The Greatest Secret
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own iCarly
A/N: The song in this chapter is In Loving Memory by Altar Bridge. It is not mine.
Chapter 178 (Tribute: Jake)
Freddie walked into the doors of the Groovy Smoothie with Jonah, Carly, Griffin, and Gibby. They had their instruments already on the makeshift stage that T-Bo built. Freddie actually made Jeremy an honorary techie for them, so he actually helped T-Bo with the stage. They had curtains to be pulled away and a few special effects. When they stepped inside, the place was completely filled up with people who were expecting a great comeback from them. Jeremy was actually going to shoot a video for them and put it on their own personal website.
They built a website called imperialfireballs dot com. It had some information on the band members as well as videos and times of their selected gigs. They didn't have any further gigs yet, but on the site they had listed that Gibby's Uncle was searching around. That man was actually going to become their band manager, he'd been a successful manager for some other bands in the past, including one famous one.
Freddie saw a cup flying towards his head and quickly dodged it, watching as a smoothie hit the wall and splattered everywhere. His eyebrows rose and he glanced over as he heard Nevel throwing a hissy fit. "You? You're the ones taking up my slot? No! Unacceptable!" He sighed as Nevel marched up to him and poked his chest with irritation. Jonah and Griffin looked at Freddie, impressed with how calm he was being. "I was expecting some other punk ass band! I thought I was done with you iCarly freaks!" Carly rolled her eyes as Freddie pushed Nevel's hand away and walked past him. So he brought up iCarly, but the sad fact was, iCarly was long over.
"Don't call us that. We are not iCarly, we are the Imperial Fireballs, and we're going to perform here whether you like it or not." Nevel gasped as the band cheered and pat Freddie's shoulders. They walked past him and towards the stage while the onlookers cheered them on. Tonight was going to be big night. Nevel stomped his foot on the floor and shouted his aggressions. Freddie glanced back at him and sighed. "Hey Papperman, if there's enough time after we're done here, T-Bo might be able to put you in. All you have to do is ask him. It's really not that difficult."
"I don't care! I had this spot reserved!" He started pounding his fist in the air as T-Bo and two security guards started pulling him away.
"Okay out of my store! I am letting them play, not you. I don't want you scaring off my customers."
"Get your hands off me you filthy swine!" T-Bo moved back in surprise and closed his eyes as the security guards opened the door. Without a second thought, he kicked Nevel outside and onto the ground. "Gah! You Asshole!"
"And stay out!" T-Bo turned around as the band moved behind the curtains. He walked up to the portion of the stage that wasn't behind the curtain and waved his hands in the air, smiling with brilliant charm. "All right, you came here to hear some catchy tunes by the Imperial Fireballs! Formerly the Seattle Beasts. They're back and I'm proud to introduce them here tonight and throughout the weekend!"
Freddie smiled as he grabbed a hold of the microphone stand. Gibby tested out the drums a bit while Jonah and Griffin strummed their guitars. Carly played a few of the keys on her piano and grinned at Freddie. "All set to go, Bro!"
"Let's do this." Gibby held up his drumsticks and shouted out his enthusiasm. As the curtains opened, Freddie took the microphone off and looked at the applauding fans. "We want to say thank you for coming out tonight, we hope you'll enjoy our music. We'll be performing some Christmas greats for you, but first…We want to introduce a few new band mates." He turned and pointed to the three new members of the band. "We have Gibby on the drums." Gibby smiled and tapped his drumstick in the air. His girlfriend called his name from the audience and he blushed. Freddie laughed and turned to Carly, who played a quick welcoming tune on her piano. "That's my sister Carly Shay on the piano. I'm sure you all know her. Then last, but not least, Griffin on the guitar!" Griffin waved in the air, then strummed the guitar for a second. The crowd roared.
Freddie turned back to them and smiled as he closed his eyes and turned his head towards the ceiling. "I'm sure you remember us back when we were a three man band. Our lead guitar was Jake Krandal. Sadly, a year and a half ago, he was…he passed away. Tonight, before we get started, we want to take a moment to remember him. To remember the good times, the fun, the laughter. We want to perform one song in his memory, one that comes from all of us. It is done by Alter Bridge and is called In Loving Memory. Please, let us have one moment of silence for him."
The entire building silenced and bowed their heads. Freddie looked all over them with a tear-filled eye. He looked over to Jonah, who slowly nodded in his direction. They could remember Jake's laughter, his smiling face and laughter, the way he was learning his vocals and doing his best at all he could. He inspired them to start taking vocal lessons as well.
Now, a year and a half later, they felt they could truly pay him their respects. The lights dimmed slowly as Freddie pressed his lips together. Griffin and Carly began their intro as Freddie lifted his eyes to the sky. Gibby wouldn't start until a bit in, the same was said for Jonah's guitar.
With a sniff, he closed his eyes and started singing, his rich, deep voice filling the air. Jonah joined backup vocals with Griffin. The audience lifted their hands, their index fingers pointed upwards as their arms swayed gently in the air.
Thanks for all you've done
I've missed you for so long
I can't believe you're gone
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly
I've never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
And ill come home and I miss your face so
Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see
Jeremy was working from behind the counter of the groovy smoothie. He pressed a button and a screen rolled down behind the band as they played. A projector's light shined through and Jake's youthful face shone onto the screen.
The slides changed every so often, showing Jake as he strummed the guitar. A few pictures were of him goofing around with Jonah and Freddie. There had never been a happier person alive.
And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me
I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of
The one that was so true
Your were as kind as you could be
And even though you're gone
You still mean the world to me
Stephanie was in the audience, Jake's former girlfriend and lover, she had been invited by Freddie to be there. She was weeping softly as the slides and the song carried on. T-Bo was sitting at her table, handing her tissues and rubbing her back.
It felt as though a heavenly light was shining down upon the place, perhaps wishing everyone well. If so, it seemed right. Jake had always been like that for them, always a light in the darkness. His smile and spirit could always lift everyone no matter what the cause.
Freddie's chest ached with grief as he moved his hand through his hair. Jonah clenched his teeth and thought back to the guilt he felt when he learned of Jake taking that bullet meant for him. If not for Jake's love for his best friends, his care and passion, there was a chance that he'd still be alive and Jonah would be the one this tribute would be for. It would be Valerie left behind, weeping those tears of sorrow.
Was it okay to be happy that it wasn't him? Sure, because it didn't mean that he didn't regret Jake being the one killed. Such a strong person, so willing to give up his own life for his friends. Jonah knew that was to be respected, he would have done the same.
I've never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
But now I come home and it's not the same, no
It feels empty and alone
I can't believe you're gone
And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me
Carly bit her lip and offered some hums here and there, she wasn't as good of a singer as some of the others, so she didn't want to put that into the mix. She breathed in and kept moving her fingers at a skillful pace, never missing a beat.
She remembered Jake for all he was worth, there was nothing bad about him that she could think of. When she first met him, she had that major crush on him, but didn't know he was in love with his girlfriend. She never really knew how close he was to the band, to Freddie and Jonah, and she never knew the circumstances of his death. Now that she did, she wanted to pour her heart and soul out to him.
They all thanked God that Jake didn't suffer from that wound, his death was instant. She turned her eyes to the picture of Jake on the screen, laughing at the camera with his arms around Jonah and Freddie's shoulders. They were laughing as well and had a couple sodas in their hands. It was the final picture in the bunch. On it were the words: Jake Krandal, March 1 1995-May 14 2010.
I'm glad he set you free from sorrow
I'll still love you more tomorrow
And you will be here with me still
And what you did you did with feeling
And You always found the meaning
And you always will
And you always will
And you always will
And I know, you're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me
The music ended and the band bowed their heads as the lights on them dimmed out, leaving only the picture of Jake readily visible. Freddie opened his eyes and slowly lifted his head up, speaking quietly and slowly. "Jake was strong in character, strong in spirit, and always one of the best friends and bandmates that we could have. Tonight we lift our hearts to him and ask that he watch over us as we carry on the band's legacy with him a part of us. Never forgotten, Jake Krandal."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. A nice tribute to Jake, I think, well deserved.