OK, a bit more of Jeanne. Thanks for reviewing, Mrs 11th.

When I woke up the next morning, Tracy, Crystal and Carmen were already gone, but the rest of the house was still asleep. It was seven thirty, two hours before I'd arranged to go over to Amber's. After I'd gotten dressed, done my makeup (like yesterday's) and sprayed my hair, it was only eight o'clock. I decided to explore Baltimore before I went over to Amber's. It was a good hour's walk to the Von Tussle home, but it gave me an half an hour to look around Baltimore.

It wasn't that exciting, and I was glad to start off for Amber's house after half an hour. Soon it came into view.

It was Velma who opened the door. "Hello." she said. "Jeanne, was it? Amber told me you were coming over to help her prepare for Miss Teenage Hairspray. She's in her room. I'm sure you'll know where it is?"

I nodded. "Thank you, Mrs Von Tussle." I said politely and went on to Amber's room and knocked.

"Hi, Jeanne!" Amber said brightly as soon as she opened the door. She pulled me into her room. "Anyway, have I got news for you!" she whispered. "Mother said Tracy would be more than likely be kicked off the show now, and she's going to try to get you on it! Isn't that great?"

"Um, yes." I said hesitantly. "It is." Every time I answered Amber with things like this, it felt like I was being stabbed, because I was betraying Tracy, even if I reasoned with myself.

Amber and I did basically the same as we'd done the day before, just more thoroughly. We gave each other advice. In the end, Amber decided to curl her blonde hair, and persuaded me to wear mine in her signature style. Next came clothes.

"This is my dress." Amber said, pulling it out. It was the cream one I remembered. "Isn't it gorgeous?"

"Yeah, it's beautiful!" I exclaimed. "I'm SO jealous!" It was true. When watching the movie, I wished I'd had clothes like Amber's. Now...

"What about you wear this?" Amber suggested, pulling out a pink dress, perfect for both dancing or watching. "Try it on!"

I did, and it looked great. "Wow! Can I actually borrow this?" I exclaimed.

"Of course!" Amber said generously. "We should definitely go shopping after the pageant and then you'll have the best clothes like me and you won't have to borrow mine."

In the late afternoon, we got the news about the march. On TV, it was telling us that Tracy had attacked someone, which was a huge lie, of course. "Miss Turnblad has disappeared, along with another young woman." Footage appeared, and I could see my friends. Crystal was yelling something at the police, and I could see Tracy running off, with Carmen following.

"That's Carmen!" I exclaimed. Amber frowned.

"That was the girl with the dark hair that you and Tracy turned up with for the audition that day." she said. "But this means you'll definitely be able to get a chance on the show."

There was a knock on Amber's bedroom door. "Come in!" Amber called.

It was Velma, of course. "I have good news," she said. "Jeanne, you will not be able to participate in Miss Teenage Hairspray, sadly, but I got you Tracy's place on the show, and you'll join the opening song for the live pageant."

"Won't she have to learn the dance?" Amber questioned.

"Amber, you can teach her, can't you?" Velma said. "I'm too busy today."

Amber smiled. "OK, Jeanne, I'll teach you the dance now."

It was fairly simple and Amber was a lot less impatient than yesterday. I had soon gotten the dance memorized and down. "Do you want to stay overnight?" Amber offered. "Then we could go to the studio together and get ready together."

I liked the idea, but I didn't want to worry Tracy's family as to why none of us were back. "Thanks for the offer," I said, "But I have to get back."

The minute I rang the doorbell back at Tracy's, I heard Edna call "Tracy?" When she opened the door, she still looked anxious. "Jeanne! I thought you'd be Tracy, but then, I was wrong last time. Come in."

"Last time?" I asked quizzically, stepping into the house. "I heard what happened on the news."

"Link called round because he's worried about Tracy. They were lying about the assault. The Eagle Scout didn't even bleed!"

I nodded, then began to walk to Tracy's room, but heard heavenly singing from inside. "...believe me, never leave me without love!" I realized I'd caught the end of Link's part of Without Love. He turned and saw me, immediately blushing.

"Um...hi." I said quietly. "That was amazing. Oh, by the way, I'm Jeanne. Crystal told me that she was yelling at you yesterday."

Link nodded. "Yeah. She was right. I really should've been there at the march too."

"Don't worry." I said. "I wasn't there either."

"Let me guess...Amber?"

"How did you know I was at hers?"

"Crystal said you were friends with her."

"Oh." a short pause. I sighed. "Amber will be heartbroken when you and Tracy end up together. She's not that bad, really. She's just under her mother's thumb too much. I'm being her friend so I can help her."

Link still looked puzzled as to why anyone would choose to be around his ex-girlfriend, so I carried on talking. "Just to warn you, Mrs Von Tussle wants me to take Tracy's place on the show, so although I'm not competing in Miss Teenage Hairspray, I'm joining you guys in the dance at the beginning."

Link stared for a moment, then nodded. "OK, thanks for the heads up."

Well, the chapter's long enough, so review, and then I'll update with Carmen.