It's About Time
Disclaimer: Don't own SOR...some hotshots at Paramount do...
Chapter Thirty: Light Surrounding You
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KATIE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" Everyone shouted at breakfast. I'm now 16.
"Thanks, guys. You really didn't have to do this! And in my home town, you guys rock!" I smiled, giving a cold stare to Freddy.
We were in Chicago, the last two days of our tour. I'm home, but Dad isn't. We were eating in an IHOP downtown, and Malaya was writing something down on a small notepad. She was always writing, I wonder what was on her mind today, she seemed down.
"Hey Malaya? What's wrong?" I asked, and she looked up, smiling a bit.
"Today my cousin would've been twenty-four." She replied, and she sighed loudly. "He was killed a year ago by some rivals of his. I'm just writing more material for my album coming out."
"I'm sorry." Summer added, giving her a side hug.
"It's okay. I have some good stuff here though!" We started laughing as we all pitched in for the bill. We walked back to our buses and went to the hotel we were staying at...I think it was the Radisson, like the one we stayed at in Austin Texas. We were in silence on our bus, except for Summer and Zack, talking about a vacation they were taking. I felt someone turn me, and I was facing Freddy. He gave me a pleading look, and I rolled my eyes.
"Look, I read your email and I think it's a bunch of crap. Why were you with Ashlee anyway?" I quizzed him, even though deep down inside I wanted to scream that I was sorry for putting him through this.
"How many times do I have to say sorry God dammit?!" He yelled.
"Until you MEAN IT!" I yelled back and I stomped off to my bunk. Damn him. I love him.
We arrived at the hotel, Summer and I sharing a room again.
"We need to talk." Summer said firmly.
"About what?" I asked cooly, looking at new texts on my Sidekick.
"Freddy."
I looked up, and frowned.
"Summer, I really don't want to talk about him. I hate him, remember?"
"No, you don't. If you hated him, then what's this?" She pulled my Sidekick out of my hands and I looked at her in awe.
"Dear Freddy-
This will never be read by you but I'm sorry for being a bitch. I love you too..Katie. I think that has some signifigance, don't you?" She crossed her arms over her chest, closing the phone and putting it down gently on the bedside table. My eyes widened.
"How'd you get THAT?" I asked angrily.
"You forwarded it to me by mistake. Katie, I know you're still in love with Freddy, you don't have to deny it anymore. Dammit it's been almost a month you've been apart! Zack is really worried about Freddy. He won't talk to anyone anymore. He's quiet in interviews, he's not being how he used to. He's acting like he's missing something and I think that someone is YOU.
"Katie, I think it's time you let go of all of that hate and forgive the boy. I think he's forgivable now." Summer was always good at doing this to me. I sighed and stood up, taking my Sidekick and purse with me.
"I'm going out. I'll be back before the show." I said nonchalantly as I exited the room, grabbing the key also.
I walked into a record store, just looking around at the new ones, like this band called "Evermore" and also this band called "Stefy". Their music sounded pretty good when I sampled them, so I decided to buy their CD. and Evermore. I looked more over to where our CD would be, and I picked up a copy. The cover was completely hideous! I laughed to myself as I put it down. Then I got mauled by fans.
"Are you and Freddy broken up for good?"
"Is Ryan Ross your boyfriend?"
"When's your new record coming out?"
A whirlwind of questions that I didn't answer, just signed autographs, payed for my CD's and left. As soon as I got back to the hotel, everyone was packing for soundcheck.
"Katez, get your bass! We're having a whole Battle of the Bands thing tonight!" Zack said excitedly as he threw me my bass. OUCH.
"What? Why?" I managed to get out.
"For our last day on tour that's why!" He replied and I laughed again. This was all too funny!
"Alright, alright, who am I up against?" I asked while Summer joined us. Damn we need our roadies!
"You're facing off with Pete." Summer laughed. "He thinks he can beat you at the bass!"
"He wishes!" I laughed. "Plus, it's my birthday!"
We walked to the bus and I pushed Freddy as he walked by me. Whatever.
"Tonight is a special show...Here we are in Chi-town, our home and our last stop on the Friends or Enemies Tour, and we thought...why not fucking celebrate with a Battle of the Bands?" Pete yelled and everyone screamed.
"Now, here's our band to battle...the one and only SCHOOL OF ROCK!"
They'd set up everything double, so there was two drum kits, at least 4 or 5 microphones plus stands, and a billion screaming people.
"But first, it's Katelyn Victoria Brown's birthday! Let's sing it, you know!"
The whole crowd sang Happy Birthday to me and I bowed, waving as I rose up.
"Okay, let's get down! Let's get the players onto the field! Give a warm Chicago welcome to Mr. JOSEPH MARK TROHMAN and Mr. ZACHARY JOSEPH MOONEYHAM!!!"
Zack strapped on his Gibson Flying V and Joe smiled as he stepped up to Zack.
"Ready?" Joe challenged.
"You're gonna be nailed." Zack smiled back.
"Okay okay, School of Rock first. Zack, on the count of three you play a song. Three...Two...One..GO!"
Zack bursted into "Eruption" by Van Halen and the crowd cheered. Joe shook his head and crossed his arms as Zack finished.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Alright, Three...Two..One..GO TROHMANIA!!"
Joe played a really fast solo by Morrisey, even though most of their solos were slow and mellow. Joe finished and the crowd was screaming.
"Alright, shout if you liked...ZACK!"
Screaming girls.
"How about Joe?"
More screaming girls.
"Well, we'll call this a tie then, shall we? Okay, now it's my turn to kick some ass!" Pete laughed as he got his bass and threw it over himself.
"Ready?" Patrick challenged. "Three...Two...One...KATIE GO!"
I did some insane solo from way back from "It's a Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock n' Roll".
Pete backed up and resigned to play. VICTORY!
Summer was paired with Greta, and then there was a drummer match. Andy won that, and then there was a screamo competition, Pete won. Then the show was over.
"SURPRISE!!" Everyone shouted when I entered the pool/lounge area of the hotel. I smiled and hugged everyone...except Freddy. There was a huge Sweet Sixteen cake and a bunch of presents from everyone.
"OOOOOOOOHHH OPEN MINE FIRST!!" Joe insisted as I sat down on a lounge chair.
"Sure Joe, sure." I smiled as I picked up his gift.
(A/N:: To make it simple here's a list of what everyone got Katie!! lol)
Brendon Harajuku Lovers Sketch Handbag
Ryan "Bass Girl" necklace
Jon Say it With Stickers Book
Spencer Amy Brown Fire Fairy notebook
Patrick Foxy Grandma Trucker Hat
Joe Posters of John Entwisle, Mike Dirnt, John Paul Jones, and Dee Dee Ramone
Andy Multi designed guitar picks
Pete Clandestine hoodies, and above all...a black toy POODLE!!
Greta Tiffany initial engraved Necklace
Bob Led Zeppelin songbook
Malaya Multi-colored pearl necklaces
Travis Run-DMC Greatest Hits Collection
I was surprised when I saw the puppy, and Malaya's dog Bella got excited to have a playmate.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" I asked, taking it out of Pete's hands.
"A girl. What else?" I laughed.
"Hmmmm, what to name you, what to name you..OH! I know! Slash!" Everyone looked at me funny.
"Duh, from Guns n' Roses?" Then everyone made "oh" sounds and shook their heads.
"Thanks everyone for all these awesome gifts! I really-"
I got cut off by something really loud, like a piano. Then Freddy came into sight. I went to stand up but Summer, Greta, and Malaya convinced me to sit down.
"This song is for all the fond memories I had with Katie. It's by a band called Evermore and the song is called 'Light Surrounding You'". Freddy was gonna sing!
I see you by the water
Your toes dipped in the sand
I thought that it was over
I thought you'd understand
But the feeling is returning
Though time has made us change
And I understand if you don't
Wanna talk to me about it
Tonight
Oh, tonight
I smiled a little, letting my heart lead the way. This meant so much to me.
Cos I see the light surrounding you
So don't be afraid of something new
Time was overtaking me
And I guess I was confused
They were all inviting me
But I wish I had refused
Cos I'd been there before
And I've seen it all
And I believe in you
I started to cry a little, because it was all so true.
And if you never had my heart
I would've never called you back
At the start that night
And I want you to know
That I see the light surrounding you
So don't be afraid of something new
Cos I see the light surrounding you
So don't be afraid of what you're turning into
He smiled and I smiled back, wiping my tears away and petting Slash.
Blue-eyed sun shines on me
In the morning
Can't help but feel a little cold
Thinking of you
Cos I see the light surrounding you
So don't be afraid of something new
Cos I see the light surrounding you
So don't be afraid of what you're turning into
No, don't be afraid
Don't be afraid
Cos I see the light
Cos I see the light
Cos I see the light surrounding you
The song finished and Freddy stepped down. He took my hand and I stood up, Slash jumping into Summer's lap.
"Katie, will you forgive me?"
"I..."
OOPS! END OF CHAPTER!
R&R PLEASE!!!