A/N: BONUS CHAPTER!
Yeah, I'm having some stuff going on this Labor Day weekend so rather put out an update because I don't know when I can do it next week!
If I keep up this pace, I might even have another before the week is out. WHO KNOWS?
Okay, we are back in the present now. Let's catch up to our players and see what they're up to!
Please drop a review if you're new (don't be shy!) and hope you all enjoy it.
Jenna threw her backpack past the foyer into the living room.
Her father didn't get up from where he was, despite the bag landing loudly by the couch.
"Tough day at school?" he asked while searching on the TV menu.
"School was fine," Jenna huffed. "But rehearsals, JEEZ!"
He looked up at her.
"What's up?"
Jenna sat down beside him, rubbing her hands together.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have gotten the part and I like the other actors."
"But...?"
"The director...this guy named Geoffrey..." she folded her arms and squinted her eyes. "...just a real asshole!"
Her dad looked around and sighed.
"Don't let your mom catch you talking like that," he smirked.
"I don't know what to do," Jenna said.
He turned the TV off and set the remote down.
"You're not thinking of quitting, are you?" he asked.
The stress coming off of her was palpable. Her face looked like she was itching to rip the bun off of her head.
"I dunno," Jenna replied. "I don't."
"For what little I know about show-business..."
(That dismissive tone)
"...directors are not much different than coaches. Yeah, they're going to be hard on you, but they just want the best out of you."
Her dad stood up to face her head on. They were similar in height at this point.
"I just don't want you to quit just because you're being pushed a little bit," he said putting his hands on her shoulders. "It can't be that bad."
"Dad, he's berating the others. And he keeps having these tirades and..."
"Come on," he interrupted. "You should have seen the tactics my old coaches used to do. Lou used to tie a rope around my waist and attach it to his Jeep. He'd drive for a bit, like 20 miles per hour, and I would have to push myself to keep up."
Jenna backed away from him, astonished.
"DAD! That's horrible!"
"It made me faster," he shrugged, gesturing toward the medal hanging over the fireplace. "I didn't know my limits until somebody pushed them."
"Come on, dad! I know the difference between motivation and abuse!"
He then made a skeptical face.
Jenna growled and picked up her bag and just went straight to her room.
"Like talking to a wall, I tell ya," she muttered under her breath.
Chase was sitting at home, reviewing the guidelines for the Hollywood Junior Songwriting Competition, sponsored by The Cataclysm:
1. All competitors must be under 21.
2. Competitors must perform their song live if picked.
3. No explicit lyrics.
He must have read those rules over and over dozens of times. Chase did the mental checklist that he met the criteria.
Then why haven't he heard back yet?
"Calm down, man" he told himself. "It could be weeks before they announce the finalists. No telling how many submitted."
An incoming call from Lauren almost made him drop his phone.
Chase scrambled to answer in a panic and swiped green.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey, yourself!" she came back. "Doing anything right now?"
"Uh..."
"That's a no then?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I mean no, wait I mean..."
Her laughter on the other line really derailed his ability to form words.
"You're hilarious, look; let's meet at Lowell Park and bring your guitar."
Chase glanced at his instrument, leaning against the bookshelf.
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah! Just trust me."
"Alright?" he chuckled.
"Meet me in like an hour?" she asked.
Neil walked in and could tell by his nephew's body language that he was on the phone with somebody...special.
He mouthed the words the words: "what's she saying?"
Chase held up his hand.
"Yeah, sounds great. I'll be there."
"Great! Bye!"
"Okay, bye."
"Well?" Neil asked with a big old smile. "It was Lauren, wasn't it?"
He blushed deep red.
"I knew it!" he pointed.
"Come on, stop" said Chase. "Are you free? I could use a ride to Lowell Park."
Neil shrugged and grabbed his keys.
"Let's go."
Chase picked up his guitar and met with his uncle in the hall.
"Bringing your axe, huh?"
"Yeah," Chase nodded. "She...asked if I could."
"Already following orders," Neil smirked as he smacked Chase on the back. "Smart man."
Mia was laying on the couch when she got a text from Alice.
"U OK?"
She texted back: "Just not feeling good."
Ever since the past weekend, Mia had been avoiding not just Alice but everybody. She was noticeably absent during lunch and when she passed her in the halls, the older teen barely acknowledged her.
Alice was a little hurt but decided to let her go. Her mom wouldn't go into detail about what her and Mia's mom were talking about. She just knew that it really upset Mia. Getting to know her these past few weeks, Alice was privy to the girl when she was angry. But this was different. Mia looked wounded and sad.
The group figured to give her some space.
But halfway into the week, Alice couldn't help the silence and had to reach out.
"IM SRY. YOU COMIN TO SCHOOL TOMRROW?"
Mia chuckled.
"Does this girl have her keyboard stuck on all caps?"
She couldn't help but imagine this petite girl screaming into her phone, but her rage coming out in text form. It's clearly friendly but the caps make it appear aggressive.
"Yes," she replied back.
"K"
Mia stretched and put her phone down.
Then suddenly it vibrated, making the teen roll her eyes.
"I just put you down..."
Her eyes bulged when she saw it was her mom calling.
She muted the TV and pushed to answer.
"Yeah, mom, what's up?"
"This isn't a bad time, is it?" Tori asked.
"No, no, I'm in-between...um...stops?" she lied.
"Alright, good. Listen, I'm coming home a little early. You want to grab something for dinner?"
The girl paced around the room.
"Oh, uh, okay. I should be getting off after this next one. Slow day."
"Great, I'll see you soon."
"'Kay, bye."
Mia hung up and started straightening up her mess.
According to her mom, Mia wasn't at home. She was out making deliveries for her job. Mia told her she was done between five and six most days, which landed her back before mom got home from work. The thing is, Mia had been at the apartment the whole time. This part-time job was all a put-on.
(I can't tell mom how I really make my money; her head would explode!)
When that restaurant job fell through, Mia really tried to find something.
She applied to as many businesses in walking distance that she could. Majority wanted someone older or someone with a car, so Mia had very little options. When an old classmate from her middle school, Renee, ran into her they got the talking. Turned out she was hanging with Ethan and his loyal but dimwitted friend Mike. They had a small but pretty profitable hustle going on in East L.A.
After Renee brandished a wad of twenties to drive the point home, Mia wanted in. She talked it over with Ethan (he initially was attracted to her but she didn't reciprocate so he mostly backed off) and Mia was now a part of the group.
In a month's time, Mia could walk away with as much as $1,500. Not bad for a high school student.
It wasn't a fortune but it was a start.
On her travels cleaning, Mia made the point of taking her bicycle down from the mount and propped it against the wall. Had to make it appear it had been taken out.
(This is for the best. If I didn't pretend to have a job, what if mom found my money? Knowing her, she'd probably think I stole it or I'm in a gang.)
She's been on board for just a few months now, since the summer break, and it was already beginning to add up. Mia had about $6,000 as of her most recent tally. Some nights were more profitable than others, so they made up for those occasions when there were hardly any bites at the skate park.
"This cash cow better not dry up," huffed Renee. "I don't want to go back knocking off bodegas again!"
Mia wasn't sure if she was being serious that time or just talking tough.
She'd rather not know.
"CHASE!"
Lauren came running up, waving, to get the boy's attention.
He waved back with his free hand as he carried his guitar.
Chase was so enamored with Lauren that he didn't realize his uncle was still behind him.
"You gonna introduce me?" he asked him.
Stunned, he looked behind him and then back to Lauren.
"Oh, whoa, um, hey Lauren this is my Uncle Neil. Uncle Neil, this is Lauren from school."
She smiled when she took his hand.
"Hi Lauren from school!" he grinned.
Maybe Neil was having a little too much fun because he was aware this was awkward for Chase.
"I'll be somewhere else," he assured his nephew. "Call me when you're done."
"Thanks."
Neil was then caught off guard by a gorgeous woman jogging with her golden Labrador.
(Maybe I should think about getting a dog.)
"Later, taters!" he said as he walked back to the car.
"Sorry about him," Chase nervously said. "He thinks he's hysterical."
"Nah, he seems nice. Reminds me of my uncles."
His heart began to race when she grabbed his arm.
"Okay, let's go!"
"Where are we going?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Your stage fright rehabilitation starts now!" she announced.
"Wait-wait-wait-this is how we're starting?"
"KNOCK, KNOCK!"
Tori was preparing to leave when she looked over to Rob.
"Hi, Rob" she smiled. "Is everything alright?"
"No, no, this isn't school-related."
"It couldn't wait could it?" Tori sighed. "Sorry, but I'm feeling off and I was just calling it a day for a change."
Rob looked sympathetic but he wasn't getting out of the way of the door.
"Yes, you should. But my wife would kill me if I didn't get an answer right now."
"Alright," Tori said as she put down her purse. "What do you need?"
She put her hands on her hips in a fairly over-the-top fashion. He knew she was impatient but not mad.
"Would you happen to have Jade's number?" he asked. "Thought I got it on parents night but I guess I didn't."
"You don't have her number?"
(That's surprising. I thought you were one of the ones in the loop.)
He shook his head.
"New phone last year. Stupid provider didn't transfer my contacts. On the plus side that included my mother-in-law."
"Just when I thought you stopped being a comedian," Tori smirked.
"So, you got it?" he asked again.
Tori huffed and texted him the contact from her phone.
"Whatever you do, DON'T tell her you got it from me."
Rob made the lips are sealed gesture.
"Thank you, Madame Principal!" he bowed. "I shall leave your administrator-ness alone."
He backed out of the door.
Tori shook her head and got her things together before anyone else from the faculty accosted her.
Lauren led Chase to a stone tunnel. Over head people walked; it was a highlight of the trail.
"What are-" he was struck by the strong echo. "-that's me?"
"Good acoustics are key," she said. "One way to get over a fear is exposure therapy. So, you will get used to playing in a public space."
He tugged at neck of his shirt.
"I don't know..."
She put her hands on his arms.
"I promise you this will help. I used to be nervous when I was little. My mom helped me with that."
"Oh-okay," he gulped.
He then followed her into the short round runnel. Luckily it wasn't big by any means because it got pretty dark in there.
"This is a good spot because people will be able to hear you but they won't be able to see you."
Lauren skipped to the edge to watch for people.
"Alright, go for it."
Chase got his guitar into position and began strumming a few chords to get his hands warmed up.
To Lauren's surprise, he started playing a really soft pastoral piece. The kind of music that you could relax or study to.
As soothing as it was, amplified by the tunnel, it got people's attention. Passersby would halt in their tracks and stick around to listen to the melody. Lauren could see the people from below and all the smiles caused by Chase playing a simple guitar instrumental.
She regarded him from afar and was taken by his incredible sense of focus. He was a babbling mess when she ran into him. Actually, he was always like that around her. But when he was playing, in secret no less, Chase was in his element.
He went on for a about ten minutes until he finished.
Chase looked up for the first time since he started and Lauren was smiling.
Even in here he could see her eyes sparkle.
"How was it?" he asked, walking out into the light.
Lauren covered her mouth.
"What?"
"Why don't you ask them?"
He turned just as applause started from above. Some of the folk stuck around it hopes of getting a glimpse of the musician.
Chase looked like he was in pain.
"Chase," Lauren asked, about to touch him. "Are you...?"
He ran off without a word.
Lauren went after him.
"Wait! Hang on!"
She was out of breath and forced to stop after a minute of running.
Lauren was worried she lost him until she saw a familiar guitar laying on the grass. She approached the big tree nearby and Chase had his back to the trunk.
"Why did you make me do this?"
He looked like he was going to have a panic attack.
"Chase, you don't understand..." Lauren said softly, reassuringly. "They weren't making fun of you. You didn't see their faces! They enjoyed..."
"NO!"
She was shaken by the outburst.
"I'm sorry but I can't do this..."
"Don't beat yourself up, Chase! This is going to take time."
(Oh, did I do too much too soon?)
Lauren hugged him as tightly as she could.
"What are you...?"
"Breathe," she cooed. "Just breathe. It's going to be okay."
He returned the hug and slowly his breathing was becoming less erratic.
"I'm sorry. This was too much."
"It's...it's okay."
She pulled back and looked at his face.
"I think we're done for today."
"Okay," he nodded.