Dinner was nearing and the Meagan, Kyra, Maddie, Zack and Cody were anxiously waiting backstage.
"How about a kiss for good luck?" Zack asked Kyra.
"How about a punch in the nose if you keep this up?" asked Kyra in a falsely polite tone.
"Aw, c'mon! It's my birthday!" said Zack. "Please?"
"Is it really your birthday?" asked Kyra
"Well, no, but how's about a kiss anyways?" asked Zack. Cody interrupted;
"Where's Sonia?" he asked Meagan and Kyra.
"Gathering costumes with London, Tapeworm and Max," said Meagan. "Why?" Cody shrugged.
"You like her!" said Zack accusingly to Cody.
"No! I said she was nice, I met her once when I was just hanging out in a hall," said Cody.
"Yeah, her hall you crazy stalker," said Zack.
"You're one to talk," said Cody. He faked a cough that sounded very much like he was saying "Maddie," then he did it again and said "Kyra".
"You like her," said Zack teasingly.
"She was really nice to me, that's all," said Cody blushing a deeper shade of red. Meagan looked at Kyra, they both grinned.
"That's really sweet," said Meagan. "We won't tell her,"
"Thanks," said Cody quietly.
"You just met her today and you already like her?" asked Zack.
"Zack, you always do that," said Cody.
"Oh," said Zack then paused. "Yeah, you're right, but hey, it's always worked for me!"
"Ah-hem," coughed Cody, he pointed to Maddie and Kyra.
"Well, almost always," Sonia and London came running back, slightly pink in the face, with some more costumes.
"This'll be so fun," said Sonia. Cody smiled and Zack winked at him. Just then, a voice boomed over the speakers and the stage went dark.
"Welcome to the Tipton dinner, tonight we have a collection of special performers and acts so I ask you to give a round of applause," the voice belonged to Mr.Mosbey. The audience obediently began clapping courteously. "Now, without further a due, I present to you tonight's hosts; Zack, Cody, Meagan, Kyra and Maddie!" the audience clapped louder. Mr.Mosbey walked backstage and shot the twins a dirty look before ushering them to go on. The girls knew that Mr.Mosbey would've rather eaten a pound of live worms than let Zack and Cody host the show, even under the girl's control, but he really had no other options. Zack and Cody went on stage first.
"Hi," said Zack. "And welcome to tonight's show," Meagan could tell that he was reading off cue cards that Cody had made up.
"We, and some of our friends, will be your hosts for this evening presenting a few short acts in between performances, we hope you enjoy this evening's show." said Cody. This was the Meagan, Kyra and Maddie's cue. Meagan took the microphone form Cody and said;
"We will start off with a small skit from us,"
"All of our skits, when put together, are the story of Charles Dickens's classic tale; 'A Christmas Carol'. said Kyra.
"In fact, tonight's theme is Christmas, seeing as this is the last dinner before Noel," said Maddie, putting a slight French spin on things. The group then disappeared backstage to change costumes quickly as waiters went around asking for appetizer orders from the guests. By the time the entrées were being served, the group was in place, in costumes, with props, on stage, waiting for the spotlight to come on again. When it did, the group was illuminated on stage. Sonia was standing as the first narrator off to the side. Zack was playing Scrooge, he sat at a desk and pretended to count money. He was wearing lots of make up to make him look much, much older. He looked quite funny in an ugly old brown suit. A bit to the side of him was Cody, who was playing Bob Cratchit. He was also wearing a suit and make up, but didn't look nearly as old.
"Jacob Marley was dead. Everyone knew that. The legal papers had all been signed by the clergyman, the undertaker and even Ebenezer Scrooge had signed them. Yes, Marley was dead as a doornail. Did Scrooge know he was dead? Of course he did, how could he not know? After all, Scrooge and Marley had been business partners for many years. Scrooge was Marley's only friend and mourner, and the only beneficiary of his estate. Still, Scrooge was an excellent business man and even the day of Marley's death, he took advantage of the sad event by offering his customers special bargains. Yes, Scrooge knew Marley was dead all right, but for some reason, which no one ever knew, he never painted old Marley's name out of the sign that stood above the warehouse door. It still read, 'Scrooge and Marley'." On that note, a bright light shone down showing the 'Scrooge & Marley' sign above the heads of the twins.
"But Scrooge was a tight fisted old man, squeezing every penny out of a bargain, showing no mercy to those who owed him money and wrenching every minute of work out of his employees." said Max, who had joined Sonia on her side of the stage. At the end of her part, the light glowed over the twins.
'It was the afternoon of Christmas Eve and ld Scrooge sat busy at work in his office. It was a cold, foggy, bleak day. The door to Scrooge's office was open so he could keep an eye on his clerk, Bob Cratchit, writing letters in his tiny workplace." said Sonia. Then a knock on the door was heard. Tapeworm, as Scrooge's nephew Fred, was dressed in a comical looking suit and top hat entered.
"A merry Christmas, Uncle!" he said cheerfully. Zack, as Scrooge, barely even glanced up.
"Bah humbug!" he said bitterly.
"Christmas a humbug, Uncle?" said Tapeworm stepping closer to Scrooge's desk. "You can't mean that!"
"I do!" barked Zack. "Merry Christmas indeed! What right do you have to be merry? You're poor!"
"Come, Uncle, what right do you have to be grouchy? You're rich!" said Tapeworm.
"Bah humbug!" he said again.
"Don't be cross, Uncle, I simply came to invite you to have Christmas with my family tomorrow,"
"Why, I would rather see you below with the Devil first than come to your home!" said Zack.
"But why, Uncle, why?" Tapeworm was quite convincing as the role of Fred.
"Why did you get married?"
"Because I fell in love,"
"Because you fell in love!" growled Zack. "That is the only thing in the world more ridiculous than a Merry Christmas, Good afternoon" said Zack, returning to count his money.
"But, Uncle, you never even came to see me before I was married. How can you use my marriage as an excuse?"
"I said good afternoon," said Zack firmly. Tapeworm slouched off stage, sadly. The audience applauded loudly. Another knock was heard from the door. Cody, as Bob, let Meagan and Maddie in. They were dressed as men form a collecting organization.
"Is this Scrooge and Marley's?" asked Maddie. She had deepened her voice to seem more manly. Zack nodded.
"And am I speaking to Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?" she asked.
"Mr. Marley has been dead for seven years," Zack said promptly. "In fact, seven years ago tonight,"
"Oh," said Meagan gruffly. "Then I'm sure you will be willing to donate extra generously-"
"No," said Zack interrupting.
"But there are people," plead Maddie. "People dying of hunger and-"
"Bah! I am not paid for looking after them. As far as I'm concerned, the government is responsible and are well enough looking after them." he turned back to his work.
"Please, sir, just giving a little will make the biggest change for these people, especially at this time of year. Why not brighten their lives a little bit? Now, how much do you wished to be put down for?" asked Meagan.
"Nothing!" replied Zack. "I wish to be left alone!" he brushed his hand, dismissing the girls.
"After the work day, Bob Cratchit walked over to Scrooge," said Sonia.
"I suppose you'll want tomorrow off then?" said Zack to Cody. You wouldn't even be able to tell they were twins under all the makeup they were sporting.
"If it is convenient for you sir," said Cody.
"It is not convenient," said Zack putting on a jacket.
"It is only once a year, sir," said Cody.
"Yes, once a year, Christmas, what a poor excuse!" said Zack. "You may have tomorrow off, but I shall dock you a days pay," said Zack.
"All, all right sir," said Cody walking off. "Merry Christmas," he said leaving the stage. At that the lights dimmed and the crowd broke out into applause. The group left to go backstage as Kyra and London walked on.
"More of that will be coming up, right after the next act!" said London.
"Now, we present to you Santa and the Reindeers performing their own song of 'Jingle bells are the Essence of Rock and Roll'." said Kyra and they walked backstage to join the others.
"That was awesome you guys!" said Maddie.
"Yeah Zack, you were really, rally good!" said Sonia. Meagan noticed a sad look sweep across Cody's face. She looked to Kyra and saw that she had seen it too.
"Cody was great too," said Kyra quickly.
"Yeah, really convincing," said Meagan. But there efforts were helpless, Sonia's attention had already been turned to the people singing on the stage.
"We don't need no guitars to strum, we don't need no keyboard or drums 'cause we know the meaning of soul, we know the essence of rock and roll, we are all doin' fine and well as long as we got our jingle bells!" the guy o stage dressed as Santa sang into the microphone. He and the group of 'reindeers' shook their bells. The audience laughed, they were hilarious! "Santa, please save our souls, we sing the rock and we've got the roll," chanted the reindeers. There act went on for about five minutes. Then London and Max came out and reintroduced 'A Christmas Carol' and returned backstage to help with costumes and props. Zack was back on stage and sitting on a bed. The stage was made-up as his bedroom. He was just about to lay down when loud sounds of church bells rang through the stage. He sat up straight. Once the church bells stopped, an eerie silence flooded the room. Then the sound of chains being dragged was heard and Tapeworm went on stage. No one would be able to tell it was Tapeworm though, his face was covered in flour and he was pale as a ghost. Which, of course, was the point. Zack let out a short yell before asking in a shaky voice;
"W-who are you?" "Ask me who I was," said Tapeworm.
"Who were you then?' asked Zack. Tapeworm came closer, dragging his chains with him.
"In life, I was your partner, Jacob Marley," he said. There was a short pause. "You don't believe me," he said.
"I don't," said Zack.
"But you can see and hear me," said Tapeworm.
"I could be going crazy," said Zack.
"I assure you that you are not," said Tapeworm. "But I have a message,"
"Go on then," said Zack.
"You will be visited by three sprits, expect the first sprit tomorrow night at one o'clock."
"I will not!" said Zack.
"Believe me," said Tapeworm. "Without them there will be no avoiding the fate at hand," he rattled his chains and walked off the stage. The lights went out again. The audience clapped some more and Meagan walked on stage.
"Now, as your dinner orders are taken, is your time for a short break. The performances will continue in ten minutes." she walked off. The ten minutes flew by for the group. They only had time to grab a quick drink before they introduced the next group. It was a group of four girls in skimpy outfits performing a rendition of jingle bell rock.
"Hell-o ladies!" said Zack flirtatiously as they walked past. They must have been at least four years older than him and merely glanced at him before waling on stage.
"Hey, you wanna put some clothes on?" muttered Sonia once the girls were out of earshot.
"No kidding," agreed Maddie. They did their song and again it was time for the group to go back on. The scene was still that of Scrooge's bedroom, Zack was sitting wide awake in the bed. A soft whistle blew through the air as Max, dressed in a white sheet but toga style entered.
"A-are you the s-sprit, sir?" asked Zack, voice shaking.
"I am," said Max softly. "I am the ghost of Christmas past, your past Ebenezer,"
"Why have you come here?" asked Zack.
"To help save your soul," said Max. "Take my hand," she said. Zack reluctantly did as he was told. "Come now, I will show you," she said guiding him to the fake window.
"But I am mortal, I will fall," said Zack.
"You shall not fall anywhere," said Max. With that the lights went off for the group to do a quick scene and costume change. After a minute the lights came back on revealing the set of a building. Inside the building, Tapeworm was dressed as an older man wearing a suit. He wore a wig that made his hair look grey. Then Zack opened the door, entering as a much younger Scrooge with Maddie playing another young gentleman.
"Yo ho there, Ebenezer, Dick!" There was a pause in the scene where the voice of Zack and Max, pre-recorded, spoke like they were off to the side somewhere.
"Why, that's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart. And Dick, he was very close to me," there was noticeable depression in Zack's voice. The tape stopped and the scene continued.
"No more work tonight!" said Tapeworm merrily. "For tonight we shall eat, drink and be merry!" Zack, Maddie and Tapeworm began rummaging around and clearing off the stage. There was some ringing of a doorbell and Tapeworm answered it. It was a London carrying a fiddle and she began to pretend to play. Music came on and there was another entrance. Meagan, as Mrs. Fezziwig, dressed in a dress stuffed slightly with pillows walked over and kissed Tapeworm on the cheek as they began to dance. Sonia entered and danced with Maddie and Kyra entered and danced with Zack. It was a very exciting scene. The members of the audience were clapping and laughing. After a little while, people began leaving the party, saying goodbye to Tapeworm and Meagan. Last Zack and Kyra left and the lights went out again. Another quick scene change and Zack was sitting on a bench on the stage. Kyra came over to the bench, crying slightly.
"Bell," said Zack running over and kissed her. Kyra stood still for a second. She then muttered through grinded teeth.
"You weren't actually supposed to kiss me," he gave a goofy grin.
"Go with it," he hissed. Remembering they were still on stage, they sat down on the bench. "What is the matter?" asked Zack holding her hand.
"You don't know?" asked Kyra. "You don't know? It doesn't matter to you at all?"
"What doesn't, Bell?" asked Zack.
"The other love, the other love that has replaced me," she said with a sniff.
"Good Heavens, Bell! What are you talking about?"
"Gold," Kyra whispered. "For now gold is the only thing you love,"
"That's how the world is," said Zack.
"But, Ebenezer, once you had more goals, goals which you cast aside so you could concentrate solely on money," said Kyra crying harder.
"My feelings towards you have not changed!" cried Zack.
"We pledged our love a long time ago, when we were both poor, when you made the pledge you were a different man. You have changed, Ebenezer,"
'I was a boy then, we all change in some ways!" he said impatiently.
"But I have not, so I am releasing you from your promise to marry me," she said standing up. He grabbed her arm and she shook it off. "No, Ebenezer, we both have to let go," with that she walked out leaving Zack pretending to cry. The lights went out and the tape started again.
"No more," said Zack's voice. "No more, Ghost, please," he begged. The curtain closed and the audience applauded. London and Sonia walked on.
"The next song will be performed by Carey Martin," said London.
"She will be singing Silent Night," added Sonia. The girls went backstage as Carey walked on. They went back to find the group talking excitedly.
"We're doing so good,' said Max.
"I know! Batter than every one of our practices," said Maddie.
"You kissed me!" said Kyra staring at Zack. He smiled.
"Was it good for you too, babe?" Kyra gave a disgusted,
"Ugh!" but a smile played around the corner of her mouth.
"You actually look really good in a suit, Zack," said Sonia honestly.
"Funnily enough," said Meagan. "He does!"
"I know, I'm pretty hot," said Zack.
"You're pretty fully of yourself," said Kyra.
"And you're a pretty good actress," said Zack.
"Really?" said Kyra surprised by a sweet compliment that didn't end or begin with 'Sugar'.
"You must be, you star in my dreams ever night," he said. That killed it. But Sonia and Meagan laughed. They heard the spectators applaud and that was their cue to return on stage. The scene was again Scrooge's room. But this time, Zack was asleep and when the light came on it revealed London, dressed in a Santa Clause like outfit and surrounded by fake food.
"Scrooge!" yelled London. Zack sat straight up and gave a quick yelp.
"You, you are-"
"The Ghost of Christmas present of course," Zack looked at him in disbelief. "Who were you expecting? The Easter Bunny?" she laughed loudly. "Come with me, I will show you what you need to see. Touch my robe and we will go," Zack touched the coat and the lights went out. When the lights came back on, the scene was of Sonia, as Mrs. Cratchit and Kyra, Meagan and Tapeworm as the children. They were running around and setting a table for dinner.
"Now, where could your father be?" asked Sonia setting down plates. "And your brother, Tiny Tim, they should've been back from church by now., Even Martha is an hour late getting here," "I am here, Mother," cried a voice from the doorway.
"Bless your heart, dear Martha!" said Sonia running over to Maddie and giving her a hug. "Father is coming," said Maddie placing down the last utensils her Sonia had been holding.
"Oh excellent!" she said. Cody, as Bob Cratchit, entered with Max, as Tiny Tim, hobbling along behind on a crutch. Sonia ran and flung her arms around Cody's neck. Both Kyra and Meagan looked at each other and smiled, they had definitely seen Cody brighten. Tapeworm picked Max up and Kyra and Meagan laughed. Each of them gave Cody and Max a hug before sitting at the table. Kyra and Meagan fetched the goose, a very, very shrimp fake one and placed it on the table. The faces of each member of the family fell.
"Oh, never mind that," said Sonia sadly. She began cutting the goose and soon enough everyone was talking and laughing. After the dinner, Cody stood up.
"I'd like to make a toast to the man who made this dinner possible," he said raising his glass. "To Mr. Scrooge!" he said.
"To Mr. Scrooge indeed," spat Sonia. "If he was here I'd have him feast on a piece of my mind, why Robert, no one knows better than you what a stingy, hard, hateful old man he is!"
"My dear," said Cody. "It is Christmas day," Reluctantly the children and Sonia raised their glasses.
"To Mr. Scrooge," they all muttered. The spotlight was then on London and Zack.
"Well?" said London. "Would you like to see more?"
"Yes, yes I would," said Zack. The lights went out and when they came back on it was another house. Tapeworm was back in his outfit he had worn for Scrooge's nephew and Sonia was in a fancy dress sitting very close to him. The others, Cody, Max, Kyra, Meagan and Maddie were scattered around talking all having a good laugh.
"Let's have a game!" said Tapeworm.
"Oh I do love games!" cried Maddie. Sonia sat closer to him.
"Go on Fred, dear," she said smiling. They guests sat around Tapeworm.
"All right," said Tapeworm. "it's a yes or no,"
"Is it an animal?" asked Meagan.
"Yes," replied Tapeworm.
"A savage animal?" asked Cody.
"Yes,"
"Does it grunt and growl?" asked Max.
"Yes,"
"Can it speak?" asked Maddie.
"Yes,"
"Does it roam the London streets?" asked Kyra.
"Yes,"
"Is it a horse?' guessed Maddie.
"No,"
"A cow?" asked Sonia.
"No,"
"A bear?" asked Cody.
"No,"
"A bull?" guessed Meagan.
"No," After every question Tapeworm roared with laughter. Finally Kyra, who began laughing as well jumped up,
"I know what it is! I've guessed it!" she cried.
"What is it?' everyone asked.
"It's your Uncle Scrooge!" Everyone laughed.
"Right!" yelled Tapeworm.
"Then you should've said yes to 'Is it a bear'!" said Sonia. Tapeworm laughed and raised his glass.
"Now, my Uncle gave us a merry time, we must drink to him!" he stood up. "To Uncle Scrooge!"
"To Uncle Scrooge!" chorused the guests laughing. The lights faded out and the audience clapped once again. Sonia and Cody walked on stage.
"We have a few more performances before our final act so please enjoy your meals and dessert orders will go around soon," said Sonia.
"In the meantime, please welcome Jacob Utah to the stage singing an opera version of Jingle Bells," said Cody. They went backstage again as a fat man walked onto the stage.
"We're nearly finished," said Meagan.
"And it's going so well!" said Maddie.
"Yeah, great job, London!" said Meagan. "You were an awesome ghost,"
"And Tapeworm was hilarious as Fred," said Sonia. The group went on and on complimenting each other. Really, they didn't need to hear it, the audience's response was reward enough. As Jacob Utah hit his last note, long and strong, Kyra and Zack went on stage.
"Please welcome Carey Martin back to the stage," began Kyra.
"Singing O Holy Night," said Zack. Carey entered the stage. Loud echoes of applause rang for her. She began to sing;
"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, this is the night…"
"Your mom sings beautifully," commented Sonia to Zack and Cody.
"Yeah, she's a natural," said Cody, eager that Sonia had spoken to him.
"She sings for the hotel sometimes like three times a week," added Zack. "That's why were here most of the time,"
"Do you mind living in a hotel?' asked Sonia.
"Are you kidding?" asked Zack. "Room service, girls,' he put his arm around Kyra's shoulders. "Elevators, girls," he put his arm around Maddie. "Sweet pranks but mostly just girls," he nodded towards the girls dressed in their Jingle Bell Rock costumes. Kyra looked to Maddie and as planned they took his arms and flipped him forwards then left him in a heap on the floor. Cody and Sonia laughed. "They love me," said Zack.
"Although it's been said many times, many ways merry Christmas to you," finished Carrey. "Thank you," she said then walked off stage. Meagan and London walked on stage.
"Please welcome the talent of Gred Forge," said Meagan.
"The master of dummies," said London.
"As he performs 'The Night Before Christmas' with his dummy Wilmer," said Meagan. They walked off.
"I don't know about you guys," said Kyra. "But dummies really creep me out," The others nodded in agreement. They watched out the corner as Wilmer did his thing. It was quite uproarious, at least the audience thought so. Gred left the stage leaving his audience in side-splitting laughter. Meagan and Maddie walked on stage.
"Thank you, Gred," said Maddie laughing. "For that, err, interesting performance,"
"One more song before our play resumes and that will be done by Tanner Quip singing The First Noel," said Meagan. A young teen, no older than fifteen walked on stage. He had blonde, shaggy hair and magnificent blue eyes. Maddie and Kyra stared after him.
"Now that is a whole lot of gorgeous all in one boy," said Kyra. Maddie nodded.
"He must be from out of town, they don't make them here like that," she said. Zack glared at them.
"You'd have him over me?" asked Zack.
"Any day," replied Maddie dreamily. They all turned their attention to Tanner on stage. He began singing and Kyra's mouth formed a wide O. His voice was stunning! Amazing! Beautiful! By the time he was finished, Kyra and Maddie were both tearing. He came off stage and smiled at the girls. Once he was out of hearing distance, Kyra and Maddie let out a squeal. They then had to run on stage and begin setting up. The scene was Scrooge's room and Zack sat on the bed up right. Meagan then walked on the stage slowly wearing a black hooded cloak.
"Y-you are the Ghost of the Future?" Zack asked. Meagan nodded. She then pointed out the door and let him back stage while their was a brief scene change. When they came back on, the scene was that of a road in London. Sonia, Kyra and Maddie were warming their hands over a fake fire.
"I only know that he's dead," said Sonia.
"When did he die?" asked Maddie.
"Last night, I believe," said Sonia.
"What happened?" questioned Maddie moving closer to the fire.
"God only knows," replied Sonia.
"I doubt anyone will go to his funeral," said Kyra.
"Of course not, would you?" asked Maddie. Kyra shook her head. "I wonder what he's done with his money,"
"Well, he hasn't left it to me, that's all I can say," the girls laughed at Sonia's comment.
"It's getting late," said Kyra. "I must be going," she waved and the girls all left in different directions. The light fell on Zack and Meagan.
"Who is this man they speak of?" Meagan didn't reply. During that short comment, the rest of the group had done a scene change. It was the Cratchit's house. Sonia was crying so were Tapeworm, Kyra and Maddie. Cody walked onto the stage, head down as well. They sat there and cried for a moment.
"He was so young," said Maddie. The light on them shut off then went to Zack and Meagan.
"Sprit, please don't tell me that Tiny Tim is-" Meagan nodded. Zack shook his head. "Please, please show me no more," but Meagan led him over to the center stage. The scene was that of a grave yard. Meagan pointed to a grave in front of him, it read 'Ebenezer Scrooge', Zack circled around to it, read it then gasped. "No!" he yelled. "No!" and the lights went out. The curtain closed for a big scene change. It was again a street in London. Meagan, Sonia, Kyra, Tapeworm, London and Max all walked around like they were just pedestrians. Zack then walked on stage.
"I can't let that be my fate," he said. "Not what the Ghost showed me," London, who was dressed as a young girl started to run past Zack. "Hold on, little girl," he handed her a dollar. She smiled at him and ran off. Kyra, who was walking arm in arm with Tapeworm was adjusting her bonnet when Zack called to her and Tapeworm; "Merry Christmas!" Stunned by that, they merely waved. Zack tipped his hat. "And a happy new year!" Meagan was acting as though she was blind, she was poking her cane around. Zack led her down the road and she smiled at him before walking off. Maddie and Sonia were playing poverty-stricken people, they sat huddled together in shabby clothes. Zack walked over to the and handed them his jacket and scarf. He grinned broadly. "Merry Christmas!" he called and the lights went out.
It was then again at the Cratchit's house. They group (with the exception of London) were all sitting at a table. They heard a knock on the door and Cody stood up to answer it. Zack walked on stage carrying a gigantic turkey. They group all looked shocked. Zack waved in London who was carrying a huge bowl of pudding.
"I hope you don't mind that we've stopped by," he said. "Meet Jacob," he pointed to London. "He will be taking your position," he said to Cody.
"What?" asked Cody.
"You will be my new business partner," said Zack.
"Thank you sir," said Cody graciously.
"Never mind that now! Let us feast!" said Zack pulling off a fake turkey leg. They all began speaking excitedly and the curtain closed. The audience broke out into cheers and screams of delight. The group walked around to the front of the curtain and saw they were getting a standing ovation. They did their bows and Max cried out;
"God bless us, everyone!"
-
Wow! That was long! Probably a bit boring too, but I think you may find the next chapters much more interesting! I was so thrilled when I saw I had reviews, I mean, this is my first fanfic posted here so I really appreciate it. Thank you so much for taking the time. And to the other readers, please, please, PLEASE review. Even if you don't like it, I especially welcome constructive criticism, I believe it makes me a stronger writer. So please, if you get the chance review. I'll make sure to reply. So this here chapter goes out to JediMasterBob, Girly.Girly. And Brit199, you guys, as reviewers, are the reason I do this!
Xoxo, Dreamer.