CHAPTER TWO: She Like Electric
Next Summer
Here she was once again. Mitchie Torres' psyche was nothing but excitement and optimism. Time hadn't gotten to this part of the year quick enough for her.
Then she heard her name.
Tess Tyler. And in microseconds, Mitchie Torres' psyche was void of excitement and optimism. Strong currents of confusion flushed out all past feelings. Her mind instantly took her back to that last day of camp.
With roughly a year to think about that day, Mitchie Torres figured it out. It was Tess trying to be nice to her. Maybe Tess Tyler has changed.
"You know? Some girl apparently crossed her and she was booted out of Camp the next day," Caitlyn whispered to her.
Some things may never change.
"Oh," Mitchie uttered out in disappointment. She, Caitlyn and all the campers are sitting on their legs waiting for 'orientation.'
That's what Brown called it.
"I guess it's too much to expect the Ice Princess to melt a little even after last year," Caitlyn muttered.
Tess Tyler walked in the room and as if in reflex, the whole camp went silent.
The blonde in question, seemingly unaware of the attention on her, sat by herself. It was a little strange for Mitchie to see her without Ella and Peggy lurking by.
Some things do change. People change.
Mitchie wasn't sure if she was seeing change in Tess. Something was definitely different about her. Maybe not different, but just a side of Tess she's never seen. Tess Tyler wasn't her usual over-confident self. As Mitchie watched the blonde stare out the window, she sensed nothing but calmness.
- - -
Being strong wasn't as easy as she had initially thought. Her mother had not spoken a word to her ever since her humiliation last year at Final Jam.
All phone calls to TJ Tyler were answered by an assistant (if it was answered at all). The pop star's daughter was denied of the assurance she was seeking from her. She was so weak.
She wallowed in self-pity for a few months in the mansion. Gradually, she healed from the embarrassment and she was okay. She also had stopped the incessant phone calls to her mother. She had convinced herself that there never was going to be any support coming from the other end.
Days, weeks, and months flew by and now she was finally at Camp Rock again. Things are going to be different this time around. Things are going to go the way they should.
Tess took a deep breath and entered the classroom. Silence greeted her as she expected. Quickly, her eyes darted left and right and found the empty seat near the back.
Things are different.
She smiled to herself as she caught the image of Mitchie at the corner of her eye. She had been worried for months that the brunette might not be here.
They weren't friends. After all that has happened, it would be unwise to bet on them ever being friends. Still, Tess thought about Mitchie a lot. On most days, all she thought about was Mitchie and her mother. Once she had given up trying to reach her mother, Mitchie dominated her thoughts.
Mitchie Torres was a person of interest to her. The girl was quite possibly the polar opposite to her in everything. It was fascinating.
Tess continued to drift on as Brown Cessario entered. Everyone greeted him cheerily and Brown wasted no time in asking for a sample to gauge the camper's music growth.
Everyone's hands went in the air except Tess'. Of course, Brown picked her.
"Let's see how you've grown lassie," he said.
Hushed whispers leaked from the class. They were undoubtedly retelling the stories of Final Jam. She figured that Final Jam was the reason Brown chose her.
"Fine."
The blonde diva stood up and walked to the front where a mic stand awaits. Rhythm and melody flowed in her mind and her feet soon followed a silent beat.
She thought of her mother and the lyrics easily flowed out of her lips into a beautiful melody.
Time
is up I would give everything When you go Time is up Time is up I would give
everything I would bring enough now Time is up I would give
everything Cause when you never live
Waiting for the arrival of you to come
When you tell me
to
But you're late and, guess what?
I'm not surprised at
all
Just to feel my heart isn't
breaking just for you
Cause when you call again
Gonna go on
to say
Never leavin' it just for me
Never
gonna go on
Never gonna go right now
When
you say, though that you don't know
Waiting
for the arrival of you to come
When you tell me to
But you're
late and, guess what?
I'm not surprised at
Just to feel my heart isn't breaking just for you
Cause when you call again
Gonna go on to say
Never
leaving it just to me
Cause you
want what you don't have
Time is up
Waiting for the arrival
of you to come
When you tell me to
But you're late and,
guess what?
I'm not surprised at all
My
sensibilities
I'm trying harder And it's getting a little
annoying
And when you're gonna let me go
You're gonna let
me know
You're gonna never feel alright
Just to feel my heart isn't breaking just for you
Cause when you call again
Gonna go on to sway
Never
leaving it just for me
You're
gonna never go
You're gonna never feel alright
Cause you
will never go
I hope you never know I'll leave
You're
never gonna live
Goodbye
She ended the song on a perfect note. It was leaps and bounds different than her usual music but it just felt right for her to sing it. It felt marvelous.
- - -
Mitchie Torres was impressed. She had always thought that the blonde had talent but her type of music never interested her. Like her usual, Mitchie expected a song with the message that screams "I'm better than you!!" but the blonde surprised her. She sang so beautifully and Mitchie found herself immersed in her melody. She focused intently on the lyrics and it doesn't seem to be an original of hers.
Still, she sang it like it was hers all along. The brunette, unaware of the silence that followed Tess' song, found herself clapping. Everyone quickly followed suit and they cheered for the blonde. She looked to the left at Caitlyn and received nothing but a questioning stare.
Mitchie chuckled uncomfortably at her and raised her hands in the air. "What!? She was great!"
Caitlyn only groaned in disappointment. "Why'd you have to clap? Now she's back to being the top dog again!"
The brunette let out an awkward laugh and raised both hands in surrender. Caitlyn glared at her and took off.
"I'm sure that won't be the case Caitlyn!" she yelled after her.
- - -
Food Court
Mitchie was happy to see that the food looked delicious this year. Her mother had decided to cater for some other place. It also meant that she's boarding Camp Rock at usual fee instead of the discounted rate from last year.
The pasta today smelled delicious and it was a given that it also tasted delicious too. Mitchie made sure to grab an apple before heading off to find Caitlyn in the others. After a few moments, she finally found her with Lola and Barry. Caitlyn motioned for her to come over.
Mitchie headed off towards them. It had been a good day so far at Camp Rock.
"Hold it Torres," a voice before her stopped her.
Mitchie looked down in front of her to find Tess Tyler seating and toying with her food. The clever girl blended in with the campers though her flashy, fancy outfit still separated her from the rest. It was obvious to Mitchie that Tess had no interest or acquaintance with the campers on the table but was sitting with them to avoid attention.
Or maybe not.
Half of the camper tables were had gone quiet and was watching her with interest. It wouldn't be long until the other half followed suit. Mitchie looked over to Caitlyn. The girl gave her a glare and mouthed 'What are you doing!?'.
"Sit with me Mitchie," Tess looked up at her.
What? I guess we're picking up from last year with the blonde girl before me being...weird.
"I need to talk to you," Tess told her.
I guess I have to hear what she has to say.
Mitchie looked around. The whole food court was watching her now. It was completely silent and Mitchie berated herself for doing what she was about to do. She slowly parked herself beside Tess and sat her tray down. On cue, all of food court erupted in a frenzy with everyone spouting off what they think just happened.
"Great," she muttered. No doubt, everyone is thinking that she's best buddies with Tess Tyler.
Tess let out a soft chuckled at her embarrassment. "A person doesn't change that much, if at all, in one year."
"Huh?" Mitchie stared at her dumbly.
"You still care about what everyone thinks of you don't you? Still dying to blend in or fit in?"
Here we go.
Mitchie glared at her and was getting annoyed that it wasn't having any effect on the blonde. "Last year was a mistake."
"Was it really?" Tess questioned her.
"Of course it was! I lied to everyone!" Mitchie could not believe that she was having to explain herself.
"Yes, you did. That was also the real you. Did you think of that?"
"Huh?" Mitchie found herself saying once again.
"Things just turned out perfect for you didn't it? Your lies got you into trouble but those same lies, Torres, are what made the picture-perfect ending for you. Your lie exploded on your face but in some indirect way, it's what made you sing beautiful at Final Jam didn't it? Let's face it Mitchie, before that you wouldn't have the nerve to sing in front of an audience."
Mitchie tried to wrap her head around what Tess said. In some ways, she had to concede that there was some truth to it. She had to lie because she was some meek girl that needed to fit in.
Tess shook her head. "Forget about that stuff. I just wanted to say that it was nice to see you again."
Mitchie looked at her and she had no trouble seeing the sincerity she was looking for. "Thanks. I don't know if you've changed or not."
Tess smiled at her. "Let me answer that one for you. I'm still the same person."
Mitchie frowned in disappointment. She had hoped that the blonde would change. She felt silly for actually sitting with Tess.
"Oh. Well, I wanted to say that you rocked in opening earlier."
"I know Mitchie. I've always been a talented singer you know," Tess said confidently.
Mitchie laughed. It wasn't in protest. Mitchie had always seen Tess as a talented songstress. "Yeah, you are."
"It was a lot different from your usual stuff. It was nice. I really loved it."
Tess looked at her. It was that stare again like last summer when the blonde leaned closed to her. It felt like she was seeing inside of her. The blonde diva smiled at her.
"Of course you did. This pasta blows. I'm out Torres. Thanks for the company!"
Once again, Tess Tyler left Mitchie confused and puzzled.
- - -
The song sung by Tess in these chapter is called "La Pump" by Smoosh.
