Teenage Drama Chapter 35, an alvin and the chipmunks fanfic

Chapter 35

And it wasn't long before the cameras were off air; the audience were readying to leave (but not without the numerous fans begging for more photos and autographs) as crew members swarmed around doing various tasks.

Bruno noticed Monica and kept an eye on her, nudging Steph, "I'll meet you guys later"

He turned as Steph grabbed his arm and shook her head, "If you're not back in 10, I'm coming after you"

Bruno gave a weak smile and held her hand, lowering it, "I'll be fine; I'll meet you back in the green room or whatever"

She watched as he made his way through the crowds and headed out into the foyer where the people spilled into its empty space, quickly filling it with chatter and laughter.

Alex hugged around Steph from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, "Babe, you gotta let him go; c'mon, Bruno can handle it, so stop being a mother hen and let's go find the others"

Steph sighed and rubbed his hand on her stomach, "I just don't wanna see him get hurt"

Alex turned her to face him, as she lowered her head, "Steph, look at me" he lifted her chin as her eyes met his, "Look I know you really care for Bruno, I know you still have some feelings for him... and, %$# , that's hard for me to see you care so much for another guy, like I know you do for Bruno" He sighed and gave Steph a small smile, kissing her on the forehead, "But I think Bruno's smarter than to do anything stupid ok?"

Steph sighed and nodded, "Yeah ok...but I just wanna watch to-"

"Nah-uh, come on" Alex interrupted, pulling her over to the others, and pushing through the crowds a little.

Meanwhile Bruno had managed to track Monica down and stood just a few steps away from her as she looked through her phone.

"What the hell do I say to her?" Bruno thought, feeling awkward as people pushed gently past him, "Damn she looks good...%$# that's not making this any easier" he ran his hand over his face and shook his head slightly.

"Bruno?"

He lowered his hand a little, and saw Monica, smiling a little and stepping closer, "Bruno Oliver?"

"Here goes" he thought and brought his hand down, smiling a little, "Monica? How you doing?"

Monica laughed a little and stepped closer, holding Bruno at the elbows, "Oh my gosh! I thought it was you, I mean when I heard your name, I wasn't sure if it was you or not, and I wasn't quite paying attention to the monitors, so if you got on there, I missed it" she leant in giving him a hug, "How have you been?" she stepped back, flipping her brunette hair over her shoulder.

Bruno gave a weak smile and rubbed the back of his neck, "Um, things were a bit rough, but I'm doing ok now, pretty great in comparison"

Monica giggled as Bruno folded his arms, holding his elbows and looked about, "So, um, what brings you out this way then?"

Monica hitched her bag over her shoulder, "Oh, Me, Jess and Hilary are just helping my cousin with a few things over the summer holidays, getting paid to help out in her shop and all...but when we heard Alvin and all that were on the show tonight, well we were just lucky enough to score tickets" she shrugged, "What about you, how come you're out here?"

Bruno's face fell a little at the mention of those names (how the hell he didn't notice them in the studio was beyond him), but he tried to keep his cool, "I'm actually headed to Vegas; Albuquerque is kinda a stopover point"

Monica beamed, "Wow...so are you going to the concert, or you not into that?"
Bruno stood a little straighter, and raised his eyebrow slightly, "I'm actually travelling with Alvin and all that"

Monica's jaw dropped, "You're what?!"

Just the Jessica Price and Hilary Walberg strutted over; two head cheerleaders from Bruno's school.

They were the epitome of Spoiled Brats and simply lived every day via daddy's credit cards, everything handed to them on a silver platter.

And they made sure everyone knew that, and so while they lived it up, they made everyone else's lives a living hell.

They took one look at Bruno and sniggered, "Well, well, look what we have here" Jess pointed out, flipping her blonde bangs from her eyes, "I didn't think they accepted any reject lowlifes here in Albuquerque?" Hilary laughed along with Jess as she put her hands on her hips.

"Jess" Monica whispered, a little embarrassed.

Bruno rolled his eyes, "Well how'd you girls get in here then?" he smirked.

Monica quickly interjected, "Um, so Bruno's travelling with the Chipmunks, isn't that great?"

Hilary and Jess's faces went from laughing to sheer shock, "What?! You're lying, you have to be!"

He had to laugh a little, "Nope, it's all true" he pulled his VIP backstage pass from inside his hoodie and held it up, "I'm travelling with them, have been for about a week or so now, I think" he smiled, "I make up the 'nine' they were talking about...seriously, they said all that on air" he nodded back into the studio and dropped the pass back down his hoodie.

He nodded, smiling as Monica giggled, a little over emphasised and turned to her friends, "Isn't that great?" she squealed a little, "What's Alvin like off stage? I'll bet he's totally amazing right?"

Bruno laughed and shook his head, covering his mouth a little, "He's pretty cool, but he can be a bit of a douche at times" thinking back to the events that had passed.

They laughed again as Steph came quickly over, leaning on Bruno's shoulder, "Hey, here you are, I was starting to get worried" she smiled at him as he glanced a look.

Monica, Jess and Hilary looked at Steph then back at Bruno.

Steph looked at them all and whispered to Bruno, "You didn't like all three of them did you?"

"No, no, just shut up" he quickly added shaking his head and nudging her in the ribs a little.

"So who are you then?" Jess asked, looking Steph up and down.

Steph folded her arms, "I am Steph, BFF with Alvin? Who the hell are you?" she raised her eyebrows.

Jess gave a fake smile in return as Steph pointed to what they were wearing, "Think you'll find the whore house is a couple of doors down" she grinned.

Jess folded her arms and stood with her hip popped out, an unamused look on her face, "'Cause you'd know"

She giggled as Hilary and Monica did some high five slap click thing.

Steph frowned and made a step forward, raising her fist, making the girls cower back; thankfully Bruno stepped in and held her back then looking at Monica, in particular, he asked, "Will you excuse us a sec?"

Monica nodded as Bruno frowned and pulled Steph aside, "What the hell are you doing?!"
Steph huffed, "I was about to beat the sh*t outta them little princesses" she folded her arms, "Call me a freakin' whore"

Bruno closed his eyes and tilted his head up a little, breathing in, "Steph" he looked back at her again, and exhaled heavily, "I appreciate your concern, I do, but...Just trust that I know what I'm doing ok?" he pleaded.

She looked over at the girls; Jess and Hilary were texting on their phones, while Monica simply looked around, almost unsure, flipping her phone open and closing it again.

Steph rolled her eyes and reached to hold Bruno's hand, "You I trust, wholeheartedly, you know that" she frowned at Monica, "Her not so much...and them?" she looked back at Bruno, "Seriously what the %$# is wrong with them?"

Bruno smirked a little and shrugged as Alex came running up, "Dammit here you are" he looked at Bruno, "She hadn't caused any sh*t yet has she?"

Bruno shook his head, "Not too much"

Steph rolled her eyes as Alex turned to her, "Come on, they're waiting for us"

Steph shook her head as Alex grabbed her hand, nodding at Bruno, "Want us to wait up?" he started pulling a protesting Steph back into the studio.

Bruno shook his head, "Nah man, I'll meet you back at the hotel, it's not too far too walk"

Alex nodded as Steph tried to squirm out of his grip, Alex shaking his head, "You're making this harder on yourself you know" and picked her up, carrying her over his shoulder and headed back into the studio, kicking and carrying on, as Bruno exhaled and walked back over to Monica (and the other two stuck up bitches), forcing a smile, "Uh, sorry 'bout that, Steph's a bit protective of her friends"

Jess nodded a little, "Who's the other guy?" smiling in thought.

Bruno looked behind and back at her, "Oh, that's Alex, nice guy...he's, um, Steph's boyfriend" he felt a slight pang in his chest saying that last part.

He coughed to clear his throat and focused on Monica, "Um so what are you up to now?"

Monica looked at him and smiled a little, checking her watch, "Oh, uh, we were just going to head back to my cousins place, I guess"

Bruno thought a moment and looked around, noticing a clock on the wall; it read 9:47pm.

He smiled and turned back to Monica, "Night's still young, wanna come hang for a while?"

Hilary and Jess's jaws dropped as Monica's eyes widened, "What, like with you?"

Bruno coughed and rubbed his arm, "Uh, well, with the others too, I'll introduce you properly, if you want?"

She squealed and hugged him, stepping back and bouncing a little, "Oh. My. Gosh. That would be amazing" she titled her head, "Are you sure that'd be ok?"

Bruno nodded, "Yeah, it'll be fine, no prob" he smiled as Jess and Hilary looked a little dumbfounded.

Monica giggled, "OK, well, just let me call my cousin, she's gonna be so jealous when I tell her"

Bruno nodded, "I'll be back in a sec, um, don't go anywhere, just wait outside, I'll meet up with you soon"

Monica nodded and watched as Bruno smiled a little, turning on his heel and heading back into the studio.

Jess and Hilary snapped from their trance and looked at Monica, "You cannot be serious to want to hang out with Bruno Oliver, gosh of all people Mon" Hilary said, flicking her dark hair from her face.

Monica shrugged, "Won't be so bad, we get to hang with Alvin and the others"

Jess pointed out, "Yeah but...it's Bruno Oliver, remember what he did to you last year honey?"

Monica frowned a little, "He didn't do anything, I don't believe those stories; they were just rumours"

Hilary wrapped her arm round Monica's shoulders, "Gosh Mon, he practically stalked you everywhere you went, geez"

"Yeah, the guy's a total perv" Jess added as Monica rubbed her arm uncomfortably, "Well...I think I still want to take the chance, and I wanna meet Alvin better...if Bruno gets me closer to Alvin, I'll take that opportunity" she smiled, "You guys can head back to Kelsey's if you want, I'll come home later"

Hilary and Jess looked at each other before sighing, "Fine, we'll come too, but only so we can keep an eye on him around you"

Monica faked a smile, "Oh, thanks guys"

As Jess whispered to Hilary, "And so I can get to know that Alex guy better"

Hillary giggled as Jess smiled smugly, and reached into her purse for her lipgloss.

Bruno searched around and noticed the gang still held up on the set, Alvin packing up his guitar and things.

Bruno jogged closer and knelt down next to Alvin, who smiled and gripped at Bruno's hand, patting him on the back, "Hey man, thought we lost ya"

Bruno smiled and shook his head, "Nah, just ran into...a friend" he looked about, "Say what's the chances of us heading out after?"

Alvin whistled, "I dunno, they're all pretty wiped from rehearsals all day and then tonight..." he looked at Bruno, with a pleading look on his face and shrugged, "Look, if you can convince them" he pointed over to the others, "I'm in...I mean I'm in anyway; I'm not ready to wind down just yet, night's still young and all. I gotta burn this excess energy off"

Bruno smiled and patted Alvin on the shoulder, "Cool, um, mind if invite my friend along?"

Alvin shrugged, "Sure why not...any place in particular caught your attention?"

Bruno shook his head, "Um, not yet, I'll find somewhere; meet you back at the hotel?"

Alvin nodded, placing his guitar in its case and winding up the leads as Bruno jogged over to the others, "Hey we're heading out after"

Brittany groaned, "What? No, I'm ready for bed" she pouted and looked at the others, "I don't care, call me a grandma, I'm totally exhausted from today"

The others shrugged, Theodore saying, "I could use a drink after all that actually"

Brittany shook her head as Bruno pleaded, "Please? Look, that chick Alvin sang to, Monica? Yeah well I know her and I ran into her...oh and her friends" he said unamused, "Out front and asked if they wanted to come hang with us after"

Brittany nodded her head back and forth, "Well..."

Bruno smiled at her, "Come on, just a couple of hours, we'll be back before midnight yeah?"

She rolled her eyes and nodded slowly, "Fine ok"

Bruno smiled, "Great, I'll meet you back at the hotel then" he turned and jogged back out to the foyer as Steph stepped closer to the group, "Did I just hear that them bitches are coming to hang with us?"

Alex nudged her, "Steph, shut up"

Jeanette looked at Steph, "Who's a..." she looked around and whispered to the group, "You know, a bitch?"

Steph sighed dramatically as Alvin joined the group, "Oh %$# he didn't mention it...ok look, that Monica chick"

"Who Alvin sang to?" Simon interrupted

Steph nodded, "Yeah her, well she's like this total bitch and she has her prima donna whores with her too"

"She seemed pretty nice on stage" Theodore added

Alvin picked his guitar up and started toward backstage, the others following as Steph continued, "Argh! Let me finish"

They walked down the corridors, the guys and girls smiling and accepting congratulations on their performance from crew members as Steph continued her rant, "Look, long story short, she stood Bruno up and just sh*t like that"

Reaching the green room, Brittany flopped on the lounge and kicked her heels off, "So they were together?"

Steph shook her head, leaning on the wall, "No that's the thing, he liked her, but she, like totally blew him off, cause she was some stuck up preppy skank"

Eleanor frowned at Steph, "You don't think you're just acting this way 'cause you're Bruno's friend do you?"

Brittany nodded, "And 'cause you kinda" she looked at Alex, "Sorry, but you know, you still kinda like him and all?"

Alex closed his eyes, sighing and shaking his head a little, "I can deal with her liking him, attraction and sh*t, acting on said attraction, then we got real issues" he looked at Steph, who looked blankly at them all then threw her arms in the air, "What's wrong with you guys?! The issue isn't between me and Bruno! It's with her! She hurt him and now you wanna hang out with her?" she gave an exasperated groan, "And don't get me started on her %$# ing skank friends" she shook her head, her hair swaying over her face.

Alex shook his head, "Steph, Bruno invited Monica and whoever else them chicks were, himself. If he's ok to hang with them and push the past aside, you should be too"

Simon nodded, "Alex has a point"

Steph grumbled something and flopped on the lounge next to Brittany, making her jump up a little, "You all suck you know?"

Alvin smiled gently, "Come on babe, it'll be fine, just give this chick a go, like Alex said, Bruno's moved on, be happy for him" he headed out towards the dressing room to get changed as the others followed, leaving Steph on the lounge, arms crossed and pouting.

Alex sighed and sat down next to her, "You do realise you sound a little hypocritical don't you? You don't even know her you know, and you're already placing judgement on her"

Steph kept staring ahead, "She %$# ed around with him Alex" and turned her head, "And not in a good way" then turned her head back to face the room, "That's all I need to know, she hurt Bruno...and her friends called me a whore"

Alex raised his eyebrow, "They what?"

Steph rolled her eyes, "Fine they implied it...after I implied they were" she said a little softer.

Alex sighed, "Ah, well then just don't come out with us if you don't wanna be round her then"

Steph sat up and looked at him, eyes wide, "And let her walk all over him again, no %$# ing way, I'll be there"

Alex shook his head and stepped out in the corridor, leaving Steph to pout on her own in the green room.

Bruno caught up with Monica outside the studio and motioned in the way of the hotel, "Um, so we're gonna meet them at the hotel, take it from there" he looked around, "Jess and Hilary not coming?" he smiled on the inside, hopeful.

Monica smiled and shook her head, "They're just freshening up; they'll be out soon"

Bruno tried to not look disappointed as Monica asked eagerly, "So where we headed? Some big after party?"

Bruno tried not to laugh, and covered it with a cough, "Ah, no, just keeping it low key; they have been rehearsing and stuff all day"

Monica looked a little disappointed, "Oh well, ok then"

Jess and Hilary came out and joined Monica and Bruno, "We're here, where to?"

Bruno sighed and nodded down the street, "This way ladies" he said, trying to be charming.

They headed down the street and passed a few stores, bars and clubs still open.

One caught Bruno's attention, and he kept it in mind to let the others know.

Jess and Hilary were a couple of steps ahead of Bruno and Monica, and caught up in their own conversation about...ah hell with it, Bruno didn't care what they were nattering about; he slowed his pace to fall behind a little bit more, Monica doing the same to keep beside him.

He thought about how she was with her friends; the fact she looked uncomfortable at how they treated him, made him think perhaps she wasn't too bad after all, maybe it was all her friend's fault at what happened.

After a moment of silence, Bruno asked, looking down at the sidewalk, "So, um...I wanted to ask you..." he paused as Monica looked over at him; she gave a weak smile, "About the dance last year?"

Bruno looked ahead at Jess and Hilary, noticed they were still absorbed in their own world and looked over at her and nodded, "Yeah, I mean seriously, what the hell?"

Monica frowned and hugged her arms, speaking softly, "Look, I never meant to hurt you, I thought you wouldn't show"

Bruno nodded, and shrugged nonchalantly, "Yeah, well it's not really my scene, but you said yes, so I rocked up...kinda showed how much I liked you, I mean I was prepared to go to that stupid dance"

Monica sighed, "I appreciate that"

"Do you? Really?" Bruno asked, trying to control the sudden surge of anger he felt.

Monica looked away from him, staring ahead, her voice softening again, "Bruno, it never would've worked between us...we were from two different sides of the school yard, so to speak" she gave a soft smile.

Bruno put his hands in his pockets, "Could've tried" he shrugged, "It's all I was asking for, that you gimme a go, get to actually know me, the real me"

He was expecting there to be an awkward silence, but was a little surprised as Monica nodded, "You're right"

He looked at her questioningly, "Huh?"

Monica smiled at him, "You're right, I should've at least gotten to know you better before dismissing you...I never told Jess and Hill that I actually kinda liked you"

Bruno couldn't help the smile start on his face, "Really?"
Monica blushed, and looked ahead, making sure Jess and Hillary were still engrossed in their conversation, and glanced sideways at Bruno, "Yeah, they kept telling me for ages to steer clear of you, saying I could do so much better and whatnot" she looked at her feet, "I'm totally sorry for what happened with the guys though, I swear I had no idea they were going to do that to you...I mean they told me before they were gonna just talk to you, try and keep you away from me or something"

Bruno waved her off, "Don't worry 'bout it...so I sustained a few bruises, and I was winded, and pretty much one of 'em almost broke my arm, but otherwise, they got their message across" he paused a moment "But still, I mean, come on you can't have been that naive to not have known what they were capable of?" he forced a weak smile

Monica gave a weak smile back, "You got me there...well, and I know this doesn't make up for it, I know, but well, there was something about you that fascinated me, made me think what it'd be like to go out with you"

Bruno raised an eyebrow, a little intrigued, "That so?"

"Maybe she isn't like the others after all?" Bruno thought to himself.

Monica laughed, and tapped him playfully on the arm, "Oh yeah, I mean what a way to get attention huh?"

"Huh?" Bruno reeled his head back a bit and was now a little thrown off from where he thought the conversation was headed.

Monica smiled, "Come on, date someone outside my circle? And someone who is no doubt a bit of a social challenge?" she giggled, "It'd be sheer genius and a certainty that'd I'd be crowned Prom Queen" she smiled widely, closing her eyes briefly, "I mean, you can't be all that bad right?"

Bruno shrugged, just wishing she'd have stopped talking already.

But Monica continued, "Anyway, I'd totally be able to change your image; we'd have like a total 'She's all that' moment and I mean, I'd be sure to have made Prom Queen, and then you'd be King and" she beamed at him, "That would have been so magical...everyone would have been soo happy" she paused a moment, before adding, "If you just didn't get expelled and all huh?"

Bruno nodded, thinking, "Annnd we're back to being a stuck up be-yatch again" he sighed a little and pushed his hands further into his pockets.

Monica's eyes lit up suddenly as she turned to him, "Oh my gosh, you could still come to the Prom!"

Bruno looked at her, shocked yet unamused, "Say what?"

Jess and Hilary turned round at this exclamation, horrified, "What?!"

"Mon, what are you talking about?"
Monica nodded and giggled, "Yeah, totally, oh my gosh could you imagine?"

Bruno shook his head, smiling a little, "Uh, not really...I don't wanna imagine that, sorry, but there's no way I'd go back to that place. Period"

Jess and Hilary looked relieved as Monica shrugged, looking a little rejected, "Oh, ok...I totally understand, I just thought, well, you know, we could've seen how things at the dance might've happened if we'd gone together"

"Where are we heading anyway?" Hilary whinged, looking back.

Bruno gave Monica a smile and sighed relief when he saw the hotel across the road, "Just over here, you can wait in the lobby while I race up and see if they're back yet"

The three girls squealed and bounced on their toes, as Monica clasped her hands together, "Oh I cannot believe you know them, I cannot believe my luck, first I get serenaded by Alvin himself and then I get to hang out with them"

Bruno raised his eyebrows and nodded, "Yep, it's gonna be a night you won't forget alright"

The others had arrived home much sooner than Bruno expected and it wasn't long before everyone came downstairs, meeting Bruno and Monica in the lobby.

Alvin had brought his guitar down, as Bruno had asked him to, saying they may need it for the place he'd found to hang.

Monica, Jess and Hilary excitedly greeted everyone, taking photos on their phones and bouncing around; Monica and Hilary flirted around with Alvin mostly, but toyed with Simon and Theodore who all responded by being charming and polite; while Jess was trying her luck to sidle up with Alex, trying to catch his attention with certain looks and such.

Steph stood back, still pissed off as Bruno came up next to her, "Sooo how you doing?"

She shook her head, rolling her eyes and groaning, "I just have one question, why?"
Bruno looked at Monica giggling with everyone else, and gave a smile, "Look, she was my first crush, or whatever, and she's not...that bad, once you get to know her" he chose his words carefully, biting back on the more choice descriptions he thought of.

Steph gave him a look; she wasn't easily fooled, "Seriously? You expect me to believe that bullsh*t?

He grinned at her, "Yep"

Steph rolled her eyes, "And her wannabe friends? What about them?"

Bruno tilted his head back and forth, "Yeah, so the night would be better without them, but we just gotta make the most of it I guess" he grinned a little to himself and went over to the group.

Steph frowned and scuffed her foot before heading over and joining the group as they headed out to the night, Alex wrapping his arm round her and whispered, "Keep between me and that one" he pointed discreetly to Jess.

Steph looked over at Jess, who quickly darted her gaze elsewhere.

Steph frowned and closed her eyes, "Let's just get this night over and done with already" as the group all headed out into the night.

Wandering back down the street Simon asked, "So, where are we headed?"
Bruno smiled and pointed to a club up ahead, "Just up here"

The group stopped out the front as Brittany read the chalkboard out front, "Open mic night?" she looked at Bruno, unamused, "Really?"

Bruno laughed, "Look, you guys can sit back, we'll entertain you for the night"

Monica smiled at him, "You can sing?"

Bruno nodded, "Yeah, apparently"

Monica looked at Jess and Hilary, "I didn't know"

Alvin nudged him and leant over to Monica, "The guy has a seriously killer voice"

"Better than you?" Monica asked.

Alvin gave her a look, "Hell no!" he laughed and looked at Bruno, "Sorry man"

Bruno shrugged, "We'll see" and laughed along with Alvin.

They were about to head in when Jess stopped short, "Wait, we need to be 18?" she forced a laugh, "Uh, we're like, still only 17"

Steph faked sympathy, "Oh poor you, guess you can't come in then"

Alex poked her, hard, in the ribs, "%$# !" she spun to face him, "Alex!"

Alex smiled at her and then looked at the girls, "Look, we'll get'cha in, just don't draw attention to yourselves"

"Too late" Steph muttered under her breath as Alex darted a look at her, glaring.

Monica nodded as Bruno took her hand, "Just follow me, you'll be fine"

She took comfort in his gesture, (Jess and Hilary exchanging a dagger glance to one another) as the group slipped in and found a table, front and centre, having no issues getting in; Bruno simply acted cool, calm and confident, and, well, when the doorman saw the Chipmunks and Chipettes; Alvin with guitar in hand, well, he probably would've let a 10 year old sit at the bar, he was so star struck.

Alvin slipped him a $50 whispering, "Look, mate, let us slip in without causing a scene yeah?"

The doorman smiled and nodded tapping the side of his nose and putting the cash in his top pocket.

After settling into their table in the soft lighting of the club, (Alex careful to make sure he had a fair distance between Jess especially), listening to a few acts (and giving their judgements) and ordering a few rounds, Brittany asked, "So anyone getting up there then?"

They all looked round at one another.

Steph took a swig of her beer and looked around, "I'm game, bring it on bitches" she smiled and headed over to the table to sign up, "Anyone else care to challenge?"

Bruno smiled at Monica and followed Steph over to the sign up table.

Monica turned to Alex and smiled sweetly, "So Steph is your girlfriend, right?"

Alex nodded, "Yeah why?"
Monica leant on her hands and smiled again, "You're not going to sing a romantic duet with her then?"

Hilary's eyes lit up, "Ooh yes, sing something romantic"

"I'll bet you have an amazing voice" Jess swooned and leant on the table.

Alex laughed and shook his head, "One thing, straight up, I do not sing...correction, I cannot sing"

Alvin laughed and held his beer up, in a sort of salute, "And we thank you for not making us have to sit through a performance"

Alex smirked and clinked his bottle with Alvin's, "Yeah pleasure's all mine"

Jess looked a little disappointed and took a sip from her Lemon, Lime and Bitters, and looked over at Steph, leaning on a chair, ass out and back at Alex, "I don't get it, why are you with her anyway?"

Alex laughed a little, "Most of the time she's pretty cool" he covered for her, "I don't know what's gotten into her tonight" although clearly he, and everyone else did.

Jess looked up at Alex with a seductive look in her eyes, "I can be pretty cool all the time" she swirled her drink with her straw.

Alex raised his eyebrows and gave a curt smile, "Yeah I'll be sure to remember that" he hid behind his arm, whispering to Alvin and Brittany, "Seriously, keep that chick away from me"

Brittany nodded as Alvin added, "She's not hiding the fact she wants you"

Alex nodded, "If Steph catches her, I'm not being held responsible for what she does"

Alvin laughed as Monica took a sip of her lemon squash and looked around as Eleanor asked, "So how do you girls know Bruno then?"

Monica folded her arms on the table in front of her, "We used to go to school together"

"Used to? Did you or he move schools?" Jeanette asked, still one of the only in the group who didn't know the story.

Hilary snorted and shook her head, "No, we're still there; Bruno got expelled a few months back now" she shrugged, "He beat up on the principal's son"

Jess nodded, adding in a sympathetic tone, "Poor Jason had bruises all over him and needed 15 stitches to his face"

"I think Bruno broke Jason's nose as well didn't he?" Hilary mentioned; Jess and Monica nodding confirmation.

Alvin coughed and whispered a response to Theodore, Brittany and Alex (who were all within earshot), "I liked Bruno's version better" the others sniggered.

Jeanette sat back in her chair, "Well...it seems the more we head into our trip, the more we find out about Bruno"

Monica tilted her head, "Huh? I thought you knew Bruno?"

Alvin shook his head, laughing a little, "No way, didn't know him from the next person; total random"

Monica looked over towards Bruno, who managed to spot her looking his way and waved from the other end of the room; Jess and Hilary looking smugly at one another and exchanging a slight nod.

Monica looked confused, she held her head in her hand, "Wait, so how did Bruno wind up travelling with you then?" she looked at the rest of the group.

Brittany shrugged, "We picked him up after spotting him trying to hitchhike his way to Vegas"

Monica looked at the others for confirmation, as Theodore pointed back to Steph, "It was Steph's idea, she saw him walking in the rain and decided to pick him up"

Jess raised an eyebrow, "She does this often does she, pick up complete strangers?" she smirked as Hilary covered her mouth, giggling.

Alex folded his arms, "Hey watch it" he said sternly.

Jess was taken aback but covered it up by smiling sweetly, "Oh I'm just teasing"

Alex nodded a little, as Jess giggled and edged her chair a little closer.

Alvin picked up his beer and raised it up at the group, as he stood and headed towards Bruno and Steph, who were still in line to sign up to perform.

"Whoa them chicks are full on" he patted Bruno on the shoulder, "Seriously, I reckon it was the best thing for you that you got expelled" he gestured with his thumb back at the table, "How'd you cope with all them?"

Bruno looked back and shrugged, "Mostly by getting suspended, meant I didn't have to face them for a couple of days"

Steph laughed and looked up ahead of the line, "Hmm, I should probably have thought about what I was gonna sing before coming up here huh?"

Bruno and Alvin laughed as Steph just shrugged then asked Bruno, "You're not gonna sing a song professing your love for Monica are you?"

Bruno kept very Poker faced, "You'll see what I'm gonna do" he turned to Alvin, "OK if I use your guitar?"

Alvin shrugged and nodded, "Yeah sure, I take it then you know how to play then?"

Bruno smiled, "A few songs that I really like, I've mastered, but I can't just, you know, listen to a song and start playing alongside it like you"

Alvin beamed, and sighed happily, "It's a gift I've been given"

Steph rolled her eyes and nudged Bruno, "Wanna sing with me?"

Bruno shrugged, a smile creeping over his face, "What'd you have in mind?"

Steph tilted her head back and forth, "Um...I dunno yet" she laughed, "Something else for me to think about"

Alvin reached over and tapped Steph on the head, "Don't hurt yourself" he laughed.

Steph swiped his hand away, "%$# you Alvin" she laughed.

Bruno tapped the side of his leg mindlessly, "Well if we do, duet or whatever, put your solo first, then us then me last"

Steph cocked her head to the side, "Why?"

Bruno folded his arms, "Uh-uh don't ruin the surprise"

Steph groaned, "Oh %$ , you are gonna sing some love sh*t aren't you? %$# , Bruno"

Bruno simply smirked and shrugged, "I'm not givin' away anything, didn't I say to trust me?"

Steph rolled her eyes as Brittany and Simon walked over
"Oh. My. Gosh. Them girls are making my head hurt" Brittany said, holding her head.

Alvin smiled and wrapped his arm round her, kissing her on the head as Simon nodded, "Yeah, they're certainly doing my head in too" he looked back, "We're taking it in turns to have a break from them" he nodded towards Brittany, "We were lucky, scored first shift"

Bruno laughed, "Now you know what I had to put up with"

Simon pat his shoulder, and shook his head, "I am so, so sorry"

Steph looked over, "How's Alex holding up?"

Brittany giggled, "Being a good boy. Keeping his distance"

Alvin looked over, "Poor guy, I'll go help him out" and he walked back to the table, pulling a seat over to Alex, who incidentally was stuck in a conversation with Jess and Monica, with Theodore and Jeanette trying to add enough of an input to keep the attention off him; Eleanor had gone to get snacks from the vending machine around the corner.

Steph watched as Alvin headed back and took a few steps forward as the line moved and said, "I swear, if any of them chickies try anything on my man, I'll %$# in' kill 'em" she looked at Bruno, "That goes for you too, they screw you around, they'll have me to answer to" she turned back to the head of the line.

Bruno nodded to her stamp of authority, "They're not gonna try anything, surely"

Simon nodded, "Yeah there's too many of us around" he let out a slight laugh, "They' can't be that dumb right?"

Bruno looked at the table, watching as Jess laughed and tapped Alex's arm flirtatiously, and raised his eyebrow at Simon, whispering a little, "They're not the sharpest tools in the shed, but uh, best to keep an extra watch on that one" he nodded at Jess, "In particular"

Brittany and Simon looked back at Jess then nodded at Bruno.

"Hey Britt, you got your iPod?" Steph asked.

Brittany reached into her bag and pulled the pink device out, "Yeah, always, why?" she handed it to Steph, who started scrolling through, "Oh well, one, I need to pick a song, and two" she looked up ahead of the line, taking a few steps forward and then back at Brittany, "I may need this, in case they ask you to provide your own music or whatever"

Brittany shrugged as Eleanor came over carrying some packets of chips she'd got from the vending machine, "Ok, I think Theo and Jen need a break; I think any minute now one of them will snap" she giggled as Simon and Brittany sighed, "OK, well, let's go tag them out" and headed back to the table.

On their own again Bruno asked Steph, "Steph, before anyone else comes over, I wanna say first of all, thanks for taking the interest in wanting to, ya know, look after me or whatever"

Steph grinned, "Can't get rid of me that easily Bruno"

Bruno smirked a laugh, "Yeah I know, but, you gotta tone it down"

Steph frowned, about to say something when Bruno cut her off, "No, lemme finish"

She shut her mouth and folded her arms, waiting as Bruno rubbed his neck, "Look, I know nothing will probably eventuate with us" Steph shifted uncomfortably as Bruno tilted his head, "But that means you gotta give me space too yeah?"

Steph bit on the inside of her cheek, "I'm sorry if I'm comin' out too strong here, but" she sighed, "I can't help how I feel for you" she looked over at the table, at Alex, "And how I feel about Alex too" she laughed a little, "%$# ing sucks I can't sorta have both of you"

Bruno held his hands up, "I'm not into that threesome sh*t"

Steph laughed, punching him playfully in the arm, "You're a dick, that's not what I meant"

He scuffed his foot on the ground and smiled, laughing too, "Yeah I know what you're sayin'...but since you can't; since you're with Alex, I gotta be free to..." he trailed his words, trying to find the right way to phrase what he wanted to say; Steph finishing it for him, "Play the field?"

He laughed, "That'll do, yeah"

Steph smiled, sighing, "OK, ok, I'll try and loosen up" she noticed Monica walking over and gritted her teeth, posing a smile, "Starting now – Monica, hey"

Monica smiled, a little uneasy at Steph's sudden burst of friendliness, "Oh, hi" she turned to Bruno, "So what song you gonna sing?" she held her arm and swayed a little, as Steph rolled her eyes and turned away to face the head of the line.

Bruno tapped his chin, "Uh, not too sure yet, I have a few in mind, but you'll be surprised I'm sure"

Steph felt her fists balling and took every ounce not to turn round and fire up.

Monica giggled and touched Bruno on the shoulder, "Well, I'm really looking forward to hearing you perform, I can't wait"

Bruno smiled, "Well, I really hope you'll enjoy it, cherish and remember it even"

She giggled and spun around heading back to the table as Steph looked back at him grinning, "Cherish?" she sputtered a laugh, "%$# , really?"

Bruno laughed and pushed her a step forward to the table, "Shuddup, I lost it"

"Sure did Romeo" Steph laughed before propping her hands on the sign up table, "Hey there, where do we sign up?"

A young chick covered in tattoos and whose hair was blonde dipped purple and red and an older gruff looking man sat behind the table.

Tattoo Chick handed Steph and Bruno a clipboard each, "Just fill in your deats at the top, fill in what song you'll perform and the info under that, and sign the terms. Once you're done, give it to my partner here" she thumbed over to Gruff Man, "And we'll let you know where you'll be"

Steph started filling in the form, "Any idea how long the wait will be?"

Tattoo Chick shrugged, "Give it an hour or so til you'd be on?"

Steph looked at Bruno and nodded as they stepped to the side to fill in the rest of the form; occasionally Steph tried to look at what Bruno was writing, but he kept turning his body to hide it.

"Fine then" Steph sighed, "Well, what song you wanna sing then?"

Bruno thought a moment and asked, "You know 'Turn up the Music'?"

Steph nodded, "Uh, Yeah I do" she smiled, "Good choice"

He smiled back, "Thanks, thought you'd appreciate that one. So you decided what you're gonna do?" He tried to peer at her form as Steph lifted it closer to her chest, "Uh-uh, you don't show me, I ain't showing you"

Bruno shrugged, "OK" as Steph groaned, "Oh you're not supposed to give up that easily"

He grinned and handed his form back as Steph quickly signed her name and handed hers back too, trying one last time to look at his song choice, but Gruff Man quickly snatched them up and perused over them before writing their names on the list, sliding them a buzzer and nodded at them to go take their seats again, "That'll go off to let you know you got 10 minutes to get yourself to the stage or forfeit your position"

Steph and Bruno nodded and headed back to the table.

So Tattoo Chick said about an hour, but it was closer to an hour and a half.

Thankfully everyone was enjoying themselves too much to notice the time passing.

Bruno and Monica were chatting away, laughing occasionally as Steph did her best to keep out of it, but seriously felt like banging her head on the table a few times at the way Monica acted around Bruno.

Hillary kept trying her luck with Alvin, who just kept his arm fixed around Brittany as a subtle gesture to her.

Theodore and Eleanor took turns with Simon at keeping Jeanette awake mostly, and wandered around the club a bit.

Alex had noticed Jess had crept around quite sneakily and was now sitting only a seat away from him.

He tried to play it cool and ignore her comments and advancements, but it only seemed to make her try harder.

Steph was getting jack of it, and was about to stand up and say something when she got a fright at the sudden vibrations of the buzzer, "Oh sh*t" she picked the buzzer up and tapped Bruno on the shoulder, "C'mon, we're up sunshine"

Bruno looked up at her, smiled at Monica as he picked up Alvin's guitar and stood up following Steph around to the side of the stage.

After getting a few instructions, double checking the backing tracks to their songs (Steph still didn't manage to see what Bruno was singing) and being told about the microphone they were left on their own as the MC went on the stage and announced Steph up next.

Bruno gave Steph a hug, "Kill it out there"

She winked at him, "You know I baby, see you soon" she kissed him on the cheek and headed up the steps, the others cheering loudly, taking the microphone from its stand and stood waiting as the intro to her song blasted out.

She'd chosen Pink's 'Raise Your Glass' given she knew how much fun she could have with the song.

After her performance, and the crowd cheering her off stage, she returned back with Bruno after being announced.

Steph was a natural on the stage; she knew how to work it and the crowd and could add all the right moves to make it a killer performance.

Bruno on the other hand wasn't used to being on stage.

The lights were brighter being on the stage than looking at them from the audience, but he maintained composure on the outside, although inside he was freaking out just slightly.

The only things making him feel the slightest bit of comfort was that Steph was up there with him; her confidence was starting to rub off onto him and that he had his solo performance next.

He closed his eyes and took a breath in as the music began and lifted the microphone to his mouth, singing into it:

Turn up the Music, Cause this song just came on

Turn up the Music, if they try to turn us down

Turn up the Music, Can I hear it til the speakers blow

Turn up the Music, fill your cup and drink it down

If you're sexy and you know it, put your hands in the air

Put your hands up in the air, girl, put your hands up

If you're sexy and you know it put your hands up in the air

Put your hands up in the air, girl, put your hands up

Steph, who had been bopping along to the beat, lifted her microphone and joined in the chorus with Bruno:

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Turn up the Music

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

The electro back up kicked in before Steph took her verse:

Turn up the Music

Tu-Turn up the...

Turn up the Music, Cause I feel a little turned on

Turn up the Music, Don't you try to turn me down

Turn up the Music, and I feel just a little bound

Turn up the Music, Fill me up and take me down

Bruno stepped in closer to her, the two looking each other head on:

If you're sexy and you know it, put your hands in the air

Put your hands up in the air, girl, put your hands up

If you're sexy and you know it put your hands up in the air

Put your hands up in the air, girl, put your hands up

Steph smiled and spun on her heel, walking the stage again as they sang the chorus:

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Turn up the Music

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Turn up the Music

Tu-Turn up the...

See it rise baby you are the one who...

So let's go tonight and do whatever it takes to make it right

Just turn it up, just turn it up

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Turn up the Music, just turn it up loud

Turn up the Music, I need it in my life, yeah

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Turn up the Music

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Turn up the Music

They stood facing each other again, belting out the last lines:

Turn it up

Turn up the Music

The club erupted in applause as Steph threw her arms in the air, then looked back and laughed, making Bruno take a bow.

After making her way off stage and being surrounded by cheers and hugs from Alex and Brittany, she took her seat and waited eagerly as Bruno was announced back on the stage.

He came out, Alvin's guitar in hand and strummed a few chords to test the sound.

He took another deep breath in and stepped up to the microphone, "Hey how'e everyone doing?"

The crowd roared a response followed by hollering and cheers, making Bruno laugh, "Uh, before I start this piece, I just wanna dedicate this to Monica Everest, a girl I loved for years" he smiled and pointed out to her.

Monica felt her cheeks blush and couldn't stop smiling; Hilary and Jess were even smiling a little – it took guts for Bruno to do that, albeit even if it meant he didn't get anywhere with Monica after.

Steph raised her eyebrow, and leant over to Alex, "Where's he going with this bullsh*t?"

Alex shrugged, "I dunno" he shifted a little, "But I wish he'd hurry up and play, I need to pee, but I wanna hear him out"

Steph stifled a giggle and turned back to the stage.

Bruno smiled and adjusted the microphone slightly, "For years Mon, I tried to get you to see what a great guy I am; how we could've worked so well together, if only you'd have given me a chance. And well, here you are, admitting you had the same feelings for me, but you'll never know what you missed out on"

Monica and her friend's faces' fell as Bruno started up the intro, "Got a message for you right here; Don't ever think you can %$# around with me" he smirked and played the opening guitar solo to 'Prom Queen' as Alvin cheered him on, Hilary and Jess looking back at him with a horrified look on their faces, as he shrugged and looked back on the stage:

Yeah!

I loved her fancy underwear
I sit behind her every year
Waitin' for the chance to get
To tell her I'm the one she should be with
She's popular with all the guys
So innocent in my eye
I could see her in my life
she would've had the world if she were mine

But see she had other plans
I could not understand
Her and her stupid friends

He frowned out at Hilary and Jess

Varsity's biggest fans
Never forget the day
She laughed and walked away
And I couldn't stop her
I guess she had it all

She had it all figured out
But she left me with a broken heart
%$# ed around and turned me down
Cause she didn't think I could play the part
But now the prom queen, the prom queen
Is crying sittin outside of my door
She never know how
How everything could turn around

By now the surrounding tables were all looking in Monica's direction as she sat stunned, tears starting to form in her eyes.

Hilary reached over and held her by the hand in support.

They loved her fancy underwear
Every boyfriend every year
She tried to keep em entertained
When they can hardly remember her name
She did everything she could just to
To make him love and treat her good
She found herself alone
Asking herself where did she go wrong

She didn't realize
She chased the type of guys
That don't believe in ties
Trying to apologize
Never forget the day
She laughed and walked away
And I couldn't stop her
I guess she had it all

Alex shifted in his seat and leant over whispering to Steph, "I'll be back in a sec, I'm busting here"

Steph nodded, "Ok, have fun" and turned back to Bruno's performance as Alex quietly slipped off to the bathroom.

With everyone focused on Bruno's performance, and revenge, no one noticed Jess slip away after Alex.

She had it all figured out
But she left me with a broken heart
%$# ed around and turned me down
Cause she didn't think I could play the part
But now the prom queen, the prom queen
Is crying sittin outside of my door
She never know how
How everything could turn around

He stepped from behind the microphone and played out the guitar solo
Getup!

Woo!

He stood, smirking as the room erupted in a standing ovation.

Steph got up on a chair and stuck her fingers in her mouth whistling and looked down at Monica, "Take that bitch!"

Monica's mouth was agape; she couldn't figure out what reaction to feel she was frozen in her seat as people who didn't know her laughed and pointed.

Steph, still on a high from the performance looked around and frowned.

Simon looked up at her, "What's wrong?" he called over the cheers.

"Alex should be back by now"

Simon looked around and shrugged, "Maybe there's a line up?"

Steph put her hands on her hips, "In the guy's toilets? Really? Nah-uh" she looked about again, "Where's Jess?"

Meanwhile, Alex came out from the bathroom, and heard the noise erupting from the main room and smirked to himself, "Damn bastard's done it again" he walked and bumped into someone, "Oh, sorry" he excused himself and noticed it was Jess.

She stood smiling, blocking his way and pressed her hand to his chest, "It's fine, really"

Alex took a step back, "Hey Jess, uh, I'm just heading back now"

She battered her eyelids, "Why? What's the hurry?"

Alex took her by the wrist, "Look, Jess..."

She held her finger to his lips and leant closer, pressing him against the wall, and speaking in his ear, "She'll never know, this can be our secret" and locked her lips onto his.

Steph looked down the hallway to the direction of the bathrooms.

There was a steady crowd of people streaming in and out of them, but it was one couple that caught her attention.

One couple that wasn't a couple.

Not with each other anyway.

It took her a moment to process it was Jess kissing Alex.

She balled her fist up and made a beeline straight for them.

She pulled at Jess's shoulder, spinning her round, "Get your %$# ing whore lips off my man, bitch!" she scowled.

Jess smirked, and put her hands on her hips, "I'm the whore? Look in the mirror honey" she folded her arms and laughed a little.

Steph narrowed her eyes and without thinking, brought her palm up and rammed it into Jess's nose, pushing her back into the wall.

Jess shrieked as there was a sickening sound of the bone cracking.

Steph, still fired up, then swung and copped Jess across the jaw making her fall to the ground, blood pouring from her nose and mouth.

Steph towered over her, "Welcome to the real world" she shook her hand, "%$# that kills!" and looked at Alex, a little stunned, "How the hell do you guys do that?!" she studied her hand, spotted in blood and already starting to bruise.

Alex shook his head, and grabbed her by the arm, "Let's just get outta here" and pulled her back to the others, leaving Jess to whimper on the ground, in a slight daze, as she held her hands to her nose and mouth.

Bruno walked over to Monica, "Now you'll forever be known as a Prom Queen Mon, take care" he turned to the others, "I'm done" and started towards the exit.

Alvin laughed, "That was awesome, I knew where you were going within the first few bars" and took the guitar from Bruno, as the others collected their things and headed out too.

Alex and Steph came out from the hallway; Steph gripping at her hand.

Jeanette's eyes widened, "What happened?"

Alex looked over at Hilary, "Uh, you might wanna go check on your friend"

Hilary and Monica looked at one another before racing off down the hallway.

Alex, turned to the others, "Seriously, we need to leg it, now!"

"%$ #, %$ #, %$ # this hurts man!" Steph cried out as they made a quick exit and were lucky to catch a cab out front to take them back to the hotel.