Tess was never treated fairly.
She deserved to be the best at everything. She was the best at everything. She didn't know why no one else could see that. Shane Gray certainly couldn't. Neither did the stupid owner of Camp Rock, Brown. Mitchie didn't. Peggy and Ella, her former best friends didn't. Even her own mother didn't acknowledge that Tess was number one.
She hated always being second. Having to settle for second best was worse than losing, she thought. People felt bad for the loser. No one cared about whoever came in second place.
And because she was always second best, she always received things that were second best. She owned many second place ribbons and trophies. She got the second best jobs. She wanted the very best of the best, but somehow, it was always just a bit too far out of her reach.
In Tess's mind, Shane Gray was the best of the best. She wanted him badly. And she tried so hard to win him over. She sabotaged the girl with the voice he had been looking for. She performed tricks only the best of the best would use. She got dressed up any time she knew she'd cross paths with Shane. The acted how all the magazines and books said she should act if she was to be the best. She was confident, charming, happy, sexy, funny. She did everything she'd ever learned about how to catch that one special man. She kept at it for years, but never got even a smile aimed in her direction from Shane Gray.
Nate Black was almost everywhere Shane was. Constantly near him, constantly in Tess's sight. He was handsome, gentlemanly, talented. But he wasn't Shane.
No.
Nate Black was second best.
And Tess Tyler had had enough of chasing what she knew she couldn't catch. So she settled for second best once again.
When Nate whispered into her ear, "You are beautiful," Tess smiled shyly at him, but it never touched her eyes.
When he kissed her on enchanting starry nights, she kissed him back, but never felt the sparks she'd heard she was supposed to feel.
When he held her close to him and said, "I love you," it was all Tess could do not to let the tears fall out of her eyes as she kissed his cheek.
When they were together, Tess was happy. When they were together, she loved him. But it was never enough.
Because she'd never really be happy until she was known as the very best, and until she was with the very best.
And Nate was only second best.
Tess was only second best.
And that was all she'd ever be.
I hope you liked that!
This is dedicated to Liz. Because I had no ideas swimming around in my head, and I called her and asked her what her favorite fanfic couple was and she said Nate/Tess. This probably isn't what she meant, but hey. It gave me something good to write about.
Please review! :) You know you want to. You're fingers are just itching, aren't they?