Jorja sat on the couch, guitar in hand, and notebook sitting next to her on the side table, as she stared into space.

"Earth to Jorja," Alexis said, playfully waving her hand in front of Jorja's face, "You in there?"

"Ha, ha. You're hilarious." Jorja responded, cracking a small smile in spite of herself, "You all done down there?"

"Yeah, Adam's here, he said he'd close up. You want some help on that song now?" Alexis asked, nodding at the guitar.

"Yeah, definitely! It's killing me! Here, listen to what I have so far," she placed her fingers on the string, strumming out the opening chords.

Alexis listened intently as she played, smiling as the last note rang out.

"So?" Jorja asked, looking up expectantly.

"I love the melody. It's perfect, you just need to change a few words up. Let me see that notebook?"

Jorja handed it over, and together they sat, heads bent over the battered pages.

……………………………………………………………

Jorja stretched, rubbing the back of her neck, which was stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, "It's perfect," She sighed relieved to finally be finished.

"You should play it. Live." Jorja opened her mouth to protest, but Alexis pushed on, not allowing her the chance, "Seriously, Mac's is having an open mike night tonight. You should sign up."

"Absolutely not! I'm not singing this live! I'm not singing anything live!

"Oh, come on! You should! That song is amazing!"

"No. Way." Jorja said, a stubborn look settling into her eyes.

"Hmmm… then maybe I should tell Drake you're scared to sing live." Alexis bluffed, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket.

"You wouldn't dare!" Jorja's eyes widened, as she sat straight up.

Alexis flipped the phone open, and scrolled through her phonebook to Drake's name, "Wanna bet?" She asked, grinning evilly.

"Ok! Ok, you win! Don't call him!" Jorja exclaimed, reaching over to shut the phone before Alexis could hit the send button.

Alexis smiled triumphantly, "Good, cause I woulda hated to have to call up Mac's and ask them to take your name off the list." She jumped off the couch barely dodging the billow Jorja threw at her. Dashing for the front door, she swung it open, pausing only for a moment, "You're on at 8 by the way." She pulled the door shut behind her, and grinned as she heard the second pillow thud against the door.

She flipped her cell phone open, and scrolled to Drake's name again, this time actually hitting the send button.

"Hello?" He answered groggily.

"Dude, it's like, four in the afternoon! Get you're butt outta bed!"

"Why?" Drake asked dully.

"Just do it. And you might wanna take a shower. I'll be there in ten minutes, let's grab some dinner or something."

Drake started to protest, but was cut off by the sound of his stomach grumbling. His tired eyes swept the dorm room for any sign of food, but all they took in was an empty jar of peanut butter, and two twinkie wrappers. He sighed, "Ok, dinner. I'll see you in ten."

True to her word, Alexis knocked on the door to his room in ten minutes, and wrinkled her nose at the sight of Drake, "I thought I said grab a shower. You look like crap."

Drake glowered darkly at her, "Gee, thanks. That's so sweet of you. Why do I need to shower, anyways? It's just you."

Alexis raised her eyebrows, "I'll look past that remark if you go shower. Now." She pointed towards the bathroom door for emphasis, and smiled smugly as Drake grabbed a handful of clean clothes, along with his bathroom supplies, grumbling under his breath as he made his way to the bathroom.

Alexis was waiting for him when he returned, perched on the end of his messy bed. "Well, at least you smell better. Do you ever actually clean this place? I think that sock over there moved on its own when you were gone."

"Ok, mom." Drake said sarcastically, "I'll clean later, you ready?

Alexis grinned cheerily, hopping off the bed, "After you, good sir."

They walked in silence down the New York City streets, returning to the same diner they had eaten at on Drakes first night in town. Alexis slid into the booth across from him, studying his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and though the shower had defiantly helped his hair, and his smell, he was still looking pretty rough. "For someone who sleeps in till four o'clock, you sure look like you haven't slept in ages."

Drake shrugged, fiddling with the fork on the table, "That's because I haven't slept. All week. Not since, well, you know, not since I talked to you about Jorja. I don't get it! Do you know how many girls I've dated in my life?"

"Do I want to?"

Drake continued as if he hadn't even heard her, "Tons. And do you know how many of them made me lose sleep? None. Not one. I just don't get it, I barely even know the girl!"

Alexis sighed, "Look, just try not to think about her, ok? Listen, I have the perfect thing to get your mind off it. There's this great club called Mac's. They're having an open mike night tonight. Let's go, it'll get you thinking about something else for a while."

Drake shrugged, willing to try anything, "Alright, sure. Anything to keep me out of that dorm room. I'm pretty sure walls are closing in. And you know, I think you might have been right about that sock moving."

Alexis grinned; glad to hear his attempt at humor. It was good to see the old Drake Parker gleaming through for a moment.

They ordered their dinners, and ate quickly, before entering the cool night air, walking towards Mac's, the sounds of the streets the only noise to be heard.

The club was crowded when they finally reached it, and Drake paused, looking uneasily at the line. "Are you sure about this? I don't really want to be surrounded by people right now."

"Of course you do!" Alexis retorted, smiling brightly as she grabbed his arm, and led him to the door, "It's the best thing for you."

The entered the club, and found a place towards the back. Alexis glanced at her watch, which read five minutes till eight, Jorja should be on soon. "Hey, I'll be right back." She said, slipping away before Drake had a chance to answer.

She found Jorja back stage pacing, a look of panic crossing her features. "Oh my God! Where have you been! I thought you were going to leave me to do this by myself!"

"Of course not! Don't be nervous, you're ready for this. I promise."

Jorja ran her hand through her hair, closing her eyes, and letting out a long breath. "Ok. I'm ready. At least Drake's not here. I don't know if I could take it."

Alexis grinned nervously, but was saved from having to answer when a man in a black t-shirt walked up, "You Jorja?" he asked, looking up from the clipboard he was carrying.

"Yeah, that's me."

"Right this way, you're on in 2."

Jorja shot a final nervous look over her shoulder as she followed the man to the side of the stage.

Alexis drew a deep breath, crossing her fingers for her friend, before she pushed her way back to Drake's side.

"Hey, where'd you go?"

"Just to the bathroom." Alexis answered distractedly, as a woman took the stage, leading the clapping for the kid who had been playing.

"Alright! Let's hear it for Ted!" She said enthusiastically into the microphone, "Up next we have a first time, so let's hear a warm welcome for Jorja!"

Drake's hand froze mid clap, his eyes widening as Jorja took the stage, slipping her guitar strap over her shoulder. He grabbed Alexis's arm, grasping it tightly. "Did you know she was going to be here?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of the girl on stage.

"Ow!" Alexis exclaimed, pulling her arm free of his grasp and rubbing it. "That hurt."

"Sorry. Alexis, I don't think I can do this. I can't just watch her up there, it's going to drive me crazy!"

"Yes you can. Just stay. Give her a chance." Alexis pulled him into a side hug, "Just trust me."

Drake swallowed, his eyes a mix between admiration for Jorja, and pain at knowing he couldn't have her.

Jorja adjusted the mike, her hands shaking. She smiled out at the crowd, clearing her throat, "I'm going to sing a song I co-wrote with my dear friend Alexis. It's a song about a boy."

With that she adjusted the mike one more time, before she began to play, her words ringing out clearly through the club.

"I saw you glance this way,

Just like you did the other day,

You think you know just who I am

You're gonna make you're move

Yeah, but I've got news for you

And I bet, I won't regret

To let you know

I won't be your little prize

To show off to the other guys

Not me,
No, I swear it won't be me

You're coming a little closer now

And I'm not sure that I know how

Racing thoughts become a blur

Maybe you're not who I thought you were

Yeah, I think I might've been wrong

And I bet, I won't regret

To let you know

I won't be your little prize

To show off to the other guys

Not me,
No, I swear it won't be me

Secret glances, your advances

Won't get you anywhere with me

I'm not like those other girls

Dreaming of you night and day

You won't get me without a fight

At least that's what I thought last night

I admit

It might just fit

You and me

I can see

You and me,

It might be

Yeah, It might be"

((Author's Note: I bet you're dying to know what happens, aren't you? Buah ha ha! The more you review, the faster I update. It's scientifically proven. Oh, and I wrote the song, so it's not plagiarizing. And on a side note, you should all go read ChocolateCoveredJockey 's fics. Seriously. Do it.))