AN: I know, I haven't updated like I promised…so in honor of Nick Jonas' birthday, I thought I'd post this chapter for you all…
Special AN: HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY, MR. PRESIDENT (AKA, NICK J!)…even though I know you'll never read this. And FYI, I'm not yelling at Nick (or anyone). I'm just really excited and happy that it's Nick's birthday :-)! And next year, he'll be 18! (Screams and faints...then revives so I can continue my story.)
Disclaimer – I really wish I owned the JB. I mean…Connect 3. Or Elvis…that dog is seriously adorable…not to mention the luckiest dog in the world…
Previously:
"Jason…" Liz said weakly, as Jason backed away from her, his eyes wide with shock.
"How…could…you?" Jason said, tears forming in his eyes. "I told you how I felt, and that I'd never let you go, and then you go and do…this." He couldn't even bring himself to admit the facts.
"Jason…please, I'm sorry…" Liz tried again. But Jason shook his head.
"No…I want what you want," Jason said, the pain on his face obvious. "If this is what you want, then…so be it."
"Jason, no!!!!" Liz choked out…
Liz watched sadly as, one by one, her friends rejected her, without any explanation. Shane was first, and shook his head, before giving Mitchie a glance, and then following Jason. Nate gave her a calculating look, before taking Caitlyn's hand and walking away. Caitlyn looked stunned, and for once she was speechless. But her demeanor said it all.
Liz let her tears flow before looking at Mitchie, who had been quiet all this time. Mitchie looked sad, as if to say, "How could you hurt Jason like that? He loves you, and he doesn't deserve this. Not from anyone. Especially not from you."
"Mitchie…" Liz said, knowing she was her last chance at friendship. If Mitchie turned her back on Liz now, she wouldn't have anyone left. And that was a thought Liz didn't want to cross her mind. She held her breath, bracing herself for the worst.
Chapter 23
"How…" Mitchie turned back to glance at Liz. Her eyes were a mixture of accusations and disappointment. "How in the world…"
"I can explain…" Liz trailed off, her eyes widening as she saw Caitlyn storming back, dragging Nate in her wake.
"How…could…you????" Caitlyn spat out, her eyes piercing Liz's with such an intensity that Liz shuddered in discomfort. She let go of Nate and started whacking Liz. "Liz…"
"Liz…" Mitchie started again.
"Liz…" Nate cut in, as Liz glanced around at the others, who were now closing in on her…
"Liz…" Liz looked around wildly as everyone began calling her, closing the circle around her until they were almost in her face.
"LIZ!"
"LIZ!"
"LIZ!"
"LIZ!!!!"
The last syllable jolted Liz out of her trance, and she squinted into the bright light that was shining in her eyes.
"Wh-Where am I?" Liz said, her eyes still half-closed until she adjusted to the lights shining above her.
"You're in the hospital, sweetie," Mrs. Torres said, Mitchie standing next to her.
"What happened?" Liz said, suddenly realizing she couldn't move. She panicked, and tried to shift herself, but Mrs. Torres laid a hand on her to soothe her emotions.
"You were pretty injured out there, with the tree falling on you. Luckily, Jason found you before it got dark," Mrs. Torres explained.
"Oh no…Jason," Liz breathed, trying to get up. She felt pricks in her arms and noticed there were tubes sticking out of her.
"Jason's waiting outside, and so are your parents. Would you like to talk to Jason first, or your parents?" Mrs. Torres said gently.
"My parents…" Liz pleaded. She would deal with Jason later.
"OK, I'll go get them. Mitchie, you can stay until they get here, if you'd like," Mrs. Torres said.
Mitchie nodded, then her mother left the two girls alone.
"How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get? A pillow? More blankets? Some food?" Mitchie got up, trying to busy herself.
"I'm good, thanks," Liz said, settling back into her position. "Actually, I'm not. I really need to talk to Jason, and I don't know what to say…"
"I think I know what you mean," Mitchie said. "Jason's been telling us all about it. How he loves you more than birds, and that you're his only lovebird."
"He does?" Liz said, realizing that it was impossible for them to be friends anymore, given Jason's feelings for her. She felt sad, knowing she'd just lost one of the sweetest guys as a friend.
"Yes, he does," Mitchie said, knowing exactly what Liz was feeling. "Liz, trust me when I tell you…just follow your heart. It'll lead you the right way."
"Thanks, Mitchie," Liz said. "You're a good friend."
"You can always count on me. Or Caitlyn," Mitchie promised. "Us girls have to stick together…"
"Ahem…" Mr. and Mrs. Bell cleared their throats from the doorway, looking a little awkward at interrupting their conversation.
"I should go," Mitchie said, getting up.
"No…please stay," Liz begged.
"I'm not sure…" Mitchie looked back and forth between Liz and her parents.
"Please, Mitchie," Liz said. "There's something I need to say, and I can't say it if you're not here with me."
"OK," Mitchie said uncertainly, not wanting to intrude.
"Mom, Dad, this is my friend Mitchie. Mitchie, these are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bell," Liz said, noticing her parents' disapproval.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Mitchie said, sticking her hand out politely.
"This is…your friend?" Mrs. Bell said, giving Mitchie the impression she was beneath pond scum. "Mitchie, is it? What kind of name is that for a girl?"
"Mom!" Liz was shocked. But Mitchie let the woman's insult slide.
"It's OK, Liz," Mitchie smiled brightly, not letting Mrs. Bell's insult get to her. "For your information, I'm just as into music as Liz is," Mitchie jumped in, ignoring the surprise on Mrs. Bell's face. "Liz is amazing. She's beyond talented…I mean, I love music, and singing, and playing piano, but Liz is just…wow!" Mitchie gushed, as Liz blushed.
"Of course she is," Mrs. Bell said to Mitchie condescendingly. "With all her years of practicing, how could she not be?"
"Well, yes. However, did you ever think that maybe if Liz made the right friends, she could go even further in the music business?" Brown said, coming in.
"The thought may have crossed our minds, but…" Mr. Bell said, getting cut off by Brown.
"NO BUTS!" Brown roared.
"Wait, if you don't like it when people say that particular word, then how can you say it?" Nate said, coming in with Caitlyn, Shane, and Jason.
"Good point," Caitlyn gazed dreamily at Nate as Brown looked impressed.
"You're absolutely brilliant, you know that?" Brown said, stunned.
"Well, I'm 3 points shy of a genius, bu-…" Nate caught himself, before Brown heard him. "I mean, who's counting?"
"OK, who are all these people?" Mr. and Mrs. Bell said, finally regaining their composure and getting back into the conversation.
"Oh yeah…Mom, Dad, this is Nate, Caitlyn, Shane, and Jason. Caitlyn's Nate's girlfriend and one of my best friends, and Shane's Mitchie's boyfriend and my friend too," Liz explained, leaving out the part about her and Jason's relationship. "In fact, they're all my friends."
"Yeah, me too!" Jason added, before realizing Liz was the one speaking. "LIZZIE!"
"JASON, NO!" Caitlyn and Mitchie shouted before jumping in front of Liz so that Jason couldn't hug her.
"GROUP…" Jason was denied again by Shane and Nate, who whispered loudly to him. "Liz can't take group hugs right now…she'd get squished!"
"Yeah, you'd break her," Shane added slowly, so even Jason could understand. "She's like a little bird with a broken wing. Would you group hug a bird with a broken wing?"
"Of course not!" Jason looked offended. "I'm not that stupid."
"Yes, you are," Shane coughed a few times, and Mitchie elbowed him hard. Then Shane really had to cough, and he glared as Caitlyn and Nate laughed at him.
"OK, he's all yours," Nate said to Liz.
"Hi, Jason," Liz said, as Jason stared at her with wide eyes.
"Lizzie!" Jason said, opening his arms wide. "Oh…right." He put his arms back down. "Are you OK?"
"I feel like I just got run over by a school bus," Liz said, beginning to feel the pain.
"I know what you need…" Jason said, his eyes lighting up. He ran to the door and yelled out "Mrs. Torres!"
"Ohh!" Mrs. Torres gasped, obviously startled. She'd been sitting just outside the door.
"Could you…" Jason motioned for her to come closer so he could whisper something to her.
"OW!" Their heads collided, and Jason looked sheepish.
"Oops! Sorry…" Jason looked genuinely sorry, and Mrs. Torres bit back a smile.
"It's all right, Jason. What do you need?" Mrs. Torres said, as Jason glanced back. He went outside to talk in private with her.
"Could you make an ice cream cake for Liz? I want her to feel better," Jason said.
"I don't know if ice cream would help…" Mrs. Torres looked doubtful.
"Of course it will! It always worked for me. I get injured a lot, and eating ice cream always makes me feel better. Oh yeah, don't forget the little red cherries on top. I forget what they're called, but they're bright red, and have little stems hanging out…" Jason said, thinking hard.
"Maraschino?" Mrs. Torres said.
"That's it!" Jason said happily. Then he scrunched his face in concentration. "Mar…Mara…you know what they're called. Could you please?"
"Of course, I'll get right on it. What flavor does she like?" Mrs. Torres said.
"Rocky road!" Jason said, remembering what Liz had told him when he'd walked her back from their date. "It's the best!"
"I see…it's both your favorite," Mrs. Torres smiled again as Jason said "YEAH!" loudly. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks Mrs. Torres! Please hurry, OK?" Jason said.
"OK," Mrs. Torres left.
Jason came back in, looking pleased with himself. Then he gazed into Liz's eyes, and he felt all soft and gooey inside, like he'd just eaten lots of fresh chocolate chip cookies.
"Um, maybe we should leave them alone," Mitchie suggested, referring to Liz and Jason.
"Or not," Mr. Bell said, standing firm. Mrs. Bell nodded, looking grim.
"OK, does anyone want to leave?" Mitchie asked Caitlyn, Nate, Shane, and Jason. They all shook their heads no.
"All for one, and…" Jason quoted, then trailed off when he forgot the ending. "How does that go again?"
"All for one, and one for all," Nate hissed, looking annoyed.
"Oh yeah! Thanks, Nate!" Jason looked happy again.
"Just…get on with it," Nate growled.
"OK, OK. You don't have to bite my head off," Jason held up his hands in surrender. "So…group hug?"
"NO!" Shane and Nate shouted at the same time.
"So…this boy," Mr. Bell nodded at Jason. "He's a friend of yours too?" He asked this, even though Liz had just said they were.
"Yes, Dad," Liz said, seeing the shocked look on her parents' faces. "Jason's really nice, and I'm sure once you get to know him…"
"Once we get to know him?" Mr. Bell said slowly. Liz cringed as she heard the tone in her father's voice. "Why on earth would we do that? He plays…rock music, doesn't he?" Mr. Bell sneered in Jason's direction, then looked back at his daughter in surprise.
"Because…" Caitlyn interrupted, only to be quieted by Nate and Mitchie.
"She needs to do this, Caity," Nate said, turning his gaze back on Liz. "Go ahead, Liz. You can do it."
"Do what?" Jason looked lost.
"Stand up to her parents," Shane whispered to Jason.
"Why does she have to…" Jason began, only to have Shane clap his hand over Jason's mouth.
"Shh…just listen," Shane commanded.
"To-" Jason was muffled again as Liz continued.
"Yes, Mom, Dad, Jason's my friend, and he's the sweetest guy ever. And Caitlyn, I don't really know her that well yet, but she's fiercely loyal, and not afraid to speak her mind. And Nate, he writes amazing music. And Shane is really nice too, even though I don't know him that much. And Mitchie, she's my friend. It's not a crime to have one. Or more than one," Liz said, jumping to Mitchie's defense. "And her name's cute. I like it."
"Of course it's a crime," Mr. Bell snapped. "If you have friends, they'll just distract you from your main focus. You know, your music. Which you should be practicing, young lady. Not running around and getting hurt."
"Your father's right, Elizabeth," Mrs. Bell said, emphasizing Liz's full name without remorse. "Why were you running away anyway? You could have been seriously hurt, and then you'd never be able to perform again."
"Is that all you see me as?" Liz said, trying to sit up. Mitchie helped her by putting pillows underneath her. "I'm just your prize performer, so as long as I play for you, you're happy?"
"Of course we are, we're musicians," Mr. Bell said. "Your mother's instrument is her voice, and you know what mine is. And yours is piano and your voice."
"So you don't care how I'm feeling right now? That I just had a tree fall on me, and all you're worried about is whether I can play piano?" Liz said, getting angry.
"Young lady, don't you raise your voice at us," Mrs. Bell said sternly. "Your father is speaking…"
"So my opinion doesn't matter?" Liz went on, and Mitchie's heart broke as she heard the years of pain in Liz's voice. "If that's how you feel, then I'm done. I quit. No more singing, no more playing, nothing." She lay back and sighed deeply.
"Well, it looks like it's time for you to go now," Brown said.
"Who do you think you are, telling us to leave? We're her parents!" Mr. Bell began, but his wife interrupted.
"And as her parents, we have every right to stay here. In fact, we should tell you to leave right this instant!" Mrs. Bell said dramatically.
"With all due respect, madam," Brown started, only to be cut off by Liz.
"Well? Why are you still here? Didn't I make it perfectly clear I'm done with music? So why bother sticking around?" Liz said, tears springing to her eyes.
"Well, I never!" Mrs. Bell humphed. She whirled around and dragged her husband out the door. As soon as they were gone, Liz slumped back into her bed.
"Are you OK, Liz?" Caitlyn said softly, amazed that Liz's parents could be so rude.
"No, but I will be," Liz sniffled.
"All right, everyone out," Brown commanded. "Let's leave the poor girl alone, shall we? I need to have a word with …"
"Um, could I talk to her first?" Jason said, looking a little nervous. He looked down at his shoes and then back up at Brown hopefully. "Please, Brown."
"All right, man, just make it quick," Brown said, winking at them as he closed the door behind him.
"So…" Jason said, once they were alone.
"So…" Liz echoed, not sure where to begin.
AN: MWA HA HA HA!!!! I know, I'm evil for cutting it off there. Next up, Jason and Liz talk. What happens next? Stay tuned…And please, let me know how I'm doing. Just hit that review button below. Pretty please, with a cherry on top?
Jason (bursting in): It's birdies!
Me: It is? Are you sure? Because that would mean I'd eat them.
Jason (looking horrified): NO!!!! NOT MY BIRDIES!!!! YOU'RE MEAN!!!! (runs out crying)
Me: Oh no…not again. I have to go comfort Jason now. But in the meantime, please review
Brown (popping his head in the door): NO BUTS!
Me: OK! STOP YELLING AT ME!
Brown (looking upset): NOT UNTIL YOU STOP SAYING BUT!
Me: WHY SHOULD I WHEN YOU CAN SAY IT, BUT I CAN'T????
Brown (looking even more angry): Nate told you to say that, didn't he? That little genius…When I get my hands on him…I'm gonna…(mumbles under breath and leaves).
Me: OK, I have to go talk to Jason and save Nate. A girl's work is never done, is it? (Runs off).