Michael knocked on the door before leaning on it and swinging it open. He easily spotted Eliza, who was lying upside down on her bed with a book and notebook in hand.
"Hey you," He said, sticking his head into the room. It was small but festive.
She raised her eyebrows at him. "Hey you back." She laid the book down on her bed and sat up. She motioned for Michael to come in, which he did.
"Any requests for the big show?" He asked as he hopped onto the bed. "Or any math you need help with?"
Eliza smiled. This was why she loved Michael, besides the fact that he was her brother. He liked to check in with her and talk about their days. And he was good at being up front about stuff. "Well, you already agreed to sing with me, and that's practically all I can ask for." She said as shifted herself over on the bed. "But I always love it when you inject some John Mayer, Ben Folds, or Motown into the set."
"Two out of three are already on the list," he told her then shook his head. "You and your affinity for Motown."
"Hey," She pointed at him sternly but with laughing eyes. "You have a Motown affinity too, you just don't like preforming it!"
"I don't think I can do it justice," He held up his hands innocently. "I'm too silly."
"You don't have to be perfect at something to enjoy it, Mike." Eliza said. "It's the thought that counts."
Michael smiled. "I am far from the perfect performer to begin with." He chuckled. "I just don't have the voice for it."
Liza shrugged. "Hey, better you than Blake." Michael nodded in agreement. Blake had a great voice, but it wasn't exactly soulful.
"Are you doing any Motown?" He nudged his sister, some curiosity in his tone.
"As a matter of fact, we are." Eliza replied simply. "With Abraham."
Michael ducked his head, grinning. "Now I want to know what song, but you're not going to tell me, are you?" He asked his sister ruefully.
"Nope. It's a surprise." She told him smugly. "Hey, how was your ride this afternoon?" Eliza asked him eagerly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Michael had a small smile of his own. "It was good." He said. "I think I convinced Nellie to come with us on Friday."
Eliza's eyes light up with surprise. "You got her to come? Oh, of course you did." She sighed and leaned back happily. "Thank goodness for you and your charm. If she was still on the fence I suppose I would have had to unleash Blake on her." Michael frowned slightly at Eliza's last comment. She felt him stiffen slightly beside her. "What's up?" She asked him gently.
He sighed. "Do you think Blake's better with girls than I am?" He hopped up from the couch and began pacing.
Eliza peered up at her brother. "Mike, you haven't been "with" a girl for a year and a half." She told him flatly and sat up. "I didn't think you had been paying attention."
"Of course I pay attention. You always call me observant," Michael replied quietly and continued pacing. "I was heartbroken, Liza. No guy wants to dive back into relationships if your last one didn't go so well."
"Well, you haven't exactly been outspoken about it." Eliza told him truthfully. "And no, I don't think Blake's better with girls than you are."
"Then why do they all like him?" Michael asked his sister frustrated.
"Mike, sit down. You're driving me crazy." She patted the spot on the bed next to her. Michael stopped pacing and went over by her. "Girls like both of you. Trust me, I know. Here, let me explain." She got up on her knees and put a thoughtful hand to her mouth. "Blake's like the boy next door: he's kind, sporty, cute, honest, and good-natured." Michael nodded and gestured for her to continue. "Girls like him because he's ideal boyfriend material, everything they've ever wanted."
"So what about me?" Michael asked curiously. "How do girls view me?"
"They have different views." Liza told him and wondered how she was going to explain it. "Some think you're this dark, romantic genius who can't be bothered with such unimportant things as flirting."
Michael's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "But I'm no good at being romantic. Or dark. " He stated and gave his sister a confused look.
"You and I know that, but they don't." Eliza said. "If this was the movies, you would actually be the charming best friend of heroine who catches her when she falls."
"So then why don't they see me that way?" Michael asked her, befuddled. Girls were complicated.
"Some do. I'm getting to that." Eliza said patiently. She readjusted her sitting position. "You're like a poet: A very smart guy who girls like to worship from afar."
"I'm a poet?" He asked Eliza incredulously, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes, you're a poet." She smiled at his confusion. "Some girls think they don't have a chance with you, because you haven't dated anybody in a long time."
"Not dating anybody makes me a poet?" Michael was struggling to understand her logic. This wasn't calculus.
Eliza sighed. "Girls who actually know you think you are an adorable, charming dork, which is much more realistic." She elbowed her brother jokingly.
"That does sound more like me." He smiled at his sister before getting serious once more. "Would you really have released Blake on Nellie if she hadn't agreed to come?"
"Of course not." Eliza gazed steadily at Michael. "Who do you think I am? I'd be super selfish and evil if I deliberately sent people to convince Nellie to come with us when it's her first week away from home. She deserves to do what she wants. And honestly, if you couldn't convince her then no one could. You are the king of charm."
Michael half-smiled, but his eyes were still serious. "Does she think I'm a poet?"
Liza let out a laugh. "She might a little, because she doesn't really know you yet. But you can always change that."
Michael fluffed his little sister's hair. "It's really awesome how smart you are."
"Hey, I get it from you." She replied and began to muss up Michael's hair.
"Thanks, sis." Michael said, bowing as he got up from the bed.
"You're welcome, Mike." She smiled at him.
"You're still the only person allowed to actually call me that." Michael shouted tiredly from the doorway.
"Goodnight, Mike." She replied cheerfully.
"Goodnight, Lizzie." He replied grinning and shut the door before she could respond. He was the only person allowed to call her that.
Michael paused in the hallway. An idea had just flown into his mind. He smiled and shook his curly head, then went off to find his guitar.
"Blake! Happy Friday, my friend." Abraham came up on his friend and slapped his back.
Blake, looking weary but satisfied in his letterman jacket, grinned tiredly at his buddy. "Hey, man." He replied, slinging his backpack over his shoulders. "Aren't you chipper this morning."
"Of course I'm chipper!" Abraham proclaimed. "It's Friday, which, as you know, is the greatest of days. After Saturday, of course."
Blake continued to smile and hid a chuckle. "I didn't know that, actually." He told Abraham, who couldn't help but break into a genuine smile. "So where are we going?" Blake asked him. There was still a lot of time before class started. But he was here early quite often because of the football workout schedule.
"My plan is to spread the Friday spirit to all of our various friends, so we will walk until we stumble upon them." Abraham replied as they walked down an empty hall. "How was practice?"
"It was as good as practice can be," He said, trying to disguise the tiredness in his voice. Their last away game was tomorrow. He pulled out an apple from the pocket of his jacket and began to chomp on it as they rounded the corner.
"Where did the apple come from?" Abraham asked.
"My pocket." Blake mumbled, his mouth full of Honey Crisp.
Abraham rolled his eyes. "Yes, I got that. I meant where did you obtain it?" Morning hallway roaming called for nourishment.
Blake swallowed. "I came prepared with it," He tossed it up and down. "Breakfast. But it was discounted. One of the many perks of working at Green n' Go."
"Maybe I will apply then," Abraham muttered as they entered the main hallway. "Look! I see Nellie!"
Blake looked. Sure enough, the new girl was sitting against the wall, reading something while swigging from a milk carton. He smiled. "I think she'll have fun if she comes with us tonight. Don't you?"
Abraham nodded. "Absolutely. Hey, Nellie!" He yelled across to her as they jogged over.
"Oh. Hi guys." She gazed up at them in a fog. "Do you want to join me? Oh, I suppose we should move." Abraham helped her up and they headed to a nearby bench.
"Happy Friday, Nellie!" Abraham told her as they sat. Blake stayed standing, but slumped against the wall.
"Happy Friday, Abraham." Nellie replied smiling. "Did you pass the Chem test?"
"With flying colors." He rejoiced and high-fived his friends. "So, are you coming with us tonight?"
"We're preforming," Blake added with a smile.
"So you know it's going to be a good show." Abraham finished.
Nellie smiled at them. "Yes, I think I'm coming." This was met with victory cries from the boys.
"Alright!" Blake grinned and pumped his fist. Abraham put his arm around Nellie's shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
"And I'm also going to be preforming." Nellie said with a sly smile once she could actually breathe again.
"Incoming!" a voice yelled a little ways off. Two seconds later someone crashed into the bench and into Abraham, followed by two others. "Ouch." It was Luke. He stood up and dusted himself off. "Sorry, man, Jack greased my shoes during practice so I've been sliding everywhere." He told Abraham and sat down next to him.
"Hey everybody." Eliza greeted, Adam in tow.
"Hey Blake, Nellie." He said, and then sat on the bench as well. "Abraham, my awesome-haired fellow!" Abraham bro-hugged him.
"What's this about Nellie preforming?" Blake asked Eliza as she came to stand by him.
"It was all Charlie's doing." Eliza said, raising her hands in innocence. "You want to explain, Nellie?"
"Charlie serenated me at lunch, and as payment I agreed to sing at lunch today as long as I didn't have to in the lunchroom." She explained knowingly. She'd practiced and had her guitar waiting for her in the school's office.
"Oh! An exclusive Nellie Vietenhiemer performance!" Abraham said excitedly. "And all because Charlie sang to you. You're so sweet, Cocoa Puffs!"
Nellie giggled. "Cocoa Puffs?" Adam asked the laughing friends with raised eyebrows.
"We all have a cereal to match our personalities. Long story." Eliza told him smiling. "If you were a cereal what would you be, Adam?"
He grinned and crossed his arms smugly. "Golden Grahams, cause I'm the golden boy." Eliza, Abraham, and Blake exchanged looks.
"Your cereal of choice, Luke?" Abraham nudged the boy on his right.
"Oh, uh, the one that has the little cookies." He said thoughtfully, tapping his foot. "Cookie Crisp!" He and Nellie yelled in unison. They high-fived. "Are you coming to the show, Nellie?" He asked curiously.
"If everything goes as planned," Again, there was much rejoicing.
Blake looked up at the clock. "Guys, we have three minutes." He said quickly and straightened up.
"We'd better get going then." Abraham jumped to his feet and grabbed his stuff. "Later, cereal!"
They laughed as they got moving. Eliza went with Luke down the math hallway, Adam ran after Abraham, and Nellie and Blake moved towards the Science and English departments. Blake turned into Science, giving her a solute-like wave and a totally sweet smile. She smiled and trotted into the English wing.
Nellie slunk into the cafeteria, guitar slung over her back. She came in the back way to draw the least amount of attention possible, but that didn't seem to be working. Pairs of eyes turned in her direction repeatedly, boring into her. They knew that Blake and Michael sometimes brought along guitars with them, but not that this new girl did.
Eliza's watchful eyes were the first friendly ones to spot her. A smiled spread slowly across her face and as she wiggled her eyebrows at Nellie and then nudged Abraham. Once he saw her he began to call her name, Charlie started cheering and Blake and Shanna quickly joined him. Michael, who had been in deep thought until his friends started yelling, looked over at the blushing Nellie and broke into a grin. He began to cheer too.
Nellie was super embarrassed, but also very flattered at all of the cheers. They didn't even know what she sounded like, and they were already happy. She ducked her dark, braided head as she scurried over to the table. She gave them a cute curtsey and a quick smile before ducking under Shanna to hide her guitar under the table. By the time she reappeared the cheering had subsided. She went and sat between Eliza and Abraham.
"So Nellie," Abraham said conversationally as he took a bite of pasta. "Are you ready for your world premiere? Or at least your Midwest premiere?"
Nellie tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and smiled. "It's hardly a world premiere," she told him dismissively, "but I'm ready and excited." Despite some nerves, Nellie really was ready. If there was anything she loved, it was preforming.
"How about tonight?" Charlie asked, attempting to eat the school's mac and cheese with chopsticks. "Are you excited about that?"
Nellie began to sort through her lunch, pulling out her BLT (bean, lettuce, and turkey) and laying it on the table. "Just endlessly, Charles." She replied teasingly but actually. "Especially for the ice cream." He beamed at her.
"Speaking of tonight," Shanna said, as businesslike as possible when you have doll eyes and a sweet southern accent, "We invited Ali and Aylin to come with."
"We were talking with them and thought it would be fun to invite them along." Blake added, drumming on the table.
"Is that okay, Michael?" Shanna asked him carefully. "It's your show after all."
"Wait, who are Aylin and Ali?" Nellie asked frowning thoughtfully.
Michael turned to her. "They're two of our friends from glee," he explained, then looked back at Shanna. "Shan, it's not my show, and of course it's alright for them to come." He sighed and leaned back, giving them a lopsided grin. "The more the merrier, right?"
"Here, here!" Charlie shouted. "I don't know either of these girls, Liza." He told her as he thought of her suggestion to meet more girls. She patted his shoulder proudly.
Nellie's phone buzzed, making the table vibrate. It was a text:
Nell, your father and I think it's great that you want to hang out with your new friends! But we have a work party, so you'll need a ride.
Nellie looked up at everybody. "The Grasshopper is officially a go!" Cheers once more. "But," Michael's face, which had been smiling pleasantly, faded once he realized there was a 'but'. "I'll need a ride."
The second smile that appeared on Michael's face was possibly more dazzling than the first. "We can take you." He said, glancing at his sister for reference, and then returning his smile to Nellie. She let out a small giggle, partially because she realized that she sort of had an inside joke with Michael, partially because he was just plain adorable. Eliza and Shanna exchanged looks.
"Okay, thanks." Nellie replied, adjusting her jacket. Today she wore a flannel shirt, jeans, an old leather jacket and boots that could rival Eliza's. Her hair was braided because of the usual Chicago wind.
Everyone dove into their lunches, telling stories and having sing-offs, all the while calling each other cereal. Blake attempted to juggle, Liza and Abraham developed German accents, and Michael tried to answer anything anyone said to him Jeopardy-style. It was business as usual.
Then they realized it was almost time for Nellie to sing, so they tried to rein it in.
"Guys, if we want to see Nellie preform we should head outside, well, now." Eliza interrupted, glancing at her watch. Nellie immediately shot under the table to get her guitar while everyone else packed up. They filed out the campus doors, being led by Liza and Blake.
"Here, dance the jitters out," Charlie had stopped and fallen in step with Nellie, who seemed fidgety and nervous. She weakly smiled at Charlie's idea and the two of them began to shake out every part of their bodies as they passed by the evergreens.
Shanna let out a peel of laughter. She was walking in front of Nellie and Charlie, talking with Michael. She touched his arm, he shrugged his shoulders sheepishly and shot her a grin. Shanna laughed again, her head thrown back. That time she noticed Nellie and Charlie wiggling and jiggling. She beamed at them and gave Nellie an encouraging wink. Michael was lost on all of this, even though he could be incredibly observant at times. He was off in his own world; he walked into Abraham when they'd halted.
They were in a shady area closer to the bluff than the school, but it was still in view. The area was out of way, and Nellie liked it. The only thing better than preforming was preforming outside, with the wind rustling the multi-colored leaves. Because the day was overcast and blustery no one was sitting or eating outside. The clearing held but one bench, facing the trees.
Charlie ushered Nellie to it, pulling her by her elbow. "Your stage." Nellie shot him a quick smile and took a deep breath. She watched her friends settle down and spread out on the grass in front of her, not afraid of the dirt or mud they might get on them. Blake and Shanna were sitting up to the front-right of her, Shanna shivering in her thin cardigan. Blake put his arm around her.
Eliza and Abe were sitting farther back, their legs stretched out. Charlie was sprawled out directly behind them, his head popping up in between them every now and then. He seemed completely willing to risk his emerald green pants for the sake of Nellie's performance.
Right of him, Michael leaned against the base of a tree with incredible deep purple leaves. One of his legs was bent with an arm resting on it, his head bent forward, watching her watch them. He gave her the tiniest hint of a smile before nudging Blake's back with his foot.
"So Nell," Eliza said, her head tilted to the side. "What song have you chosen to play for us?" Shanna sat forward eagerly.
"Well," Nellie began, considering. "It's a song that suits how I'm feeling right now, with all of the changes going on in my life and mixed emotions. And it sounds great acoustic." She gazed into all of their encouraging faces and felt most of her nerves wash away.
"We can't wait!" Shanna said excitedly, tapping her knees vigorously.
Nellie smiled a little smile before adjusting her position on the bench and pulling out her guitar. When unpacking her CD collection last night she'd found the perfect song. She took another breath and began to strum.
I wish I were pretty
I wish I were brave
If I owned this city
Then I'd make it behave
Nellie sang in her soulful voice, the last line with a teeny smile directed at Eliza.
And if I were fearless
Then I'd speak my truth
And the world would hear this
That's what I wish I'd do, yeah
She hummed as she dove into the passion of the music.
If my hands could hold them you'd see
I'd take all these secrets in me
And I'd move and mold them to be
Something I'd set free
Nellie glanced up to gauge everyone's reactions. Though Shanna was still stealing Blake's body heat, she watched Nellie with intent eyes. She wasn't smiling, but her expression was one of joy. On the other hand, Blake had been smiling broadly ever since the first note of the song had left Nellie's mouth.
I want to darken in the skies
Open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind
I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I want to cry until the end of time
I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down tonight
Abraham was sitting cross-legged, his elbows on his knees. He was alternating between looking amazed and grinning widely. He repeatedly hit Eliza's knee whenever Nellie did something he especially liked.
I hold on to worry so tight
It's safe in here right next to my heart
Who now shouts at the top of her voice
Let me go, let me out, this is not my choice
Eliza, who was also sitting cross-legged, held a hand to cover her smiling mouth. She waved Abraham's excited leg slaps away, barely taking time to glance at him. She just watched Nellie and nodded along with the beat.
And I always felt it before
That the world was filled with much more
Than the drowning soul I've learned to be
I just need the rain to remind me
Charlie had shifted his position so he could see Nellie, which he could now. He stared at her with a mind-blown face and hypnotized eyes. Man, she was good.
I want to darken in the skies
Open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind
I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I want to cry until the end of time
Nellie was fully lost in the music now, her eyes shut tight.
I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Eliza peeked over her shoulder for a look at her brother. He didn't even notice her. He was sitting forward, arms wrapped around his knees and his eyes bright with fascination. His head moved slightly with the music. His mouth had an enraptured slight smile on it, growing and fading with the climatic points of the song. Liza smiled to herself and turned back to the wonderful Nellie.
I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down tonight
Nellie finished and finally lifted her eyes to her spread out friends. There was a moment of pure silence, and Nellie almost thought she'd messed up big time, when there was an eruption of cheers.
"Nellie, that was unbelievably fantastic." Blake said breathlessly and let out a low whistle.
Shanna, grinning from ear to ear, crawled over to Nellie and grabbed her shoulders. "Holy Fudgewuck, girl!" She yelled as she hugged Nellie. "We have got to get you in glee."
Charlie flopped his way over, still staring at Nellie. "I'm in awe." His goofy smile returned, but he still looked dazed. "Seriously. Not only has my jaw dropped to the ground, it is now digging its way to China." Nellie laughed and blushed as the other piled around her.
Eliza and Michael were both shaking their heads in amazement. Liza caught a look at Michael's still enraptured face and wrapped an arm around him to pull him over. "Wonderful, Nell. Just wonderful." She hugged Nellie too and began to dance with Shanna and Charles.
"Oh. Thanks everybody." Nellie said, embarrassed at all of the praise. "I don't think I was that good."
"No, she's right." Michael came closer and got pulled into the group hug by his sister. "You're the cherry on top of our preforming Grasshopper sundae." He told her with his goofy charm and a genuine smile. He looked as if he was going to say something else when Abraham wandered in front of him.
"So. Freaking. Amazing." He told Nellie grinning. "You chose the best artist to cover. Sara Bareilles is an idol of mine. Can I have the honor of escorting you back?" He offered his arm. Nellie smiled at him and instead of taking it cheekily gave him the guitar case. He held it gladly as she packed up and the two of them headed inside after their group of rambunctious friends.
Hello Faithful Readers!
I love all of you have kept reading even though I am an unfaithful updater. But my life has been crazy and at one point I lost the flash drive that held this story (I found it, don't worry). So thank you for reading. The next chapter should be the biggest and most eventful yet! If anyone has any suggestions about formatting, songs, or plot ideas please send me a message. The song that was featured in this chapter was Let the Rain by Sara Bareilles. Question: Shake or Blali? Last but not least, please review! I light up anytime I read them! Thanks again guys!