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Chapter Four

'I. Cannot. Believe it.' Chloe rolled her eyes at her friends as they sat at their breakfast table. Once more.

'I'm so excited about the battle of the bands today,' Nikk-kole drawled, trying to change the subject indiscreetly.

'Shut UP and LISTEN!' Chloe screeched angrily. 'Flace tried to sabotage our equipment! I am soooo mad! If I hadn't stopped him, we wouldn't even be competing today? How does that make you feel? STUPID!'

'OK, OK,' Cola muttered. 'It was... just... a plastic guitar,' she added carefully before screaming 'Ow!' as her electric collar, installed by the director, shocked her painfully for her insolence.

'I don't care!' Chloe ranted, apparently unaware or uncaring of her friend's pain (or, more likely, both.) 'We have to win and prove those idiots wrong, otherwise my leadership meter will drop to an all-time low. And I, for one, will not let that happen.'

'We're so with you, Clo,' Nikk-kol gushed.

'Great. Well, it's about to start. Let's go check out the competetition, before our moment of truth.' Cough cough

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Quinn and Mark delFigallo were the first act up. Mark stood awkwardly in centrestage, while Quinn eagerly stabbed some discordant keys on her keyboard.

Mark held the microphone to his pouting, downturned mouth.

'My name is Mark delFiggalo...' he muttered.

'It means of the figs, I bet you didn't know!' Quinn screamed, unnervingly loudly. Several members of the audience jumped.

'I hope you like our little show...'

'And if you don't, then GO!' Quinn scowled threateningly. Most of the kids watching gathered up their belongings, along with half of the teachers. 'No, no,' Quinn added hastily. 'Not really. It just rhymes, see? We call this experimental art. Like it? Whoo!' She cheered excitedly, hoping everyone would join in. When they didn't, Mark threw down the microphone and slumped off the stage, crying bitter tears of disappointment.

'Oh, he's so sensitive!' Quinn gasped, hurrying off after him. She stopped just before exiting the stage, held up a rock and screamed, 'ROCK ON!' She then threw the 'rock on' at Mr Bender, who collapsed in a crumpled heap of clown-like clothes, only to be trampled by eager pre-teens hungry for blood as Chloe and her band entered the stage confidently, albeit not coolly.

'Helloooo, PCA!' Chloe shrieked, looking especially preppy today in her pink T-shirt and short orange mini. 'Plug it in, guys, and turn it up!'

Rolling her eyes, Cola 'plugged in' her plastic guitar and struck the light-up chord as bubbles came out of the amp. Chloe grabbed the microphone and headbanged unconvincingly, her hair overstraightened so much that it didn't actually move.

'Chloe needed to be preppy, so she threw her dogs a bone...'

Chloe cackled and tossed her hand over her shoulder at her bandmates, who gritted their teeth but continued 'playing.'

'And her daddy's company was so big that he gave her a show for her own...

Chloe's the 'best friend' anyone could know
And there's cash in it for you if you tell her so!
Chloe's so 'loyal' ("Chloe!") she's 'there' when you call
We love Chloe, see you at the mall!'

Nobody seemed to mind/realise that Chloe was singing this song about herself in the third person, or that she'd stolen it from Clifford the Big Red Dog that big furry ball of love!

'So we packed up the Rolls Royce car and left for PCA-EEEY-A

She stayed in Room 911 and hired loads of friends the next day
There to greet our star Chlo-o-ee

Chloe's so much fun - she's leader of us all
I love Chloe see you at the mall!'

'WHOOOOOOO!' Chloe screamed triumphantly. The crowd joined in, like brainwashed lemmings leaping from a cliff. Chloe kept bowing at the front of the stage, until the competition's organiser hurried up and led her off. 'Get your hands off me! I'm paying your salary, buddy!'

She was so preoccupied battling with the teacher that she missed the start of the guys' song. She missed Slogan's shocked and horrified reaction as Chase sang the opening lyrics... 'I love Chloe, from my head to my toey!'

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Ooh, what did you think! Will Chloe FINALLY realise Flace's weak and well-rehearsed feelings towards her? And why are we asking you all these questions? Tune in again soon for the conclusion of this thrilling cliffhanger. And don't forget to read and review! Ciao. \m/\m/