AN: Hmm…I didn't think Tess could be that mean. But who knows? What happens in this chapter might surprise you…
BTW, I love reading your comments. You all are the best reviewers EVER!!
On a sad note, my parents' friend died yesterday morning (Wednesday morning), so I'll probably be visiting the family a lot within the next week or so. I'll be going to school (even though I don't like school that much), doing homework (which I like even less than going to school), and visiting them. But I'll try and post whenever I can. Not that I'd rather be there (you know I'm dying to write more). I'm just saying I might not be able to.
I dedicate this chapter to my parents' friend and his family (even though they're not Camp Rock fans or Jonas Brothers fans - gasp!) Please keep the family in your prayers as they go through this difficult time (losing a husband and father). Thank you.
Chapter 33: Teaching Ms. Tyler
"Ms. Tyler…" Brown said, looking sternly at Tess as she scowled back at him.
"What?" Tess shot back sarcastically.
"This time, you've gone too far," Brown said, getting up and walking around.
"Me?" Tess raised an eyebrow, looking slightly amused. "That's impossible."
"With you, anything's possible," Brown muttered under his breath. "Tess…"
"Brown, if you're going to call my mom again, don't, OK?" Tess said, sounding annoyed. "I've heard it all before, and I don't want to hear it again."
"Then stop what you're doing…pouring your juice all over Mitchie, blaming innocent people. Either you clean up your act, or…" Brown commanded.
"Or what?" Tess challenged.
"Or I'll take you off this tour, talk to your mother, and have her cut you off for good. That means…no shopping sprees, no cell phone, no doing whatever you want when you want, no limo, no mansion, and no bossing your servants around. None of the things you're accustomed to. Is that clear?" Brown said, hoping to get a reaction from Tess.
"What?" Tess shrieked. "Brown, no…I'll do anything you ask. Just don't let my mom cut me off. I live to shop, and use the limo all day, and the money…"
"Will be gone, unless you do as my nephew did, and turn yourself around," Brown finished.
"Yeah, OK, I'll do it. But who'll help me?" Tess wondered. "I can't do this on my own…"
"That's where I come in," Shane said, standing at the doorway. "I've set up an interview with Pop Informer Magazine, and they're dying to find out all about you, your sound, what it's like to live the life of Tess Tyler, T.J. Tyler's daughter…"
"An interview?" Tess' expression changed completely. Her smile was frozen in place, and if there was any sign that she'd been upset a moment before, it was gone now.
"An interview. Now before you talk to them, Shane here will guide you through on what to say, how to answer tough questions, etc.," Brown trailed off, letting Shane take over.
"Exactly. You don't want to sound too conceited, or the press will eat up everything you say. And it won't look good." Shane began.
"But that's not me…" Tess whined.
"It is now," Brown said, as Tess pouted. Shane smiled at both of them, and Tess reluctantly pulled out her organizer and began taking notes.
Meanwhile, with Nate and Caitlyn…
"I don't know why Mitchie said to meet her here…" Caitlyn looked around, as her and Nate were the only ones in the room.
"We were supposed to meet the interviewer from Pop Informer Magazine," Nate informed her. Caitlyn looked embarrassed, but Nate didn't even notice, glancing at his watch for the millionth time.
"Excuse me, are you Tess Tyler?" A young woman rushed in, breathless.
"No, I'm Caitlyn Geller. You must be the interviewer," Caitlyn smiled politely, holding out her hand.
"Hi Caitlyn, I'm Joanne," the interviewer answered warmly. "Do you know Tess?"
"Yes, very well, actually," Caitlyn said.
"Great! Can you tell me if these questions are appropriate to ask her?" Joanne said, not wanting to ask something too personal.
"Most of these are pretty good, but what about asking these questions?" Caitlyn rattled off a bunch of questions that she was sure would get Tess into trouble. But Caitlyn knew that if Tess
"Great! Thanks for all your help!" Joanne sighed in relief. "I heard if you so much as look at Tess the wrong way, she'll make sure you never work in your city again."
"Yeah, that's Tess for sure," Caitlyn said.
Just then, Tess breezed into the room with a smile so big, it looked like she was glowing.
"I'm here, so now we can start," Tess said. Then she saw Caitlyn and Nate. "What are YOU doing here?"
"They're helping me with the interview. I've never interviewed anyone as quite as big as you are," Joanne said, more than a little nervous.
"What did you say?" Tess narrowed her eyes. "Did you just call me fat?"
"No, no. Of course I didn't. I meant…" Joanne said quickly. "I meant you're a major celebrity."
"I'm THE celebrity of the moment," Tess remarked proudly. Then she added, "Of course, that's only when my mom's not around."
"So, would you say that you're influenced by your mom? Is that why you went into music and performing on stage?"
"Exactly. And it doesn't hurt to love the spotlight. If you like attention, you won't have stage fright," Tess explained.
"But doesn't it matter what kind of attention you get? Isn't bad attention, well, bad?" Joanne probed.
"No, because then you get to show the world you've learned your lesson, and how you can learn from your mistakes," Tess ad-libbed as she imagined how Shane would answer that question. Shane gave her a thumbs-up, and Tess breathed a sigh of relief.
"But aren't you worried that you could be giving your fans a bad example to follow?"
"Not really. I mean, people make mistakes. That's how we improve ourselves," Tess continued to invent her answers. "Nobody's perfect, not even Tess Tyler."
Shane motioned for Tess to continue, and Tess took a deep breath before saying, "Just look at my performance during the Final Jam of Camp Rock. I wanted to be perfect, give the performance of my life because my mom was there, and when she had to answer her phone call, I messed up big. I couldn't even finish my song."
"Wow, so there's hope for aspiring performers everywhere, isn't there?" Joanne asked rhetorically.
"Yup," Shane cut in. "If I can do a 180, so can Tess. And we're all pulling for her."
"Thanks, Shane," Tess said truthfully. She smiled gratefully at him
The rest of the interview went smoothly, with Tess answering exactly as Shane and Brown had advised. After it was over, Joanne left, and Tess let out a deep breath.
"I'm soooo glad that's over," Tess sighed. "Now I can go back to being the best, and having everyone worship me."
"What was that?" Brown cupped his ear, and waited for Tess to respond.
"I mean, now I can go hang out with everyone tonight and have a great time?" Tess smiled fakely as Brown shook his head.
"That's right, Ms. Tyler," Brown said, wondering when Tess was ever going to learn her lesson.
"Come on, I just had a great idea!" Shane said. "You can start changing by helping Nate and Caitlyn get back together."
"Why would I do that?" Tess looked confused.
"Because you're a nice, kind person who treats others the way she wants to be treated," Brown called out.
"I am?" Tess raised her eyebrows.
"You are," Shane repeated. "Or, at least, you will be when we get through with you."
"This is soooo gonna hurt, isn't it?" Tess looked scared.
"We're just gettin' started," Shane said, smiling broadly. "Come on, let's go find Mitchie."
Later…
"Hey, Mitchie," Shane said, coming in with Tess. Mitchie froze at the sight of her.
"What's she doing here?" Mitchie said, being overly cautious.
"I'm here to help you and Shane get Caitlyn back together with Nate," Tess ignored Mitchie's comment.
Mitchie looked surprised. "Who are you, and what have you done with Tess?"
"Relax, Mitchie," Tess commanded. "It's me. And I want to help."
"Hold on," Mitchie said. "Shane, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Of course," Shane said. They walked outside and Mitchie spoke what immediately came to her mind.
"What happened?" Mitchie quietly whispered to Shane. "Why does Tess want to help?"
"It's part of her therapy," Shane explained. "I came up with the idea just now, but it was Uncle Brown's plan all along. We think that if Tess helps Caitlyn and Nate get back together, then she'll feel good about doing something good, and the more good deeds she does will get her closer to being just like everyone else. Not like the Tess you know and loathe."
"I don't know, Tess seems like she'll never change," Mitchie said.
"Just give her a chance. Like you did with me. Look how that turned out…" Shane grinned at Mitchie, and pulled her into a kiss, which led to a makeout session. Then they broke apart, trying to get their breath back.
"I know, but this is Tess we're talking about. Not you," Mitchie was doubtful.
"Just think of her as a female me," Shane said. "On second thought, don't. That'd be weird."
"Yeah, it would," Mitchie laughed as Shane pretended to look hurt. "Come on, let's go, let's go!"
AN: Will Tess ever learn to be like everyone else and not look down on other people? Will Shane, Mitchie, and Tess help Caitlyn and Nate get back together? And what about Jella? Will they stay together as a couple, or will they find other people? You'll just have to find out…next time (laughs evilly).