Soon, six o'clock approached for the Neptunes as they prepare for their first-ever concert at the beach.
"Okay gang" said Biff "This is our first gig ever! With all the practicing, musical ability and Shelly's amazing vocals, we can have these guys dancing in their seats"
"Yeah" Jabberjaw said "Performing for a captive audience. Now that's respect"
"Indeed guys" said Clem "Let's just not let any of us let stardom cloud the magical friendship we all share"
"Don't worry" said Biff "Who on Earth could possibly consider himself the star? We're friends. We'd never let egotism get in the way"
Soon, the moment for them to perform on-stage came.
"Hello Aqua Bay!" Biff made a cool sign "Are you ready to have your pants rocked off by us, the Neptune's?"
The audience started cheering.
"Alright then" said Biff "And a one, two, three, four!"
The Neptune's all played an awesome power chord at the same time and started to play their first song.
Jabber started beating the drums as Shelly begin singing the lyrics.
The crowd started cheering with gusto as the gang brought down the house with their musical talents, but Shelly's mind was somewhere else.
"I sure am an amazing, talented star." She thought to herself as she watched the crowd cheer.
Throughout the concert, the Neptune's kept playing like there was no tomorrow. Finally, they were down to their final song.
"And a one, and a two, and a one, two three four!" Biff shouted.
Everyone started to hit the beat as they played "Pocketful of Sunshine" as Shelly leaned over to the microphone to sing. The audience started waving with the music as they played on. The Neptune's kept playing their closing number and enjoying doing it. However, Shelly was awestruck by all the people who were cheering and waving their hands. Finally, the song was just about over and Shelly sang the final lines.
The audience was going wild for the Neptune's excellent performance. They all bowed and while the others went off the stage, Shelly was still on stage.
"Thank you fans" she blew kisses to the audience "Thank you. Thank you. Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!"
There were more cheers from the audience before Shelly made her way off the stage.
Jabber and the kids walked over to their cheering and proud parents.
"Way to go, fellas." Clem's father smiled.
"You were great!" Biff's mother agreed.
"Oh Shelly, you were so wonderful" Marilyn kissed her daughter "I'm so proud of you baby"
"Thanks, mama." Shelly smiled. "Although you should thank the others for coming up with this idea, especially Biff, who booked the gig."
"Yeah" said Marilyn "He's a really great person. You guys are lucky to have him"
Everyone nodded and smiled in agreement.
"Wow" said Jabber "They love us. Now that's respect"
"I can't wait for our gig next month" said Biff.
"I'm sure we did a wonderful job" said Clem "What do you think Shelly?"
Shelly wasn't paying attention, she was too caught in being a star and the adoring fans to listen.
"Uh...Shelly?" Clem asked.
Shelly didn't answer and just kept imagining herself as a big star; limousines, attending parties with important people, stars begging her to wear their designer line of clothing, her face on a large silver screen, breaking the hearts of swooning guys, her name in lights and being on covers of magazines. It was quite a fantasy.
"Me, Shelly Sanders" she thought "A big star. Being adored by thousands of people, envied by other girls, now that's what I want"
"Shelly?" Bubbles tapped her shoulder.
Shelly snapped back to reality "Huh? What?"
"You think we did a wonderful job, Shelly?" Clem asked her again.
Shelly thought before nodding. "We sure did."
"Yeah" said Jabber "We did great"
"But let's just not let stardom blind us from our friendship" Biff pointed out.
"Stardom, right" Shelly said, not paying attention.
"I think she's daydreaming." Bubbles whispered to Clem.
"Yeah" Clem agreed "She must really have enjoyed the concert tonight"
Everybody went home with their families to get ready for bed. Shelly and Bubbles walked upstairs to put their pajamas on.
"Boy, Shelly you must really enjoyed performing, huh?" asked Bubbles.
"Shelly Sanders: Queen of the Divas" she thought "That should be my true name"
"Shelly" Bubbles tapped on Shelly's shoulder.
"What?" Shelly snapped out of her daydreams.
"You must've really enjoyed performing, huh?" Bubbles asked again.
"Yes, I do." Shelly nodded.
"So did I" said Bubbles "I can't wait to perform again"
"Neither can I" Shelly remarked.
The two then put on their pajamas and got into bed. Just then, Marilyn came into Shelly's room to tuck her in.
"Hi baby" she said.
"Hello mama" Shelly smiled at her mother.
"Shelly, can I talk to you for a second?" asked Marilyn.
"Of course, mama" Shelly smiled.
Marilyn sat down on the edge of the bed to talk with her baby girl.
"So you guys had a lot of fun during the performance, huh?" Marilyn asked.
"We sure did mommy" said Shelly "And I want to a big star! I want to be loved by millions and live a life of fame, money and luxury"
"I see." Marilyn nodded.
"I'm a big star" said Shelly "If this works out, I could go on tour, buy a whole bunch of gifts for you, win platinum records and Grammys and maybe even get my own TV series"
"I'm sure you'll be able to do just that, dear." Marilyn said. "And I'm assuming you're going to do this with your friends?"
"What do you mean?" asked Shelly.
"You know, going on those concert tours together." Marilyn said. "Because you know, if it weren't for your friends, you wouldn't have unlocked your singing talent, dear."
"True" said Shelly "But I want to be loved most of all, by gazillions of people even. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the star of the band"
"Well, you have to make sure that your friends get proper recognition for their roles in bringing you to stardom, dear." Marilyn said.
"Why should I?" asked Shelly.
"All of you contributed to the band's success" said Marilyn "I think it's important that you won't let stardom go to your head and forget the people who love and care about you"
"Well it's my singing that keeps the band together" Shelly made a snooty smile "They're just my backup group"
"What makes you think that, dear?" Marilyn asked.
"Because I sang all the songs, I am the lead singer, wooed everyone with my soul sister vocals and I'm the most beautiful" Shelly stated.
"Well then, dear." Marilyn folded her arms. "You think you can sing the songs alone and be successful without your friends playing the music in the background, is that what you're suggesting?"
"I guess" Shelly pursed her lips "I am the glue that holds them together"
"Right." Marilyn nodded. "Now, while you may be the glue holding your band together, you must remember that your friends get proper recognition, or otherwise, they may turn their backs on you."
"I guess so" Shelly rolled her eyes.
"Shelly listen, I don't want you to become something you're not and I don't want to lose you and I don't want you to lose your friends" Marilyn put her hands on Shelly's shoulders "You're a sweet little girl and I don't want to lose that girl to someone mean and nasty. I love you too much to see all the hope and faith you've brought to my life fade away"
Shelly looked up at her mother's eyes before nodding.
"I won't let it happen, Mom." She said softly. "I promise."
"Thanks" Marilyn said as she tucked Shelly into bed "Goodnight baby, I love you"
"Love you too, Mom." Shelly kissed her mother before she left the room.
Shelly then fell asleep and started dreaming about her being rich and famous. All the glitz and glamour really astounded her after performing.
She also dreamed about being able to provide for her mother as a result of becoming rich and famous.
All the fancy clothes she'd get to wear, the money she'd make, the house she'd live in, being praised, loved by millions and breaking the hearts of countless boys.
She sure wished time can fly fast so that her dreams can become realities.
"Thank you fans" she said in her dreams "I love you all! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah...yes, I'd love to rename the band 'The Shelly Sanders Experience'. What's that? You're cancelling the Grammies because I'm going to win them all? I'm flattered"
She also dreamed about being able to provide for her mother as a result of becoming rich and famous.
She continued to have beautiful dreams about her stardom throughout the night and into the early morning.
Just then, she heard the sound of her mother's beautiful soft singing voice "Good morning, good morning, the sun is shining through. Good morning, good morning to you"
Yawning and stretching her arms, Shelly reluctantly opened her eyes.
"Morning mama..." she said groggily.
"Morning baby girl" Marilyn whispered as she softly kissed Shelly everywhere on her face and hands.
Shelly then sat up on her bed.
"Did you have a nice sleep, sweetie?" Marilyn asked her.
"Yeah" said Shelly "I had the most wonderful dream last night"
"You know Shelly, I hope you thought about what we talked about last night" said Marilyn "Because that's a promise you'll have to keep"
"I am mama, don't worry" said Shelly.
Marilyn nodded, although shadows were forming on her face.
"Mama, what's wrong?" asked Shelly.
"I want to be sure that you are still considering what we were talking about last night, dear." Marilyn said.
"I am, mama" said Shelly "Don't worry. Fame could never change me"
Marilyn nodded thoughtfully before saying, "Anyways, time for breakfast, dear."
"Right." Shelly nodded as she got off her bed and followed her mother to the dining room.
There, they met Bubbles who was eating a nice bowl of cereal.
"Morning Shelly, morning Aunt Mary" she waved to her aunt and cousin.
"Morning, Bubbles." Shelly replied as she went to the refrigerator.
"That was a great concert we did last night, Shelly" said Bubbles "I can't wait for our next one"
"Neither can I" said Shelly "Why don't we call Biff and ask him when our next gig is?"
"Great idea, cuz" said Bubbles.
Shelly picked up the house phone and dialed Biff's phone number.
Over at Biff's place, Biff was just about to wake up when his cellphone started ringing.
He answered it "Ollo. Oh hey Shelly! Great to hear from you too! When's our next gig? I'm not sure, frankly"
"Oh, okay." Shelly replied. "Which places have you got in mind for the next gig?"
"Well we could always try the school homecoming game next week" said Biff "I mean, they need a DJ and frankly all of them suck"
"Sounds good to me." Shelly nodded before noticing the newspaper on the table and added, "Say, have you checked out today's paper?"
"Not yet." Biff replied. "What's up?"
"Our gig last night sold out all the tickets and we made the headlines!" Shelly said.
"Really?" asked Biff.
"Yeah" said Shelly "I guess we're that good"
"That's nothing" said Biff "You should see last week's news. It's more weird"
"What is it about?" Shelly asked.
"A band of teenage kids and a talking dog solving a mystery at their high school in Coolsville, which was haunted by a spectre." Biff replied. "In addition, another gang of teenage kids in Central City managed to prevent the crooked mayor of their city from demolishing a historical manor with the help of a phantom."
"A ghost and a talking dog? How ridiculous" said Shelly.
"Yeah, just goes to show they'll put anything in the papers just for a quick buck" Biff remarked.
"No argument from me." Shelly agreed before hearing Biff's stomach growling from the other end.
"Anyways, I'd better go eat breakfast." Biff said. "My stomach's being cranky again."
"Talk to you later, Biff." Shelly said.
"Boy honey" said Marilyn "That Biff sounds like a really sweet guy"
"He sure is, Mom." Shelly nodded as she hung up the phone.
"Yeah" said Marilyn "You must really like him"
"Sure, I do" Shelly smiled.
"And you sure talk about him a lot" Marilyn added.
Shelly nodded as she dig into her breakfast after serving herself cereal.
"So what did he say about our next gig, Shell?" Bubbles asked.
"He mentioned that we might be performing at the upcoming school dance." Shelly replied.
"The school dance? That's great" said Bubbles "Maybe people will like us"
"Yeah" said Shelly "Plus, I could be crowned the homecoming queen"
"Anyways, so what else did he mention?" Bubbles asked.
"He said something about a dog unmasking a fake monster and a ghost saving a mansion" said Shelly "What a load of baloney! Everyone knows ghosts aren't real and plus, whoever heard of a talking dog?"
"I sure don't." Bubbles shrugged. "Though then again, we've got Jabber, a talking shark."
"True." Shelly nodded thoughtfully.
"If he's a talking shark, I bet that talking dog is real as well" said Bubbles.
"But a ghost? That's just dumb" said Shelly.
"Never heard of ghosts before." Bubbles shrugged. "You may be right."
"Anyways, Biff said that he and I are to meet the school council about the homecoming dance in about an hour" said Shelly.
"I hope we get hired" said Bubbles "The council is kind of picky"
"Don't worry, Bubblehead" said Shelly "They wouldn't turn moi down. After all, I'm pretty much the star of the band"
Several days later, the Neptune's were at school when Biff and Shelly got called to meet with the school council.
"Okay Shelly" Biff told Shelly "There's Lori and Heather, the president and Vice President of the student council. We have to get them to have us perform at the dance this weekend"
"I hope so" said Shelly "Performing in front of the whole ninth grade could make me homecoming queen"
The duo walked over to Lori and Heather, who noticed them walking towards them.
"The Neptune'a I presume?" asked Lori.
"Yep Lori" said Biff "That's us"
"So you guys want to perform in the school dance, right?" Heather asked.
"That's right." Shelly nodded. "If you let us perform for the school dance, I'll be sure that you won't regret the decision."
"Yeah" said Biff "Our drummer is even a shark!"
"A shark?" Heather asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're joking."
"If I'm lying I'm dying" said Biff "He can beat drums like a pro! Plus, he can talk and breathe air"
Lori and Heather looked at each other for a moment.
Finally, Lori asked, "When do you suppose you can do a demonstration?"
"Sometime after school" said Biff "Say around 6 at your house?"
"Okay then" said Heather "Let's see if you're really worthy of playing in the homecoming game"
"You bet we are." Shelly said before she and Biff took their leaves.
Author's Note:
Looks like the Neptune's have become somewhat sensational and now their next gig is at their school's homecoming game. Will being a big star and becoming homecoming queen take over Shelly's kindness and make her forget everything her mother taught her? Probably. This is Shelly we're talking about. But still, you must stay tuned.