Waking Up In Vegas Chapter 8: LOVE Is Just Another Word, a clique fanfic

I'M !!!

Okay, so I bought a new laptop…now I'm putting it to good use :)

I won't bother you with long apologies, but I will say SORRY.

Yes, I'm a crappy updater.

Oh well.

ENJOY!

.:L-O-V-E Is Just Another Word I Never Learned To Pronounce:.

Massie Block (Harrington) woke up to the sound of music. She stretched, arching her back and lifting her hands above her head. She got up off the bed and opened her door. She can hear the words clearly now. It was Baby Blue Eyes by A Rocket To The Moon.

She's a doll, a catch, a winner
I'm in love and no beginner;
Could never grasp or understand just what she means.

She went down the stairs and found Derrick Harrington with his guitar, playing along with the song, his mouth forming the words.

"Morning," she greeted.

He just nodded, concentrating.

I drive her home when she can't stand,
I like to think I'm a better man
For not lettin' her do what she's been known to do.
She wears heels and she always falls,
Don't let her think she's a know-it-all.

She sat on a stool on the kitchen island, a place where she can still see him. She poured herself some cereal and just watched him.

Baby, baby blue eyes,
Stay with me by my side;
'Til the mornin', through the night (can't get you out of my mind)
Well baby,
Stand here, holdin' my sides,
Close your baby blue eyes;
Every moment feels right.
And I may feel like a fool,
But I'm the only one, dancin' with you.
Oh...
Can't get you out of mind.

Massie silently sang along, not wanting to disturb him.

Dare she say it?

He looked cute.

(Actually, she was thinking sexy, but she won't admit it to herself.)

He was singing along, his blonde hair falling in front of his caramel eyes as he strummed his guitar.

Every moment feels right.
And I may feel like a fool,
But I'm the only one, dancin' with those

He almost looked like…

…like someone Massie could fall in love with.

She's always had a thing for musicians.

Holy, I can't believe I just thought of that, she thought.

Baby, baby blue eyes,
Stay with me by my side;
'Til the mornin', through the night. (can't get you out of my mind)
Baby, stand here, holdin' my sides,
while closing your eyes
Every moment feels right (every moment feels right)

My eyes are no good- blind without her,
The way she moves, I never doubt her.
When she talks, she somehow creeps into my dreams.

The song ended, and he looked at her.

Massie loved her amber eyes.

But in the second that his eyes met hers…

She has never wanted baby blue eyes more.

[OMG! THEY HAD A MOMENT! I'm sorry, I just couldn't fight the urge to type this…]

"We have to come up with some sort of fundraiser for all the projects the student council is holding," Massie announced during student council meeting. "The school only gives us a limited amount of money, and it's not enough for all the activities we have planned this year."

"Ooh! How about we bake cookies?" the student council treasurer, Danny Robbins, suggested.

"We have a bake sale every year, Danny. We're still doing that this year, but we also need more," Kristen Gregory said.

"Let me get this straight. We have to raise money, so that we can hold a school fair/carnival? And the fair/carnival is also somehow a fundraiser right?" Skye Hamilton, student council secretary, said.

"Trust me, Skye, we have to pay a lot of people," Danny said.

"Okay, so how about a concert? We can even get the theater club to help us," Skye suggested. "And I bet they'll do it for free."

"I approve of a concert," Principal Burns said. "But some of you have to volunteer."

"Trust me, I don't have any musical talent whatsoever," Danny said.

"I can't squeeze in concert practices in my schedule. I have a big ballet recital coming up," Skye said.

"I'll do it," Massie said, then she nudged Kristen.

"Fine. I'll be stage manager or something."

"Great!" Principal Burns said.

.:o:.

[the next day…]

"Hi, Massie! Hi, Kristen!" Saylene Homer, the overly preppy theater club member, greeted when the two of them arrived at the school theater.

"I'm volunteering as stage manager," Kristen said, getting to the point. Yes, Kristen can win soccer games in front of thousands of people, and she can give heart-wrenching speeches in front of a crowd, but she gets the worst stage fright when it comes to performing.

"Oh! Great! We needed a stage manager since Dempsey quit," Saylene said. "Let's go backstage."

When they got backstage, they found about seven volunteers just lounging around, two were tuning their violins, one was practicing the saxophone, one was rapping badly, and two were just sitting there, drawing on a piece of paper. The drama club was also there, along with Ms. Park, the theater club moderator.

"Is this everybody?" Massie asked.

"Nope," Tyler Smit said. "I invited five more guys."

"Okay, so can you distribute these papers and make sure everyone signs one while I get their names and signatures?" Massie asked, handing Tyler a stack of papers.

Two minutes after Tyler distributed the papers, five boys came barging into the room.

"What are you doing here?" a dirty blonde and a brunette said simultaneously.

"Kristen!" Kemp Hurley said.

"Is this everybody?" Josh Hotz asked.

"I've never been backstage," Cam Fisher said.

"Cool! A saxophone!" Chris Plovert explained.

"I'm senior class president," Massie said, defensively. "I'm volunteering."

"Well, me too," Derrick said.

"Glad you guys can come!" Tyler said.

A few minutes later, everybody signed the contracts saying they will stick to their word and not quit in the middle of the production. Now, they were introducing themselves and demonstrating their talents.

"I can rap!" one boy said. The bad rapper.

"How about you take care of the lights?" Ms. Park said after his demonstration. "We really need someone to man that, see, there are only seven permanent theater club members, and only three of them can join the concert."

"Fine," the boy said dejectedly.

"I can play the saxophone," a boy said. Then he started playing, and those two people that were just drawing on a piece of paper a while ago, stood up and got a guitar and a beat box. The girl started playing the guitar, and the guy started tapping the beat box. They started playing blues. With a little bit of jazz.

"We need a piano here!" Ms. Park said, sounding hopeful. Saylene stood up and ran to the piano and started playing. It sounded even better. It looked like a scene right out of a musical movie.

"Okay! First act!" Ms. Park announced after their performance ended.

"Blues are the best," Derrick said.

"You listen to the blues?" Massie asked.

"Sometimes, when I feel like it."

That answer surprised her.

"Next please," Ms. Park said, motioning to the two female violin players.

One girl started playing a classical song, and the other played the same song, only, in a different arrangement. They played for two minutes until the song changed to something Massie recognized. Untouched, by the Veronicas. She was going to sing, but decided against it.

"Good! Second act!" Ms. Park said, looking very happy that this was turning out well.

"Boys? I'm assuming you're a band?"

"Yes. You are looking at the brand new band(formed only 2 hours ago), 1771!" Josh Hotz said, pulling out four playing cards. 1,7,7,1.

"Where'd you get 1771?" Kristen asked.

"Um, you see, each letter corresponds to one number, like A is equal to one, B is equal to two. We got the numerical equivalent of our initials, then added them up. The sum was 77. Then we multiplied it by 23, and the result was 1771," Plovert, the smartest out of all of them, explained.

"Where'd you get 23?" Massie asked, curious.

"From our initials. We each got the sum of our initials, and if we got a double digit, we added the two digits up until we were left with only one number. Then we added those. We got 23," Plovert explained.

"I can't believe you used Math to get a band name," the beat box boy said.

"Me too," Derrick added.

"So, what are you boys going to sing?" Ms. Park said, changing the topic.

"Use Somebody. The Kings Of Leon version," Cam said.

"Ooh! I heard another version of that song! Massie, darling, can you sing this song too? With Mr. Harrington?" Ms. Park asked. [haha, she heard the paramore version :)]

"Why?" Massie asked.

"Please? I just think it'll be good to have boy-girl vocals here," Ms. Park said.

"If he's up for it," Massie said, motioning to Derrick.

"I'm fine with it," he said, and Massie walked towards him.

"So, how do we do this?"

"How about, I go first until first chorus, with you singing backup, then you sing the rest, with me singing back-up?"

"Good enough."

Oh, woah, oh, woah, oh
oh, woah, oh, woah, oh, oh
oh, woah, oh, woah, oh
oh, woah, oh, woah, oh

I've been roaming around,
always looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I can use somebody

Well, you know that I can use somebody
Someone like you and all you know and how you speak
countless lovers under covers of the street

Well, you know that I can use somebody
Well, you know that I can use somebody
Someone like you

oh, woah, oh, woah, oh, oh
oh, woah, oh, woah, oh
oh, woah, oh, woah, oh

off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep
waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
well I hope it's gonna make you notice
well I hope it's gonna make you notice
someone like me
someone like me
someone like me
somebody

I'm ready
I'm ready

oh, woah, oh, woah, oh
someone like you
somebody
someone like you
somebody
someone like you
somebody

I've been roaming around,
always looking down at all I see

"You guys are the final act. I'm gonna need six songs," said Ms, Park

.:o:.
[two weeks later]

"Tonight is the night we've practiced for! Are we ready?!" Ms. Park said enthusiastically.

"NO!" they all chorused.

"Guys…"

"Yes!"

"Are we going to make this night awesome?!"

"YES!"

"OKAY! Jazz blues! Get READY! You're on in one minute!"

.:o:.

Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out…

Massie took deep yoga breaths to calm down her nerves.

"What are you doing?" Derrick asked.

Massie popped open her eyes and saw him leaning on the doorframe.

"Relaxing," she said calmly.

"We're on in one minute."

"WHAT?!"

"Whoa. What happened to 'relaxing?'"

.:o:.

"And now we have a BRAND new band(formed only 2 weeks ago), 9229!" Ms. Park said, and the curtain started to rise up, and the people started to cheer. Thanks to the dark theater and the spotlight on the stage, Massie couldn't really see the people, just their outlines. That helped. But then, the theater was packed, and they were all expecting a show worthy of their fame (or infamy). Everyone heard about Massie Block and Derrick Harrington being in a band together.

The music started, and they started singing. The first song they sang was Use Somebody, followed by Need You Now by Lady Antebellum.

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now

For that song, the two of them only stayed on their place, not moving very much, being mellow. The next song would be Massie's song, and it was All I Wanted by Paramore.

I think I'll pace my apartment a few times
And fall asleep on the couch
and wake up early to black and white re-runs
that escaped from my mouth

All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you

I could follow you to the beginning
and just relive the start
and maybe then we'll remember to slow down
all of our favorite parts

All I wanted was you

All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you

Derrick watched Massie move across the stage while he played the guitar. He never knew she was that graceful. Every step and movement she made was fluid, like water. Plus, she had her voice. Yes, he did say once that her voice was bad, but that was just…a joke. He had always agreed that she arguably had the best singing voice in the whole high school. But still, Derrick never knew that she was that good. It felt good to know.

Massie was aware of all the eyes watching her, what she didn't know was that a pair of caramel eyes were following her every step, analyzing her every move, and admiring her every way.

The next song was another duet, Love Song by Anberlin.

However far away,
I will always love you.
however long I stay'
I will always love you.
Whatever words I say,
I will always love you,
I will always love you.

Despite everything, at the back of their minds—in their subconscious—,they suddenly wished those words they were singing were actually true.

All I wanted to say
All I wanted to do
is fall apart now
all I wanted to feel
I wanted to love
it's all my fault now
a tragedy I fear

Angel of mercy,
how did you find me?
how did you pick me up again?
angel of mercy
how did you move me?
why am I on my feet again?
and I see you
I feel you

Derrick's different when he's up onstage. He's concentrated, he's engrossed, he's…someone else, but he's still the same Derrick. It seems like he grew up, he becomes more mature onstage. He's passionate and devoted, he's exciting and fascinating. He can make you fall in love.

Massie felt like being his music.

HOLY SHIT, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE WORLD?! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!

Their second to the last song was Whoa Oh! By Forever The Sickest Kids featuring Selena Gomez.

Now that their energy was at its highest, the adrenaline made them go almost all out on this song, both moving freely, Massie's self-esteem at its highest and Derrick's guitar gone.

They started out with Massie's arms crossed, her back to Derrick.

[this time, they sang facing each other]
Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
Why do I put myself in these situations
Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
I keep pushing myself even though I can't take it at all

Girl,(yeah?) who taught you how to move like that? (you did)
At this pace your at you're going way to fast.(ha)
I, I saw you from across the room
It's me versus every guy it's your choice you choose.

I've got friends in highly low places
It's been a long time, it's been a long time
and maybe baby you can rise above the rest and meet me yeah

Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
Why do I put myself in these situations
Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
I keep pushing myself even though I can't take it at all

Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
Why do I put myself in these situations
Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
I keep pushing myself even though I can't take it at all

[now, they sang with their face only inches apart, Massie's hand on Derrick's shoulder, his on her waist]
You're worth losing my self esteem
Your clever words mean nothing more to me than a lot I've heard in a movie
you're worth losing my, losing my, losing my self esteem
[Derrick pushed Massie away]
you're not worth putting myself in these situations

Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
Why do I put myself in these situations
Whoa oh whoa whoa oh
I keep pushing myself even though I can't take it at all

{okay, so they were dancing the whole song, okay? Not just the parts I wrote}

The song ended, and they realized they've never actually been as intimate as that. Dancing beside each other? Never happened.

Massie knew Derrick lost control sometimes, but she never knew he was like that. Yes, he has anger issues sometimes, but really, she was scared of what he was going to do onstage. She never knew he so in control when he lost control…

Derrick has never seen Massie lose control like that. Right on the spot, he decided that he liked it.

"BOCD! THIS IS OUR LAST SONG, AND WE HOPE YOU SING ALONG, AND DANCE ALONG! THANK YOU!" they shouted into the microphone together, like how they practiced yesterday.

Let's burn our dreams into the skyline
tattoo our sweat in tears
forever you and I
hold your breath till we cross the sundown
this is the moment
time is racing slow it down

cause you, a feeling I can't deny

we are only here for one more night
so scream it like you mean it
one more time
we'll tear down the building
come on come on
sing along whoa
come on come on
stay young

let's light the kerosene tonight
spark up like fireworks
exploding in the sky
kick down the new year and the future
we can't get closer here
the walls are falling down

cause you, a feeling I can't deny

we are only here for one more night
so scream it like you mean it
one more time
we'll tear down the building
come on come on
sing along whoa
come on come on
stay young
we'll be holding on to this so tight
scream it like you mean it
one more time
we'll tear down the building
come on come on
sing along whoa
come on come on
stay young

feel my breath I'm alive
when we're side by side now
Now, this is dedicated to you

come on come on
sing along whoa
come on come on
sing along
come on come on
sing along whoa
come on come on

When they finished the song, they found themselves facing each other, their eyes bright from energy, their body high on adrenaline, and their hearts pumped with electricity.

Their eyes met for a split second, and they felt like breaking out into another song.

A love song.

.:o:.

Later that night (or early the next morning), they arrived home tired and drained, ready to fall asleep until the sunset.

"This was a great night," Massie said.

"Yes, it was. It was wasn't it?" Derrick asked.

"Yes," Massie said. They weren't drunk, just a little tipsy, but it felt like they were because they were crazy exhausted.

"Let's get some sleep," Massie said.

"I'm tired as hell," Derrick said, walking in front of Massie.

In a moment of spontaneity, Massie twirled and lost her footing, but before she lost her balance, Derrick grabbed her and twirled her again. She hit the wall and due to the force of her hitting the wall, Derrick was pushed in front of her. All exhaustion was forgotten as their bodies were pressed together, not even a little space in between them. Derrick's hands were on her waist, her hands on his elbows.

They were too close.

Dangerously, terrifyingly, amazingly close.

They were frozen on the spot, neither one knowing what to do to ease the tension, the simple thought of just moving lost. Neither of them could think, how could they move? They just looked into each other's eyes, stunned. They couldn't even tell what emotions were flashing in the other's eyes. They just stood there, immobile in their accidental embrace.

Amber held on to caramel.

Caramel bore into amber.

Seconds, minutes, hours passed. They weren't really sure. All they knew was that their bodies were pressed together, and they were paralyzed into each other's arms.

They were shaken out of their trance by the ringing of their doorbell. Now, they were alert, but no one knew what to do.

Derrick made the first move. He dropped his hands from her waist and stepped back.

"Sorry," he mumbled before heading for the door. Massie stayed there for a second and shook her head before following him to see who their visitor was.

It was a boy with long black hair and sea-green eyes.

"Landon!" Derrick greeted and gave him a man-hug.

"Hey, there, Derrick. Great show, by the way," he said, smiling, perfect white teeth showing. He turned to Massie. "Hi, you must be Massie. I'm Landon Crane, and I'm Derrick's cousin."

Okay, this chapter was COMPLETELY different from what I imagined. There shouldn't have been a concert…cause, for some reason, I'm finding concerts so cliché…but…whatever. I was bored. Now I'm lazy, so I won't be changing anything :)

Not even that cliffhanger.

SONGS: Baby Blue Eyes – A Rocket To The Moon…Use Somebody – Paramore/Kings of Leon…Need You Now – Lady Antebellum…All I Wanted – Paramore…Love Song – Anberlin…Mercy – One Republic…Whoa Oh! – Forever The Sickest Kids feat. Selena Gomez…Stay Young – We The Kings…sorry if som of the lyrics are wrong ;)

If anyone can guess why the band's name is 9229, I'll give you a special gift.

You get a one-shot! You choose the pairing, and the other stuff…yeah…and you also get one filler! You tell me one thing you want to happen in Waking Up In Vegas (nothing that will alter the plot, though), and I will incorporate it into the story!

And yes, the way I got 9229 is ALMOST the exact same way I got 1771.

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.

I think this may be the most clichéd chapter in this whole story.