Essential Circuitry

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Camp Rock or the Jonas Brothers. Camp Rock belongs to Disney and the Jonas Brothers belong to themselves.

Characters: Shane, Nate and Jason

Words: 2, 214

Author's Notes: thanks to everyone who reviewed. You guys always have good things to say, and it really helps me get through life. I'm glad you are liking this so much. Also, please ignore this next bit, because it's probably not going to be aimed at you.

Thank you again my anonymous flamers! Thank you for not having the courage to log in and leave a review so that I might be able to comment back. I'm glad you are proud of being so cowardly! Next time you want to flame me, do so in such a way that I can reply, just to show how "manly" and "brave" you really are.

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"Nate," Shane said that night when they were holed up back in Cabin Coda. "You know that what Kyle and Dylan said wasn't true. Jason and I really do want to be your friend, and we really care about you."

"I know," Nate mumbled unconvincingly, playing with his shoe-laces absently.

"Aha," Jason said sarcastically, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling. "You know, I wish there was a kookaburra here right now, just so it could laugh."

"A kookaburra?" Nate repeated in confusion.

"Australian bird," Jason explained dismissively. "They sit in trees and laugh. One should be here right now because you're lying and lying's sad so something needs to lighten the mood. I guess a flock of toucans could fly passed," he mused after a moment. "I mean, they don't live around here but they're colourful if nothing else. I love their beaks," he sighed dreamily, leaving Nate and Shane to exchanged slightly concerned looks.

"Jason's right about one thing though," Shane said, moving over and wrapping an arm around Nate's shoulders securely. "You are lying."

Nate sighed, going to worm out of Shane's hold until his friend's arm tightened.

"No way," Shane stated firmly. "I told you that this was okay, so you're gonna have to accept that sooner or later."

"Can't I pick 'later'?" Nate huffed under his breath, though Jason heard and smiled in response.

"I was wondering," Jason spoke up, meeting Nate's gaze by tilting his head back on the floor. "How come your mom doesn't hug you? Does she have personal space issues or does she just not like to?"

"I…I don't know," Nate admitted, looking away. "Mom never touches anyone. I think…I don't think she wanted me…I mean…if you get what that means."

Jason's face furrowed in puzzlement but Shane paled drastically. He understood what Nate was implying; Nate was saying that his mother had been raped. "God, I'm sorry Nate," he whispered, hugging his friend again. "I know that had to be rough on her, but that doesn't mean she should be afraid of physical contact – not when it means damaging you."

"I guess," the thirteen-year-old agreed noncommittally. "It's fine though."

Seeing that Nate wanted the conversation topic changed, Shane decided to do just that. "So, here's something I want to say. Nate, Jason and I still really want you to perform in Final Jam with us."

Nate glanced between the two of them in shock, finding himself met with Shane's resolved eyes and Jason's proud nod. He adamantly shook his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered, bowing his head. "But I…I don't want to do it. I…I think you guys would sound great without me."

"Maybe we would," Shane agreed, startling Jason. "But we would sound greater still if you helped us out."

"I don't think so," Nate argued, mouth setting firmly. "You two are enough. Three's a crowd anyway."

"Don't say that!" Shane exclaimed, shaking his head fiercely. "Nate, we need you. You're incredible. We want you with us. So please, please perform with us?"

"I…" Nate slowly got to his feet. When he looked up though, his eyes were hard. "No. I'm sorry Shane, but I won't do it."

With that, he picked up his pajamas from his bed and went into the bathroom to change. Shane gave Jason a helpless look. He was about to ask what they should do now when Jason cut in, his words catching Shane completely off guard.

"I don't think I'll perform either."

"W-what?" Shane demanded, eyes widening. "Jason, what are you saying?"

His friend shrugged. "You'll blow everyone away on your own. You don't need me. You showed that on opening night. You're awesome dude. So go do something with that."

Jason too got up to get ready for bed, leaving Shane sitting on the floor in shock. What had just happened?

()~~~~~()~~~~~()~~~~~()

After three days of constantly getting negative answers to his begging and pleading, no matter what form it took, Shane was ready to snap. He knew Jason and Nate were talented and he knew that he knew that he knew that they deserved to be up there with him. While yes, he could have the spotlight all to himself, he wanted to share it with them.

Which was why, one day after hip-hop dance class, Shane had cornered Jason. Nate had disappeared back to the cabin to call his mom, borrowing Shane's cell to do so, and so Shane was as free to corner his cabin-mate as he wanted.

"Shane, what are you doing?" Jason asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"What am I doing?" Shane asked back. "I'm finding out the real reason why you won't perform with me. Jason, you love performing. Why are you suddenly saying no? What happened?"

Jason sighed, shrugging uncertainly. He went to reply, lifting his eyes when something else suddenly caught his attention. "Shane!" he called excitedly, "Look, two sparrows! Let's follow them!"

He took off before Shane knew what was completely happening and the boy huffed as he chased his friend, grabbing Jason relatively quickly and pulling him up with a firm hand.

"Seriously," he snapped, flipping his hair out of his eyes. "Jason, we can chase birds tonight. But, right now, I need you to stay focused and talk to me. Why won't you perform?"

"Shane," Jason sighed heavily, "I just…I didn't want Nate to feel bad."

"What?"

"I didn't want him to feel guilty about not competing," Jason explained. "I thought that if we both backed out, he wouldn't feel so bad. The last thing Nate wants is to spend all summer feeling guilty. By us both not performing with you, it makes him not feel so burdened."

"So…" Shane said slowly, working things out in his head. "So if Nate agrees to perform, you will too?"

"Yeah, I guess," Jason murmured, flicking his hair off his face. "But Shane, he's never going to say yes. His mind's made up."

"Oh, we'll see about that," Shane told him, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm Shane Gray!" he called as he bounded away. "I always get what I want!"

Jason watched his cabin-mate until he disappeared. The next moment, he abruptly spun around until he found the pair of sparrows he had been intent on chasing earlier. Grinning wildly, he dashed after them. This afternoon was going to be fun!

()~~~~~()~~~~~()~~~~~()

"Hey everyone!" Shane called, various yells and cheers coming back at him.

It was the Beach Jam, and Shane had yet to find a better place than the stage to get things out. He hadn't even asked Jason to perform with him this time, already having a plan in his head and setting it up. Adjusting his hold on the mic, Shane smiled at Jason and Nate when he spotted them in the crowd, the pair smiling back softly, Jason giving an enthusiastic wave.

"This song," Shane continued, "This song is for someone special. For someone who feels alone, for someone who feels like no one cares," He shrugged. "For someone who feels as though no one sees them, that they're invisible. Hope you like it."

Murmurs swept through the crowd, as anticipation started to build. Everyone loved Shane's music and they were eagerly awaiting his next masterpiece. Once the guitar started though, every mouth was instantly shut and campers subconsciously leant forward, desperate to hear what Shane was going to say.

"I can feel you all around

In the silence I hear the sound

Of your footsteps on the ground

And my thoughts slow down

So now I'm…

I'm waiting for the moonlight

So I can find you in this summer dream

Don't think that you can hide there in the shadows

You know you're not invisible

You're all that I can see"

Shane snuck a look at Nate, the younger boy pointedly looking away, hands forming tight fists on his knees. Jason gave Shane an encouraging smile, wrapping an arm around Nate's shoulders and bringing him to his side.

"Something's changing here inside

All our hopes were coming alive

As we're fading into the night

I can see your eyes

And I'll keep on…

Waiting for the moonlight

So I can find you in this summer dream

Don't think that you can hide there in the shadows

You know you're not invisible

You're all that I can see in the darkness

Believe we can make this

All we want it to be

We can stay here all summer

Cause when we're together

We're trapped in this fantasy

We don't wanna leave"

Nate's eyes were openly shining with tears when Shane next dared to look over; after all, he had to keep his attention on the other campers too, lest they feel left out. Jason's arm was still wrapped around Nate and the younger teen was staring at Shane with a watery smile on his face, brokenness still littering his features.

But Shane knew he was making progress; he was repairing Nate piece by piece, each lyric striking home and placing another brick back in the wall.

"And I'll keep

Waiting for the moonlight

So I can find you in this summer dream

Don't think that you can hide there in the shadows

You know you're not invisible

You know you're not invisible

You're all that I can see…"

Letting his voice fade away, there was a moment of silence before enthusiastic clapping erupted from the crowd. Shane accepted the praise in its stride, pasting a wide smile on his face and doing a theatrical bow. He jogged off the stage, the sound of screaming following him. But once he reached the side of the stage though, he paused, locking eyes with Nate and Jason, jerking his head in the direction of their cabin. Both boys understood immediately and they expertly crept away, making a break for their own cabin.

Arriving, the three of them paused on the cabin's wooden veranda, eyeing each other up wordlessly, none of them really knowing what to say. Surprisingly, it was Nate who finally broke the silence.

"Shane?" he asked timidly, taking a tiny step forward. "Did you…did you really mean that?"

Shane sighed, stepping forward, grasping Nate's hips and setting the boy on the veranda railing, waiting for the younger teen to balance before removing his hands. "Of course I did," he murmured, nodding seriously. "You're amazing Nate, and I don't just mean as a musician or a singer. We got off to a rocky start but I've learnt so much about you these past few weeks, and you really are a cool guy. Just like you," Shane said, flashing Jason a grin.

The fifteen-year-old returned it, all but beaming. "Yeah, you two are the best. You're great friends. And you even listen to me talk about birds. No one else does that. Seriously, I love you guys." He hugged Shane sloppily, Nate relieved he was perched where he was, meaning that he got out of being dragged into the constricting embrace.

"You're welcome," Shane managed to gasp, pushing Jason away before his lungs ran out of oxygen completely. "And I'm so glad you guys actually performed with me. That meant so much to me. To have people that really understand me, that get the type of music I like, and actually want to be a part of it. That's just…that never happens and I'm so glad it happened with you guys." He sent Nate a soft smile and the boy shyly returned it.

"I…" Nate started quietly, staring at his hands before lifting his gaze to survey them. "I didn't want to be here…but…but you guys made me want to stay. You gave me more chances than I probably deserved…and you stood up for me…even when you didn't have to. And I…I really liked being on stage with you too…"

Shane reached up and carefully looped an arm around Nate's shoulders, hugging him quickly yet tightly. "And we really liked being on stage with you too…" he hinted.

Nate sighed, giving Shane a knowing look. "You want me to perform in Final Jam, don't you?"

"Yeah," Shane answered honestly. "I really do. And so does Jason."

"And you shouldn't doubt yourself," Jason added strongly. "You're like, really good Nate. As in, ten times better than better. You rock."

Nate stared at him before giggling slightly. "What, no bird reference?" he teased.

Shane burst out laughing at Jason's flustered expression. "Dude, don't let him start!" Shane exclaimed, clapping Jason on the back and gently tugging Nate down. "I don't need a bird analogy right now."

"I have one though!" Jason piped up, bouncing on his feet excitedly.

"Jason," Nate laughed, shaking his head. "Please no. Tomorrow, okay?"

"Fine," Jason huffed, looking disgruntled. "But I-…oh my God! Look, a woodpecker!"

"J-Jason!" Nate cried as the boy suddenly took off, intent on following the bird that had just flown passed their cabin.

"Come on!" Shane chuckled, nudging Nate forward. "We better catch him before he gets lost. Let's go!"

Shane dashed off after their wayward friend, sending Nate a manic grin as he disappeared into the forest. Throwing his eyes skyward, Nate sighed before breaking into a run himself. Sure, his friends were weird but they were his friends and that made it all okay.

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A/N: so there you have. Not as much sweetness as I would have liked but there's not as much of a lot of things as I'd want in this. Hope you enjoyed it anyway, and yeah, I did kind of shake up the lyrics to "Invisible" but only because Shane isn't serenading a girl, he's trying to win Nate back over. Leave a comment on your way out to show you care!

DG777