A/N: Okay everyone, this is my first fanfic so let me know what you think! This chapter just sets up the story to come and so does the next one (although the 2nd chap is much, much longer, like I hope my others will be). I promise ill get into the CxD stuff as soon as they get on the island in chap 3! Quite frankly that show just doesn't show enough of those tow to satisfy my, and I hate how they voted Courtney off. I'll try and stick to the story as much as I can, but obviously a few things are going to have to change. I'll write about the non-challenge days too.

And now, on with the story!

Sweet Sixteen

Courtney POV

"Imported Silk Curtains?"

"Check."

"Diamond studded gold silverware?"

"Check."

"5 gallon chocolate fountain and 10 gallons of melted Godiva dark chocolate?"

"Check, and check."

This was it. Today was the day of my 16th birthday party that I had spent the last two months straight planning for. Sure, I could have hired a party planner to do all the work for my, but then I wouldn't have gotten that sense of pride and accomplishment now would I? Besides, planning this was a chance to make myself stronger and built skills I haven't used before, and how could I say on to that?

I was in the ballroom where my party was being held that night making sure everything was perfect. After all the build up to it, perfect was the only thing it could be.

For the past few weeks all of the teen magazines had gossiping about how "America's Sweetheart" was having her Masquerade Ball Sweet Sixteen party at the Chateau Marmount. And they should be talking about it, because it was going to be incredible. All of hottest teen celebrities were going to be there and there was going to be a performance by The Killers, Jonas Brothers, and Avril Lavigne. The food was being cooked by some of the top chiefs in the country and I had a vanilla cake that was 3 feet high. The press was allowed to come in to take pictures and get quotes for the first hour of the night but after that it was guests only. This party had enough publicity as it was to get over all the papers tomorrow so there was no need to have my gusts bothered by the paparazzi all night just to add to its already enormous reputation.

"Wow Courtney, this party is going to be so incredible!" Jen said, with an aw-struck look on her face, as she looked around at all the party preparations going on around the room.

Jen is and has been my best friend since kindergarten. Back then, when they were still popular, I was obsessed with Nsync, and Just celebrities in general. I guess it was because always wanted to be one of them, which I eventually did once I got the starring role in the Disney Channel Series The Secret Life of Jesse Morgan. So naturally, when Jen walked in with an Nsync t-shirt on we instantly clicked and have been BFF's ever since.

"I know! I can't wait." Even as I said the words I knew I didn't mean them, I was just acting again. And if anyone could tell the difference between my acting and what was real, it was Jen.

"Courtney, is everything OK?" Jen asked sounding sincere.

"I'm fine" I lied.

"OK then" Jen said giving me a funny look like she wasn't really convinced.

I honestly didn't get what was wrong with me, I just really wasn't that excited. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't seem to work myself up about it. I always had threat nagging feeling like something was missing. But what? As far as I could tell everything was perfect so there was no reason not to get worked up.

This was the day I had spent so long planning for, and it was going to be the best night of my life. Just me and 500 of my closest friends. Well, friends and acquaintances anyways. If I was going to have a Hollywood-style party there had to be a lot of people there, otherwise it was just like any normal girls birthday party. And if I wanted to keep myself on the A-list, normal just wasn't going to cut it. I'm Courtney Addison for goodness sake; it's what people expect of me.

But is this what I want? What?!?! Of course it's what I want, after how hard I've worked to get where I am. I fully intend on living the great life that I've created, a life that's extravagant and perfect. I couldn't believe I would even think such a thing. I shook my head, quickly dismissing the thought. Why would I even question that in the first place?

As I was scanning over the room, making sure everything was being carried out exactly as it should be, I noted the time on the clock hanging at the back of the room.

"Oh my God!" I screeched. " I need to leave now if I'm going to be ready in time for my party!" I screeched. What kind of hostess is late to her own gathering?!?!!?

"Courtney, calm down, you still have 4 hours," exclaimed Jen.

"Exactly! You can't rush perfection" I said over my shoulder, already halfway to the door. "See you at the party!"

"I wouldn't miss it for the word."

I ran into Golden Locks at top speed, just missing running into the frond desk.

"Wait," the receptionist called after me, "you need an appointment to get in!" I could have told her I already had one but I was already running late, and I couldn't spare a moment of time. After all, I needed to look flawless, and that doesn't just happen on its own.

As I rounded the corner I crashed into one of the best hairdressers in the whole world.

"It's okay Mary, she's with me" Evan said. I turned around to find that the receptionist was still following me. Mary blushed and turned to walk back to her desk.

"Tisk, tisk, tisk. Courtney, your late." He said, an amused smile playing at his lips. He knew as well as anyone that I was never late to an appointment. "How will we ever have enough time now?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something, Evan. After all you are my Hairdresser Angel."

Evan Mitchell was one of the hottest hairdressers out there at the moment, and that was partly thanks to me. Once the word got out that he was my stylist, everyone wanted him. Of course not to say that he didn't have talent, because he was one of the best hairdressers I knew, and the only one I would go to after that little "mishap" when I was 10.

-Flashback-

"Mom, what am I going to doooooo!" I sobbed, looking at my train wreck of a hair cut in the mirror through my tear filled eyes.

My haircut was a complete disaster! For a month, I anticipated being able to go to one of Hollywood's best hair stylists, only to get there and have my silky golden hair completely ruined. The stylist had given me a cut that looked as if he took a knife to my hair and swung it aimlessly, cutting of random pieces here and there. He had claimed it was his "wild look", even putting in so streak of bright colors here and there. What was he thinking?! It was completely horrible! How was I ever going to land that part on The Secret Life of Jesse Morgan with my hair looking like this?!

We only had a 2 hour lefts until the audition, so my mom drove a few miles out of LA, far away form all of the so called "celebrity stylists", and pulled into a parking space in front of the JCPenny salon. When we walked in the receptionist jumped out of her chair and ran over to us.

"Oh you poor child!" she cried, "I know just who you need." She led me back into the salon and sat my down in one of the chairs. A moment later, a 20 something man came over and looked at my hair with an apologetic look.

"Oh my, it looks like I have my work cut out for me" he said in a playful tone, trying to lighten the mood.

"D-d-do you think you can f-fix it" I choked out through my sobs.

"Of course! Evan Mitchell can fix anything."

And he did. 20 minutes later I was sitting there with one of the best haircuts I had ever seen. It was so cute! And the casting crew for The Secret Life of Jesse Morgan thought so too. They cast me as the lead role, and I partly had Evan to thank for it.

-End of Flashback-

I called him a "Hairdresser Angel" when I saw my amazing haircut in the mirror, so that's what I've been calling him ever since.

"Well, if we're going to have you looking runway-ready by you party the I'm going to have to call in all the experts," he said, his amused smile growing into a full out smirk.

"Sounds good to me,"

When he said all of the experts, he really meant all of them. I had people working on me head to foot. Manicures, pedicures, waxing, plucking, and curling, as well as having my make-up done, each by a different person, simultaneously.

After 3 hours, I was finally done, and I looked gorgeous! My nails were shining a brilliant gold, I had the softest petal pink lips, and super-sexy purple smoky eyes. My hair was done up in a bun, with curly wisps framing my face, adding to my beauty in a way that made me look innocent and sweet. It was far better then anything the beauty crews had done for when I was being filmed on camera.

"Wow," I said, my awestruck state clearly showing in my voice.

"Ready to see your dress?" asked Evan, obviously curious to see it himself after having herd me rave about it for the last 2 months.

"Yes!" I cried, shaking with anticipation. I couldn't wait to see what Vera Wang had created for me. It was going to be pink, shimmery, and drape across my body ever so-

Evan pulled off the cover to the dress and my jaw dropped. It was…. Horrifying! Everything about it was all wrong. It was Pepto-Bismol pink with a skirt that had more poof to it then I thought was physically possible. Bunches of fabric were gathered in random place all over the skirt and bodice; it looked like my "celebrity haircut" all over again. What was with these so called brilliant designers anyways?!?!?

The room was dead silent until someone finally spoke up after the shock had started the wear off.

"Well… it's not that bad" I was so far gone at that point I wasn't even fully aware of who said it.

"Not that bad. NOT THAT BAD!" I yelled, "The thing is like some messed up version of a dress made for the tooth fairy!" This could not be happening. I had only an hour left until my party and no dress to wear. I wracked my brain desperately for a solution but I came up with nothing. There was absolutely nothing I could do. My big night was going to be ruined and I couldn't to anything to change it.

I started to hyperventilate.

"Courtney, calm down. Let's just think through this logically, I'm sure we can come up with some kind of solution," Evan said trying to get me to relax a little. What, did he really think I hadn't already done that already? Maybe not in the mood he wanted but like that was really going to make a difference. Besides, I didn't have time to calm down, I was already running out of time!

"I think I know some place you might be able to get a new dress," Mary, the receptionist, piped in. "There's this new place a few blocks south of Rodeo Drive that all of my friends have been raving about, called Sparkle. It might have a dress that you could wear to your party"

"I can't just go BUY a new dress! Are you CRAZY?!?! It has to be an ORIGONAL, not one that's mass produced in EVERY FRICKING COLOR!" This woman was simply loony, there was no other explanation. Did she not know who I was?!

"It's either that or not go to your party at all" Evan said in that all-knowing tine of his. "Which will it be?"

I hate ultimatums

"Fine" I huffed.

On the car ride over to Sparkle, I used the time to try and focus all of my overpowering feelings into determination to find a solution to my problems. Although I couldn't fully calm down, I could still use my bad mood to my advantage. Doing this little trick over the years was probably one of the reasons I became so successful in the first place. I've even wrote a book about it last year.

As soon as the car pulled up to the curb I flew out of my seat and into the shop, determined not to waste any more time. When I got into the shop I sought out an employee, not patient enough at the moment to wait for them to come to me.

"I need a dress RIGHT NOW." I said to the general direction of the store employees, "What are you staring at? Don't just stand there, for goodness sakes, DO SOMETHING!" I screeched, bordering hysterical.

Y-y-yess, ma'am. Why don't you sit down there and make yourself comfortable while I bring you some dresses. Size 6, right?" she stuttered.

DO I LOOK THAT BIG TO YOU?!" I boomed, and then lowered my voice, suddenly remembering my nickname as "America's Sweetheart". "I am a four, and thank you; I will go make myself comfortable." I smiled at her, though by the way she cringed I'm sure it came out more malevolent then pleasant. I just hope there wasn't a picture in tomorrow morning's paper of me smiling like the Joker.

I sank down on a comfy looking chair in front of the dressing rooms and fumed. Couldn't these people do anything right? I was in the middle of a wardrobe crisis her, how could they not understand that.

"Here you are" said the saleswoman as she walked up with a rack full of dresses for me to try on.

"Took you long enough," I muttered. She was so getting a bad review.

I had put on so many dresses to count in so little time, I had probably broken a world record of some kind. And I still hadn't found a dress I liked. I was just about to yell at the woman again about how this store had absolutely no fashion sense when I spotted another dress on the rack that I hadn't seen before. I took it in to the dressing room sliding the silky fabric over my head and onto my body.

"How does it fit?" asked the saleswoman, sounding hopeful.

"It's perfect."

After all that time, I was finally ready. Sitting in my limo, I looked the gorgeous movie star I was. I had on an elegant pink dress that appeared to be ordinary, but was far from it. It looked plain fairly plain in the dim limo lights, but when it got in just the right lighting, it sparked like it was covered in millions of tiny diamonds. The dress hugged me just enough to show I had a good body but still looked conservative. After all, I had to keep up my goody-goody image; being scandalous just wasn't the way I did things. But no one said being conservative couldn't be glamorous. Only the best for Courtney Addison.

As soon as we were a block away from the party, I could already hear the music blasting and feel the base thumping through my seat. The limo pulled up in front of the hotel, and the flashes of cameras blinded my view outside the window. Everyone wanted to get a picture of the birthday girl. Confident as always, I took a deep breath and put on another one of my Emmy-winning smiles.

Now it was time for my grand red carpet entrance.

A/N: okay so that was it, I hope you like it! Please review so I know how it was, and if I should continue with it! If you have any ideas about things you'd like to see happen please tell ne! I'd love to try and put something else in. I'll try and update at least once a week but I make no gaurentees. Thanks for reading !