AN: This chapter might be more than a little random, but it's based on a dream I had recently, which I woke up crying from, so…yeah. And it's going to explain why Tess is the way she is. And, as always, italicized words are flashbacks. When you're done reading this, feel free to share. This chapter's dedicated to anyone who's ever experienced the same thing as I have.
Keep those comments coming, please. Unless you don't like this story or are tired of it. I'm starting to get that feeling that you don't like it as much anymore. Am I right? If so, please tell me why. I want you to like it, so if I'm just boring you with my ideas/storyline, then I'll stop.
I don't own anything, except for Mrs. Reynolds (my former music teacher), Dina, and her friends.
Chapter 34: Ghosts from The Past
That night, Tess tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She was having the same dream she'd had several times now, and the dream always ended the same way. Tess suddenly woke up, her eyes started to brim with tears, and Tess silently cried so that she wouldn't wake up Peggy.
Tess got up and made some tea, which always helped to calm her nerves, and sipped as she replayed her dream over and over in her mind.
"Now, class," Mrs. Reynolds said, looking at her chorus class. "Remember to sign up for auditions for our musical tomorrow.
"I won't forget, Mrs. Reynolds," Tess called out.
"I'm sure you won't, dear," Mrs. Reynolds smiled at Tess, "You're really good. Maybe you could write some songs for it. I'm sure they'll be great."
"I only write poems," Tess said defensively, as she felt everyone's eyes on her. Everyone laughed, and Tess felt her face burn up in embarrassment as Dina, the real star, had managed to find Tess' journal and flip it open. Dina read some of Tess' writings aloud, imitating Tess' voice, and the class laughed at every one of them.
Satisfied, Dina snapped Tess' journal and threw it at her.
Just then, the bell rang. As everyone was packing their things into their bags, Dina said loudly, "Tess, that was great. Really. You should publish it…in a joke book. 'Cuz that's what you are…a joke. Your mom may be great, but you're definitely not." Everyone looked up and laughed, and Tess ran outside, not wanting anyone to see the tears already flowing down her face.
Later, at the audition…
Tess went through her lines perfectly, just as she'd memorized them. But since it was a musical, she'd also have to sing a song for Mrs. Reynolds. And somehow, the auditorium was packed that day.
Tess took center stage, and nodded to the pianist, who began playing.
Tess started singing, as she looked out into the crowd. She felt happy, doing what she loved…performing, and smiled as she realized she shared that with her mom. Suddenly, signs popped up and distracted her.
Many of them had a picture of her on it, with a big red circle around her and a slash mark over her. Some said "There's only one Tyler worth listening to…T.J. Tyler!" Others said "Down with Tess!" And the rest had "Dina Rocks!" on them.
Tess snapped back to reality, but the damage had been done. She'd stopped right in the middle of her audition, her moment to shine, when she was supposed to be singing.
"Thank you, Tess," Mrs. Reynolds said, sitting in the 3rd row. She looked disappointed.
"Yeah, thanks, Tess," Dina smirked, as she went up next.
Tess watched as she saw her archenemy take the stage, and deliver a performance that even Tess' mom would be amazed by. Tess ran out of the auditorium in tears, as Dina and her friends saw her and started laughing. Many other people joined in, and soon, everyone was laughing. Everyone, except Tess.
Tess finished the last of her tea, and remembered how she promised herself that day that she'd be the one to show them who was the best...her.
Later that morning…
"Hey, Tess," Shane, Nate, Jason, and Brown, greeted her.
"Hey, guys," Tess said tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Nate said, noticing the circles under her eyes.
"Nothing, I'm just tired, that's all. Give me a coffee, and I'll be great," Tess put on a fake smile, as Jason got excited.
"Coffee? Ooh, I love coffee! I want some too!" Jason ran around, trying to find the coffee, as Nate rolled his eyes.
"Dude, don't start. You always put like 20 sugar packets in your coffee. And then you're up all night, and you keep bugging me so I can't sleep," Nate grumbled. (AN: I'm soooo addicted to coffee, and I put insane amounts of sugar in. It's surprising that I'm not diabetic yet. No offense, but seriously, if I have a cup of coffee, I put at least like 6-8 sugar packets in a cup. I had coffee with dinner last night, and I put about 12 in. No joke...it was really bitter coffee.).
"Dude, you can't have coffee without sugar. It's like, the golden rule," Jason said defensively, finally finding the coffeepot. He opened the coffee can, and measured out how much he wanted, then put in the coffee filter and let the coffee brew.
"No, dude, the golden rule is tell the truth," Nate corrected.
"OK, then it can be the silver rule," Jason suggested.
"Why does it have to be the silver rule?" Nate said. "And anyway, there's no silver rule."
"Why not?" Jason said. "If there's a golden rule, there has to be a silver rule. Come to think of it, there should be a bronze rule too. Give me a tin at least."
"Whatever," Nate gave up, as Jason looked happy.
"Wait, what were we talking about again?" Jason looked confused. Nate groaned and threw the container of sugar packets at Jason. Jason smiled happily, took a lot of sugar packets out, and began pouring it into his coffee.
Shane and Brown listened to Jason and Nate's conversation, and smiled the whole time. After it was over, Shane talked to Tess.
"Hey, Tess, I have some great news!" Shane said.
"What's that?" Tess wondered.
"I got you this interview with the biggest and best magazine ever!" Shane said. "An interviewer will be coming by to ask you a few questions, but it'll be great exposure for you, and give you more experience in handling questions."
"Cool, thanks!" Tess said happily. "Wait, what if I get asked a question, and I don't know how to answer it?"
"Uncle Brown will be there, in case you need help," Shane said. "I'd be there too, but I have to record with the guys."
"OK," Tess said. "Great."
"Don't worry, you'll be fine. You're Tess Tyler, remember?" Shane smiled at her, then left.
"I hope you're right," Tess murmured into the silence.
Later, just before the interview…
"OK, relax, you can do this. Your mom's T.J. Tyler, Grammy-winning artist," Tess tried to psyche herself up. "And you're Tess Tyler, on tour with only the hottest band EVER! Connect 3!"
"Who are you talking to?" A young woman came in, looking at Tess like she was crazy for talking to herself.
"No one," Tess said. "I'm Tess Tyler."
"Hmm, that sounds familiar," the woman said. Then she snapped her fingers. "That's right! I went to school with you."
"You did? What's your name?" Tess looked shocked.
"I'm Dina," the woman finished, looking at Tess like she was stupid. "Don't you remember me?"
Tess gasped and stood there, unable to say anything else.
AN: OMJ, Tess came face to face with her biggest archenemy!! Will Tess be able to go on with her interview? Will Dina be the same old Dina? Will they put old feelings behind them, and start over? What happens next? You'll just have to review to find out. The faster you review, the faster I'll post the next chapter.