Disclaimer: I own nothing except plot.

Chapter 1 – School's out for the summer

Katie linked her arm in Zack's as they walked to Dewey's apartment. It was the same routine they did every day after school except this time they would have more time to practice because they had just broken up for the summer vacation.

They chatted about the things they were going to do while on holiday.

Freddy Jones, the bad ass drummer, skateboarded past them and stopped so suddenly that they bumped into him.

"Ow! Sorry guys! Have you heard? Dewey's got us a couple of gigs this summer! How cool is that?"

"It's more than cool, mate!" Zack replied excitedly.

"Well I heard he's got us a tour as well."

"That wasn't him, it was me." A voice said from behind them.

"Hi Summer."

Summer Hathaway, band manager.

Summer caught up with them and they walked together to the flat.

Most of the gang were already there so they went straight to their instruments and began to tune them.

"Pst! Katie? Do you wanna come to my house after practice?"

"Why Freddy?"

"I-um-need to talk to you."

"Can't we talk here?"

Katie saw him shoot an annoyed glance at Zack who grinned as though he knew what Freddy was thinking.

"No. It's kinda private."

"C'mon Spaz, can't you just give me a hint? Now I won't be able to concentrate!"

She pouted and he smiled warmly.

"Nope. Sorry. I might have lost my nerve by then."

"But-you never lose your nerve."

"Certain girls, eh Spaz?"

Katie looked up. Zack had come to stand next to her. Freddy glared at him and motioned something along the lines of where he would stick his guitar if he didn't shut up.

Ned Shneebly, Dewey's roommate, came out of the kitchen with drinks.

"Hi kids! Dewey's not gonna be here today and he's said you are to work on 'Alright now' by Free and 'Smoke on the Water' by Deep Purple. (a/n: I love those songs! I can play them on my bass!...hides head….sorry….I'll shut up now) If you want to you can chose a couple of others to practice. He says he wants to hear what you've done and he wants to see a marked improvement on your last practice."

"Great! So now we get homework from him too? I thought he didn't believe in homework?"

"He doesn't, idiot. Last session you were-um-not your best, let's say."

"Summer! You're supposed to be on our side!"

"I am, it's just we're the best band in the city and if we want to win Battle of the Bands again, we can't afford to slacken."

"But Dewey's not even here!"

"Before this becomes world war three, let's just practice."

"No! Why should I? I know all of the songs perfectly already."

"Stop being such a child Freddy Jones!"

"How dare you say I'm a child? I'm older than you, Katie!"

"No you're not. I'm five months older than you. I dare because I don't think Dewey and Ned would appreciate bloodshed in their flat!"

"Stop being such a goody two shoes!"

"Did you know that the zoo called? The baboons want their butts back so I'm afraid you'll have to look for a new face!"

"Spoilt brat!"

"Wannabe punk loser!"

An hour and a half later Dewey returned to find them still arguing.

"Not again!" He glanced around at the rest of the band and crew all of whom were lounging around the flat as if nothing was happening. "Right." He said slowly.

"Y'know, Jones, if you were twice as clever you would still be stupid."

"Alright! That's enough, you guys! Stop it!"

"What kind of idiot puts purple streaks into brown hair?"

"Um, you did it remember? You helped Summer and Zack put it in."

"Shut up, freak!"

Dewey whistled shrilly. The teenagers stopped fighting and turned to glare at him with equally annoyed expressions on their faces.

"Guys, you're supposed to be friends, remember? You two have the closest friendship in the whole band and here I find you going for each others throats like there's no tomorrow. I want you both to be friends again before the night is over, got it? Okay…so have you done any practicing at all tonight?"

Glumly everyone shook their heads. Dewey sighed.

"Okay. Your holidays have just started haven't they?" All heads nodded this time. "Right, I want you all here tomorrow at ten sharp, or else. Got it? Now go home."

Freddy and Katie didn't move however. They stood there staring at one another until Katie burst into tears, grabbed her things and ran out of the flat. Freddy grabbed his rucksack and skateboard from Zack and followed her at a run, calling her name.

The night was warm, but very dark. Katie stumbled on the pavement, her eyes straining to see where she was going. She heard her name being called and felt a hand under her elbow. She was pulled to her feet and suddenly found her face very close to Freddy's. He looked worried but grinned sheepishly at her in an apologetic fashion.

"I'm so sorry Freddy. I never meant to say all those things."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too. I didn't want you to get hurt. So, friends?"

"That'll do for now."

"You still gonna come over to my house?"

"If you don't mind. My parents are away for a couple of weeks."

"Why don't you come and stay at my house? You don't wanna be floating around that house all by yourself."

"Let me stop over at my house to get my things."

They started to walk in the direction of her house. Katie suddenly noticed the pain in her ankle. She stopped walking and cried out in pain. In an instant Freddy was back at her side and asking her what was wrong.

She ended up walking straight to Freddy's house with him supporting her.

He settled her on the sofa and went to fetch some ice for her ankle. Freddy's four year old sister came running in to greet her.

"Hello Gabby!" Katie greeted her warmly. Gabby clambered onto her lap and gave her a big hug and a kiss. Since Freddy and Katie had known each other since they were little and had basically grown up together Katie was treated as a twin sister for Freddy within their family.

"Kaydee! You haven't come to see me for ages. I missed you!"

"I missed you too sweetie. And I have good news for you, I'm gonna be staying here for a while, my parents are away." Gabby gave her another tight hug.

Freddy came back and told Gabby to get to bed as it was past her bedtime. She gave Katie a kiss and skipped over to Freddy who bent down to hug her telling her to get Alana to read to her if she wanted it. Alana was his other sister. She was younger than him by about four years.

"What am I gonna do about my stuff? I can't walk there now."

"You can borrow stuff from me. Tomorrow after practice we can go to your house and get your stuff. You can wear one of my big t-shirts as pjs if you want."

They continued to chat until Katie yawned.

"Whoah Katie! Don't swallow me! I swear I saw all the way down to your stomach! I think we'd better get to bed. We've got practice tomorrow."

He stood up and held out a hand to help Katie up. She stumbled a little from the pain in her ankle and he caught her and held her close. Then he helped her up the stairs and into the guest room.