Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I know, talk about depressing!

Chapter One:

I grinned wildly as the beginning instrumentals of the song erupted from the speakers.

"Ah! Caitlin! Turn it off! We can't have our super-freaky-in-the-morning-booty-dance-party yet!" I shouted over the blaring music, the grin still etched across my face.

She shut it off and shot me a confused glance. "Why in the world not?"

"Don't tell me you actually forgot our tradition!" I let out an over exaggerated gasp.

She looked lost for a moment, before her eyes lit in recognition. She then grabbed my arm and dragged me to her bedroom.

Five minutes later we were fully prepared for the best super-freaky-in-the-morning-booty-dance-party of our lives. We were both dressed in over sized Connect 3 t-shirts, mine was black and hers was gray. Yes, I know, very flashy. Let's just say the knick-knack store we got them from didn't have a large variety of colors. We had bought them in mockery of our friend Lindsay who was completely obsessed with the band, and to this day we never attended a super-freaky-in-the-morning-booty-dance-party without them. To complete our outfit we wore matching ray-ban sunglasses, and stood on my couch back to back with white knee-socks covering our feet. Caitlin pointed the remote at the stereo, and as soon as the music began we both swung our side ponytails around in circles.

Hey baby,

Why you treatin' me bad?
Hey darlin',

Know you're makin' me mad

I jumped off the couch and slung my body around in the crazy way you only can, when you're with your best friend in the privacy of your home. Our vocals sounded worse than a dying walrus. Not because we couldn't sing, but because belting off-key notes was so much more fun.

I'm goin' crazy,

Tryin' to figure out why you are leavin',

Give me a reason

Caitlin grabbed my hand, and we started doing our own weird version of the tango. We stopped as soon as we started though, when I attempted to spin Caitlin and she almost knocked over a vase. We burst out laughing, and went back to dancing around like a bunch of dorks.

Say that you need me,

I know you deceivin',
The lines that you feed me will leave you alone

We struck whatever pose that came to our minds, according to the beat, and I couldn't help the giddy smile that graced my features as I clowned with Caitlin. It wasn't until then that I realized just how much I'd missed her. Living in different states was harder than I had originally thought it would be. It's not everyday you find someone you can get to booty dance around your house with you in retarded clothing.

Since we had nothing left to do, we bust out in our old school moves. Like the watering can, the pretzel, and the Arab bobble head. I got so into it, I didn't even think twice as of to why the doorbell rang and who could be standing behind it. I simply danced my way toward the door, and swung it open with a hearty laugh.

"MICHELLE! What in Gods' name are you wearing?" A voice belted through the apartment.

I froze, and the music was abruptly shut off from somewhere behind me.

"D-Daddy? Why are you here? You weren't supposed to have arrived for another four hours!"

He grimaced at my appearance, "I am your father, and I will show up at your doorstep whenever I feel like doing so. Now, explain to me why you're dressed so… I can't even describe how disturbed I am at your choice of clothing. Your mother and I send you off to college, and this is what you turn into?"

I gulped nervously, "No, sir. I—"

"Wait a second here! Is there a man in your apartment? Are you playing around with him?" He interrupted.

I shook my head quickly, "No! I was playing around with Caitlin."

He raised his eyebrow, and my eyes widened as I realized how that must have sounded.

"Oh, no! NO! I'm not doing the nasty with Caitlin! I meant… Well, never mind. But I wasn't… yeah, no I wasn't…" I stuttered in shock.

I heard stifled laughter come from behind me. I whipped around and shot Caitlin a glare.

"Um, how about you come in?" I offered.

He frowned, "Honestly Michelle, I'm not sure I can be in your presence as you are dressed in such a dishonorable manner. I'll return later. I simply wanted to remind you to bring the CD of that new group you heard. I'd like the other Execs to hear it also at the party we're holding tonight for the record label."

"Why couldn't you show it to me at the lunch you and mom are coming here for later?" I stated confusedly.

His jaw tightened, "Are you getting smart with me? We are the Torres' we do not act this way under any circumstances. I am unpleased with you behavior today, I suppose you'll have to make it up to me later. Your mother will be hearing about this." Then he turned and left.

I shut the door silently, the tension ringing in the air as I turned to face Caitlin. Our eyes held each others gaze for a while, before she burst into laughter. Much worse than my little episode the previous night, if that was even possible.

I frowned, "It's not funny."

She gasped for air, "Oh, yes it is! 'Doing the nasty?' Where on Earth did you come up with that?"

I rolled my eyes, but grinned a little as I made my way into the kitchen, "Whatever. Come help me finish cooking this food, or my mother might have a cow."

Caitlin nodded her head, but smiled at me mischievously. I immediately understood, and grabbed the remote to turn the music back on, as we danced our way into the kitchen.

I glanced at my reflection and sighed.

I was growing tired of this. I'm nineteen years old, and yet I'm still struggling to please my over-the-top parents. My hair was curled in a half-up half-down style, a barrette made with real diamonds holding it up. Surprisingly, I admired the dress my mother had forced me to wear to this party I was now preparing for. Fortunately, the white silk didn't make me appear too pale, because I had been to the beach a few days ago. It was tight-fitted at the bust, before it fell gracefully to the knee, hugging all my curves in the right places. Not to the point where every man in the room would be eying me, but just enough to acknowledge my body's true shape. The only problem with the outfit was that every single detail had been carefully thought over with my parents solely in mind.

The little bit of makeup I wore was used to highlight my features, not hide them, and I was almost positive it was perfect. Just to be sure though, I performed a makeup check that hadn't failed me once in all the years of my life. I pulled my best flirty face in the mirror and batted my eyes to the reflection. I concluded that my eyes looked innocent, yet captivating. Check. I then spoke in a deep voice, "Hello there darling. Don't you look beautiful tonight?" I returned to my normal voice and gave an embarrassed look, "Oh stop it, you!" I then noted that the blush suited the occasion perfectly. It was dark enough that if I did blush it wouldn't look like tomato fungus had grown on my cheeks, yet it was light enough that it almost appeared to naturally blend that way with my skin. Check. Next I puckered my lips and kissed the mirror. Then I examined, "Oh, ew! Way too glossy!" After re-applying I found myself satisfied. Check.

"I seriously should write this stuff down in a book. It never fails." I said to myself.

Then realizing what I was about to encounter, I gulped and nervously paced my bedroom. Lucky for me Caitlin was still getting ready, so I had time to think things over. I had been relieved when my mother called and cancelled our family lunch earlier for a meeting they had to attend, because it meant I had a longer amount of time to procrastinate telling them news that was sure to cause an unpleasant uproar. Well, I was also mad that I had cooked all that food for no reason, and I was annoyed that I had to listen to my mother yak on about my unacceptable behavior this morning. But relieved was definitely top on the list. I sat on my bed and groaned in frustration. Tonight, I was going to tell my parents I didn't want to produce or write songs for musical artists, but that I actually wanted to be one.

Oh god, I need a drink.

Just as I was about to walk out the door, it flew open.

"Mitchie, it's going to be fine. I can see it in you eyes. Just stop. You're going to tell your parents you want to pursue your career as a singer and everything will be fine. They may be a little upset, but—

"No, Caitlin! They're going to be more than a little upset! They have this whole dream of me running the label once they are no longer able to, and after what happened today, I'm practically handing a serial killer my telephone number!" I cried in frustration.

Caitlin rolled her eyes, "Mitchie, you have been their perfect little daughter for nineteen years! Do you even know how long that is? You deserve a chance to follow your own dreams. So, you are going to go to this party, and tell them you're doing just that. Got it? As a matter of fact, since you're so good at following the rules, here's a new one. You have to tell your parents that you want to become a professional singer. If you don't I will make it my personal mission to eat all those delicious brownies I made, that I know you love."

I laughed slightly before pulling her into hug, "Oh thank goodness you're here!"

"I know! I should charge you a dollar every pep talk, I'd be a flopping millionaire! Now let's go!" She laughed and pulled me out the door.

Seconds later it was reopened as I ran back inside, "SHOES! How on Earth did I forget my shoes?"

"You are such a nuthead!" Caitlin giggled.

"John! This is ridiculous! Just let me go inside! I don't need a stupid entrance." I argued with the security guard, who had apparently been given specific orders to keep me outside the dining hall until I was introduced. What was with that anyway? I'm the head of the Torres Productions' daughter, not Queen Elizabeth.

Caitlin groaned, "So we have to stand out here for how long exactly?"

"Oh! Not you Miss Gellar. You're free to enter whenever you'd like." John stated calmly.

I on the other hand was about to blow up like a ton of titanium.

Her eyes sparkled in delight, "Really? Sweet, thanks big guy!" She started to enter the room when I yanked her by the elbow.

"Caitlin! You're just going to leave me here?" I spouted in exasperatedly.

"Um, yeah, pretty much." She turned to go, before I pulled her back again.

"Hey! Some best friend you are! I need you to save me from the lurking dangers of boredom." I wined.

She rolled her eyes, "Mitchie, I don't want to walk out with you when they announce your name. It'll be like, 'Oh there's Michelle! Who's the stalker chick next to her?' Talk about embarrassing! I love you Mitch, but not that much."

I watched her flounce away, and huffed in annoyance. I finally sat in the chair that had been offered to me five minutes ago, realizing John wasn't going to budge. Suddenly I felt a vibration, in my clutch, and read the new text message I had just received.

K, now I feel bad.

Cait(:

I giggled quietly. It was so like Caitlin to text me when she was five feet away.

U shuld! My poor soul tossed on the cold deserted floor.

Mitchie3

Nvm. U totally just killed it. Feeling badness gone bye-bye! Btw, how was date w/Luke? Sry, I 4got.

Cait(:

I groaned out loud, but quickly shut up when John gave me a 'wtf' look.

Its cool. He said luv ya 2 me. NOT luv u or I luv u. I set him straight. Was 2 funny.

Mitchie3

Oh Im sure u did. Haha.

Cait(:

"Michelle, get your butt up! They're introducing!"

I jumped startled at the sound of my mother's voice, and hurriedly put my phone away. "Sorry Mom. It won't happen again."

She nodded her head slightly, "Good. Now stand up straight, and smile."

I rolled my eyes, but obliged.

"Now without further a due, I'd like to introduce the people you had better love or else your butt's getting fired, " The announcer said jokingly, and getting the room full of people to chuckle,, "Steve and Connie Torres, with their daughter Michelle."

Then we walked into an intricately designed room, full of famous and important people. The ceiling was tall, and filled with a gold lining, windows showing a marvelous view of the gorgeous city lights. The entire room was breathtaking and covered in cream and gold. The tables were all filled, and waiters waited patiently in the back of the room by the bar. I noticed a dance floor to my right, but knew my parents would kill me if I was caught dancing goofily with Caitlin like I wanted to.

My parents proceeded to go through this complete-waste-of-time speech, and people then began to come up to us and mingle. I smiled and did as my mother asked, but the first chance I got I managed to gracefully maneuver my way over to Caitlin and roll my eyes.

"All that for absolutely nothing!" I complained.

"Hey! You got to bump shoulders with Orlando Bloom! Call me crazy, but if I were you I wouldn't be complaining." She grinned.

"I did? Wait, why is he here? He's an actor." I frowned in confusion.

"No clue, but who cares?" She sighed dreamily.

I snapped my fingers in front of her face, "Wakey, wakey, Caitykinz!"

"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Her glare penetrating my line of sight.

I laughed, "Many. Now help me figure out how to break the news."

She pondered over it for a quick second, before grabbing my hand and pushing through the crowd.

When I realized where she was headed it was too late. Directly for the table my parents sat with all the head executives and producers. Gee, thanks Cait!

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Torres. It's nice seeing you again! Mitchie here has something important to tell you."

I wanted to grab Caitlin and strangle her, as everyone turned to look at me expectantly.

"Oh, Michelle, we were just discussing how you could work at the label over the summer to familiarize yourself with the work you'll need to do once you graduate and run it. Isn't that lovely, dear?" My mother stated.

I smiled uneasily, "Um, yeah, about that—

"Oh! I have an idea, how about you start now! Considering its spring break, and you don't have anything else important to do." My dad chuckled as did his colleagues.

I frowned slightly, "Actually, as I was saying—

Dave one of the producers at the label turned toward me, "I could use the help, and you could start tomorrow?"

My mother nodded in approval, and next thing I know, their all chattering about everything I need to learn before I can actually run the business. And before I knew it, I opened my big mouth, and I opened it wide.

"I'M NOT GOING TO RUN THE LABEL!" I shouted, and perhaps a little bit too loudly, because half of the whole room turned toward me.

My cheeks turned bright red, yes like tomato fungus, despite my carefully applied blush.

My father spoke in hushed tones, "What do mean? Of course you are!"

I sighed heavily, "Daddy, I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you like this…" I then turned and glared at Caitlin, before continuing. "But, I have decided to pursue a career as a singer."

A gasp erupted from the table, and my parents stood in anger, "No you are not. What got this nonsense in you head? Is it that Caitlin girl? You know I've never liked her!"

Caitlin scoffed, but didn't say anything after the pleading look I sent her.

"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry but I am. You may hate me, but I have to follow my dreams. Can't you understand that?" I pressed.

They glanced at each other, "No." The two letters were spoken in unison.

My parents started on a tirade, but I wasn't listening. All I did was study my shoes as tears welled up in my eyes. I had hoped with all my heart, that maybe for once they'd show a little compassion. Maybe, they would understand, just this once. And now I felt… Well, I honestly didn't know how I felt. I just felt bad.

I interrupted whatever it was they were saying, "Excuse me."

Then I briskly walked away, searching for a bathroom while looking at the ground so no one would see my tears. I could hear Caitlin's heels click as she followed me, so I sped up a little bit.

I turned a corner and ran smack into someone, almost falling until they caught me by the waist. I glanced up at my captor, confused by the weird feeling I got as he looked into my eyes, concern growing across his face.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I quickly stood tall, looking down, but sharply staring at the guy again as I realized who he was.

He was the guy who had embarrassed himself and was on Hot Tunes TV. I almost laughed at the sight of him, but instead I heard Caitlin call my name and shot off like a rocket toward the bathroom.

I hadn't noticed the two pairs of eyes piercing my back angrily, watching the whole scene.

Steve Torres spoke softly in his wife's ear, "Did you see that?"

"Yes. Don't worry, dear. I have a plan." She hissed her frown so deep it was sure to give her wrinkles.

A/N: Uh-oh. What's Connie's plan? Still a bit of a beginning, but I promise the next chapter it starts to get really interesting. Thank you so much for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites! I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you liked the chapter. Please, review and let me know!

-LizzyBeth(: