Heya Neighbor

Thanks for the reviews again! Sorry for the long update…. Once again! I should be more consistent, but blame my teachers! The homework never seems to stop piling up. Oh well, I'm graduating soon, so I'll be free!... and then I'll get more homework in high school:( :( Anyway, thanks again, and hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 10: The Gateway to Something More

"Oh, my hair…." Crystal said softly to herself, gazing into the mirror of her locker. Although she loved her new haircut, she missed her long hair terribly.

Marta patted her shoulder, "Oh, get over it drama queen."

"Easy for you to say; you're like Rapunzel." Crystal brushed her hair with her fingers, as she took out her discman. She had a feeling she might be needing it for the auditions.

Marta flashed her pearly whites, "I know! But, for what it's worth, you look hot with short hair."

"Hmmmm…… I'm sensing some lesbian vibes over here." Freddy and Zack walked up to the duo.

"You're right, boyfriend, I'm break up with you. Crystal and I belong together. I'd do anything for her." Marta grabbed her 'girlfriend' by the hip and tangled her fingers through her hair.

Crystal grinned, "Does this mean you'll cut your hair for me?"

Marta laughed, flipping her over shoulder. She only succeeded in putting half of it into Crystal's mouth. "Not a fat chance."

Zack looked at the girls amusingly, but then averted his attention to Crystal, "Anyways, you ready?"

Crystal slapped her knapsack over her shoulder, "Sort of……. Here, let's go before they get even more disgusting." He scrunched her nose upon looking at Marta and Freddy making out full throttle.

"If that's even possible, "Zack frowned, while he and Crystal exited the scene into the gym. All of the band, and choir were already there except for Alicia and the PDA duo.

"Nervous?" Zack asked, smirking at Crystal who was fiddling with the hem of her school skirt.

Crystal widened her eyes, "Is the choir watching the auditions!"

"Uh, yeah…… they got the schedules mixed up. You okay with that?" Zack flipped through the audition book.

"Oh, I'm good. Of course, you know, this could be like the audition for choir and band…. Yeah okay…" Crystal lied. One boy was the answer: Mike Lopez. Her heart beat had just increased its rate by 100 more times per second.

Zack walked her to the other applicants. There were cheerleaders/the CBS, avid girl fans, a couple of boys, and some of Crystal's other friends.

"Crystal!" Terri, a girl who befriended Crystal in English, waved her over to a group of girls, "I never knew you were auditioning!"

Crystal shrugged, "I didn't really tell anyone….. Partly because I thought not a lot of people would show up."

"Same here. What song are you singing?" Terri asked in a chipper tone.

"Hmmm….. I'm still deciding. I think I'll figure it out by the time I get up there." Crystal sat beside her.

Terri smiled, "Me too. Sing 'Let It Be' by the Beatles. You sing that like everyday, and in perfect tone if I might add."

Crystal held her hand under her chin, "I was deciding on that, but now that you suggested it, I have to do it. Thank you."

Terri smiled, "Your welcome, and might I say, Mike Lopez is looking mighty fine today." Crystal looked at the direction of Terri's eyes and beamed.

"I have to agree with you there." Both sighed happily.

"Okay, listen up dudes!" Dewey smiled as everyone was looking at him, "Okay…. Now listen to Summer."

Everyone chuckled and then gave their full attention to Summer, who was smiling because everyone was concentrated on her…….for once. "Welcome everyone, thanks for showing up, and we're sorry for the mix up for choir and band auditions. Choir has been scheduled for tomorrow, but I conversed with the contestants and they're more than willing for you to watch if you'd like. If you are not comfortable not in front of this crowd, you may leave, and are asked to audition tomorrow after school at the SOR studio. However, I must quote that you'll get extra points for auditioning here, in public. Why? Well, if you make it, you're going to have sing live in front of numerous people anyway. Once again, I am sorry for the mix up, and as of now, the auditions are beginning."

Crystal clicked her shoes nervously, wishing that she had ruby red slippers that would bring her back home. Her ears listened to the texture of her competitor's voices and shivered. They were good. She stared up into the bleachers, and saw Mike Lopez looking her way. He smiled softly and waved, while she returned the gesture as well.

"Hard to believe that he has sex with all the cheerleaders……" Terri sighed, and Crystal could not believe that Terri was talking about Mike.

"Are you cereal?" Crystal whispered loudly.

Terri laughed, "Yes, I am cereal…. and serious, Crystal. Of course, the cheerleaders don't boast it because they're embarrassed that a guy can actually play them THAT good. I'd watch out if I were you. Right now, I think he's coming onto your sister… and you. He's trying to do the 'get both the sisters' thing'. You know that stupid egotistical guy ego thing. What nasty, yet sexy freak."

"What a guy. Oh well, my sister has probably already had sex with all the basketball players already." Crystal rolled her eyes.

"And you?" Terri asked.

"Virgin." Crystal replied proudly.

Terri smiled, "Oh yeah, virgins rock." They both high-fived quietly.

As each contender sang, the closer Crystal got to singing. 'Oh my gosh, I am so going to die of humiliation. This freaking nerve-racking audition is killing me.' Crystal fiddled with her skirt again. As soon as Terri finished, Crystal knew it was her time.

"Next up, Crystal Matthews." Summer called her friend up. Each step Crystal took made her legs weak, her throat dry, and her stomach swirl. She passed a flattering remark or compliment to Terri and brought herself to the middle.

"Song?" Freddy smirked.

Crystal sighed, "Uhhh……Let It-…. Uh, actually …. Who's To Say by Vanessa Carlton."

She could hear some people laughing or snickering. She knew it wasn't the greatest choice of song, but for once, she didn't care.

"Do you have the CD or anything?" Katie asked.

"Yeah. Here, it's track 8." She passed her 'burned' CD to Katie and she put it into the stereo. The opening chords seeped through the speakers, and Crystal knew this was it; her big break… in a way.

"Stand up straight

Do your trick

Turn on the stars

Jupiter shines so bright

When you're around to tell us slow down,

We're too young you need to grow

The speed's the key

And they don't know who we are

And who's to say that we're not good enough?

And who's to say that this is not our love?

Mother don't tell me friends are the ones that I lose

'Cause they'd bleed before you

And sometimes family are the ones you'd choose

It's too late now

I hold on to this life I found

And who's to say we won't burn it out?

And who's to say we won't sink in doubt?

Who's to say that we won't fade today?

Who are they anyway? Anyway they don't know

And you say we're too young, but maybe you're too old to remember

And I try to pretend but I just feel it when we're together

And if you don't believe me, you never really knew us

You never really knew"

"Okay, that's enough. Really well done. Just have a seat." Zack smiled, and motioned for Crystal to sit. Even with the compliment, she felt all jittery. They said that compliment to everyone, and sometimes they added an awesome. But her, she only got a "really well done". 'You did well. Big confidence breakage……. Maybe I should have chose a different song…. No, you did good!' Random thoughts raced through her head, as Crystal approached her seat.

"You were great." Terri complimented her.

Crystal smiled, "Thanks…… I feel all shaky now."

A couple more contestants came and went, and then they said it. They announced the new members, and Crystal felt her heart drop in anxiety. Everything she wanted that would make her in the spotlight was….. it was given to her. Oh, and of course two other people. For the whole day, she was given compliments and many congratulated her. Bizarrely, even her stepsister said a 'good job'. Maybe because it became a trend, bu Crystal didn't care. Things were finally looking up for Crystal Matthews, but would it stay like that forever?

READ:

Okay, so the next chapter will showcase about 3 to 5 months later. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll try and be more consistent, which is something I doubt will happen, but I have little faith in me! Once again, reviews are greatly appreciated. Keep the reviews coming and I'll keep the chapters coming! I hope you enjoyed this, and please review!

SoHaPPy