AN: This chapter's for everyone who's reading this.
I don't own anything, except for my ideas, and maybe an occasional OC or 2. Like Tess' back-up dancer. Or maybe Tess owns him. IDK, but I really wouldn't want to fight her for ownership though (lol). Tess always gets what she wants. Or does she?
Previously…
"Hey, Tess," Peggy said. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Tess moaned, looking miserable. "I'm alone. That's what's wrong."
"Hey, Tess. It's OK if I call you Tess, right?" The guy said.
"Who're you?" Tess gave him a critical once-over, then glanced at Peggy blankly. "Who's he?"
"Tess, meet your back-up dancer. You know, the one I…" Peggy whispered the rest into Tess' ear.
Tess glanced at the guy and Peggy, and started walking off.
"Tess, wait," Peggy said, as Connect 3 took the stage again. They were motioning for Peggy to join them.
"What now?" Tess wondered.
"I was thinking, since you don't have a date for tonight…why don't you dance with him?" Peggy suggested.
"Peggy, he's my backup dancer…" Tess whined.
"At least dancing with him would be better than sitting around all night looking like a major loser," Peggy pointed out. "C'mon, give him a chance. What do you say?"
"Fine," Tess grumbled. She dragged the guy onto the dance floor, as Peggy took the stage.
Chapter 38: The Dance (Part 2)
"Ready, guys?" Peggy smiled as she whipped out a compact and gave herself one last glance. She snapped it shut again and put it in her purse, which she gave to Brown to watch.
"Ready!" Ella said, excited.
"Me too!" Peggy shrieked.
"No way! Me three!" Jason added happily.
Nate glanced at the three of them, and shook his head. "Let's do this," he said, as he looked at the crowd.
"Hands in," Shane ordered. Everyone did so, and Connect 3 started chanting softly, then a little louder as everyone joined in. "We're living the dream, baby. Living the dream. WE'RE LIVING THE DREAM!"
They broke their huddle, as everyone cheered, then Peggy took center stage with Shane, as Nate, Jason, and Ella walked towards the sides.
"Hey guys, we're gonna speed things up a bit. This next song was written by Jason," Shane announced into the microphone.
"Which means…it's gonna be about birdhouses," Nate joked. Everyone laughed, except Jason and Ella, who looked upset. Nate quickly added, "Just kidding, it's gonna rock. Let's go!"
Nate:
I was sitting at home
watching TV all alone
so excited for re-runs
I've memorized this show
Shane and Peggy:
So I pick up the phone (AN: imagine Shane and Peggy making the phone sign with their hands)
and called everyone I know (AN: and pointing at each other)
said there's gonna be a party
hit the music here we go (they point to Jason and Ella)
Jason and Ella (AN: Imagine Jason rockin' out on his guitar and jamming like there's no tomorrow. And Ella dancing next to him and really getting into the song):
yeah
you gotta live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play my song
are you ready to rock and roll
All:
hey
hey
hey
Nate (stepping down from the stage and going over to Caitlyn, who started dancing next to him as he played his guitar)
we were out on the floor
yeah we danced the night away
then she looked at her watch
and said that it was late
then she pulled me aside
and said she couldn't stay (Caitlyn said "I really gotta go."
but I beg you for one more song
let the music play
Jason and Ella (still jamming on guitar and dancing like there's no tomorrow)
yeah
you gotta live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play my song
are you ready to rock and roll
All:
hey
hey
hey
Shane and Peggy:
I drove her home
and she whispered in my ear
the party doesn't have to end
we can dance here
Jason and Ella (still really getting into the dancing)
live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play our song
are you ready to rock and roll
Everyone:
you gotta live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play our song
are you ready to rock and roll
you gotta live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play our song
are you ready to rock and roll
you gotta live to party
bust your move
everybody's in the groove
tell the DJ to play our song
are you ready to rock and roll
All (shouting):
LIVE
TO
PARTY!
Everyone cheered as the song ended. Everyone except Tess and her back-up dancer. During the song, Tess tried to lead, and the guy was trying to take over the lead, so he kept stepping all over Tess' feet and tripping all over himself.
"For the last time, FOLLOW MY LEAD!" Tess exploded, but no one around them could hear her since they were too busy dancing and having a blast.
"That's it," The guy complained, getting tired of Tess' attitude. "I've had way more than enough of you and your snobby attitude. I'm not going to stand here and take it anymore. I'm the one who's supposed to be leading, not you."
"Wait, are you trying to stand up to me?" Tess was shocked. She was about to go on, but the guy interrupted her.
"Yeah, as a matter of fact, I am," The guy looked at her, his eyes blazing. "You can't go around treating other people like you've been treating me, and your friends, and Caitlyn, and Mitchie, and everyone else you can't stop complaining about. Who cares if you're T.J. Tyler's daughter? You're just a has-been waiting to happen. Oh wait, you already have, so that would make you yesterday's news."
"Excuse me?" Tess said, her anger getting the best of her.
"You heard me," The guy continued to let Tess have it. "Grow up, Tess. Quit acting like a spoiled, selfish brat who has a tantrum every time she doesn't get everything she wants. And until you change and act like us normal people, I don't want to have anything to do with you."
The guy walked off, as Tess stood there, shocked beyond belief.
"He's right, you know," Brown said, watching Tess' expression. He'd heard their conversation.
"What? You're taking HIS side?" Tess exploded.
"Yes, I am. Ms. Tyler, everything he said was true. If you had a mirror big enough to see how you treat other people, you'd believe us. Trust me," Brown said.
"Yeah, Tess," Peggy said, getting off the stage. "I didn't hear you guys, but I saw your expressions."
"You can only push people so far before they start pushing back," Brown said. "Just like you did with Peggy and Ella during Camp Rock, and now with your back-up dancer. Who knows if he'll come back and work with you?"
"We did," Ella said, coming over.
"Of course you did, you're her friends. Now Tess' back-up dancer…I'm not so sure about him," Brown remarked. "Don't you think you should apologize?"
"Me? He's the one who kept messing up!" Tess snapped. "It's like he doesn't even know how to dance."
"Tess…" Brown said, a warning in his voice. "Stop trying to control everyone. You can't. Just let people be themselves. They're doing the best they can. They can't be anyone else. Not you, not anyone. Just let them be."
Tess scowled, as Brown waited for her to continue. "Fine," Tess grumbled and folded her arms.
Brown rose an eyebrow and continued staring at her. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go on…"
Tess pretended like she didn't hear him.
"Tess," Brown warned. "Just go…"
"And do what?" Tess feigned innocence.
"You know exactly what. Now stop dawdling and go talk to him," Brown commanded.
Tess nodded numbly and braced herself for the most difficult thing she'd ever had to do. She walked over to the guy, and took a deep breath, staring at the flor the whole time.
"Hi, um, wanna dance the next song with me?" Tess said quickly, trying to make amends.
"Why would you want to dance with me?" The guy said, curious.
"Look, I know I was harsh, but that's how I am. I have to get everything perfect," Tess explained, looking up.
"I know, I'm your back-up dancer. I've been in your rehearsals, they're grueling," The guy confirmed, shaking his head. "You're always trying to get everything perfect, you never let up, not even for a second, and you're impossible to please."
"That's me," Tess smiled, as the guy started walking away. "Wait, I didn't mean what I said earlier. I shouldn't have said anything at all."
"But you'd still be thinking it," The guy pointed out. "And that's the point, isn't it?"
"I guess so," Tess said sadly.
"Then I'm done here," The guy tried to leave again, but Tess stopped him.
"Wait, why don't we start over? You know, like nothing happened? You didn't step all over me and almost make me fall flat on my face?" Tess suggested.
"Bye, Tess," The guy said, leaving.
"OK, I'm sorry for being so mean. Satisfied?" Tess snapped.
"When you put it that way, no," The guy said, halfway to the exit.
"Come on, what more do you want?" Tess whined.
"A real chance. Where you don't criticize my every move, where you give people around you a fair chance, and you don't snap at everyone when you don't get what you want, exactly as you want it, and right as you want it," The guy said.
"Like…a date?" Tess said, the idea sounding foreign to her.
"You could say that," The guy said. "So…what do you say?"
"Deal," Tess said, after a moment's pause. "How about…we start our date…now?"
"I don't know," The guy joked, attempting to get payback for what he had to go through. "After the way you acted tonight…"
"Come on…" Tess groaned, not catching on.
"Let me think about it," The guy tapped his chin thoughtfully. He glanced at Tess, and saw how she was practically begging. For Tess, anyway.
"Sounds good to me," The guy said, as Tess looped her arm around his and smiled happily.
Brown watched Tess go off with the guy, as Shane and Mitchie came over.
"I did good, Shane," Brown winked at his nephew.
"You?" Shane said, smiling.
"Yes, me," Brown replied. At Mitchie's glance, Brown added, "You too."
"Yeah, we did good, didn't we?" Shane snaked his arm around Mitchie as the three of them laughed. Then Mitchie turned around, watching Caitlyn standing alone.
"Excuse me," Mitchie said, wanting to go over to her friend. Brown and Shane let her go, but before she got there, she stopped as she saw Nate approach Caitlyn.
"So…what'd you think of the song?" Nate said, trying to break the ice.
"It was great," Caitlyn said, a little unenthusiastically.
"What about us?" Nate said. "I mean, the last time we talked, you kissed me. But what does that mean?"
"It means I like you," Caitlyn said, turning away. "But that doesn't mean you can hurt me, or that I won't feel hurt sometimes."
"I like you too, Caitlyn," Nate said. "I thought I'd lost you, when I saw you kissing Jason."
"Come on, Nate. So what if I kissed Jason? How could you ever think that I'd like Jason more than you?" Caitlyn demanded.
"I guess you're right. So…?" Nate wasn't sure what else to say.
"Yeah. So…" Caitlyn trailed off, being as confused as he was.
"So, guys, what's going on?" Mitchie smiled brightly at her friends.
"Nothing," Nate said quickly, as Caitlyn said it at the exact same time.
"OK, usually, when you guys say that, it's always something," Mitchie looked suspicious. "Come on, tell me!"
"It's nothing," Nate insisted, just as Caitlyn whacked him. "Hey, what was that for?"
"That was for making me think something was going on between you and Ella, and this is for making me think you were upset because you thought something was going on between me and Jason," Caitlyn said as she whacked Nate again.
"Tell me why I love Caitlyn again," Nate moaned to Mitchie, as Caitlyn ranted on and kept whacking him.
"Because you think I'm awesome, a great dancer, hot, and oh yeah, you love me," Caitlyn smirked.
"Caitlyn!" Mitchie couldn't believe what Caitlyn just said. Then she remembered Caitlyn used to be friends with Tess.
"I'm kidding, guys," Caitlyn laughed. "I know, I just sounded like Tess, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did," Nate said, shuddering. Mitchie shuddered just thinking about it.
"Hey, are you cold?" Shane said, noticing Mitchie shudder. He came over, took off his jacket, and put it around her. "Does that feel better?"
"Yeah, thanks," Mitchie said, as Shane held her close. "You were awesome, by the way."
"I know," Shane said, winking at her. "I just wish…"
"What?" Mitchie wondered.
"I know they say that if you say what you wish for, it won't come true," Shane said. "But all my wishes have come true…except one."
"What's that?" Mitchie wondered what that could be.
"Mitchie Torres, will you marry me?" Shane said, getting down on one knee. He pointed at his jacket pocket, and Mitchie reached inside and drew out a small box. She opened it, and saw the biggest, most beautiful diamond ring set among emeralds, her favorite gemstone (AN: Actually, that's my favorite gemstone – emeralds, so I thought I'd add that in there).
Everyone around them froze, except Mitchie's parents, Shane's parents, Brown, Sierra, Caitlyn and Nate, and Jason and Ella, who either gasped or cheered, and everyone crowded around them.
AN: Oh my Gray, I totally did not see that coming! Seriously, that just came out of nowhere! What will Mitchie say? Will everyone be OK with them? Review to find out!