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Someone Else Before: Chapter 2

Miles upon miles of dry plain passed by Kelsey's window on the beat-up southbound bus. There was 500 miles between S. Anthony Prep and Amarillo, Texas--the first stop. There was 357 miles to go. The blazing summer's heat wasn't helping matters, the 20 or so distraught passengers were each spread out on a bench fanning themselves with whatever they could. Kelsey got out her journal and started writing.

June 25, 2007

Dear Journal,

It's official, I've left SAP and going back to Malibu. I've only been there twice... the two short breaks I had from touring. Otherwise, it was always go-go-go. I'm on the noon bus to Amarillo, and I'm telling you its pure hell. 110 degrees and no air conditioning. I'm serious, I don't even think the bus driver is human... but you never know. With the money I've saved from Carmen's days, I may take the local bus to Lubbock and stay the night there, and maybe do a little shopping. The school doesn't care that I've left. I fit everything that was mine into my rolling suitcase and my backpack. Most of my clothes were school mandated... so I have 2 pairs of clothes with me. Fabulous. Well, another story for another time.

'Til next time

K.C.S.

Kelsey closed her tired cloth-bound journal number 4, grabbed her iPod, and rested her head against the surprisingly cold glass and fell asleep.

-Flashback-

One of the few breaks from touring Kelsey had gotten was spent at the beach side house in Malibu. She never had enough time to go to Tennessee, so her family bought a house with Carmen's money for the entire family.

"I'm the F to the E, R, G the I the E...And can't no other lady put it down like..." two girls were dancing in their living room.

"Woo, go AirBud, at this rate you'll be the next Montana!" Kelsey hugged her little sis.

"KiKi, you know I want to be a singer. But, daddy says I have to wait until I'm in 8th grade. I'm starting 7th grade soon, this is going to take forever," Miley said dramatically.

"It'll come soon enough. I'll be gone for your entire 7th grade year too. They've got me booked until next May. Man...maybe after ninth grade, I can go to normal school and take a break from Carmen and everything."

"But, singing is your everything," Miley whined.

"It's not that..." Kelsey started.

-End Flashback-

Kelsey awoke as the bus pulled into yet another stop. In her reoccurring dream, she never got to tell her sister why she wanted the break. Which isn't far from the truth, Miley just thinks she wanted a break from it all. When in reality, there are three people besides her that know the real reason of the Carmen Montana disappearance. Her manager, also her dad, who had reluctantly agreed to let her go to boarding school. Her mother, who was now dead because of the psychomaniac's bullet. And lastly, the psychomaniac, also known as her former tour tutor, Mr. Wynton. Not even her twin brother Jackson knew.

Kelsey sighed as four passengers got off the bus, and 5 more got on.

"Only 300 miles to go," Kelsey breathed out leaning back into well worn seats.

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"Ms. Montana, that's perfect!" Liza, the perfectionist photographer of Teen Trends Magazine yelled out. " I've done it again! Now, take ten as I reload the camera!"

Hannah let her smiling face relax and walked over to her friend Lola, who was excited to be at a photo shoot.

"Lola, relax, you've only been to a million of these!" Hannah said taking a drink of water from the water bottle an assistant gave her.

"But, I swear I saw Noah Vincent walk into the next booth over!" Lola said giving out a girlish squeal.

"Lola, get a grip. I will not be personally responsible for the mental health of other singers," Hannah said handing the water back to the assistant.

"Oh, who cares," Lola said waving it off. "So, how does it feel to be on your 5th cover of Teen Trends?"

"Great, but I have 3 more after this one, to catch up with Carmen," Hannah said downcast at the mention of her sisters name.

"I thought you were over that," Lola comforted.

"I mean, I thought I was, but she left without saying good-bye. I know there's got to be a reason right, but every time she tried to tell me something always happens."

"You're exaggerating," Lola said rolling her eyes.

"No, I'm not..." Hannah started.

"Ms. Montana back to the booth please," Liza said sweetly, as if her job depended on it.

"Of course," Hannah said with the same attitude.

Liza starting snapping picture after picture, Hannah swore all she saw was white.

"Oh, sorry!" Liza exclaimed, stopped taking pictures all of the sudden. "Forgot to turn the flash down!"

It was official; Liza had definitely hit her head.

Within seconds, Liza was flashing picture a mile a minutes. However, this time Hannah could see Lola making faces to get her to laugh.

"Be careful, your face might stick like that," someone came up from behind her.

"As if," Lola turned around to see a guy walk up to her.

"By the way, do you dye your hair that color? My brother says its a wig, so your wouldn't damage your hair with all your color changes," Noah pointed out Lola's magenta wig.

"Sorry, to burst your bubble," Lola whispered. "It's a wig."

"Well, it looks like I have to give my brother five bucks, nice meeting you Lola," said the guy walking off.

Lola brushed him off as another guy asking about her hair color. As she started making faces again, it finally registered who she talked to.

"Eep! NOAH VINCENT TALKED TO ME!" Lola attracted stares with another girlish squeal and jumping up and down.

"Sorry," she whispered.

Yeah, that whole squealing thing sounds like something Lola would do. So, remember to Read and Review and you'll get a virtual cookie! --AColdSky.