AN: SURPRISE!

As a thank you for all the support we have gotten, we thought we would go ahead and post the second chapter. That way we can get the introductions out of the way and next Saturday we will be ready for Edward and Bella to meet. Thanks once again to everyone that has reviewed, favorited, and followed us. Plus all of you that have given us such massive support. You guys are amazing!

Special thanks to Mana Liz for pre-reading for us.

Super special thanks and mucho appreciation to Kitchmill for her quick and awesome Beta work and for taking a chance on a couple of newbies.

BPOV

As soon as the car door clicks shut behind me, I let the fake smile I've been wearing slide off my face. I'm sick of pretending to be someone I'm not. Another night spent at another club I could care less about. Pretending to enjoy myself and have the time of my life, when anyone who truly knows me knows I'd rather be at home reading a good book or writing some new lyrics.

But this is the life I signed up for—even if I didn't quite realize what I was signing at the time—to be able to get my music out there and be heard.

My name is Bella, but most of the world knows me as Issa Swan, the newest, hottest, premiere pop princess.

~~~~~POP RELIGION~~~~~

Growing up, my parents weren't what you would call nurturing. They were young when I was born, and I felt as if they resented me, that my birth caused them to miss out on a lot of opportunities. They ended up feeling trapped.

I knew my dad loved me, but he wasn't one to show emotion. He worked around the clock as our town's police chief … and took on extra hours just to avoid my mother it seemed.

Their relationship turned to one of convenience over the years, stuck in a rut they both ignored. They barely even talked or spent time together. He was the bread winner, and she was the homemaker.

He left all the decisions concerning my upbringing to her.

My mother, on the other hand, never failed to let me know that I was more of an inconvenience than a joy. She loved to berate me every chance she got. Even though things she said had an effect on me, I guess it was just luck that I was born with a stubborn streak a mile long.

Over time, I learned my mother was nothing but a bitter shrew, so even though her words stung—more often than not—I shrugged them off. She was careful what she said around my dad; he wouldn't stand for her making me feel like a fuck-up, which was something she did in spades when he wasn't around.

I was rewarded, though, with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. Alice and I met the first day of kindergarten, and we met Rosalie soon after. We rescued her from Jane Spencer on the playground, and since then we've been inseparable.

Which is why they're one of the few things, about all of this superstar stuff, I wouldn't budge on. We may not share blood, but they're my sisters in every other way.

Because I didn't have the happiest home life, I needed some sort of outlet. Ever since I can remember, music has been my solace.

Even though my parents didn't support my musical aspirations, I had Rose's mom. She taught me to read music and play piano, and since then I've learned a few more instruments on my own. It was something I was naturally gifted at and managed to pick up easily.

~~~~~POP RELIGION~~~~~

When we graduated high school, the girls and I headed to U-Dub. I wanted to study music, but my mother refused to pay for college unless I took something "worthwhile." In her words, I would never "make it anywhere in music and needed to get my head out of the clouds." So I took business, even though I knew I'd end up bored and unfulfilled.

My dad wasn't as harsh about my music, but he always deferred to Mom. I begged him to overrule her just this once, but it wasn't worth the argument to him. I wasn't worth the argument to him—that's the way I looked at it anyway.

I couldn't give up my music, so I played anywhere that'd have me on the weekends. Sometimes the girls would even sing backup for me. I actually got quite a following at the open-mic nights, which earned me an invitation to perform at a local music festival.

I was quite content with my classes and getting to play when I could, but as luck would have it, a scout from New Moon Records saw my performance.

Her name was Heidi and she was impressed by my set. After I exited the stage, she approached and asked if I had a demo. Of course I didn't, so she invited me to their sister studio in Seattle to lay down a few tracks. She was sure that if the head guys in LA heard my music, they'd sign me in a heartbeat.

It was exciting and lots of fun, making a demo, but I honestly thought that'd be the last I'd hear about it. Imagine my surprise when Heidi called a week later and said her bosses wanted to meet me.

The next thing I knew, I was on a flight to LA. I wanted Rose and Alice to go with me, but the label would only pay for my ticket, so I ended up going alone.

Arriving in LA and being greeted by a driver with a limo was surreal. It felt like I was dreaming.

Heidi was waiting in the limo and told me that I'd be going to my hotel first, and then later that evening her and one of her bosses would pick me up and take me to dinner. Tomorrow, I'd meet with the label to discuss my demo.

They put me up in a fancy hotel, and I had to admit I was getting more and more excited. I'd been telling myself since the call from Heidi not to get too eager, not to get my hopes up, but standing in a fancy hotel suite in LA waiting to meet the big wigs from a huge recording label had my hopes soaring.

The experience only continued later that night as I was treated to a five-star meal at a restaurant I'd only ever imagined visiting. Heidi and her boss, Caius, were nice to me and kept gushing over how much they loved my voice and look.

I had to admit I found Caius a little creepy initially. He was clearly in his fifties, but obviously had a lot of plastic surgery and dressed like he was in his twenties. He and Heidi both were very touchy-feely people, and I wasn't sure what to think of it. Being from a family that didn't show much affection I wasn't comfortable with all the touching, but I figured it was probably just something about being from LA.

That night I went to bed floating on a cloud.

The next day my head was still in the clouds, and it's something I'll regret forever.

I was too naïve and gullible to realize what I was getting myself into. I was so blinded by all the fancy talk and excitement at the opportunity to get my music out there … that I signed my life away without even realizing it.

Unfortunately I hadn't had enough business classes to really know the ins and outs of contracts. I know now I should have asked for time to have a lawyer look them over. Instead, all I could focus on was the fact that my mother was wrong and I was actually going to make it big.

I ended up making the most colossal mistake of my young life. It was stupid, but when you think your fantasy's turning to reality, sometimes you don't make the best decisions.

It didn't take long to realize my complete lapse in judgment.

They allowed for some negotiating on my part, but I later realized that there were so many other things I should've been opposed to.

I reminded them I could play piano, guitar and violin—not that it really mattered; the label had no interest in allowing me to acknowledge it. They simply cared about my voice, my looks, and that I play up the sex appeal.

I was able to negotiate for Alice and Rose to be my backup singers. I knew they were talented and that we worked well together from the times they backed me before. Plus, there was no way I could do something this huge without them by my side. Thankfully, Heidi had heard them at the festival and they're both beautiful girls, so they weren't a hard sell.

The label doesn't even care about my songs, but that's another thing I was adamant about. I write my own songs and they'll be the only ones I perform. Not to sound arrogant, but my songs were damn good and they knew it. The crowds loved them … those that actually listened to the words anyway. I refused to sing anything else.

Those were the only concessions they allowed me to have.

I headed back to Seattle, contract in hand, full of excitement and fear—fear of a new beginning and the unknown, and excitement for what was to come. I was finally going to live my dream.

Alice and Rose picked me up from Sea-Tac and we headed to our favorite restaurant. They were dying for answers on how my trip went but I stayed mum. I told them we'd discuss it when we got back to the apartment.

When I broke the news, Alice literally jumped for joy. She loved being the center of attention and thrived on being in the limelight.

I had a little more difficult time getting Rosalie to agree. She was a gorgeous girl with a lovely voice, but she'd always shied away from the spotlight.

"I don't know, you guys. You're asking me to give up school and follow you to LA," she told me while chewing on her thumbnail. I never once considered that either of them would turn this down.

"Oh come on, Rose," Alice started in on her. "Bella is going to be huge and we have to go with her. She needs us!" She was adamant at this point, and I figured I'd better step in and let Rose decide on her own. I never wanted them to feel pushed.

"It's okay, Rose. It is a heavy decision and I want you to make the one that's right for you. I'd never want you to just follow my dreams blindly." I reached over and gave her a hug. I needed Rose and hoped she'd say yes, but I'd never make her feel obligated.

"Let me give it a night to sink in and we'll talk more tomorrow?" she asked me, sounding unsure.

"Of course. You know I love you no matter what you decide."

She smiled. "I know you do." Then she got up and headed to her room.

In the end Rose decided she'd never let us leave her behind, plus the money they'd be making was hard to turn down.

Before I'd left LA, after signing the contract, I was given the choice of a few managers. Not knowing anything about them, I chose Emily Call simply because she seemed the most human and down to earth. She stayed in near constant contact while I was taking care of things back home and found a place for Alice, Rose and me since I insisted the three of us live together.

Over the next few weeks we withdrew from school, packed our things, told our parents our plans and prepared to move to LA.

Things seemed to be going great, even if my parents, especially my mother, were less than excited for me. She actually said she would "believe it when she sees it."

Well … I'd be showing her soon enough.

Once we arrived in LA and settled into our apartment, things began moving forward and spiraling out of control. I was ushered into the studio where all of my songs were tweaked to make them sound a little more generic and sexier, and a little less me. I was extremely upset, but I was told the contract gave the label creative rights.

I was also introduced to Angela Webber, who would be my stylist from here out. Suddenly I went from girl next door to wearing clothes I normally wouldn't have been caught dead in. I rebelled but was told that if I wanted to appeal to my fans, I needed to take on a persona.

Again … it was in the contract.

The contract which, apparently, I should've checked out better, and the contract that now ruled my life.

Over the next few months I quickly went from Bella to Issa, another suggestion by the label. That one was fine with me because I didn't feel like Bella anymore and I hated that.

I knew my attitude was declining, but I couldn't help it. I felt like my life wasn't my own anymore. All these people wanted a piece of me, yet none of them even knew me at all.

My album did extremely well. My videos almost shut down YouTube every time one was released. I was at the top of the charts constantly. I should've been thrilled, and some part of me was. Another part, the part that knew none of this was really me, just wanted it all to be over and go back to playing open mics again.

Thankfully Alice befriended Angela and managed to convince her to tone down my look when I wasn't on stage. It was still way more risqué than I was comfortable with, but it was a vast improvement.

Having Rose and Alice around was my only saving grace some days.

I practiced for my upcoming tour for months and could barely stand to be on the same stage with my back-up dancers. They were horrendous, and the performances themselves were raunchy. They treated me like a piece of meat they all wanted a taste of. No matter how many times I told them I wasn't interested, they still seemed to think it was only a matter of time before one of them, or maybe all of them, ended up in my bed.

Never happening!

The contract I signed rules my fucking life, and I'd be so glad when this tour was over.

I'd never sign my life away like this again. I definitely learned a hard fucking lesson.

~~~~~POP RELIGION~~~~~

Being famous made it hard to go out and just have fun with Rose and Alice. I missed the days when we could go out to some small bar or club and blend in … well, blend in as much as three hot young girls can.

Since I stayed at home pretty much all the time now unless I was working on my music or my image, Alice thought it was important that we go out to celebrate my birthday … especially since I was the youngest, though only by a couple of months when it came to Alice.

I was reluctant, but as she said, you only turn twenty once, plus I could use some fun with my girls.

Even though Rose was quieter and shier than Alice, she was still a force to be reckoned with when we went out. She could put a supermodel to shame when she was all made up and tear up a dance floor. She'd already turned twenty-one; we'd celebrated right before we left Seattle. Her dad was in the military which caused her to repeat kindergarten due to all the moves they made that year.

Alice helped me get ready and put me in a blond wig and different makeup. We went to a smaller club and ended up having a great time. The only downside was Alice's constant push for me to find someone to fuck. She was almost obsessed at times with the fact that I was still a virgin and acted like it was her mission in life to get me laid.

Once I put my foot down about that, we ended up having a great time.

That was last week, and now I'm gearing up for the next chapter of my life.

~~~~~POP RELIGION~~~~~

The club appearance tonight was just another "stepping stone," as the label calls it.

They want my face out there in the limelight as much as possible. They don't care that it makes me look like the biggest whore on the planet; they want me in the tabs, good or bad. As long as I'm important enough to be talked about, it increases their bottom line.

I hate it.

Pretending I enjoy being there is getting harder and harder for me.

I'll be glad to get out on tour and away from LA for a while; at least they won't expect me to be club hopping then.

I'm exhausted by the time I make it home but happy to see Rose and Alice still awake. Sometimes they go to these parties with me. The one tonight was very exclusive, and I was only required to make an appearance, so they chose to stay home.

I ended up being there much longer than planned, but at least it's over. Tomorrow I have a meeting with Caius and Emily to get the details of my first headlining tour. I'm looking forward to being out on the road, but I'm also nervous about what they might have in mind.

After the girls and I talk about my night and theirs, we each head off to bed.

In the morning, Rose is sweet enough to have breakfast ready for me. She knows I'm nervous about the meeting and bacon makes everything better.

Unfortunately, with all the skimpy outfits I'm forced into, bacon is something I rarely get to enjoy. Usually breakfast is a small serving a fruit and coffee if I'm lucky. Plus there just isn't time to cook or eat a big breakfast with all of the choreography practice going on lately.

I'm hoping the drive to the meeting will help calm my butterflies.

Even though LA isn't exactly a fun place to drive around, I do enjoy stretching my sexy new indulgence anytime I have the chance.

I splurged and bought myself a 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible. It's orange with two black racing stripes down the hood and custom interior to match.

Before I made it big, back in Washington, I was driving a rusty truck that was almost as old as my grandfather. So this car is something I really love and am thrilled to have. Driving it around never fails to sooth my nerves, so I insisted on bringing myself today instead of taking the car the label would normally send for me.

Once at the studio, Emily greets me right inside the entrance. She has a nervous look about her that makes my stomach knot up with anxiety.

"Emily, why do you look like you're leading me to the gallows?"

"Don't be silly, Bella." Emily's the only one associated with New Moon that's willing to call me Bella.

I raise my eyebrow and will her to tell me what's making her look that way. Instead she just grabs my arm and pulls me to the elevators.

"Please don't leave me hanging or let them surprise me. At least prepare me if you know something's going on," I beg.

"I can't say anything. You know I would if I could, but I can't. Plus, I don't even know the full details so I'd rather not say anything for fear of telling you something wrong." Emily has become a confident of mine and has treated me better than anyone else associated with the label.

"Hmph! Okay, I'll let you slide this time. Usually you're great about preparing me when you know things are going to upset me."

"I do know what it is, but it's best if I just let them explain it. You know it'll go their way anyway." At least she is being honest; there is nothing she can do for me. I signed my life away before I hired her, so she doesn't have as much pull as we would've liked.

We arrive at the top floor and are led straight to Caius' office. Inside, I am surprised to see not only Caius, but also his assistant Demetri and Caius' partner Marcus. I rarely meet with Marcus, so I know something big is going on.

That's when they shock the hell out of me.

"Issa, we're extremely thrilled about you headlining your very own tour," Caius begins. "You're our biggest money maker and we know you're going to sell out venues nationwide."

I know he's buttering me up and I'm ready to hear the details, but I also know I need to be patient.

Marcus speaks up. "We've been brainstorming for a while, trying to find the best way to get our biggest commodity paired with our brightest rising stars.

Okay, I know I have a market so I'm not sure where he's going with this. Maybe they're going to let me incorporate more of my real self into the performances?

Before I can let that thought grow and get too excited, Caius speaks up again. "As you may be aware, Issa, our newest sensation is the Christian rock group Pure Religion."

I'm not aware of that actually, but I must admit that I'm not too concerned with other music—especially other genres.

"We want to try something never before done and have a tour merging your fan base and theirs," Marcus tacks on. "We're calling it Pop Religion. Catchy, isn't it?" He acts like they'd come up with the best idea ever.

"Are you serious?" I have to ask. I mean, they can't possibly be serious. They want me to headline a tour and the opening group is going to be … Pure Religion.

A Christian rock group?

I don't know much about religious music, but I can't imagine anyone who praises God wanting to see my show, much less be billed as the opening act. We couldn't be more different. There's no way. I just know I'll be spending months getting preached at and booed by their holier-than-thou crowd.

I'm in shock, and not in a good way.

"We're definitely serious, Issa," Caius states.

"We think this is going to be huge. We expect every venue to sell out, and for both you and Pure Religion to walk away from this with a multitude of new fans," Marcus adds.

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry, but there's no way this is going to work. Their fans will hate me. I just can't. I want no part of this," I tell them bluntly.

They remind me once again of that fucking contract—the one that keeps biting me in the ass.

It requires me to go on tour if my album does well, and I have no rights or say in who I tour with.

It looks like I'm going on tour with Pure Religion.

Fuck!

This is not going to be good.

AN:

If you read the o/s you might have noticed we made a name change. Originally we had Lauren being the playground bully, but decided to change it since we have other uses for Lauren later in the story. You'll be meeting her soon. See you all Saturday!