Hey! I know it's been a little while, and I apologize. I'm going to be updating less frequently, considering school just started up and I made my highschool swim team :)

No, it isn't on hiatus, and no, I will not abandon this. I just don't have a whole lot of time or mental capacity to write.

Okay, so it's been decided on who Ethan is with ;), as well as a few other pairings, but most are undecided. My profile page has a list of all the decided pairings, which I'm going to update as soon as I get done typing this. Also, I had a last minute entry, and one my friend begged me to put in, so two new characters will be making an appearance soon, this chapter or next, along with another surprise.

I love you guys for loving this story! XD

Disclaimer: Do we really have to keep doing this?

Ariana Luna Dekone

Okay, everyone is officially obsessed with my hair. I mean, at first it was really cool having everyone tell me how awesome it is, but, really, guys, just take a picture, it'll last longer. I mean it. I can always feel someone's eyes on the back of my head.

Oh, who am I kidding, like I care.

Now, it's time for tracks, and I can't help but wonder which track Andre will pick.

Just as I'm heading to the Vocal Room I see him entering the Music Room. Damn. Whatever.

I'm really not here for guys. I mean, yeah, they're a DEFINITE plus. But I really love what I do. I was recently accepted to Juliard's new edition Performing Arts High School, and I took my freedom to the fullest, dying my hair, adding a few piercings a couple weeks in. Before I lived life on a somewhat strict set of rules, and now I live life on my rules.

Okay, mostly my rules. I still have to follow the law.

I sit in a weaved chair that hangs from the ceiling, and look around the room. Aside from the unique kids, the unique furniture catches my eye. The chairs aren't the boring, metal ones like in the ballroom. No, each chair is different. While mine hangs from the ceiling, others are beanbags, some shaped like hands, and one white chair looks rather abstract, like spilled milk you can sit on.

There is a stage near the back, and no windows. A series of lights light up the stage in contrast to the dimmed room, and several microphones along with a guitar or two line the front of the stage. Some fancy equipment crap is over in the corner, and-

"Okay, let's get right to it guys! I'm Joe, and I sing most of the songs to the soundtrack of Alexandra's newest hit movie. You know, you've all seen it, Closing Midnight." People nod their heads at the guy who interrupted my thoughts. He's tall, looking to be about Alexandra's age, and I do recall hearing his music from the popular movie. He's got some serious talent. And facial hair.

He goes on to explain how this is our time, and he isn't running this, just here to smooth over any bumps in the road. He tells us we can put our names on the list to sing, and go rehearse in the small sound-proof room to the left, and that's when I look around at my company.

I see many random faces. About thirty people fill the room, but most of them are quiet. I see a few familiar faces. Niall, Serianna, Alex, Cat and Jade.

Cat motions me over, and I walk over to the girls to sit and talk to them. I nod at Alex and Niall, and they head over too.

Jade rolls her eyes at something Cat says, and I see people going to add themselves to the list.

I want to make an impression. Everyone has heard about the prize trip to Italy. I don't know the rules, but I expect standing out will help my chances, and that Alexandra will get us some information soon.

I've zoned out, and come back to see Cat winking at Jade, telling her that she thinks she, Serianna, Niall and I should sing together. I didn't even notice Seri walk up, but there she is, sitting in a movie-theater-style seat.

I don't know what's up, but before Jade can protest, Cat pulls Seri, Niall and I away to discuss song ideas.

"Okay, so I was thinking maybe we could sing some classic rock? Or something upbeat….I don't know! Any ideas?" I ask, looking around at the group.

I have a feeling that by the end of the week, I'm going to feel like these people are my family. Not a feeling I'm used to anymore….

Seri. The mysterious girl. She takes control, has a good laugh, and shuts up before anyone has the chance to even think she's a diva. I don't know if anyone else sees it, but something isn't quite right. I mean, the girl can sing, she's beautiful, she's fun and creative. But…..I don't know. It's something in the way she walks, or maybe the way she sings that lets you know there's something off inside. Not calling her crazy. But she seems to have some sort of secret. She seems wounded. Like she's hiding, almost, distracting herself from something. Must be a good actress.

Cat. That girl. I love her. She always has a smile, and when she doesn't you can always expect to hear 'What's that supposed to mean?'. Her hair isn't half bad either, and I have a feeling she's more clever than people expect her to be. Like back there, with Alex and Jade….was she….setting them up?! Nice one, Cat! Only Cat could do that to Jade and get away with it.

Niall. I have to say, I haven't paid much attention to that kid. But sitting here….I must admit. He's pretty attractive. And we share our passion for a foreign place. His is Ireland, and mine is Italy. I speak fluent Italian, although I can't say I know for sure if Italian blood runs through my veins. Which is another reason I want to win that trip so badly.

We decide on a song, Try and Stop Me, by Sima Parata, and add our names to the list before going to rehearse.

We come out of the practice room just in time to see Jade and Alex take the stage.

They sing Somebody That I Used to Know, and they absolutely kill it. In a good way, I mean.

At the end, Jade is crossing the stage during the last part, and she trips over her own boots. Before face can meet stage, Alex reaches out and grabs her arm, righting her on her feet.

At first, she glares at the boy, but then, her face….softens. She turns away and the song is over, but I can't help but seeing why Cat left them alone.

The fun begins when we go up on stage.

I start us off as the fun beat begins, the bass drum pounding out just loud enough to not be too subtle and not be too obnoxious.

You're set on me sitting down

You want my feet on the ground

But I don't

Think you know

I close my eyes as I hit the run at the end of the verse, and Seri takes the next verse like we practiced.

You're going crazy over things

You can't control

Your CD's are all adult contemp.

But I want Rock and Roll

But I don't

Think you….

Ohh.

She mimics the run, and we're dancing off to the side as Cat twirls into her verse.

You don't know

That after you kiss me goodnight

I'm gonna go out and have the time of my life

You don't want me

To live it up baby

But as soon as you're gone

My night's turnin' crazy

And then we all join in for the chorus. Cat and Seri take the first part of it, and Niall and I take the second.

I'm gonna dance 'cuz it feels right

You don't have to know what I'm doing tonight

'Cuz I'm having fun

Something new to you

Oh, Just Try and Stop me,

Just Try and stop me why don't you

Their voices blend smoothly and Niall and I finish out the chorus.

I'm gonna smile if it feels right

Dance with someone who knows

How to have a good time

I think I have a new idea

That you aren't good for me

Oh, just try and stop me,

Just try and stop me baby.

It's going great! The crowd is paying attention, people leaning out of the practice room to hear us, and Joe is nodding along. Niall and I sound pretty good together, too. Then Seri takes the next verse.

We used to go like PB&J

But now you never have anything new to say

It's breaking my heart

But I think we need some time apart

Because you don't know how

To live on the run,

Say it, F-U-N,

Baby, let's have fun

Don't you know-

Then, her eyes widen, like a deer in headlights. Her mic hits the floor with a loud clank, and knowing that something is wrong, I sing the rest of her verse as she backs up slowly. She recovers enough to finish out the song with us, but when I look over to see if she's okay once the last note of guitar leaves the air, she's already off the stage. I don't know where she goes, but she's gone.

And then I see why.

A figure stands in the door.

I squint through the dimness to make out a boy.

He looks about seventeen, like Seri, and is thin but muscular. He wears a blue hoodie and khakis, and his hair is brown, sweeping to above his brown eyes. He's very tan, and he looks at us with a frown, as if he noticed Seri's slip as well. But, really, I think everyone noticed.

He looks like the shy type, probably your average nerd, though pretty decent looking.

And he must be the answer to whatever it is going on with Seri.

And then, Jade, of all people on Earth, stands up to go follow her. She tells Cat to stay, looks back at Alex, then at the stranger, and leaves, and I'm more than curious to say the least.

But the track moves on, and next time I look up, the boy is no longer there.

I make a mental tally of things to find out about….

Jade and Alex….

Seri….

Beck and Tori….

Whatever it is with Annabella.

And not to mention a whole lot of other stuff.

Actually, this is the only moment I've spent here that hasn't been pure bliss.

It can't all be perfect. People ask questions, tell their stories, and give you answers you may not like.

But in the end, it's all just life.

Yeah, yeah, my lovely words of wisdom, I'll be here all week.

No, really I will.

Okay, I realize there was only one POV this chapter, but I had to do it this way.

Here are your questions!

What do you think happened to Seri?

Who do you think the stranger is?

Ariana and Andre? Or Ariana and Niall?

Cabbie, or Cat/OC, Robbie/OC?

Should Jade and Alex be a camp fling, or the real thing?

Also, next chapter you can look forward to:

Bori, Ethan/Annabella backstory, Seri's story, and some acting scenes, along with more awesome stuff I can't wait to type up! :D

Tell me what you do and don't like, as well as what you'd like to see.

Also, about that song, Try and Stop Me, I wrote that, on the spot. If you have an original song you want your character to sing, PM it to me, but only one, because there's only so much time I have XD.

THANKS!