Push - Chapter Two
Title: Push
Fandom: Camp Rock
Genre: Alternate Universe Drama / Literary Fiction
Rating: PG-13, maybe higher (for language, implied violence and intense/possibly scary situations)
Information: Most performers can't fathom not performing, no matter what demons may stand in their way. Sometimes they just need a little push.
CHAPTER ONE: http://leftygirl02.livejournal.com/176103.html
Nate’s eyes furrowed together. “Camp? What do you mean, camp?”
“That was the record label,” Shane explained. “They said I have to go to Camp Rock this summer and teach some sort of dance class… thing.”
Nate sighed; now he knew what the angry talking outside was about. “And let me guess, you told them no.”
“Damm straight! I don’t want to waste my summer at some camp. I’m Shane Gray, for crying out loud!”
Jason and Nate glanced at each other, each letting out a scoff. “A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed,” Nate thought to himself. He dared not utter the words though.
Jason, however, could not be deterred. Tilting his head slightly while keeping his eyes on Shane, he said, “Huh; no hump yet.”
“What?” Shane snorted in a tone which made Nate want to hit him on the spot.
“Well, I mean, I’d have thought your posture’d be all out-of-whack from holding that giant chip on your shoulder so long.” Ignoring the evil glance his comment got, Jason continued. “I don’t see why you’re so worked up about it anyway; you used to love Camp Rock, remember? Back when we were campers there like, three years ago. And Uncle Brown runs the place.”
Shane rolled his eyes. “Not a selling point.” He let out a gloomy sigh. “But the label says that this camp thing will be great PR. You know, get out there and help some kids, that sort of stuff. It’s the same crap they always pull so we can be marketable...”
“No, so you can be marketable,” Nate corrected.
Shane continued as if he had heard nothing. “… And they seem to think I’m some sort of big bad boy of the press, which they have a problem with…”
“We have a problem with it,” Nate added.
“Actually, I don’t really have a problem with it.” Feeling his youngest brother’s glare his way, Jason quickly revised his statement. “We totally have a problem with that!”
A beeping sound came from the oven; dinner was ready. The conversation paused as Jason made his way over to it. Once Jason had turned off the timer and set to work, Nate turned back to Shane.
“How long will you be gone?” he asked. “And why did you say we’re going? It sounds like they just want you there.”
“A month or two or however long the camp lasts. It starts Monday. I just have to teach some dancing; maybe make an appearance or two at some of their events.” While his words made it sound like no big deal, Shane’s tone made it obvious he wasn’t looking forward to any of it. He headed to the fridge to grab a drink. Nate rested his elbows on the counter and watched a moment, waiting for the rest of the answer.
“Why do you get to do all the fun stuff?” Jason sighed, the statement more for himself than his siblings. Nate and Shane both glanced his way, prompting him to add, “Sorry; ignore me.”
Shane focused his attention back on Nate. The look he was giving his younger brother made Nate’s skin crawl. “And you, little brother, are coming with me.”
Nate blinked. “Very funny.”
“I’m not joking.”
Nate shook his head. “No way.“
“Now, listen to me; you’d barely meet ten people a day, maybe even less. There’s only like fifty or so campers there, anyway, and you wouldn’t have to meet them all together.”
Jason paused from grabbing plates to look at his youngest brother. Taking note of Nate’s paling face he began, “Are you sure this is-“
“Jason, come on,” Shane groaned. “Aren’t you tired of this yet? The same stupid game-“
“It’s not a game,” Jason interrupted. His face showed more sincerity than usual.
But Shane wouldn’t back down; if anything, the idea of Jason actually defending their little brother made him more on the verge of anger. “Stop defending him, will ya! It doesn’t help.”
“Well, neither does yelling and telling him what he has to do. Nate has a choice, and he’s say-”
“We can’t keep catering to it forever, Jason! You know that. He needs to face this.”
Nate closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers. Not again. He listened as his brothers continued their bickering over the now overly-discussed topic a moment and, despite the dread now filling him, uttered in a small voice, “I’ll do it.”
Both of his brothers stopped talking and glanced his way. It was Jason who spoke. “What did you say?”
“I’ll do it.” Nate swallowed, fiddling with the string of his hooded sweatshirt. Taking in a deep breath, his eyes not leaving the counter, he added, “I’ll go.”
“Alright then; it’s settled.” The dread grew as he felt Shane’s hand slap him across the back. “And it will do you a world of good; you’ll see.”
Nate just nodded his head. He watched Jason finish setting up for dinner and Shane grab a plateful of food before heading back to the living room. As he did, he couldn’t help but wonder just what he had agreed to do.
#
“Nice cabin,” Jake commented taking a look around the room. It was early Monday afternoon as she stepped into the small space where her sister would be spending the next weeks of summer. The small wooden building housed two sets of bunk beds among a few other pieces of furniture. At the end stood a small bathroom. Two of the beds were already made, while another was covered with various posters and other items.
“Pretty sweet, that’s for sure.” Michie glanced around then looked back at her sister. “Wish you could room with me here.”
“Are you kidding? I get the best cabin on the grounds. Right below the kitchen,” Jake replied sarcastically. “And I have the best roommate.”
Michie giggled. “Be thankful it isn’t Dad with his snoring; then you’d never get any sleep.”
“Touché.”
“Oh my, well isn’t this place nice?” Their mother had joined them, struggling slightly to get another of her daughter’s bags up the front steps. Jake quickly intervened and got it inside with little effort. After thanking her eldest, Connie turned to Michie. “Okay, sweetie, let’s get you settled in.”
Michie motioned for the bag her sister was carrying to be set on the last bed, then threw what she was holding on top of it. “Settled!”
“Always good to hear,” a male’s voice with a strong Australian accept came from the steps. He took a step so he was in the doorway, yet didn’t go into the cabin. “I’m sorry to bother you; just checking around camp to make sure things are in order.”
“Oh, it’s alright,” Connie assured. “We were just settling in my daughter.”
“Good, good.” He extended his hand. “Brown Cessario; camp director-slash-founding member and bass guitarist of the Wet Crows.”
“Nice to meet you,” Connie responded shaking his hand. “Connie Torres.”
“Our new cook; excellent. I had hoped to meet you today.”
“Yes; that’s me.” Connie motioned to Jake who was standing next to her. “This is my daughter Jake and my daughter-“
The back cabin door closing behind them interrupted the introduction. Connie stood there a moment then finished, “… who is already gone.”
“Ah, no worries. She probably just wanted to get out there, get to it, you know?” Brown waved his hand nonchalantly. “When the music calls, you got to answer.”
Jake rolled her eyes. Connie just smiled.
“I can’t wait for you to meet her, though. She has got a great voice.” She let out an embarrassed laugh. “Look at me, I’m already bragging!”
“Ah you gotta brag, love. Learned that from the Micster. Jagger.”
“You knew Mick Jagger?” Jake asked, raising an eyebrow. The gentleman in front of her certainly looked old enough.
Brown blinked. “Wow; your daughter here has good taste. And yes; backed him up for years. Great times, great times! But not as great as the time…”
Jake took the opportunity to sneak away from the cabin. Outside she found a rather large stage set up near where a bus was unloading campers. Most were standing near the stage, so that was where she headed. Michie was probably there as well, somewhere. Soon Jake was surrounded by talking and laughing teenagers, some holding or even playing various musical instruments.
“Michie?” She called, her eyes scanning the crowd for her sister’s copper hair. Her mom had mentioned that there would only be about fifty or so kids attending the camp, yet it seemed like more with everyone in the same area. She ended up standing near a teenage girl who was sitting on the stage, glancing at the orange laptop opened on her legs. “Michie Torres!”
Jake’s gaze was diverted as a sleek, black limo pulled up near the bus. Almost like a cliché, a formally dressed man came around from the driver’s seat and opened the back door. From the seat stood a tall blonde, chin held high. Jake could tell simply by the way she held herself that this girl thought lowly of the others around her. The blond made her way to the stage where Jake was standing.
“Well, if it isn’t Karaoke Caitlyn and her laptop,” she said in a swift, icy tone.
It took Jake a moment for her to realize this girl wasn’t talking to her. She looked up at the girl sitting on the stage’s edge. The girl’s eyes flashed with anger. “And if it isn’t the superstar-wannabe. How’s your mom?”
The blonde’s eyes narrowed. “Just fine. As everyone’s heard by now, she just won another Grammy… everyone who’s anyone in music, that is, which is why I’m wasting my breath telling you.”
Jake scoffed as the blonde took out a silver flip phone and began pressing buttons. The girl on the stage looked completely miffed, yet quickly rolled her eyes and diverted her attention. Obviously there was some bad blood between them. Not wanting to be caught any further in the middle, Jake began making her way around the stage again. She had barely taken two steps when her sister’s hair came into view, moving backwards, and headed straight for the snotty girl. Before she could say anything, the two collided.
“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t see you!” Michie said sincerely, turning around as quickly as possible.
The blonde girl glared. Only after running a hand through her hair did she reply. “Obviously.”
Shutting her phone, the girl sauntered away again. Jake was surprised to find her sister watching, a hurt look on her face. Did she actually care that she had hurt that girl’s feelings?
“Don’t worry about her, Michie,” she assured her, reaching out a hand to take her arm.
Michie snapped to attention, and nodded quickly. From the stage Caitlyn came to life.
“That’s Tess Tyler.” The Torres sisters looked at her. “The diva of Camp Rock.”
Jake let out a chuckle; the nickname certainly fit. Michie simply looked at Caitlyn a moment. “Is she really good?”
Caitlyn laughed sourly. “She’s good… at trying too hard to be good. Understandable, ‘cause her mom’s TJ Tyler.”
Jake’s eyebrows furrowed. The name was familiar yet didn’t click from anywhere. Michie’s mouth fell open. “The TJ Tyler? Wow; she’s won like a trillion Grammys!”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “Apparently, now it’s a-trillion-and-one Grammys. I’m Caitlyn, by the way. Caitlyn Geller; camper today, top-selling producer tomorrow.”
“Cool; I’m Michie. It’s nice to meet you.”
“And I’m Jake,” Jake intervened, taking time to shake Caitlyn’s hand. She motioned to Michie. “Her older, non-musically-gifted sister.”
“Michie and Jake?” Caitlyn looked at them confused, as if never before having heard the names. “Your parents did know you’re girls, right?”
Michie and Jake shrugged. They got the question all the time. To that Michie added, “It beats Michelle and Jaclyn.”
Caitlyn smiled. “Well, alright then. Wanna hear some of my tunes?”
Michie nodded, prompting Caitlyn to pull out her laptop again and start playing various compositions. Jake lollygagged a moment, then began making her way towards the kitchen. Her mom probably needed some help getting things ready, which was part of her job here. Besides, she figured as a lady took to the stage and began making announcements; making music really wasn’t her forte.
#
Nate quickly grabbed the edge of the sock cap on his head and gave it a swift tug. He peaked into the gap between the door and its frame, watching as Shane loaded their bags into the car. Shane had assured him all morning that nothing would happen, but didn’t he get it? This was such a bad idea in so many ways. Anything could happen out there; nothing was out of the realm of possibility.
The sudden feel of a hand slapping across his back nearly made him jump from his shoes. Nate whipped around to find it was only Jason, holding another bag. “Hey, Natey, wanna help me carry this stuff to the car?”
Nate shook his head, not sure if he could open his mouth without getting sick.
“Aw, come on.” Another shake of the head followed. “Fine; at least hold the door open for me, will ya?”
Nate obliged, making sure to hide behind it as he did. Jason squeezed his way outside and made his way to the car. Nate remained in place.
“Time to go, man, come on!” Shane’s voice called from the driveway. Nate could feel his breath becoming shallower as his stomach lurched. Why had he agreed to this? Maybe he was becoming delusional. He shook his head but said nothing, ignoring the fact that behind the door he was not visible to his siblings.
“Don’t make me come in there!” Shane was annoyed. Even though it seemed such an easy thing to do anymore, Nate groaned. The last thing he needed was an annoyed Shane in the car on their way out to the middle of nowhere. He had to go out there, to the unknown, where anything and everything could happen.
Nate took his time moving around the doorway then looked outside. It seemed calm, with only the sounds of nature around them. A soft hum of traffic at a distance was also audible. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Leaving the doorway he began making his way down to the car. He was Nate Gray, after all. He could do anything he put his mind to; music, school; even phobias. A shadow of a smirk began to form on his face; he could handle this. He reached where both his brothers stood. The usual smile was plastered on Jason’s face, while a steeled expression was on Shane’s.
“What are you wearing?” Shane asked, pulling off the sunglasses and hat from his brother.
“Hey; I need those!” Nate said, his confidence failing as his brother tossed them into the truck and shut the door.
Shane looked at him. “No you don’t. You are starting a new life; one where you don’t need that stuff. We’ll help you, but you gotta be willing to help yourself first. Got it?”
Nate made a face. “Yes, Dr. Phil.”
“Got it?” Shane pressed. After a moment, Nate nodded, albeit half-heartedly. “Don’t worry; you’ll be staying in a cabin with me-“
“You think that’s a good idea?” The panic began to rise again in him as he envisioned a swarm of female campers surrounding their living quarters in pursuit of his brother.
“- And Uncle Brown will be in the cabin near ours,” Shane finished, paying no mind to the interruption. “Trust me; you only have to go out around the camp when you want to or when I make you.”
“And how exactly is that fair?” Nate pressed. Shane just shrugged.
“Wish I stay out there with you guys,” Jason stated sadly.
Shane shook his head. “We’ve been over this-“
“I know. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Jason walked around to the driver’s seat. The last thing they needed was for all three members of the group to be there. It would be a red flag to others at the camp. Nate was hesitant enough without the added threat. Jason’s mood immediately lifted, however, as an idea came to his mind. “Hey, could you make me a birdhouse or something?”
Shane scoffed. He then turned his attention back to his little brother. “Time to go; get in the car.”
“I don’t think it’s that kind of camp,” Nate responded to Jason’s request as he climbed into the back seat. Seeing the look on Jason’s face, he added, “I’ll see what I can do, though.”
“Thanks, bro.” Jason turned to look at him as Shane double checked to make sure the house was locked. “How you feel?”
“Nauseous,” Nate admitted.
“You’ll do fine. But if you need anything…”
Nate nodded; he knew. “Thanks, Jase.”
“I mean it. If it gets to be too much, let me know. This is his punishment, not yours.”
As if on cue, Shane appeared near the car and climbed into the front passenger seat. Jason turned the key, making the engine roar to life. With that, they drove out of the gate, Jason and Shane talking in the front seat. Nate sat in the back hunched over, biting his lip and tapping his leg along the way.
.