Chapter 10: Singing and Strumming
"Oh...my...Arceus…" Dawn breathed.
Dawn has completely finished with May's makeover and new look. She has black eyeliner and mascara, pink glittery eyeshadow, slight blush applied to her cheeks, and pink lipstick. Her dress is pink and it goes down to below the knee. From the waist up, the dress has pink sequins. Around the waist is a pink ribbon with a big bow in the back. The bottom of the dress has many see through layers, but there's so many that you can't see through the dress. Her hair is how it normally is, wavy and curly at the bottom.
May is currently looking at herself in the mirror. "Wow...I look…"
"Amazing!" Dawn exclaimed.
"This is so...me." May said. She twirled and the dress moved with her. "You really did great with this makeover Dawn!"
"Thanks! I'm sure Drew will think you look hot." Dawn said.
May blushed. "Drew? W-why would you think that I want to know what Drew thinks?"
"Because you like him!" Dawn answered. "By the way, does he know yet? You said that you'll tell him that you like him."
"I said when I know that my feelings for him are true." May said. "And I don't know if I even like him."
"Well, after seeing you look like that, Drew might admit that he likes you." Dawn said.
May's blush deepened. "No. I don't think he'll like me. I mean...what about his mystery girl?"
"That's true, but you never know." Misty said.
"Well umm...let's just see the boys." May said.
"Good idea! Let's go!" Dawn said.
"So tell me why again did we listen to Dawn about dressing in formal clothes." Gary said.
"Because if the girls saw that we didn't make an effort to look just as nice as they are going to look, then the girls will kill us." Drew answered.
"Maybe you're exaggerating too much." Ash said.
Drew rolled his eyes. "Yes I am, Ash. You're a bit slow."
Ash chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head.
Knock knock knock.
"I'll get it." Gary said. He walked to the door of Drew's bedroom and opened it.
"Wow…" Gary breathed as he stared at the three girls at the door. "You girls look amazing."
"Thank you Gary." Dawn said. Gary stepped to the side and let the girls in.
"Boys, what do you think of our new looks?" Misty asked as she twirled her dress.
"You girls really made an effort." Ash said.
Drew glanced at Dawn, then Misty, and then at May. May walked in the room and all of the boys stared at her.
"Wow...no offense girls, but I think Daisy looks the best." Gary said.
May blushed a little. "You really think so?"
"I know so Babe." Gary said, wrapping his arm around her waist.
For some reason, Drew felt a tinge of jealousy. He had to separate Gary and Daisy, but how…?
"Okay, okay." Drew said, walking towards Gary and Daisy. He split them up with his hands. "Nothing like that in my house."
"Sorry Dude. I can't resist such a beauty." Gary said, staring at May.
Drew glared at Gary. Gary saw the glare and backed away.
"Okay, I get it. No need to glare at me like that." Gary said. He smirked. "She's all yours."
Drew blushed, but quickly shook it away. He faced May. "Sorry about...him. You know how Gary can be."
May smiled and nodded. "Yeah...I know."
"Now then, let's all sit." Dawn said.
Everyone sat on the soft carpet in a circle.
"What should we talk about?" Misty asked.
"Ooh! Daisy wanted to know about Homecoming activities, right Daisy?" Dawn asked.
"Right!" May/Daisy answered.
"Well then, I'll start." Drew said. "The week of Homecoming has little events throughout the whole week. For example, the student council might decide to have an open mic during lunch on Monday. I remember last year that people could sing karaoke during lunch in front of everyone."
"Yeah, but some people weren't really...good." Gary said.
"Did any of you guys sing?" May asked.
"Nope." Dawn said. "None of us sang last year for open mic. It's pretty nerve racking to sing in front of everyone."
"Sometimes, there might even be dancers from the dance class, dancing during lunch for everyone." Misty said. "It's all about what the Student Council decides to do for each day of that week."
"Something that never changes day though is the play." Drew said. "The theater classes always act out their play for everyone on Wednesday."
"Yeah, and the play is always after lunch. No one attends their sixth, seventh, and eighth periods." Gary said. "All of the students and some teachers go to the theater after lunch to see the play."
"Even if the play is extremely boring, everyone still doesn't attend class to see it." Dawn said. "Everyone likes days when they could get out of class."
"Makes sense." May said.
"Thursday is always the Pep Rally." Ash said. "The dancers and cheerleaders put on some performances, the sports players are shown, the Beaus and Sweethearts are shown, and the band even plays some songs."
"Wait. Beaus and Sweethearts?" May questioned.
"You've heard of the many clubs and organizations in the school, right?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, I've heard of some." May answered.
"Well, the members of those organizations select a boy and a girl that's in that organization to represent them in the Pep Rally. The boy is known as the beau and the girl is the sweetheart. They are announced to everyone during the Pep Rally." Dawn said. "And they wear fancy outfits, they wear a sash with a beautiful flower at the end, and it makes you feel so honored to be chosen as Beau or Sweetheart!" She exclaimed.
"So you've been a Sweetheart before?" May asked.
"Oh. No I haven't." Dawn answered. "I just think that if you get chosen, you should feel really honored."
"Usually it's a junior or senior who's picked to be Beau or Sweetheart." Drew said.
"I see." May said.
Drew sighed. "Even though the girls in my classes are always voting for me to be Beau."
"Now you might actually be one this year." Gary said.
"Maybe." Drew said. "Just imagine that whoever the Sweetheart is will really be swooning over me."
"Good luck with that." Paul said smugly.
"Thanks. You're so considerate." Drew said sarcastically.
"Anyway, moving on…" Dawn said. "Friday is always the Homecoming Football Game. It happens after school and everyone's invited to watch as our football players defeat the guests."
"And the cheerleaders will be there cheering as well." Gary added.
"Yep. That's me!" Dawn said.
"You're a cheerleader?" May questioned.
"Yeah. Cheerleading is my third period." Dawn said.
"Cool." May responded.
"Of course you aren't forced to watch the game." Ash added. "You can just head home if you want."
"Okay." May said.
"And last but not least, Saturday is always the Homecoming Dance." Misty said. "It's more casual than prom, and of course people bring dates and just have a good time."
"Under the stars too." Dawn added. "Because the theme is 'To The Stars', remember?" May nodded. "All of the student council will be decorating the school with stars and things as it gets closer to Homecoming Week."
"Homecoming Week sounds fun." May said.
"It is fun. Especially when we could dance with our dates." Dawn said.
("Date…") May thought. "So...do you need a date for Homecoming?"
Dawn hummed a no. "You don't need a date. If you don't want one, you can always just hang with us during the Homecoming Dance! We'll have fun without having dates!" Dawn said with a bright smile.
May smiled. "Great! I'm really excited for it!"
("Hmm...a date…") Drew thought.
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly. The gang played games, talked some more, ate, and Drew assigned them each a different guest room to sleep in. Everyone changed out of their fancy clothes and now it's nighttime and everyone is in their guest rooms, laying in bed, and falling asleep.
May sits up in the bed. "I can't sleep." She muttered. She got out of bed and exited the room. Before she could go downstairs to the kitchen for something to drink, she heard something. It sounds like a guitar.
May cautiously walks down the hall towards the sound of someone strumming a guitar. She stops next to Drew's room. The door is slightly open, so she peaks inside. She sees Drew sitting on his bed with the guitar on his lap. He's gently strumming some chords.
(This song is "Gotta Find You" from Camp Rock.)
Drew strums the gentle melody. "Every time I think I'm closer to the heart." Drew sang quietly. May could tell that he's singing, but it's more like he's humming because she can't hear the words that he's singing. "Of what it means to know just who I am. I think I've finally found a better place to start. But no one ever seems to understand."
Drew still doesn't know that May is watching him. "I need to try to get to where you are." Drew continued. "Could it be you're not that far-" May tried getting a closer look, but she got too close to the door and it opened wider.
Drew looked up and saw a hint of blonde hair completely disappear around the corner. May is panting against the wall. Did Drew see her? Is her cover blown? Why is she even hiding from him?
"Daisy, I know you're there." Drew said. "Just show yourself."
May sighed and walked around the corner, showing herself to Drew.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spy on you. I just couldn't sleep and I-"
"It's okay." Drew cut May off. "Come in."
"Umm...okay." May said. She walked into Drew's room. She sat down next to him on the bed. "I didn't know you play guitar."
"Yeah...it's just...one of my hobbies…" Drew said. "I'm in guitar class and sometimes I write my own songs, depending on how I feel at the moment."
"Was the song you were playing just now one of your songs?" May asked.
"Yeah it was."
"Can I hear it again?" May asked.
"Why?"
May shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I just...want to hear you sing."
After a moment, Drew found himself smiling and preparing himself to play the guitar and sing. He took a deep breath. Drew started playing the song from earlier.
"Every time I think I'm closer to the heart." Drew sang. "Of what it means to know just who I am." Drew looked up at May. "I think I've finally found a better place to start. But no one ever seems to understand."
"I need to try to get to where you are." Drew continued. Drew looked back at the guitar and started strumming louder and speeding up the chords. "Could it be you're not that far?"
"You're the voice I hear inside my head. The reason that I'm singing." Drew looked up at May. "I need to find you. I gotta find you." They stared into each other's eyes. "You're the missing piece I need. The song inside of me. I need to find you. I gotta find you."
"You're the remedy I'm searching hard to find." Drew sang. "To fix the puzzle that I see inside. Painting all my dreams the color of your smile. When I find you, it will be alright."
May continued smiling and the words that he was singing made her blush slightly. She doesn't know who or what this song is about, but May wishes that it's meant for her.
"I need to try to get to where you are." Drew continued. "Could it be you're not that far?"
"You're the voice I hear inside my head. The reason that I'm singing. I need to find you. I gotta find you." Drew sang. "You're the missing piece I need. The song inside of me. I need to find you. I gotta find you."
"Been feeling lost, can't find the words to say." Drew sang. "Spending all my time, stuck in yesterday." He never lost eye contact with May. "Where you are is where I wanna be. Oh next to you." Drew slowed down the chords and sang softer. "And you next to me. I need to find you."
Drew sped up the chords again. "You're the voice I hear inside my head. The reason that I'm singing. I need to find you. I gotta find you. You're the missing piece I need. The song inside of me. I need to find you. I gotta find you."
Drew let the last chord hold out on the guitar. He continued staring into May's eyes. There's something about them that just...attract him.
Drew started leaning in, his face getting closer to May's. He doesn't even realize what he's doing. It's like his body is moving on its own.
May stays still and watches Drew's face get closer to hers. She knows what he's trying to do, but the question is...does she want it to happen? Should she push him away from her? Should she let him continue?
"Umm…" May said, blushing as Drew got closer. As soon as his face was five inches away from hers, she looked away and moved her hands in front of her, gently pushing Drew back.
Drew froze. He finally realized what he was doing. He immediately brought his face back and blushed.
"I-I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." Drew said.
"It's...okay." May said, putting her hands on her lap.
It stayed in an awkward silence for a while.
May finally decided to speak. "Umm...y-you're a great singer Drew."
"Thanks." Drew said.
May looked back at Drew. "Well, I umm...should get going to bed." May said, standing up.
She started walking towards the door, but she felt someone grab her wrist.
"Wait." Drew said. He was standing as well and he stopped May from leaving the room.
May turned around. "What is it?"
"Umm...it's...it's nothing." Drew said. He released May's wrist. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." May said. With that said, she left Drew's room and went to her guest room.
Drew sat back down on the bed. He sighed. "It's probably too early to ask her to Homecoming…" Drew said quietly to himself. "I'll just wait until some other day…"