"So you're going to take me into a warehouse and kill me," Keely stated, her nose wrinkled upwards slightly.

Colton snorted, killing the engine to the car. "Oh, so you're an optimist are you?"

"Always, the glass is always optimistically half empty."

"You do know that made no sense at all, right?" Marco enquired, twisting in his seat to look at her.

"No shit, Sherlock," Keely replied dryly.

Keely was sitting in the back of Colton's car, holding onto the three pizza boxes due to Marco's orders. It was a mystery to her why the three of them needed three pizzas to themselves, but apparently her logical arguments had no holding over Colton and Marco's decision making. But she had almost forgotten about the pizza, as her eyes were more focused upon the part of town they were in.

At first Keely had believed they were taking her to the abandoned club that Seth owned, but they'd taken a few rights when there should've been a right. She hadn't mentioned Seth's club though. She didn't know why she was holding onto the information, but Keely couldn't get rid of the feeling that she shouldn't be talking about the place, which confused her beyond belief, it wasn't as if Seth had told her to keep it a secret. Yet, here she was, holding back her words.

All she knew was that if Marco and Colton didn't mention the fact that Seth owned a run down bar that people hadn't stepped in for years, she wasn't going to either.

So they were now in a part of the city with large warehouses, run down as well, with the crumbling walls. It seemed the boys had a thing for old buildings. The population in the streets was rather sparse, but that didn't bother Keely.

"C'mon," Colton said, shoving open the door and climbing out, "Let's go."

Hastily Keely threw the pizza boxes into Marco's arms, snagged her bag, and climbed out from the back seat, allowing Colton to take her hand in order to steady her. It was better than falling to the ground, she had enough bruises.

"Why did I have to come here or else I'd die a slow and painful death?" Keely asked, looking around them.

"I believe I said a slow and torturous death," Marco put in, walking beside them.

Colton quickly reached around and slapped his friend behind the head.

Grinning slightly, Keely swung her bag over her shoulders, letting it cross in front of her body as she fell in perfect step beside Colton as they crossed the empty road.

"You had to come here," said Colton, finally answering her question. "Because you and Seth have been locked in that freaking studio so long that we're afraid you've become vampires, and we had to take you out into the light to see if you either had a very nasty burning death or sparkled."

This time it was Keely who reached up and smacked Colton in the back of the head. "We haven't been locked up in the studio that long, and we're not locked anyways."

Marco rolled his eyes, peeking around Colton to look pointedly at her. "Dude, I doubt you've even seen the sunlight in a week. And Seth, well, Seth's been at the studio almost all day and night, even when you're not there, working on our new album."

"Oh, yeah," Keely said stupidly, she'd forgotten they were making their third album. "How's the sound change up going for you?"

"It'd be better if Seth wasn't threatening to kill us every time we complained," snorted Colton.

"Okay, seriously," Keely said, holding back a grin as she shoved a hand through her hair, causing the red to fall away from her forehead. "Can you just seriously tell me why we're here? That's all I want to know."

"Seriously? Well, we wanted to show you this place. I mean, when we first moved to New York we needed somewhere to play, because our apartments weren't exactly doing the trick and we probably would have gotten thrown out of UAE, so we rented this building out for cheap. After we got some money, we just bought it. So we still play here."

"So... it's like your bat cave?" she asked, smirking at them.

"Oh, dude, I love batman-" Colton began, but Keely tuned him out when he started to rant.

When they got to a large garage door, Colton stepped forward.

Thoughtlessly Keely buried her face in her hands, and blurted, "Please tell me you're not going to pick that lock."

Marco laughed loudly, "He doesn't even know how to pick a lock."

"Why would I do that?" asked Colton, sounding confused.

Peeking out between her fingers, Keely saw him holding up a set of keys. "Oh, never mind, it's the lack of sleep," she mumbled sheepishly.

Looking at her incredulously, Colton unlocked the garage door, flinging it upwards. She hastily stepped through it with Marco while the door was closed behind them again.

Her first thought was surprise at the fact it was a lot smaller than she'd have guessed from the outside, yes, the ceilings were very high, but while it wasn't a small space, it felt rather homey.

The walls were stone, paint peeling off them on one side. There was almost everything she could have expected from a house, with the exception of a bed.

As for most of the possessions, she could only say it was rather random. There was a stack of canvas paintings in the corner, photography equipment, a fridge, a coffee maker, a mannequin, a large bureau, a large raggedy couch, a few arm chairs, neon letters, and more odd possessions to add to the strange collection of things. Keely really could not even make a story of how the boys had managed to collect those things in her mind, but that was because her attention had been moved elsewhere.

In the middle of the room held the things that made sense to her. There were stacks of amps piled around, cords all knotted together, guitars carefully placed on racks; acoustic, electric and bass, pedals, three sets of drums, mic paired with stands, keyboards, one shabby old piano. She had to dig her hands into her hands to stop herself from shooting towards the guitars.

It was a large collection, Keely wouldn't even be able to name half of the guitars that were hung up. But a small smile came to her mouth when she realized most of them were Fenders, it appeared they too were Fender fans as was she. Slung in with the guitars, there also happened to be a cello propped against the wall, as well as two violins. She made a mental note in her head to find out who played the the violins and cello, she'd never heard them mention that before

In the middle of the floor was obvious where they played. There were old ratty rugs slung across the stone floor, two microphones set up in front, and then a third was set up in front of one of the drum sets.

And there, in front of the point mic stand, stood Seth.

He wasn't looking at them, focused on the guitar in his hands as if he was about to play, the strap slung over his shoulders as he tuned it. It was a black and white Stratocaster, reminding Keely of the Eric Clapton model she'd once seen in a music store, making her instantly jealous. She'd love to just hold that guitar, it looked amazing, the sun glinting off of it from the huge windows above them.

"Hey guys," he said abruptly, dropping his hands from the guitar, and swinging it around behind his back. Only then did he look up, wearing a small grin and then met her eyes flat on. The grin faltered.

Awkwardly, Keely stuffed her hands into the pockets of her black leather jacket, tapping one converse shoe.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, staring at her as if she had three heads.

"I was kidnapped..." Keely answered slowly, her eyes moving away from the boy in The Clash t-shirt, to behind him where the guitars and amps stood. Oh, she what would she have given at that moment to go up to them. If Seth hadn't been standing in between, she probably would have been.

His eyebrows drew together confused, "Huh?"

"We brought pizza!" proclaimed Marco brightly, holding it up on Keely's side.

"We'll it after," Colton said, hitting Marco behind the head again. "Right now, we're going to show off for Keely."

"Aw," she said sarcastically, placing a hand on her heart, "Just for me?"

"Apparently," cut in Seth, shaking his head slightly.

Rolling her eyes, Keely answered, "Just what I needed."

"I think we'll avoid The Cars, but thanks for the offer," Marco grinned down at her, making Keely elbow him sharply in the side. Chuckling at her, he just set down the pizza boxes on a rickety table before moving past Seth to grab a bass, while Colton in turn moved to his shiny drum set.

Keely couldn't help but notice that the instruments and just general equipment were in the best shape compared to the rest of the warehouse that was looking run down. But already the place was growing on her, it had the look of some place you could see some of the classic rock bands she listened to playing in. The place might have been crumbling, a bit tattered and almost a bit grungy, but it had some welcoming feeling to it. She could even see notes scribbled across the wall, and could only wonder if Seth had written them.

The boy in question had turned to the side to address his band mates, Marco a half a step behind him on his left and Colton at the back on the drums. "I was practising using the pedal we've used for Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box, do you want to do that one?"

"Oh do that one!" Keely exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Three pairs of eyes were suddenly upon her.

She smiled rather sheepishly, and said, "I love that song."

Marco laughed, plugging his bass into an amp, but it was Seth who took the steps towards her. She narrowed her eyes at him when he put his hands on his shoulders, but he just pushed her back gently so she sat down upon the old couch behind her.

Wordlessly, he turned back to his friends, moving back to where his microphone was set up.

Feeling very excited, Keely brought her legs up in front of her, crossing them, and dropping her bag in the cross.

If she had been told a month ago that she'd be excited to watch NSR play, she would have literally laughed in the person's face. All she had known of the band was that they played crappy pop music, one step up from a boy band because they didn't dance and they actually played instruments. But now? Oh, she wanted to really hear them play. She had seen Seth play the piano, and if he was half as good as he'd been at that, well, she had no doubt he would be an incredible guitarist, not that she'd ever tell him. Then there were both Marco and Colton, she'd learnt very well that they were more talented than came across in their old music from when they did the tracks in the studio for her.

So, yes, she was excited. She wanted to hear them play something amazing, she really wanted that glow you got when you found a new amazing band and you couldn't wait to show it to everyone.

And she was officially counting this as the first time she'd seen NSR play, leaving the time in Bellingham with Haley in the dust.

Colton counted them off, and then it started.

It was Seth who stepped up to his mic first, but his head was down as he began to play the first chords to the Nirvana song. He had that same intent look she only ever saw when he was playing an instrument himself or in the studio. The hazel of his eyes darkened ever so slightly, making them give off that same gold sheen she'd seen before, this time reflecting the natural sunlight through the grimy windows.

She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak

I've been locked inside your Heart Shaped box for a weeks

I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap

I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

hey

wait

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

...your advice

Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet

Cut myself on Angel Hair and baby's breath

Broken hymen of your highness I'm left black

Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

...Your advice

She has me like a Pisces when I am weak

I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks

I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap

I wish I could Eat your cancer when you turn black

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

hey!

wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

Hey!

Wait!

I've got a new complaint

Forever in debt to your priceless advice

Your advice

Your advice

Your advice

Keely found herself smiling broadly through the performance, cupping her chin with her hands. She really wished she'd been able to hear them play like this the first time, she would have been asking for their autographs had they been playing that song when she'd seen them in Bellingham.

They moved so seamlessly with each other, almost feeding off each other. They hit all the changes perfectly, the song performed flawlessly by them. Every movement looked as if it had been planned, as if they had always known that it would happen like that for them. Nothing was out of place as they played together, not when they were playing together, creating a perfect three ended group.

And she now realized that Marco had been right when he'd told her so long ago that Seth was a hundred times better than him when it came to the guitar.

Because while Marco was good, though not as good as she, he couldn't compare to Seth when the boy really began to play. It was as if the guitar was a part of him, instead of an inanimate object, perfectly balanced with him as he moved. His fingers had no questions as they played, bringing the sound out perfectly whenever it be slow picking or heavy strumming, he just brought it out.

Then there was his voice, smooth with just a hint of coarse raspiness on the edges. Yeah, he couldn't quite make his voice rough enough to mimic Kurt Cobain perfectly, but that didn't mean he didn't sing the song well. Marco and Colton added the back up behind him for the vocals, but it was always Seth's voice that would catch the attention.

Yet there was that look she recognized from the abandoned club as well as when she'd asked him about the dog tags, like there was something dark just trying push their way out to show the feelings in his eyes, but he was purposely pushing them away and out of sight. Keely realized fully that she was most likely being a fool thinking of such things, but that's what she saw when he played.

Seth ended the song with the last strumming chords, and Keely couldn't help but think it was over too soon.

"Encore," she demanded.

Colton laughed at her, "What?"

"Yeah, I want an encore. Play me some of your new stuff, I want to hear it."

“Thanks for the ride,” Keely said, smiling across at Colton.

He snorted, turning down The Kinks on the radio. “Well, it was either me give you a ride home or Seth could do it, and I didn't want one of you to go to jail for murder.”

“Would you help Seth clean up after he killed me?” she asked with a straight face.

“Without a doubt.”

Laughing loudly, Keely pushed open the door. “I'll see you around,” she told him, leaning into the car.

“Yeah, only if I go to the studio only to get yelled at by you and Seth for breaking your concentration. By the way, call Marissa. She's been back in town for about a week, and she's feeling rather ignored by you.”

“Yeah, I'll do that, tell her I say hi if you talk to her before me.”

Hurrying up into the hotel, Keely said a friendly hello Mr Englis before heading up to her room.

Even if there had been an overt amount of bickering between Seth and her through the day, all in all it had been a good day. She liked watching them play, although she would have liked to play one of those guitars herself, she had resisted knowing that she probably wouldn't have a hand anymore to touch another guitar with.

She hadn't flat out told them that they were good, better than good, but she think they got the message when she began to request songs as they practised. It had been nice to have a relaxed day with just music, yes, she spent all her time at the studio lately, but that was perfecting the music. It had been nice to be able to just listen to music, and not stress if something wasn't right, just let it take you where it might.

But her thoughts were moving away from the old warehouse while she moved up with the elevator.

It was that Colton had said Marissa was feeling ignored because they hadn't talked for only a couple days.

Keely pulled herself out of her pocket as she walked down the hallway, and was listening to the dial tone as she opened the door to her room.

“Hi.”

She smiled at the sound, throwing her bag carelessly upon the little kitchen table. “Hey Joe.”

“Keely?”

“Tsk tsk,” she joked, going straight to the little kitchen. She was really hungry. “I'm disappointed in you, Joseph, you didn't get the Jimi Hendrix reference.”

“I'm just a little shocked,” he answered, but she heard the smile in his voice. “You haven't called once.”

That gave her a guilty twinge in the base of her stomach as she searched through her small amounts of empty cupboards, finding the only thing she had in the hotel room besides chocolate, milk and apples; Captain Crunch. “Yeah, I'm sorry about that, it's just been so busy.”

“Yeah, I've seen you in a couple magazines. So you went to a movie premier?”

The disapproving tone in his voice was more than noticeable, but Keely decided to ignore it as she poured milk into her cereal. “Yeah, it was really cool. I didn't watch a second of that movie though, I don't actually know which one it was, but all those musicians all in one place, I almost had a coronary. I mean, there were actors too, but the musicians seemed more important to me.”

“I thought you went to New York to work on making a record or something, not to go watch movies with celebrities.”

Keely rolled her eyes, but she didn't say anything about her annoyance, shoving her spoon into her mouth. She was having this dinner much too often lately.

When she did speak, she still kept the irritation out of her voice. “I have been working on my album, Joseph, it's been crazy busy. Since Seth took over being my producer I've been in the studio almost every second of the day, but the music is amazing. It's incredible, so much better than I would have thought. I can't wait until you can hear it. The boys practically kidnapped me today so I wouldn't go to UAE even though we don't have the studio booked today.”

“The boys?”

“Marco and Colton, they took me to the bands practise place today. But that doesn't matter, you and Haley have been dating?”

He snorted, “You're a bit late there, Keel, it's been a month.”

“I don't care how long it's been, you're my best friend, tell me!” she said, using her whiny voice and making Joe laugh.

“Well, we decided to give it a try after your going away party, I mean, the reason we broke up wasn't really an issue anymore, so why not give it another try? And it's been pretty good, nothing's gone wrong so far.”

Keely smiled and said, “That's great! It's a lot better than those other girls you'd been dating since you two broke up. There was that cheerleader who I swear couldn't tell me who was president at the time.”

There was a moment of silence over the line before Joe said, “Mom tells me to say hi.”

“Oh, tell her I miss her! So... how's my dad?” she asked quietly.

“He's pretty good, he hired a hand to help him on the farm though, too much work for him with working during the day too. He's not home that much though, less than before. I watched a football game with him last weekend, though, and we went to the hardwood store the other day.”

Losing her appetite, Keely shoved the bowl away from himself. “But, he's okay, right?”

“Yeah, just misses you, I guess.”

Sighing, Keely rubbed a hand over her face wearily.

“I miss you, too, Keel,” said Joe quietly.

She felt a small, if sad, smile stretch over her mouth. “I miss you too.”

“I wish you were home.”

This time she stayed silent. She did miss Joe, and now that she had slowed down long enough to notice it, she could feel that little hollow place inside herself that was back in Bellingham with her best friend that could be her brother.

But she didn't wish she was home. Even if being at home meant seeing her best friends every day and speaking to her father, she wouldn't go home now if she had the choice. She liked it in New York, she liked having every moment of her day devoted to music, letting it officially become her life. No, she didn't wish she was home.

“I miss you, Joseph,” she repeated, not knowing what else to say.

- I'd like to say that I didn't read this over, and I rarely do read over my stories until a while after I've written them, so there will probably be some grammar errors and blah blah blah. This one is for all of you who were wondering about how Keely could forget about all her friends back home. Don't worry, I have a plan. Everything will be tied up in the end. That is if this story ever ends, I swear it's going to go on forever, too many issues to work through!

Dedication to blackdust because she leaves a comment on every chapter and it always makes me happy to see it!

Anyways song on the side is AMAZING it's the one the boys play, picture on the side is the closest thing I could get to what I imagined the warehouse as. 

Don't you love the warehouse? I love the warehouse. It's one of my favourite places in this whole story.

Advice. Concerts are worth great pain.

Short advice, but I'm going to explain it now. Every time I got to a concert, I get punched in the face, it's a given. Mostly because I always get floor seats and like to be in the mash pit, so I kind of bring it on myself. Though once I thought I had gotten out of a concert without any real harm coming to me, but I got elbowed in the face as I walked out the doors of The Vogue. My favourite theatre by the way, it's incredible, like red velvet and it's got this really old time feel. It's not as big as GM Place or Colesium - not talking about Rome here people, literally a stadium in Vancouver - but it's more... I don't know... I can't think of the word. If you do, let me know lol.

Anyways, this concert I managed not to get punched in the face. But it wasn't totally pain free, I get elbowed in the ribs, where I think I've told you guys I was kicked by a horse a couple days ago. And if any of you have ever been kicked by a horse, you know how it feels, and the pain lasts a LONG time. 

Yeah, major ow.

For all of you who have been fanning and voting and commenting, I LOVE YOU! I think I've said this before, but it means a lot to me!

Okay, rant officially done. Wow, that was a long one. -