After school, the Neptune's went to Lori and Heather's house to give them a little demonstration.
Lori and Heather had neutral looks on their faces as they watched the Neptunes set up, though they seemed surprised to see Jabber.
"Aaaahhh!" they screamed "Its a shark!"
"Ew, like get that thing away from me" said Lori.
"Sheesh, no respect for your drummers" Jabber remarked.
"Oh my God! Did that thing just talk?" Heather gasped.
"Yes, he just did." Biff replied.
"Yeah" said Jabber "I'm Jabberjaw. Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo"
"And my best buddy ever" Clem added.
"How did you start speaking?" Heather asked, still in a state of shock that started after Jabber started talking.
"I don't know" said Jabber "I mean, it just blew out of me"
"Anyways, we're all set." Biff said as they finished setting up the instruments.
"Alright, Biff." Lori said. "When you guys are ready."
The Neptunes all nodded as they took their positions.
"Ready guys?" asked Biff.
"Yep" said the others.
Biff held up his hand "Okay, and a one, two, three, four, five!"
The band then proceeded to play "Move Your Feet"
The girls then started to bop their heads to the music, stomp their feet and keep in time with the Neptune beat.
Once again, Shelly leaned over to the microphone to sing. Lori and Heather were intrigued by the musical talents of the band and Shelly's amazing pipes.
The song continued playing and then, the final verse came up.
Bubbles played the last eight chords of the song on her keyboard and the gang finally finished the song.
"Yeah!" Shelly exclaimed.
The Neptune's all bowed as soon as their song finished.
"Wow!" Lori remarked as she and Heather clapped their hands. "That was amazing."
"Words can't describe how brilliant you guys are." Heather agreed.
"So it's settled then." Biff said. "We get to perform in the school dance, huh?"
"You betcha" said Heather "Be ready by Friday"
"We will, Heather" said Biff.
"Good" said Heather "After all, this homecoming game is one of the most important events of the school year and I don't want it to feel like I wasted my time on you guys"
"Don't worry" said Clem "We'll be there"
Later that day, the five met at Biff's garage to discuss their upcoming performance.
"So what do you guys suggest we perform in the school dance?" Shelly asked as they met up in the garage.
"Well obviously it has to be something that'll get people cheering for the game" said Biff.
"You mean like a team sport song?" asked Clem "Something that'll give the team their proper motivation?"
"That's exactly what he means, Clamhead" Shelly replied.
"So anyways, what do you guys suggest we perform?" Biff asked.
"I suggest 'We Are the Champions'" said Shelly "Why you ask? Because it's a victory song and we want the team to win. Plus, I am the star and the star is always right"
The others looked at each other as Shelly made the remark.
"What do you mean you're the star?" Clem asked finally with his arms folded.
"Yeah" said Jabber.
"I mean that I am the star, Clamhead" Shelly folded her arms "I am the most beautiful, have a beautiful and angelic singing voice, I hold the band together and people cheer for me the most. That makes me the big star"
"I thought that we all promised that we'll never let stardom get in the way of our friendship." Clem said as he folded his arms, clearly not impressed by Shelly's vanity.
"Yeah Shelly" said Biff "What's gotten into you?"
"Don't worry about me." Shelly said. "I'm alright. Aren't we going to do the practice?"
"I guess" said Biff "I mean, we've only got two days"
"Then let's get moving" said Shelly "I don't want my fans to be disappointed"
The others nodded, but shadows were forming on Biff's face as Shelly walked off to prepare for the practice.
Biff strapped on his guitar "Okay everyone, five, four, three, two, one!"
The characters started playing the song, but Shelly walked in front of the pack to sing and during that time, Clem and Biff shared a glance with each other.
Shelly kept doing that throughout the rehearsal and didn't noticed the glares from the boys. Eventually, the song ended and the others decided to have a little confrontation with their lead singer/tambourines player.
Shelly made her way to the garage entrance when the boys stood in her way with their arms folded.
"Not so fast, Shell" said Biff "We wanna talk to you"
"Can you make it sometime next year? I think I'm planning on doing a calendar shoot next month" Shelly replied.
"No Shelly, this is more important" said Biff.
"Fine" Shelly rolled her eyes "What could be so important?"
"We're really worried, Shelly." Biff said. "We've been worried about the way you're acting ever since that first concert at the beach."
"What on Earth could you mean?" asked Shelly "I've never felt any better about myself in my life"
"And that's why we're worried about you, Shelly." Clem folded his arms. "You sound like you want to hog all the spotlight and leave the rest of us in the shadows."
"Well I am the star and you guys are my backup group" Shelly remarked "What do you expect?"
"What do we expect?" Biff huffed. "Are you serious, Shelly? What do you mean we're your 'backup group'?"
"Didn't we all promise that we'll never let stardom get in front of our friendship?" Jabber asked.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention on account of I was trapped in my vision of becoming Whitney Houston's big successor" Shelly said as she placed a hand on her hip.
"So in other words, you believe you should get all of the glory while we do the hard work, huh?" Biff folded his arms, clearly not impressed by her aloofness.
"Duh" Shelly said sarcastically.
"Very well, then." Biff said as he and Clem shared a look. "If you really think you don't need us and can manage on your own, how about we suggest that you start your singing career on your own without the Neptunes?"
"What exactly are you saying?" asked Shelly.
"We're saying you're fired!" Biff exclaimed.
"What?!" Shelly screamed.
"If you're going to act like a stuck up jerk face, then we don't want you in the band anymore!" Biff folded his arms.
"Fine" said Shelly "At least having a solo career means that I'll get more fame, fans and money than you guys ever will. Not to mention it increases my chances of becoming homecoming queen"
"Fine by us." Biff said as Shelly made her leave. "Chances are, we probably don't want your fame or crazy fan service."
"Yeah" said Jabber "We can find a new lead singer. One that'll give us some respect!"
"And maybe someone who won't turn her back on us" Biff added.
"Fine! Your loss, chief" Shelly snorted as she strutted away "But when I become homecoming queen, the biggest star in the world and win a bunch of Grammies in the future, don't expect me to mention you jerks in my acceptance speeches or my autobiography"
Shelly then stormed out of the garage without another word while her former band mates looked on with Jabber appearing steaming mad.
"No respect" the shark growled "I should bite her face off after what she did to me!"
"Yeah" Clem added "Although Clamhead is a suitable nickname for me"
"I still want to bite her face off" Jabber growled.
"Well, either way, let's pay no attention to her, guys." Biff suggested. "Our first order of business is to either just play instrumental music or get a new singer."
"I suggest instrumental music" said Bubbles "I mean, it's pretty engaging without the need for lyrics"
"Great idea." Clem nodded. "Not to mention that it pretty much eliminates the risk of getting another you-know-who."
"Good" said Biff "Let's make up an instrumental of our own and play it at the game this Friday"
"Make up something original?" asked Jabber "Now that's respect!"
"It's a shame Ms. I'm the Star won't be joining us" Clem added "Not!"
"My thoughts exactly" said Biff "Come on guys, let's think of something"
The kids then went to thinking of something.
Meanwhile, Shelly was walking back home, shocked and angered at being kicked out of the band.
"I don't need those guys" she thought as she entered the house "I'm going to be famous and they'll be truly sorry they ever left me"
She made her way to her room and slammed the door shut. She then went to her desk and saw her stuffed bunny lying there.
Taking a deep breath, she took her stuffed bunny and gave it a huge hug.
"Hello Mr. Fluffy" she smiled as she hugged her bunny "How was your day today? That's great to hear. Mine was just horrible"
The bunny just let itself get hugged by its long-time owner.
"My friends hate me and don't want me around anymore" Shelly told her bunny "But I know you'll never leave me, will you? Of course you won't because I'm your mama and you're my baby. Yes you are"
She then used her hand to make the bunny nod in agreement, aware that it's only a toy and can't move with will.
Shelly then kissed the bunny's nose many times "I love you, Mr. Fluffy and you love me bestest of all, right?"
The bunny nodded once more and Shelly smiled.
She started planting little kisses all over the bunny's face and cuddling with him, when there was a quiet knock at the door.
"Hello?" she turned around.
"Shelly, it's me." Her mother replied on the other side. "Are you alright?"
"Of course I'm alright, mother" Shelly said in a haughty manner "Now please, leave me be"
"Dear, please don't lose your temper." Marilyn said. "You know I can always tell if you're in a bad mood, so can I come in a speak to you?"
"Very well, come in" Shelly rolled her eyes.
Her mother opened the door and walked in.
"So what's eating you, dear?" Marilyn asked as she placed an arm on her daughter. "I heard you slam your door shut a few minutes ago, and aren't you supposed to be at band practice?"
"I left...permanently" Shelly huffed.
"Why, what happened?" asked Marilyn.
"They kicked me out of the band" Shelly replied.
"They kicked you out? That's not like them" said her mother "Why would they do that?"
"They just disagreed with the way I'm handling our new fame." Shelly huffed.
"Oh really?" Marilyn raised an eyebrow "What did you do?"
"I...I don't know." Shelly said. "All I said was that I was going to be the star of the band."
"And they kicked you out? That's so unfair" Marilyn said sarcastically.
"Right" said Shelly "They're just jealous because I'm smarter, prettier and better than them"
"I'm sure that was the reason why they kicked you out, dear." Marilyn said. "I can't help but notice how you've changed lately ever since that first concert at the beach."
"Well yeah" said Shelly "Since singing my heart out for those people, I've been feeling a lot better about myself"
"Not just that, dear." Her mother said seriously. "I'm starting to have concerns that you weren't telling me the truth this morning about sharing stardom with your former band mates and not letting it getting in the way of your friendships."
Shelly folded her arms "What're you talking about? Of course I was sharing my fame with them. After all, they are my backup group"
"And does that warrant the way you treated them?" Marilyn folded her arms. "You taking all the glory while they did the hard work of playing their instruments?"
"Singing and looking good is a full time gig" said Shelly "It's not easy having amazing vocal talents and bewitching good looks like mine"
"But what about Biff and the others?" Marilyn asked "Do you think it's easy having to memorize all those notes?
"It's supposed to be easy." Shelly said. "If you have talent, that is."
"So you're saying your friends are untalented?" Marilyn asked her daughter.
Shelly paused as Marilyn asked the question.
"Shelly, you have to ask yourself about what you're giving up and what you're gaining from it" said Mary "Is the fame and money really worth leaving your friends over?"
Shelly thought for a while and wasn't sure how to answer.
She didn't know what to do. Was fame and money worth it if she gave up her friends? She could have an amazing new life, but her friends and her mother wouldn't be around for it.
Shelly sighed. "I honestly don't know, Mom."
"Baby doll, you're all I have left in this world and I don't want to ever lose you" Marilyn started to get tears "If I ever lost you, I don't know what I'd do"
Shelly nodded silently. "I...guess...I wasn't thinking straight...Mom."
Marilyn nodded "So have you made up your mind?"
Shelly nodded. "I guess I owe them an apology."
Marilyn nodded "Then you have to go fix your mistake and make it right before they never forgive you"
Shelly sighed and nodded. "I suppose I should."
At that same time, Bubbles had arrived home from practice.
"There's Bubbles" said Marilyn as she saw her niece walking inside "Go make things right"
"Yes, mama" Shelly nodded "Oh and momma...I love you. I love you so, so much"
As Shelly hugged her mother, Bubbles walked towards them.
"You've missed out a lot in the practice, Shelly." She said to Shelly.
"And I'm...guessing you guys are still angry at my outburst, Bubbles." Shelly turned to Bubbles.
"The guys are, but not me." Bubbles admitted.
"You're not mad at me?" asked Shelly, confused "But why? After all I said to you I figured you'd be angry at me"
"I understand the pressure you're under, Shelly." Bubbles shrugged. "I mean, given what has happened to your family and home in the past, I can tell you've been trying hard to make a break from all of the stress."
"It does get a little stressful having to sing a lot and perform all the time" Shelly admitted "But I feel terrible about what I did. I treated my cousin and best friend like dirt. I guess with my potential future of being a star, I took it out on you"
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Shelly." Bubbles said. "We all can get stressful at times like this."
"You're my best friend, Bubbles and I don't ever want to act like that towards you again" Shelly held Bubbles' hands "I love you"
Bubbles nodded and smiled. "I love you too, cousin."
The two girls then hugged in a beautiful and warm embrace.
Author's Note:
It looks like Shelly's vanity hasn't stopped Bubbles from caring about her or loving her. But what about the guys? Will they forgive her? Well stay tuned for the final chapter and after that, we have the next origin.