Camp Rock 2 (6 page)

“It was my fault,” Nate said, swallowing.

“Why don't you save the theatrics for the competition,” Axel told him. “We'll talk about this later,” he said to Dana.

“It's okay. Go. And, Nate?” She reached over and took the piece of notebook paper. “Thank you.” As she hurried away with her father, Nate pumped his fist.

Who knew telling a girl you only liked cheese when it was on pizza could feel so awesome?

“A
nd all that was left was a bloody footprint,” Gage, the Junior Rocker, was saying, holding a flashlight up under his chin. It was nighttime, and he and the other Junior Rockers were sitting in a dark cabin with Jason, telling ghost stories.

The boys all looked at one another, shadows flickering over their faces.

“Lame,” Trevor said.

“Not even scary,” scoffed a boy named Jamal.

Jason gulped. Were these kids crazy? That was one of the freakiest things he'd ever heard. He cleared his throat. “So lame. Okay, let's put the lights on and get into bed.”

Gage looked at him. “But you called lights-out.”

“Lights-out?” Jason scoffed, shaking out his sleeping bag. “Who would ever want to sleep with the lights out?” He flopped down on his bunk, and the boys followed suit.

Snap. Jason bolted up when he heard a stick crack outside. Was it a bear? A lost camper? A serial killer with a bloody footprint? “Did anybody hear that?” No one said anything. Apparently not. He lay back down, his pulse racing.

“Jason, do you think we're gonna win?” Jamal asked, his voice sounding small in the dark.

“Totally. You're rock stars,” Jason told him.

“But what if they are, too?” Jamal wanted to know.

Jason considered this. “I don't know. I hadn't thought that far.” He lay there, mulling it over. Then he had an idea. He sat up again. They'd need to grab their sweatshirts, shoes, bug spray … and flashlights.

There was definitely no sneaking out without flashlights. a little while later, Jason and his Junior Rockers were zipping in and out of the bushes and trees that dotted the Camp Star landscape, trying to stay unnoticed. They were hoping to spy on the opposing camp's rehearsal, but their plan would fail if they were discovered.

“S
tay low,” Jason instructed, his voice barely audible. He ducked out of the underbrush and raced to the next group of shrubs. The Junior Rockers, with branches taped to the tops of their Camp Rock baseball caps, followed. As they reached the top of a leafy slope, Jason leaped over the edge.

“Roll. Roll,” he called as he slid down the hill. Then, as sticks and rocks jabbed his skin, he rethought that. “Ow! Ow! Rocks. Don't roll. Don't roll!” He got to his feet. “Climb down carefully,” he told the Junior Rockers, who began to tentatively make their way down.

“That's it,” Jason whispered, encouraging them. “Watch your step.”

In the short time they'd been together, they had come a long way. He was very proud of them.

They reached the top of a small wall that gave them a perfect view of the Camp Star amphitheater. Even though it was past most people's bedtime, there was major activity going on there. A crew was hard at work building a glittery set. Axel Turner was onstage barking directions. Jason spotted Luke and Tess, along with some other Star campers going through what appeared to be a rehearsal. Then, the entire stage was lit up by lasers, and Luke and Tess began to sing. They looked and sounded amazing.

Trevor pulled out his video camera, trained it on the stage, and hit record.

Moments later, it was time to head back.

They needed to tell the Camp Rockers what they had seen!

T
he next morning, Mitchie and the other counselors gathered around Jason and an excited group of Junior Rockers at the mess hall to watch Trevor's Camp Star video.

“They have this cannon thing,” Trevor was explaining as footage played of a glitter-shooting cannon. “And the stage is supercool.”

“It was huge,” said Erin, another one of the Junior Rockers.

Shane's eyes were glued to the screen. “Wait. Slow down. So it's just Tess and that Luke guy singing?” he asked. “Really?”

Jason nodded. “Yeah. Pretty much everyone else is doing something, but they're definitely the stars.”

Caitlyn let out a snort. “I can't believe Tess's head will even fit on the stage.”

“Are you sure?” Shane asked Jason. “We watched it, like, ten times,” Jason told him.

“Yeah, you think Mitchie's mean, you should see that Tess girl,” Erin muttered to a few of the counselors.

“Hey!” Mitchie cried, giving Erin a fake punch. “But this makes it so much easier,” Peggy spoke up. “We can totally win this now.” Mitchie was confused. “How so?” Ella sighed. “Oh, come on, even I get it. I don't care what they're singing, but you and Shane are better than Tess and Luke any day.” Everyone nodded. “But Shane and I aren't singing together,”

Mitchie reminded them. “But you originally wrote the song as a duet,”

Caitlyn reminded her back, raising an eyebrow.

Mitchie balked. “I know, but—”

“I'm normally not the kind of girl who likes to sing backup, but I'd totally do it for you two,” Peggy volunteered.

“We'll tone down some of the moves, pull the guys back a little,” Sander said, thinking out loud.

Barron agreed. “You're our two strongest singers.”

Caitlyn's eyes were twinkling. “And we know you've got chemistry.”

Mitchie really appreciated this amazing vote of confidence. But it didn't really seem fair. “Everybody worked so hard,” she protested. This wasn't the Mitchie and Shane show—it was about all of Camp Rock.

“To help save the camp,” Caitlyn said firmly. “If the two of you singing lead could help us win, then we have to do this.”

Mitchie felt incredibly torn. Uncertain, she turned to Shane. “What do you think?”

He shrugged. “Sounds like we don't have a choice.”

“Then it's settled,” Peggy said firmly. The counselors and the Junior Rockers all started talking at once about how to change the show.

Out of the corner of her eye, Mitchie noticed that Trevor, Jamal, and a couple other Junior Rockers were slinking out of the mess hall, small shoulders slumped. She walked over to them.

“You guys okay?” she asked, concerned.

“Yeah,” Jamal said, sounding dejected. “I was just looking forward to doing some of my new moves.”

“But it's okay,” Trevor added quickly. “You know, if it means we get to come back here next summer.” He held up his video camera and looked at the images on the screen, smiling.

“You had a good summer?” Mitchie asked, hating how sad the Junior Rockers were.

Trevor nodded. “Only, like, the best summer ever.”

She looked down at his screen as a video clip of Trevor and the Junior Rockers chasing after Jason played. Then, a lightbulb went off in her head. She put her arms around the boys and gave them a squeeze, kissing each of their heads.

“Ew, gross!” Trevor cried.

“Get off of me!” Jamal protested, wiping off her kiss.

Mitchie laughed, then ran back toward the counselors in the mess hall. “Guys!” she screamed. “I've got a great idea!” And if it worked, not only would she save Camp Rock … they all would.

A
fter weeks of preparation and anticipation, the big moment finally arrived. The Camp Star amphitheater was filling up, and TV cameras were positioned on the stage. A huge lighted sign that read hitz tv hung above it.

A TV host fixed her earpiece and faced the camera. “Hello and welcome to Hitz TV. I'm Georgina Farlow, and today we're bringing you ‘Camp Wars'—the ultimate summer-camp showdown. There can only be one winner in this Final Jam, and your votes are going to help us decide. Just call or text in after each performance—kids, make sure to get your parents' permission—and let us know who you think sang out and who you think hit the wrong note. What's your favorite camp—Camp Star or Camp Rock?”

When the introduction spot was finished, the TV host walked over to Axel and Brown.

“Great to see you, Georgina,” Axel said, shaking her hand.

She gave a curt, professional nod. “As always, Axel. I'm going to go do some stand-ups backstage before the concert. Good luck.” And she walked away.

“You know her?” Brown asked, surprised.

“I know everybody,” Axel said smoothly. “But don't worry, she doesn't have anything to do with the voting.”

Brown hadn't been thinking about that, but now he wondered—had Axel somehow fixed the show's results? He wished things could be different with his former friend and bandmate. But he knew they never would. “So I probably shouldn't hold out hope for us ever being friends again,” he said.

“Probably not,” Axel replied, sounding upbeat. “Though you never know. Next year I might need to hire you to run my summer camp.”

Brown smirked. “Thanks, but I'm already booked.”

M
itchie was filled with anxiety as she stood in the wings of the Camp Star amphitheater, getting ready for the final showdown. She'd just witnessed Luke and Tess having a backstage spat—but Tess being Tess, she covered it up by plastering a big smile on her face.

The stage manager motioned for everyone to get in their places, and Georgina Farlow walked onstage to wild applause. With spotlights shining down on her, Georgina began to speak in a dramatic voice. “As the sun goes down, the volume goes up. Welcome back to the ultimate summer-camp showdown, where you decide the winner. First up is Camp Star. Camp Star was founded only this year by superstar producer and founder of Star Records, Axel Turner, who's been producing hits for over twenty years. I know if I was going to study music, this is the place I'd want to be.”

Caitlyn nudged Mitchie. “Why is she saying that?” she hissed.

“It's her job,” Mitchie whispered back. “She's supposed to say nice things.”

Ella's face was pale. “If she doesn't stop talking, I think I'm going to throw up.” She grimaced. “Too late.” She ran off to find a bathroom.

Mitchie could sympathize—the entire experience was so nerve-racking it was enough to make the very best performers sick. She watched as Georgina introduced Camp Star.

As Mitchie expected, the Camp Star set was amazing, complete with a multileveled stage, catwalks, and intricate backdrops. And also as expected, Luke and Tess were the stars of the show while the rest of the Star campers did perfectly synchronized backup dance moves, singing flawlessly.

Except Mitchie hadn't expected them to sound quite as good … or dance as amazingly as they did … or have such detailed, elaborate costumes.

The lyrics were completely over-the-top. Luke and Tess sang about how they had the confidence to command the stage, own the crowd, and steal the show. They are literally singing their own praises, Mitchie thought. She exchanged a worried glance with Shane as dancers ran on and off the stage. As much as she hated to admit it, their performance was great. Really great.

And the crowd knew it. As the Camp Star performers finished, the audience was on their feet, cheering and clapping.

“I kind of wish I hadn't watched,” Peggy said, expressing the thoughts of all the Camp Rock counselors.

“Me, too,” Caitlyn muttered. “I hate it when Tess is good.”

Now Mitchie was the one who felt sick to her stomach as Luke and Tess took their bows. But we're great, too, she reminded herself, clapping politely. And when Luke and Tess exited the stage, she gave them a sincere smile. “Congratulations! You guys were really good.”

“I know, right?” Luke boasted, full of himself as always. “Only one thing would have made it better,” he said, sauntering off. “Doing it solo.”

“For once I totally agree!” Tess yelled after him, scowling. She turned to Mitchie, all smiles. “It's this little bantery thing we … Thanks. That means a lot.”

Having to perform with Luke had to be pretty brutal for someone like Tess. Mitchie didn't blame her for trying to act as if things were perfect between them.

But there was no time to feel even a teeny bit bad for Tess Tyler. Mitchie had to steady her nerves and focus on her own performance.

“Weren't they incredible?” Georgina Farlow was back onstage. “Camp Star, everyone. Remember, if you loved them as much as I did, call or text in now. But don't go away, because in a few moments we're gonna hear from Camp Rock!”

The Camp Rockers were all standing there, gazing out at the stage, full of opening-night nerves. Mitchie clapped. “That's us! Everybody move.” Startled into action, the campers dashed to their places.

Shane ran over. “Have you seen Nate?”

Mitchie shook her head, looking around.

While Shane was wondering about his brother's whereabouts, Nate was over by the keyboard section, trying to get to Dana before she left. He whipped out a bouquet of flowers he'd brought with him from Camp Rock. “I thought you were a star,” he told her, handing her the flowers.

Dana gave him a smile. “Thanks.”

“I really gotta go,” Nate told her, walking away—and then running back. “Oh, and I hate crust on my bread, and birds make me nervous.” Once that was off his chest he turned to go and found himself face-to-face with Dana's dad. Again.

“Sorry, but once you start expressing your innermost thoughts and desires, it's hard to stop,” Nate blurted out. Then he called back to Dana one last time. “Wish me luck!”

“Good luck!” she cried, tossing him her dana bracelet. With a huge grin, he caught it and took off running.

“Dana! He's the enemy,” her father reprimanded her.

“No, he's not,” Dana said, standing up to her father. “Everything in life is not a competition.” Then she lifted the bouquet to her nose and inhaled its sweet scent. “But I think I just won.”

“A
nd we're back,” Georgina announced dramatically from the Camp Star stage. She looked out at the crowd. “If you liked Camp Star, well, get ready to be blown away by Camp Rock!”

Mitchie stood next to Shane in the wings. She'd just received a text telling her to vote for Camp Star. Clearly, Axel was using his connections to try to influence the results. But there was no time to worry about it now. Shane's eyes were fixed on hers.

“Ready?” he asked, squeezing her hand.

“Ready! Let's show them what Camp Rock is all about,” Mitchie replied.

Georgina's voice boomed through her mike: “Ladies and gentlemen, Camp Rock!”

The Camp Rock opening was a lot like Camp Star's. Mitchie and Shane began singing under a spotlight, just as Tess and Luke had a short while ago. Except a few moments into their song, lights began to come up across the stage, and soon all the Camp Rockers were coming out to perform—singing, playing guitars, dancing.

Then, as Mitchie sang, she saw her great idea come to life. On one of Camp Star's huge flat screens, Trevor's video footage of the summer began to play.

There was Jason with the Junior Rockers, trying to fish Trevor's camera out of the lake; Mitchie singing to a clearly smitten Shane in the Camp Star amphitheater; Barron and Sander rocking out in the DJ booth; Jason chasing the Junior Rockers around the rec room; Nate teaching drums to the campers; Caitlyn showing a room full of dancers some incredible moves; Ella dressing up a camper in an original Ella design; the Junior Rockers giving Jason a present: a rock-and-roll birdhouse; Mitchie playing the piano as her friends gather around, singing; Shane playing Frisbee with some campers on the beach; Connect 3 performing; Mitchie and Shane on a rowboat; campers catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows, splashing in the lake, drinking “bug juice.”

Mitchie poured her heart into the song, a song that captured everything she felt about this magical, amazing summer with her awesome friends. And there was the proof up on the screen—proof that it had been a wonderful summer for everyone at Camp Rock.

As the music ended, the packed theater erupted into thunderous applause. They loved us! Mitchie thought excitedly, sneaking a peek at Shane. They'd put everything they had into this performance.

Hopefully it would be enough.

^“
Wow, now that really was incredible!” Georgina enthused as the Camp Rockers joined hands for an ensemble bow. “So call in now and let us know which summer camp rules! Stay tuned, we'll be right back.”

“And we're out,” said the stage manager.

Sander bounced from person to person. “Call in! Call in!”

Everyone scrambled for their phones and madly started texting.

“All right, everybody to their places, we're back in thirty seconds!” the stage manager barked.

When it was time for the results, Mitchie felt like everything was moving in slow motion. She and the other Camp Rockers stood on one side. The Star campers were on the opposite side. Shane held Mitchie's hand, and she closed her eyes as the lights flashed on and they were back on live television.

“And the results are in!” Georgina cried. “By an overwhelming margin … Camp Star!”

Across the stage, the Star campers were on their feet, cheering and screaming. Mitchie couldn't believe it. They'd put on the best performance ever, but it hadn't been enough. She felt tears slipping down her cheeks and her breath caught in her throat.

“Yes! Yes!” Luke exclaimed, punching the air and pointing over at the Camp Rockers in triumph. Tess was definitely happy, but she had the decency to shoot a mournful glance over to Mitchie, Ella, and Peggy.

Mitchie allowed her mom to give her a consoling hug. She felt devastated, but she joined the other Camp Rockers in congratulating Camp Star on their victory.

Then Brown rounded up his disappointed campers, and they paddled quietly back to the other side of the lake.