A/N: Thanks all who have stood beside me, waiting for this chapter to come out. And my WONDERFUL beta. Sorry it took so long. I had major writers block, hopefully chapters will come out more easily. Read and Review! This chapter is dedicated to othretard for the longest review I have ever gotten, and BrucasLuvin for sending me the sweetest email.

In the Spotlight

Chapter 22

The red stool swiveled back and forth as Reagan flipped through a magazine. The first thing she noticed when she walked into the room was the flowers. They seemed to suffocate anyone who walked in. Her attention was soon taken over by the candy dishes that called out to her. It was so different from the rooms she was used to that always smelled like a vat of used cigarettes and beer had once flooded the room. The walls weren't in need of a paint job, and the couches weren't falling apart. She once again felt that common sense of inferiority being in Haley's dressing room.

Haley returned from her warm ups and burst into the room. She looked towards the vacant couch before her gaze fell upon the stool in the middle of the room.

"Is there something wrong with the couch?"

Reagan's eyes never strayed from the various pictures in the magazine before her. "No it's perfect."

"So? Why are you on a stool?" Haley asked thinking perhaps she was missing something.

"The couch is too perfect. Must have cost a lot of moolah. I don't want to break it. Who knows who has sat on that couch? I could be breaking the famous touch on the couch's spirit. So I took a stool, and placed it in the center of the room. I think the flowers aligned on the walls will strangle me if I get to close. Besides, this chair is like a rich persons stool. I never knew stools could be expensive. Sounds like an oxymoron."

By now Haley had gotten used to Reagan's rambles that led nowhere. As Reagan once described, thoughts are like pineapples, they can be crushed and random or go in circles and all lead back to the same point, but cherries were always better. Haley had been contemplating that for awhile wondering if maybe there was a hidden message but the more she thought about it, the more her head hurt. She decided it was one of the daily philosophies that Reagan passed throughout the day unintentionally. So she didn't linger on the insight. With this distraction Haley almost forgot what she had come for.

"Reagan, can you do me a favor?" Twice in one day she had asked this question.

"Anything for the oh so famous one!" Reagan dog-eared the page she was on and set the magazine down. She put her hands on her knees and leaned forward intently.

"Chris isn't here."

"Ooh love affairs….Am I going to be sent to stalk him and make sure he isn't with some 5'9 British lady who is more famous then you?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "No," she began as if talking to a small child, which at times she felt like she was. "Chris is my opening act. I need you to go on."

Reagan suddenly got uncomfortable and her joking demeanor changed. "He'll be here; He always gets here late." She offered.

Haley laughed inwardly at Reagan's cluelessness. Chris NEVER passed up the opportunity to show off. Except for today, when she begged him to. It wasn't her fault that Reagan would never allow her to push her into the spotlight. It wasn't Haley's fault Reagan was so stubborn; If Reagan only knew what Haley had had to promise Chris to get him to give this opportunity to her.

"I don't think he's coming Reag. I just get this feeling."

"Lovers premonition…." Reagan said in a voice that gave no reason for argument. Once again Haley had to roll her eyes at Reagan's not so obvious attempts to set Chris and herself up. "Or maybe its heartburn. Have you taken any medication yet?"

"Please Reagan. We NEED someone on in 10 minutes. I'm not trying to make you the sidekick I need a favor." Reagan still gave off a look of uncertainty and Haley knew that she had to try something else. "Look, if Chris gets here beforehand then he can go on, please just get ready in case…."

Decked out in make-up, and a band behind her Reagan took a gulp. Any minute now the curtain would rise and she would sing a song that was not her own. She couldn't set the expectations, she had to live up to a singer who professionally sang the song chosen for her. This was the real deal. She looked around her at the band hired. None of the friendly faces or words of her own band were there to console her. The stage is where life began and was worthwhile to Reagan. But the first time on stage without her band was like the first first time all over again. She counted to ten and breathed out. Applause from behind the curtain was heard. Behind the curtain where all the judging people who had no interest to see her were sitting. These people couldn't care less if she died on stage, just as long as Haley came afterwards. The curtain was slowly rising. The red cloth that divided the reality and fear of the situation was gone all too soon and Reagan couldn't make out any of the faces staring back at her. Notes played on a guitar and all too soon it was time to open her mouth. How had she gotten herself into this mess?

Haley watched from behind the curtain. Reagan's blonde hair that wouldn't curl under any circumstances was pulled up in a half ponytail framing her face. A likeness….to whom though?

Reagan brushed her hands on her lucky pair of true religions. Her shirt was a pink color with bright green italics. It stated 'It's funnier now that I get it.' Her usually straight hair was pulled up into a messy bun and her makeup was practically non-existent, which made her look slightly washed out on stage. She opened her mouth and at first nothing came out. The band behind her, being the well trained back up they were, replayed the beginning measure. Haley had to stop wringing her hands together when she noticed they started turning white. The cue was coming and Haley sucked in a breath.

Reagan's lips opened and noise came out. Not just any noise, but her voice. She sang the song, making it her own without realizing it. The audience started singing along and all too soon it was time for Haley herself to come out. When Reagan exited Haley grabbed her arm and pulled her back on stage. All of the stage managers eyes almost fell out of their heads. They looked at each other in confusion wondering what was going on. Haley wasn't even entering from the right entrance!

"Ladies and Gentleman," Haley began and applause drowned out her words. She had to wait a few moments for it to settle down before trying again. "Right next to me is one of my very dear friends. I know you had the pleasure tonight of hearing her sing." The audience applauded politely. "For your pleasure if she will. I hope Reagan will join me in a duet." Reagan's face filled with terror and Haley smiled confidently back. The audiences' roar of applause gave no room for disagreement.

Special Thanks to-

Nayley4-ever- Thank you so much, Sorry it took so long…. Keep in touch!

othretard-Kudos to you for writing such a long review. I loved to read it! (read note to you above) Go Band-ees from Florida! I will include some of my own lyrics in chapters coming up, but until then others lyrics or not. Most of the characters that are mine, which I will elaborate on, were based off of others. Neyton will happen! Eventually! I need to push Brucas more at the moment, and explain Haley. I relate most to Haley but if she left hot tamale for music, then stick with it! Can't wait to hear from you again!

foreverbrucas- I haven't decided yet, but I always wanted to fall asleep on someone. What do you think is going to happen on the show with Brucas now? Not that my story follows the show! Write soon!

BrucasLuvin- Thank you SOOOO much for the email! I emailed you back! Hey if you want me to update faster, leave reviews, I get to them first. I love hearing your input!

READ AND REVIEW!