It's Just Business

A/N: This is a story that I am writing with chinaluv. We will each write one chapter and switch back and forth. I will write in the POV of Cleo while she will be writing in the POV of Rikki. – RECH2O

Cleo's POV

"Cleo," I heard a voice call from behind me as I walked down the hallway with my two of my best friends, Rikki and Bella. All three of us turned around to find our English teacher, Mrs. Whither, walking towards us. I nodded, and stepped away from my friends.

"I'll meet you guys at the café in a minute," I told them. They nodded and started off. I walked the last few steps to Mrs. Whither.

"Cleo, I was looking at your extra circular list, and I noticed it was a bit small," She started. "Actually, there is no list."

"I'm a little busy," I said again. "I don't really have time."

"Well you should make time," She continued "You need at least one to pass."

"I don't think…" I tried to say, but ended up being stopped.

"You must want to know what kind of activities you have to choose form; well I'm glad you asked. There is the school play. I need actors, stage crew and an assistant. Take your pick," Mrs. Whither told me handing me a flyer advertising the play try outs. "Or you could pick from this list." She handed me another list. Swimming classes, water volleyball, surfing club, and many other water activities were on the list. This was just great.

"Fine, I'll be your assistant," I said regrettably.

"Exhalent," She said before walking back in the direction she came. I sighed and started for the café.

Once there I explained everything to Bella, Rikki, and Will. They were just as shocked as I was.

"You're not trying out for the play are you?" Rikki asked. I was about to tell her no when she said, "Because I don't think that would be the best idea."

"Why do you say that?" I asked, confused.

"No reason," Rikki stated taking a sip of her juice. "It's just; I don't want you to be embarrassed."

"Embarrassed?" I asked, angrier this time. I laughed as I asked, "Why would I be embarrassed?"

Bella and Will looked to Rikki, waiting on her answer as I was.

"Well, you know," She started. "You've never been really that great on stage."

"Yeah, with singing," I shot back, as Will and Bella turned their heads to face me. "You have never seen me act, or do anything on stage but sing."

"You mean, try to sing," Rikki shot at me. Will and Bella turned to her. "And the only time I've seen you comfortable in front of a crowd was when you were moon struck or knew everything was not riding on your shoulders. You couldn't handle the acting."

I laughed as Bella and Will turned to me, "You shouldn't think you know everything about me. News flash, I was someone before you showed up."

"I was just telling you what I had seen," Rikki shot at me, as Bella and Will turned. "But Zane told me about the grade six production."

"Right because you believe everything Zane tells you," I practically yelled, catching the eyes of not only Will and Bella, but Sophie and Nate as well. "You shouldn't, especially when it is about me. Zane is a liar."

"No he's not," Rikki yelled.

"And now you're standing up for your ex," I yelled back, "Wow that is new."

Rikki sighed and looked away from me. She shook her head. I sighed as well and then said, "You know, I wasn't going to try out, but now I think I will. I'll show you."

Rikki was still shaking her head, and not looking at me as I exited the café. I just started walking. I didn't know where I was going, until I ended up on the beach. There I sat down and looked out to the waves, anger still boiling in my blood. I took three deep breathes, and started to really think about what I just said I was going to do. Trying out for a play, me? That didn't sound like something I would do. I guess that is why I just couldn't make myself rethink it. Every time I tried to talk myself out of it, I just couldn't.

"Are you really going to do it?" I heard Zane ask from behind me. I could speak, so I just let him sit down next to me in the sand. "If it is any help, I don't think you should."

"I have to," I said softly, suddenly holding back tears. "I just have to show her I'm not who she thinks I am."

"And who is that?" He asked.

I didn't want to answer. He knew what I was talking about, and didn't push it. For a while, we sat in silence, just looking out at the ocean. I thought Zane would get up and leave because I wasn't speaking, but he never left. Eventually everyone on the beach left, and it was just the two of us. I sighed and got up.

"I've got to go," I told him. He stood up too.

"I just wanted to say…" He started but trailed off. I stood and waited. Finally he said, "Rikki is trying out of the play too."

What? She hadn't told me that. Why had she gotten Zane to tell me? It just didn't sound like Rikki. I got my answer when Zane said, "She wasn't going to tell you, but I guess I had too."

I couldn't speak. Shock was running through me. Zane smiled then and said, "Rikki doesn't know what she is going up against. Knock them dead."

Then he started towards his house. I watched as he went, then a thought came to me. "Zane." I called, getting him to turn around. "Don't tell Rikki." He nodded. "I don't want her to know."

"Don't worry," He told me with an evil looking smile. "I won't tell her a thing." Then he kept walking. His words still rang in my ears. They sent a weird feeling through me, and I don't think I liked it.