For the first time in a long while, Mikayla felt like everything was going to work out.

All of Carey's teachings had bolstered the young singer's confidence, and she enjoyed practicing the songs that she'd picked out of her mentor's music collection.

More importantly though, her fears about losing Cody to London were a thing of the past. Once Zack had told the heiress about Mikayla's feelings for Cody, London had been quick to reassure the singer that there was no reason to worry. The two girls had sat down and had a long discussion on the matter. After it was over, Mikayla felt more secure about her budding relationship with Cody, but she also felt closer than ever to London. True friendship was still a new experience to Mikayla, but as far as she was concerned, the Tipton girl was the greatest BFF anyone could have.

And Zack was a great friend too.

So Mikayla was excited when they told her about what was developing between them. And she felt honored too.

Because she was the only one they told.

Zack was relaxing with London out on her penthouse balcony and he couldn't have been in a better mood. Not only was he enjoying the company, he was also pleased with the perks. If he got hungry, anything from a candy bar to a gourmet meal would be brought to him on a silver tray within moments. If he were thirsty, almost any beverage imaginable would appear just as quickly. All it took was for London to pick up her phone.

It was funny in a way. Naturally Zack had always been aware of just how wealthy the heiress was. But after years of living in the same building and being friends, he had become so accustomed to her lifestyle and habits that he never thought much about it. But over the past few days as he and London had spent time together, he'd started to get a better understanding of just how much luxury that the heiress was used to.

It was exactly the kind of life he'd always wanted for himself.

Then again, while the perks may have been nice, they were still just perks. The main attraction was London herself. Sometimes Zack would glance towards her, take a moment to appreciate her considerable hotness, and then check to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Nope, wide awake.

Life is good, he thought.

Good...but not perfect.

"Do you think anyone has noticed yet?" London asked out of the blue.

"Noticed what?" he replied. He could see that she was thinking hard about something. Her expression wasn't as bright and bouncy as it usually was.

"All the time we're spending together."

"Nah," he answered. "Nobody will think about it. They'll just figure we're two friends hanging out." He paused. "Besides, if anyone gets suspicious I can come up with an excuse."

London nodded and smiled. "Okay. Good." Then her smile faded. "Zack...why do we need an excuse?"

Zack's own expression became serious. "Why are you asking me? It was your idea to keep this a secret for now."

"It wasn't really my idea. I mean...I didn't plan it out. When I told Mikayla about us I asked her to keep it a secret, and I'm not even sure why. And then you seemed to like the idea."

"It wasn't that I liked it," Zack responded. "I just figured you had your reasons." His thoughts turned back over the events of the last few days. He was surprised when he realized that he'd never questioned the need for secrecy at all. "Okay, we should talk this out."

And so they did. In doing so, they began to see the reasons for their actions. While their newfound feelings for each other were very strong, both teens were still getting over the surprise of the change in their relationship. And if it was a bit of a shock to them, then they couldn't even guess how their loved ones would react.

"You know, I think we both just knew that this thing between us has to be handled carefully," Zack concluded. "And that's good." He smiled as he looked into London's eyes. "Because I don't want anything to screw this up."

The heiress felt her heart flutter as she saw the expression on Zack's face. It was a familiar look, an endearing mixture of bravado and sweetness that she'd never seen from anyone but Zack.

And she really liked it.

"We'll tell everyone about us soon," she said. "But not just yet. Besides keeping things secret is kind of exciting." She batted her eyes at him and softened her tone of voice. "And romantic."

Zack moved next to London and pulled her into an embrace. "Very romantic. Like nobody else in the world has any idea what's going on with us." He kissed her, and then flashed a wicked grin. Nobody knows I just did that." He kissed her again, holding it longer. "Or this." He began to nibble on her ear, pausing just long enough to whisper, "Or this."

London let out little gasps of delight as Zack moved his mouth from her ear to her neck. She reached up with one hand and entwined her fingers in his blonde locks. But while she wanted to urge him to do more, she managed to maintain some self-control.

"That feels so good," she said. "But you need to ease up. You're going to give me a hickey."

Zack's response was a suggestive chuckle. "Maybe I want to mark you as my woman." He then continued kissing her neck.

London was excited by his aggressive attentions, and gave an appreciative moan of pleasure. "Oh Zack!" But then she yanked his head back by the hair and changed her tone of voice. "Seriously, you leave a mark and I'll break your arm," she said matter-of-factly.

Momentarily surprised by the strength of her grip, Zack paused before responding. "I believe you. And is it strange that I find you incredibly hot when you're threatening me with bodily harm?"

London gave the question a brief moment of thought. "Yeah, pretty strange. But I can live with it."

They both laughed and then Zack resumed kissing London's neck...but much more gently.

The next afternoon, London (with no visible marks on her neck) joined Zack, Cody and a few others in the in hotel lounge for a private performance. Mikayla was going to try out a few songs before a small audience of friends. Besides London and the Martin family, Mr. Moseby, Esteban, and Arwin were also present. All of them were planning to show a lot of support for Mikayla and be generous with their applause, but that fact didn't prevent a few butterflies from finding their way to the singer's stomach.

"Remember, these are all your friends," Carey told her backstage. "This is just an informal little practice. Nothing to worry about." She smiled warmly at Mikayla. "I know you can do this."

Still nervous, but determined to justify Carey's belief in her, Mikayla nodded and got ready to start.

There was no formal introduction. When the time came, Mikayla just walked to the center of the stage and waited for the music to start. The first song was one that had been a favorite of Carey's back when she was in high school. A tune from one of Cyndi Lauper's lesser-known albums, it was titled I Don't Want to be Your Friend.

Mikayla started out singing slowly, and quite beautifully. The song told the story of a woman who'd had her heart broken, and now had to deal with her ex-boyfriend trying to come back into her life. But right before the first chorus, Mikayla's performance went from good...to spectacular.

I'll get by just fine

So if you're going, then darling...

Goodbye

Goodbye

But before singing the next line, Mikayla smirked and added in a sarcastic tone "Oh, come on and leave already! And..."

Don't call me...

in the middle of the night no more

Don't expect me to be there

Don't tell me...

it'll be the way it was before

Watching with the rest of the small crowd, Carey was ecstatic with what she was seeing. Mikayla wasn't just singing, she was performing. She was projecting her own personality from the stage in a way she never had before, and truly connecting with the audience. And in the process she was even reinterpreting the song she was singing. Carey had always found it a beautiful, but sad song...about a woman pleading for relief from the man who'd hurt her. But Mikayla's performance was defiant, and even empowering...where the woman was telling the man off. The lyrics were exactly the same, the difference was entirely in the attitude.

And onstage, Mikayla had attitude to spare.

And I don't wanna be your friend

She smiled as she sang the last line of the song. A smile with just a bit of a sneer to it. It was the perfect way to end the song as she'd performed it. At least, that's what her audience seemed to think, because their applause was deafening. And it wasn't because they were trying to be nice to her. They'd absolutely loved what they'd seen and heard from her so far.

Mikayla could sense the sincerity of the applause. Her confidence shot through the roof as she launched into her next number.

When her last song was done, a race broke out to see who could get to the stage first to give Mikayla a hug.

Cody won. So there were a few kisses as well as the hug.

After that, it seemed as if everyone was talking at once. Much was said about how great the performance had been. There were also many comments about how Mikayla should feel ready to start working in the lounge immediately. Then some mention was made of how Limburger cheese could be used as an alternative fuel source...which was very odd...but since it was Arwin that brought that topic up, everyone else took it in stride. They were all used to how his mind worked.

After everyone had an opportunity to pay their compliments to Mikayla, Mr. Moseby took her aside.

"I'd like to discuss something with you of some importance," he said. "Would you join me in my office?"

Curious as to what he wanted to talk about, Mikayla nodded and followed the hotel manager.

To be continued...

author's note: Thanks a ton for all the comments since the last chapter. I had a horrible week and a half, and some of the positive reviews and messages from you guys really cheered me up. So give more. :)

(But feel free to give criticism about stuff you don't like as well. I want to know if there's anything in the story that's not working for you guys.)

Lyrics to the song I Don't Want to be Your Friend are by D. Warren.