In the next few chapters, two points made earlier in the story: the Tipton Talent Show (Chapter 2) and the fact that the twins' dad was in the hospital (Chapter 4) will be major parts in the story.

Also, this story was intended to be set in the summer, but I am changing it to Christmas vacation, because I am writing it during Christmas (duh).

A Talent Discovered and A Secret Revealed

Two couples were now formed because of the visit: Eddie and London and Keely and Phil. People were wondering who was next. But soon the subject of love was out of everyone's minds. Now everyone was talking about the Annual Tipton Talent Show, with a first prize of 500 dollars.

That day, the moms (Raven's, Phil's, Keely's, and Twins') had taken them to the mall, where everyone was shopping (or just playing video games and eating chili dogs). London, Eddie, Maddie, and Chelsea were in London's favorite store, where she was treating her girlfriends.

---------------------------------------------

"Okay, Eddie." said London, coming out of a dressing room. "Which looks better? This blue dress I'm wearing, or the polyester blouse and velvet skirt I wore earlier?"

"I thought," interrupted Maddie, "that polyester blouses and velvet skirts did not mix. You said it yourself."

"No, no. Candy Girl." the rich girl replied. "I said that polyester skirts and velvet blouses don't mix. These are a polyester blouse and a velvet skirt. There is a huge difference!"

"Of course there is," she replied sarcastically.

"Whatever. Anyway, what do you think Eddie?"

"They both look great, honey." he said, as Maddie and Chelsea cringed. They loved the fact that their friends were dating, but it always surprised them when they were…friendly.

"Okay, I'll get them both!" she said, gathering her clothes. One blouse was on the ground, so she went to pick it up. When she did, she realized that it was covered in bugs. London screamed and dropped the blouse, as Chelsea, Maddie, and Eddie came running.

"London, are you okay?" Chelsea asked.

"Sure, I'm fine. But, how could bugs have gotten here?"

"Well," Chelsea began. "Maybe an exterminator came and had a jar full of bugs and if he didn't let them go, he'd…die. So he let them go on something soft so they wouldn't hurt their little buggy heads."

Maddie and London looked at her, and then turned to Eddie. "Yes, this is normal for Chelsea." he said plainly.

Maddie turned her head towards where the blouse was. "I think I've found the real answer." She went over and pulled up Cory and Zack by their ears as they screamed in pain.

"Wow!" exclaimed Chelsea. "They hire exterminators at any age nowadays!"

Everyone just looked at her for a few seconds mysteriously.

"Try again, Chels." Eddie said. Then he turned to the boys. "Do you two just like to cause other people pain and misery?"

"Who doesn't?" the boys replied in unison.

Maddie released them and they ran out of the store as Cody, Pim, Raven, Phil, and Keely walked past it. Eddie and the girls then ran into them, and they all began walking to the food court.

--------------------------------------------------

"Well it looks like we've all been pestered by the little people." Keely said, after the others told of the Bug Prank.

"Shut up Keely," said Cody and Pim in unison.

"Hey, that's no way to talk to my girlfriend." Phil said as Keely smiled.

"What did they do?" Eddie asked.

"Cody has been non-stop flirting with Pim, and Pim has been non-stop threatening Cody. And together, they have been non-stop driving us crazy!" said Raven.

"When will you face the fact that Pim hasn't before, doesn't now, and never will like you?" said Phil glibly.

"Moving on to another subject," Cody said. "What's everyone doing for the talent show?"

"Well," Raven said. "I was thinking about doing one of my favorite songs, but I need 3 more people. Any volunteers?"

"I would, Raven," began London. "but I am the co-host of the event."

"I'll be happy to help," said Keely.

"Me too," Chelsea said.

"Great. Just 1 more person. Maddie how about it?"
"Oh no. Not me!" said Maddie quickly.

"Why not?" Raven asked.

"Just…no."

"Okay, if you say so."

--------------------------------------------

By this time, the gang was at their table in the food court.

"One more thing we need to discuss," said Phil.

"What is that?" Pim asked.

"What do we do about the Dynamic Duo?" he replied, referring to Zack and Cory.

Everyone turned to Raven, expecting one of her brilliant ideas.

"Don't look at me," she said.

"WHAT?" they all screamed.

"How can you," Eddie said, "of all people, not have a plan?"

"They are harder than they look," she replied calmly.

"Well, I have an idea," Maddie spoke up.

"You do?" Cody asked.

"Yeah, probably better than Raven could think of," she replied while Raven smirked.

"Okay, Candy Girl, let's hear it!" London said.

---------------------------------------------------

I must pause again because you do not need to know Maddie's plan…yet. Just have patience and wait until Chapter 10.

--------------------------------------------------

"Maddie! That's brilliant!" said Eddie after hearing the plan.

"Yeah," said Chelsea, "much better than ANYTHING Raven thought of!"

"You all better stop while you're ahead," said Raven, looking around slowly.

"Anyway Maddie," said Keely, after they all moved away from Raven a little, "If you sang just as well as you came up good ideas, we'd be perfect!"

"But she can," said Cody, as Maddie tried to shush him.

"She can?" asked Pim.

"Why yes, Sweet Thang!" he replied slyly, causing Pim to move away again.

"Cody, cut the flirting and tell us about Maddie," commanded Phil.

"No Cody. Flirting is good. Flirting is fun. Keep on flirting baby!" urged Maddie.

"Okay!" said Cody, taking Maddie's advice as Pim started running. Cody was going to follow, but something stopped him…

-----------------------------------------------------

Phil had taken out a tiny device out of his pocket and pressed a button on it. Out suddenly came a glowing rope that was wrapped around Cody's waist. Phil pressed another button, and Cody was whipped back into his chair, as Pim slowly returned to the table. Everyone looked at Phil like he was an alien.

"Alien!" screamed Cody.

"Where did you get that thing?" Eddie wondered.

"Phil, are you crazy?" Keely said quietly. "Do you want the world to know your secret?"

But Keely wasn't quiet enough, as the people closest to her heard her and began asking even more questions.

"Calm down everyone! I'll go ahead and tell you." Phil sighed. "But don't tell anybody. And don't tell my parents I told you."

"Deal," everyone except Phil, Keely, and Pim said.

"Well…" he began, "Pim and I are from the future."

Everyone was silent for a minute; then London spoke up.

"How far into the future are you from?"

"Well, we came from the year 2121." Phil replied. He then began telling the story of the broken time travel machine and landing in Pickford.

"Wow," Maddie said.

"I know," added Chelsea. "Not only is this amazing, but it also takes away the fact that we were trying to find out about Maddie's singing talents!"

"Hey, that's right!" said Keely.

"No it isn't! She's wrong!" said a reluctant Maddie.

"MADDIE?" everyone screamed.

"Oh all right," she sighed. "I guess I am ok at singing."

"Well, sing with us!" Raven said.

"Okay. I'll do it!" said Maddie surprisingly.

"All right!" everyone cheered.

-----------------------------------------------

For the rest of the day, the gang began talking about Phil's future secret and Maddie's two new talents: Singing and Plan-Making.

Coming Up in Chapter 10: "I can't believe this is happening…"