Remy's POV:
"Zoe Taylor is missing!"
Drea's exclamation immediately got our attention, as well as a lot of shushing from our classmates. The best thing about having study hall first period is that you didn't have any homework to work on yet, so it was a nice easy start to your day. Most of us spent the time goofing off in the computer lab. As long as it looked like you were doing something vaguely productive, Mrs. Eaton left you alone.
Mrs. Eaton was currently working with another student halfway across the library, which meant we could all crowd around Drea's computer to see what she was talking about. She was reading an article from Cheetah Beat:
The overnight pop sensation, Zoe Taylor, has been reported missing by her parents. Ms. Taylor was last seen at a party thrown by her record label to celebrate the platinum success of her hit single Ain't My Place, which has been sitting at the top of the charts for the past seven weeks. Her parents say she has not returned home since the party, and that they have not been able to contact her. Multiple witnesses confirm that she was last seen arguing with her producer, Tha Myris.
Tha Myris, a rising talent in the music industry, spoke to reporters when the news broke, saying "Look, life comes at you fast. These kids think they're ready for it, and they're not. If you wanna make it big in this business, you need to be ready for it. My job is to make them successful, but that only happens if they are willing to put in the work and uphold their end of the deal."
This marks another disappearance in a string of bad luck for Tha Myris, who has produced a number of one-hit wonders over the past few months before the artists appear to fade into obscurity...
"That's gonna be us one day." I said.
"What? Missing?" Aleja asked.
"No. Tha Myris is right - If you want to make it big, then you gotta be willing to put in the work...and we have what it takes to make it to superstardom. All we need to do is crush this talent show audition."
"Wait...the talent show auditions are today?" Cat asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Gee, I completely forgot! It's almost like you haven't mentioned it five times already..."
"And it's only first period." Drea added as the bell rang.
One class down, six more to go...and then we had a date with destiny.
This was it. The moment we had been waiting for.
Our performance was flawless. As we each hit the final pose of our choreography, I knew that we had all given it everything we had. If we didn't get into the talent show, then it was not for lack of trying.
Not that too many people were paying attention. My mom and Aleja's mom were both clapping from their seats. In the front row, some Black lady I had never seen before was cheering her head off as if she was at a Beyoncé concert. The old guy and round nerd sitting with her seemed less impressed, although still applauding. Most of the other students hanging around were focused on their own auditions.
None of that mattered. All that mattered was the opinion of our music teacher, Mrs. King.
Mrs. King knew her music. She often alluded to a professional past as a back up singer, but never provided any details, so the rumor mill in the school ran rampant. Some say she toured with Blondie and was best friends with Debbie Harry. Others say she was the one who convinced Phil Collins to go solo, and that Joan Jett sends her Christmas cards every year.
Mrs. King knew her music. We dropped our poses as she approached the stage and awaited her judgment.
"My girls." she said. I started to worry - We had decided to cover Never Ever by All Saints. It was a bit of a risk, since it was a few years old now, but we all loved how we sounded on it. I held my breath. What was the verdict?
"That was wonderful." she said at last, and I felt like I could breathe again. "I can really feel the passion, the heartbreak, the vulnerability in the song. You girls have something together that can't be taught - you have the potential to be the next big thing."
"Does this mean we're in the talent show?" Aleja asked hopefully.
"Oh yes, honey, of course it does." We all started to celebrate as she continued, "You girls are going to go far. Evry music teacher dreams of the singer - or group - that they help to inspire. I can see a bright future for you girls, and it will be my privilege to help you in any way I can. I predict that at some point in the future, the whole world will know The Manhattan Muses."
"Why wait?" The question came from a man who was sitting in the back of the auditorium. As he made his way closer to the stage, he stepped into the light. My friends and I instantly recognized him, and we started freaking out.
Because this man just happened to be one of the hottest music producers right now. The artists he discovered all rose to superstardom in a matter of weeks.
This man...was Tha Myris.
I like to use dress up games to create character designs for my OCs, so if you're interested in what each of the Manhattan Muses looks like, you can find their images on my Tumblr (same username as here, just no spaces).
Next time, the girls finally meet the Doctor (in case the little hints haven't been enough), and the plot really gets going. I'd also love to know what you think about this concept so far – Are the little hints and teases enough, or do you want to see more interaction between the girls and the Doctor?
Please review!
