**DISCLAIMER**
Me:(waiting with fellow coven member Jaz) You have to be nice to him. Tommy is kinda . . .Grr. (scowls and claws the air.)
Jaz: (raises an eyebrow) Grr?
Me: (nods)
Jaz: (crosses arms.) Well I don't care, as long as Tommy signs my top hat.
Me: No promises.
Adam: (walks in smiling.) Chapter 5 was awesome...not great for Tommy but I liked it. (laughs)
Me: (looks around) Speaking of Tommy, where did he go?
Adam: (bites lip nervously and looks behind him) Um. . .
Tommy: (walks in, his shirt is ripped and his hair is messy; various shades of lipstick smeared all over his face.) Women are vicious. . .
Jaz, Me & Adam: (laughs)
Jaz: (nervously twitiching 'cause she can't believe both Adam and Tommy are so close. She holds out a silver top hat with a lime green feather.)
Me: (Sees Jaz; then smiles at Tommys lovingly.) Tommy. . . I'm sorry about last chapter.
Tommy: Sure you are. (wipes lipstick off of his face.) My fictional mother just beat the hell out of me and you're sorry.
Adam: (rolls his eyes)
Me: (looks at Tommy, back to Jaz then to Tommy again.) Tell ya what. I promise this chapter will be 100% better than the last one it . . .
Tommy: (eyes narrow) If what?
Me: If you sign my friends top hat that you didn't sign after the concert we went to back in August.
Adam: (Confused.) Why didn't you sign it Tommy? (looks at Jaz) I remember signing it.
Jaz: (turns red and giggles)
Me: He didn't sign it cause of those 'vicious women'
Tommy: (Thinks, then gives up.) As long as I don't get beat up this chapter I have no problem. (signs the hat.)
Me: (to the readers) Now that that is all taken care of, enjoy the next chapter in which Tommy does not get beaten up by his mother. ENJOY!
Tommy: (shouting) I am my own person! She does not own either of us!
Adam: Shut up Tommy!
~Chapter Six~
"It's not easy loving me, if gets so complicated
All the things you've gotta be, everything's changin
But you're the truth, I'm amazed by all your patience
Everything I put you through."
- Save me from myself
Things were getting better, surprisingly they were. I hated to admit it for the fear of it all falling apart again, but life somehow had picked up different pace. Hopefully I was headed for some place better then where I had been stuck for so long. Some things were inevitable though, I would always have that shitty house and Adam's would always make me feel less than perfect. My mother, crazy and insane as she was, was even getting better. I could hardly believe it. She had been attending some group rehab center place once a week, which appeared to be helping. In the beginning she put up a hell of a fight, but in the end she knew she needed to go as much as I wanted her too.
Monte and I started playing at a local bar and grill down town two nights a week, earning actual money, and it was good money. It was drug money that painted a big ass target on my head; it was good hard earned cash. The place paid us little, but by the time the tips were added, we were doing great. And depending on how drunk the people got the more money we usually made. The only down side was the reeking smell of beer and whiskey.
I had even saved up enough money to put the car in the shop so I wouldn't have to ride with Adam every day. It wasn't that I didn't want Adam giving me a ride, I actually enjoyed it more then I should, but I would feel more freedom the second I had the car back.
Six weeks had passed since Adam had first shown his beautiful face as the new kid, and he had worked his way under my skin. Every week that passed and he was there to laugh and smile- even at some of Monte's bad jokes- made my life seem less of a waste. I found myself anxious to see him every day, longing for those beautiful eyes and blissful smile. I knew that no matter the weather, his smile could always brighten my day. Never would I've thought I would grow so fond of someone like Adam. He was charismatic and flamboyant, I wasn't. The wall I feared would divide us was practically nonexistent now. Adam was too good for them, so I realized he would never be one of them.
Since Adam had gotten here, and I was always at his side, a new routine had started. On the days that we all three, Monte, Adam and me, ate together we would sit at the table farthest away from everyone else. All the other kids knew we had claimed it, so we never had to fight for a seat. The three of us would talk and laugh, even stress over assignments and projects. My life was becoming somewhat normal and less of a struggle.
The days I enjoyed the most were the ones that Adam and I had lunch just the two of us. The theater arts teacher had taken quite a liking for the new kid from Indiana, and gave him her extra set of keys to the building. Students weren't permitted to leave campus to eat, but that didn't stop us, Adam simply went and asked Ms. Baker for the keys, and the two of us got to go eat food that wouldn't eat us first. And when he went to her class after lunch, he would just hand her the keys.
So far, we hadn't gotten caught, but my gut told me there would be hell to pay if we ever did. But I wasn't going to dwell on it, not when things were actually going good. I hoped all the bad stuff had finally worked its way out of my system. Mom was healthier, I was happier, and Adam was more comfortable since he had 'come out.' I told him he didn't ever have to worry about me feeling awkward, because, honestly it didn't bother me that he liked dudes. That was just the way things were. We also agreed to be each other's vent, meaning we were there if either of us needed to spill their problems to someone. I listened to him, and he listened to me, although, never really seemed to have any. I hated pouring my troubles all over Monte anymore, because I did it to him all the time, so it was good to have someone else. I felt more connected to Adam anyway. We had both had problems that made us hate ourselves at time or for him, uncomfortable. Now we could tell each other everything. In the past few weeks we had become one individual, or close to it. We always knew what the other was thinking or if something was bothering the other. We fit together like lost puzzle pieces. We read each other so well it was unbelievable. Monte and I were never like that. Adam and I shared something on an emotional as well as a physical level, and I wasn't sure what it was.
At first, I thought that things would be a little funny between us, when he first told me he was gay, but it was in fact the opposite. With Monte and I both knowing he felt like he was freer to be himself. He wouldn't have to hide who he really was when he was with us. Although for me, I had to admit it was somewhat odd because I would catch myself staring at him for no real reason other than the fact he was nice to look at. I couldn't help myself sometimes, and it should have felt strange, but it didn't. Being with Adam was as easy as breathing.
Adam sat across from me in the small café, gazing out the window, playing with the straw in his glass. Today he had been unusually quiet, which was not like him when it was just the two of us. He always seemed to have something to talk about, even if it was about the most random things. I could tell his train of thought was somewhere else entirely, focused on something distant and out of reach. He hadn't touched the burger and fries he ordered, which were now too cold to eat. My eyes wondered over his face, trying to obtain something from it, but instead I just ended up staring again.
"Are you okay?" I finally asked, taking a cold fry from his plate.
He turned his head around and looked at his glass of water instead of me – keeping those hypnotic blue irises hidden under dark lashes. Adam bit his bottom lip, and twirled the straw in his cup, watching the spin in the clear liquid.
"You seem distracted." I added, cupping my hands around my warm coffee mug.
Today it actually felt like fall. California didn't have very many gloomy days, but when and if they did, they sucked. It had been raining all morning and the temperature was below normal.
Adam chuckled lightly. "I'm sorry." He looked up and his eyes met mine. There was no pain or fear in them, just nervousness. "I do seem distracted don't I?"
"Maybe just a little bit." I shrugged.
He leaned forward and rested both of his fore arms on the surface in front of him.
"The auditions for the fall musical are today after school." He explained.
I smirked. "Are you gonna audition?"
"I want to." He said.
"Then go for it." I insisted, "You'll do fine."
He smiled. "You think so?"
"I know so." I said taking a drink from the ceramic mug.
Recently I had discovered that every now and then Adam needed to be reminded just how spectacular he was. He blushed and laughed nervously, repositioning himself in the bench across from me.
I had never heard him sing before, so I really didn't know if he was any good at it at all, but there was no doubt that his voice was amazing. It was even when he spoke. His voice never cracked or stuttered, like everything else he did, it flowed seamlessly into his every move.
Adam cleared his throat. "….Um…did you and Monte bring your guitars to school today?"
His question came from nowhere.
"Yeah. Why?" I asked finishing off the rest of his cold fries.
He fidgeted with his straw again, and then looked back at me. "Because they are also holding auditions for a band to play the music, and I just thought that maybe you and Monte could try out." He paused waiting for a reaction from me.
I wasn't sure what expression took my face but he quickly changed his thinking.
"I mean the music isn't exactly what you like to play but-"
"No! I think it would be awesome." I said quickly.
The idea of participating in an after school function really wasn't the most alluring, but it gave me a reason to be around Adam more. I could only imagine what some of the kids at school would say when I showed my face in that auditorium. It would be interesting, that's for sure.
Adam smiled and I turned to watch the stormy clouds out the rain spotted window. Through the down pour out side, bright numbers flashed on a messaging sign at the bank across the street.
"Aw shit!" I exclaimed standing up quickly. "We're going to be late!"
Adam glanced out the window, squinting and stood as well, cursing under his breath. Both of us threw a couple bills on the table for a tip then rushed out to the black mustang parked the farthest from the building- holding our jackets over our heads until we were save under the roof of his car.
~oOo~
The auditions were held in different parts of the auditorium, which frustrated me. Anyone wishing to be in the actual show had to go to the stage, where as those looking to try out for the band were supposed to report to the band room. I wouldn't get to hear him sing after all.
I had been in the band room only once, which was perfectly fine with me, and that was to beat the hell out of a kid when I was in middle school for making fun of Monte's bad haircut. The whole experience was bad and I didn't care to relive it. Four weeks of polishing tubas and washing mouth pieces for a punishment can do that to a person.
The line we were waiting in was quite long, most of the other kids carried cases for flutes and other traditional band instruments. The big guitar cases Monte and I had looked out of place.
"Why are we doing this again?" Monte asked.
"Because Adam wanted us to." I said flatly, switching my guitar case to my other hand
The longer I stood in line, the less appealing and the more annoying the idea became. I would say Adam owed me big time, but he already helped me get my mother back on track, as well as take me to and from school every day. So no, he didn't owe me, I owed him.
"What's the play even about?" Monte asked, bored.
"Probably something cheesy." I warned, just as lifelessly.
"Great."
I hoped it wasn't The Sound of Music, or something shitty like that. There wasn't even guitar in that kind of music. Come to think of it, most of the God damn show tunes out there didn't have very much guitar. I got the feeling Monte and I were shit out of luck.
The band geeks around Monte and I talked in their nasally high pitched voices, giving both of us narrow eyed glares that made it clear we were not welcome in their stinky band room. Lucky for them, I didn't wanna be there either. I sighed, moving forward a tiny bit, as the long line inched closer to the auditioning room.
The two of us waited broadly a while longer, until we were finally the next ones to audition. My heart started pounding in my chest, anxious. Behind the thick wooden door the shrill sounds of trumpets played, then abruptly stopped. A few seconds later two scrawny sophomores came out of the room, mumbling angrily to themselves. Monte gave me a confused look, I shrugged pushing open the door when a voice called "Next!"
The room we entered was little more than a storage closet. All the shelves had been removed and the only thing occupying the dimly lit space were a couple of stools, a narrow table with three chairs and three adults. None of them were teachers, and they looked less then happy to be here. A single piece of paper sat atop of the table with a few name written on it. The man sitting in the middle eye's lit up when he saw the guitar cases, which I hoped was a good thing.
"What are your names?" The man sitting on the right asked.
"I'm Tommy Ratliff, and this is-"
"Monte Pittman." He finished introducing himself beside me.
The man in the middle leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table with a smirk on his face.
"I've heard you two play before." He said.
My eyebrows pulled together.
"Fridays on Main Street, you both play at the bar." He explained. "you're both very talented."
"Thank you." Monte and I replied together.
The man turned to the people setting beside him, and began to whisper a conversation. It was difficult to make out what they were saying, but they all started nodding. When they all faced us again, the man in the middle had a smile on his face.
"Okay, you both are in."
"But we didn't even play." Monte pointed out, a little taken back.
The man shook his head. "No need, I've heard you both multiple times, and it sounds beautiful. This should be a piece of cake."
He wrote our names down on the paper, told us when to show up for practice and pointed us to the door. The entire thing was like a blur we couldn't have been in the room longer then five minuets. I felt like we had just cheated everyone out of a job, but I didn't care. This gave me one more reason to be around Adam and that was all that mattered.
I smiled to myself as we walked down the wide hallway. It was a great feeling knowing some one recognized your talent, and it was a little breathtaking. We walked past the auditorium where the singing auditions were taking place. They were supposed to be closed auditions, but the door was propped open by a box. The sudden temptation of hearing Adam sing was overwhelming. Impulsively, I yanked on Monte's sleeve, dragging him into the large room and to the back row of seats.
It was dark in the concert hall except for the stage where a girl was singing a recent overplayed pop song. Even from where I was sitting, I could see her small frame shake and tremble while she tried to sing every lyric without stuttering.
As I sat there, listening to the poor girls nervous solo, I hoped Adam hadn't already auditioned. I knew Monte could really careless whether or not he got to hear Adam sing, but I wanted to, now more then ever. It was one talent he had never shown me, but always promised to eventually, and I figured sooner was better then later.
The chairs were a tight squeeze, and I repositioned myself to sit more comfortably, realizing this could be a while. For once I was in no rush to get home and make sure my mother was still breathing. She was well enough now that she could manage pretty well on her own, and I had to give Adam parcel credit for that. Without him I doubted I would have taken living in that mess much longer. It would've been a lie to say I hadn't considered suicide once or twice during the bad days. But I had already lived through those consequences, and I didn't want to have them placed on anyone's shoulders.
After ten long minuets of nervous loud singing and bleeding eardrums a familiar voice echoed through the empty auditorium. Upon hearing him, I sat up straighter, smacking Monte- who had fallen asleep- with the back of my hand. Adams voice no longer sounded nervous like it did earlier back at the restaurant, instead it was that same singsong tone I loved.
"Mr. Lambert," a female voice asked from the front row. "What will you be singing for us today?"
"Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen." Adam said confidently.
My nose wrinkled immediately, hearing the title of his song choice-not my favorite- but nonetheless I listened when he began to sing. His voice started out soft, and gradually grew louder, hitting every note perfectly. Goosebumps covered my arms, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up hearing the haunting melody.
"Holy shit." I whispered to myself in amazement.
Adams voice was nothing short of heavenly. It belonged in a choir of angels, as corny as it might sound, but it was beyond true explanation. My ears were used to the gnarled sounds of Manson, and other metal bands, but his voice took an unearthly presence that filled the entire room with calming tranquility.
When his alluring voice ceased, the auditorium was over taken by a defining silence that made my ears ring. An emptiness lingered in the air, as the woman in front said nothing and waved Adam off stage without the slightest complement or critique.
The bottoms of Adams boots scuffed the wooden stage as he made his was down the short set of stairs, seeming somewhat disappointed with the lack of judgment he was given. I didn't blame him though, I would be upset if my talent wasn't recognized especially when it was as exceptional as his.
Adam sat down in one of the cushioned chairs towards the front, and watched the rest of the auditions. Some were good, others bad, and some were just flat out awful. Some people were just not cut out for musical theater. I began to question my ability to stand the nonsense any longer, but I struggled threw it.
An hour later, the woman from the front, along with the three people from the band auditions all gathered at the far end of the auditorium, whispering amongst themselves. Monte had fallen back asleep beside me- I kept my fingers crossed that he wouldn't start snoring, and went to go complement Adam on his tremendous vocals. I walked down the slanted isle, staying low to the ground so I would get caught since I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. Swiftly, I slid into a seat behind Adam.
"Hey." I whispered, making Adam drunk.
"Jesus Tommy! Don't do that."
I held a finger to my lips to hush him, then he smiled.
"What are you doing here?" His eyes looked around the nearly empty room, then focused back on me. I shrugged and smirked.
"I wanted to hear you sing, and that was fucking amazing."
Adam blushed. "Thanks, I could have done a whole lot better though. I kinda freaked out when I got up there."
He was too modest.
I shook my head. "Best one I heard."
"Thank you." He said again.
It fell silent for a few moments as we waited for the other to say something. He was the first to speak.
"How did your's and Monte's audition go?" The hopeful twinkle in his eye made me smile.
"We got it!" I raised my voice just enough to show excitement, but kept it soft enough not to be noticed. "The guy we were going to play for has been down to the stupid grill before. He's hear us both play and gave us the part right away."
"Holy Moses." Adam smiled. "Lets hope I get just as lucky."
"I don't think you have much to worry about." I assured him.
He smiled at me, showing his liquid clear eyes and brilliant white teeth and my heart skipped a beat. Adam was truly beautiful and flawless, inside and out. Utterly perfect. I often wondered if my imagination had made him up, but I doubted my ability to think up someone so compassionate and understanding as he was. Perhaps maybe he was my guardian angel, but that was stupid, there was no such creatures.
A slight chuckle broke the short silence between us.
"You're blushing." Adam pointed out with a smirk.
I instantly looked to the floor, letting the long strands of blond hair hide me cheeks. The embarrassment only added to the already pink hue.
"Um..." I couldn't think of an excuse quick enough. What was I supposed to tell him? 'I cant stop looking at your eyes because they are so gorgeous?' Yeah that would go over well. But it was the truth, and weren't we supposed to be honest with each other? I was at a loss, and completely confused. Now that my mother was some what back to normal, all I could think about was Adam.
"I...uh..." My voice caught.
Adam just looked at me with a mischievous gleam in his cobalt blue eyes, and a crooked smile painted on his face. I could see the wheels in his head turning, and before I could fined my voice again to defined myself, the woman in charge of auditions stepped onto stage. She carried a large stack of scripts and Adam took his eyes off me and turn his attention to her.
"If I call your name, come up and take a script. The one you are given will have your parts high lighted." The middle aged, slender woman spoke with absolutely no enthusiasm, or gave off any aura that made her seem like she wanted to have any part in this. Her attitude was really beginning to piss me off. These kids had shown up to do this thing, using time they could be spending to do hell only knows, but instead they were her for her fucking musical
Since my life had taken a turn in a better direction, I paied more attention to people because I had less to think about. I never realized how screwed up some of them were. Sure I was no angel, but good lord, it was worse then I even thought. My mind wondered.
"Practice starts on Monday." she added lazily, calling out more names.
I sat waiting with just as much anticipation as anyone waiting for a part would have. If Adam didn't get a part, there was no way in hell that woman would be leaving the school in one piece. Now that I was guaranteed a part in the band, I wanted nothing more then for him to get on in the play, after all, the whole reason I was did it was to be around him. He had to get a part, he just had to. There was really no reason why he wouldn't, the kid had a set of lungs blessed by God himself, and looks that are we...insanely beautiful. He was star, know doubt about it.
The endless flow of names continued without even the tiniest hint of Adams name, and all of his hope seemed to be slipping out of reach until the very last one.
"and Adam Lambert."
He got up quickly, probably with a huge grin on his face and went to claim his part. When he reached her, she handed him the script, then said something I didn't understand, and then they both looked my direction. I sank in my chair. The look on Adam's face was odd; it was a mix of amusement and embarrassment, but the woman glared at me with cold eyes. I resisted the sudden urge to flip her off-expressing how I felt about her, and instead looked at the floor.
~oOo~
"I didn't get you in trouble did I?"
The three of us walked out of the building and into the dreary sun light. The rain had stopped for the time being, allowing the sun short attempts to show itself until it was swallowed by the giant gray masses.
"No." Adam laughed finding something funny.
Monte said a quick 'See ya later' and strolled over to the white pick up a row behind Adams black sports car.
"What did she tell you then?" I asked curious.
I tossed my bag and guitar case in the back seat of his car before getting in the passenger side next to him. There was a nervous smirk on his freckled lips.
"She told me I wasn't allowed to bring my 'girl friend' to practice with me." Adam fought a laugh and my eyes narrowed.
"That bitch thought I was your girl friend!" I shouted angrily. What the fuck was wrong with her? Was she blind? I was not a girl, it was obvious. I was missing two very important parts of the female anatomy if I was.
Oddly though, the fact some old wench called me a girl was the only part I really had a problem with. If she had told Adam not to bring his boy friend to practice-which for him made more sense- I doubted I would've reacted the same.
Adam's boyfriend. I let my mind digest that thought for a second, finding it more appealing than I should. I didn't have feelings for him, at least not those kinds of feelings for him... Right? Then why did I feel the need to be with him constantly, like he was my air supply and I was drowning in the sea of madness? I blinked myself out of the non sense my brain was causing. That was too much for me to process at once.
"I'm sorry Tommy." Adam chuckled. "I thought it was amusing."
"Well it's not." I grumbled.
Adam reached over and ruffled my blond mop of hair, and my mood lightened. Ruffling my hair was a habit Adam had picked up about a month after he got here, and it was a habit that was growing into an addiction for me. I loved the feel of his smooth fingertips on my scalp, but he would never know that, it was my secret pleasure that I planed on keeping to myself.
"But you are cute." He stated frankly, like it was common knowledge. "and adorable, especially with your temper."
I felt a sudden heat wave take over my face, and I turned to gaze out the window to hide my blush. All the boyfriend thoughts drifted back into my skull, making thins worse. I promised myself I wouldn't blush in front of him again, even though I knew that was hopeless. He was just too damn charming.
On the way home we laughed and joked and for once I felt like a normal teenager- which was a big deal to me. By the time Adam pulled the car up to the curb outside my house, the awkwardness was gone. Adam could make any uneasy feeling go away and make them disappear like they never happened.
Adam parked the jet black car and looked at me. "Same time tomorrow?"
He always asked the question even though he knew the answer. I nodded pulling on the strap of my book bag around me from the back seat, as well as my guitar. The operation took lots of skill and concentration, but after weeks of practice I had mastered the stunt.
"Yep." I gave him a quick smile, exited the car and stepped on to the side walk.
Adam leaned over in the drivers seat, keeping his left hand on the wheel to look out the passenger window, and I bent over enough to see his beautiful face.
"Let me know if you need anything. I can be here in a heart beat." Adam's promise was sincere and comforting.
"I will." I assured him with a smile. "See ya tomorrow."
He said good bye, briefly reminding me of his promise again, and pulled away from the curb, leaving me alone on the broken pathway under threatening storm clouds.
When I walked into my house it was nice not to be knocked over by the intoxicating odor of alcohol that used to linger in the air. Adam and I had taken the liberty of removing every last bottle personally. We tossed every last bottle in the dumpster down the street empty or not. The two of us practically ripped the entire house to pieces to make sure we hadn't missed any of my mothers hiding places, while documenting where they were incase I needed to remember. It was an exhausting two day job, but having my mother back was worth every back breaking minuet.
I walked in, stopping just short of the old stair case that lead to my room. I stole a quick glance into the living room, where my mother was sitting on the couch. She was peacefully watching a news broad cast- we couldn't afford any of the good channels. A bottle of water was setting on the table next to where she was sitting, and she was snacking on a bag of potato chips Adam had brought over.
Hearing me enter, she turned her body so her elbow dropped over the back of the couch, and looked at me confused. "Why are you home so late?" Her chocolate brown eyes were no longer sunken or blood shout, and her long hair shinned like it used to.
I dropped my bag on the wooden floor, setting my guitar case beside it gently.
"Monte and I. . .uh...auditioned to play the music for the fall play." I explained, taking a few steps towards her with my hands in my jean pockets. Her head nodded in approval.
"That's good." she paused "How did you do?"
I smirked, realizing I was glad that I got the part, especially when they thought you were good without hearing us play. I stepped closer to the couch and kissed the top of moms head.
"We got it." I said happily walking back to the of the stairs. "Oh, and practice starts after school on Monday. So I won't get home until later."
She nodded again., unscrewing the plastic cap of the Mountain Ice water bottle. "Is that Adin kid still going to bring you home?"
"Adam." I corrected, somewhat coldly, which she didn't catch.
"Yeah him. We don't have a car and I don't want you walking home in the dark." she took a long drink from the bottle then put the cap back on.
I tugged the shoulder strap of my book bag over my head and gripped my guitar case. "Yeah. He is in the play." I paused looking at the time indicated on the TV news bulletin. "I've gotta lot of homework I need to get done so I'll be upstairs if you need me."
She nodded, turning back to the TV screen. "Love you Tommy."she called as I went up stairs. Her voice had a strange tone to it, but I wasn't sure what it was. When I was in my room, a blissful smile spread across my face, happy to hear her call me by my name instead of what she used to. For once I could go up in my room, listen to what little music I had not sold yet, play my guitar or just simply relax, which was something that felt to good to be true.
A/N: Okay so sorry this one took a little longer to get up...my computer freaked out and I couldn't type for a two days...so I got it up finally. I will also be posting an Adommy one shot inspired by one of my favorite Glamberts on twitter fANNAtic3. (FOLLOW HER!) So look for that one up sometime this weekend, if you follow me on Twitter (Glampire92) i will let y'all know when it is up aready for you to read. So yeah i think that is all i have to say for now...leave me a review! I love them so much! 3 ;)
**THANK YOU to all of my beautiful Glamberts who are leaving me reviews! You are all my favorites! xD 3
