Ohmygod. It's been like five months since I last updated. I'm really sorry. I really don't have an excuse for this, so just feel free to hunt me down. But before you do, let me just tell you the updates will come more frequently since it's summer now and I'm off school for two months. And if you spot any mistakes, it's because I didn't reread it since I was eager to put this up and satisfy you all.

Don't forget to review, love!

Masquerade

Chapter Six

The next morning, Macy woke up at 7 a.m. She sat up on Stella's bed and turned to the sleeping blonde. There was a downside to sleepovers. Macy hated sleeping over at someone's house and waking up ages before the other person. Luckily, Macy was no stranger to this house and decided to quietly head downstairs to see if any of the Malone family were up. She went to the kitchen and found Mrs. Malone making coffee.

"Good morning Mrs. Malone," Macy weakly said.

"Good morning, dear," Mrs. Malone turned to the tired brunette. "Is Stella up yet?"

"Not yet."

"Okay, then you can have a seat and I'll get you some breakfast," Mrs. Malone offered. Macy took a seat at the kitchen island. "Would you like some coffee, Macy?"

"No, thank you," Macy politely replied. "I'll just have orange juice instead."

"Suit yourself," Mrs. Malone shrugged. "It's in the fridge, right on the very first row."

Macy got herself a glass and made her way to the fridge. She poured the orange juice in her glass before returning to her seat at the island.

As the bacon began to sizzle in the pan and the aroma of French toast and bagel filled the air, Stella was suddenly in their presence and sat beside her best friend.

"Should've known," Macy shook her head in amusement. "Stella loves bacon."

"Yup," Stella nodded proudly.

"That's why I'm making bacon today, it was the only way to wake her up," Mrs. Malone said.

"Mom, I love how you know me so well," Stella answered with a grin.

"You're my daughter, after all."

After eating the most important meal of the day, the two best friends realized that they should be on their way to the Lucas home. The girls got ready, and then took Stella's car to the brothers' house. Macy was wearing sweats and an oversized t-shirt, her hair pulled back into a messy bun. Stella was wearing designer skinny jeans and a fitted plaid top, while her hair was curled perfectly.

Kevin answered the door and led the girls upstairs. Macy was not surprised to see the only Nick was there. There was no sign of Joe at all. He's dealing with a problem—his problem, not Macy's.

"Where's Joe?" Stella questioned, her eyes scanning the room.

"Oh, he's at the park with Frankie," Nick answered, putting down a pen and notebook he was holding.

"Really? They went this early in the morning?" Stella shook her head.

"Yeah, I know," agreed Kevin. "And I reminded him that you two were coming today."

"Well then, if he doesn't show up, I'm not making him a suit," Stella shrugged.

"So, what now?" Macy asked.

"I guess we can wait for fifteen minutes," Stella sighed. She sat in Joe's recliner and Macy sat in Kevin's.

Nick once again had the notebook and pen in his hands. Stella was watching the Fashion Channel on television. Kevin was busy polishing the guitars in his collection. Macy was daydreaming.

When Macy returned to reality minutes later, she took a quick glance at the words etched on the paper which Nick was writing on. Curious, she decided to ask the curly haired boy what the song was about. It was pretty obvious he was writing a song.

"Actually, Joe came up with the idea. He wrote the verses. I'm working on the chorus now and Kevin will do the bridge later."

Macy was somewhat annoyed by the fact that Nick didn't just answer the question. But she appreciated it that he gave details.

"It's about a girl that a boy is infatuated with. He's falling so hard for her that… Well, it's kind of like poison ivy.

"Poison ivy?" She repeated.

"Yes. He's so head over heels that it drives him to the point where he doesn't want to like her anymore. You see, when you touch poison ivy, you get that itch and it's driving you crazy. You know you shouldn't be scratching it, but you can't resist. It's like how the guy doesn't want to love her, but he can't help himself." He showed Macy the unfinished song.

"You know, it'd be cool if you used a metaphor in the song," Macy suggested. "You can use that poison ivy metaphor you just explained."

"Macy, that's a brilliant idea!" Nick took back the notebook and with his pen, crossed out the current chorus of the song. He then jotted down words that rushed in his mind. He showed Macy the unfinished song once again.

"Everyone's allergic to poison ivy. Everyone's allergic to poison ivy," Macy read aloud. "Everybody gets the itch, everybody hates that. Everyone's allergic to poison ivy." She paused and read over the words.

"Look, it's been fifteen minutes and they're still not here," Kevin spoke up. "Can we start now?"

"It doesn't bother me," Stella replied. "I'm going to be here all day anyway. But Kevin, if you want, I can start with you right now."

"Do me as well," Nick requested.

"Yeah, sure. I'm your stylist, it's my job."

Stella measured the boys as Macy wrote down the measurements in the blonde's notebook. Afterwards, Stella began to sketch designs; Nick and Kevin suggested what they want their suit to look like. During this time, Macy was watching Celebrity TV.

When the stylist was down the rough draft of the clothing, the group decided to eat. They slid down the fire poles two by two and walked to the kitchen. Macy took a quick glance at the big wall clock behind the poles and saw that it was noon. Perfect timing.

Just when Nick finished making fettuccine alfredo for everyone, there was a knock on the door. The stylist voluntarily answered it. Joe and Frankie finally decided to come home.

"I wanted to stay at the park but Frankie got hungry," Joe announced as he sat beside Stella, completely ignoring Macy. Macy felt like she wasn't welcome to sit at the kitchen island, so she moved to the kitchen table, sitting beside Frankie. Frankie liked Macy. She was like a big sister to him. He was more attached to her than he was attached to Stella. Frankie only spent more time with the brunette because she was athletic and he enjoyed sports. Whenever he asked Stella if she wanted to play basketball or soccer with him, she'd make up excuses like, "I don't want to break my nails," or "I don't have proper shoes." What ever the case, she's too much of a girl.

Nick passed everyone plates with his infamous fettuccine on it. They started to eat the delicious lunch and commented how good it was. Nick was flattered. When they all were finished eating, he decided to treat everyone with dessert. He made ice cream sundaes. When they finished that, they cleaned up before going back upstairs.

Stella measured Joe and Macy wrote the numbers down. Right as Macy wrote the second measurement; Frankie approached her and asked, "Macy, do you want to play basketball with me? Tryouts for the team are next week and my brothers won't practice with me."

Macy hesitantly looked at Stella, who nodded approvingly and replied, "Go ahead, Macy, I'll get Nick to help me, Kevin's busy tuning all his guitars." Nick suddenly appeared beside Macy and she gave him the items that were in her hands.

Frankie hugged the girl, "You're the best!" His brothers all cleared their throats, but Frankie ignored them.

"Thanks, Frankie," Macy ruffled the young boy's hair. They pulled apart from the hug and she followed him to his bedroom to get the basketball.

The pair headed to the backyard, where the basketball court was. Frankie stood at the three point line holding the ball, facing Macy, who was standing at half court.

"Let's start with your defense," Macy instructed, taking down her messy bun, replacing it with a perfect pony tail. "Pass the ball." Frankie did what he was told.

-x-

"Are you sure your problem doesn't involve Macy?" Nick questioned. "She told us that you told her she's not a part of your problem whatsoever." Nick put down the guitar he was strumming. "She thinks you're lying to her."

"Would Joe ever lie?" Stella tried defending her best friend. She had her sketchbook, finishing the rough draft of Joe's suit.

"Sometimes," Kevin shrugged. He was working on the bridge of the song which Nick was working on earlier.

"Yes, but that's only to you guys," Joe said matter-of-factly. "Other than that, I don't lie."

"Somehow I feel like you're lying right now," Nick eyed his older brother suspiciously.

"Can we just get past this?"

"Yeah. Lay off, will ya? This isn't your problem," Stella said.

"Anyway, I'm almost done the bridge," Kevin announced proudly.

"Oh, you read my note?" Joe didn't talk to his brothers when he woke up that morning. Well, he talked to Frankie, but not the other two. Instead, before leaving for the park, he left them a note explaining the new song he was writing.

"Yes, we did," Nick replied. "I already finished the chorus."

"Alright, it's done!" Kevin smiled. "This was the best song idea you've ever had, Joseph!"

"Thanks," Joe replied.

"But you might want to change the verses," Kevin suggested. He gave the song to the middle brother.

Joe read the chorus and bridge.

"The metaphor Nick used was Macy's idea," Stella smiled proudly. She shouldn't have brought that up.

Joe's face fell, "Macy?" His tone of voice was hateful. He threw the notebook on the table in front of the recliners.

"Hey now, I thought you said you have no problem with Macy," Nick reminded him.

"I don't!" Joe retorted.

"Then what's with your tone of voice?" Stella questioned.

"What about it?"

"You're being rude, Joseph," Kevin said flatly. It was the truth. And he had a right to know.

"Okay, fine, I just think she's kind of annoying. Always fan girling and stuff," Joe shrugged.

"Joseph," Stella began sternly. "If you haven't noticed, she's calmed down from when she first met you. She's gotten used to the idea that her favorite band is her friends. She's not obsessed. She's just really into you guys. Not just because you're famous, but she's gotten to know you better. You have to give her more credit than that."

"Y'know, I knew this day would come, a JONAS hating me for no apparent reason. I just didn't think it'd come so soon," Macy stood in the doorway. "It's fine, I always knew it would be you. I'll just stop bothering you and your brothers then." Then she disappeared. Everyone stared in awe. They hadn't noticed she was there.

Frankie walked in, with the basketball in hand.

"Why did Macy just run out of the house?" Frankie questioned.

"Because your brother's a jerk," Stella replied.

"Hey!" Joe protested. "Aren't I your best friend?"

"Not necessarily at this moment," Stella answered dryly.

"Joe, why do you always have to be like that? I don't like it one bit, and I'm sure Macy doesn't appreciate it either," Frankie said angrily.

"I have to go see if she's okay," Stella got up and rushed out the door, getting her things along the way. She didn't have the time to slide down the poles.

"I'm going with her," Frankie announced, "It's like I'm the only brother that cares."

"Hey, we care!" Nick and Kevin shot back.

"But you don't care enough to go check up on her," Frankie retorted and followed Stella out the door.

-x-

Macy was strong, even though she hurt inside knowing that a JONAS hates her, she didn't cry. She ran out of the Lucas home and ran back to her house without stopping. Cross country and track and field has done her well. She locked herself in her room, not knowing what else to do. Sure, it may sound ridiculous that she's crying over some guy. But all she's ever wanted was to be really good friends with him. Sure, she's probably in love with him, but he didn't even seem to care, like, he'd still be nice to her even though he knew. People change.

"I should give up JONAS for good," sniffed Macy. She's tried that once before, but then the brothers started attending her school and that backfired.

She was lucky her parents weren't home; she could escape her room, still crying and do whatever without her parents on her back asking why tears were rushing down her face.

"I don't know what I did wrong," she sighed to herself, sitting at her piano. She started to play a song on the piano. A song that seemed to make her troubles go away every time she listened to it.

The song was River Flows In You by Yiruma. It was very calm, serene and peaceful. She blocked out the world and played more songs she loved to play. None of them were by JONAS.

Her cell phone started to vibrate on the piano. She picked it up and checked the caller ID. Nick Lucas. She didn't answer it. She wanted to be alone, and even Nick or Kevin saying they're sorry for their stubborn brother's actions wouldn't help her feel better.

Macy was being too hard on herself. She knew she didn't do anything to him, but yet, here she is, punishing herself. Maybe she cared too much about him? Even if the feeling isn't mutual.

She put her phone down and continued to play the instrument. Music really did help her get through the day.

Macy decided she was going to avoid the brothers when she goes back to school. She can't stand it anymore. She'd try to avoid Stella as well, but that would not work. Stella was her sister. It just bothered her how close Stella was with the brothers. One thing Macy was sure of, she wasn't sitting with them at lunch. She'd probably sit at a table alone, or just skip lunch altogether. It wouldn't be good for her health, but she could just have a really heavy breakfast.

She started thinking second thoughts about attending the dance. She wasn't sure she could do this anymore. Not right now, at least. She knew she'd disappoint Stella, but she can't force her to go.

Suddenly, the door bell rang. Macy sighed and got up from the piano. She made her way to the window to check who it is. She took a deep breath. She went to the door and opened it. It was Frankie and Stella.

"Hi, Macy," Frankie greeted.

"We've got something that will cheer you up," Stella smiled.