A/N: This is a really long chapter, because I have to include pieces of all the songs they sing, but I really like it. I think it's a good chapter for plot, especially developing Grissom, Nick, and Greg's feelings. As a short disclaimer, the songs belong No Doubt, The Verve Pipe, The Cure, Dashboard Confessional, Keane, Pink Floyd, and N'sync, in an order that I can't remember, but the first song belongs to me. I wrote it, and therefore it is property of Minus One. I only included the chorus because it's ending as they chapter starts. I'm not going to reply to reviewers, sorry! I just ordered my new French textbook and they're going to call later tonight. I swear I will reply to all you lovely people next time!

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As Catherine and the group walked into the coffee shop for her birthday surprise, atall black girl was crooning into the microphone on the stage, her eyes were closed. She was belting out the words with a force that seemed not to fit the gentle swaying of her body.

I'm dancing in the rain, so no one sees how hard I cry. Dancing to the same old tune, can't kill the pain, but I can try. Singing along to a familiar song, with words that never seem to rhyme.
Dancing in the rain, to see if I can forget you this time.

As the girl stepped off the stage, Catherine broke into applause and waved wildly for her to join the table. "I'm Catherine, that was great! Let me buy you a Coke." Cathy waived over the waitress from the counter of the cafe, said some quick words and handed over two dollars. While all this was happening, the rest of the group had introduced itself to Mia, and she was now sitting comfortably with Sara on her right and Catherine's vacated chair on her left. Meanwhile, the man onstage had beckoned Catherine up and she was choosing from a list of songs on the karaoke machine. Soon, a guitar was starting in the backround, and Cathy was leaning in, singing softly. The guitar sped up quickly and the energy on stage built up with it, Catherine was soon dancing around with the mic in hand.

Oh, I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be,
Cause they won't let me drive late at night,
I'm just a girl, must be some kind of freak,
'Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes.

Every eye was fixed on the strawberry-blonde head onstage, but a boy at a crowded table in the middle of the room was particularly interested. Gil's blue eyes were trained on the ball of energy that was Catherine Willows. Too soon, the song was over and Cathy was back at the table, dragging a horror-stricken Gil onstage.

Only half-struggling from her grasp, he was listening nervously to the music playing in the backround, waiting for his cue. He had chosen a song from a particular incident the week before, feeling that it fit the incident with the detention hall.The entire table was surprised at what a voice he had, soft and low, complimenting the piano music perfectly.

I got electric light, and I got second sight. Got amazing powers of observation,
And that is how I know,
When I try to get through on the telephone to you,
There'll be nobody home.

Gil was trying not to look at Cathy, but her eyes found his for a moment before he broke the contact. She knew something was up, but Gil was too hard to read and she didn't investigate further. The song was short, and Gil was off the stage in no time, ignoring the few shouts for an encore. He took a long pull from his Coke, glad to have some distraction to the feeling of a blush growing up his neck and face.

Warrick was making his way up to the stage, to everyone's surprise. He had gone over the entire list of songs, and to furhter astonishment, he was approaching the manager and motioning towards the piano on the back of the stage, next to the curtain. The manager, a blonde girl in a bright yellow tank-top whose name tag proclaimed the loud phrase, "My name is Allison",looked quizical, then nodded and sat back down. Warrick stepped up to the piano, his fingers tracing the keys nervously, before he sat on the bench and began to play. He sang the verse and chorus, and when he reached the bridge the music he was playing became a cresendo of sound and wonder.

If you have a minute why don't we go,
Talk about it somewhere only we know, This could be the end of everything,
So why don't we go somewhere only we know.

Only Catherine saw, but Mia's eyes were shining and her eyelashes glittered with tears. Her smile was so sincere when Warrick stepped off the stage and pushed his glasses up his nose that he looked around to see if she was smiling at someone behind him. She giggled a little, then looked down, blushing. Nick and Greg were arguing over who was to sing next, and Catherine could only settle it by clapping one hand over Greg's mouth and using the other to shove Nick in the direction of the stage, making him stumble. Nick nervously stood on the stage and selected a song from the list, waiting as a guitar strummed quickly, growing in volume. The first verse made him blush deeply, then he launched into the chorus with a renewed energy, his voice losing almost, but not quite, all of it's Texan accent. He ran one hand through his hair as he sang.

My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me, Come on and kill me, so I die happy.
My heart is yours to fill or burst, To break or bury, or wear as jewelry, whatever you prefer.

He was stealing glances at a girl sitting by his empty chair as he sang this, and when he began the bridge she looked up and locked eyes with him, only for a second. He could see, even in the bright stage lights, that she had the shadow of an embarassed smile on her face.

Hands down, this is the best day I can ever remember,
I'll always remember the sound of the stereo, the dim of the lights and the smell of your hair that you twirled round your finger and the time on the clock, when we realized it was so late and this walk that we shared together,
the streets were wet and the gate was locked so I jumped it and I let you in,
and you stood at the door with your hands on my waist,
and you kissed me like you meant it.

Nick finished the song to thunderous applause from his table, recieving a high-five as Greg walked onto the stage.

Greg was more bold than Nick had been, and he said, "I'm dedicating this song to a girl I know." His mind was on Sara, but his eyes were focused on his feet.

Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am home again. Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am whole again.

The keyboard in the backround started and Greg looked up at the ceiling, trying hard to keep from shaking.

However far away, I will always love you. However long I stay, I will always love you.
Whatever words I say, I will always love you. I will always love you.

Greg jumped down from the front of the stage, refusing to take the stairs like a normal person, and went back to his seat, watching Nick jealously as he slid his arm behind Sara on the back of her chair. Everyone looked at Sara, expecting her to go and sing something profound. She stood up, the black cocktail dress swirling around her knees. After the first verse she looked a little sad.

I can't be held responsible, 'cause she was touching her face.
I won't be held responsible, she fell in love in the first place. For the life of me, I cannot remember what made us think that we were wise, and we never compromise. For the life of me, I cannot believe we'd ever die for these sins, we were merely freshmen.

Sara dropped to her knees, holding the mic to her lips and waiting for the second verse to begin. She commanded herself not to cry, but she knew it was innevitable. Sara silently prayed that she could keep the tears away until she found a bathroom somewhere.

My best friend took a week's worth of vacation to forget her,
His girl took a weeks worth of valium and slept.
Now he's guilt-stricken, sobbing with his head on the floor,
Thinks about her now and how he never really wept.

Sara finished the song with tears running down her cheeks, making rivers that dripped off her chin. She could see Catherine and Mia, who she'd just met, crying and standing up. Nick and Greg fought to be the first to comfort her, but Mia was already pulling her up from the floor and Catherine was giving her a hug. All three girls were already planning to invite everyone to Catherine's house to watch movies all night, and as the group walked out with their new addition, Gil awkwardly hugged Catherine, who still had the occasional tear sliding down her cheek. XoXoXoXoXoX

A/N: Oh my god this is making me cry writing this, I hope you like it as much as I do, sorry almost all of it is lyrics. I love the song, Freshmen, and I thought I had to have it in here because I named the story after it. Remember, reviewreviewreview!
Maddy