Jenna centric, setting kind of AU

Becoming famous was never a 'what if' or a 'maybe if', it was always a 'when I'.

The only time I ever doubted my doors to fame, was when I was voted off Next Teen Star. I had thought that the show would bring me some attention, but I guess no one wanted to sign a recording artist that glorified teen pregnancy at the time. Since then, I practiced; singing whenever I could, and picking up my guitar every chance I got.

And I almost almost doubted my dreams entirely until the day I got a phone call that changed my life, someone had seen me on Next Teen Star last year, and invited me out for an audition in the United States for a part in a movie over the summer. The last actress they hired had suddenly dropped out.

Flash-forward just one week, and there I was, standing awkwardly in front of the rusty old door, to the apartment in New York City that I would be staying in if I got the job.

My heart seemed to skip a beat. I was really here, and had the opportunity to live my dreams.

I set down my suitcases and my guitar, and my hand shook as I stuck the key in the door. It creaked as it opened, and I immediately smelled the must of an old apartment. A little old and outdated, but still chic and useable, it was mine, paid for by the casting company while I was there. So perfect to me, so low maintenance, so…

Jenna.

The movie was focused on a performing arts school, and I was to play one of the main character's friends. A lot of my scenes included singing, so most of my audition material was singing as well. The movie was for the new "Teen Disney" channel, and it would be the first made-for-TV movie they would premiere.

"I don't want her for the movie," I heard the casting director saying behind me as I walked out of the room after my performance.

My heart sank.

I blew it.

"I NEED her for the movie!" he exclaimed as I spun around in surprise, "Jenna Middleton, you are going to be BIG, I can see it now!"

All the other important casting people looked around, nodding their heads, and I almost dropped my guitar.

"We start filming two days from now," the director said, handing me a packet of information with my script, "there's a photo-shoot tonight, and a table read tomorrow."

I couldn't even believe what I was hearing.

I had done it.

I was going to be a star!

"I told like everyone I know from Degrassi after I got your text," Ali said excitedly, "you're going to be like Hannah Montana or something."

"I can't even believe it, I'm shaking Ali," I practically yelled into the phone, "I have a photo-shoot tonight for the promo posters, and a table read tomorrow."

"Jenna, I am beyond happy for you! I can't believe one of my best friends is going to be a star!"

"Thanks girl, but I have to go, hair and make-up!" I squeaked, loving the sound of it.

I hung up the phone and sat down in the make-up chair and another girl about my age walked into the room. A swarm of people crowded around her, asking her things, and fixing her hair as she walked.

"Who's that?" I asked my stylist as she started applying my foundation.

"Crystal Matthews," she answered, starting to apply some powder, "her dad is really rich, that's how she got discovered. They are saying she's going to be the next Hannah Montana."

My hopes diminished a little.

They had curled my hair for the photo-shoot, and I looked totally hot. I got to wear a gold sequin dress, the one that my character, Char, wears in the final scene of the movie.

I walked onto set and approached Crystal, who was playing the star of the movie, Meggie.

"Hi, I'm Jenna," I said, smiling and reaching my hand out.

Crystal glared at me, grabbed my hand, and inspected my nails.

"Girl, if we are going to be fake friends, you have GOT to get a manicure," she said, disgusted.

I snatched my hand back, "fake friends?"

She threw back her straight brown hair and smirked, "in order for this movie to be successful, we have to be best friends in the press… everyone knows that, duh. So just smile and look cute Jenna, and I'll make you look even better."

She grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of the photographer.

"Smile Jenna!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me. I was flabbergasted by her re-mark, but I made a big fake smile anyway.

Maybe Crystal and I could be real friends?

Not a chance.

I walked into the table read the next day, dressed in what I thought was a cute outfit. I had on my favorite Lucky Brand Jeans, and an off-the-shoulder top. My hair was up in a messy but cute ponytail, and I was wearing a little extra make-up than usual.

"J, what if TMZ had photographed you coming in here, we really need to talk about your style," Crystal decided, almost immediately linking arms with me as I came through the door, "oh and by the way, you are to call me 'Crys' and you're going to be J. Our like BFF names for each other!"

She smiled on cue as a reporter took our picture.

I held back the impulse to roll my eyes.

I felt so out of place in the studio. I had obviously had minimal experience acting, and I had never performed singing somewhere of such high caliber. As nervous as I was, the table read went okay, the movie was actually really well-written, and I knew it was going to be a hit.

We had a break, so I decided to call Ali, and give her an update.

"Just go along with it," she said, as I explained to her the Crystal situation, "obviously she knows a lot about the high-profile lifestyle."

"I just don't like being a 'fake' anything Ali," I told her, "I guess maybe I SHOULD change my style up a little, I mean Canadian fashion is a lot different than it is here in New York City. It's one of the style CAPITALS of the world practically."

"Sorry, I have to go Jenna, but call me later," she said, "I miss you!"

"Miss you too," I replied, hanging up.

"Why do you look familiar?" a voice asked, startling me.

I jumped, "What the hell? Do you mind?"

"I don't normally hang around in dark back parts of studios, but I followed you to talk to you because I thought you looked familiar."

He started walking toward me, and I could see it was a young guy, a few years older than me.

"Why are you creeping around back here anyway?" I asked, squinting in his direction.

He did look familiar.

"Well I'm actually an intern here, through Yale for the summer with this production company," he explained, "I'm hoping to become a producer or director someday."

There was an awkward silence.

"I'm glad you don't condone being fake," he suddenly said, "I hate that in a woman."

Then I realized what a small world this really was.

"Did you… go to DEGRASSI?" I asked.

He laughed, holding out his hand.

I stared back into a pair of the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

"I did, but I'm not sure if we ever actually met. I'm Declan, Declan Coyne. Maybe you know my sister Fiona?"

"J LOVE!" I heard Crystal yell, as she walked up to us in the corner, "MUST you hide in the corner, we need you for an interview!"

I stared back at Declan as she pulled my arm. We kept eye contact for a moment, and he smirked.

"I don't think you should talk to him," Crystal whispered.

"Why not?" I asked, almost demandingly.

"Because you can date CELEBRITIES now, I mean seriously. I heard Jesse McCartney is single," she giggled, "don't waste your time with peons. Besides, my dad said he's a Coyne, and I heard his family went totally bankrupt and stole some money or something."

I wondered if that were true.

But still, I had felt a spark with Declan, unlike any other one I've felt before.

I guess I would have to wait and see what happens.

That's chapter one. Thank you for reading. I have big plans for this story, all about Jenna's rise to fame!