Same Day, Shane's House, 11:35 P.M...

Our favorite blonde boy was currently in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The whole band thing was still weighing heavily on his mind, to the point where he was losing sleep over it. He had gone to everyone he knew for advice on what to do. His dad, his girlfriend, most of his friends. Yet still, he was hesitant to make a final decision. He was pretty sure he wanted to do it, but at the same time... he was scared.

"Fuck, man." He said aloud, following it up with a sigh.

Price was truly in a pickle. What made it worse, was that HE was the one that was making this so difficult. Literally everyone he talked to about it either said it was a great idea, or that it would be a really cool experience. So why was he still so nervous about it? What was the problem? These are the questions he asked himself in his head. It's not like he was afraid of committing to a large project. He welcomed things that required a little hard work and practice. While he contemplated his final decision, his train of thought was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He reached over and grabbed it off of the nightstand by his bed, and answered it. (You know, without checking the Caller ID... Because why would he?)

"Hello?"

"Oi! You've forgotten about me already, have you? Ya bloody tosser."

Shane slightly smirked when he heard that familiar British accent.

"Hi, Midnight. It's nice to hear your voice again."

"Yeah, I bet it is. Not nice enough for you to actually call me though, apparently." She playfully chastised.

"Come on, cut me some slack here. It's only been a few days since I left."

"Well, it's been a few days too long... I miss ya already." She sincerely admitted, her tone going a little soft.

"Likewise, Paige. I really wish there was a way for us to be around each other more often, but hey. Life didn't work out that way. But, I'll be sure to come visit anytime I can. Maybe you could come here to the City one day." He suggested.

"Either way I'd be fine, as long as I get to see you in person again. It's not as fun messing with you over the phone, ya know? I like to be up close and personal."

"Already knew that, Midnight. Already knew that. Anyway, how's things back there with you after I took care of business?"

"Oh, it's amazing. The day we came back to school, Carmella and her goons came up to me and apologized. Cass had a limp, so it was funny to watch him try to walk properly. People don't even look at me funny anymore. But, I think it's because they're afraid that I might tell on them to you. You're feared around here now, by the way. Like an urban legend."

Price laughed at that.

"Ha! People fear me? That's frickin hilarious. I'm not scary at all. I'm just Shane."

"Yeah, but you kinda almost had 3 girls get bludgeoned with baseball bats. People aren't really scared of you. They're scared of what you're capable of doing. Plus, it doesn't help that you're somewhat jacked now."

"Ay... Whatchu mean, "somewhat", jacked? I'm a friggin beast, woman!" He jokingly bragged.

Paige rolled her eyes.

"Oh, you're a beast now? Get the hell outta here with that rubbish."

"Don't be jealous of my awesome physique. Back to you, though. How's Lio doing? Have you visited him in the hospital at all?"

"Yeah, I've gone to see him almost every day since you left. The little twerp's been bragging to me about how he set up the whole thing, and how he took one for the team."

Shane chuckled.

"Of course he has. Wouldn't be Lio if he didn't. But to be fair, he really did sacrifice himself pretty much. That was a nasty beating Cassidy gave him." He pointed out.

"You're right... Fuck it, when he gets out of the hospital, I'm gonna go on a date with him.." She said nonchalantly.

Price was taken aback by her statement.

"Wait, you're serious? Why?"

"Shit, why bloody not? It's not a secret that the boy's head over heels for me. And despite his height, in all seriousness, he's not a bad lookin' bloke. Also, he was the main one to still have my back after you left the first time. He may be a loudmouthed moron, but he's loyal, and a sweetheart. So, I'll give dating him a chance."

"Wow, um... Okay then. Whatever you feel is best. That's still kinda weird though."

Paige saw an opportunity to mess with her friend.

"Sounds like someone's jealous." She said with a little smugness in her voice.

"Jealous? Jealous of what? I've got a whole girlfriend, remember?" Shane stated defensively.

"Okay, whatever helps you sleep at night. Who knows? Maybe if he plays his cards right... he'll get lucky."

Shane cringed hard.

"Ugh, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit."

That caused Paige to laugh in response.

"You're so easy to take the piss out of, love. I swear. But, I really was serious about the date stuff."

"Cool dude. I hope it turns out well for you guys. Though, you know if you two officially become an item, he's never gonna shut up about it. I can hear him now. "That's right! The Man Of The Hour has acquired the most beautiful girl on the planet! She is now my Queen Of The Hour! The 15 Year Old Piece Of Gold can't lose! Especially with the ladies! Ha ha!" Shane said, impersonating his cocky friend.

That got a laugh out of Paige as well.

"Come on now, don't make me regret going out with him before it even happens, Shane."

"Just preparing you for what you're getting yourself into, Midnight."

"Trust me, I'm well aware already. I've been around the kid for the last year. Well, now that all that's out of the way, let's move onto a different topic... What's this about you bein' in a band?"

Suddenly, a sense of dread filled Shane's senses.

"How... How did you even find out about that?" He asked, completely caught off guard by the subject change.

"You forget I have Alexa's number too. She told me everything."

A feeling of realization washed over the boy, before he facepalmed and shook his head while sighing.

"Damn it. I should've known she'd tell you."

Paige smirked.

"So... ya thought you could keep secrets from little ol' me, huh? Tsk, tsk. You should know better than to try that, Price."

"Yeah, that's literally what I just said, Knight. Don't rub it in." Shane told her, slightly annoyed that she knew about his current predicament.

"Oooh, showing a little attitude, I see. Let me ask you this. Why didn't you tell me in the first place? You know that's something I would want to know about."

"Because... it's embarrassing." He admitted.

The pale girl was taken aback by his explanation.

"Embarrassing? How so?"

Shane sighed again.

"I'm the only one who's making this is an issue. My dad's okay with it, Alexa's okay with it, and all my friends think it would be cool. To top it all off, I would be making two people very happy if I went along with it and join them. But, I'm all reluctant and shit, because my insecure ass is too afraid of maybe making a fool of myself. If that's not fuckin embarrassing, then I don't know what is." He vented.

There was a little bit of silence, which slightly scared Shane.

"Oh great, now you're disappointed in me. This is why I didn't want to tell you." He sadly said.

Paige softly giggled.

"No, love. I'm not disappointed in you. Not at all. You know you have a history of being the resident clown, and you don't want to go back to that. You hate the feeling of being laughed at. I completely understand. But... embarrassed? By me? Dude, come on. With all the stuff we've shared with one another, not to mention the things we've done together, you shouldn't feel embarrassed at all. I'm your Midnight, and you're my idiot Irish boy. That's never gonna change." She said, comforting him.

"I like how you have the sweet, friendly nickname, and I'm just an idiot." He pointed out while letting out a small laugh.

"Yup. Cause I'm the sweetest girl ever. Plus, you're the one who started callin' me that last year. Not my fault."

"Eh, I can't deny that... Seriously, what would I do without you? I've asked that a million times, and I still don't know."

"Mate, you'd be absolutely fucked. No question. Now, are you gonna join the damn band, or not?" Paige pressed, looking for a definitive answer.

"...Fuck it. I'm gonna join."

"Good. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"I feel like you want me to do this."

"Yeah, no shit. Of course I want you to. You have any idea much I would pay to see you on stage performing? I already know you can sing. You used to sing randomly all the time when you got bored."

"Who said I stopped doing it? Hell, people ask me to sing sometimes for no reason at school."

"All the more reason to be in the band, ya dummy. Anyway, my job is done. I'll talk to you later, love."

"Bye, Midnight. Good luck with Lio. Trust me, you're gonna need it." Shane joked.

"Eh, I'll be fine."

And with that, she hung up. Shane ran his hands through his blonde hair and once again sighed, this time with a smile on his face.

"Man, I can't wait to see the look on Liv's face when I tell her."

AN: Well, I'm going all in on this band arc idea. I hope you guys like it. And if not, then tell me, and I'll scrap it and throw it away. But I think you'll find some enjoyment in it. I'll try my best to make sure of it. As always, you're the best, and I'll see you in the next chapter. Peace.