This is probably the chapter that took the most time to make. I had the major case of writer's block. I'm really sorry for making y'all wait. But at least I'm back. Let's just hope this won't happen again.

This and the chapters to come would be in Megan's point of view. It's going to lead to her eventual downfall (spoiler alert!!!).

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(Megan's POV)

My tears fell uncontrollably. I just froze there on the balcony as I stare on the scene below. The night was dark but I could still make up what's happening by the pool. I thought that the balcony of my room is the place where I could escape all my pain and problems. But I guess I was wrong. The water in my eyes blurred my vision. I hope that it would stay that way. I hope that my eyes are just deceiving me. But the fact that Allison is hugging Adam's in reality. How could someone as plain as her get the chance to hug someone as hot as him?!, I thought, trying to make sense with everything. But the fact that Allison beat me by the mile from being that close to him disturbed me the most. What does she have that I don't?!

I can't take any more of this. I ran back to my room and slammed the balcony door shut behind my back. The banging thud woke up Alexis, my roommate.

"What's the matter now?" she muttered. She's obviously annoyed but I'm too frustrated to care.

"Just go back to sleep." I tried my hardest to sound my nonchalant, hiding the tears behind my voice. Without protest, Alexis returned to her interrupted slumber.

I went out of my room, though not really sure where I'd go. I just don't feel like sleeping yet. There's just too many emotions inside me to put to rest. We're all supposed to wake up early tomorrow for the song selections and I'm not the easiest person to wake up but the hell with it. I don't care.

I wasn't aware that my feet dragged me to the Mansion's entrance. To my surprise, the massive door opened and revealed the person on the other side. Or rather, two persons. The image stung me so hard that it caused me to grasp for air. Adam, who opened the door, is carrying the sleeping demon on his arms.

"Hey, Megan." He greeted. My heart would have been melted by his honey-toned voice if it wasn't too shattered. I can't look directly at his sapphire-blue eyes because I know I'd just break down in tears. So I just left him standing there. He's probably confused by my odd action. But I just let him be. I didn't even dare to look back.

After a few more thinking, my feelings changed from hurt to pure anger. I'm angry at Adam for giving me false hopes. I'm angry at Adam for preferring Allison over me. I'm angry at Adam for being devilishly charming that caused me to fall helplessly for him.

But my fury is mostly directed to Allison – the crimson-headed man-stealer. I knew from the start that she's a wall between me and Adam. Her humongous infatuation for him is so evident. And her friendship with him is a bit too close for comfort. I shouldn't have underestimated that witch. I mean, Adam spends every single day with her. Well, except for yesterday and the day before that. They've been strangely aloof with each other. Everyone noticed the awkward distance between them but decided to keep their mouth shut. "We have no right to nose our way to other people's private business." I recalled Danny's words.

I tried to think of ways to get back at her. Something that would hurt her twice as much as I do now. I went to the kitchen and sat on a stool, thinking as hard as I could. The idea of switching her hair dye crossed my mind but decided against it. That's too... short-term. I want to do something that would scar her memory forever.

I was in the verge of deep thoughts when a cellphone left charging on the counter rang. I picked it up. It wasn't long 'til I realized it's Allison's phone. Her picture as a wallpaper is a dead giveaway. With her is a fairly good-looking brunette guy. They look pretty happy with each other, judging from their wide smiles. I read the just-received text message. Apparently, the text was from the guy in the picture, Nathan. My eyes widened in surprise as I scanned the message. It's like my prayers have been answered!

I smirked when I replied back to this Nathan guy, pretending to be Allison. 'Miss you too. Meet me at the Le Belle France tomorrow. At 6:00 PM. Can't wait.' I texted back. I recalled the name of the restaurant where me, Allison, Kris and Adam spent our double date. The Phase One of my just thought-of plan is done. I deleted the message so that Allison won't be able to read the text.

My misery suddenly faded away when I put the phone back on its original position. I pranced my way back to my room, grinning, for now I know how to get back at the man-stealer. Now that the Phase One is completed, I only have to perform the other phases:

Phase 2: I have to get the dirt on Allison from this Nathan.

Phase 3: I would use it as blackmail for her.

Phase 4: She'll be so afraid of ruining her image in the contest that she'll have to do whatever I say.

Another brilliant idea, courtesy of Megan Corkrey.

I slept well that night, knowing that soon I'll succeed in having the one person I want most. And not even a rocker wannabe could take that away from me.

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I prepared myself for the meeting from the time I woke up. This is going to take all my acting skills to work and I hope this will go according to plan. I volunteered to be the first to go into the studio to pick my song for next week's performance. I don't want it to interfere with my agenda.

The others are probably puzzled by the way I'm so impatient today. I just tend to ask everyone what time it is every once in a while, even though it's still too early to be late for my rendezvous with Nathan. It's just that the time seems to slow down. I just want the Phase Two to be over with.

Finally, it's 5:30 PM, time to go. I excused myself from the other contestants, saying that I'm going shopping. Adam volunteered to come with me. He has this thing with shopping. But, as much as that is tempting, I declined. Don't worry. As soon as this plan is over with, he'll be with you for as long as you want., I reminded myself.

I easily got a cab to take me to the restaurant and before I knew it, I'm already at the entrance of the place. I went inside, memories of our double date coming back. It still has that same classy air. My eyes roamed around, looking for the man I'm supposed to meet. At last, I saw him seated on a table for two at the corner of the room. I approached him. He's more attractive than on the photo. His brown hair grew a bit longer. He saw me walking towards him, obviously asking himself who I was.

"Hey there. Nathan, right?" I put on a clueless look on my face.

"Yeah. And you are…?" he replied.

I seated myself on the chair opposite to him and held out my hand. "Megan. Megan Corkrey."

He shook my hand but still looked bewildered, much to my annoyance. How could he not know me?!

"I'm a friend of Allison Iraheta in American Idol. She's unable to come because she has been called by the producers on the last minute so she asked me to come here to keep you company." I continued.

"Oh, ok." His voice seems disappointed.

"So, you and Allison are pretty close, aren't you?" I started the conversation after a long, awkward pause.

"She's probably the closest person to me. I just adore her." He smiled wistfully.

"Yeah, she looked pretty bumbed when she realized she won't make it. She always talks about you." The last statement was a lie. I never really heard of him from Allison. I leaned closer to him. "And I'm just curious, what's the real deal with you two?"

Nathan just chuckled. "We're, um, really close friends." He paused. "But we got into a huge fight before she auditioned. I'm kinda surprised that she mentions me to you." His expression turned to serious. "I texted her to come here because we have something to, um, talk about. Something important." I recalled his message to Allison as soon as he said that. 'Baby, I'm so sorry. I know I've been a jerk but our relationship is too deep to be ruined by a single fight. I just miss you like hell. Just want to talk to you.' it said.

"Forgive me if it's too personal but," I paused, for dramatic effect, I guess. "what is it that you fought about?"

"Well, I don't really talk about that kind of stuff but since you're a friend of Allie's, I guess you could be trustworthy enough." He began. "It's actually about Allison's auditioning in American Idol. You might have heard her awesome voice. It wouldn't surprise me if she would easily get in." He stopped for a second, as if hesitating to go on. "Well, it's always been her dream to enter the show. I know I should be there, supporting and encouraging her to audition. But I just can't. I know how harsh people can be, especially the British man - Simon Cowell, right? - and I'm afraid she'd just get hurt. So we got into an argument 'cause I'm convincing her not to enter. But she did anyway, without even notifying me. And I never heard from her since."

I don't know why, but I actually felt sorry for him. His pain is very evident in his eyes. But I tucked my feelings and observations aside, remembering my real purpose here. I tried to redirect the topic to my favor. "I could see why you miss her. She's like the bubbliest person in the group." I faked a chuckle then turned my expression to a serious one, making my acting skills - if there's any - handy. "But there are also times when she's somewhat reserved, which deeply concerns me. Maybe you have the answers. I just want to know what's bothering her." I'm such a good liar, I praised myself.

A cautious look crossed his face, which just confirms that he knows something about her, hopefully a deep, dark secret. My sweet-toned voice seemed to convince him. "Um, I'm not sure if what I'm gonna tell you is the real reason why she's so quiet, but there's a good chance it is." He leaned closer to me and said almost in a whispering manner, "You must have known, being a close friend of hers and all, that she just got out of rehab for smoking… I was worried at first that, if I let her out of my sight, she would return to her old habit. That's another reason why I don't want her to enter. I won't be able to keep an eye on her. But she proved me wrong. I guess the explanation behind her quietness is that she's fighting off the surge to smoke again."

I tried my best to conceal the surprise from my face. This is what I've been waiting for!