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: 1, 500
Author's Notes: well, you've all made it. This is the final chapter/epilogue. Sorry it's taken me so long to write it, I wish I was more diligent with this. I do however, hope you liked the story as a whole and will also like this epilogue. :)
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"But Mom," Jason whined, staring at his mother pleadingly. "Can't we stay? Just a little longer? Please?"
"Jason, sweetie," she sighed, "We really need to go. Your brothers and sisters are getting restless. And tell me," she asked knowingly. "Would you rather we drive home with them in a good mood or a bad mood?"
Jason huffed but nodded, turning away and wandering back over to where Shane and Nate were camped out on a grassy hill. Since Shane's uncle ran the camp, he wouldn't be leaving till later and Courtney had booked a late flight, so Nate was in no rush to leave either. Shane was flat on his back, staring up at the sky while Nate sat next to him, a tiny smile on his face as he spoke. Whatever he was saying was put on hold though when he saw Jason approaching.
"Hey Jason!" Shane called jovially. "How'd it go man?"
He shook his head sadly, dropping down behind Nate, causing his friend to twist around to see him. "Not good. Mom says we absolutely have to go."
Nate's face softened sympathetically. "I'm sorry dude. I wish you could stay here with us."
"Yeah, just a few more hours would be awesome," Shane sighed, moving into a sitting position. "But I guess what really matters is that even though you're going, we're going to see you again really soon! After all, we all need to be present so we can record our album!"
Jason's face split into a blinding grin and even Nate's lit up, eyes sparkling with unprecedented excitement.
"You're right," Jason said with a definitive nod. "We'll be seeing each other again really soon. But seriously guys, you mad-"
"Jason!" his father's voice came from up the hill. "Jason, we need to go buddy!"
"Okay!" Jason yelled back before leaping forward, wrapping his arms around Shane and Nate tightly. "Just know that you guys made this summer the best summer ever. I love you guys."
The next moment his arms were disentangled from them and he was flying up the hill, shooting his dad an apologetic smile before clambering up into their minivan. Shane and Nate could only watch as the van drove off, Jason sticking his head and an arm out of one window and waving to them until he and his family completely disappeared from sight.
Shane couldn't help but sigh despondently when he saw one of his two new best friends vanish – even if only briefly. Nate bumped his shoulder gently, looking up at him worriedly.
"Don't fret," Shane groaned, nudging Nate playfully. "I'm fine."
"If you say so," Nate replied, tone holding a shred of disbelief.
Shane mock-glared at him before slinging an arm over his shoulder and tugging his friend closer. "I'm gonna miss him though," he revealed.
"I won't miss his bird talk," the younger teen quipped before softening. "But yeah, I'll miss him too."
Shane sent him a reassuring smile. "We'll see him again soon. Now," he said theatrically, stepping away so he could wave his arms without hitting anyone. "Since we have free reign of the camp grounds, I hereby challenge you to a game of tag!"
There was a pregnant pause.
"No way."
Shane's jaw dropped. "What?"
Nate rolled his eyes. "Shane, I'm thirteen, not six. And you're fifteen," he added pointedly, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine," Shane sniffed, turning on his heel before shooting his friend a mischievous look. "But if you don't chase me, I'll turn this into hide-and-seek and you'll spend the whole afternoon standing by yourself."
It was Nate's turn to gape. Seeing he'd gotten the reaction he wanted, Shane laughed proudly before bounding forward, rapping Nate on the head and then dashing off. Nate stared at him in shock for an extra moment before his competitive streak kicked in. The next minute he too was flying across the grass in desperate pursuit of his friend.
Inside, he was grinning broadly. This was what friendship should be like. And this, he imagined, was what having an older brother was like. If that were the case, he'd adopt Shane any day.
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THREE YEARS LATER
It was a normal day for Nate; or at least, as normal as days were of late. It started the usual way; which, for Connect 3, consisted of an early wake up call at the ripe time of five in the morning. Nate groaned as he heard his alarm clock blaring in his ears. Stretching out a hand from under the blankets, he tapped the device into silence. Letting his arm flop, Nate took a deep breath before rolling over and pushing his blankets off.
His feet hit the floor with a barely audible thud and he ran a hand through sleep-tousled hair. It was time to wake the others. Yes, someone had come up with the brilliant idea of having Nate wake up Jason and Shane every morning. Jason he could live with, it was Shane that was the problem. With an irritated shake of his head, Nate set off into the next room.
Jason was sprawled across his bed, legs and arms flung in all different directions. The pillow was, of course, on the floor half-way across the room. How it always got there was a mystery to Nate but he wasn't too keen on finding out. Reaching out, he gently shook Jason, pulling the covers back for good measure.
"Huh…?" Jason drawled, eyes opening blearily. "Wha…?"
"Up and at 'em Jason," Nate called. "Time to get up."
"What time is it?"
Nate resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Five o'clock dude. The same time I woke you up yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Come on, up and get dressed. Breakfast's in half an hour."
"Mm…okay, I'll be there," Jason answered, stumbling on the covers as he stood up.
The youngest Connect 3 member gave a satisfied nod before heading on to the next room. Shane's room. He sincerely hoped today wasn't going to be anything like yesterday but he knew Shane and Shane was consistent. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Nate wandered over to Shane's bedside. Their lead diva was buried under his blankets and only the top of his head was visible.
"Shane!" Nate whispered, trying to rouse Shane gently.
Aforementioned singer merely mumbled in response.
"God help me," Nate muttered before reaching out and shaking Shane carefully. "Shane."
No response.
"Sha-ane."
Again, no response.
He shook a little harder.
"Shane!"
"Jesus Nate!" Shane exclaimed, suddenly awake and lashing out with an arm wildly. "What are you doing? Get outta my room. It's too early man."
"Dude, it's already past five o'clock. We have to get up. Breakfast's at five thirty. You can't be late. Again." He added, stressing the 'again'. Shane had been late every day this week, and it was definitely not due to a lack of trying on Nate's behalf.
"Shut up Nate." The pop star pulled his blankets tight around him. "Now, get lost."
"Shane, you have to get up!" Nate implored. "Jason is already up. I'm up. That only leaves you. Get up, have a shower, and do whatever it is you need to do. Put product in your hair. You got to sleep-in yesterday."
"Six-thirty is hardly a sleep in," Shane snapped back, glaring at Nate.
"It is when filming starts at seven," came the retort. "Shane, please!"
"Oh just shut up Nate!" Shane yelled angrily. "You go, I'll be there."
Nate shot him a look that was clearly disbelieving. Shane didn't take that too well. Before Nate had time to move, Shane was out of bed and gripping his arm tightly. Roughly, Shane dragged his band-mate to his door and practically threw him through it, slamming the door in his face. Nate regained his footing just before he crashed into the carpet. Growling, he kicked the now closed door as hard as he could.
Hearing Shane's resultant mad yell, Nate dashed off back to his room. Grabbing the outfit that had been left hanging on his door by their stylist the night before, Nate made for the bathroom and leapt inside, hastily locking the door behind him. Throwing the clothes haphazardly on the floor, he raced to the shower and turned the water on full.
Creeping back to the door and placing an ear against it, Nate could hear Shane right on the opposite side of the door, huffing. As he listened, Shane stalked away, convinced that Nate was already in the shower. Nate winced when he heard some crashing noises. He just hoped it wasn't his guitar that had suffered the brunt of Shane's wrath.
When Nate was absolutely certain that Shane had returned to his own room, he undressed, straightened the clothes he had thrown down earlier and then jumped into the shower. Yep, situation normal so far. He ran his hands down his face in exasperation. Shane was becoming too much for him to handle.
That too was becoming normal.
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A/N: so there you have it! The ending to Essential Circuitry and then a sneak-peak at the sequel, "The Process of Metamorphosis", which is set during Camp Rock. Be sure to check that one out (yes, it's already written and finished!). Just jump to my profile and you'll find it! It'd mean a lot to me if you read it.
Once again, please leave a review on the way out to tell me what you thought, what you liked, and what you didn't like. Hope you enjoyed the ride of EC! :)
DG777