I got dressed in the dress I just created. I got a call from David saying that e were performing at a charity event. I had completely forgotten. I put the dress on, my shoes, and did my hair. I curled it in perfect ringlets and let it cascade down my back. My make-up was original Drenched make-up. Mascara, eyeliner, lip-gloss, eye-shadow, and blush. None of it was waterproof, though. I painted my nails a dark purple. I stood up after they dried and started putting my things away.
There was a knock on my bedroom door. It was open. I turned around to see Chad standing there looking sheepish. He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets.
"Hey."
I crossed my arms. "What?"
"Can I come in?"
I shrugged, going back to what I was doing.
"Sonny, look, um…remember that one time when I said I was sorry?"
"Nope, because you never said it." I smirked at him, recalling what his mom just told me.
"Okay, well, fine: I'm sorry."
I chuckled.
"What? Sonny, I'm being serious here."
"I know. Just something I thought of that made me laugh."
He took a good look at me. "Why are you all dressed up for?"
"I'm going to a charity event." I packed a small backpack with extra clothes and new songs.
"What charity?"
"A bunch of celebrities are raising money for kids in Africa and cancer treatments. Not only are celebrities going but so are regular people. It's for everyone. My family is coming to town for this. You can go too, if you want."
"I would if I knew where it was." Chad admitted. "Seems like a good charity."
I nodded. "It is." I paused. "I'm also sorry…for exploding earlier."
He shrugged. "It's fine. I was just shocked, is all."
I smiled. "Let's go." I went to walk past him but he caught my arm gently. I looked at him.
"Sonny, look, I'm sorry about…what happened yesterday in the green room. I shouldn't have done that." He sighed. "You know you're the only one who can make me apologize, right?"
I chuckled. "One of my many talents." I joked.
~!!~
Chad and I arrived at the giant field where the charity was being held. Everywhere you looked, there was a little attraction. In the middle of the field, near the back, was a giant stage. You had to pay to get in and pay for food and games and such. After all, all the money goes to a good cause.
There was a dunk-tank with Zac Efron sitting on the seat. I tapped Chad on the shoulder and pointed to it. "Why don't you dunk him?"
He cleared his throat. "Sure, why not?"
Gloria ran over to me. "Allison!" I smiled at her. "Give me your stuff, I'll put it back stage. Why don't you goof off for a while? We aren't performing until tonight."
I nodded as Chad took my hand and brought me to the dunk tank. Gloria winked at me.
"Alright." Chad laughed.
We arrived at the dunk tank and Chad handed the guy $4. He picked up a baseball and threw it at the target. It missed my a little bit.
"Hey, Al." Zac greeted, nodding to me.
I waved. "You fall in yet?"
He shook his head. "Nope." He smiled. Chad hit the target and he fell in. I laughed as he made a big splash.
Zac came up from the water to breathe. "Guess you'll have to change your answer." I turned to Chad. "Nice throw."
"I was a Little Leaguer when I was a little kid." He shrugged.
I looked at the stage and saw Kevin slip and fall. I laughed. "Chad, I think I have to go help my band mates. I'll see you later."
"Wait, Drenched is playing?"
I nodded. "Yep. That's why admission tickets were so much. I got in free, though, because I'm part of the attraction." I started walking away but Chad followed. I chuckled. "Want to come with?"
"Thought you'd never ask." He smirked, keeping pace with me. "So are you guys playing old or new songs?"
"New. I brought new music that we need to practice. So, as soon as I get in, we all need to practice."
"Can I watch?"
I smiled. "Either way, you'll listen in."
"You know me so well." he gave me a sideways, one-armed hug before dropping his arm to his side again.
We arrived at the side entrance to the backstage. I walked in, Chad following. I handed out the papers to my band mates and we rehearsed the new songs, getting it immediately.
~!!~
"And now….DRENCHED!" the announcer called. We all ran out. I was still in my dress but I had pinned the sides up a bit for more room to move and put on black leggings. I had a quarter-length black, blank shirt on under the dress. It sounds weird but it looked awesome. I put in a dark purple headband into my hair, a fake flower attached to it for decoration.
We started playing immediately.
"Some people you can never please
You might as well just let them be
They mock everything not their own
From their imaginary throne
But I won't bow down,
even if the whole world thinks I'm crazySo hey hey, this song is for us
So put your hands in the air
if you're crazy like us
Hey hey
Hey hey, that's freedom you hear
Comin' right to your ear,
that's the sound from our bus
Hey heyWhy try to be like someone else
When you can only be yourself?
No one can sing the song you do
Be true, be legendary you
So I won't sell out,
even if the whole world thinks I'm crazyWhy kiss the feet of the people who kick you
When you can be anything that you want to?" (Hey Hey by Superchick) The fans caught on to the song immediately, singing the parts that they should have when I pointed my mic to them all.
Most of the songs we were going to play were songs I sang.
"Follow the leader, stay in the lines
What will people think of what you've done this time?Go with the crowd, surely somebody knows
Why we're all wearing the emperor's clothes
Play it safe, play by the rules
Or don't play at all - what if you lose?
That's not the secret, but I know what is:
Everybody dies but not everyone livesI'm gonna ride like I've got the cops on my tail
I'm gonna live my life like I'm out on bailI'm gonna be out front, gonna blaze a trail
I'm gonna cross that lineEverybody freeze - don't step over the line
Don't stand up, they'll shoot down the first one who tries
Try to change the world, they'll think you're out of your mind
Revolutions start when someone crosses the line
They want us to lie down, give into the lie
Nothing has to change, and no one has to die
That's not the secret, but I know what is:
Everybody dies, but not everyone lives." (Cross The Line by Superchick) I smiled as everyone cheered.
I looked over to see my band really happy.
I put the mic in the stand and stood behind it, the lights dimming.
"Don't bury me, I'm not yet dead
Not a walking zombie with no head
Not a Stepford wife made to obey
Don't want to go through life that wayI'm alive, I'm alive
That's what I say
I'm alive, I'm alive
Gonna live that way
I'm alive, I'm aliveThat's what I say
I'm alive and I'm gonna live todayDo robots dream of electric sheep?
I need to live my dreams, not just in my sleep
I've been holed up here, but it's time to
leave I need to make my move
while I've air to breatheDon't give me drugs, no Novocain
I must be alive 'cause I still feel pain
We were born with wings
We were made to fly
We were meant to live while we're still alive." (Alive by Superchick)
I laughed as everyone went crazy. Even the celebs were clapping. I guess Drenched is popular through all circles. This charity was broadcasted LIVE across the nation as well, so great publicity and all that great stuff. Zac Efron, I saw, was clapping and cheering when someone hit the target, making him fall, mid-whistle.
Chad was cheering backstage and I felt like smiling all day.
Time for the next song:
"This one's for the beaten down
The ones who lost their rock and roll
Rise up you lost ones, claim your crown
You were born to rock inside your soul Welcome misfits, orphans, all
The ones who feel they don't belong
You were made to rock, so stand up tall Go rock the world and prove them wrongRock what you got
Rock what you got
Don't ever let them make you stop
Rock what you got
Light up the lot
No one can rock the way you rockThis one's for originals
Who strike out towards the great unknown
Fear not the missteps, take the falls
The rock you find will be your ownThis one's for the beaten down
Who gave up on their rock and roll
Lift your eyes from what drags you down
You were born to rock inside your soul." (Rock What You Got by Superchick) I had written all those songs when I had come home from the set after the fight with Chad today.
I sang with soul. I was tired so Kevin and I switched, me playing guitar now and him singing.
(I think almost everyone who reads this story will know this song…)
"I wake up every evening
With a big smile on my face
And it never feels out of place.
And you're still probably working
At a 9 to 5 pace
I wonder how bad that tastesWhen you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hellNow where's your picket fence love
And where's that shiny car
Did it ever get you far?
You never seem so tense, love
Never seen you fall so hard
Do you know where you are?Truth be told I miss you
Truth be told I'm lyingWhen you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
If you find a man thats worth the damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool you're just as well hope it gives you hell
Hope it gives you hellTomorrow you'll be thinking to yourself
Where did it all go wrong?
But the list goes on and onTruth be told I miss you
Truth be told I'm lyingWhen you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth the damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool you're just as well hope it gives you hellNow you'll never see
What you've done to me
You can take back your memories
They're no good to me
And here's all your lies
If you look me in the eyes
With the sad, sad look
That you wear so wellWhen you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth the damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool you're just as well hope it gives you hellWhen you see my face
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell (hope it gives you hell)
When you walk my way
I hope it gives you hell, I hope it gives you hell (hope it gives you hell)
When you hear this song and you sing along well you'll never tell
And you're the fool I've just as well I hope it gives you hell
When you hear this song I hope that it will give you hell
You can sing along I hope that it puts you through hell." (In case you're clueless about this song: Gives You Hell by All-American Rejects)
~!!~
Chad and I arrived at my house after that almost full day/night long charity. His car was at my house since I had driven him there so he had to come back to my place.
"I have to admit, that was a fun charity. Not all of them are crazy with both celebrities and fans." Chad told me with a yawn. It was around 4 A.M.
I chuckled. "Yeah…Have a safe trip home."
He looked at me skeptically. "You really think I'm going to drive home, almost fully asleep?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You just want to sleep on the fluffy bed again." I rolled my eyes.
"Your mom won't mind, right?"
"As long as you don't enter my room while we're supposed to sleep, no, she won't."
Chad hesitated. "You don't mind, do you?"
I chuckled, closing my bedroom door slowly, him in the hallway, me in my room. "Good night, Chad." I shut the door.
Tonight was fun. I stayed silent, biting my lip and smiling.
"Night, Sonny." Chad murmured on the other side of the door. I heard his careful, slow footsteps leading to the male guest room. In that room's closet were some guy's clothes. My mom bought some in case of last-minute sleepovers or something. No one would get suspicious now, since Chad is staying at my house.
I got into my pajamas and cleaned my face off. I couldn't sleep so I silently snuck down to the kitchen and grabbed a muffin out of the bowl. I sat on the counter, taking a bite.
I heard footsteps and carefully jumped off the counter, hiding behind it, ducking down, afraid it was my mom. Shit, I forgot the light was on!
"Sonny?" Chad's voice rang out quietly.
I stood up. "Sorry, thought my mom busted me." I took a muffin out of the bowl, holding it out. "Muffin?"
He chuckled, leaning against the counter, taking the muffin form my hands. "Couldn't sleep?"
I shook my head. "I think I had too many sweets at the charity. I can't even stay still." I shifted my weight.
Chad laughed quietly, examining the muffin. "You did a great job today." His voice was really quiet.
"Thanks," I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Great job knocking Zac off his throne."
He chuckled, looking at me. I smiled back. "I didn't see any of your family there."
I sighed. "I know, I got a call during break and they said that the flight was delayed. So…they missed it."
"No, it was LIVE. I'm sure they at least SAW it." Chad reassured me.
I smiled at him. "Thanks. Good news is, I'm seeing them in one month for my cousin's wedding. I'm the maid of honor." I smiled, happily taking a bite out of the muffin.
"Congrats." He took a bite too.
I heard the door open upstairs and looked over at the stairs, Chad looking as well. Footsteps coming down the stairs. I motioned Chad to come over to my side of the counter as I turned the light off.
"My mom doesn't know that I stayed out this late. She'll kill me. Especially since you're staying here without her permission." I whispered, explaining. Chad and I knelt behind the counter, staying hidden. We were really close to one another but I didn't really take note.
The lights turned back on and my mom walked through the kitchen going to the fridge, opening it and taking something out, closing it again- no doubt water.
I looked over at Chad to see he was staring at me. We were so close. I started to get nervous and we were leaning toward one another, wanting to on both sides.
Our lips were so close.
"Night, kids." Mom chuckled.
Chad and I froze, standing up and looking at her.
"how did you-"
"I was watching the charity." She cut me off, smiling. "good night, Sonny. Night, Chad." She left to go upstairs.
I laughed. "She always surprises me." Shaking my head in disbelief, I looked over at Chad, him looking like he was scolding himself. "What's wrong?"
He looked at me, lips pressed together. "I'm sorry. You know, for almost…I mean…," Chad seemed at a loss for words. "I know how you like control over yourself and I almost-"
I cut him off with a simple kiss to his lips. I pulled away quickly- since it was just a peck- and walked upstairs with my muffin, leaving him dumbfounded.
I finished the muffin by the time I got to my room and went to my bed, falling asleep easily.