Chapter 11 – Chloe joins the band
The next day at school, Chloe got a text message from Nick. The message read 'Dear Chlo: Liam and I are sorry for forgetting about you. We want to do something to cheer you up! Could you please come by the clubhouse tonight? We have something to tell you in person. From Nick'
Chloe: How did Nick and Liam know I feel left out? Well, for whatever reason, I should go to the clubhouse. But what would I wear?
After school, she looked in the bedroom wardrobe for something good to wear. Finally, she found her pink dress with gray belt, purple leggings, red shoes and gray, glittering jacket. The same outfit she wore at the school dance on the night of the Mega-Trogg attack.
Chloe: This is perfect for tonight!
Chloe went into the bathroom and changed into her school dance outfit. By the time she reached the clubhouse, it was nighttime. Just then, Chloe noticed a microphone and a note on the living room table. The note said 'A special gift to you from the TenderVille Kids'.
All of a sudden, there was a gentle guitar tune and Nick came into the room wearing his shades, playing his guitar, and singing.
Nick (singing): Sunny days and starry nights and lazy afternoons
You're counting castles in the clouds and humming little tunes
But somehow, right before your eyes, the summer fades away
Everything is different, and everything has changed
If you feel lost, and on your own
And far from home
You're never alone, you know
Just think of your friends, the ones who care
They all will be waiting there
With love to share
And your heart will lead you home
Funny how a photograph can take you back in time
To places and embraces that you thought you'd left behind
They're trying to remind you that you're not the only one
That no one is an island when all is said and done
Nick was then joined by Liam on his piano, Felicity on her carnival calliope, Dereck on his drums, Stacy on her keyboard, Melvin on his bass and Spike joining the chorus.
Nick (singing): If you feel lost, and on your own
And far from home
You're never alone, you know
Just think of your friends, the ones who care
They all will be waiting there
With love to share
And your heart will lead you home
Chloe (speaking shyly): Oh, Nicky!
As she watched, Chloe noticed that Liam, Felicity, Stacy, Melvin, and Spike were wearing teenage sized versions of their concert clothes and Dereck was wearing a teal jacket, teal Fedora with green spikes on top, and a teal dinosaur tail with green spikes.
Nick (singing): There'll come a day when you're losing your way
And you won't know where you belong
Nick, Liam, Melvin, Spike (singing): They say that home is where the heart is
Nick (singing): So follow your heart
And know that you can't go wrong
Nick, Liam, Melvin, Spike (singing): If you feel lost, and on your own
And far from home
You're never alone, you know
Just think of your friends, the ones who care
They all will be waiting there
Nick (singing): With love to share
And your heart will lead you...
Felicity, Stacy and Dereck: If you feel...
Nick, Liam, Felicity, Dereck, Spike, Stacy and Melvin (singing): Lost, and on your own
And far from home
You're never alone, you know
Just think of your friends, the ones who care
They all will be waiting there
At that moment, Chloe picks up the microphone and sang with Nick.
Nick and Chloe (singing): With love to share
And your heart will lead you
Where you belong, I know your heart
Will lead you
Home
As soon as song was over, Chloe was amazed!
Chloe: Woah, that was great! But how did you know about my singing?
Liam: Nick heard you sing in the bedroom.
Felicity: He and Liam felt bad about making you feel left out.
Dereck: They wanted to make you feel better.
Chloe: But what about the microphone and the text message?
Stacy: It was all Nick and Liam's idea!
Melvin: We got that microphone at a music shop.
Spike: But there's more, our pink haired friend!
Nick: When I heard you sing, it sounded so beautiful! What I'm trying to say is: Would you like to be a TenderVille Kid?
Chloe was surprised to hear it! After a few seconds of silence, she made her decision.
Chloe: Of course, I will!
Just then, Chloe saw Nick pull something out of his hoodie pocket. It was the Keystone necklace!
Nick: Since the gnomes didn't need this anymore since the Troggs are gone for good, I thought I give it to someone special.
And Nick placed the necklace around Chloe's neck.
Chloe: Aw, Nicky! Thank you!
With that, she kissed Nick on the cheek. The others watched in awe as Nick blushed. But only Dereck felt disgusted!
Dereck: (groans) Yuck!
But what the TenderVille Kids didn't know was that someone was watching them from outside.
Boris: So, the TenderVille Kids have a new member! But not for long!