AN: I know, I know… It's been forever since I last updated…I got sick a couple weeks ago (and my parents took care of me), then my parents got sick last week (and I had to take care of them), and now I'm finally over it (but I still have a mountain of hw to catch up on)…and this Sunday's my birthday (which is why I really needed to get this out, before I have to jump in and finish my hw) and my wish this year is that I won't get sick again, with a cold, or flu, or swine flu…there's been instances of it where I live, so...I really don't want to get it. Oh snap…since I just told you what I'm wishing for, does that mean it won't come true (and I will get sick)? Oh no… :-(
Thanks to...
SapphireJKH, that was an awesome idea (I don't remember if I thanked you in the last chapter, so just in case, thanks again).
Sakura Tate, yes, it was all just a dream (where Jason gets angry at Liz and runs off, and everyone turns on her). But this next chapter isn't.
DemiLenaJonas, me too...I couldn't get online for the past few days...I don't know what happened, but I'm happy to be back (so I can review your story now). I hope Jason and Liz get together soon too, and her parents better accept her as she is...Go ahead and babble away, I'd love to hear what you think.
Disclaimer – I really wish I owned the JB. I mean…Connect 3. And Elvis…that dog is seriously adorable…not to mention the luckiest dog in the world…I don't know who's luckier…the JB or Elvis…I'd say they're all pretty lucky to have each other :-).
Previously:
"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.
Chapter 24
"Lizzie?" Jason said, looking at Liz after a long time.
"Jason, I can…" Liz said, at the same time that Jason spoke. She blushed and looked away.
"BROKEN WING!" Nate and Shane popped in, loudly reminding Jason.
"Huh?" Liz looked confused, as Jason laughed at his friends.
"I think I got it, guys…" Jason smiled, as Liz still looked confused.
"Just checking," Shane said as Nate punched him lightly. He shoved Nate back, and the two of them closed the door.
"Jason, what do they mean, broken…" Liz said, as Jason cut her off.
"It's OK, you don't have to say anything," Jason said, coming over and covering her hands with his. "It's my fault…I'm so sorry…" Jason burst into tears, and he buried his head into her shoulder. Liz winced as she put her arms around him, but the pain she felt faded in comparison with the pain Jason seemed to be having.
"Jason, no…it's not your fault. Why would you even think that?" Liz wondered.
"Because…I made you nervous when I said I love you, and that's why you ran away," Jason sniffled in response, just as soon as he'd caught his breath. Nate explained it to me, and my mom agrees."
"Your mom?" Liz said, wondering what she had to do with anything.
"Yeah! She's here, you know. I was waiting for you to wake up, and I was scared that you wouldn't be OK, and so I called her, and she came over, and she'd love to meet you…" Jason babbled on, unaware that Liz had turned pale at the thought of meeting Jason's mom.
"Jason, I..." Liz said weakly, not knowing how to tell him that meeting his mom was the last thing she wanted to do. She knew she'd disappoint Mrs. Green, just like she'd disappoint everyone else. Including Jason's fans. Once word got out that Jason loved her, Liz knew she'd be Public Enemy #1. Especially since Jason was the last remaining single member of Connect 3. Not to mention all the unwanted attention she'd be getting as soon as word broke out that they were together.
"Shh…it's OK, I'm here," Jason said, brushing Liz's bangs out of her face gently. "I'll always be here for you. I love you so much."
"Jason…" Liz said, as she held onto Jason's hand for support. She intertwined their fingers and looked him in the eyes. "I…"
But Liz never got to tell him how she felt, because right then, they heard Shane and Caitlyn arguing outside.
"Hold on…" Jason said, not wanting to miss anything. He let go of Liz's hand, opened the door, and poked his head out. "Hey guys! What's going on?"
"Why don't we bring it back in here?" Brown said, ushering Mitchie, Nate, Caitlyn, and Shane back into the room. Caitlyn and Shane were staring daggers at each other, and Mitchie and Nate clearly looked uncomfortable, as people in the hallway were staring at them.
"That's what I'd like to know," Liz said, grateful for the chance to turn the attention away from herself. "What is going on?"
"I'm not working with that…that…" Caitlyn sputtered, motioning wildly at Shane, who looked equally repulsed.
"Uncle Brown, I can't believe you're forcing me to work with Miss…" Shane fumbled around, looking for the right word, but nothing came up. "…Diva over there." Shane looked like he wanted to call Caitlyn something else, but decided against it, since he knew his uncle, Nate, and even Mitchie would jump to Caitlyn's defense.
"Excuse me?" Caitlyn gasped, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm so not a diva…You're more of a diva than I am."
"What?" Shane couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Oh yeah, look at me. I'm Shane Gray, for cryin' out loud," Caitlyn mimicked Shane perfectly, as his eyes grew into narrow slits. "I spend more time on my hair and staring at myself than I do rehearsing every day. That's why I sound like a girl, and I can't even dance like one."
"Oh, yeah? Well at least I don't look like…" Shane shot back, and his expression revealed that he was about to explode any second now. Brown noticed this immediately, and jumped right in.
"All right, ENOUGH!" Brown bellowed, as everyone stopped arguing and looked at Brown, frightened. Brown looked extremely angry, and everyone knew well enough to pay attention. "My decision is final. Shane, you and Caitlyn WILL perform together at the Spotlight Jam in a few weeks, and Mitchie and Nate, you WILL write a song that will blow all the other songwriters out of Camp Rock. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Brown," everyone except Shane said.
"Yes, Uncle Brown," Shane repeated, still glaring at Caitlyn.
"And Shane and Caitlyn?" Brown said, looking at the two of them. Shane looked away, ignoring his uncle.
"Yes, Brown?" Caitlyn said innocently, pretending like Shane wasn't there.
"Try and get along with Shane for once," Brown said, glancing at his nephew, then back at Caitlyn. "I don't want to hear either of you arguing with each other, and I expect you two to put together a showcase of talent that future Camp Rockers will be talking about for ages."
"Don't worry, Brown, I will," Caitlyn promised. "I wouldn't be too sure about Shane though…with his big feet and all. He might try to trip me with them."
"HEY!" Shane protested, as Caitlyn smirked.
"Caitlyn…" Brown warned, as Caitlyn sighed.
"Fine…but if he tries anything to mess me up, I can't be responsible for what happens to…" Caitlyn said, defeated.
"NO…" Brown began.
"BUTS…I know, I know," Caitlyn said. "Just keep your nephew under control, OK? He's a pain in the…"
"Ahem," Brown cleared his throat.
"OK, OK" Caitlyn caught on, smiling sweetly at Shane. But deep down, she saw herself throwing darts at a picture of Shane's head, posted on a dartboard.
"Uncle Brown, do I have to?" Shane whined, as soon as Caitlyn had gone.
"Toughen up, Shane," Brown said, not backing down. "You can do this. I know you can. And besides, I like Caitlyn. Always telling it like it is. You don't see that in a girl every day."
"Lucky Nate," Shane teased, as Nate blushed a bright red. "Why are you doing this to me?" Shane complained to his uncle. "I'm a singer, not a dancer."
"You're more of a dancer than you think," Brown said. "That's why I had you teach Hip-Hop to the other campers. And can you imagine any of your friends dancing? Besides Mitchie, of course."
"I guess not," Shane said, smiling as he imagined Jason in a tutu, spinning around in circles and making himself dizzy. He also saw Nate trying to count out the steps as he looked down at his feet, and not at his dance partner. Then Shane's smile faded as reality set in. Dancing with Caitlyn was like going to a hair salon where his favorite stylist was on vacation, and a new person was about to take over. Someone who didn't know what hair products worked well with his hair type, and someone who would definitely make his hair look even worse than it was.
"It won't be that bad," Brown said, biting back a smile. "And it'll be over before you know it."
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Shane tried one last time to get out of it.
"No, you don't," Brown shook his head, nodding approval once Shane seemed to have accepted his destiny.
"I guess I'll start now. Get it over with as fast as I can," Shane groaned. "Even though I'd rather go without hair products for 1 day than dance with Caitlyn for however many weeks I have to dance with her."
"That's my nephew," Brown beamed as Shane looked miserable. "Go on, man. Dance, Shane, dance!"
"You so owe me, Uncle B," Shane spat out, as Brown looked delighted.
"You wish," Brown said happily, as Shane looked like he was about to be sick. Shane let out a frustrated groan, and went on his way.
"So Shane and Caitlyn are dancing together for some big dance showcase, and Mitchie and Nate are writing a song together?" Liz said, just so Jason could catch up.
"That's the plan," Brown said, grinning.
"And there's another one," Liz said thoughtfully. "You put Shane and Caitlyn together, and Mitchie and Nate together, so that they couldn't get distracted by each other…"
"Exactly," Brown looked amazed. "You're a smart girl, Liz."
"Not that smart," Liz said, referring to her hasty decision to run away. "Aren't you mad that I broke camp rules and tried to run away?"
"Yes," Brown frowned for a moment. "Rules are rules, and as punishment, you're banned until the end of the Spotlight Jam."
"But…" Jason protested. Brown ignored him, because he'd tried to explain his dislike of that word to Jason several times, and Jason still hadn't gotten it.
"What is it, Jason?" Liz wondered.
Jason shook his head, then whispered in Brown's ear for a few moments.
Liz watched them carefully, as Brown went from looking serious to nodding and smiling.
"Very well, Liz. Jason just told me that he thinks being cooped up in this hospital for the next few days is punishment enough for running off. I don't like hospitals myself. Needles are evil," Brown winked at them both, and Liz giggled.
"So she can be part of Spotlight Jam?" Jason asked.
"Yes, I don't see why not," Brown smiled. "As a matter of fact, maybe you two could come up with something by then. Liz, I expect nothing less than amazing coming from you."
"YAY!" Jason cried happily. He looked at Brown, and said, "GROUP HUG!!!!"
"Broken wing!" Brown coughed, and made his escape before Jason said, "Oh yeah…wait, what? You don't have a broken wing…Brown? Where are you? Where'd he go?"
"I'd love to write a song with you, Jason," Liz beamed, as Jason smiled and completely forgot about group-hugging Brown.
Jason went back over to Liz, and said, "So you'll help me write a song?" Jason asked with such hope in his eyes that Liz couldn't help but smile back.
"Sure," Liz grinned happily. "And once I can get out of this cast, I'd love to help you build a birdhouse or two."
"YAY!!!!" Jason started doing a happy dance, and Liz laughed at his excitement. "I'm getting' a birdhouse, I'm gettin' a birdhouse…" Jason sang, lost in his own world.
"JASON!" Liz said, trying to get Jason's attention. "JASON!!!!" Then she had a great idea. "Jason, I just saw a bunch of baby birds, and they need your help!"
"What?" Jason said, stopping mid-dance, looking scared.
"Did you hear what I said?" Liz said, hoping Jason would catch on.
"Yeah, baby birds need my help!" Jason said, sounding like a superhero.
"No, I just said that to get your attention," Liz admitted sheepishly.
"Don't do that!" Jason cried. "That's mean!"
"Jason, I just meant...Did you hear what I said earlier? Before I said anything about baby birds?" Liz hoped Jason would forget about them, and see what she was trying to tell him.
"Yeah, you said you'd love to write a song with me…" Jason scrunched his forehead in deep thought.
"And…?" Liz prompted.
"And you'd love to help me build a birdhouse or two…" Jason said, still completely missing the point.
"So…?" Liz said, as Jason thought hard.
"I don't know what you're trying to say…wait!" Jason said, going back out for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, Liz slumped back in defeat, thinking the worst.
Maybe he doesn't see it, because he doesn't feel the same way anymore. I'm so stupid…I should've said I felt the same way back when he said it. And now maybe he's rethinking this whole thing…I should've known he'd stop feeling the way I'm starting to feel about him. He just likes me because birds like me. He doesn't even know that much about me…
Liz snapped back to reality as Jason burst back into the room, dragging Nate, Caitlyn, Shane, and Mitchie behind him.
"Jason, I was in the middle of…" Shane protested, until he saw Liz. "What are we doing back here?"
"Guys, I need your help," Jason said earnestly. Mitchie nodded, and asked him, "What's up?"
"Besides the sky…" Nate cut in before Jason could speak. "Tell us, Jason. I have class lessons to prepare…"
"OK, Liz just said…" Jason quickly filled in his friends, and sat back, wondering what she meant.
"Aww!" Mitchie and Caitlyn clasped their hearts and sighed dramatically. "That's so cute!" Caitlyn gushed.
"I know," Mitchie said, looking over at Liz, who suddenly looked nervous.
"What are you talking about?" Jason said, anxious now. "Please, tell me what it is!"
"It means…" Shane said, only to be whacked by Caitlyn.
"Let Liz tell Jason herself," Caitlyn said, as Shane glared at Caitlyn. "Go on, Liz. You can do it."
"I don't know," Liz said, looking down. "Maybe I shouldn't…"
"Come on, Liz," Mitchie said encouragingly. "Just tell Jason."
"Tell me what?" Jason looked around at his friends, still having no idea what was going on.
"Yeah, Liz…I know Jason feels the same way," Nate said, getting a warning glance from Caitlyn. "He says it 3000 times a day, when he's not talking about birds."
"Shh…let them talk," Caitlyn hissed.
"About what? Group hugs? Speaking of which..." Jason was getting nervous now. If it was really important, they would've told him by now. He thought maybe calling a group hug would ease everyone's tension.
"NO!" Shane and Nate yelled, as Jason looked startled.
"Fine, if you don't want one, just say so. You didn't have to yell at me," Jason looked offended, until Liz spoke up.
"Jason, I want to tell you something, but I don't know how to say it…" Liz began nervously.
"OK…?" Jason said, still confused.
"You know how you always tell me you love me?" Liz asked. "Why do you say that? And why would you love someone like me?"
"Because you're nice, kind, I love being around you, you never make fun of me even though I love birds…" Jason rambled, only to be cut off by Liz.
"Jason…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel the same way about you the way you feel about birds," Liz blurted out, before she could stop herself.
"You love me?" Jason realized as Caitlyn and Mitchie let out squeals of happiness.
"Yeah, I guess I do," Liz blushed, as Jason came near her.
"Then I guess you won't mind if I do this…" Jason knelt down and leaned over her, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Aww!" Mitchie and Caitlyn sighed happily, looking dreamily at the sight of them.
"I love you Lizzie," Jason said happily, once they'd come up for air. "Will you be my lovebird?"
"I'd love to," Liz said happily, as Jason kissed her again.
"Wait..." Jason broke away, and for a second, Liz worried that he wanted to take it back.
But Jason didn't. Instead, he took off his silver ring, the one he always wore on his ring finger, and gave it to her.
"Jason, I can't take this…it means…" Liz mumbled, amazed by everything that was happening.
"I know what It means, and I don't want anyone else to have it. It's yours, or it's no one's. Go on, take it," Jason urged.
Liz couldn't help but smile as she looked at Jason's ring. It had the shape of a bird on it, which matched him perfectly.
"Thank you, Jason. I love it," Liz smiled happily, as Jason held her hand. "And you."
"I love you too," Jason said, hugging her gently. "And I always will…"
"Aww!" Caitlyn and Mitchie squealed again, only to be cut off by Nate.
"Guys, we have to get to work now…" Nate said, checking his watch for the millionth time.
"Fine," Caitlyn grumbled, turning around and leaving. "Mitchie, can you make sure your mom has enough ice? I'm gonna need it for my feet after Shane steps all over me."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that. Caitlyn's gonna need ice once I smack her in the head with…" Shane began, as Caitlyn punched him.
"Hey!" Shane protested.
"Save it for the dance floor," Caitlyn said curtly.
"I will. And you'd better bring it," Shane said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"It's already been brought," Caitlyn countered. "Now, it' s time to dance!"
"Great," Shane mumbled reluctantly, then left after kissing Mitchie.
"Bye guys. Have fun," Caitlyn said grumpily as she hugged her friends and kissed Nate.
"Bye," Nate and Mitchie said together, as they all left.
"Wait, what about my group hug?" Jason realized, right after everyone except Liz had left.
"You can always give me one," Liz said shyly, as Jason smiled brightly.
"Really?" Jason's eyes lit up.
"Really," Liz smiled back.
"But you're hurt," Jason pointed out, frowning. "Like a baby bird with a broken wing hurt..."
"So that's what they meant," Liz said, remembering Shane and Nate's comment earlier. "I don't think a group hug will hurt."
"Not a broken wing group hug," Jason smiled, giving Liz a gentle hug, as Liz hugged him back.
"I love you, Jason," Liz sighed happily, her arms still around him.
"I love you too, Lizzie," Jason said, leaning over and kissing Liz again. "And I always will."
AN: So, what'd you think? Next up, Shane and Caitlyn rehearse their dance, and Mitchie and Nate start writing a song. And Jason and Liz might even have some lovey dovey moments. Lol. I love bird references…that was perfect! What happens next? Stay tuned…And please, let me know how I'm doing. Just hit that review button below. Pretty please, with a bird on top? Not a real bird though…Jason would be angry at me forever.