A/N: Okay I messed up. I forgot about the school terms so the story skipped Summer's birthday and Christmas. The Battle of the Band should have taken place in Autumn just like the movie but here it takes place at the end of spring about a month before summer vacation. So the band's freshman year is basically fast forwarded. Sorry again. Anyway chapter 7 will be up soon.

So enjoy...

Through The Years

Freshman Year

Chapter 6: Battle of the Bands

Two days. That was all they had left until the battle of the bands. Right now Summer was feeling uncomfortable. She was sitting in between Brittany and Freddie, trying to look like she was having the time of her life. From her table, she could spot her parents laughing at something someone said. She may never forgive them. They were the reason she was currently tensed. She was forced to go to this party where she was assign to the seat in the middle of Brittany, Freddie alongside strangers she barely knew. She did not know who was more uncomfortable right now; her, Brittany or Freddie. The tension they all were emitting could probably be felt by everyone at the table.

It was unfair that the people she actually could stand were at a different table. Over there at least she did not need to try to make awkward polite conversation. Summer looked at the table that Michelle and Zac were sitting. They looked like they were genuinely having fun. What she would give to be with them right now.

"So having fun everyone?" the hostess said when she reached the table. There was a general murmurs of fake approval and nods. This was another reason she hated being here at this table. No one seemed to be able to lie properly and the ones who were genuinely having fun were either way too snobbish or way too boring. Her table was full of them.

The hostess seemed to be happy with the answers she received. She talked to one of the kids there. Juliet or Jenny. Summer could not remember. Summer had seen her at several other parties but they never really talked. She was the most normal person in the table Summer decided. Maybe she should start a conversation with her. Or maybe she could escape to the restroom and spend the rest of the night there. That would be a better use of her time. She had her organizer and mobile phone...

However luck did not seem to dictate that. At the moment the hostess brought her out of her thoughts by asking the table, "So why don't you youngsters go and dance?"

It was not a question. More like a demand. And everyone in the table was smart enough to know the difference. One by one they nodded reluctantly and looked around the table for a person who seemed to be the most coordinated.

"You want to dance?" A voice said. Summer turned to see a guy. He was quite cute. Brown hair, brown eyes and the most adorable dimples. Summer was very certain that they never met before.

"Sure," Brittany cut in, replying flirtatiously. The brown haired guy seemed to be taken aback but recovered so quickly that it seemed he was not at all surprise. He gave Brittany a smile and led her to the dance floor. But for the smallest second the guy's eyes seem to be apologizing to Summer. Strange.

"What are you two still doing here, all alone. Go on and have fun," the hostess said as she pushed Summer and Freddie to the dance floor.

They both looked around awkwardly before Freddie placed his hands on Summer's waist and Summer placed her hands on Freddie. They both followed the beat of the music and things could not go anymore awkward. They never had a one on one interaction or ever been alone together ever since the classroom scene. There was always the band with them and Summer could have dealt with that. Now she was not so sure. Just this one song, Summer thought, then she could hide out at the rest rooms.

"So how are you?" Freddie asked.

It was polite, as if he was speaking to a stranger.

"Fine," Summer replied trying to look for Michelle or Zac or anyone who could get her out of this situation. "You?"

"I've been better," Freddie said. The tiredness in his voice caught Summer of guard. Summer looked at him and saw a glimpse of the boy she once was friends with.

"Are you okay?" Summer asked concern. They may not be friends but they used to be and Summer still cared for that boy, whatever or whoever he became.

Freddie seemed to be fighting with himself before he shook his head and answered, "It's nothing."

There was a signal to drop it. But Summer would not. Maybe there was a way to bring her friend back.

"No, you're not. Don't you know better than to lie to me? I always see through it," Summer said lightly. For the first time she heard Freddie laugh, really laugh. It was a refreshing site.

"Yeah, you always did I could never lie to you. I don't even know why I bother," Freddie said as they moved along to the beat. They looked at each other and Summer watch Freddie's eyes change, "My... my parents have been fighting. They have been tearing at each others throats"- Summer eyes widen and Freddie shook his head- "It's not the I'm – going – to – get - divorce type of fighting. So relax."

"How you holding up?" Summer asked squeezing Freddie's shoulder.

"I'm fine. Maybe it's a good thing school is almost over. My parents have been talking about taking a vacation to reconnect with the family," Freddie admitted before taking a deep breath and looking at Summer. Summer was taken aback at the sudden fierceness in his eyes, "I wanted to apologize... for the way I acted all year. I know it's pretty pathetic and things could never be they were before and it will probably take a while before you accept me as a friend. But I was stupid and selfish and I know it hurt you so I hope you would forgive me."

Summer did not know what think with the sudden apology from Freddie. So she nodded. He smiled and they danced to the rest of the song in silence.

"Having fun?" Summer asked as she took a seat by Zac.

"The time of my life," Zac replied solemnly, "How's your feet?"

"They'll survive but barely. I may never walk again," Summer said as she took of the high heels her mother forced her to wear and began stretching her feet underneath the table. It was a good thing she and Zac were the only ones at the table. No one would look her in distaste.

Summer rolled her eyes but smiled anyway, "Where's Michelle?"

"At the dance floor with Blondie," Zac pointed out a very giggly Michelle dancing with her very good looking dance partner. Zac let her rest for a while before starting a conversation, "So I saw you dance with Freddie just now..."

Summer looked at Zac. He was trying to look cool and laid back but Summer knew he was burning with curiosity. She decided to make him wait, "And you did not have the decency to save me?"

"Hey I was dancing myself. My partner had two left feet. She stamped on my toes twice," Zac held up his hands, playing along.

"If you were with me, there will be a zero percent chance that they will het stepped on," Summer reminded.

"You still taking dance classes?" Zac asked. She nodded

"Where is that girl now?" Summer asked.

"Stamping on someone else's toes," Zac grinned before leaning closer and looking at her seriously, "Tell."

"He apologized. I forgave him. We are not friends yet but we maybe in time we will be," Summer said simply.

Zac's eyes widen for a fraction. He of course knew how Freddie had been acting for the past months. Zac smiled, "Well good for him. This is a good thing."

"Of course it is you twit," Summer said playfully smacking him.

"Twit," Zac raised his eyebrows.

"First thing that came up."

"I'm sure," Zac said before standing up and asking her, "Want to dance?"

His head moved to the left. Summer looked to see the hostess coming their way.

"Sure."

The next day Summer entered Dewey's apartment, very sure that what happen last night was a dream. A lot had happened in that dream. There was the brown haired guy whom she did not see for the rest of the night. She, Zac and Michelle spent the night goofing off, someone spilled water all over Brittany's dress and Freddie apologized to her. But there was a part of her that was sure the night had been real. And if it really did happened, Summer did not know what to expect today. So she decided to continue on the routine that she had been doing for months.

The band was already rehearsing their song when Summer entered the apartment. Summer smiled to the band and was quite happy to see Freddie smile back. Maybe last night was real. Summer turned to the couch where Michelle and Frankie sat. Billy was currently making last minute adjustments to the clothes and Marco was helping Gordon with something at the laptop.

Frankie and Michelle were practically beaming at her. No point downplaying it.

"Michelle told you" Summer said as she stood in front of them. Michelle looked sheepish. Summer turned to Frankie and said, "For a boy you pretty much want to gossip as much as a girl."

"Hey," Frankie mocked cried before pulling Summer on the couch and saying, "Spill."

"What's with guys in this band using one word to ask me to tell everything?" Summer pondered aloud.

"Hey Summer," Gordon called out, "I need your help."

Summer stood up and said, "Sorry duty calls."

"No fair," Frankie pouted.

The band rehearsal was one of the best they had in weeks. They had a final rehearsal at the stage itself. By the time they were back at Dewey's apartment, they were all exhausted.

'Tomorrow," Dewey began after the teenager all plumed at the couches and chairs, " is the last day before Battle of the Bands. It's what we've been practising for. I want to see all of you here at 5 am. And..."

Tomika cut him there, "Dewey I don't think my parent will be cool with that and at five a lot of people will still be asleep. We might get complains."

"We will meet here at 9am. Then we will have run throughs, final clothes adjustment, checking of instruments and equipments. We will break practice early at 4," Summer said as if she were reading out a list. Summer knew Dewey wanted to keep them up till seven or eight at night.

"Okay, so practice is over for today?" Alicia asked

"Yeah," Summer responded before Dewey could say no and start another rehearsal. Summer heard sighs of relief and smiled amused. She moved to the counter and took a seat where she began looking through the list once more. It was exhausting work but someone had to do it.

The next day passed way too fast. Summer barely had time to relax. She was on the move for the whole day. Between calling the organizers, helping to get lunch and the last minute info she had gotten, she barely had a time to take the seat. She did not know how many times she went out of the apartments to run an errand or go the stage where the Battle of the Bands will take place. Everyone it seemed was feeling the heat. This was the first time they were going to perform without Dewey. Alicia, Martha and Tomika will be sharing the solo. Zac was playing lead guitar never mind the fact that he was the only one playing the guitar. There was also no piano part because they never got anyone to replace Lawrence. Summer happily welcome the tiredness to overwhelm her as she lay in bed.

The checking in of the Band was at 12 noon. By then all the equipment and whatnots had been stored and the band were all waiting for Summer or Dewey's direction. Both of them were currently at the check ins.

"Competition looks tough this year," Freddie noted.

"We'll win," Katie said.

"And we'll have a good time doing it," Alicia added.

"We've been practicing a lot," Tomika said.

"To right we have," Martha said.

"To the School of Rock" Frankie cried.

"The School of Rock," They all cheered.

"Okay guys," Summer said as she and Dewey finally made their way to them, "We have dressing room eight. We are the third band to perform. Estimated time would be 2.10pm."

"So chop, chop," Dewey said as the whole band started moving. The boys were helping with the heavier equipment while the girls help carry clothing and belongings. Summer was leafing through the schedule walking alongside Katie at the hallways of the dressing room. They were chatting about the exams that they had prior to the concert. Results would be given next month before the school breaks for the holidays. Usually they would not be talking about this but Summer knew that Katie wanted to be distracted from the upcoming performance.

They moved on from topic to topic when Summer crashed into someone. Her papers and belonging scattered across the floor. Summer turned to the person who caused this about to yell when words slipped out of her mouth.

"Brown Haired Guy" Summer said shock before turning red. That did not just happen Summer thought now mortified.

The guy looked at her in recognition before laughing, "Okay so I'm Brown Haired Guy? Then you're Pink Dress Girl."

Summer gave a laugh still mortified and started to pick up her stuff. Katie was keeping quiet but helping while the guy was helping alongside. He gave her a hand and pulled her up. She accepted her belongings and was about to look anywhere else other than him when he introduced himself.

"I'm Dylan," Brown Haired Guy introduced.

"Nice to meet you Dylan, I'm Summer," she introduced herself.

"Well, I'll see you around Summer," he winked and smile before walking away.

Summer stood dazed watching him leave.

Katie smirked, "Cute."

"Shut up," Summer said turning red once more.

"Who is he?"

"Dylan the brown haired guy," Summer said calmly.

"Uh huh."

Summer, Billy and Michelle were practically holding each other as they watched the band perform. Gordon was somewhere at the control room doing the lights while Frankie and Marco were operating the smoke machine. So the three of them anticipated eagerly for the band. They were practically squealing as Tomika hit a high note and Zac burst into a guitar solo. The band perform the song flawlessly. The crowd was going wild when they finished. Summer, Billy and Michelle clapped hard before they started hugging the life out of them.

"You guys were brilliant," Michelle screamed.

"Amazing," Billy gushed.

"Terrific," Summer yelled.

Now all they had to do was wait for the results. They watched four other bands play. All of them the same in one way or another. Summer was looking to see if Dylan was in any of them but he was not. She did not see him after which made her feel strangely disappointed. She did not know why though. She had the band to distract her thoughts.

By the time the result deemed closer, Summer thoughts were nowhere near Dylan. She was practically gripping Michelle's and Alicia's hand when the announcer came up to stage. The excitement was exhilarating but the tension was thick. This year was different than any other year. Alongside the cash prize the winning band would receive a record deal.

"How are you?" the announcer asked the audience which responded with booming cheers, "all right to business. In my hand is the result of the winners in this year's Battle of the Bands" –the crowd cheered wildly while Michelle gripped Summer's hand harder- "The winner of this year's Battle of the Band is" –Summer could feel the vice grip from Alicia- "School of Rock!"

There was cheers from the audience but it did not compare to what happened back stage. The band was practically screaming and hugging each other. Dewey looked so proud and was pushing them all on stage. Nothing could kill the moment. Summer was happy for them and herself. Everything worked out more than fine despite all the shouting matches and almost breakups. She watched as Tomika shook hands with the announcer and took the big check and contract deal.

Nothing could kill this moment.

So watcha think? Dylan the brown haired guy will be joining in the adventure soon. So chapter 7 coming up soon. So till then :)