I disclaim RR.

Chapter 2: Back To School

Tara's POV

I feel as if my life was supposed to change significantly last night. But since I decided not to speak up, I'm stuck right back in the place I was before. The girl that hates my guts still hates my guts, and the boy that I've been crushing on, still doesn't know I like him. But hey, that's life for you, right?

I walked into the school just as Audrey was walking by. She made her way over and walked with me to my locker. "So, last night, why didn't you…you know…make the big reveal? I mean, I totally knew you would win, and I was expecting you to embrace you Queenness and waltz on up there to take your rightful crown!" She said, obviously upset with me. "I mean, by now, you could be the most popular girl in school! Everyone would love you!" She said as she walked beside me. I swallowed hard as she said this.

Popular? Everyone would, dare I say it, love me? "Audrey, you should know me well enough to realize that I'm not interested in being popular. I don't want to lure my friends in by fame. If anything, I'd want them to know and like the real me, for who I am. And what's inside." I said softly, staring off into the distance while imagining what it would be like. Audrey scoffed, and looked at me like I was crazy, "Yeah, okay Miss Crazypants. Let me know when you've come back to earth and joined the rest of our unfortunate group of friends," she said as she looked over at the twins who were on their laptops, trying to decode Radio Rebel's voice. And with that, she stalked off, not even bothering to say goodbye.

My classes went by swiftly, but not without the occasional thought about Gavin. He was getting close to figuring out my other identity, and it wasn't getting easier with Stacy trying to be that constant bump in the road, keeping me from my destination. From now on though, I'm determined to make my life a whole lot easier. Radio Rebel will be better than ever, and I am going to get my guy.

"Coming to you live, it's Radio Rebel. Hosting proms and making a difference everywhere in Seattle." I said, twirling my hair around my finger. "A lot of you are striving to figure out the real me, but I'm not coming out of hiding until you guys do, too. The whole point of this show is to find the person within you, and make a difference in your own life and others lives. This song goes out to those who have that someone who makes their world spin upside down." I pressed Track 88 and leaned back in my chair. Sighing to myself seemed to be a habit now, because the only thing I can think about is Gavin. I feel like we're so close, yet so far apart. It's like, he'll never see who I really am.

I picked up my headset and started talking to my listeners. "So, sometimes life can be confusing. But it wouldn't be an adventure if we didn't struggle sometimes. That would give us what we want to quickly. You're never too old to learn that you have to work for what you get. At least that's what I was taught. Happiness should come naturally, though. So tomorrow, wear tie dye. I don't care if you don't have anything like it! Go out and make something, be creative. And remember, there's always going to be someone with something less than you. So embrace how lucky you are, make a new friend, and smile. Radio Rebel out."

And with that, I set my headphones down and opened the blinds on the glass. Cami was eating a beef sandwich while smiling broadly at me. "What are you smiling about?" I laughed as she tried to swallow the load in her mouth. "Nuffing, woo glust gev puh beth ehvie." She said, trying to get it down her throat. "Cami, I- I can't understand you. Swallow before you talk, please…" I said, looking at her with concern. "I said, 'Nothing, you just give the best advice.' Now let me eat my sandwich in peace."

I left soon after that and rode home with my stepdad. A song came on, and I looked out the window, pretending I was in a sad movie. My movie, where I cast the roles, and I chose who dated who. A movie where the mean girl was no longer mean and everyone accepted everyone. My daydream was interrupted with the sound of my stepdad telling me how great the show was tonight. I thanked for his praise, and got out of the car when we got home.

My mom tried to stop me from going to my room so she could vent about how wise I was, and how she wanted to buy me a new dress, but I got out of it by saying I was sick, and my bowels were acting up. She removed herself from me immediately, and retreated to the kitchen to probably go gag. I flopped down on my bed and thought about what tomorrow would bring. I slowly got ready for bed, and proceeded to get under the covers. I put my retainer in and fell asleep.

Nobody is perfect, not even me. But when you have a retainer, wear it. When you have a zit, cover it. Life is only as hard as you make it out to be. So let's work together and make it as simple as we can.