Pearl's pov

I gracefully entered the music room early, knowing Rose would soon arrive.

"Greg may have her in the afternoons," I schemes quietly. "But her mornings and secrets will always be for me!" I squealed, something I rarely did, opening the final door.

"Mr. Universe!" Rose chuckled, lightly hitting him on the arm.

"Rose." I said, annoyed that this man had invaded my time.

"Oh, hey Pearl." Greg said, smiling. I opened my mouth to say something when someone burst through the door behind me.

"Outta my way, groupie." The young man ordered,  pushing me aside.

"Hey!" I protested, using a table for support.

"Yeah. Listen, Greg, we gotta go." Greg sighed.

"Marty, I really wish you wouldn't push Pearl like that. Besides, I wanted to spend some time with Rose." Greg stood up from the stool he sat on, placing his guitar in Rose's arms. 'Marty' sighed.

"Look, you said this chick could sing?" Rose nodded. "Great. Vidalia's got some friends who are throwing a party this weekend, and they need entertainment." He eyed Rose, making Greg and I uncomfortable.

"Marty, I don't know, can't they get someone else?" Greg shifted on his feet.

"Just think, Star Child, we'll get paid," Marty persisted.

"I think we should do it!" Rose said. "Pay or no pay, I'd love to sing!"

"I can sing." I don't remember saying the words, they were simply there and everyone was looking at me.

Marty focused on me, starting at my shoes, working his way up, and stopping at my chest.

"No offense, kid, but you don't really have the physique of a good singer." Enraged, Rose stood up and grabbed Marty by the collar.

"Why does Pearl's body affect her performance as a singer? If you're judging girls by their boobs, you're a major asshole!" Greg stepped between the two, attempting to stop any fights.

"Why don't we let Pearl practice with us tomorrow, and then we can decide on Thursday? It's not like today is Friday," He chuckled uneasily.

Rose let Marty go. Marty, seeming to accept me, handed me a flyer and began to walk out the other door.

"Wait, does this mean I'm on?" I inquired, causing him to pause.

"Sure, kid." He walked out. Greg sighed.

"Okay, Pearl, you gotta wow him." He left, presumably to speak with Marty, leaving me some precious time with Rose.

"Who's Marty?" I asked, turning to face her.

"Oh, him? He calls himself Greg's manager. He's just trying to make money off of Greg's music." She sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Anyhow, we better start practicing. He said Vidalia's friends are throwing this party, which means we're headed to a senior party. I think you should invite Opal to look after you." I nodded, feeling reassured now that she'd be attending.

"I'm sure she'll say yes."

"No." Opal said sternly, closing her locker.

"What?" I asked, baffled.

"I said no, Pearl. I'm not going. Which means," She grabbed the flyer from my hands. "You're not going either."

"Wow, Opal, you laid down the law," Amethyst commented, leaning against Sugilite's locker.

"Amethyst? What are you doing here?" Opal asked, as if Amethyst attended another school.

"Eh." Amethyst shrugged. "Sugilite grabbed my Spanish homework, and that's my first period class."

"You missed her." Opal said, causing the short girl to fall.

"What?" Amethyst asked. "What class is she in?" She pushed herself off the ground, dusting herself off.

"Down the hall, third door on the left." Opal pointed down the hallway, and Amethyst scurried off.

"Thanks!" She yelled behind her. Opal only waved.

"There we go." She turned back to me. "And you. Get to class. Why do even want to go to this party?" She glanced at the flyer. "Oh. It says that Rose and Greg are singing...?" She raised her eyes to look down at me. I chuckled uneasily.

"Marty said if I impressed him I could sing with them?" Opal sighed, rubbing her temples.

"Pearl, this is a bad idea. This is a Senior party, which means there'll be booze." She sighed again. "You're not going."

"Hey, Opal!" Opal turned around, and I craned my neck to see behind her.

"Hey Rainbow!" Opal called back. Rainbow finished walking to the lockers where we stood, holding out her arms to hug my sister. Opal winced in the pain of the hug.

"So anyhow," She said, releasing Opal from her death grip. "Are you coming to the party on Friday? Everyone will be there!"

"Um, yeah, sure." Opal replied quickly, confusing me.

"What? But you just said you weren't-"

"Pearl!" She barked through clenched teeth. I stepped back, sensing something was wrong.

"Great!" Rainbow cheered, not noticing-or if she did, ignoring-our dispute. She hugged Opal again, briefly, and sauntered away.

"What was that?" I asked strictly, crossing my arms.

"None of your business, Pearl." Opal retorted. "Just go to class."

"Why did your attitude change around Rainbow?" I pressed, determined to receive answers.

"Listen, Pearl. It's my job to protect you. So let me protect you!" She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked away grumbling.

"What happened to you?" I asked myself. "Are you okay?"

(A/N):

Title attempts:

All Wrong
Audition
Take Five
Pearl Jams
Off key
Talent Show-Off
Farty Marty