chap 4:lullaby
"The director yells cut but the camera's still rolling; this is my life, and you can't fast forward it!" I sang, dancing around in my room to Fame, Riches, Rehab Bitches by Jeffree Star and Breathe Carolina."You wanna stop, You wanna top all the charts. It's a wrap, it's a wrap, it's a-" I tripped over an unpacked box of books, and fell on my bed.
I was thanking God for making sure no one would see that.
We were moving out of the Jackson's in a couple days. I just needed to unpack my room, then I could safely call it mine. It was kind of weird thinking that we had lived in this town for a month and a half, and we were barely unpacking. But we did have to renovate the house.
The living room and kitchen had been completely finished downstairs. My mom just needed to start unpacking her room and bathroom, then we had to work on the guest bedroom, and we'd be done. I had finished painting the guest bedroom this morning, so the furniture was going to be put in tomorrow.
But even though we were moving back in, we still have a lot of work to do. The house needs to be repainted outside, the roof had a couple holes in it that we had to fix, the front lawn needed to be... massacred, and the backyard just needed a good mowing and new grass. Oh, and new windows were being installed right now downstairs. Oh! Remember the doorknob? We got that fixed too.
I bet you're wondering where we got all the money to fix this run down house right? Well we had dipped into my website money a little bit. I didn't mind. It was all just for me to spend when I got older anyway.
"Everything okay?" I looked up at the deep voice and saw Jared smiling at me. He was leaning against the door frame laughing. "Why are you spread out on the bed like that?"
Whew. He hadn't seen after all.
"I uh... It's a very soft bed."
"Sure," He laughed. He allowed himself in and looked around the room. "Wow, it looks amazing in here."
"Thanks," I smirked.
"You know what you need?" He smiled at me.
"If you're gonna say 'Life' I'm gonna slap you." He had played that trick on me yesterday. I was not a very happy camper.
"You need a poster right here," He patted the blank wall directly across from my bed. Hm, a poster wouldn't be a bad idea. "So I got you a present."
A present?! I loved presents! Well I knew what it was since he kind of just told me.
"Lemme see!"
He walked back out of room for a couple seconds and came back in holding a plastic tube. He handed it to me and I opened it and pulled out the poster, excited to see what it was.
...
I looked up at Jared, fighting back a laugh.
"You did not just get me a signed poster of you..."
"Hey!" Jared defended. "It's the whole band. Thought you might want something to look forward to when you woke up."
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
He gave me a band poster of Story of a Boy. They were standing shoulder to shoulder, smiling cheesily. I saw Roth was giving a peace sign, Sylver was winking, Michael had his tongue stuck out, and Jared had his middle finger up.
"Oh gosh Jared, my mom will have a cow," I laughed. I locked eyes with him with a smile on my face. "I love the present. Thank you." I got up and walked over to the wall and pinned it up.
To be honest, I think I liked that poster more than I thought.
"It looks good," Jared laughed, probably staring at himself on my wall now. "That should be an honor to have the first poster ever made up on your wall."
I laughed. "I am the lucky fan girl who got the first poster?"
"Well first ever signed poster."
He smirked and I laughed again. "Well since we're giving presents, I thought I'd like to share one with you."
"You have a present for me?" Jared's face had bewilderment written all over it. "Why?"
"Well my present will be awesome," I boasted. I grabbed my laptop and sat on my bed. I motioned for him to follow and he did.
"What is it?" He asked eagerly.
"Close your eyes," I said as my fingers flew across the keys. Jared shrugged but closed his eyes.
I typed in the producer's website and it popped up. I had finished the website a couple days ago. I scrolled down a little bit with a smile on my face. "Now open."
Jared opened his eyes quickly and stared at the screen.
"You didn't!" Jared screamed eagerly.
"I did," I smiled.
"No!" He smiled too.
"Yes!"
Jared snatched my laptop and stared at it.
I made a deal with the producer that I would work his website free if he advertised for Story of a Boy on the Home Page. On the very right was a picture of the band and if you clicked on it; a link went to their website.
"We're being advertised!" Jared's smile grew bigger. "On a music producer's page!!"
"Yep." I smiled. "This producer wanted something more sophisticated for his page since people were going on it a lot. Then I thought that he may as well advertise for a band right? Well wa-la!"
Jared grabbed me in a vice grip, squeezing me to death.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh thank you!" I laughed when he let go. "This is amazing!"
"It was nothing I shrugged." I typed in their band website in the address bar and clicked on the fan page.
We both stared in awe.
"... You gained 3 thousand more fans than last week..." My eyes were huge. I looked at Jared, and his mouth was agape.
Jared's smile grew bigger though, and he walked over to my door and shut it. I was about to ask why but he walked over to my iPod and blasted it. I laughed as he started dancing around like an idiot.
I grabbed my box of books before he would trip on it... Like I had...
I put my laptop down and got up to dance lamely with him. It was fun.
Fer Sure by The Medic Droid was playing and I didn't feel lame because Jared knew this song. It would've been awkward if he didn't know it and I was the only one singing along.
"This is the end of what we planned, of what we planned tonight. We're not falling in love, we're just falling apart, so girl let's dance the night away. This is how the beat goes, this is how the beat goes! Just let your body go. This is how the beat drops, this is how the beat drops!"
I laughed when Michael walked in, very confused.
"Join the party man!" Jared yelled over the music, dancing what looked like a very lame version of the Charlie Brown. Michael shut the door behind him laughing, but started dancing too.
"Why are we partying?!" He called over Chris Donathan's voice. "And to a weird song?"
"Look at my laptop!" I yelled, pointing towards my bed while jumping up and down.
Michael looked at the screen when he got close, saw that they have 5,000 fans, and started dancing again.
"How'd that happen?!"
"We got advertisement man!" Jared continued dancing lamely. Actually, all of us were. We didn't know how to dance, but it was still fun.
When the song ended, we all collapsed to the floor, tired.
"That was... entertaining..." Michael said. Jared and I laughed. I stared at the wall behind my head and saw the poster. I couldn't help but smile.
__x__
"Alright! The house is finished!" My mom called as we walked into the Jackson's. The boys and Ms. Jackson popped out of the kitchen and met us in the living room.
"Wow, time just flies Lauren!" Ms. Jackson said referring to my mom's first name.
"Thank you so much for letting us live here," I added in quickly. "I'm pretty sure my mom feels the same when I say we're entirely grateful."
"It was nice to have your guys' company," She smiled. "I'll help you guys get your things."
My mom went off with Ms. Jackson and I was left with the boys.
"So today's the final day I have to put up with you guys taking forever in the bathroom in the mornings," I smiled. The boys chuckled and Jared ruffled my hair.
"You'll be next door, so we get to come over and use your bathroom anyway," Michael answered lamely.
"Sure" I smiled.
__x__
Tonight was the first night I spent in our new house. I kept waking up in the middle of the night, thinking I'd hear Jared's snoring or Michael's sleep talking. But I didn't. I was getting kind of lonely.
I looked at the poster across from my bed. It was illuminated with moonlight so I was able to see it. I smiled at the present. It was incredibly cocky and cheesy all together.
I sighed and hugged my stuffed Wolf Uncle John had bought me when I was younger for my birthday. I named it Jake for some reason. It helped me sleep at night. I hadn't taken it out at the Jackson residence because I was scared of what they boys would think, but I never needed Jake anyway when I slept in their room. I felt safe. I mean, two boys to protect you at night? Good enough for me.
I blinked at the silence in my room. It was like you could hear needle drop in here. It kind of creeped me out. My iPod was plugged into my stereo but there weren't many outlets in here, so I couldn't play it. I never liked silence. I always thought too much in it.
I looked out the wall window and saw the boy's lights were still on. That's odd. Usually they're asleep by one. It's three in the morning right now.
I got out from under the covers and walked to the window, pushed it open, and walked out onto the balcony. Okay so they weren't wall windows... just doors.
I found a pebble (for some odd reason), and chucked it at their balcony doors. I waited a bit but no one came out. I chucked another. Still no response. Maybe they had fallen asleep with the lights on? I threw another just in case, and finally someone came out. I looked and saw it was Jared who looked tired.
"Did I wake you?" I called over the balcony. I wasn't too loud though.
He shut the doors behind him and leaned on the edge.
"I'm sorry if I did. I thought you were awake because of the lights."
"Oh no, I've been awake," Jared ran his hands through his messy hair. "I can't sleep. I don't know why."
"I can't either," I admitted, giving a half smile. "Is Michael asleep?"
"Yeah. Like a baby," Jared laughed. I smiled fully. "Why can't you sleep?"
"It's too quiet in my room. I hate silence."
"You're one weird girl," Jared laughed. "Most people can't sleep with noise."
"I'm weird then," I restated. He rolled his eyes.
"Want me to come over then?"
I nodded cheaply. "Please."
"Stand back," He backed up a couple feet.
"What?-" Before I could ask what he was going to do, he started running, jumped on the railing, and practically flung himself onto my balcony. I fought back a scream of terror when he made it right in front of me. "Don't do that!"
"Why?" He smirked.
"I thought you were gonna miss!" I slapped his head lightly. "Butthole."
"Who uses the word butthole?" He mocked. I hid a smile.
"I do!" I defended, still trying to fight back a smile.
"Well let's go inside your room." We walked back inside and I blushed when Jared picked up Jake. "What's this?"
"Jake..." I mumbled. Jared laughed and put it back in it's spot. He pulled back the covers and patted my bed.
"Get in bed."
"Wait, how is this supposed to help?" I asked as I walked to him. He pushed me on the bed and pulled the covers up to my shoulders.
"I'm going to sing you a lullaby." He smiled looking down at me. The moonlight hit his face perfectly. I was hoping the light was making me pale, because I'm sure I was red like a tomato.
"A lullaby?"
"Yeah. A lullaby," He restated my question. "Close your eyes." I closed them.
"They're closed," I said childishly. I heard him chuckle, but he started singing.
"Tonight's the night where you lay your head down.
Let dreams flow into your heart, where your wishes may come true,
Where your feelings soar.
The stars dance for you tonight, calling you under their spell.
Sing along with the moon's pale light,
Let your memories guide your way into the night."
My eyes started to feel heavier even though they were closed.
"Give in to your mind. Give into your lust.
Tonight will be the night where you won't hurt.
The owls and wolves sing along with the moon. Won't you join?
Loose yourself into the world of dreams. Of dreams.
This is the place where I leave you to your sweet, sweet thoughts.
Promise me you'll loose yourself to this lullaby."
-Jared's POV-
The lullaby had put her to sleep like I hoped. I had made that lullaby up on the spot, but it luckily came out easily. I smiled as her breathing slowed, indicating she was sleeping heavily.
I stared at her. As creepy as that may sound, I did. She looked really peaceful. This would probably be the first time I was awake to see her sleeping. I was usually the one to sleep first.
I looked back out the window and saw the lights were still on, which meant Michael hadn't woken up yet. I debated on whether to stay here or go back home.
I glanced back at our room, walked to Ray's balcony doors, and shut them. I walked back to her bed and laid down next to her, but on top of the covers instead while she was under. I was out like a light when my head hit her spare pillow.
-Ray's POV-
I woke up feeling refreshed. I hadn't slept that good in a long time. I heard slight snoring from the right of me, and I looked and saw Jared sleeping peacefully- despite his mouth being slightly open so he could snore. Do people always look peaceful when they slept? I knew I probably looked like a mess at night.
My hair in the morning was proof of that.
I smiled at Jared. He stayed last night. I was suddenly very glad I had a queen bed. I liked room.
Jake was still sitting at the foot of my bed where Jared had put him. I got out of the covers and stretched. I couldn't believe how well I slept last night. I remembered the lullaby Jared had sung for me and blushed. I was happy he had bothered to sing.
Even though he was the lead guitarist in Story of a Boy, he could very much have his own project with singing. I looked at the clock and it read 10:34 AM. It was Sunday so we didn't have school.
I debated on whether to wake him up, or leave him be. I decided to leave him alone and I quietly went downstairs after shutting my door behind me.
I met my mom in the living room and she smiled at me.
"Morning Hun," She said and kissed my forehead. I took out a box of cereal from the cupboard and a bowl. I didn't like milk in my cereal; I always ate it without. "Sleep good?"
"Amazingly actually," I blushed. "What about you?"
"Same as always," She smiled. "Did you find somewhere to put your iPod stereo? I heard music early early this morning." I'm sure I got even more red.
"Oh uh, no. You heard singing? Really?"
"Yeah. It was muffled from your door. I was walking upstairs from getting a glass of water, and I heard a guy voice singing."
"Oh." Was all I said. I confessed, "Jared had come in to help me sleep. He sang me a lullaby."
I heard my mom laugh lightly.
"I knew it."
"How?" I laughed, taking a bite out of my Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
"Mother's intuition," She smiled from behind her newspaper. She set the paper down and met my eyes. "And my female's intuition is feeling giddy from hearing about a boy singing a girl to sleep."
"Jared couldn't sleep either so he offered to help me sleep instead," I shrugged, taking another bite. Then I laughed at my mother's giddiness like she was 15 again.
"Hmm, I see," She picked up her newspaper again but the smile never faded.
__x__
"I can't believe it!" Sylver yelled in the hallway. "This can't be happening!"
"You're sounding like a teenage girl," I teased.
"This is amazing news though! We're going to be playing a concert at the House of Blues! With record label mangers there!" Roth countered, smiling as big as everyone else.
It looks like the manager of the Anaheim House of Blues saw the link on that producer's website, and wanted Story of a Boy to play there. The boys of course agreed, and the word spread quickly. Hopeless Records, Fearless Records, Decaydance, Fueled by Ramen, and Standby Records' producers were all coming to see. It seemed like they all wanted to sign Story of a Boy.
"This has to be our best show yet!" Michael nodded. The boys all nodded also.
"And since you're the reason we're probably getting signed," Jared poked my stomach, "You have to be there with us!"
I blushed.
"It wasn't that much what I did."
"You might think that," Roth stated, "But because of you, we might become big!"
"Well fine, I'll go," I smiled. "On one condition."
"Shoot." They all chorused.
"If you become famous, you know how bands always have someone recording behind the scene, random stuff for like youtube or something. I so call dibs on that!" The boys laughed.
"Hands in the center!" Sylver stuck his hand out, palm down. Roth slapped his down, followed by Michael, then Jared. I smiled at their cheesiness, and Jared poked me again and nodded.
I felt really giddy at the moment.
I stuck my hand in.
"1, 2, 3, Story of a Boy!!" We all cheered, throwing our hands up.
__x__
"Alright girls and germs!" I laughed into microphone. This place was packed. "I'd like to welcome my boys, Story of a Boy!!"
Screams and cheers filled the air as I blinked, trying to get my hearing back. The boys were smart enough to have speakers in their ears where they could just drown this out.
I ran off stage, while the boys ran on.
They sang a variety of songs; originals, covers, acoustic songs, songs with guitar and drum solos. I stood on the side of the stage, out of everyone's view, admiring them in awe. They had what it takes to be big. Talent, looks, generosity, and passion for music.
"Alright, Alright, we're gonna bring it down!" Roth smiled into the microphone. "This song was written by none other than our lead guitarist Jared!" The girls screamed. I laughed.
"That's right," Jared smiled into the crowd, giving a peace sign. "By your truly. The band is gonna take a break while I sing a song. It's a special song for me, and my friend. So, Ray can you please come back out?"
I stared at Jared, confused, and happy. Me?
"Yes Ray, you," He replied as if reading my mind. I laughed and jogged up on stage. He was kind of sweaty from jumping around, but I didn't mind at all.
Set workers came up and brought out two stools. One for me, and one for him. We both sat down, and I stared into the audience. They hadn't stopped screaming.
"Alright everyone," He spoke into the microphone. I stared at him while he lowered it so you could hear his voice and the guitar. "I want every one of you to shut up." Many of the kids laughed at his bluntness and everyone quieted down. "I'm not going to start until everyone's quiet."
The crowd eventually settled down, and the lights dimmed while the spotlight hit the both of us.
I smiled so big I could've sworn my cheeks were gonna fall off.
"This is a lullaby I had written for Ray. She's a really good friend. I do not want anyone to scream during this song. Grab someone close you came with, and enjoy. Or think of that someone that you care about a lot," He looked down at his guitar and strummed once to see if it was in tune. "Wave your hands in the air if you want."
I smiled as the kids started to wave their hands when Jared started strumming.
"Tonight's the night where you lay your head down.
Let dreams flow into your heart, where your wishes may come true,
Where your feelings soar, and variety of color hue.
The stars dance for you tonight, calling you under their spell;
Sing along with the moon's pale light.
This night is for you. It's for all of the sleepless souls.
Where heavy hearts balance by a thread, and tears drown out sound.
The owls and wolves sing along with the moon. Won't you join?
Loose yourself into the world of dreams. Of dreams.
This is the place where I leave you to your sweet, sweet thoughts.
Promise me you'll loose yourself to this lullaby.
The flowers close their eyes to the dark,
But tomorrow they will rise to the sun.
Where the birds play and fly with their hearts truly won.
So sleep soundlessly, where I'll meet you in your dreams.
This night is for you. It's for all of the sleepless souls.
Where heavy hearts balance by a thread, and tears drown out sound.
The owls and wolves sing along with the moon. Won't you join?
Loose yourself into the world of dreams. Of dreams.
This is the place where I leave you to your sweet, sweet thoughts.
Promise me you'll loose yourself to this lullaby.
Oh, Let your memories guide your way into the night.
Give in to your mind. Give into your lust.
Tonight will be the night where you won't feel pain.
I hope your heart flies above so high, driving your mind insane.
This night is for you. It's for all of the sleepless souls.
Where heavy hearts balance by a thread, and tears drown out sound.
The owls and wolves sing along with the moon. Won't you join?
Loose yourself into the world of dreams. Of dreams.
This is the place where I leave you to your sweet, sweet thoughts.
Promise me you'll loose yourself to this lullaby.
Oh, this lullaby. This lullaby. This lullaby. Our lullaby. "
I had tears in my eyes. He made the lullaby into a longer song.
"That was beautiful," I whispered above the screams that had picked up when he finished the song. Somehow, he had heard me and hugged me.
"Thanks."
"No Jared, thank you." I smiled and stood up. I quickly wiped my eyes and turned towards the audience. "Let's hear it for Story of a Boy!!" I yelled, and the crowd screamed as the boys came back on, and stage prep took off the stools. I went behind stage and smiled.
I looked out at Jared and saw him smiling practically at the ground.
My heart fluttered when he locked my gaze after he turned around. I smiled in return and his smile grew bigger.
__x__
"C'mon Ray! We want you to be with us when we sign!" Sylver pulled my sleeve. "You're the whole reason why we're going to be signed!"
I laughed but followed the boys to their dressing room.
A man who looked about forty years old was sitting on the couch, typing something into his blackberry. Even though he was only forty, his head was almost all gray.
When the boys walked in, he looked up and smiled. The man stood and shook all of their hands, and surprisingly even mine.
"You boys were wonderful on stage. The girls sure got a kick out of your lullaby," The man said towards Jared. Jared's smile returned. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Robert Klee. I work for Decaydance Records?" I smiled. I hoped Decaydance would sign them. Pete Wentz was awesome.
"Right," The boys chorused. I laughed at their simple-mindedness.
"I was wondering if you guys had a record label. Or if you do; possibly wanted to switch over to us?"
The boys all looked at each other with a smile.
__x__
"I don't know Jocelyn," I sighed, stirring my third caramel frappachino. "I have no clue what I feel."
"Well you got that flutter feeling after you got off stage right?" She stirred her passion fruit tea.
I came to meet up with her every Thursday after school at Starbucks; when she had a day off. It became a weekly thing.
"Yeah. But I just can't find myself liking Jared," I sighed. "That lullaby was the sweetest thing. Have you heard it somewhere?"
She scoffed. "Yeah. It's on youtube."
"Well after the lullaby, I can't stop thinking about him. I'm going crazy."
Jocelyn laughed and gave a smile. "I told you that you'd fall for him."
"I don't want to fall for him!" I whined like a little kid. "Sorry, that was pretty immature." Jocelyn laughed. "But I don't."
"Why? Jared's cute. Who wouldn't?" I looked at her suspiciously.
"You liked him before haven't you?"
"Of course," She smiled kindly. "It's hard not to. Have you seen that boy?"
"Well look! I'm complaining about him, when you liked him before. That's like breaking that girl code everyone talks about."
Jocelyn laughed for the billionth time today. "Don't sweat it. I got over him a while ago."
"Still," I grunted.
"Still nothing." She called for another passion fruit tea. The guy was the same one from the first time we came here. He smiled at her, and pulled out a passion fruit tea from a little mini fridge. I laughed. He knew she'd call for more.
He walked over and gave it to her, and walked back... like had done 4 times already.
"I say you go for it."
"I'm not gonna do anything about," I gave a half smile. "I don't plan on it."
"Why not?" She frowned. I laughed. She loved any type of drama or story.
"Because they're becoming famous now. Watch, before you know it, they're going to be touring everywhere, and I'm going to be in love with Jared who's going to be surrounded by screaming fan girls; music videos where he has to kiss girls; photo shoots for God knows what. I rather not try anything funny."
Jocelyn's frown settled into a straight line.
"Well I guess that makes a good point."
"Yes, yes it does." I smirked, finishing my second caramel frap. "I'm glad we're friends by the way."
"Why?" She smiled.
"Because you're awesome, and it's nice to have a friend that's a girl around."
"I think you're awesome too," She smiled.
pleazziee comment and vote thanx
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