Thank you all for all of those extremely sweet and very encouraging reviews! I really, really appreciate it. :) Tracy was a huge, huge help and inspiration with and for this chapter. ( Though, she's always a major part of my writing. So, that's nothing new, I suppose. ;P ) With that said, let the drama begin!


The weeks to follow were relatively tough, for all of the Council members. Every three or four weeks, they would have an assessment, to pick out the weak links, and to prepare for auditions to find a more adequate replacement. Few of the Council Girls and Boys actually appeared to be worried, and foolishly so. Shelley knew that Link and Amber were safe; that was obvious. However, the rest of them had a very good chance of being replaced, some more than others.

Shelley's past few days, and even weeks, had not been so magnificent. Between her parents (more particularly, her outrageously demanding mother), her schoolwork, the evident distractions at the studio, and her undeclared and unacknowledged 'problem,' her overall performance was beginning to fall short, and, unfortunately for her, more than just she had taken notice.

"Shelley," Velma said piercingly, after Shelley had, with an intense case of lightheadedness, stumbled for about the tenth time that afternoon at the rehearsal. "We have no room for those with two left feet on this show," Velma Von Tussle had no problems whatsoever calling anyone out in front of everyone else; in fact, it was very liberating and quite enjoyable for her. "If this is too difficult for you, then please, do us all a favor, and remove yourself from rehearsals. We have no desire to have to sit through your sloppy footwork for three hours a day."

Taking the unwanted criticism in silently, Shelley merely kept her eyes locked with Velma's while a few of the others snickered and whispered to one another. Amber looked infinitely pleased, while others, such as Tammy and one of the other, unidentified girls, just looked awkward and even sympathetic.

"Answer me, Shelley. I haven't got all day to deal with an angst-ridden, inept teenager," Velma said impatiently, her fingernails tapping against her own hips for a moment as she studied the smaller girl. Shelley retaliated with a roll of her eyes, a very typical reaction of hers.

"Whatever you say, Velma," She hissed quietly, her eyes narrowed to annoyed slits. Velma was not the least bit pleased with the response, but she had, at least, expected it. If Shelley was anything like her mother, which Velma personally knew that she was, more than the teenager would ever acknowledge, then she knew what to anticipate from her each time she opened that brash mouth of hers.

Resisting the urge to take to Shelley's own, immature eye-roll, Velma backed up and surveyed the rest of the kids, but not before giving the redhead a very threatening look.

"Listen to me," She called, her voice demanding their feeble attention spans. "Your assessment is tomorrow, bright and early, at eight o'clock in the morning," Velma had to keep a vicious smirk of satisfaction from returning to her features for the time being. She could not wait to be brutal with these kids, and to even crush some of their dreams by means of telling them that they were to be replaced; it was always so… fulfilling. "So, bring those bright, sun-shining faces, and do not be late. You will be excused from class," She finished, her voice dripping with tangible amounts of sarcasm and insensitivity.

When she was met with groans of disgust, chirps of excitement, and blank stares, Velma finally submitted to a roll of her eyes.

"Now, go home, all of you," Velma dismissed them with an uncaring flick of one of her hands, and then walked over to one of the crewmen to discuss something about the lighting. They had plans to finally go on-air within a few months, and everyone was budding with excitement.

Choosing to ignore Velma's order to leave, the Council Kids grouped off to talk to one another. Amber commanded a conversation between Tammy and a few of the other girls, while Link, Brad, and another boy talked amongst themselves. Shelley, however unfortunately, was left to talk to the dreaded twins for a moment. It was frustrating, for multiple reasons, though, mainly because she could not tell them apart, and, obviously, because they were considerably annoying.

"Wow, that was harsh," Noreen said, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, harsh!" Doreen repeated, shaking her head somewhat. Shelley made a face, unsure of what she was honestly supposed to say to that. What were they doing over here with her, anyway?

"Sure," Shelley said vacantly, her eyes wandering around the studio for some way out. It was clear, by the expressions on the twins' faces, that they were bound to stumble into some really awkward conversation any moment now, and that was not something that Shelley was necessarily looking forward to.

"So, Shelley," Began Noreen, who visibly more straightforward than her still just-as-eager sister. "What's this about you and Brad, huh?" There was obvious offense in Noreen's voice, and Shelley was disgusted at the possible thoughts of why.

"Yes, do tell!" Doreen was doing her best to be annoying by echoing everything that her sister was saying. And it was working.

Shelley stared at them. Brad? Who the hell was…

"Hello, ladies," Cooed the voice of a rather awkward-looking, wannabe charming, tragic comb-over excuse of a boy. Shelley's tuition told her that this was, unfortunately, Brad: the boy who eyeballed the hell out of her any chance that he got, and who was at Link's heels virtually every single second, of every day.

Shelley suddenly wanted to bash his skull in with the nearest hard, and perhaps lethal, object. She supposed it was that cheesy smile of his, but whatever.

"Hi, Brad!" Noreen greeted him happily, with such a big grin on her face that it made Shelley want to go push children off playground swings just for fun.

Doreen issued a similar greeting while Shelley merely stood, her expression dumbed down to a look of irritable vacuity. The twins exchanged glances, as Brad combed his fingers through his sprayed-down hair.

"Would you two girls give Shelley and I a second, or two?" He asked them captivatingly, almost causing the more enthusiastic Brad-fan twin to get her skirts in knots and faint from hyperventilation. "Then, we'd love to see your pretty little faces over here again," He winked at them, a wink that was so obviously ripped off of Link Larkin, only this one was much worse. Shelley felt like gouging her eyes out.

"Okay!" Doreen replied, as she began to walk off, over to where Amber was entertaining the rest of the girl population with some wild, more-than-likely untrue story. Noreen sighed heavily, and nodded her head a bit distractedly.

"Yeah, sure. See you soon, Brad!" She finished somewhat sadly, yet still with a forced smile, as she followed her sister off toward the other group of girls.

Shelley was in precisely the same stance that she had been ever since she was bothered by the twins, and her expression remained inactive, yet still just as dangerous in appearance. Brad grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked to be about to speak when Shelley curtly interrupted.

"Excuse me while I go contract multiple, highly contagious, sexually transmitted diseases," Shelley said flatly, her feet poised and ready to leave. Brad, however, was not having that just yet.

"Funny, Shelley," He said very simply, as he studied her for a moment.

"No, 'funny' is the fact that I scarcely know you, and yet you insist on stalking me on a daily basis," She began, her head tilting to the side ever so slightly. "Hmm… I wonder what could possibly be wrong with that scenario," Her rank of sarcasm only escalated as she went on.

"Get to know me, then," He started, moving a bit closer. She challenged him with a twitch of her fingers at her sides.

"Only if you will promise me that you will get to know what it feels like to have my hand and fingernails shred at your face."

"Ouch," He faked a small, synthetic frown. "Someone's a bit touchy today."

Before Shelley could strike back, someone else broke into the conversation, so obviously uninvited.

"She's always been 'touchy,' Brad."

Link Larkin stood, beside his childhood best friend, Brad, grinning. Shelley knew that this would be the opportune moment to excuse herself, or to go be 'touchy' elsewhere. Faking a loud and purposefully obnoxious laugh, Shelley followed it up with an annoyed groan.

"Your sexual innuendos were always so hysterical, Larkin," She could not pretend to be civil with him—not on her life, or his.

"About as hysterical as your attitude, right, Shel?" Link ventured casually, with his eyebrows rising in apathetic question.

Shelley rolled her eyes again and scowled.

"I am not talking to you."

"Who's talking?" Link was just trying to push her buttons, and she was all too aware of it.

"Why not just walk over to your little, blue-eyed, blond prize, take your moron of a best friend, and go bother someone around your intelligence level?"

Link took this pleasant opportunity to blatantly roll his eyes in front of her, before shoving his hands into his pockets. He shrugged his shoulders and turned somewhat.

"That's bound to be more… stimulating than this, anyway," Link smirked and began to walk away, while Brad remained, for the time being, much to Shelley's displeasure.

"What do you want?" Shelley narrowed her eyes, completely aware of the fact that Amber's entire group—which now included Link—was now looking over here. "Be a good, little dog, and go barking up someone else's tree."

Brad shrugged dismissively, his hands jingling a bit of change in his pocket in the most infuriating fashion.

"Right," He rolled his eyes, entirely unfazed by her attitude and supposed 'threats.' "Well, the offer's always open, you know," When that stupid smirk returned to Brad's lips, Shelley's own top lip curled back into a silent snarl. She didn't even care to figure out what the hell he was even talking about.

"Whatever, Brad," She was growing impatient. Crossing her arms over her chest again, she eyed him darkly. "You are excused." She watched as he left, feigning triumph toward the other group, as he walked over to join Link and the others. As soon as he arrived, the twins came shuffling over, and Shelley bit her lip to keep yet another, exasperated sigh to herself.

"So, what did he say?" Noreen demanded quickly, though with imitated sweetness, and a complete lack of patience.

"Yes, what?" Doreen seconded the question with wide, curious eyes.

Shelley honestly just wanted to go home, at this point. Glancing at the more eager twin, Noreen, her eyes suddenly glittered as an idea struck her.

"He said," She began, pausing only for dramatic effect. "that he wants you to wait for him at his locker after school tomorrow. He has something… quite special in store for you."

Both of the twins perked up instantly, with Noreen in the lead with her ecstatic, surprisingly genuine smile.

"Really?" It sort of slipped out of Noreen, but she just could not contain herself, as she stood, utterly taken aback.

"Yes," Shelley confirmed dully.

"Really, really?" She repeated, and Shelley furrowed her eyebrows.

"Are you deaf? Or, just stupid? You heard what I said."

Noreen withdrew slightly, but her happiness was still quite apparent. Doreen, however, appeared to be tending to what looked like a bruised ego.

"I'm so happy!" Noreen squeaked, and then sighed contentedly. Shelley cringed and made another, displeased face. "I could just hug you!" As she leaned forward to attempt to do so, Shelley stepped back and lifted her hands in a feeble defense.

"But, you're not going to," Shelley warned her, as her hands slowly descended to rest on her own hips again. Noreen regained her composure, the smile just as persistent as before.

"Well, thanks for the news, then, Shelley!" She chirped, her eyes closing momentarily as she grinned. "Forget what Doreen and I mentioned earlier about you and him, okay? Guess those were just rumors."

"Mmhm," Shelley crossed her arms again, and watched as the twins displayed two, completely different emotions on their faces. One was beaming, while the other appeared to be forcefully unfazed, and inwardly seething with either rage or jealousy.

Not even bothering to say goodbye to either of them, Shelley turned her back and slowly walked over to retrieve her dance bag from over by the dressing tables. Once she had situated it on her shoulder, she set out toward the stage door, taking no notice to the fact that both Link and Amber had disappeared from their crowd.

There was far too much preparation to take care of before tomorrow morning, and she was more than just a little unsettled.


Amber's group, all throughout the commotion caused by Shelley's, had been going strong with giggles, gossip, and possible plans for the weekend. The blonde spoke with a certain, trained poise, that had each of the girls captivated, wide-eyed, and hanging off every last word. What she said did not even have to technically be anything special, but it would, to them, still be enlightening or witty or the perfect thing to say. It was a position that Amber so easily filled, and had just as easily stolen from someone else.

"So, she really said that to you?" Tammy wondered, somewhat timidly, yet still very curiously, as she looked on at Amber.

"Uh, yeah," Amber rolled her eyes, not so much at Tammy, as she did at the person to whom she spoke of. "She's a bitch, Tammy. What else would you expect?"

"Oh, right," Tammy forced a tiny smile. "Okay," She affirmed her response with a nod, and Amber flashed a very pleased smirk.

"Oh, and, speaking of, just last night she—"

Amber would have continued if it were not for the sudden appearance of Link, and soon after, Brad. Link was the first thing (or, person, really) that Amber had taken any notice to when she first joined The Corny Collins Council. He was gorgeous. He couldn't really dance, and was slightly—extremely—awkward at times, but he was otherwise perfect, in her girlish, teenage perspective; and she wanted him, and would have him. Her mother and she had made certain of that, one little, baby step at a time.

"Hello, Link," Amber spoke evenly, as she offered him a mischievous grin. He caught her look, and returned it in full with that work-in-progress wink of his.

"Amber," He said her name with an extra dash of charm, and then regarded the rest of the girls with a nod and smirk. "Girls."

Each of the other girls bit their lips or something similar, as they tried their hardest not to swoon or show their interest. They knew better than to deliberately flirt with Amber's claimed eye-candy right in front of her. None of them had death wishes, anyway.

Leaning over towards Amber somewhat flirtatiously, he let Brad distract the other girls while he carefully whispered in her ear.

"Hey, little darlin'," He began, a smirk fixed to his features again. "Walk with me?" He asked, or moreover: directed, as he tilted his head toward the backstage area.

Amber feigned surprise, and then giggled playfully, as she nodded her head. Leaving the rest of their group to talk amongst themselves, the pair of them wandered backstage, away from everyone else, and then stood, rather awkwardly, at first. Then, after a moment, Amber moved towards him, her arm snaking its way around one of his.

"So, did you need something?" She wondered harmlessly, a roguish grin on her pretty, feminine features.

Link stared down at her, outwardly cool and collected at the sight of a beautiful young girl hanging onto his arm. Inwardly, however, he was actually completely in awe of the concept. As a young kid, he was awkward, gawky, scrawny, and even hideous. To think, now he was hooking girls like Amber Von Tussle. He smirked even more darkly, and his blue eyes shone with a certain, newfound, unattainable, and wild sense of self-importance that Amber found irresistible, and that he was, in truth, just getting the hang of.

"Friday night's the night that I finally get to take you out, right?" He asked smugly, as he let his fingers trace over the skin of her arms lightly, causing her to shiver somewhat, but then quickly regain her stance. Amber went on smirking, and then teasingly pulled away to look at him.

She surveyed him for a moment, studying his current, unreadable expression. Tipping her chin upward slightly, she let her arms cross delicately over her chest as she let her eyes fall shut for a few, precious moments, before reopening once more.

"I don't know, Link," She said coolly, her shoulders holding their regal stance, even while falling somewhat in what the Von Tussles constituted as a 'shrug.' "What do you think?" She countered, in an obviously flirtatious manner.

"I think," He started, and then moved forward to place two of his fingers beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "that I'll pick you up at eight o'clock sharp, babe."

Amber sucked in her breath sharply, but still kept that playful edge and façade of a vixen permanently fixed to her outward show.

"I was thinking more like seven-thirty," Amber corrected him serenely, her rosy lips curling into the most compelling smirk that Link had ever seen on any girl, woman, or otherwise.

"All right," He surrendered, his expression mimicking hers, to a certain extent. "Seven-thirty, it is, then."

"Good," She concluded, as she reached out to playfully readjust his tie. "I'll see you then, and," Amber paused, her light blue eyes glittering up at him. "I know that we'll make amazing use of that extra half hour."

With that, she was off, leaving Link there with a slightly mystified look on his face. Oh, he had no doubts about how amazing it would be all right.

Any night with Amber Von Tussle was virtually guaranteed of such a title. Then again, he honestly had no clue just whom he was dealing with, as decided straight from the source herself—a source that ultimately knew that she had Baltimore's fated, soon-to-be heartthrob wrapped around her little finger.