Rock Royalty by Kathryn Williams Page A

Cosmetics. Blush had decided to sponsor a special concert to raise money for after-school music programs. And they wanted their spokesmodel to perform. Knowing how much Tess had enjoyed the music education she’d gotten this summer at Camp Rock, T.J. was more than happy to help.
    â€œMom!” Tess cried, breaking through the circle of campers and rushing up to her as T.J. came down the helicopter stairs.
    â€œHi, babe,” T.J. said as they air-kissed each other on both cheeks. “I’m on my way to a photo shoot for Blush, but I just heard from Ginger and had to stop by to tell you—”
    â€œTell me what?!” Tess interrupted, her blue eyes wide. What was so important that her mom had interrupted her busy schedule and come all the way to Camp Rock? It had to be huge!
    T.J. smiled. She knew her daughter got her impatient streak from her. “Blush is sponsoring School Rocks, a concert to raise money for after-school music programs. . . .”
    â€œOh.” Tess’s face deflated. Just another fund-raiser that would take up her mom’s time.
    â€œ. . . and they want you and me to perform— together,” T.J. continued, beaming.
    â€œMe?” Tess repeated, her eyes growing large. A sponsored concert? She would be a household name before the program was even over!
    Ella Pador and Lorraine Burgess, Tess’s entourage and best friends, had rushed to her side when they saw the helicopter. Now they started jumping up and down, clapping.
    â€œYou’re gonna be famous!” Ella squealed.
    â€œO.M.G.,” gushed Lorraine. “This is so awesome!”
    â€œI’ll take that as a yes?” T.J. grinned.
    Tess nodded her head enthusiastically. “Yes!” she screamed. Then, composing herself, she added casually, “I’ll do it,” as if she were agreeing to do the dishes, not sing in a major concert.
    â€œWonderful,” said a happy T.J. “I’ll let Ginger know. Now I have to jet, babe. Annie’s waiting at the photo studio, and she hates when the talent’s late. I’ll call you about the details later.”
    T.J. and Tess double air-kissed again, and just as quickly as she had appeared, T.J. was gone.

C HAPTER
T WO

    B y dinner that night, everyone at Camp Rock was talking about Tess’s concert— as she was referring to it. Who else would perform? they wondered. Where would it take place? Which stars would come? How many people would read about it in a magazine or see it on TV?
    It was all anyone could talk about, including Mitchie and Caitlyn. They sat alone at a table in the corner of the mess hall. Lola had skipped off for a drumming lesson, something she’d just taken up, and Peggy, perhaps curious to hear more about the concert, was sitting with Tess.
    Since stepping out from behind Tess’s shadow at Final Jam, Peggy floated around more. She hung out with Mitchie, Caitlyn, and Lola now, but she also spent time with her old friends Tess and Ella, and their new friend, Lorraine. She also still lived with Tess and the girls in the Vibe Cabin. At first, things had been awkward, but now it wasn’t too bad.
    Mitchie and Caitlyn didn’t mind Peggy’s dining choice. This gave them time to catch up. Besides the obvious news, Mitchie had a lot she wanted to share with Caitlyn. She had been at Camp Rock almost two whole sessions now and still hadn’t won a jam. She was beginning to feel pretty bummed.
    â€œMitchie, you’re talented,” Caitlyn reassured her once Mitchie had spilled what was on her mind. “Trust me. You have more talent in your pinkie finger than I have in my whole body,” Caitlyn added.
    â€œThat’s not true,” Mitchie disagreed, frowning. “You’re the best producer I know. You can do things with music on your computer that even the pros can’t do!”
    Caitlyn shrugged. She couldn’t argue with that. She’d gotten even better this