"Everything good to go?" Chiaki asked as the band was setting up stage for their rehearsal.
"Sounds up," Marco told him.
"Lights are ready," Gordon added.
"Ok, let's take it from the top guys. Whenever you're ready Tomika."
"Let's do this!" She shouted as the band began to play.
"Get up, get out
Move 'em, move 'em, there's no doubt
I'm all wrong, you're right
It's all the same with you"
Summer was watching the band play with Clark at her side, when she thought she felt someone else enter the theater room and turned around and saw that Freddy had walked in and was watching them with a smile. "Guys cut!" She yelled to the band who stopped.
"Why'd you stop it? They were doing great." Freddy said to her.
"You can't be in here Freddy. Where are Frankie and Leonard?" She asked.
"They opened the door for me." He told her.
"Excuse me," She said walking past him.
"Why can't I be here exactly?" He asked Clark.
"Well, since you decided to play for Night Lizard, you're not considered part of the band for the contest and you're not allowed to watch us play so-"
"I get it. I was just here to ask Zack if we're still going out."
"Shoot, I forgot." Zack said from the stage. "Right after rehearsal ok Babe?"
"Alright, but you owe me." He said walking out.
"You sure that's ok?" Katie asked him.
"For the last time, yes." Zack told her. "Let's just finish this."
After rehearsal, the band went back to the hotel where Zack and Freddy were changing in their room. "So how's Bart doing on my part?" Freddy asked his boyfriend as he emerged from their shower with a towel on
"He's doing great, but can we not talk about the band?" Zack asked him.
"You're right, I'm sorry. I just wanted to know how Bart's doing y'know?"
"Yeah, yeah. That's cool." Zack said as they finished getting dressed. "So, what are planning to spend the money Night Lizard's paying you?" Zack asked as they entered the elevator.
"I don't know. Probably a new skateboard. Kind of promised Bart alot of fried chicken." He said with a laugh. "As for the rest, I'll probably use to to help out my mom."
Zack nearly forgot about that. Ever since his dad passed away his family's been having problems with money. Having to move into an apartment and his mom working three jobs just so he can keep going to school with all of them.
"Zack? You home?" He asked, shaking him lightly. "Did you disassociate again?"
"Sorry, I was just thinking." Zack told him.
"We can lay down if you're not feeling well."
"Freddy, really I'm fine." He tried to tell him.
"Hey, it's ok. It's not your fault, let's just go back to our room and stay in tonight."
"Freddy, I'm not a baby ok?!" Zack shouted, feeling frustrated.
"Ok, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Freddy said, backing off. "You just drift off sometimes and I don't know if you're just think or if it's because-"
"I'm over it ok?" Zack told him.
"Zack," Freddy began.
"Ok, maybe I'm not completely over it, but I don't need you catering to me about it. I already said, I don't want to feel like a victim." The two of them stood awkwardly in the elevator in silence.
"What happened Zack? I thought we were done with fighting." Freddy said, leaning against the wall.
"I don't know. Whenever I see you, I feel happy, but also angry at the same time. But you haven't really done anything." Zack admitted.
"And I just feel like I need to apologize for everything, even when you don't seem mad at me." Freddy told him.
"Freddy?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want you playing with Night Lizard." Zack told him. "I miss you being in our band and I really would like you to play with us again."
"Ok," Freddy said simply.
"A-are you sure?" Zack asked surprised.
"Yeah, of course. I already told you I won't do it if you don't want me to." Freddy reminded him.
"Um, Freddy I don't want you in Night Lizard." Zack repeated.
"Sure, now let's go out, what do you say?" Freddy asked, holding one of Zack's hands.
"Yeah, let's go." Zack said with a sigh of relief.
"Hey Summer," Clark said walking into her room. "I overheard Zack and Freddy on their way out."
"Does this story have a point?"
"Freddy's dropping out of Night Lizard, he's back with us." Clark told her.
"Yes!" She said jumping to her feet before Clark on the cheek. Both of them blushed and turned away from each other. "Sorry, I got too excited." She apologized.
"It's fine, I really don't mind at all." Clark told her.
"Just fuck already!" Leonard yelled from the open doorway.
"You can find a milkshake no matter where we go, can't you?" Freddy asked amused.
"Well, they bring the boys to the yard. I'm a boy." Zack said with a shrug.
"I can't tell if that was a joke or not." Freddy told him. Zack look at him with a blank stare while drinking more. Zack's phone started to go off and he saw that is was Michelle. "Go ahead," Freddy told him.
"Hey, what's up?" He asked, answering it.
"Zack, I know you're out with Freddy, but Summer wants him back here."
"Ok, we'll stop by her room when we get back."
"I think she means now."
"Got it, we're on our way." Zack said, hanging up.
"So, what's up? We're going back already?" Freddy asked.
"Summer wants to talk to us. Like now." Zack told him.
"Well, looks like one of us is going to die tonight and it's not the one not wearing the cowboy hat." Freddy sighed.
The two walked back to the hotel, pretty afraid of what Summer had in store for them. They walked into the elevator and rode it up to their floor. "Summer, we're here." Zack said outside her door. Summer opened up and let both of them in.
"Freddy Jones, I don't know whether to punch your lights or hug you." She said.
"I vote for hugging," He said nervously.
"I second that," Zack added.
"Either way, I'm glad that you re-joined us, but there's a problem."
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"The contract you signed with Night Lizard's manager. You're stuck with them for the festival." She told them.
"Oh don't worry, I think I know someone who can take care of it." Freddy said with a smile.
"Do I want to know how these people are going to handle the situation?" She asked.
"Probably not, but they'll handle it, I promise." Freddy told her.
"Alright, you can go now." She said dismissing them from the room.
"Do you wanna try tonight?" Freddy asked Zack as they lay awake in bed.
"Not really. I think with us trying so much, it makes it harder for me." Zack said.
"Ok, I'll stop trying until you're ready." Freddy said kissing Zack's forehead.
"I can't wait for tomorrow." Zack said, snuggling into Freddy.
"Earth, wind, fire, and air
We may look bad
But we don't care
We ride the wind
We feel the fire
To love the earth is our one desire
To love the earth is our one desire!"
The Hex Girls finished up playing as the crowd cheered. School of Rock was up next, but before they went up on stage, Night Lizard's manager approached.
"Hold it there children. You've got one of my players with you."
"Oh I forgot to tell you, I'm out." Freddy told him.
"You can't, because I have-" He reached into his jacket and felt around looking for the contract.
"Looking for this?" Bart asked holding it out.
"How did you-"
"It's best not to ask. I don't even want to know." Freddy said, petting his brother's head. "Frankie, if you would be so kind." Frankie crumpled it up before putting it in his mouth and eating it.
"Are you ok?" Katie asked her boyfriend.
"No," He said confidently.
"Well, we're up. Later," Freddy said with a smile as the band walked out on stage.
"I won't forget this," Kendall muttered before walking away.
School of Rock came out on stage to thunderous applause. Chiaki looked out and saw his father out in the crowd. Time to show him this is worth it. "How are you doing Chicago!?" Chiaki said into the mic as the crowd cheered back. "Y'all ready for this? Tomika, take the mic girl."
"Yeah!
Yeah!
Get up, get out
Move 'em, move 'em, there's no doubt
I'm all wrong, you're right
It's all the same with you
I'm too thin, too fat
You ask why
So why, so why?
So why, so why?
On and on
And on and on
On and on
And on and on
Don't wanna grow up
I wanna get out
Hey, take me away
I want to shout out
Take me away, away
Away, away, away
Round and round, here we go again
Same old start, same old end
Turn my head and turn back again
Same old stuff, never ends
Do this, do that
Can't deal, can't deal with that
I tune in, tune out
I've heard it all before
Hello, goodbye
Never asking me why
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye
On and on
And on and on
On and on
And on and on
Don't wanna grow up
I wanna get out
Hey, take me away
I want to shout out
Take me away, away
Away, away, away
(Zack guitar solo)
Don't wanna grow up
I wanna get out
Hey, take me away
I want to shout out
Take me away, away
Away, away, away
Don't wanna grow up
I wanna get out
Hey, take me away
I want to shout out
Take me away, away
Away, away, away
Round and round, here we go again
Same old story, the same old end
Turn my head and turn back again
Same old stuff, never ends!"
The band finished playing to silence at first, before there was an eruption of applause and cheering. The band looked over the crowd, feeling joy with hoe the just performed. Chiaki looked up at his father, who was clapping with a proud smile, yet still calm and composed.
"I'm definitely going to miss that sound." Billy said next to Gordon.
"Yeah, wait what?" He asked confused.
"My mom found out about my dad's...temper, so I'm moving out to California with her." Gordon looked down, realizing he never was able to help him. "But hey, I'll keep in touch and I'll still be making the band's outfits."
"I know we didn't really talk much until last year, but I'm still really gonna miss you." Gordon told him.
"I'd miss me too." Gordon said smugly. "But I'll also miss you." He added before they hugged.
Later that night, the band had returned to the hotel and was getting ready to leave the next morning. "Thanks so much for letting us stay here Uncle Richie." Katie said as they entered the building.
"Anything for my favorite niece. Tell you father that he still owes me thirty dollars."
"Will do," She said with a chuckle. "I need to go help my boyfriend now. He ate paper earlier so that'll be fun to deal with." She told him heading towards the elevator.
"Summer, a word please?" Leonard asked, beckoning her over to him.
"What do you want Leonard?" She asked, walking up to him.
"Just tell Clark how you feel." He told her.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about-"
"Stop it. Everyone knows and if you wait too long, I don't know if it'll work out. It's painfully obvious he likes you too. So be honest with him already and stop messing with the poor boy."
"You're right, thanks Leonard." She said before running off to Clark's room.
"Clark, it's Summer. Let me in." She said, knocking on the door.
"What can I do for you?" He asked opening the door.
"Is Lawrence here?"
"No, he's out in the hot tub with Tomika." He told her. Show walked in and closed the door behind her.
"Clark, I need to tell you something. I haven't completely honest with you." She said. Clark swallowed hard. "ClarkIreallylikeyouwaymorethanjustagoodassitantandIthinkyou'rereallyreallycuteandniceandI'dbelyingmoreifIsaidIdidn'twanttodateyoualittlebit." She said in one breath.
"I like you too? I think that's what you said." Clark told her. Summer looked up as the two looked into each other's eyes. Summer and Clark reached out and held each other's hand before leaning in and finally sharing a kiss.
Zack and Freddy were making out intensely in their room. Zack unbuttoned Freddy's shirt and tossed it off to the side before he broke off the kiss and and breathed heavily on his boyfriend's chest.
"End of the road?" Freddy asked, knowing Zack must be near his intimacy limit.
Zack shook his head and removed his shirt and undid his pants before stepping out of them. "Take me," Zack said, looking into Freddy's eyes. Freddy grinned and through Zack down onto their bed.