Just What I Needed (14)

It was weird being in New York. But she liked the bustle of the place, everyone seemed to have something they had to do, they all had goals they had to reach, and she very much liked being a part of that.


Keely walked along the streets, immediately finding a small coffee shop where she bought a tall Chai latte. It was actually kind of nice to walk down the streets with her steamy cup and looking at everything.


She did feel alone though.


When she was at home, it was so rare for her to be alone anywhere she went. But for the rest of the day, she was going to be completely alone. She knew no one in New York except for Miss Jones and Mitchie, and she couldn't very well call up either of them to see if they wanted to hang out. But she would be meeting those three artists tomorrow.


Now Keely started wondering. Who were those three artists that would be helping her record? Could she be going on tour with Green Day? That was a very exciting prospect for her, even though it was completely unlikely.


Because how many three member bands were there with major record deals at UAE Records right now? There were just too many to think about. She was in New York, Keely thought ecstatically, forgetting about the anxiety of being alone, she was 'New York, New York, I want to wake up in that city, that never sleeps' in the words of Frank Sinatra.


Forgetting about that loneliness altogether, Keely found a table underneath an overhang where she could people watch.


There were the girls with blonde hair and puppy dogs the ones with their hair died into odd colours and decked out in black and red, as if they were being original, but being just as false as the fake blonds. It seemed difficult for some people to be original, it appeared. And Keely just wanted to laugh at all of them.


Being in a much better mood, Keely grabbed a quick lunch at a cafe and then started shopping.


Like a magnet, she was pulled towards a record store, and Keely fell in love.


It was like her favourite record store at home, just better. Pushing open the front door, Keely couldn't get the smile off her face. You could flip through the records in the middle of the long thing shop, seeing as they had their own section. The CD's were lined against the wall, and you could flip through those as well. But all over the walls there were tour and album posters, so you couldn't see the original wall colour.


Seeing as she was the only one the store, Keely could talk to the guy working there openly. First of all she flipped through the vinyls, and found a Modest Mouse album in vinyl then walked to the register.


The man working the desk looked like a hippie, and Keely smiled again.


"Do you own the store?" Keely asked as she put the album by the cash register and went to get her wallet from her purse.


"Yeah," he nodded smiling at her. "And you're fresh off the boat, aren't you?"


Laughing, Keely answered, "You could say that. Got off the plane this morning, Washington," she informed him.


"Easy to tell," leaning forward, he smiled fatherly. "I could tell from the fact you're not trying to act famous yet. Let me see," he looked at her closely. "You're a singer, who can play the guitar and piano, and you've come down to the city in hopes of getting a record deal."


"Close," she chuckled getting the record. "I sing, play the piano and guitar. But I already got a record deal."


"I'll watch for your album," he sounded a bit disbelieving.


"Thanks," Keely murmured, turning around. But then stopped dead, she looked back at him and then pointed towards the U2 poster on the wall. "Did you go to this tour? Or is it just a poster."


"I went," he nodded, "Great show."


"I would have killed to go see it," she smiled. "And the Scorpions opened for them on that tour."


"They're really great live," he agreed.


"I think I may be coming here a lot, so watch out for me," Keely laughed pushing open the door.


After this exchange, Keely went clothes shopping. She wanted to buy something for Haley, plus she was now thinking about the dinner tomorrow. Miss Jones had said that it was a fancy dinner, but Keely didn't want to look like some girly girl on her first meeting with them.


But all that she liked when she went shopping was a The Clash t-shirt.


It turned out to be an okay trip Keely found the perfect purse for Haley. It was large and black, but not as plain as that. The designers had added silver sequins to the side and it had one large strap and the fabric bunched together artfully in the middle.


It took a while, but Keely eventually found a post office where she got a box to put the purse in as well as send it. Still being in a light-hearted mood, she found being in there hilarious for some reason. Because when was the last time she'd been in a post office?


Keely was sure it had been in grade four for a field trip.


After her post office trip, Keely saw a different coffee shop, and shrugging she went to get another latte.


When she had her steaming foamy latte, Keely sat outside, though just underneath the cover so she wouldn't get wet. Thankfully she was alone, but that was just because New Yorkers seemed to think they would melt in the rain.


Pulling out her phone, she called Nick.


"Hey?"


"Hi," Keely smiled leaning backwards. "It's Keely, the girl from the other night, I thought I'd take you up on your offer."


His voice suddenly went from drab to ecstatic, "Great! So how's New York?"


Looking around, Keely giggled. "I don't know if it's telling me to go home or not. You know how when people go to New York in movies and TV shows and they step off the plane to see beautiful people with happy faces along with gorgeous weather?"


"Yeah," his bewilderment made Nick's voice slow.


"Well, it's pouring rain."


Laughing, Nick answered, "Your first day and it rains for you. At least you're not a cliche."


"That's what I said!" Keely snorted with mirth.


Now the questions came pouring out of him. "So have you been in a recording studio yet? Are they like the ones in Bellingham? Have you found out who you're going on tour with? Maybe it will be Pearl Jam, that would be awesome, I mean, I'd go to your show anyways, but if you were on tour with Pearl Jam, I'd be sleeping outside for tickets."


"No, to all those questions," Keely giggled. "I've never been in a recording studio in Bellingham or anywhere else, so I really couldn't tell the difference. But they can't be too different."


This distracted him from the tour questions, "You've never been in a recording studio? How did you get your record deal without a demo?"


Not feeling like going through the long winding story about her being offered and then thinking about refusing the deal, Keely just said, "It was the luck of the draw."


"Oh... okay," he said slowly, "So what have you done?" Nick brightened.


"My first day of being a recording artist starts tomorrow," she informed him. "I've got a photo shoot, then a meeting with a stylist to finalize my tour outfits or something, a meeting to talk about what of my songs I want to put on the album, along with listening to other writer's songs to see if I want those or do a cover. And finally I'm going to meet the people I'm going on tour with."


"Making me dizzy already," he joked. Then his voice become all relaxed as if he was sitting back and getting ready for a long conversation. "So what have you done in your free time in the rainy weather?"


They probably chatted for about an hour, about everything they could think of.


But then Keely remembered that she'd promised to call Haley at about four so that she could tell her about the wonders of New York.


"I've got to go," Keely apologized.


"Just as well," he laughed, "This phone call is going to cost me the earth and the moon."


"What are parents for?" she joked.


"I'll talk to you later," he said in farewell.


"I'll send you a really long email about tomorrow," promised Keely. "As long as I'm still awake when I get home."


"Have fun," with that there was a finally clicking noise and the call was cut off.


Now feeling suddenly hesitant, Keely stared at the contact for Haley. There it was, Haley Sawyer, nickname Hales, home number, cell number, birthday, email, address and the picture of her at a party. This was the Haley Keely knew and loved, why was she afraid to call her?


Fighting her fear immediately, Keely pressed her mobile number quickly.


"Keely!" Haley's voice was excited.


"Hey Hales," she sounded a bit depressed.


"Are you okay?" Haley enquired hastily, she heard the depressed note in Keely's voice, but identified it wrong. "What happened?"


"Nothing," Keely forced a laugh out. What was wrong with her? She talked easily to a guy she'd only met the night before but she was terrified of talking to her best friend? "I just realized that I've been sitting in this same coffee shop for about an hour, and I should probably start walking back to the hotel."


"Oh, okay," the tone of Haley's voice made it obvious she saw through Keely's lie. "So how's life?"


"Rainy," Keely admitted opening up her umbrella as she left the coffee shop.


Feeling like she was just repeating things off a script, Keely walked down the road towards where she knew her hotel was while telling Haley about how her dad had gone so far and about how tomorrow was going to be.


"One second," Keely stopped when she walked in the front doors of the hotel. "Mr. Englis," Keely called walking up to his front desk. "Where should I put the umbrella?"


"Complimentary," he informed her.


"Oh, well, thanks," Keely said walking to the elevator. The moment she was inside and away from any prying ears, she grinned. "I barely used the umbrella today, it rained a lot harder in Washington."


"True," Haley snorted, "Do you know your designer's name yet?"


"I have no idea, Hales. So how is it back in Bellingham? Have you cleaned up for the party yet?"


Chortling, Haley answered, "I never even had to lift a finger. First of all Tony and Sadie volunteered to help, and then the guitarist of that band did as well, and he spent most of the time following me around peppering me with questions about you. He's pretty cute," she mused.


"That's Nick, I actually just called him," Keely informed her while opening her hotel room door.


"Oh, do tell," sounding like she was ready for gossip, Haley answered.


"Not like that," Keely laughed feeling a bit more comfortable now. "He just wanted to know what having a record deal is like because he's been trying to get one for a long time now."


"Uh huh," she was disbelieving.


They talked for about another hour or so, making Keely happy she had a cellphone plan that had free weekends. Keely described her outfit for tomorrow, and Haley approved of it, she was hoping that the three guys Keely was going to meet tomorrow were the ones they'd seen in concert. Keely couldn't even remember what their names were.


But when they hung up, Keely had an oddly empty feeling in her stomach.


She indulged in a bubble bath and beautiful soothing music from a play list on her phone with candles. And after she cuddled in the giant white fluffy robe, but still she was feeling rather hollow.


Sitting cross legged in the middle of her luxurious King sized bed, Keely pressed a hand to her stomach.


She'd only been gone from Bellingham for about ten hours, and she was already feeling changed. Like she was different from her friends at home, she had always been different from her friends back home though, like there was always something missing in her heart, but now she had that missing half.


And felt as if they wouldn't be able to understand her now.


Groaning, Keely fell back onto the bed dramatically, putting on a CD loudly, she curled up in the middle of the bed.



*



Groaning, Keely opened one glaring eye at the standard alarm clock that was pushed to the side to make room for her charging phone and her Mac notebook along with her song book.


But remembering she was in New York, Keely sat straight up.


Immediately grabbing her cell phone, she checked her email, and as promised there was a more thorough day plan for her.


She had over an hour and a half to get ready and meet the car out front. So Keely grabbed two of the fluffy white towels and dragged them into the bathroom. Unlike last night, Keely took a shower in the spacious stall. Maureen had told her to not bother getting dressed up for the drive to the photo shoot, and being so early in the morning, she was disposed to agree. But the thought that Haley might find out somehow had Keely grabbing an outfit that had already been put together for her.


This outfit was once again following the black and white colour scheme. A loose white tank top that tightened at her waist with black lacing at the very top, she grabbed a pair of skinny black jeans with a black leather jacket. Looking at the effect, Keely grabbed a necklace.


It had been her great grandmother's heirloom. The pendant had a long chain and fell between her breasts, the pendant in question was from the patron saint of musicians, by the name of Cecilia. She'd never even been a terribly religious person, but she always wore the necklace.


Not feeling too enthusiastic, Keely just brushed and blow dried her hair so that it had very loose waves into the middle of her back. Before walking down to the lobby, and with a wave of her hand to the enthusiastic Mr Englis, shoved through the door to see a black car awaiting for her.


"Keely Staub?"


"Yeah," Keely yawned, shaking his hand. "It's nice to meet you," Keely assured him during another yawn. "But it would be nicer if it wasn't at seven in the morning." The little shot of humour earned her a twitch of the lip before he gestured her graciously into the car.


It was just a little hybrid black car. It seemed UAE Records was going green.


Seeing as her driver seemed to know where they were going, Keely didn't bother telling him. Instead she curled up beside the window, with her arms wrapped around her knees and immediately fell asleep with her head against the window.


"Miss Staub," the driver called shocking her from her impromptu sleep, "We're here."


Feeling suddenly nervous, Keely grabbed her purse and walked in the doors. It was an old warehouse from what she could tell from the outside. Glancing back indecisively at her car and driver, she saw that he had already gotten out a book and was reclining his chair. So it seemed that Keely was on her own for this one, taking a deep calming breath, Keely pushed open the door.


Inside there was a giant screen, people were bustling around, pushing objects and there was one man setting up his cameras.


Not knowing what to do or how she should announce herself to these obviously busy, Keely's feet might as well been glued to the ground. 'Tried to run but I couldn't move, well I paid for these concrete shoes,' as Our Lady Peace said.


"Keely Staub."


It wasn't a question like she had become used to, but a statement. And Keely barely had time to turn around to the person who had be speaking before the person grabbed her arm and started dragging her towards a door. The person who was pulling her was a woman, she had short spiked brown hair her makeup was perfect, and was wearing a brown feminine cut suit neat as a pin.


"This is your first outfit," she ordered dragging Keely into a change room. "You need to put this on, I'll be waiting outside until your done so that I can fix however you put it on."


With that she turned around and slammed the door.


"Oh, okay..." Keely murmured.


It seemed the abrupt designer liked the black and white look as much as she, because the outfit was following the same pattern.


There were once again a skinny pair of black jeans, like the ones she was wearing now. Keely had trouble pulling on the four inch heeled black leather ankle boots without somewhere to sit, there was much swearing and falling over, and by the time she was done, Keely was red in the face. For a shirt it was a black tank top that was opaque until right above her breasts and then went a translucent black up almost up to her collar bone. Over top of that, Keely bright virgin white jean jacket that she left upon, hoping it was the right way.


Not wanting to be a pig, she quickly folded her jeans, placing her shirt on top of that and hanging her leather jacket on the wall hook. Finally, Keely grabbed the gloves that were waiting for her to put on. They must have been leather, and followed the supposedly 'life line' on her hand, not covering her full long artistic hand.


When Keely walked out, the woman didn't say a word. She fixed the collar on the jacket, straightened the tank top and fixed her pants where they met the boots.


"Over there," she pointed suddenly, seeming to think that Keely was now acceptable. "You need to go the hairdresser."


Thinking that it would better if she didn't even say a word, Keely just nodded and hurried towards where the rude woman had pointed. Hopefully the hairdresser wasn't as angry as the other woman.


In the end, the hairdresser ended up being a male, by the name of Collin in fact. He had bounded into the mirrored room with a giant smile and shaking her hand buoyantly, so unlike the firm woman before. He made sounds of approval about her hair, and then set to work. Since Keely already had a bang, he just straightened it, making it fall gracefully to the left side of her head plus - though he perfected it - he kept the look of the barely a wave.


Then she was sent to the makeup artist, where the woman was a cross between both the prim woman and Collin, she shook Keely's hand and told her that her name was Selena. But she wasn't as buoyant as the hairdresser, and got straight down to work on Keely's face.


Eventually, Keely - in her own un-modest opinion - looked amazing. The clothes put together with the gorgeous hair and professionally makeup made her look like a million bucks. But that was the point wasn't it? Anyways, Selena did her makeup to only extenuate her pale skin, with barely any blush on the cheeks but pink lips and making her mermaid green eyes pop.


Even though she was a bit nervous of the photo shoot, Keely enjoyed it.


They had her sit on a box, look at them with one hand propping up her chin while Keely looked seriously at the photographer. She pretended to preform with a mike stand and a wireless mike. She got a guitar to pretend like she was playing, and once she fell of the box. The photographer caught the moment of pure laughter on her face as she was still falling.


Then the prim woman from the beginning, who's name ended up to be Demet, dragged her back to the dressing room to put on yet another outfit change. She was supposedly going to have three outfit changes.




When Keely got out of the photo shoot, she was already tired. The photo shoot had gone well, the photographer seemed to like her. Mostly because Keely was so comfortable with being herself, and not afraid to do stupid things, and never got embarrassed by the little things. But it was draining, the running around, changing positions constantly, having people fix her up every two seconds, yelling. She was starting to sound petty.


It was eleven thirty, and Keely had time to grab lunch. After asking the driver what he recommended, they ended up stopping at a little sushi place.


Her driver, who's name was Dave by the way, had refused to come in, saying that his wife had already made him lunch. So Keely was sitting alone in a booth, but that didn't particularly bother her. She put on her head phones, leaned back, closed her eyes and tried to save her energy for the rest of the day.


When some delicious Spider and Dynamite rolls, Keely walked back out to where her driver was waiting. An hour had surprisingly passed while she had been sitting in the adorable sushi place. And now they were on their way to meet up with the stylist.


Her stylist's name ended up to be Andy.


Andy must have brought a hundred of his designs to his store to decide what Keely should have on tour.


After trying on a lot of clothes, they had settled on a look. Thankfully, the transaction was a mutual decision. Because Andy wanted her to be wearing pinks, light blues, etc and mostly dresses throughout the tour. It wasn't as if Keely had something against dresses, she just didn't think they were very practical for tour.


So they ended up on a meeting in the middle.


And Keely was in love with the clothes he was choosing for her. They were still teenager-like, but would make her stand out in the crowd. There were many vest, bright shirts, rock n' roll t-shirts and skinny jeans. But they weren't all black and white, more bright colours. But she wasn't a rock star girl cliche which was nice, and she also didn't look like a pop artist trying to be punk. It was a meeting of cultures, and Keely was in love.


"I'll send all of the garments to your manager, who will transfer them to you," Andy assured her, kissing her twice on the cheek. Smiling, Keely said her thanks and goodbyes before rushing out to the car where Dave was waiting.


They made it to the studio two minutes ahead of schedule.


"Keely," Miss Jones greeted her, kissing her cheeks friendlily, before taking her arm gently and steering her inside the studio.


"Hey Miss Jones," Keely said respectively with her eyes wide. She couldn't help but try and take in everything that was happening around her, and her brain felt as if it was going to fizz after the full day she'd had today. They bypassed the recording studios, and ended up in a conference room.


"Just called me Maureen," she said warmly sitting down.


Though she was all warmth and friendliness, Keely could see the underlining tension in her shoulders and the way she tapped her finger tunelessly. "Okay, Maureen," said Keely cautiously.


"You have your songbook with you?" Maureen asked business like.


"Yes," Keely answered quickly, pulling her old notebook from her bag. "Here," she pushed it to Miss Jones.


It took over two hours but they only settled on five songs. Four were from Keely's personal collection, their names, Let Me Be, Like the Wind, Words Unsaid and Your Heart. The first talking about identity crisis, and being who everyone else wants you to be. The second spoke of leaving behind the ones you love, the third about being alone with no one else there. And finally, the last was about Tony, and their constant break ups, hate and love, hope and demise.


The lone song by another artist was Dream Catcher, by Laurence Puddle, famous songwriter. The song was about the loneliness of having a dream alone as well as the freedom that comes with it.


Yet those songs still were cemented, Keely still could change them if she so chose.


"You need to go," Maureen informed her.


"Oh," Keely glanced up at the clock. She hadn't even noticed the time going by while they had been talking about music.


"But first I want to give you a run down of tomorrow," Miss Jones said grabbing her arm before she stood up. "I'll send you another email tomorrow as well. But you have another photo shoot tomorrow. But have the rest of the day free, I have the studio booked for Thursday and on for you, so you and your helper artists are going to be in here then."


"Okay then," Keely brightened standing up. "Thanks Miss-Maureen," she corrected herself quickly earning a smile from the firm line of mouth before she hurried out to her car.



*



When she got home, Keely noticed another outfit that had already been delivered from Andy. And decided that it would probably be best to go with the outfit he sent, though she would have been much more comfortable in her The Clash shirt.


The outfit Andy had sent over was once again with skinny black jeans that Keely shimmied into. A black shirt, it had a squared scooped neck, but had almost puffy shoulders. Over top, Keely pulled on a dark grey vest, which she buttoned up quickly with ankle breaking open toed black high heels that had almost a twist over her toes. Her feet were already getting sore from walking around in high heels all day, but it was for Haley's sake.


For jewelry, Keely pulled on the heart necklace that had been her mothers. And as for her hair, she straightened it until it was perfectly straight, making her bangs come out straight across her forehead. Once again, she half ran out to the car to be on time.


"Thanks Dave," Keely smiled, feeling friendly to her ageing driver.


Not knowing who she was supposed to ask for, Keely stood indecisively at the front of the restaurant. Taping her fingers to the tune of We Will Rock You, Queen.


"Keely Staub?" asked the greeter. Thinking that this was starting to get annoying, Keely nodded quickly to her. All of the sudden, the greeter's pretty blonde high school face got excited, and she smiled quickly. Turning around, she barely waited for Keely to catch up.


Rolling her eyes, Keely picked up her pace. Obviously these three musicians were famous. Or else the waiter wouldn't be acting like this, and in this, Keely meant the way she was almost running to the table.


But now Keely's excitement was starting to bubble over. Who were these people? Who would the people who Keely was going to be almost living with for the next few months be? Would they have great music? Would they have an almost eighties rocker look, Johnny Cash 50's style, the sixties hippie face or would they be the punk rockers that so influenced her own music?


Peeking around the waitress, who was just blushing now, Keely groaned.


She knew who the three boys were. It wasn't one of her favourite memories, but she remembered going to a concert of theirs back in Bellingham not too long before with Haley. There sat NSR in all their glory, which - if she was being honest - was quite a bit of glory, they were better looking than most.


"H-he-he-here you g-g-go," the girl stuttered placing Keely a menu on the table. Feeling almost sorry for her, Keely gave her a smile, before turning to face what she felt was the end of her life.


"Hey, I'm Colton," the closet one said standing up and shaking her hand. He had almost bronze coloured hair, it was brushed in an almost wind-swept motion to the side. It was obvious that he spent his fair share of time in front of the mirror. But he had a cute button nose with a wide beautiful mouth, his eyes were a bright blue and when he smiled, it could make almost any girl in range of the smile sigh. He had a long lean body with tanned arms.


"Keely," she smiled charmingly at him despite the fact she had a feeling he knew who she was.


"Marco," the second one kissed her hand, it was a good thing she wasn't a giggler, she just blushed lightly.


His hair was almost the same style as Colton, except his was a bright sandy blonde. He was about an inch or so taller than the other two, his eyes were a bright hazel. He had the more of a surfer boy going on for him.


"Hi, Keely Staub."


The third one didn't smile, Keely might be imagining it, but she thought he had a suspicious look in his eyes.


They both hesitated, but seemed to realise they should shake hands as simple courtesy. Reaching over the table, Keely kept her eyes tight as a lovers embrace with his as he mirrored her move. But the moment their hands even brushed, it was as if an electric current was shot through them.


Ripping her hand away, Keely looked at him oddly. What the hell had just happened?


"Seth," he nodded to her. While Colton looked like the school's homecoming king that every girl would sigh over and Marco looked like the surfer or skateboarded from school, Seth had the bad boy look around him.


His hair was pure black, there was a slight wave in it. He had a long aristocratic nose, his mouth was generous and somehow gorgeous matching the rest of his features with high cheekbones. His eyes were hazel and doe like, but somehow moody, and now an obvious suspicious light in them. In Keely's opinion, he was the best looking of the trio, sexier, she supposed. But as she'd told Joe before, her favourite look was the bad boy.


"I think I've said my name enough," Keely nodded back to him. They all looked supremely stylish, like they could be on the cover of GQ. 


"Uh... why don't we sit down?" Marco smiled at them, noticing the tension that seemed thick enough to cut through. Finally, Keely broke her eyes away from Seth Ryan's.


After they ordered, there was a long silence.


Clicking her tongue lightly, Keely crossed her legs trying to get comfortable in her chair.


"No Spanish Inquisition?" she joked lightly.


Colton grinned up at her, "Any objections to it?"


Rolling her eyes, Keely grinned easily at him, she was trying to ignore Ryan's eyes. "Well, I guess we could get everything out in the open now, or else for all I know you may run a background check on me."


"Never thought of that," Marco smiled, Keely warmed to him instantly, she felt a kindred spirit.


Shrugging his shoulders, Colton looked around at the two boys around him. "Might as well, who's turn first?"


"Rock paper scissors?" Keely suggested.


"Works for me," said Marco, putting out a hand.


"No, way," Colton laughed grabbing his band member's arm and pulling it back. "You always lose at rock paper scissors, I don't know how it happens, but you haven't won since grade two."


They had no idea, but Keely was already storing information about them. There was obviously a strong bond between them, there was an apparent bond between all three of them, even though one of them hadn't said a word, just being all eyes and ears. But they were relaxed with each other, it was as if they were talking with their eyes instead of words. And two of them had known each other since grade two.


"Eenie minie moe," Marco suggested.


"Here we go," Keely murmured having already finished the little rhyme half sang the song. Sighing discouragingly, she looked over at them, "You have the floor first."


"Favourite bands," Seth put in, for the first time talking again.


"Let's see," she murmured, still trying to avoid his eyes. "Obviously, number one will always be the Beatles, Steppen Wolf was always great, some Iggy Pop, Led Zeppelin without a doubt and Lynryd Skynryd can never disappoint plus The Cramps. But for newer bands? I think Stereo Skyline is really good, Vertical Horizon is up there too, Sunset Shootout, Florence + The Machines, Jack Johnson and Aqualung are good."


Sharing a look between all three of them, Keely couldn't help laughing. "What? I'm sorry to say this, really sorry, but I'm just a brutally honest type of person. Where you expecting me to say, you? I've never even heard one of your songs on the radio."


"But you've heard of us." There was no question as their food was placed in front of them.


Grinning, Keely said, "I have."


"If you haven't heard a song, how do you know us?" Colton questioned.


"Concert in Seattle not too long ago," Keely answered. "If you remember it, you were on tour with Marissa James."


"You went to that concert?" Seth seemed surprised.


"Once again, sorry," she apologized. "I was forced to go to that concert by my best friend, she loves you guys. And Marissa James. I don't even remember your names from that concert."


"Didn't like it?" Marco questioned.


Keely raised an eyebrow looking at them, "Do you want my opinion or the opinion of almost every teen age girl in the country would say?"


Grinning, Colton leaned forward, snatching food from Seth's plate. "Let's go with door number one."


"Kinda hoping you would ask for the other," Keely muttered, but she couldn't help but respect the fact they wanted her honest opinion, no matter what it might be. "I think you guys are really great performers," she started off with a compliment. "But, honestly, your music isn't my style."


Not looking offended at all, Marco grabbed some food from her plate, not seeming to care about any boundaries, it was a good thing Keely preferred not having them. "Do you have any idea who we're going on tour with?"


Now shrugging, Keely leaned forward precariously, seeing as she was sitting cross legged. "All Miss Jones told me was that three mystery musicians will be helping me to record my debut album, and that I was the first act."


An odd expression came over Seth's face, there still was wariness in his eyes, but the rest of his face relaxed into satisfaction. "You got that part right."


"Who's the leading act?" she didn't trust the look that came over his face, in fact, Keely didn't think she trusted him.


"Marissa James," Marco grinned.


Though it felt as if all her beliefs and hopes were crashing down upon her, Keely grinned at them, hiding her disappointment. "Well, there go all of Nick's hopes that I would be going on tour with Pearl Jam."


"Far from Pearl Jam or Johnny Cash," Colton agreed easily.


"Wouldn't it have been great to go to one of his prison shows?" she sighed.


"As long as I wasn't the one in jail," Marco put in. "But, yeah, it would have been great. And I think it's your turn on the mike."


"Hmm," Keely murmured. "I don't think I have any questions honestly. I mean, it's kind of easy to describe what's on the surface of you guys, and that's likely all I'd get."


"So what's on the surface?" Todd asked.


"Let's see," Keely murmured. "You guys have known each other for a long time, and it's obvious that you're closer than any band could be." For the first time, she looked Marco's t-shirt, "I like Nirvana. They had really good music, don't get me wrong, though I do think Smells Like Teen Spirit was overplayed, my favourite song was always Come As You Are. Getting back to the character reference," she shook herself.


"You do know a few good bands, you can play, I know that from before, but you play really bad music. I know that you have an okay sense of humour, and can take some criticism and are so far not egotistical."


"Works for me," Colton shrugged.


But Keely had stopped listening to them, because her cell phone started ringing, the song Holiday In Cambodia by The Dead Kennedys. "Hey," Keely murmured quickly answering the ring hastily, because she was getting stares from people in the restaurant.


"Hey Keel," Tony's deep voice came over the phone, causing Keely to jump violently as she remembered the last night in town, but before she could cut him off, he rushed out his words.


"School isn't the same without you, and seeing Taylor being head cheer leader is really starting to freak me out, plus I think I might have to keep Haley from ripping out her hair. She changed your whole routine around, and even Sadie is thinking about getting a go at her. What is it with every girl in my life wanting to beat somebody up, I mean there was you and that chick Tracey. Not seen you drinking your latte every morning is really weird, plus Hales is already looking depressed. And we have a game tonight."


"Tony," Keely murmured gently, "I really can't talk right now. But tell Hales I love her and to forgive Joe for whatever stupid thing he did a couple months ago, tell Tracey to go to hell, and just ignore Taylor."


"Last two I'll pass on to Sade or Hales, but the first two are already done."


"What?" Keely yelped instantly in surprise. "When did this happen? Why wasn't I informed? I mean, Joe's like my brother and Hales is my best friend."


"Chill," said Tony soothingly. "We know that Joe and you would probably live happy ever after if it wasn't for me, plus you're in New York right now and that's most likely why Haley never told you in the first place. But I saw them hanging out at the party after you went to hang out with that guitar player."


"First of all," Keely tried to sound firm. "There is and never was a me and Joe, and that has nothing to do with you. But I really do have to go, I'll call you another time, just tell Tracey she can't sing like me."


With that she hung up.


"Boyfriend?" Marco asked, then held up his hands seeing her withering glare. "What? You were the one who said she didn't care about the Spanish Inquisition."




- Okay, I had to put out this chapter because I really wanted you to meet the boys! That's why the chapter is longer than normal, I was going to split this into two chapters at first, but, once again, I was too excited!


So...


Don't suddenly stand up when you've been chilling in your horse's stall, because an old lady might have been looking at your horse and hadn't noticed you, and when you stand up, she might scream. Yeah, I was worried she was going to have a heart attack!


Well it was hard to choose between actors for Seth, but I chose Sam Way only because he had the hair, that's it lol. The hair is perfect!


Oh, and I was just listening to the song at the time, that's why The Kooks are on the side. Awesome song by the way!

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