A/n: Hey hey people! Thanks to the reviewers. (Yes even the flamers... yummy, s'mores are tasty)
Disclaimer: I do NOT own TRL, I do however own the cute new host. To be TOTALLY honest... I'm sorry guys I don't own Zoey 101 either... (I know I know, such a devastating shock)
Chapter 5:
Diamond sat fidgeting in the back of the limo. She was bored. Living the high life? She hated it. After living the excitement of the risk-taker Dana, Diamond was finding fame boring. She was constantly being judged for doing things most girls her age would do without thinking. Right now, she was headed to TRL. She had sent Zoey a text message, to tell her to watch it. The gang hadn't been in contact. They wouldn't return her calls, they barely sent her messages. Even after Zoey had sworn not to forget, Diamond felt she had already been abandoned. Finally losing patience with sitting still, she stood up and opened the sun roof. She climbed onto the seat and stood so her upper torso was out of the roof. Into the air. Feeling the wind whip through her three-hours-in-the-making styled hair, cracking her lip gloss and cutting at her cheeks, she felt free.
She tossed her new hair style back and stared into the sun, she gave a delighted scream.
"Miss Clarke! I must insist you get back in the vehicle!" Her chauffeur insisted. She ignored him. Just to feel the exhilerance of being alive, she needed it. It was an addiction. Diamond needed the danger of being Dana again, or else she'd go mad.
"Are we going to watch her then?" Chase asked. Zoey and Nicole nodded and made themselves comfy on the couch. Chase slid beside Zoey and slipped his arm around her. She lay her head on his chest. Logan sat in the recliner. He had been very distant since the airport dash. Everyone had seen it, and known he wasn't as tough as he had been making out he was. They knew he cared, and that bugged Logan to no end.
"Any guesses as to why she's on TV?"
"She's ALWAYS on TV." Zoey said enviously. "Lucky cow."
"I'm thinking it's that music video the magazines keep ranting about." Said Nicole dismissively, as though she hadn't been leafing religiously through the glossies for info on her friend, she had. Logan said nothing,
"I'm Rhys Waring and we're live at the TRL studios today where we will be having a very special guest. Diamond Clarke will be joining us to discuss her new video, that is when she actually arrives. She's a little late, ah to be famous, you see if I showed up this late it'd be all'RHYS YOU'RE SACKED' or 'Rhys your wages are docked until further notice'... Hold on... yes we're getting reports in, however, yes... yes Diamond Clarke has justentered the building!" Seconds later the door beside Rhys opened and a very sheepish looking Diamond made her appearance. "What happened to you?" He asked.
"Limo, sun roof, wind." She smiled. It was unusual for everyone to see someone as posh and as famous as Diamond Clarke, walking into a studio, on live television, with her hair a complete birds nest and her make up severely wind damaged. Diamond had gone back to her original hair colour of jet black, and straightened it, but right now it looked scruffier than Dana's had ever been.
"Well..." Rhys looked slightly abashed. Diamond fell onto the sofa floppily,looking incredibly pleased with herself.
"Well, aren't we supposed to be interviewing?" She asked in amusement. Rhys sat down.
"Been here two minutes and you're telling me how to do my job. You've got spirit. Now first things first, how old are you?"
"I turned 15 about a month and a half ago." Zoey's party seemed like an eternity ago, but it had been her birthday too. Lying about it had hurt, especially when Zoey had yelled at her. Diamond's hand automatically flew to her neck to play with the pendant Logan had given her. 'Love' always. 'Truth' well... she hadn't been entirely truthful with him.
"Wow, only 15 and a name that's eteched in stone... speaking of your name... a name like Diamond?" Diamond laughed.
"My Mom chose it. You should hear my sisters names!" Diamond was a very pretty, unusual name.
"Sisters?"
"Yeah. I have 3 sisters, Rayne, Sparkle and River." Diamond ticked them off on her fingers. "They're all older than me."
"And none of them have ever wanted to live your lifestyle?" Rhys questioned, brushing his blond curtains away from his eyes.
"Honey, Rayne's a model. Sparkle starred alongside me in Rainbow Dreams and River... River's a bit of a singer. More like karaoke joke but... oh you know I love you girls." Diamond smiled.
The gang had never seen her look less Dana-ish. She looked and sounded so girly. Diamond came off as a total diva.
"Now, this new video of yours is a cover of Britney Spears and Don Philip..."
"Yes." Diamond nodded.
"I understand the song is about a nasty breakup?"
"No!" She protested. "That's not anything like it." She looked very offended by this.
"Ok... what IS it about?" Rhys asked.
"It's about an unfortunate seperation." Diamond said shaking her head.
"What made you want to sing about that? You seem such a happy girl." Diamond sighed.
"I was in love."
"Love, but you're so young." Diamond smiled and fingered her pendant.
"Yeah I know. I loved him, and when this whole Dana Cruz is Diamond Clarke thing came out into the open... well we sort of fell apart." Diamond was close to tears. "I really missed him... and decided to recreate this video, because it showed exactly how I felt. The guy I sing it with... it's a duet. Oh my god he is so talented!"
"Dude!" Chase said in shock. "She's talking about you."
"Yeah but she's talking in the past tense. 'I missED him' 'How I FELT'." Logan shook his head. "Plus she's only saying it because it sells."
"Possibly..."
"Can we roll it?" Diamond asked.
Diamond stood back to back with a male singer. Softly she spoke
"Time may take us apart, but I will still love you. I promise" The background was black. The two were stood back to back in the middle of space. Both sang.
"And when the stars, stars are falling, I'll keep calling" The two walked away and the scene showed Diamond sat on her bed at home.
"I promise that you'll be my one my only, everything, I'll never be untrue" She sang standing up from her bed to look out of her window at the night sky. The scenesplit to show them both staring out their windows at the stars high above.
"And I promise back that for your love I will do anything" He sang into the darkness.
"I will give you the stars" Diamond promised.
"I will buy you the moon" Swore the guy.
"And even through longest of our nights" Diamond turned and surveyed her empty room. Her empty bed.
"And Even through the darkest days our" He started off the line and they both finished it.
"Love will find away" She grabbed her teddy bear and hugged it hard, falling onto her bed. She leaned across to reach for her cell phone.
The gang were shocked at how high Diamond's voice could go.
"And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling." She stared at her phone and tried very hard not to cry.
"I will still love you
And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting
I will still love you." Diamond grabbed her coat and walked out into the yard. Suddenly it was mysteriously day time.
The seasons passed according to the words Diamond sang, she ran through an entire year of seasons, one one busy street. Everyone else faded in a blur but she stayed clear on the screen.
"You are my summer breeze, my winter sun, my springtime soul, my autumn touch of gold"
"You are my sky my rain a way which my love flows cuz you're all" He was sat infront of a river, that looked suspiciously like make-out point. he hurled a rock into the lake.
"The smile of my heart and the breathe of my soul" from their seperate locations they both sang the same line.
"Even if we find ourselves apart" she sang solo
"We will hold our hopes and dreams." he sang his line solo. Both of them raised a hand to the left of their chests.
"Forever in our hearts" They both sang.
"And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling
I will still love you
And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting
I will still love you." They were stood back to back in the stars again. Neither acknowledged the others existence.
"Tell me how you feel." he begged as the two mysteriously appeared in their own rooms again.She hit the 'send' button on her phone. The message read 'I love you'
"I finally know howI feel. Tell me if it's real" She pleaded,
"My heart is tells me it's real."
"So real, so real." she harmonized.
"And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling
I will still love you
And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting
I will still love you." This time the mysterious starry space setting didn't appear, instead she was boarding a plane. Logan saw instantly what was happening. He was running for the plane. Running at top speed. But she knew he wouldn't make it. She gave a sad, shy little wave before getting onto the plane and closing the door. She sat dejectedly on a chair and sang her solo.
"Time may take us apart that's true
But I will always be there for you." This time there were no shots of the singer/actor. Diamond was singing from the heart. It was obvious she was nearly crying.
"You're in my heart, you'll be in my dreams
No matter how many miles between" She placed her hand on her heart.
"I promise you that I won't forget
The day we kissed or the day we met." The plane flew over an area that looked suspiciously like PCA's surroundings.
"The sky may fall and the stars may too
But I will still I will still... love you." She swore. The plan began to spin and she was once again with her singer/actor friend in the starry sky.He slid his arms around her and she held onto him tightly, fearing for her sanity.
"And when the stars are falling, I'll keep calling
I will still love you
And when your dreams are fading, I'll be waiting
I will still love you." In the last notes the boy vanished. Leaving Diamond stood alone in the darkness.
"She's crying!" Zoey said staring at the screen. It was true. In the studio, Diamond was trying and not succeeding to stop herself crying.
"Oh, oh angel. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine yeah... I just realised how cute I look in the pink PJ's." She lied, wiping her eyes. Rhys handed her a tissue.
"A very emotional video there... we've run out of time though, because you were so late. But do you have any shoutouts before we go?"
"The kids at PCA!" Diamond cried. "No matter where I go in the world! No matter what tour I'm on... what film I'm making. Call and I'll be there guys!" She gave the cameras a big smile before they shut off.
And once again the kids of PCA had completely lost sight of their friend.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!" Screamed Nicole. Zoey's sweet sixteen had arrived in a flurry. Chase had taken her out for a date on her birthday and when they had arrived back Nicole flung confetti at her.
"Oh my god! You guys!" Zoey punched Chase in the arm.
"Happy birthday babe." Logan said, gave Zoey a hug and handed her his gift. A new walkman. Zoey kissed him on the cheek before smiling broadly.
"Thank you so much." She whispered. Nicole handed her a gift. It was a pink fluffy diary and matching pink fluffy pen. Zoey hugged her tightly.
"Sweet sixteen."
"Yeah Zo you can have sex now." Michael said. Chase and Zoey shared a 'Um...' glance and then Michael added. "Legally." Zoey laughed and blushed. Lola handed Zoey a very small gift and gave a huge grin.
"A necklace?" Zoey questioned. Lola gave a theatrical sigh.
"It's a dowsing pendant, you use it to locate..."
"Oh my god!" Screamed Vicki, rushing into the room.
"What?" Asked Chase.
"YOU GOTTA COME SEE THIS." Vicki grabbed Nicole's hand and dragged her from the room. One by one everyone filed out into the yard.
"Vicki!" Howled Nicole. "You're creasing my blous... oh my god!" A huge stage was set up in the yard and the banner across the top read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY'
"So everyone threw me a party?" Zoey asked in awe. She couldn't believe her friends had managed to rope the whole school in on the party plans.
"None of us had anything to do with it!" Logan said in shock. Vicki shook her head.
"A load of men in trucks came and set it up."
"You're not by any chance an undercover spy working for a secret government are ya?" Nicole questioned. Lola's eyes sparkled at the sight of the stage. Everyone could tell she wanted to get on stage and perform, it was an automatic response for Lola.
"These speakers are wired up to the main building." Quinn acknowledged. As she approached them they crackled as the mic was switched on.
"HELLO PCA! CAN I HEAR SOME NOISE FOR ZOEY BROOKS!" Screamed the voice over the speakers. Zoey blushed furiously. How could someone do this? Especially if she didn't know them. Her best friends and boyfriend had said they weren't in on it.
"I'm gonna sing a song for you Zo." Zoey recognised the voice but only vaguely. There was still no face to the voice. "It's called SWEET SIXTEEN!
"And you know,
that I'm old enough now
To make my own choices,
and watch them turn out.
When you hear me say, that I'm sorry for what I did.
You ignore me and say, you're still just a kid.
But I'm old enough to put things aside,
Coz I'm old enough to know when you're right.
And I'm sixteen, baby, sixteen
I think it's time that you took me seriously
Coz I'm sixteen, and I'm sixteen
Gotta start moving on if you know what I mean.
I'm so sorry, for what I put you through
I was a lost little kid, what was I supposed to do.
When the going got tough, I turned to you
You were the only ones to guide me through
I don't need to hold on
I don't need to hold your hand
When I cross the streets anymore
That girl is gone
Now a woman who knows,
That she really needs SO much more.
And I'm sixteen, baby, sixteen
I think it's time that you took me seriously
Coz I'm sixteen, and I'm sixteen
Gotta start moving on if you know what I mean.
So take me as I am,
Or not at all.
So take me as I am,
Or not at all.
And word on the street is that you hate me now.
But it's been such a long time, I really don't see how.
And I know what I did was wrong
But it's been so long so long so long
So LONG
And I know I hurt you.
I know I did wrong.
But I was just a child.
If you give meone chance
Let me in for a little while
I will show you who I am.
And I'm sixteen, baby, sixteen
I think it's time that you took me seriously
Coz I'm sixteen, and I'm sixteen
Gotta start moving on if you know what I mean.
And I'm sixteen, baby, sixteen
I'm sixteen. I'm sixteen.
I think it's time that you took me
You gotta take me more seriously!
Coz I'm sixteen, and I'm sixteen
Gotta start moving on
Coz it's time to move on
If you know what I mean.
I can't live this way.
I'm Sixteen.
I'm Sixteen.
Take me seriously.
Yeah I'm Sixteen!"
The stage curtains separated and the last few notes were struck by the very talented singer.
"Happy Birthday Zo." Diamond whispered. The crowd went mad but the friends stayed silent. Diamond bit her lip.
"Oh my god!" Screamed Nicole. Lola's eyes widened.
"She's my idol!" She whispered. Diamond slipped off the stage. The gang broke free.
"Can I have your autograph?" Lola asked. "I've been a fan since forever!" Diamond giggled.
"What's your name?"
"Lola..." Lola smiled. "You're my idol."
"Thanks. I used to be Zoey's idol... but she doesn't like me anymore." Diamond gave Zoey a shy smile. "Which is a shame, because it means she probably didn't buy my new album, in which I gave all my friends a special shout out." She cooed.
"We're not your friends, Diamond. We're Dana's." Quinn said with a sigh.
"The sad fact is Quinn, Dana never existed. She was a figment of my imagination. Just any other on screen character." Lola's eyes sparkled enviously.
"You create such good characters! I'm an actress too. I'll be famous soon enough. Tell me what it's like acting alongside the stars!"
"It's great! Oh my god. There are some amazing people out there!" Lola smiled broadly.
"Like?"
"No offence Lola, but this is kind of... personal. You can still hang round, but Diamond and us, we go way back." Michael said politely. Lola scowled.
"Lola, swing by my dorm later. I'll give you the number for a really good talent agent." Lola jumped, hugged Diamond and then ran off.
"Your dorm?" Logan asked skeptically.
"I'm staying at PCA for a week, on a set break from a TV show." Diamond said shyly. She led the gang upstairs to her dorm room. Room 222."Do you guys hate me?"
"I don't hate you." Said Dustin softly.
"Oh my god! I love your hair!" Diamond crouched down and fingered Dustin's new do. "You look stylin."
"Oh my god, stylin! You've become Nicole."
"No, I've become Diamond Clarke." Reasoned Diamond. She sat on her bed,
"Well I don't hate you. I think you're cool." Nicole said adamantly. Diamond smiled slightly.
"You think I'm cool now? Way til you see this... I brought pressies!" She grinned.
She passed Zoey a parcel.
"Oh my god!" Zoey gasped. She unfolded a beautiful dress. A black silk halter neck thing with a large gap at the cleavage.
"Designer. I bought it in Paris. You'd look amazing in it."
"I don't have the shoes for this dress!" Zoey said shaking her head. Diamond paused for a moment and kicked off her heels.
"For you."
"You don't have the BODY for that dress." Nicole said in jealousy.
"Aww Nicole, don't get mad. Here." Diamond handed Nicole a small box. Nicole opened it and gasped.
"Oh my... GOD!" She screamed loudly. "C'est magnifique!" She was infact stating the name of the very expensive perfume Diamond had brought her.
"Thought you'd like it." Diamond smiled. "Michael, here."
"A signed photo of Ameliyier Olsa! You know her!"
"She's my dance instructer. I knew you'd like her." She handed Chase and Quinn their presents.
Quinn stared in shock at the crystal set calculator.
"I kind of smashed your last one... sorry." Diamond said guiltily.
"Wow..." She whispered. Chase widened his eyes as he opened the box.
"Rolex... My dad swears by them."
"Thanks..." He mumbled in embarrassment.
"D man! For you. Ugh, it was so awkward to pack I considered leaving it on the plane!" She laughed. She handed Dustin a basketball.
"A basketball?" Zoey asked in confusion.
"You're holding it upside down." Diamond giggled. She took it off of him and span it round. Dustin gasped. Everyone saw his eyes light up.
"How'd you know they were my favourite team!" He asked.
"Girls talk. I may not have always liked Zoey..." Diamond smiled at Zoey. "But I always listened to her."
"Yeah you did. I'm sorry." Zoey apologised.
"I can't believe you're all going soft because she bought you off." Logan snapped. Diamond had not yet got round to him. She smiled sweetly.
"Logan Reese. Same old same old, am I right?"
"Too right. I'm the only one of us who hasn't changed." He growled, leaning against the door frame. "You show up here, a year after running out on us all, show the girls some sparkly gifts, spend a bundle on everyone and expect everyone to fall at your feet don't you Miss Clarke."
"I didn't run out on anyone." Diamond said. "And I knew you'd only resent it if I bought you something. But, I did get you something." Diamond slid her hands up to her own neck. She unhooked her necklace and held it out to him. "This belongs... to you." Logan reluctantly put out his hand and the necklace he'd bought her for her fifteenth birthday fell into his palm.
"It's over Logan." Diamond whispered. He didn't break eye contact. She was close to tears, and he stayed as stony as he could.
A/n: It's not the end yet. Keep reviewing.