Battle of the Bands

"Everyday after school and on weekends those kids have been practicing. You'd think they'd get tired of it by now," Mrs. Stewart, Brittany's mother said trying to arrange the homemade cookies she baked and block out the noise coming from the garage. Her husband, Mr. Stewart sat at the kitchen flipping through the newspaper.

"Aw, let them be Joyce they're young."

Mrs. Stewart frowned, "They maybe young but my ears aren't." Mrs. Stewart carried her plate full of cookies toward the garage door, hoping she could tempt them with cookies and stop the noise.

Wires and chords were all over the basement floor. Brittany stood at her keyboard, bobbing her head to the sounds the band she assembled made. For two straight weeks, not to mention weekends the band practiced day in and day out. All of them knew how to play their instruments. 'Thank god mom pumped me to play the piano,' Brittany thought.

So all that really needed to be practiced was everybody getting on key. Amara finished her guitar solo somewhat dramatically and whined. "We've been practicing for like ever and I'm famished." Brittany agreed and quit tapping keys. As if on cue Mrs. Stewart came through the door with a plate full of cookies.

"Cookies anyone?"

In a mad rush to get to the delightful treats Amara tripped over wires. "Holy shamoly," she groaned. Brittany caught sight of Nathan, a boy who stood among the unnoticed at Baker High, rush from his seat behind the drums and help Amara up. Nathan was on the chess team and had over heard Brittany in ranting to Amara about finding a drummer. Nathan had thee biggest crush on Amara since grade nine, that everyone knew about except for well...Amara.

Seeing that Amara was partaking in the band with Brittany he immediately offered his services as drummer.

(A/N: I pounded for Legolas to be the drummer but he said he was too busy. Oh well)

'Who would have ever thought a chess team nerd, with messy brown hair and matching eyes would know how to play the drums?' Brittany pondered while watching Nathan hold her friend's hand a little longer than necessary.

"Thanks," Amara took her hand from Nathan's slightly blushing. She grabbed a cookie from the plate Mrs. Stewart held. Amara stifled the butterflies in her stomach. Lately she had been feeling that way a lot, between being around Legolas when (when was available) who was always sweet and kind to her and Nathan who had over the last two weeks made her laugh, not to mention he was pretty endearing and an equal dork like herself, her stomach liked to play football when being around either of the two.

Nathan sighed wishing he could tell her about his feelings. He watched her with much affection in his eyes as she downed numerous cookies. Feeling a hard pat on his back, he looked over to see it was Brittany who gave him a small smile before joining her friend.

"Thanks for the snacks mom."

"You're welcome dear. Nathan would you like some?"

"No ma'am. I've gotta get home, thanks though." Nathan packed his drum sticks in his backpack, waved good bye and left. Mrs. Stewart went back into the house but not without Amara stealing one last cookie. Brittany looked at Amara while leaning against the wall. 'Boy is she in the dark.'

Feeling someone staring at her she looked at Brittany. "Wha-"she asked with a mouthful of cookies.

"Nothing," Brittany shook her head looking at the ground. "It's just that- ARE YOU BLIND? CAN'T YOU SEE THAT NATHAN LIKES YOU?!"

Amara chocked on her cookie. Coughing she sputtered out, "What?"

"Nathan, our drummer, captain of the chess team has a crush on you." Taking her glasses off and wiping them on her shirt she refused to believe Brittany.

"You're wrong. Nathan does not have a crush on me he's just my friend." There it was again that tingle sensation in her stomach.

Brittany shook her head, "Whatever, but you better believe this, word around school is Brad was cut from the football team cause of his grades and can't play the last game of the season."

Amara shrugged, "So what?"

"It gets worse. Carie dumped him because he's no longer a jock, he lost his scholarship and his relationship with his parents is screwed up because of it."

Amara couldn't believe what she was hearing. Leave it to Brit to catch all the latest gossip. "Word has it because of you this happened. You messed up Brad's life, good going." Grabbing her backpack Amara muttered that she had to go. She walked briskly down the sidewalk, thinking about things.

First of all there was no way in hell Nathan liked her or anyone liked her for that matter. But did she like him? That funny feeling always entered her stomach when around him, it did the same for Legolas so did she like him too? Sure Nathan was a bit cute for someone whose favorite food was Cheese Wiz but she was pretty sure he was just her friend and the same went for herself and Legolas. There was no way an elven prince as handsome as he was could like nor love some plain Jane like herself.

It was just her mind and emotions playing crude tricks on her.

Secondly, she didn't feel an once sympathy for Brad. He got what he deserved. He had bullied her for too long and when she finally put her foot down and ended it she felt proud of herself, but now, the words he said to her as he ran from her supporting a bloody nose now echoed in her ear. "I'll get you!" For some reason now after Brittany told her what happened to him she could not help but think he met what he said. Trying to forget about everything she entered her vacant home.

For three straight weeks she would come home alone and to an empty house. Her parents were workaholics and Legolas seemed to have other things to do. What those things were remained a mystery that he refused to reveal. She had liked the company of the elf who made her feel important. Now besides band practice she was alone just like the beginning.

At first having the whole house to herself again was fun. She remembered the first night; she turned up the radio, put on a big t-shirt and sunglasses. In her socks she slid across the hard wood floors. It was fun until she crashed into the coffee table.

Tripping over the appropriate furniture she turned on the light switch. It was now close to ten and Amara decided to ease her mind with chocolate milk and so that was how Legolas found her; at the kitchen table sipping the brown liquid and watching some mindless show on television.

"Hi," she said without looking up from her entertainment source.

"Hello," Legolas crossed his arms watching Amara.

"Where were you," she hoped to catch him off guard.

"No where in which would interest you."

Changing the subject and finally accepting that he was never going to tell her what he had been doing for the past three weeks, she asked was he going to attend the battle of the bands contest. Silence followed her question and she abandoned her chocolate milk to look at Legolas. There was a look of uncertainty on his face, she knew that look all too well. Her parents gave it to her every time they couldn't make it to one of her events. "You aren't coming are you?"

Legolas saw disappointment cross over her. He hated to disappoint her knowing how much she had worked. "No, I will be there Amara." Grinning she hugged the elf. "Good, seeing as you helped me to do this."

Letting go of him she announced she was going to bed. Legolas couldn't help but smile as he watched her go up the stairs. "I am glad to see that I am making a difference."

Three days and it was finally time. The gym of Baker High School was decorated with streamers of all different colors thrown about. Green and white balloons were in every corner and the stage was decorated with a back drop that had 'Battle of the Bands' draped across it in funny black lettering. The place was packed wall to wall with students eager to see the entertainment that was to take place. Excitement ran high within the teenagers but back stage nerves were the only thing running high.

Nathan was beating his drum sticks against the wall. In a few minutes the contest would start and it was the only thing he could do to keep his mind from exploding. He glanced over at Amara, who was peaking out of the curtains, she looked just as nervous as everyone else. Shaking off his teenage impulses for Amara he focused on his drumming. Amara peered out at the crowd, her nervous were high strung.

'Soon this will all be over,' she kept telling herself.

Brittany walked over and stood next to her friend mirroring her actions. She glanced down at Amara who wore the identical 'Dork' shirt that both Nathan and herself wore. They had named their band The Dorks, realizing they might as well state the obvious.

It was not the shirt Brittany looked at, it was the fluffy long white skirt that Amara wore. She said she wanted to be different from everybody else.

"You know you're bold to wear that." Brittany nudged her with her shoulder, "All these colors are gonna make me barf." No laugh came fourth from Amara like her companion expected; she just continued to scan the crowd.

"Who are you looking for?" Brittany scanned the crowed herself.

"I'm looking for him."

The sound of someone clearing their throat reached their ears. Straightening up and turning around Carie was there with her band members. All of them dressed in pink tank tops and matching mini skirts. 'Now there's something I can barf on,' Amara thought. "You losers ready to loose?" Carie laughed.

Brittany laughed in a sarcastic manner then stopped. "The only thing we're ready to do is kick you and your friend's-"Amara put a hand over Brittany's mouth and shook her head.

Carie laughed, "I thought so." She walked off with her crowd behind her. Wrenching Amara's hand from her mouth she glared at her.

"Karma," Amara reminded her, "And tonight Carie will get what she deserves." Brittany nodded and walked off. Turning back towards the curtains she took a peak. "That's if I don't flake out."

The sounds of laughter and loud chatter went through the air which made her more nervous. Her eyes darted from person to person looking for him but he wasn't there. 'He'll be here,' her mind told her. A tap on her shoulder made her jump. Turning around she sighed with relief when she saw it was just Nathan. She wondered if what Brittany said was right as Nathan smiled at her.

'What if he does like me?'

"Are you nervous?"

"Not really," she lied. "I've did this before." All Nathan could focus on were Amara's lips. 'They're really pink,' he thought stupidly. A long time ago he had decided it was now or never, that there was no time like the present.

A loud voice boomed with the help of a microphone. It was the principal announcing that the contest or battle had begun. The noise of the first band started along with cheers.

Nathan thought he had nothing to loose. "Amara I-"

Amara struggled to hear Nathan. "WHAT?"

"Amara-"

She brought a hand to her ear to show she couldn't hear him. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

Nathan forced himself to breathe; his hands were wrapped tightly around his drum sticks. From the sound of the crowd they weren't enjoying the band too well. Mr. Willis announced for the panel of judges to give their score. While that happened and the noise died down Nathan seized the moment.

"Amara I like you."

The next band started up which happened to be Carie's. Immediately all Amara's attention went to the stage. Brittany ran up and squeezed herself between the two. Amara's thoughts stammered and her body froze. It was true and Brittany was right Nathan did like her. What was she to do or to say? It was like a godsend when Carie went up on stage.

Ever so often she took to glancing at Nathan; he didn't look hurt at her actions. Maybe he figured they would talk afterwards?

"She is good." Brittany snapped her from her thoughts to focus more on Carie. She was singing some love sick song and her band members were just three back up singers repeating one line over and over.

Doubt about beating her must have shown on her face because Brittany patted her on the back. "We'll win." The crowd cheered and applauded when Carie's performance received an overall of eight by the judges. Quickly Carie's band was replaced with another that seemed to wow the crowd but not to the same extent. Amara continued to look for him in the crowd but he wasn't there.

Two bands and one techno geek later it was finally their turn.

Grabbing her guitar she walked on the stage, her eyes had to adjust to the bright hot lights. Knowing their reputation, the swarm of teens didn't go wild but merely looked at them.

"Look at the dorks, well at least they know what they are!" A boy in the crowd yelled. The crowd doubled over with laughter. Nathan took his seat behind the set of drums with a frown. Brittany stuck up an unpleasant finger while making sure her keyboard was fine. Amara ignored all that and looked desperately into the crowd for him but he still wasn't there.

"COME ON ALREADY!" Someone shouted.

Nathan looked at Amara, he saw her eyes darting back and fourth at the mass of people, then a smile spread across her face.

Legolas slipped through the door just in time to see Amara's band take the stage. He stayed in the secluded area by the door so she could see him, and he knew that she did when he saw her smile. There was something to Amara that made his heart stir, but he was unaware of emotions which pounded loudly within himself. He grinned nonetheless at the girl on stage.

Amara started on her guitar and then came the drums.

"Hey, uh huh huh

Hey, uh huh huh

What I like about you, you hold me tight

Tell me I'm the only one, wanna come over tonight, yeah

You're whispering in my ear

Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true

That's what I like about you"

It was Brittany's turn to sing her part of the song, like they had practiced in the garage. She was blown away at their success so far.

"What I like about you, you really know how to dance

when you go up, down, jump around, talk about true romance, yeah"

"When you're whispering in my ear

Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true

That's what I like about you

That's what I like about you

That's what I like about you"

Nathan was surprised that Amara didn't sound half bad when she took over her part of the song. 'So that girl does have talent.' All of Baker High was confused. How could such cool noise be coming from dorks? They soon forgot their confusion and started jumping up and down. The Dorks were working out and the crowd totally dug it.

"DORKS ROCK!" The same guy who insulted them yelled.

Amara leaned into the microphone and took over her part once more.

"Hey!

What I like about you, you keep me warm at night

Never wanna' let you go, know you make me feel alright, yeah

You're whispering in my ear

Tell me all the things that I wanna to hear, 'cause that's true

That's what I like about you"

Amara played her guitar while Brittany did her keyboard solo. All her troubles and nervousness melted away when she saw the person who she had been looking for, Legolas. Her eyes stayed to his the whole time except when she occasionally glanced down to watch her finger move across the strings of her guitar.

Brittany and herself sang the rest of the chorus together and ended the song.

"That's what I like about you

That's what I like about you

That's what I like about you

Hey!"

The crowd roared and The Dorks were awarded with a nine from the judges. Mr. Willis came on stage and motioned for the crowd of hyped teenagers to quiet.

"Would all the bands please come up?" Everyone made for the stage. Carie had a disgusted look on her face as she had received an eight and her enemy a nine.

"It was a hard decision but the judges have decided. Third place goes to Carie and group!" There was polite applause and Carie stomped over to Mr. Willis who picked up a small trophy from the trophy table and grabbed the token.

"Second place...The Dorks!" Amara stood in shock not believing her ears. Everyone went wild. Brittany happily accepted the trophy and sent a funny face toward Carie. She stole the microphone from the principal and made a lengthy acceptance speech, first starting with her kindergarten teacher.

A band that copied the look of Sum 41 came in first but none of that mattered because dorks proved to everyone that they were just as cool as the next guy or girl.

Nathan decided while Brittany was giving her thank you speech he would talk to Amara. He saw she wasn't on stage anymore and decided to look for her in the crowd. Excusing himself from the many that punched him in the arm he found Amara. His face fell when he saw her being swung around in the arms of that student who arrived quite some time ago.

"I can't believe we won. I almost thought you weren't coming," Amara told Legolas once he put her on solid ground. She couldn't at all stop beaming.

"I thought you knew me a little better Aidulin. I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Congratulations."

Nathan watched to his horror as Legolas placed a small kiss on Amara's cheek. A glowing Amara just blushed managing a thank you. It all clicked for Nathan. Who Amara had been searching for all that time, who she liked, it was not him but Adam. He sadly turned around giving the two their space.

That evening things had gone so well for her. It was just too bad the night had plans of its own. She tossed and turned in her bed, her dreams plaguing her.

She was in the serenity of a forest. Deep lush greens surrounded her. Her jeans and shirt had been replaced with a light white dress made of soft material. A small pond caught her eye and she got on her knees to look in it. Her specs were gone revealing deep penetrating blue eyes and she felt her bare teeth with nothing on them.

Her hair fell in soft waves in front of her face. Pushing strands behind her ear she found it to be pointed. Gasping in shock she stood up to find she was back in L.A. and back to her normal self. A figure drenched in black suddenly walked towards her and before she could comprehend what happened she was lying on the ground bleeding from her stomach. The figure clouded in black was replaced with Legolas, a concerned look on his face.

Amara bolted up right in her bed, drinking in the air that came through her window. "It's the same dream I had before," she spoke in a shaky whisper.