Yay, another chapter! And only two left, along with an epilogue. This is a huge chapter as far as decisions made for people. I hope you all like it. Reviewers who are sticking with me, even while it takes me forever to find time to update- I love you guys! Seriously, you have no idea. If it weren't for you, I'd never get this done. Hopefully, I'll have another update next week, but I've got papers and essays to write, plus I'm going home for Labor Day, so we'll have to see. Anyways, read and review. I love feedback.
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
"This is a fun place," Sadie pointed out as their group found a table on the deck at the Salty Dog Café later that night. "Can we eat outside, too?"
"If we order off of the grill we can," Nic explained. "Restaurant food has to be eaten inside. Or, we can order pizza from Jake's, which is really good, too."
Tommy shrugged. "It looks crowded inside, and it's not too hot, so why don't we stay out here?"
"Yeah, and we're near the stage, so when karaoke starts, we'll be up front," Kyle pointed out. "You guys will love our performance."
"Nic, what are you singing?" Kwest asked once everyone was seated and eating their various foods. "Please don't say Britney Spears."
She smirked. "Very funny, but no, nothing by her. It's a secret, actually, cause it's a song that none of you, except possibly Jude, even knows."
"Well, I'm intrigued," Wally said. "But it still won't beat ours."
Spiederman kicked him under the table. "Yeah, well, ours, too, is a surprise, so quit talking about it, Wallace."
"Sorry," Wally apologized quietly. "So, when does karaoke start?"
Tommy looked at his watch. "In about half an hour."
"So, just a question, and I don't mean for this to sound rude, but Nic, can you sing?" Kyle wondered.
"Yeah," Tommy answered for his sister. "She took voice lessons until she went to college and she's amazing. She could be signed if she wanted to and if Georgia was crazy enough to do it."
"Ick," Nic shuddered. "The life of a musician is one I never wanted and I still don't."
"So you hate my life?" Spiederman assumed. "That's not cool."
Nic smirked. "I said I didn't want that life, not that I didn't like it for you. You're suited to be a musician; I am not."
"Better answer," he replied. "So, who else will be gracing us with a performance tonight?"
"I will," Jude offered. "I'm sure there's something I could sing."
Sadie looked at the stage and sighed. "No, thanks. I can't carry a tune to save my life and I'm not up for embarrassing myself in a public place full of strangers."
"Good idea," Kyle teased. "I'd like to keep my dinner down."
Kwest glared at the young drummer. "If you want to live to see breakfast, you'll apologize."
"Sorry, Sadie," Kyle mumbled. "You sing like an angel."
"Yeah, a Hell's Angel," Wally whispered.
Sadie snapped her head in his direction. "I heard that, bass boy."
"Keep it quiet," Nic suggested to the two boys. "You get in less trouble that way."
"Less is better," Jude agreed. "Always with you boys."
The people they sat and watched perform in the beginning of the karaoke session weren't very good, but that's what made people like them.
"See, Sadie?" Kyle piped up. "You don't have to sing like Celine Dion for people to like you. That guy sounded more like Deon Sanders."
Sadie shot him a look. "Don't go there, not again."
"All right, all right!" the MC called out as a woman finished her out of tune rendition of 'I Will Survive.' "Next up, we have the vocal stylings of Miss Nic Quincy!"
She cleared her throat and walked up the steps to the microphone. "Umm, I would like to dedicate this song to Spiederman, even though that's horrible cheesy."
Bubbly (by Colbie Caillat)
I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feelin' like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tingles in a silly place
"I love this song!" Jude whispered. "It's so perfect for you two."
And it starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go
The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore
And it starts in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go
What am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
I just mmmmm
And they start in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go
I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
'Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth
And it starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feeling shows
'cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin' me tight
Wherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you go
wherever you go
I always know
'Cause you make me smile
Even just for a while
Nic finished the song, bowed slightly, and walked down the stage to their table.
"Nic, that was so good!" Sadie gushed. "Tommy was right for once; you can definitely belt it out."
"Thanks," Nic blushed, turning to her boyfriend. "Well?"
Instead of answering, he leaned over and kissed her. "I loved it."
"Good," she smiled, pressing her forehead against his. "Who's next?"
"Ladies and gentlemen," the MC began, "it is with great pride and pleasure that I welcome our next performer to the stage. At just 15, she was the first Instant Star. At age 17, her second album went double platinum. And, at 19, she won two Grammy Awards. Let's give it up for Miss Jude Harrison!"
Jude scooted her seat back and took to the stage. "Well, I wasn't planning on singing, but we got here and I changed my mind, so I just decided I'd do an acoustic version of a song I really love. It's called 'Misery Business' by Paramore."
I'm in the business of misery,
Let's take it from the top.
She's got a body like an hourglass that's ticking like a clock.
It's a matter of time before we all run out,
When I thought he was mine she caught him by the mouth.
I waited eight long months,
She finally set him free.
I told him I can't lie he was the only one for me.
Two weeks and we had caught on fire,
She's got it out for me,
But I wear the biggest smile.
[Chorus:
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But, I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But god does it feel so good,
Cause I got him where I want him now.
And if you could then you know you would.
Cause god it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change.
Once a whore you're nothing more, I'm sorry, that'll never change.
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged.
I'm sorry honey, but I'm passing up, now look this way.
Well there's a million other girls who do it just like you.
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who,
They want and what they like it's easy if you do it right.
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But, I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But god does it feel so good,
Cause I got him where I want him right now.
And if you could then you know you would.
Cause god it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
I watched his wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving.
Whoa, I never meant to brag,
But I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But god does it feel so good,
Cause I got him where I want him now.
And if you could then you know you would.
Cause god it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
"Dang," Nic breathed. "I love listening to Jude sing songs that aren't hers cause she totally makes them her own."
Tommy nodded and couldn't wipe the grin off his face as the entire crowd gave his girl a standing ovation.
"Thank you," Jude said into the microphone.
Spiederman, Wally, and Kyle stood up as the MC announced the next performer.
"Where are you going?" Nic asked, holding onto Spiederman's hand.
"We gotta go get ready," he explained, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Don't worry, it'll be worth it."
She pouted as they walked away. "I hate people keeping secrets from me."
"Don't," Tommy shook his head. "I think you'll like this one."
Five minutes later, the MC stood on the stage once more and laughed. "This is our last act of the night and it's another big surprise. They started out as Jude Harrison's backup band but they've turned themselves into one of the biggest alt-punk bands in the world. Give it up for the Spiederman Mind Explosion!"
Spiederman, Wally, and Kyle appeared, each wearing their own variations of what would be considered 'gangster,' complete with chains, sideways hats, and Kyle even had a grill.
"So, this performance isn't just about entertaining everyone tonight," Spiederman reported. "It's about doing something that will hopefully change my life forever."
Let's Get Married (by Jagged Edge)
See first of all
I know these so-called playas wouldn't tell you this
But I'm gonna be real and say what's on my heart
Let's take this chance and make this love feel relevant
Didn't you know I loved you from the start, yeah
When I think about all these years we put in this relationship
I knew we'd make it this far?
When I think about where I would I be if we were to just fall apart
And I just can't stand the thought of leving you
Meet me at the altar in your white dress
We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it
Been feeling all the while girl I must confess
Girl let's just get married
I just wanna get married
Meet me at the altar in your white dress
We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it
Been feeling all the while girl I must confess
Girl let's just get married
I just wanna get married
Said I done it all
But frankly girl I'm tired of this emptiness
I wanna come home to you and only you
Cause making love to just anyone ain't happening
I just gotta be with you
Do you think about us finishing something we started so long ago?
I wanna give you my all
Do you think about us maybe having some babies?
Come on won't you be my lady forever,yeah
I'm ready to commit to you
And I just can't wait for that night
Cause I need you here with me
And let's start a family
Meet me in the altar in your white dress
We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it
Been feeling all the while girl I must confess
Girl let's just get married
I just wanna get married
Nic's eyes widened as she watched, and laughed, as the three boys paraded around on stage rapping the song. She felt her heart speed up as they finished, almost afraid of what was coming next.
"So, it's pretty clear that we sang that song as a transition into what I'm about to do," Spiederman announced, walking down the steps of the stage to stand in front of Nic, pulling the velvet box from his pocket, his hand shaking.
"Oh, my God," Nic breathed. "Are you seriously doing this?" She looked at her brother who just nodded slightly and smiled. "You knew about this?"
"Nicole Elaina Quincy, we've only known each other in person for two weeks, which makes this sound crazy, but in these two weeks, I've come to feel like I've known you my entire life," Spiederman told her softly. "Having been married once before, and watching that fall apart, I know that I've finally found my match because I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't. So, to make this short, I'm asking you to spend your life with me."
"Yes!" she shrieked. "Absolutely, you freak!"
He straightened up to sweep her into his arms, pulling her into the most passionate kiss they'd ever shared.
"Congratulations!" Sadie cried as everyone at their table stood up to surround them. "Nic, let me see that ring, girl!"
Nic pulled away from her fiancé and let Jude and Sadie engulf her while the guys circled Spiederman. But, the entire time the other two girls were toying with her ring and gushing over it, she kept catching his eye and smiling at him.
"Just do it," Tommy whispered into Kwest's ear. "It's now or never at this point."
Kwest took a deep breath. "Okay, umm, I'm not trying to steal your all's thunder, not at all, cause your engagement will be in the papers and mine won't, but there's something I need to do."
"Kwest?" Sadie said uncertainly.
He got down on one knee and pulled his own black velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a princess-cut diamond with smaller diamonds around the entire band. It was big, extravagant, and very Sadie-like. "Sadie Harrison, I'm not as good with words as Spiederman might be, so I'll just ask: will you marry me?"
"Yes!" she cried, pulling up to kiss him. "Yes, yes, yes!"
Before turning to congratulate them, Kyle turned to Tommy and Jude and winked. "You're next."