Chapter III: Extended

Authors Note: From here on in, the story will be written in Point Of View (POV's). Before each switch of narration, you will be noted. I just feel like I can go a lot further in this style, thanks. Enjoy!

Leonie's POV

I smiled, Nick was trying to flirt in his obvious way. I didn't understand why I couldn't just be myself? I was trying to play it cool, I knew he would think it was a turnoff. We chatted some more, reminiscing on embarrassing stories from childhood. I learned that he performed on Broadway as a young'un. Our casual conversation wasn't really headed anywhere, but he was very animated. Nick always seemed to come across as shy, but his arms and neck were moving as he acted out everything he was saying. I'm not going to lie, I tuned out most of it unintentionally, I just stood there, gazing.

"Why is Nick Jonas actually talking to me?" I mumbled.

He gave me a look, somewhere between guilt and amusement.

I realized my mistake, I'd just mumbled a thought I had intended to keep inside. I tried to conceal my embarrassment, but I knew my body had betrayed me and I turned beat red. He just smiled, awkward tension building.

"Sorry, really. I know you guys hate when people like you only for your band; and it's not like that I just, was a little bit in awe." I rambled, I hadn't any idea if what I said made sense.

Nick just smiled that teethy grin, the one that makes a girl want to swoon. He took my hands in his, and goose bumps arose all over my skin. He seemed to notice, but spared me the humiliation.

His graceful movement started forward, while I was left bounding clumsily behind him. I held onto his hand tighter than necessary, he didn't seem to mind. After what felt like an eternity, and a sweaty palm, later we came through the door he came through to first meet me. Once me and Nick got into the room, two people were on the couch belting their hearts out. I recognized one to be Joe, but didn't know the girl. She was pretty, with hair to die for. Their melodic voices rang through the room, they sounded great as a duet. Nick thought so too, so we didn't say anything, we just watched. The girl froze, I guess she was coming into realization that she was across from Joe Jonas. I watched him gush, continuously over her voice and she blushed while looking down.

I almost thought she was conceited, did she not know that Joe was complimenting her voice? He called her Rhiannon, I guess that was her name. Wow, obviously it was her name, I can be such an idiot sometimes. After they finished, and Joe's jaw was dropped in awe, I started to walk towards the couch and introduce myself; only it didn't really go as planned. On the way over, I tripped on a a cord that was hooked to the amp and fell face first onto the ground.

Rhiannon's (Rhi) POV

I couldn't believe I just sang, what happened to my lack of self confidence? I guess Joe just made me feel comfortable, something I hadn't really achieved with most others. He told me it was beautiful, which shocked me, that was not Joe Jonas at all. I blushed, looked down, and didn't acknowledge his compliment, something I realized after the fact. I was about to give him a little bit of gratitude, when something jogged us from our little trance; a girl with strawberry blond hair walked (or should I say fell?) into the room. Oh god, how many freaking people heard me singing? Joe looked amused and smirked at the new arrival, why wasn't he embarrassed? Then I guess the whole just getting done with a concert in front of thousands of fans desensitizes the stage fright bit. Nick rushed to help the girl up, and they locked eyes for a second, there must have been something going on there.

Joe's POV

Is it rude to laugh at someone when they fall? No seriously, who was this girl? I guess she was Nick's 'cause he rushed to her side a little bit too enthusiastically, he needs a lesson or two on girls. She was pretty hot, but something about Rhiannon had me hung on her, it was more than just looks but in my opinion, Rhi was far more radiant than this other girl.

"Real smooth," I was on the verge of hysterically laughing, when Nick sent me a death glare, and the girl's nostrils flared while her cheeks turned red.

Then Rhiannon spoke, "Leonie, isn't it?"

The girl, Leonie I suppose, just nodded and eyed Rhi.

"Wait, Rhiannon? Leonie looked surprised, but how the hell did they know each other. "Dude, I haven't seen you since I was like," she paused, "twelve!"

They both frowned for a mere second, which I didn't understand, then just smiled at one another, while I stared I guess. I nudged Rhiannon, I didn't think it was that hard but she let out the smallest of yelps and quickly scooted to the side. I was confused though, what'd I do? I noticed Leonie staring at Rhi, she was biting her bottom lip and glancing towards the wall occasionally.

Rhiannon's POV

Honestly, I didn't mean to shy away from Joe, I really didn't. I know he would never try to hurt me, but it's a reflex I've developed. He looked confusedly at me, I just shot him an apologetic look. Things started to get quiet, and I noticed Leo gazing at me. I nodded my head in another direction, Leonie wasn't even supposed to know why I reacted like I did, she found out by accident.

I was in the school therapists office, I hadn't requested a visit and my mother was extremely pissed off when she found out I was recommended for one. An awkward girl with glasses and clothes that looked to be a size or two small was sitting nervously in the chair, I supposed she was sent there too.

"Rhiannon, Leonie, I'd like you girls to come in together, stuff like this is usually easier in a group." The teacher with a horrible bee-hive hairstyle said. We both got up, and walked towards the door plastered in posters ranging from drug resistance to self confidence topics. She started with me, what a joy.
"Rhiannon, it's come to my attention that you haven't been following your schoolwork diligently, you're failing almost every class. And," the teacher paused and cleared her throat, before lowering the volume of her voice, "you don't always look to be in the best of physical state." The teacher said, glancing at my arms. "Tell me, is everything alright at home? Don't worry sweetie, this is completely confidential, and won't tell anyone unless you'd like me too." I just looked down at the floor, and nodded ever so slightly.

"Rhiannon, has your mother ever hit you?" The teacher asked, concern overtaking her face.

"Yes, she does." I barely mumbled, and the teacher probably couldn't hear my answer.

The teacher just nodded, and moved onto Leonie, who'd remained quiet the whole time.

"Leonie, is everything alright? Are your parents managing fine?" The teacher asked, still concerned.

"Well, mum and dad aren't speaking," was all she said.

"Since your brother left, have they been taking adequate care of you? Fitting clothes," she paused and glanced at Leonie's attire, "and a proper meal?" the 'therapist' asked.

Leonie didn't answer, she didn't acknowledge the teacher's question.

"Leonie?" the teacher tried again.

She just looked up, cheeks redder than a cherry.

"I see," was all the teacher said, and then dismissed us.

Leonie and I didn't talk, didn't have some magical bond, and basically forgot about each other after the meeting.

"Why so jumpy, Rhiannon?" Nick asked, his eyebrows raised. Leonie brought her elbow back until it forcefully made contact with his mid section. He huffed, and sputtered as the wind was knocked out of him. He gave her a 'what-the-hell-was-that-for' look, she just shrugged and looked the other direction. I couldn't help but laugh, thought it came out as more of a snort.

Nick's POV

When I asked what was wrong with Rhiannon, Leo sent me the biggest jab I'd ever received, even wrestling with my brothers. She just shrugged when I tried to see what she did it for, and I knew me and Joe were missing something. I walked past Joe, hitting the back of his head as I walked by, and when he turned around to see what it was I motioned for him to follow me. I guess he caught on, (for once, it seems like he has a brain) and got up to follow me.

"'Scuse us, ladies," Joe said, winking at the both of them. Rhiannon smirked a little, while Leonie just rolled her eyes. The girls both sat on the couch, and talked for a little bit while we went off.

"Man, what the heck was up with that? It didn't look like you nudged her that hard or anything," I asked, hoping he had an explanation.

"I don't know? She just kind of flinched away, I was just trying to nudge her, "but what about your girl, she just—" I cut him off

"She's not my girl!" I argued, I could feel my cheeks turning red.

"Yeah, whatever," Joe said, smirking, "but Leonie," he put an emphasis on it, "knew what was going on. Did you see the way she looked at Rhi?"

"I noticed that!" I said clutching my abdomen area, while Joe tried to stifle the laughter he wanted to send at me.

"Yeah, your girl's got a pretty good arm." Joe said, while I tried to ignore the 'Your girl'.