The picture on the side is just so Keely ha ha!

"Hey Keely!"

Sending a warm, if distracted glance to the woman sitting at the desk in the front of the studio, Keely continued to rush down the hall. Decidedly not running, because she was afraid she'd fall.

Yes, she was late. Very late. Stumbling through the halls, she tied her loosely curling hair back into a pony tail, hauling her bag around her shoulders.

Usually she wouldn't have cared too much, seeing as Marco and Colton wouldn't care less about her tardiness since they were habitually late as well. But Colton wasn't going to be in the studio, instead none other than Mr Seth Ryan was going to be Marco's engineer for the day. And that, that was enough to put her on edge.

"I'm so sorry," Keely exclaimed pushing open in the door.

Marco swivelled in his chair, sending her a smile. But even though his mouth was open to speak, Keely found her eyes drawn elsewhere.

Seth just kept looking through the window to the recording studio. "You're late," he pointed out as they met each other's eyes in the glass, "And we left the sixties."

Keely just rolled her eyes, not effected by his words that referred to the purple t-shirt she was wearing that portrayed a very large peace sign on the front as she threw her bag carelessly upon the table to her left.

"Ever try less hair gel?" she suggested without vigour since it was obvious that boy had no hair gel in his mussed hair, but her wits were slow with grogginess.

*

"Pick you up at six and we'll meet up with the terrible duo?" Marco asked leaning against the door frame.

"I'll see you then," Keely smiled, patting his shoulder.

Keely found herself glowering at Seth's back as he left the room without a word, but quickly shook herself to look back at her friend. She had a full plan to interogate the boy tonight, she'd been holding it in for a while but had never found the right moment. She hadn't missed the way he and Coop's eyes had lingered too long than normal on one another.

"Do you want to hang out? Maybe go and grab some coffee?" he asked hopefully.

Opening her mouth to say 'yes' Keely hesitated, it was just an automatic reaction, she just didn't say no. But then Keely remembered about her promise to the man that owned the record store, she had said she would come back today.

But she didn't exactly want company, "Sorry, I have something I have to do."

Trying to ignore the way Marco's face dropped, Keely turned quickly and followed Seth out of the building.

But when she was following him, she couldn't help but wonder what he had actually been doing at the studio. Whenever she would start singing, or more likely when she walked into the studio to record the vocals, he would make an excuse to get out of the room. The moment she would come back into the room, there would Seth be, like a freaking shadow.

They hadn't even started to record the duet, instead working on one of her singles. She really couldn't see the point of Seth actually being there to be honest since they hadn't even listened to the rough draft of the duet. It wasn't as if he even listened to one of the tracks.

She did stop at a coffee shop on the way to the record store, but was thinking about things much more teenager like and important than the coffee she was buying.

What the hell was wrong with him? She thought frustratedly, marching down the street. What actually gave him the right to demand that she tell him all her secrets? Honestly. And why in the hell was she even letting him have a prevailing moment in her mind?

Because it was obvious he did, because Keely could just imagine what her cartoon version of herself would look like, her hair standing on end and smoke blowing out of her ears. Taking an angry gulp of scalding drink, Keely picked up her pace until it reached a furious jolting speed that she knew could only end with her eating pavement. But at the moment, Keely's mind was filled with a haze of white noise caused by absolute hate.

But, like the day before, when Keely pushed open the 'AC Music' door to the tingling sound of a gargling bell, her anger faded at the same speed as the tinkling sound. To Keely this would be the heaven she wanted, but she doubted even the real heaven would sound this good.

Smiling, Keely saw the old man sorting through records with light shining behind him that was softened by the window papered with concert posters.

"Hey," she said walking to the counter.

He didn't look up, but the sides of his mouth twitched, proving that he had either seen her walking towards him of recognized the melodic sound of her voice. In any case, he said, "So what's your verdict on Something To Believe In?" If she needed anymore proof that he knew it was her, there was her evidence.

"I guess you're the music master," Keely sighed but it was completely contrary to the grin that graced her face.

"Ah... well, you're still eighteen," he said wisely. But the wise glint in his eye became shrewd, almost calculating. "Would you sort through these albums? I'll pay you."

Amused, Keely said, "I'll do it for a free copy of the new Audioslave CD."

"It's a deal," he shook her hand professionally seeming to know that Keely was holding back laughter. "But I'll be nice and even raise you one better, I have a vinyl copy."

"Even better." Being in the music store was keeping a smile on her face. "So how do you want me to sort them?"

"First put them into genre, alternative, hard rock, classical rock, dance, indie, etc. After that put them into alphabetical order before you put them on the shelves."

Though Keely couldn't see it, a smile appeared on the man's weathered face. Because when she walked around the counter, Keely's mouth dropped unbecomingly open as she saw the amount of boxes stacked behind the counter.

It took him a few seconds to actually speak, seeming to find the look of incredulity that stretched across Keely's face to be more than a little amusing. "Don't worry," he assured her. "I got someone to help you, he's just getting the last two boxes."

Trying to feel and look confident as she looked over the enormous job in front of her. Feeling sure that she would be able to finish the sorting of the records - even with a helper - in the next century wasn't the thing she was feeling most confident about. But Keely tightened her jaw determinedly and would have folded up her sleeves if she'd had any. "Great," she smiled.

Kneeling down, Keely immediately had an electronic pile with Cat Power and a grunge with Nirvana. How many boxes were there in this corner?

During her musing, Keely heard the old man shout, "You stealing my records, boy?"

Smiling to herself because of the serious note in his voice since she knew he was joking, Keely suddenly realized she had no idea what the old man's name was. She'd never thought to find out.

Now there was another voice saying, in a joking tone, "I've got your boxes old man. I left the crap music until last, do you think I'd run away with this music?"

The small smile on Keely's face broadened, some vague part in the back of her mind thought she knew the voice, but she disregarded her conscience. This unknown guy - from the tone of his voice - sounded humorous, plus what he had said so far proved to be true, since the music she was piling was all good.

"People like crap," the old man said with a tone that suggested a shrug, "Hopefully not forever, but for now they do. Anyways, I got you a helper," the old man confided to the unknown.

"I needed that," the voice was dry, but it had a tinge of thankfulness.

"Hey," there was a welcoming sound to that unknown voice. It was coming closer, probably walking around the corner towards her, in answer to the closeness Keely lifted her head. "I hear you're..."

The words on his tongue at the same time as Keely's 'hello' did.

"Just my luck," she muttered disgruntled as she fell back on her legs looking up at Seth's face.

First of all, Seth sent a furtive look over his shoulder right before he dropped the two boxes of records lightly on a leaning tower of the same subject. Seth hastily dropped to his knees beside her. "What are you doing here?" he hissed at her, gripping her arm tightly.

"I think that's obvious," she whispered nastily.

"Haven't you taken enough of my life?" the words were scalding enough to burn.

In a sarcastic tone, Keely answered with a, "Ha." She tried to rip her arm away from his grip, but there was no way she could knock off his death grip. "You wish it had something to do with you, don't you? I'm here because I was asked to help."

"Then why would you go to that other music store?"

"Why did you?" she countered.

"Because he didn't have the new The Script album," they said at the same moment.

With any other person, Keely would have burst into delighted laughter, but seeing as it was Seth, they both narrowed their eyes suspiciously at each other.

"I really don't like you," he glared.

If it was even possible, Keely narrowed her eyes farther at him. Making sure the old man wasn't in hearing range, she leaned in to whisper in his ear, "And I hate you. But," Keely was having to force the words out of her mouth, "I'm not going to run out now, I promised."

"So... you actually expect us to work... together?"

Scowling, Keely answered, "Or you could leave now, that would be helpful."

"I'm not going to be the one to run out," he finally let go and folded his arms.

Rubbing her arm absentmindedly, Keely looked at him with enough loathing to drop a cow on the spot. "Then get working."

*

"Are you guys almost done?" the old man called at about six o'clock.

Looking down at the pile of records, Keely couldn't help but laugh. "I think we have about another have an hour to go," she raised an eyebrow.

"Do you mind locking up?"

"Why, you got a date old man?" asked Seth from behind Keely, the grin apparent in his voice.

"That's right," he laughed. "And I take that as a yes," with this he tossed the keys dexterously towards Keely and Seth. In automatic response, Keely ducked, knowing that if she even made a grab at trying to grab the keys she would somehow land on her ass on the ground.

"Sorry," she laughed holding her hands up in the air. Seth had grabbed the keys from the air, while he and the store owner looked at her incredulously. "I'm just really clumsy, and I probably would have ended picking keys out of my teeth or dusting dirt of my ass."

"Okay..." the old man said slowly. "Well, just lock it up when you're done, and the name's Fred."

Furrowing her brow, Keely turned around to Seth. "Did you know his name was Fred?"

"No," he shrugged, "As long as he doesn't have a twin named George."

Biting her lip to keep from laughing, Keely turned away from him. Even if she absolutely thought he was repulsive, she couldn't deny that every once in a while he made a good joke.

The shop was suddenly very quiet, and in the mechanical response, Keely started singing:

Help, I need somebody

Help, not just anybody,

Help, you know I need someone

Help

When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way

But now those days are gone

I'm not so self-assured

Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being round

Help me, get my feet back on the ground

Won't you please help me

"Here," Seth muttered ten minutes later, shoving three records in her hand. "These go in the classic rock section, and I'll put these in the alternative rock section, and then we'll be done. Plus, when you're singing that song, tighten up when you're singing, 'And I do appreciate you being round'."

Instantly Keely felt that moment of tolerance pass. "Big words from the guy that sings pop to screaming little girls."

"You don't know anything about me," he glared.

Feeling the anger raise up in her stomach, Keely shoved the records in their section. Before turning to him, Keely plucked a select record from it's place and shoved it in his hands. "Do you know who this is?"

"Yeah," he said confused. "This is the legacy collection of Jeff Buckley, he's like my hero."

Folding her arms in front of her, she said, "He's your hero? Then let me tell you what I think about that one. Jeff Buckley never sold out, that's why he's like my hero as well. But I have no idea how he can be yours when you sold out on what music you believe in when you're on twenty-one. It just makes me sick."

"You have no idea why I did it," he tightened his jaw.

"No, I don't," Keely agreed reasonably. "I just know that you did and there goes all my respect, so don't expect me to listen to you when you tell me what to do with my singing."

About to retort, Seth took a step towards her, but his cellphone interrupted.

At the same moment, Keely's pocket started vibrating from a text message. Hastily, she ripped out her phone, finding it was from Marco, she opened it.

'K, where are you? We were gonna meet up, remember?'

She responded with:

'Sorry, totally forgot, I'm not gunna be able to make it, sorry'

"Sorry," she heard Seth saying into the phone. "Yeah, I know, baby. I'm sorry for the fiftieth time, sincerely I am. But I really can't just get out right now, I'll pick you up at noon tomorrow and we can get something to eat."

"You can take off," Keely muttered, grabbing a set of The New Cities CDs from his hands.

"Shut up," he suggested taking the music back and turning his back to her.

- So there's yet anothe chapter...

The Beatles kick ass!

Do people actually read my rants? I was wondering that...

Because usually I just start rambling on and on about nothing in paticular.

Well! My advice... dude, I cannot think of anything! I've been totally not interesting for the past two days. I was going to ramble on about the Foo Fighters, alarm clocks and dreams but it seems very boring now...

Oh my god, my cell phone keeps going off because I get notifications whenever something happens for the Steelers, Patriots or Colts. I hope you know what those are, but if you don't, they're teams in the NFL. I'm just thankful that the Giants are playing on Monday because I don't think I could stand my cellphone ringint that much! It's bloody annoying!

Yeah, this was a very uninteresting rant today. Sorry!

I'm losing my wit!

Plus my mind is elsewhere, WILLIAM AND LORELAI HAVE THE MOST EPIC LOVE STORY I'VE EVER WRITTEN!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm going to stop complaining now. Actually, I sincerely hope you stopped reading this rant by now XD

Anyways, don't go fitting vampires kiddies, it'll make you hungry!