…wow, that's some way to think of a friend…heheh…I hope you like this chapter almost as much…this chapter didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, though…but…just read on, oh…uh…vague one! And we did chat again!
Parcie05: This one was supposed to be longer…didn't work out that way. Yeah, it's kind of frustrating. The boys are clueless in the matter though, and Katie's not helping, so…yeah…and Freddy's too busy thinking about Summer to even care what the others are doing. Nothing is forever. All good things must come to an end. And all that other cliché crap that's supposed to make you feel better, but really doesn't. I hate ending stories, because stories always feel so incomplete…the characters still have all this life to live and…oi…sorry. Oh…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I forgot about that smiley face…hehe….I wasn't sure if you were gone or not, so I sent it…and I kind of wanted to see if the thing would work, too…so….and then I left and….hehehe….sorry. Talk to you later.
Dgmbf4ev: Thank you. And of course most of the band is getting paired together. If I didn't pair them together I'd have to come up with all new characters and that's just tedious. The few little characters in-between…their good enough for me. I'll try!
Vampirehelsing: Thank you. It's a little late…but here's the chapter…
Alex: An almost sweet chapter. Okay. What the hell are you talking about? I'm confused…but I'll just go with…okay! Yes! You're completely right! I hate the cold. We're getting back up to our 110 degree weather out here, and I'm so happy! I miss the heat when it's winter. Come mid-Summer, I'll be bitching and moaning about how I miss the cold…Year group? Is that for school? I don't mind. Sounds boring. My days have been fairly boring as well. At home I write…well…this lovely fanfic, and then I go to work, and then I go to class (or not…because I've been ditching a great deal lately….don't tell my parents….) People always seem to enjoy reading my A/N…I don't know why…I just babble mostly. It might interest you to know, I'm working on my website, and soon it will be up! And most of that's going to be me babbling, and then some of my artwork (original comics) and original writing. As soon as I read your review, I went and looked up Eskimo Joe and Grinspoon. They're aussie bands, I see. They sound decent. Have you ever heard of Interpol? I'm like obsessed with their one song, "Evil". I have homework to do too….
IndesElfwine: Lots of humor in that chapter. Yup. But what's with the proclamation of love? That was a little weird. J/K. I love you too.
Rachel: It's cool we're on the same music wavelength. And…no…I don't think I'm a long lost sibling…though my sister used to say they found me in a basket on the front porch…hm…I'm just so shocked that she's still making "music". Not that I'd call that crap she puts out music. Nope. Never heard of Veronica Mars. No…wait…it's on UPN? Is that the show where the girl's all a detective or something…and her dad's all like a discharged detective or mall security guy and…I have no idea what I'm talking about. I hate all reality shows, and I'm so pissed about this new Brittany show. I mean, if you look up the definition of sell-out, you will see her picture! She's just trying to cash in on this reality show nightmare…reality shows are just about whiny people bitching about how they're on this show with these people they don't like, and…oh boo hoo, I'm a pretty person on television trying to make money off my looks and whining. GOD! How annoying. I used to watch Mad Mad House on Sci-fi, because I thought it was pretty cool. I would have liked to have been in that house. And the chick I wanted to win, did! But the whole thing about that show was to take these, generally, close-minded people and get them to be more open-minded. And she was this whiny little prissy thing, and she did make the biggest transformation, and why are we talking about reality shows? I hate 'em. Let's leave it at that! I love my limited edition American Idiot cd! I don't' know if they're still selling it. You'd have to check on amazon…and your mother does sound weird. My cousin's mother wouldn't buy her any CDs that said, "Parental Guidance" on it, or whatever, that warning thing. And that included the Greenday CDS (this was around Christmas), so she went and bought her daughter all the non-Parental Guidance CDS. And I went out and bought her all the Parental Guidance CDS. I bought her like five CDS and I think only one of them wasn't Parental Guidance thinged. What does it matter that they wear eye make-up? All celebrities wear make-up. Your mom does know that, right? Maybe it's not as visible as Billie Joe's, but still. And he does have a great voice. I love his voice. Ashlee Simpson should die. My dad hates her. He yells at the screen whenever she comes on, saying, "SHE SUCKS!" I love my dad. He hates Jessica Simpson too, and I kind of do to. Good Charlotte and Simple Plan are what I call pop rock. They sound like rock, but they're not, because they ain't about what rock is about. Yeah, but Christina Aguilera is a way better singer than Jessica. Alicia Keys has a great voice. Have you ever heard of Norah Jones? She sounds a lot like Carol King (whom I love). Yeah…no direct Freddy/Summer. I didn't actually have any plans to write an actual song for this story (I've written a song for another fanfic of mine…one that's not even up yet…) If you guys want me to write a song for this story, I can try…Sometimes adults only listen to adults. And thanks for the praise.
dozengirl: another awesome review!
Nanners-77: Yay! You don't think I'm on drugs…now that's one person…we just have to work on the other several billion…I thought I heard somewhere that Jack Black was Canadian, but maybe that's just the voice in my head leading me astray. Yeah, Summer's being a bit annoying. That seems the general consensus. But I think everyone just wants her to shut up and kiss Freddy, and you know…get over it. Freddy's having a rough time. As we've seen, his dad's not much help. And yes, Mr. Philbur is awesome. He's semi-based on my guitar teacher. Who's pretty cool. He's seen Jimi Hendrix play live (the Star Spangled Banner), so that's how cool he is…an how old…for being disrespectful? Huh. My principle has never yelled at me. But I kind of slipped through school like a ghost. Nobody really noticed me and nobody probably remembers me. Ah…but that's my sad story, and I won't bore you with it when there's this chapter you probably have been waiting to read…
FreddyMyLove: Thanks. I really don't know what anyone who was in the movie would say about my fanfic. Generally, I don't care. A lot of people mistake that somehow the characters are the actors, when that's not true. I've seen fanfics where people accidentally replace a character name with the actors name who plays them, and I'm like…"What?" You just need to remember, this is about the characters in the movie, not the actors that play the characters. I'm sure the actors know that there are fanfics out about the movie…some of them probably at least know. I'm pretty certain they probably don't read them, and they probably don't care. But that's just my opinion.
Radiancex: Thank you. I quite liked writing the Mr.Philbur/Summer interaction, even if it was hard and I sat staring at my screen a long time thinking…"What am I gonna do?" When the reviewers like the story, it makes it all worth it.
Iamnotachimpunk: YAY ZACK! No problem. I had to read your story when I saw that you wrote it and that it was a Summer/Freddy story. And thanks for not thinking I'm an alcoholic…my mom thinks I am…BUT MY DAD LET ME DRINK THE RUM! I'm a lucky duck! I should get a shirt that says that. Chocolate makes you out of it? Hm. Red Bull does the trick for me. Mr. Philbur is great…he's kind of…a little…based on my guitar teacher. Pink Floyd is the best. I love Pink Floyd! Yup, Austin was in there. That was actually for you. I had no intention of him reappearing in the story, but you seemed to really want him in there at least once more, and he kind of fit. Summer's doing a little weirdly…I hope she stops thinking like that soon and straightens everything out. Or else what?
Phish Food: YES! Another review from you! It makes me so happy when you review! Everyone's reviews make me so happy, but as you were the muse behind this story…well…yeah. Yup. But I really can't go a day without checking the site. I feel so addicted…especially to your story. Which as soon as this chapter is up, I have to go check and see if it's up! And read and review it! I'm so excited…and it you're excited about the chapter…yay! I'm brimming with happiness. I was so happy when I saw that mentioned in your review! I'm so glad you like my characterizations of everyone. And yeah, while the story does kind of center on Summer and Freddy, the other ships have to be in there, and they have to be given their time, right? I love writing Zack and Katie moments. Because their characters are so shy and cute, and they just get along so well. I'll be looking for your next review! And your update!
I'm missing a few...like...from wyverna...
ENJOY!
Chapter 17: Teachers Have All the Answers
For most of lunch, and when the bell rang, fifth period, Freddy wandered the halls. He was especially adept at dodging hall monitors and teachers, as he usually wandered when he was bored or simply not in the mood to go to class. He'd known that Summer was going through things, and that she hadn't been acting herself. He would hear Katie, during band practice, voicing her concern for the young woman quite often. But he'd forced himself not to think about it. His own feelings for the young woman were already taking a toll on his drumming and mood, he didn't need to know her condition, as he was fairly certain, he'd lose it all together.
Not that she meant that much to him. Right?
She'd looked like hell when he'd walked in to third period, slumped at her desk doodling mindlessly on her paper. She didn't wear that usual sprite expression that got on his nerves. She wasn't perked, and sitting up straight, and intently paying attention to the teacher droll on about the lesson. And he couldn't look at her. Knowing that he was the reason behind that lump parading around as Summer. Because she wasn't herself, she wasn't the girl he cared so much about, she was this shell…this pale copy of the Summer he knew. He'd emptied that shell with his stupid drunken mouth. Even when her father died, she'd kept going unfazed, smiling and attentive, so peppy and full of spirit.
Then in one phone call, he'd completely crushed her. He had known it would only be a matter of time before he fucked her up. But he still let himself believe…he still let himself think for a moment, he could do this right. That he wouldn't fuck up like he always did.
What an idiot he'd been.
And now this one girl. This girl he cared so much for, was suffering because of it.
That blonde girl that morning had been talking to him. She'd been a welcome distraction. She was something to look at. If he wasn't looking at her, talking to her, pretending to like her, then he would be looking at Summer and wanting to do things that he really couldn't do in class. Drinking, would be one of them. Making out with her would be another one. Yelling at her to straighten up, be herself, stop sulking because he wasn't that important. Just hold her.
Okay. So maybe she did mean that much to him.
He paused in his wanderings, finding himself looking out at the atrium. Beneath the large tree, on the bench shaded by its foliage, lay a young woman, raven hair falling about her face. His heart caught for a few beats, and he felt stuffy, it was hard to breath. This was an unexpected surprise. She was staring up into the sky, her fingers twisted in the cloth of her blouse. She looked serene, beautiful. Before he knew what he was doing, his hand curled onto the door handle, his other palm pressing against the door's glass.
He'd spent a long time thinking about the things Dewey had said. And now, seeing her out there, realizing how beautiful she looked, he knew he had to at least see, because she was everything he'd said she was, and he did feel everything he said he did, he had to find out if he still had that chance or if he'd really lost her completely.
He pushed the door open and walked out into the courtyard. She turned her head, her eyes looking to him with a glazed indifferent glance. And then her cheeks colored, and she pulled herself up, turning her tensed back to him. He felt sick, and faltered from that action momentarily. Being stubborn, however, he continued forward, coming to stand at the edge of the bench. They were both silent. He couldn't think of anything to say. He cleared his throat, and voiced the first obnoxious thought that popped into his head, just to kill the silence.
"You're quite the hypocrite," he sneered, "Get me sent to the principle's office for being late, and then turn around and ditch class." Her head snapped around and he was shocked to find tears shining in her eyes and glistening down her cheeks.
"And you're a lying…womanizing…chauvinistic…piece of scum," she stammered. He lowered his eyes, not even bothering to protest. Because she was right, he supposed, technically, he was all of those things. "For a moment…for a stupid moment…" Summer continued, trembling with overwhelming rage and emotion, "I thought maybe…just maybe I was different then all those other girls…that quite possibly…oh, but who was I kidding? I'm not that special, now am I? I'm just like every other girl in your life. I was fooled. I gave in to the charm of Freddy Jones…I can't believe I was so stupid," she shook her head, pulling herself up and turning away from him, "How could I not see? You make every girl feel like she's special, like she's the only one in your life, the only one you want…" that seemed to trigger the gears in Freddy's mind, as fuzzy memories of his late night phone call began to clear, "How could I be so stupid as to think I was different? Ha, I suppose I was different. After all, I wasn't pursued for pleasure or for fun, but just as some feeble attempt at…what? What was this about anyways? Getting me to stay with the band? Because if you think for one minute that…"
"Are you gonna let me talk?" Freddy demanded, "Shit, Summer, do you want some sort of explanation, answers, some shit like that? Or what? I guess you have it all figured out, huh?"
"No, I don't," she whispered, peering once more at him, and the tears were falling more steadily now, "Why would you intentionally hurt me? And why…god…why are you doing it by hurting yourself?"
"What?" Freddy's brow drew together, he stepped forward, uncertain, and fighting that urge he had to grab Summer and do…well…something, though he wasn't sure what. "Why would you care if…?"
"You're right, why would I care? I'm a frigid bitch," she moaned, turning away, covering her mouth with a quaking hand and trying to suppress the sobs fighting to escape her throat.. He shook his head, telling himself 'stay focused'.
"Summer, I know that I…" he began, then shook his head again, turning and pacing, before turning back to her once more, "I'm sorry, alright. I know I said…well…things…a lot of which I really can't remember right now. But I…remember some of it," he licked his lips, turning again and folding his hands over the back of his neck as he spoke, "I…" he took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut tightly, "I didn't lie, Summer. Look," he turned again, meeting her eyes and trying to convey simply through their dark orbs that what he was saying was sincere, "I've never…I've never wanted to be with any girl…as badly as I want to be with you. Fuck, I've never wanted to be with any girl before you. My whole life, the only girls I've ever been with were only around me for my looks or my money, and I hated them, but hell, it was better than being alone. Shit, Summer," he looked down, running his hand through his hair, then letting it fall uselessly to his side. It was the hand the blonde from third period had written her number on. He'd washed those black ink scribbles off, after he left the room, "It's really all I am. Money, looks, and lies. The rest of me is…just…broken pieces…I don't know…" he shook his head, before walking briskly past her and pushing the door open, suddenly frustrated, thinking he was making no progress, that everything he was saying was useless and he was wasting his time, "You don't want me. I guess I'm the stupid one…" He began out the door, shuffling down the hallway. He felt sick. It hadn't come out the way he'd wanted, but then, he wasn't sure how he'd wanted it to come out.
"Freddy," Summer called softly in a quivering tone, "You're wrong." He paused, turning to peer at her from the corner of his vision. She'd caught the door, and stood holding it open. Her hand was shaking, as it lay against the cool glass, and her eyes were studying him, looking into him, and he shuddered from their exacting stare. And suddenly, her voice was firm, direct, she spoke with complete certainty, "I do want you." She stepped forward, releasing the door and letting it fall shut behind her. Her eyes never left his, "I want you more than I seem know…" she took a deep breath, lowering her eyes, "I just…I don't understand…" she was surprised to feel Freddy's hand slide behind her neck, drawing her forward towards him. She hadn't even realized he'd closed the gap between them.
"I want you, you want me," he whispered, "If you open your mouth and try to analyze why that is, I swear to god, Summer…" Her lips parted to respond, but his mouth had already covered them. She stumbled against him, shocked at first, eyes wide, before they slipped shut and her fingers curled into his shirt. His hand curved around the small of her back, the other caressing her neck and jaw line. Though it were at least a few minutes later, the kiss seemed too short when Summer broke away, turning and shaking her head, tears splattering to the ground and her cheeks.
"And what are we going to do?" Summer demanded, "Do you think this changes my mind about School of Rock and the Barber Boys? Because it wasn't about you…"
"Damn it, Summer," Freddy muttered, growling softly, "Why did you have to bring that up?" He winced, running his hand through his hair, "Maybe it is about that. Maybe that is why I'm here talking to you right now. Maybe I don't want you to leave School of Rock…maybe I desperately don't want you to leave School of Rock…but is that such a bad thing? Is it such a bad thing that I want you with us…managing our band?" His voice was borderline shout now, and it was taking all his willpower not to break into a genuine scream, or else every hall monitor within the vicinity would descend upon them with promises of suspension and month long detentions.
"I…I don't know," Summer stammered, her own voice a bit shrill, " But if that's the only reason you're here…then I'd rather you not want me with the band at all…I'd rather you want me to manage the Barber Boys, then stand here and tell me you want to be with me and that you think I'm special and different then any other girl you ever kissed and…when it could all be a lie…when it's all just a lie…and…"
"Goddamn it, Summer," Freddy cut her off, "Didn't I just say it wasn't a lie? Are you not listening? For once in my life, I…Freddy Jones…am telling a girl exactly how he feels…well…not exactly but…still…I am being as honest to you as I've ever been in my entire life. I am not lying to you."
"You shouldn't be here, Freddy," Summer persisted, lowering her eyes and letting her hair fall into her face, "With the Battle of the Bands a week away…you really shouldn't be here…we shouldn't be talking…about any of this…you should leave." Freddy groaned inwardly, shaking his head and grimacing. He turned, hands balled into fists from undirected frustration. He didn't know quite how to feel. It wasn't really a rejection, but it wasn't an acceptance either. His face was flushed and his eyes glazed with what threatened to be tears. He paused, partway down the hall. It wasn't worth it to walk away. He'd just put himself on the line, risking everything to let down his defenses and tell Summer how he felt. He was not walking away empty-handed.
"Fuck it," he muttered, before grabbing Summer's arm, spinning her to face him, and pressing a kiss to her lips.
She flitted momentarily, from surprise, giving a muffled cry against his mouth, even so much as struggling half-heartedly against him, before giving in. Her hands gently came to rest on either sides of his waist, and he cupped her cheeks with his palms, pulling her closer to him, of course, to deepen the kiss. He walked her back into the glass door, to give him better leverage of the situation, and perhaps, to entrap her close to his body and keep her from running off. With both hands pressed on both sides of her against the hard surface, he broke the kiss and looked down at her. Her eyes were downcast, and she was gasping in air with an open mouth. He was somewhat breathless himself.
"For just a second," he hissed, his words a warm blast against her forehead, barely audible in the silence of the hall, "Forget about all of that crap. Forget about the Battle of the Bands, forget about the Barber Boys, and, god, especially, forget all about that bastard. Can you do that? For me?" After a moment, she nodded. He breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay. Look at me." Another pause, and then slowly she lifted her eyes to meet his own, "You once asked me if I would hate you for leaving the band, Summer," he said slowly, carefully, meekly, and surprisingly sincerely, "I wouldn't. I could never hate you, as much as you get on my nerves and annoy the hell out of me. All this time, I thought I was worried about you leaving the band…but the truth is…I'm worried about you leaving me. I don't want to lose you, Summer…not to that bastard, not to this stupid competition, and especially not to my stupid drunken idiot moments, and I know it's a stupid thing to think, because I never really had you and…I want you, Summer. Not as a manager, not as a friend…I want you as a girl that I really care about." He lowered his eyes, straightening and letting his arms drop to his sides. His face was red, and the heat had risen to his cheeks, but he persisted. He was, after all, on a roll, "I know I'm not perfect, and I know that I fuck everything up…but I…could try to be…perfect…I could try…to change…so that…"
"Freddy," Summer interrupted quietly, her hand coming to touch his cheek, and he raised his eyes to hers, "I don't want you to change. I want you the way you are…and…" she took a deep breath, blushing furiously, "And…if you really want me…then…you can have me." He nodded slowly, leaning forward to brush her lips. He began to lean forward, for another, when the clack of footfalls and the clearing of a throat, brought him to a halt.
"Shouldn't you two be in a class somewhere?" a firm brusque voice boomed. Wincing, and then taking a deep breath, Freddy turned with a disarming grin on his face. A large woman dressed in sweat pants and a hall monitors' green shirt emblazoned with Horace Green's crest stood before them. Her short curly brown hair neatly framed her pug face, and she was glowering menacingly down at the two teens, hands on hips.
"Miss Charlene," Freddy greeted, with as much cheer as he could muster, just barely catching a glimpse of Summer's mortified expression. Being caught in the hallways ditching class was already an embarrassment for the perfectionist class factotum, but being caught in the hallways ditching class to make-out with the renowned bad boy…that was a 'would-rather-die' type of thing, "Did you…uh…lose weight?" The hefty woman shifted, pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes. Freddy quirked an eyebrow, "Gained weight?"
"Mister Jones, it's been awhile," Charlene sneered, just as mock pleasant as he was, "Took a PDA break, eh? I haven't caught you in the halls with any girls for a while…hm…" she looked over his shoulder to Summer, "A brunette? I thought this was blonde week."
"Oh…you think…" Freddy feigned naivety, looking between Summer and Charlene in badly acted shock, "Me and her? No, no way. We weren't…" he ran a hand over his head, "Ha, you actually think that…oh, uh…heh…we were…us? No way…we would never…we…that…is just…not right…and…" Charlene did not look impressed. She shifted and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I think you know where this is going," she said. He nodded, slumping his shoulders.
"Principle's office," he muttered, defeated, "Come on, Tink, let's go." He started down the hallway in his usual swagger, and Summer hesitantly hurried behind.
"And don't get any ideas, Jones," Charlene called after them, "I'll be checking in with Mullins later today."
Freddy shook his head, shoving his hands in his pockets and staring disgruntled to the tiled ground. They turned the corner, out of Charlene's vision, and fell in step side-by-side. Half-way to the office, he took Summer's hand, curious to see what holding it felt like. She didn't say anything, didn't move to pull away, and he smirked.
"So how many girls have you been caught in the hallways ditching class with ?" she finally questioned. He nearly tripped in his step.
"Uh…what?"
"How many girls have you been caught in the hallways ditching class with?" she repeated, sounding slightly peeved.
"Why do you need to worry about that?" Freddy questioned nervously, releasing her hand and coming to stand beside the office door.
"I'm not worried about anything," Summer insisted, though her face was pale and her tone said otherwise, "I'm just wondering is all…" She moved to open the door and he held it shut, leaning heavily against the hard wood.
"Did we…back there…did we hook up?" Freddy asked. The color flooded back to Summer's cheeks instantaneously.
"I don't know," she stammered, "Did we?"
"I've never had a girlfriend before, Summer…" Freddy started.
"You haven't?" she interrupted him in stun. He'd been with a great deal of girls, flirting in the halls, going out at night. She'd assumed. But as she thought about it, she realized, she'd never seen him with the same girl twice, never heard of him steadily dating anyone.
"No," he began again, sharply, "I've never had a girlfriend before and I've never really wanted one before and…well…and…I…I…I wouldn't mind trying…with you…but…"
"Oh," Summer mumbled, suddenly lightheaded, heart pounding. She hadn't thought of being his girlfriend, the idea was a bit strange, even scary, "But what?"
"I don't know if it'll work out…" he whispered, uncertainly. She frowned, nodding, feeling her heart sink. What was he trying to tell her? What did he want from her? Was he taking it all back? Everything he said? He reached forward, taking her hand and drawing her forward, "If it doesn't work out…it might effect the band…and…we can't go back…so…"
"Oh," she mouthed, "Then, what do you want to do?"
"I don't know," he murmured, then sheepishly, just above a whisper, "Be your boyfriend."
They startled away from one another when the door swung open, Freddy stumbling backwards and quickly regaining his balance. Miss Mullins stood stiffly in the doorway, looking curiously at them, surprised, and she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with a rigid index finger.
"Summer…Freddy…what are you two doing here?" she inquired pleasantly, then furrowing her brow, as she looked between the two flushed teens, "Shouldn't you be in class…?"
"Yeah," Freddy finally found his voice, "We're going right now, actually…" he turned to head back down the hallway, motioning for Summer to follow, when Miss Mullins cleared her throat.
"I was actually thinking…maybe we could talk," she said, "I have…actually…been meaning to speak to the both of you privately and…well…this saves time. Come in." She widened the door and ushered them in.
Shuffling, the two teens hesitantly entered the room . The office was equipped with two cushy chairs, a sofa, a desk, and a large plush leather swivel chair. Miss Mullins indicated that the teens should take a seat. Summer sat, straight backed in one of the cushy chairs, carefully folding her hands in her lap and crossing her legs at the ankle. Freddy plopped down on the sofa as through ready for a nap.
"Okay, Miss Mullins," Freddy announced, "What do you want from us?"
"Just to see how you're both doing. So, how are you both?" the older woman peered out at them with concern, lips pressed together.
"Fine," they both chirped, and were on their feet.
"Can we go now?" Freddy questioned, all too eager to leave the office.
"Well…I was hoping to chat with the both of you actually. Dewey's been telling me you two have been at odds a lot lately and…" Miss Mullins began and the two teens groaned inwardly, falling back to their seats, "Well, Freddy, you've been missing a lot of class, and Summer…you're teachers have told me they're a little concerned about you. You haven't looked well, and…where are your stockings?" she shook her head, and Summer blushed as Freddy glanced to her legs and noticed for the first time she was wearing socks, "I just wanted to know how things were going with you two? Summer, how are things at home?"
"Um…I got a scholarship," Summer answered, knowing from experience it made things less painful when you told the adults what they wanted to hear. She didn't notice how Freddy straightened, perking considerably and frowning, "My mother had gotten me contact with a man who was offering a scholarship…a Mr. Philbur…"
"Ah…yes…" Miss Mullins nodded, straightening her glasses, "I know of him."
"Well, he's awarded me the scholarship," Summer continued, "And well. I've simply been worried sick over the possibility of not receiving the scholarship, that I…well…let it slip into my academics at Horace Green, and I'm sorry that I worried anyone. It wasn't my intention. But now that I've received the scholarship, I'm quite certain that I'll be getting right back on track shortly."
"Oh, well that's good," Miss Mullins commented, smiling, then looking to the sofa, "Freddy?"
"I didn't get a scholarship," he spat, sinking back down, "And I highly doubt I'll be 'getting back on track', seeing as how skipping class and screwing around is my 'track'."
"Oh," Miss Mullin said quietly, taking a moment to straighten her blouse, "Freddy…so how are things at home?"
"Fine. Great. Splendid, actually."
"Alright…have you heard from your mother at all? Does she call often?"
Silence.
"Um…" Miss Mullins searched for something more, darting a glance Summer's direction. It was obvious she didn't want to get too personal into questioning Freddy's life with the young woman present. Summer thought for a moment about excusing herself, but as her eyes trailed over to the lounging blonde, she was rooted to her seat. From his expression, he didn't want to get too personal into his life, and Summer knew if she left, that's exactly where their principle would take the conversation.
"Miss Mullins," Summer spoke up, "I…wanted to speak to you…actually…about something…privately." Freddy glanced at her, and for a moment, they held each others' eyes. Understanding dawned on him, and he seemed a bit shocked. Was she really saving him from Miss Mullins interrogation?
"Of course, Summer," Miss Mullin replied, missing the exchanged look between the teens, "Freddy…if you don't mind…"
"Right," he smirked, pulling himself up and heading towards the door, "Later."
"Now, go straight to class," Miss Mullins called after him, though the door clicked shut before she even finished her sentence, "Oh…" she turned back to Summer, coming to lean against her desk, and smile motherly, "So, Summer…what did you hope to speak to me about."
"Miss Mullins," Summer started shakily. She hadn't really intended to speak to the principle about anything, just thinking of getting Freddy out of there as he looked completely miserable and ready for a shut down. But as she sat there in the room alone with the principle, she realized she did actually have a few things she needed to get off her chest with someone who knew her well enough, but wasn't in the band, "It's about the upcoming competition."
"Ah," Miss Mullins seemed to light up, "Of course, go ahead."
"There's just been so much going on in my head," Summer went on, "I know that I should be hoping for my friends to win, but…I feel so torn. I know that I don't want the Barber Boys to win…after my break-up with Kyle…but I'm still not certain if I want School of Rock to win."
"And why is that, Summer? This whole event has me confused. I've never known you to doubt anything, and now I hear you're having trouble deciding between managing two bands. Even considering leaving behind School of Rock and all your closest friends for a boy you've only recently met and…"
"It's not as simple as all that, Miss Mullins," Summer interrupted, "I've always had a great deal of…uncertainty…in my relationship with the band."
"Under appreciation," Miss Mullins guessed.
"Yes," Summer sighed, "But it's more than that…I don't feel like I'm a part of the group…and…I don't feel as though….well…if I weren't in the band, they wouldn't be friends with me. And how long will it be, before they get bored with being friends with me?"
"Oh," Miss Mullins murmured, stunned. She hadn't expected something like that from the usually overconfident young woman, "Summer, your friends care a great deal for you and…"
"I know all that, Miss Mullins. I've heard it from all of them. It's just…do they care a great deal for me, or do they care a great deal for their manager?"
"For you," Miss Mullins insisted, before coming to sit in the chair beside Summer, "Listen to me. Six years is a long time to work alongside the same people, to hang out with them, to eat lunch with them in school, study with them for class, to do everything with them, and not…get to know them. Don't you think they know you fairly well enough to know that they care about you and not the fact that you're their manager?"
"No," Summer pressed, "They don't know about my home life, they don't know about…my past, they don't know about…"
"Summer," Miss Mullins broke in, "Friendship…it's not about all of that. They understand you, Summer, in a way that no one else does. When you're sad, or mad, or upset in some way, aren't they always the first to know? And you don't even have to tell them? And aren't they always the first ones there to cheer you up? When you're happy, aren't they always there to be happy with you? Don't you always…"
"I know all of that, Miss Mullins," Summer cried, lifting herself to her feet and pacing, shaking her head, "But it wouldn't be the first time I was betrayed by a friend that I had all those things with…" she paused, lowering her eyes, "Oh…um…never mind. Forget I said anything..." She began towards the door in a haste, and Miss Mullins was on her feet.
"Summer," she called, and the young woman was brought to a halt, hand lingering on the doorknob, "I know it's hard, trusting people, when you don't know what's really in their thoughts and hearts. But pushing them away, and shutting them out is not the answer. You're so worried, Summer, about getting hurt, that you don't realize you're hurting so many other people."
"Thank you, Miss Mullins, but I really should get back to class," Summer replied rigidly, already feeling tears forming in her eyes. Miss Mullins nodded.
"The Battle of the Bands is days away, Summer. You're going, I assume?"
"Yes."
"Think about what I've said, and…I want you to know, I really don't approve of this method, Dewey's come up with. I know you feel like something of a trophy, but you'll have to try and see it from their perspective. In this way, they feel as though they have some control over the situation."
"I know, Miss Mullins," Summer whispered, "They don't want to lose me."
"Um…right…" Miss Mullins mumbled, "Ah…I'll see you, then."
"Good day," Summer slipped out of the room, letting the door click shut behind her and was startled to find Freddy leaning against the wall, waiting. She lowered her eyes immediately, pursing her lips, "Were you eavesdropping?" she questioned lightly. The probability he could hear the conversation through the door was slim. Freddy shrugged, straightening and walking a few steps towards her.
"I was waiting for you," he said carefully, peering curiously out at her, then lowering his eyes to study the tile, "Uh…thanks."
"For?" Summer asked, feigning ignorance. She began walking down the hallway towards her class, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her path, putting a hand lightly on her hip.
"Look," he started in a low voice, "My family's not something I like talking about…and…"
"You don't owe me an explanation," Summer insisted, face flushed as she was very aware of how close he was and how his hand felt through her clothing against her skin.
"Right," he whispered. They were quiet.
"I don't like talking about my family either," Summer finally told him, feeling as though she should. He smirked slightly, nodding.
"About what we were talking about…" he began, and Summer felt the blood rush through her veins. She pulled away, pushing by and he was startled by the motion.
"I don't think we should discuss it any further," she informed him quickly, tensely, "Until after Battle of the Bands." He frowned at her back.
"What? Why?" he demanded.
"Because…" she whispered, "It causes a conflict of interest."
"How's that?" Freddy pressed, raising his eyebrows.
"Because…" she turned to him with a steady gaze, "I still don't know if I want School of Rock to win." She then turned abruptly, marching pertly away. Freddy stood gaping, before his brow drew together and he shook his head, scowling. He slumped. That, of course, meant no making out would happen before the Battle of the Bands.
0-0-
Katie marched into Dewey's apartment, greeting the other musicians with her bright smile. She dropped her pack to the ground and came to lift out her bass and begin tuning it. Zack was already plucking at his guitar, his lyrics laid out before him as he messed around with different chord combinations. For a short while, he had a good lick going using the twelve-bar blues, but he faltered, and frowned at his notebook, pressing his tongue to his upper lip as he leaned forward with a pen and quickly scribbled something out. She smiled as he did have an adorable disposition when he was in 'musical genius' mode. Freddy was slumped on the couch trying to watch the muted TV, which was an indication that Dewey was somewhere in the apartment, probably the bathroom, with a hangover. Marta was seated next to Freddy, hands folded in her lap as she tried to include him in the conversation she was having with Alicia, who stood next to her blonde friend. Tomika was chatting with Lawrence. Every now and then, he would brush his hand against hers, as though he were deciding how badly he would be teased for holding it.
"If anyone would like to know," Katie declared, "I spoke to Summer after school." She gained a few glances, some more interested than others, before everyone resumed what they were doing.
"How is she?" Zack questioned, writing in a chord above his lyrics, then looking up at her with his thoughtful eyes. He was genuinely concerned, she could tell.
"She seemed fine. Just a little distant," Katie answered, with a shrug, "Do you think we're doing the right thing? Forcing this decision on her?"
"No," Zack answered without hesitation, and Katie was taken aback. She hadn't expected the answer, or the straightforwardness, "This is Dewey's idea, remember? But…you know, if we're ever going to start fixing things between us and her again, we need to get this whole 'decision' out of the way. We gotta know when to draw the line."
"Right," Katie chirped, "How's the songwriting coming along?"
"Great," Zack grinned. She moved to peek over the book and he slammed it shut, looking innocently to her, "It's not ready for a test run, yet. I still have to show it to Dewey and…yeah, you understand." Katie rolled her eyes as the bathroom door slammed open and Dewey struck a pose in the door way.
"The professor is here. Let's rock," he announced, before strutting out very dignified with a piece of toilet paper stuck to his shoe trailing behind him. The kids scrambled to their positions, as Dewey took the center floor, slipping his Gibson over his gut and strumming a few strings, carefully tuning it before letting out a wailing note. He slammed a hand over the strings to mute the noise, and pointed at Zack, "Okay, let's hear it Neil Diamond," he said, in an almost enthusiastic shout, "Rumor has it you have new material to show the group. Let me see, give it up." He held his hand out, motioning for Zack to hand the paper over.
Zack nodded, reluctantly passing over his beloved songbook. Dewey flipped through the pages, coming to stop on the last one, looking the newly scribbled lyrics over. A smile slowly made it's impish way across the older man's face. He was nodding his head, or banging it more likely, to some unheard rhythm. The others watched with bated breaths. Finally he looked up with devil's fury in his eyes, the true grimace of a rocker.
"Let's give this song a go," Dewey boomed, "Places, people, places." He paused, noting that they were already in place, eagerly awaiting the cue to begin practice, and cleared his throat, "Okay…show us the chords, Zack."
END A/N: I just couldn't get this chapter to come out. This was actually going to be a lot longer too...it didn't get to the place in the story that I wanted it to...simply because the place I wanted it to end at was so far away from the place it is at. That probably made no sense whatsoever. I didn't want the chapter to seem rushed, like I was skipping through the story. Now, as bad as I feel about this chapter being late. The next chapter is going to be late as well. I have a CIT exam and programs due Sunday at midnight (tomorrow at midnight, actually) that I haven't started on. And art appreciation homework to do. So, because of this, my fanfic writing time is severely sliced in half. After I am done with all my shit, however, I will try to get back to steady updates. That all depends on how motivated I am...I'm so fighting the urge to just rush the finish...because I know that you guys deserve better.
Another thing, apparently a few of you mistook the last chapter as me possibly stating I was writing a song for this. I didn't really have any plans to, but if anyone wants me to write a song for this story,I could try...I could even fill in a few chord combinations...maybe attempt writing a few licks...that would be fun...hm...I am learning the twelve-bar blues.
Anything else...anything else...oh! And when Zack said, "We gotta know when to draw the line", that's actually a reference to a rock song. Let's play a game! Tell me the song and the band that sings it! Any guesses?
Okay! Please excuse any grammatical and typing errors. Please REVIEW! (with your answer to the game)!
And...THANKS FOR READING! Peace.