Chapter Six: Anyone But Me

Author's Note:

Sorry for not updating so long! Once the holidays started, I was a bit busy with a few projects and I'm still working on a chapter of "Just Like Heaven." It took me a while to figure out what this chapter will basically be about, but now I know! And, a little word, guys! I am going to be working on a few chapter books and graphic novels to publish sometime around this year. That's my New Year's Resolution for 2006: get my work noticed! Anyway, there's something called a Literacy Day at school on February 16. An author named Christy is coming to one of the seminars to talk with us. And, I learned that Christy Carlson Romano is publishing her own book this year for young adults. Anyway, speaking of Christy Carlson Romano, here's Chapter Six: Anyone But Me, featuring Christy Carlson Romano's "Anyone But Me" from Disney's Zenon Z3 Movie. I'll see ya guys at Chapter Seven: There Is No Alternative, featuring Tina Sugandh's "There Is No Alternative" from Disney's Ice Princess. ;-)

-CelestialTime93

Inez rushed out of the open portal that appeared in a shrubbery infront of her house, and rushed inside.

She was surprised to see her mother there, reading a book on the sofa.

"Hi." Inez said. Then she realized that something was wrong. Time was supposed to stop when she entered Cyberspace, "How long were you there."

"Look outside." Alizia replied.

Inez looked out the living room window. It was dark, and it was snowing.

"Oh." Inez frowned, "Well, sorry. You should've seen today!"- Inez looked down to find that she somehow had her pet cat, Gatito, in herarms when she entered. It gave her a good excuse - "This little guy ran all over town today. I had to chase after her!"

"That's nice." Alizia replied, "Dinner will be ready soon."

Inez frowned. "Don't you wanna hear about my day?"

"If I'm not mistaken, we just had a fight." Alizia said, "Have you just forgotten about it?"

A fight? Inez thought dubiously, Since when? All I know is that fight will start right now!

We never seem to get along
You're always right
I'm never wrong
Wish that you could see
The way I see it

I say left
You say right
You say day
And I say night
You may have your dreams
But I can't be it

"By the way." Alizia said, facing her daughter from the stove, "Where else were you today. Other than chasing Gatito?"

"Um... er..." then, Inez blurted out, "I'm going to my room! And don't bother calling me down for dinner! I'm not hungry!"

So, don't try to change me
'Cause I'm not you

"Ineza!" Alizia scolded, grabbing Inez's gymbag. The strap slipped through the clip, forcing the bag to fall to the ground and spill out it's contents. The skwak pad, the skates, the skating outfits, and a picture, of Inez and her friends during skating practice.

Alizia picked up the photograph. She looked up at Inez and flipped the photo around, the picture facing Inez. "Who are these people?"

"My friends." Inez replied.

"AT THE SKATING RINK?" Alizia cried, "What have I told you about keeping the family secret a secret?"

"Mamma, they have a right to know!" Inez retorted.

"Why?" Alizia snapped, "Because they're your friends?"

I walked a mile
In your shoes
Learned your life
I was amused
But I can be
Anyone but me

I can change
What I wear
Change the color of my hair
But I can be
Anyone but me

"Yes!" Inez replied, "And you know what? I'm gonna invite my friends to the Finals! I don't care what you say! You can't control me!"

"Don't talk to me like that, young lady!" Alizia retorted, "Remember, I created you! I have a right to control you!"

"No you don't!" Inez cried, "This is a free country! I can do whatever I want! As long as it's not against the rules!"

"You just broke a rule, Inez, you revealed the family secret!" Alizia snapped.

If you could try to understand
You'd see who I really am
I just wanna make my own decisions

You try to make
A someone else
But I've got to be myself
Don't wanna have to ask
For your permission

"Why do you want me to keep everything a secret?" Inez cried, "What's so secretive about skating?"

"Our family never got a chance to be in the spotlight!" Alizia replied angrily, "And everytime we did get a chance to be in the spotlight, everybody hated us! That's why! And you are not going to break that tradition, Inez."

So, don't try to change me
'Cause I'm not you

"Times have changed!" Inez retorted, "Everybody is respected for who they are now! If you go against it, then you'll end up in serious trouble!"

"You don't know how much pain I suffered when I was on the ice 20 years ago, Inez!" Alizia cried, "Not unless you've walked a mile in my skates!"

"I have walked a mile in your skates, and I know how it feels!" Inez retorted, tears sufficing through her eyes, "Because you kept me away from the enjoyment of my skating! Skating isn't about pain! It's about feeling free and beautiful! For once in my life!"

I walked a mile
In your shoes
Learned your life
I was amused
But I can be
Anyone but me

I can change
What I wear
Change the color of my hair
But I can be
Anyone but me

"Well then how come I never felt that for the 20 years I have skated?" Alizia retorted, "Why haven't I? Why have I been hit on the stage, been a target for stones and sticks, and finished my performance with scars and bruises? I never felt beautiful, and I never felt free! I felt ugly and trapped!"

"But you were strong." Inez replied, "If you could've just opened your heart and ignored all of those sticks and stones, you would've been able to feel it!"

And with that, Inez ran upstairs.

"Inez!" Alizia called, no longer angry.

But it was too late. Inez shut her room door behind her.

Now that we found a way to start
To be just who we are
It doesn't have to be so hard
Now that we've come so far
I'm part of you
You're part of me
Together we will see
All the missing pieces in this wild crazy mystery

What happened to us, Inez? We used to be best friends...

Inez stepped through an open portal in her room, and entered the garage, where she first began.

"Are we ready?" Matt asked.

"Yep." Inez replied, "Let's go find Elyon."

...But ever since the upcoming of the finals, we never spent quality time together...

Aaaaah, aaaaah, aaaaaa-a-a-aaah
Oh, hey, anyone but me
Aaaah, aaaaah, aaaaaa-a-a-aaaah
Anyone but me

...The only time we ever saw each other was at breakfast, dinner, and whenever I drove you to the skating rink. We never spend girl time together like we used to. You're too busy on the rink...

"You alright, Inez?" Slider asked, noticing Inez's sad expression.

"Huh?" Inez looked up to face Slider, "Oh. Um, yeah. Just something at home. But right now, we have to save your mom."

I walked a mile
In your shoes
Learned your life
I was amused
But I can't be
Anyone but me

I can change
What I wear
Change the color of my hair
But I can't be
Anyone but me
No, I can't be
Anyone but me

Aaaaaah, aaaaah, aaaaa-a-a-aaaah
Oh, hey, anyone but me
Aaaaah, aaaaah, aaaaa-a-a-aaaah
Anyone but me, anyone but me

(repeat ending until fades)

...I wonder, if I pull you out of the contest, things will become back to normal. Become better... for both of us?