AN: We're so sorry for not posting in forever. We've just been really busy. But thanks to everyone who read or reviewed anyway. You guys are the best!

Disclaimer: Tim is ours. Everyone else isn't. And I don't own CBLT-TV (which is an actual TV station in Toronto). But I do own Josh Calloway.

Chapter 7 – Rehearsal, Day 1

"I said, because Tommy and…" Chaz repeated nervously.

I cut him off before he could utter that stupid girl's name. "I know, I heard you the first time."

"So yeah, we need to practice with them. I figured we'd switch studios every couple days, so that other artists can use the space."

"OK," I said automatically, not paying any attention at all. "When's the first rehearsal?"

"3 days," Chaz said. "We have a couple days to go over it separately, and work out any rough spots. Not that you'd have any. You're great! Then we'll meet and go over it together. Sound OK?"

"Whatever, you're the boss," I answered, even though Chaz let me call the shots sometimes. He can be so sweet sometimes.

"And thanks for watching...This is Josh Calloway for CBLT–TV in Toronto. Have a good night," The host said as he signed off.

"But first, you've gotta be nice," Chaz said, looking at me pointedly.

"Aren't I always?" I said, looking up at him suggestively.

"Well, yeah, but just do it, for me?" Chaz pleaded. He gave me his signature look, the one that I couldn't say no to.

"OK, but you owe me," I said. I was gonna make him pay for making me be nice to that bitch. Maybe a nice candlelight dinner, followed by a make-out session would do it. I'd have to see though.

"Whatever you want, you got it," Chaz accepted my terms without any argument. I walked out, followed by Chaz, and he drove me back to the studio.

We walked inside, where Jude and Tommy were.

"OK, let's get to work," Tommy said, as I rolled my eyes. I hated people who assumed control over everything. It was so not like him.

I silently willed Chaz to say something, to speak out against Tommy's move to take charge over everything, but he didn't say a word. He just nodded and followed Tommy's instructions.

I looked over at Jude, whose eyes were fastened on Tommy's face. It was just as mine was when I looked at my mom. I'd always want her attention, but Candy was her main concern.

Flashback

"Mom, what do you think?" Candy said, holding up the hem of her dress.

Candy was going to a dance, and my mom was helping her put it together. I watched from the doorway, holding my worn, yet beloved, white teddy bear.

"Other than a few adjustments, I think it's beautiful, honey," My mom looked at Candy's dress with a critical eye, trying to catch any potential problems before Candy left for the night.

"Mommy, can you read me a story?" I said, holding my teddy tightly.

"Not now, Eden. Candy needs my help," My mom said, exasperated. "Just go to bed, close your eyes, and you'll fall asleep in no time."

"Mo-om!" Candy wailed, furious that I'd interrupted on their dress-fixing session. "What about my dress?" She glared at me for interrupting.

"Sorry, honey," My mom quickly replied, turning her attention back to the task at hand.

"But Mommy…" I said, trying to imitate my sister's tone of voice.

"Just go to sleep already!" My mom said sternly. Her voice implied that she had no time for me, that she'd had enough of my pestering.

"Yeah, Eden," Candy said. "Go away and leave us alone!"

I turned away, seeing as both of them were ignoring me, and walked down the hallway to my room, my face buried in my precious teddy.

I climbed into bed, as my tears fell, and spoke aloud into the darkness.

"Don't worry, Teddy, Mommy loves me. She does, she really does. You'll see," I said, sniffling. "I'll show them, I will, I'll show them both." I cried until there were no more tears left to cry, and then I fell into a deep, uncomfortable sleep.

End of Flashback

"Hey!" Jude said, as she walked into me. "Pay attention, will you?"

I snapped out of my memories back into the present. "Excuse me? You're the one who walked into me."

"Tommy," Jude wailed. She looked at Tommy, who looked at me.

"Eden," Tommy gave me a warning glance, and looked over at Jude.

"Jude, that's it. You've got it. Perfect!" Tommy praised his artist, who smirked at me.

"Beat that," Jude whispered as Tommy's back was turned.

"Don't worry, I will," I promised. I started dancing the way Tommy showed us, and when Tommy's attention was diverted by a phone call, Jude stuck out her foot and tripped me.

"You fall for it every time, don't you? When will you ever learn?" Jude smiled evilly at me.

"I'll learn just as soon as you learn to keep your huge feet to yourself. Quit trying to trip me," I warned.

Jude moved her head closer to mine, with inches to spare. She looked into my eyes, and replied calmly. "Make me." She smiled.

"How's this?" I shoved her as hard as I could. Jude went crashing into the background, which fell down on top of her.

"EDEN!" Tommy bellowed, having just ended his conversation.

"It was Jude's fault, I swear," I said, putting on my most innocent expression.

"Eden," Chaz said, putting his hand on my shoulder. He saw right through my ploy.

"One more problem between the two of you, and you're out," Tommy said.

"What?!?" I screeched. "What about Jude? She started it!"

"Yeah, and you're acting like a 3-year-old. Grow up. We've got lots to do, and no time for fighting. So you want to fight with Jude? Do it on your own time. Not on mine," Tommy glared at me, and turned his attention back to Jude.

"Why does she get away with this?" I fumed. I looked to Chaz for support.

"Maybe if you're nice, Jude'll be nice back," Chaz said, trying to be helpful.

"Yeah, Jude'll be nice when pigs fly, hell freezes over, and Jude looks decent for a change," I muttered to myself. I struggled to ignore Jude's barbs, but it wasn't as easy as they'd made it out to be. That girl could pass for the devil himself. She needs to go, but how? I had to make her look like the bad guy without looking like I was involved in any way. I had some serious plotting to do.

AN: So, what'd you think? Please review!