Promises You Can't Keep ((Closed))

[Padme Rendel S2]

"Did we get any mail?" Tessa asked quickly from her newspaper. She had just woken up a few moments ago. It was the first thing she asked every day. Padme hadn't told her about the letter she had written and didn't have an intentions to. After all, her mother was almost berserk with the mail thing. She shook her head and Tessa shifted her eyes down to the floor. It was obvious what she was thinking. Padme shifted in her chair uncomfortably before pushing her cereal bowl toward her mother. She wasn't hungry at all. What with worrying over what her life was going to be like and worrying over Tessa, her brain was in an over load mode. Tessa smiled and shook her head, her hair looking ratty and knotty.

"Oh, Padme! That's sweet of you but I really don't need it. I better get to work soon anyway." she smiled and pushed it back to Padme, shaking her head as she looked like she was going to resist. She picked up her bag and rushed toward the door.

"You just got up! At least rest some!" Padme cried but Mother didn't stop. She smiled and waved before closing the door behind her with a snap.
Padme sighed and put her cereal in the sink, washing it out thoroughly. Once it was clean she stored it back in the cabinet. She then took out a canvas and her paints. Lately she had been going to her paints for help. She would draw the dreary London streets that matched her mood so well. She was slightly excited about leaving for Hogwarts but yet she was scared. What was Tessa going to do all alone? She swallowed hard and gazed around quickly. No one was looking. She hadn't told anyone of her painting skills. She had just found out herself. She began with the street, its gray cobblestones looking wet. The buildings were all different colors but they were also gray and dim. It was a dreary place and the only thing that looked promising was the horizon, which the sun was trying to peek over. The clouds were pink and purple, with tints of yellow. A man had his son on the shoulders and was giving him a ride down the streets to the nearest cafe. The boy had a large smile on his face and the man was laughing loudly. A few faces looked out through the windows to peer curiously at the two early risers. A woman was running behind them, trying to keep up. She had a young girl beside her, holding her hand and tugging on it to go faster. This was Padme's idea of a family. A father, a mother, a daughter and a son. They all looked so happy. Padme smiled down at them before looking around. It looked good to her, but yet sad. She sighed and was about to put it on the window sill when a sudden thought struck her. She picked it up and hurried out the door.

The sun was high up in the sky when Padme reached the huge art palace that bought art to sell. She ran inside, her painting at her side. The place was filled with portraits from all sorts of people. One even cost two-hundred dollars! Padme smirked in satisfaction before reaching the counter. She had to stand on her tip-toes to see over it because it was so high. She looked around but didn't see anyone. She frowned and waited five minutes, her foot tapping on the marble floor. Finally, someone came around the corner. He was a man with brown hair tinted with gray and light green eyes. He smiled at the sight of Padme.

"Hello little one. What might I get for you?" he asked in a light voice. He looked down at her portrait and up again, his face no being lit with confusion. Padme smirked at him before showing him the canvas.

"I painted this. I was wondering if you would like to buy it." she thrust it foreword so the man would take it. He did and gazed at it curiously for a very long time. It seemed like forever until he finally looked up, deep wrinkles in his forehead.

"You made this?"

"Yes. What do you think?"

"It's.....wonderful. Very well done. I can't believe you made it. I will buy it immediately. How much do you want?" he asked with an excited glint in his eyes.

"Three hundred."

"Three hundred! My dear girl, that's more then all the paintings here that I've ever bought!" he smiled before taking out a fifty dollar bill. Padme glared and shook her head.

"Two-hundred eighty-five. It's my only offer. Otherwise, I think I'll go to a place that will give me the money needed for such a dazzling picture - "

"Alright! Two-eighty-five it is." he looked very distraught and pulled out the money. Padme smirked at him before walking away quickly. "Wait!" he called after her. "I need to know your name! And age!"

"Eleven. Padme Rendel. Good day." she said without looking back and traipsed out of the door.

[Padme Rendel S2]

I had been so young that day. So young and ignorant. I wish I could go back to my old ways but no....that's like trying to stop a hurricane. And that's what I am. A hurricane. When I first found out the secrets deep inside the attic, I had been filthy. Feeling and looking. I couldn't stand my own blood. I even tried to cut the circulation on my wrist, although I keep that deep inside my heart as a never-telling secret. People would think I was insane if I did that. I hate to look back on those days were I felt like the darkness was more welcome. I was like a flower; shriveling in the room without sunlight, fresh air. And most of all - will. I had no will to continue. I was hopeless, drowning inside my self. Now, I'm stronger. Mack helped me. Although I hate to admit it, she did just that. I feel like I can count on her now, not that I never did. She's deeper then Dix, I noticed that. I know respect her and am grateful, but I have yet to tell her so. Why am I like this? I don't want to be. I want to be the normal little Slytherin girl. Selfish, cruel....which I suppose I am but whenever I really think about, I'm deeper, like Mack. I'm more mature then ever before. How I long for the days I once called Tessa my mother. I wish for the days I would dream that my Roger and Tessa would get together and we'd be a real family again. But we could never be. Not me. Jack, yes. Tessa and Roger, yes. Me....no. I don't belong here. I belong in that mansion of a house with the too twin half-sisters. Tessa's is related to me in some twisted way, but I don't see that very often. She dyed her hair the normal color, blond, just because I told her too. She gets even more drunk as the days pass. I feel like I'm losing her....which even I don't want. Even after what she put me through, the poor woman doesn't deserve it. I try to help her, I really do, but I can't. She doesn't listen anymore. I have become the leader. I do the bills, I make the money. I'm the woman of the house at age eleven....

Padme looked up at the purple doors, colored brightly to dazzle the eyes. The huge place was enough to dazzle the eyes, without color. She clutched her suitcase and bags tightly. This would be her new home for a while. She had to do it. Tessa couldn't live without her....but Padme had to do this in order to pay for their income. She had to go to art school. She had gotten two portraits into that small art store, but she had to move on in order to delve deeper for money. It wasn't easy, no not at all, saying goodbye. She wasn't sure how long she would stay here....it could be a while. She figured a month maybe. They would help her with her skills to make her brilliant. The only problem was here, Padme didn't fit in. Where would she fit in? Not 'home', not here, not in her mind even. She was lost and trying to find her home in a city of many. It was an impossible task but she had to try. This was just a baby step to get her started. She didn't belong here because everyone here was older then her. Except for one person, who was thirteen. The instructor had informed her of this when he had called to notify her she had been accepted in his schooling. Only the best go to her. Her name was Jennifer League, a famous artist that Padme had never heard of. She bit her lip now as she looked at the house. Was this where her answers hid? Gathering her courage, she was about to go inside when she heard a voice say something above her. It was a boy about thirteen years old with green eyes and a mop of brown hair. He had a bemused smile with his eyes bright. Padme instantly felt relaxed under his piercing gaze. He gave her that chilling smile.

"You must be the new student." he said, which was weird. He didn't ask, he gave it to her in a statement. Padme felt old rage boil in her blood and rush to her head. How dare he act like this to her, that fool of a muggle...."Aye." Padme said, smirking as she used this term. He raised a fine eyebrow before giving her that smile again. Padme glared at him. She was about to say something to break the silence that had fallen over them when he spoke up. "You must be pretty good to get here. Almost as pretty as you look." he said with a wink that matched Padme's scowl. She wasn't pretty; she was probably the foulest looking person on earth. What with her collar-bones showing through her parched skin...."I know you need some fattening up, but once that's done...." he smirked and reached around her to grasp the handle on the door. He was really something else. Padme glared at his back as he left her, entering the mammoth building. Suddenly, a fear took over her. She didn't know where to go! She could get lost in this, even more lost then she was at the moment. Rushing inside, she saw the boy standing in a line, waving over to her. The nerve of him...Stepping around somebody she neared him with caution.

"What is it now?" Padme asked with visual impatience. Was she turning back to normal? Almost jumping in glee, she controlled herself and looked up at the boy, his dark hair and bright green eyes. She had already fallen in love with the green of them...Lime Green almost. So bright it hurt to look at them. She raised an eyebrow at him slowly, watching his face. When he didn't reply, Padme looked closer at his frame. He was tall for his age, although he was shorter then Jack. His skin was a dark tan that it almost matched his hair. Padme took her eyes of him to look at her surroundings. People around age twenty were near her, near everyone. Statues of people were up on display and portraits hung on every clearing in the wall. She swiveled her head around, fascinated. She only broke out of her stupor by the boy, damn him! "Sorry, but what's your name again?" he asked as though they had never spoken. "Padme Rendel. You?" she replied coolly, her eyes icy. He ran a hand through his brown hair, oblivious to her glare. "Daniel. You can call me Danny or Dan. Either works for me." he said with a shrug. He was peculiar, especially how he avoided his last name. When Padme asked him about it, he turned on her, his eyes ablaze with fire. "I don't have a home, Miss Rendel. I'm not a primp little girlie like yourself," he added, eying her clothes with a certain amount of dislike. "I'm homeless. My Momma died a few months ago and I refused to go to an orphanage. I make a living by making portraits."

So much like myself. I have to admit, I was taken with this Danny. He was smart, spunky and intelligent, all rolled into one. He was different and yet similar to me. I sometimes wished he was younger so we had more in common. We went to the same classes, which were for the younger people. We learned together, sat together and did everything together. Dan and I became fast friends, although I would never admit it to anyone. He was the best friend I ever had; steady, loyal, loving. He adored me and yet had the patience to correct me. I often wished I had known him before, but now was best. I had needed him through this troublesome time in my life. I detested telling him how my life was, but preferred him to think of me as the 'primp little girlie.' If only I was little.... In the days to come, we helped each other and stuck together. He was always around me. I only had problems when we separated to go to bed. I had no older friends that were girls so I was all alone in the girls' dorm. I would go to bed earlier so I wouldn't have to face them. My life at that place was nice, simple and yet complex. They worked us hard and I fell more in love with my paintings. I would enter a whole different world when I did that....I world I truly belonged in. I would have stayed there longer then two weeks if Dan hadn't snuck up on me working and humming to myself that day.....

[Padme Rendel S2]

It started out like any normal day. I got up, anticipating meeting with Danny for our paintings. We were going to work on water colors today and might even work on to painting people instead of animals! I was so excited, I could barely make myself make the bed in the morning. Once it was perfectly neat, I shot out the door and through the hall, spinning like a whirlwind. I was so happy, excited....thrilled! I had a whole day with my own guardian angel! Danny was waiting, as usual, near the entrance to class, her brown hair, so like mine, was hanging over those eyes of his. How wonderfully elegant he looked, leaning against the frame of the door with exasperation until he spotted me. Then - it might have been my imagination - but he seemed to straighten up and put a smile on, although I could instantly see something was wrong. Danny would never smile at me with that flicker in his eyes, showing that he was hiding something. I had raised an eyebrow, expectant to hear something. I couldn't imagine anything then....how unimaginative I had been! It was hard to believe when he told me, but I soon learned that taking bad things within your stride, was a better way of handling a situation. Better then the way I handled it today.

"Ms. League died, Padme." Danny had said with a slow tone that represented he had known this for hours. Padme stared at him, not believing him. But she had to - what smile there had been on his face was no longer there. Instead, there was more of a grimace on his lips. Padme wouldn't believe it though. How horrible for Danny to lie to her! She glared at him, thoroughly irritated before breaking out in a small smile. "Come on Danny. It's not funny. Let's go in to class now." she said, pulling on his sleeve to make him move. He wouldn't budge, so I stalked into the classroom by myself. No one was in there. It was so silent, a mouse could be heard if there was one. No seats were filled with the older kids and the satchels and paints were still where they had been left yesterday. Padme smirked and whirled on Danny, a sense of dread clogging her good sense. "Where'd they go, Dan? What classroom have the moved to?" When Danny didn't respond, Padme totally lost it. "Damn you, Daniel! Damn! Where's the class! Stop standing there like someone just died! Tell me!" she screamed, losing her mind and concentration, she ran out to the hall and past Dan, and down the hall to the dormitory. She threw herself on the bed, already sobbing so hard, her chest heart. It couldn't be true! She and Ms. League had a special relationship. They just weren't teacher and student, but friends. She admired Padme's skills and Padme respected her thoughts on them. They were friends, tight friends, almost as good as Danny. She was too young to die. Twenty-two! Twenty-two was too young. Old people were supposed to die, sick people, not young people like Ms. League! She had wailed that day, refusing to come out of her room, even when the other girls knocked tentatively. Why did they even try? They didn't care about her. No one did at this place. Only her guardian angel and Ms. League...

The day wore on slowly. Padme had no tears left to cry so she sat on the edge of her bed, an empty feeling creeping into her mind and heart, slowly spreading throughout her very nerves. At first, she saw nothing. She wasn't really watching out her window, no not at all. She didn't notice the funeral procession until it was nearly out of sight. By then, she had jumped up to the window, peering through the transparent glass with a white face. It was true. Ms. League lay in that coffin, probably starting to decay already! Padme watched until they were out of sight before collapsing on the floor. Everything was so cold now. It was true...Padme shook with dry sobs for a very long time. She wouldn't go to the funeral. She would miss it because she was too busy wallowing in her own self-pity. She was a brute, a horrible selfish girl! Padme rubbed at her eyes slowly, making tiny stars erupt. If only she was one of the people who could live among the stars...

The pencil wobbled uncertainly on the paper. It was nearing dusk and Padme had hauled herself into the desk. What she was doing, she couldn't quite figure out. She was writing about her life, her very being. It was written differently then just a summery. She wasn't about to let anyone know her past. Only Mack did and she prayed to God that the girl would have enough sense not to tell anyone, not even Jack. She pushed her thoughts away and made herself concentrate. She wrote for a long time until it was nearly midnight dark outside. She saw a few stars twinkling happily at her from the dark prism they were forever trapped in. Padme held it up to what little light was left and read it through and through until she was happy about it. Not happy....just satisfied. She wasn't sure if she could ever be happy again. She sniffed loudly and looked down at her song, which she had written as her life story. It explained everything very well in a twisted way. She was now going to make notes. Picking up the pencil, she became ready to write. She then began to hum the notes she had wanted for each word. She didn't play an instrument, she didn't sing, but someone could sing this song for her, and it would still be the same. Padme never even tried to sing, so how could her voice be good? She shook slightly before opening her mouth to...sing? Nothing came out but an odd chocking sound that made her close her mouth abruptly. She couldn't sing like Mack, or Dix or anyone for that matter. While wondering what she was going to do, a familiar rage came up to boil her insides. How dare she be so weak! She was destroying herself and she knew it but yet did nothing! Padme smirked in her vanity mirror; no she would not allow it. This time, when she opened her mouth, a fluid song lifted off her tongue and flowed through the bland walls that separated her from the world. She sang for a while, putting all her frustration and anger into her voice to make it sound even better then her normal speaking voice. She sang and sang until she heard a creak near the door. Startling out of her trance, she saw Danny standing there, looking as if in a trance himself. Padme stared at him for a while, until he came out of his stupor.

"How long have you been there?" Padme demanded, her voice echoing through the room with a harsh note in it that she didn't really mean. She wasn't exactly happy he had snuck into her room but she was pleased he cared about her enough to dare to do it. He shook his head slowly. "You didn't need to stop." he said, in the strangest voice. Padme smirked at him, her tongue curling, ready to lash out at him. "You come into my room uninvited and decide you can somehow overcome my wishes? And now you say I should start my singing again? You can forget that, my friend. You can also step away from the door and go to your own dorm, where you belong." she snapped, turning her back on him. She waited to hear his retreating steps but all was silent. What the...She turned to see him there, standing as if she hadn't spoken. Then, in one fluid motion, he was on her bed, sitting on the edge and giving her that goofy grin. "I didn't know you could sing?" he gave his own smirk, which wasn't nearly as mean as Padme's. She smiled at him. "I didn't know you could pick locks." he laughed and winked at her. "I have my ways. I didn't know you could read minds either. You're a very interesting girl, Ms. Rendel. It's an honor to meet an expert painter and a famous singer." Padme giggled, falling for his pretend game. How silly this all was, but this was what she needed. Pretend. "Famous singer? My dear Danny, you flatter me." she batted her eyelashes at him and he reached over to tug her onto the bed with him. He put an arm around her shoulder in a friendly manor and nodded at her. "I'm going to make you famous, Padme. All the boys will fall for you and you'll be the best singer your age! I'll be your....favorite fan." he grinned as Padme blushed. He was great, he really was! Padme slipped away from his grasp. He stood up too and walked toward the door, stopping only when his hand was on the knob. "That I can promise you." he whispered lightly and then he was gone. Padme smirked at him, loving how well he could play pretend.

I went to bed that night, feeling full-filled. Danny was really one of a kind, and I was lucky to have his friendship, although sometimes I wished for more. I was getting to that age when boys came into a new light. They weren't just annoying and gross, but cute. Danny looked even more appealing. But I wasn't his right girl, I knew that. I was surprised no one was dating him yet; he was so handsome. I was starved for something more then friendly from him, but he never showed any interest in me. In the end, I accepted this, glad he was my friend. Him being a muggle....I was surprised I could feel this way about him. He had won me over quite quickly, quicker then anyone in the wizarding world could. He was magic in his own way, maybe that was what had drawn me to him. I was happy he had played pretend for me that day, but I would never dream of what he would do. Never in my wildest dreams. I never thought Danny would live up to that promise. But he did.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Things became rough after that point. I learned to control my rising anger and my continual frustrations by talking to Danny. I don't know how he did it, but he survived through my lashing and upsetting details, although I never described my life to him. All the while, Danny seemed over bright. I thought something was keeping him, for he always missed two classes of school, and that means two hours, by the way. I was confused and hurt he was leaving me, and whenever he came back, he would always avoid eye-contact. I tried to squeeze it out of him but he refused to let any small thing slip through, saying it was a surprise of some sort. I got riled then, oh yes. I thought we were friends! But then I remembered that I never told him anything about myself. I was keeping secrets too, worse ones at that. So then I kept my mouth shut and sealed tight, until one day he came back with three hours left of painting and grabbed my arm, saying we had to go.

"Come up, Padme. Out to the parking lot we go!" Danny cried, pulling on Padme's arm and twirling at the same spot. "What's going on here?" asked the bat like Mrs. Rennee, the sibstitute teacher for the dead Mrs. League. She was an evil lady and would hit students with a paint-brush if someone made a mistake. Sadly, the owners were thinking about letting her keep the position. Padme looked up at Danny's light-bulb of a face, shining so brightly, it was hard to look at. Yes, Danny, what is it? She asked siliently, seeing Danny quiver slightly under the gaze of Mrs. Rennee. Oh, how she loathed that woman. "Padme has an apointment to keep." Danny said business like, and Padme would have laughed had Mrs. Rennee not been there. She flashed us a look of pure hatred before striding away mutting something that sounded like 'skipping out again.' Padme stood up and followed Danny out the door, tugging on his sleeve once they were through. But - he held a finger to her lips, which told her not to speak. They strode out of the door and into the parking-lot, seeing a green mercadis there. Padme glanced at it nervously, realizing for the first time that she was going into the unknown, and that's what she feared the most.

"Danny, I don't want to go wherever we're going." she pleaded, standing shiftly at the doorway. Padme never pleaded, never, but with Danny, she was a different person. She struggled to remain calm as Danny laughed loudly. "Come on. Don't tell me my little doll is sick." he smirked. That's what he called her now. A doll. Did that mean she had perfect features? She hoped that's what it meant, but she never had the courage to ask. She smiled at him through gritted teeth. "If this is a joke..." she started with a threatning gaze. Danny chuckled again and hung his arm over her shoulder like a draperiy. "You really are funny, Padme. No, it's for your own good. I'm going to make you even better then what you are right now. I can't tell you how, for that would give it away. Just shut it and follow me. They're going to take us."

He had pointed to the green mercadies and had tugged me along with him. By then, some of his excitement was rubbing off onto me, it was contagious. I grinned foolishly, not expecting anything bad to happen. It was for my own good, right? But - when Danny opened the door - two girls sat there, with blonde hair and gray-blue eyes, looking at me, puzzled, a man sat in the drivers' seat and a woman with neat black hair and emmense beauty, turned to eye her skeptically. "She's only a child." she had said to me coldly, before gesturing us to come in. I wasn't a child but I couldn't go into the van. Not when my real family was sitting there, staring at me impatiently. I had named them off silently in my head: Catherine, Giselle, Daphne, Pierre. I shivered as a watched them, oblivious. Then, I forced a smile, to my surprise. I went on in, fighting down the sinking feeling one gets when you know you're doing the wrong thing. Danny and I sat in back and boy, was it a ride I would remember.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Quiet. That's what it was. Quiet. Padme heard her own quick breathing that she was trying to smother. The golden gleam of hair caught the light and there it danced, catching Padme's eyes and memorizing them. If only she had hair like that.....but brown was just as good, wasn't it? Padme closed her eyes, feeling Danny frown beside her. He was probably confused by her actions. He wouldn't know. She hadn't even begun to tell him her story. Not that she wanted to either. Sighing, she bit her lip and looked up. The girls sat there, tense and ready to pounce. The woman up front, who must be Daphne was positioned elegantly in her chair while the man in front named Pierre was driving and...humming to himself? Padme shrugged. She heard humming from somewhere but she couldn't tell where. The source seemed to be her....father? She frowned and looked down at her hands. From now on, she would call him Pierre or Mr. Dumas. Same with Daphne. Daphne or Mrs. Dumas. There. No worries. She breathed a sigh of relief and fell into the leather seat. It felt comfortable. She smiled at Danny's odd expression. The girl in front of her; she couldn't tell them apart; was looking down at her finger nails while the other glanced at her curiously on occasion. The mist that hung over them because of the silence was blown away by the girl inspecting her nails.

"Okay. So...you're my singing partner?" the girl asked with a nasty smile that matched the one that had been in the photo. This must be Giselle. She had much more make-up on and on her pinky finger was a ring. Padme arched an eyebrow. "I don't believe I'm anyones' singing partner. In fact, I don't know what I'm doing here." she replied coolly, her eyes like coals. Hard and unwelcome. Giselle eyed her for a moment coldly before turning to Danny. "Tell me, Danny, is she the dancing partner you spoke about?" Giselle asked with a sweet smile. Danny...blushed? Padme blanched at him and then looked at Giselle, who was looking queer. What was going on....? Padme shifted abrupt to be closer to Danny and that set off a spark in Giselle's eyes. It was true then. She had something for Danny! Padme smiled innocently at the girl. She already disliked her. The other girl, Catherine, was quiet but was watching with a look of amusement. Two different identical twins. Wonderful. Padme snorted as Danny answered. "Yeah, this might be your singing partner, Giselle. It depends how your voices match." he then turned sideways to face Padme. Giselle lost her interest almost immediately and turned to complain about something to her mother. Padme wasn't listening to it. "This is your surprise Padme!" Danny cried, wrapping his arm about her shoulder, which was an uncomfortable position in a car.

"You get to go try out so you can be a superstar! An extreme singer that's so popular people will be lining up at your door!" Danny smiled that cocky smile,and Padme couldn't help but join in with it. She laughed although a new emotion was coming up into her stomach. Butterflies. She was nervous now. Why did he have to tell her now that she had no choice in the matter? She struggled to keep from yelling out to stop the car. Maybe she could be famous....a kids singer at least. But to be singing with Giselle....that would be strange. She would be singing with her sister. The sister she didn't even know and now had no desire to. The blond hair didn't look as shiny anymore and her face, uglier. Padme hadn't even heard Catherine speak but she had no doubt that she would be different the Giselle. She smirked slightly, but almost threw up when the van slowed down to a halt. Where they there? "We're here!" Pierre called as if reading her mind. Everyone stood to get out and see the building. It amazed Padme the moment she saw it. All glass. Everything. Not one brick. Even the ceiling was glass! Padme gaped at it in awe and even Giselle could be seen eying it with envy. Daphne, however, acted like it was a simple brick shack.

"How terrible." she muttered as she looked at it. "If that isn't the worst studio I've ever seen..." she glared at it before pulling Giselle toward her and whispering something in her ear. Padme raised an eyebrow but felt no need to go investigate about what they were saying. Having Danny walk beside her was enough. She finally heard the other twin, Catherine, speak. "So, you're Padme Rendel?" she asked and Padme almost panicked. She had used extra emphasis on Rendel even though it wasn't needed. "Yes, that's me. You must be Catherine Dumas?" she asked with narrowed eyes. "Yeah. That's me. Please, though, call me Cathy." she smiled. "You can tell me from Giselle because she wears a pinky ring all the time." she nodded toward her twin, who was now talking loudly about how famous she would be. Padme giggled lightly. She liked this Cathy but she wasn't her type. They would get along but not well enough. She smiled haphazardly as the reached the building. Giselle opened the door. Padme walked in, scared. Cathy followed and Danny lead the way. People stared. Padme watched the floor go by as she walked, not wanting to look up and admire everything like Cathy was doing. Her feet looked interesting so she studied them carefully as she walked. They stopped and Padme ran into Danny. Were they there? She stood on tip-toe and looked past Danny to see a boy about fourteen strumming a guitar. He looked up when they entered. He was young but dressed in style. Padme recognized him from a few albums that had come out. James. James Gardner. His brown hair was long and reached the back of his neck. Blue eyes shone through the mess and his skin was pale but still naturally tan. Padme smiled. He was easy like Danny. Everyone like Danny was good. He grinned back too. Maybe him and Danny were friends. They shared the same silly smile. "So. These are my new singers." he stated with pride before beckoning Padme forward. Giselle moved forward too, but Padme didn't see her. All she saw was the boy waiting for her. James. James Gardner. Danny wasn't one of a kind. He was two.

[Padme Rendel S2]

"I still think it's melancholy," James complained loudly as he finished writing the second part that Giselle would sing. The plan was that Padme and Giselle would fuse their voices together so it sounded like one. Padme wasn't sure how they could do this, but James was apparently an expert. He had a few albums out already, but he sang punk rock. Padme wasn't sure what her song would turn out to be. She had written the notes, sure, but she wasn't positive how it would turn out. She didn't' t know notes that well. By now, all butterflies had taken a coffee break, but now they were starting up again. She swallowed hard. Did she really have to do this?

Taking a deep breath, she looked into Danny's face, which was so expectant. Had she really done that good in her dorm? She struggled to find a reasoning behind the conclusion but couldn't place a finger on it. Shrugging, she tried to force it away but the feeling came back. She had never felt this nervous before. Sitting on the stool, she smiled nervously. Giselle was flickering glances between Danny and James. Great. Padme rolled her eyes but was happy that James and Danny were paying more attention to her then Giselle. As if she was a nobody and Padme was a...a....somebody. James sent a wicked grin her way. "Sing to me girls!" he called from his stance, where his headphones were placed over his ears. Giselle picked up her microphone from the holder and Padme did the same. At least then she could move around. It started. The music. Padme hesitated for a second but only a second. Then her voice rang out, unclear and unsteady.

"Seems like just yesterday you were a part of me. I used to stand so tall, I used to be so strong. Your arms around me tight, everything felt so right. Unbreakable like nothing could go wrong." Padme haltered a few times and her voice was feeble. But as the music rang in her ears she began to feel it. This was her life, her story, her song. Her voice grew passionate and strong and all emotions poured forth. "Now I can't breath. No, I can't sleep. I'm barely hanging on. Here I am, once again. I'm torn into pieces. Here tonight. Can't pretend. Just thought you were the one. Broken up. Deep inside. But you won't get to see the tears I cry behind these hazel eyes." Padme smiled confidently at Danny and James and Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. Dumas. She was doing it. And Giselle...well..she sounded great! Her voice, her eyes, everything was perfect. Padme scowled silently but was jubilant on the outside.

"I told you everything. Opened up and let you in. You made me feel alright, for once in my life. Now all that's left of me is what I pretend to be. Sewn together but so broken up inside. 'Cause I can't breath. No, I can't sleep. I'm barely hangin' on. Here I am, once again. I'm torn into pieces. Here tonight. Can't pretend. Just thought you were the one. Broken up deep inside. But you won't get to see the tears I cry. Swallowing me and spittin' me out. For hating you I blame myself. Seeing you it kills me now. No I don't cry on the outside anymore. Anymore. Here I am. Once again. I'm torn into pieces. Here tonight. Can't pretend. Just thought you were the one. Broken up deep inside. But you won't get to see the tears I cry behind these hazel eyes. Here I am, once again. I'm torn into pieces. Here tonight can't pretend. Just thought you were the one. Broken up deep inside. But you won't get to see the tears I cry behind these hazel eyes." She breathed in deeply when it was all over. Giselle screamed with delight and hugged Padme. Hugs! Padme smiled but didn't rejoice with her. Only on the inside. Danny gave her a thumbs up and suddenly everything felt alright. James was smiling all the while, shouting out words of confidence. Padme didn't hear him. Then, her voice rang out on the speakers. He had recorded it! Without her knowing! She listened but sent daggers at him every once in a while. She couldn't believe how good it sounded! She felt like hugs now. James sent her a double thumbs up and Padme felt warm all over. It was done. James was apparently pleased with their voices. It was done.

((I have a link to this song. It's not original by me. Oh no, I can't sing for my life. A song would be a huge challenge. This song is by Kelly Clarkson and if you want to listen to it, you can. Padme sounds something like Kelly, although a higher voice, since she's only eleven. If you watch the video, please know that's NOT Padme. Behind These Hazel Eyes ))

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme sniffed the wonderful aroma surrounding the biscuit before taking a hearty bite of the soft bread. Cathy and Danny watched her with some amusement flickering through their eyes. Padme was already relaxing in the studio, nibbling on her snack while James talked animatedly to Giselle, who was probably working a charm on him. Padme sighed and shuffled her feet on the marble floor, narrowing her eyes when the sun came out from behind a cloud and blinded her. Maybe it was a good thing most buildings weren't built like this....She smirked and gulped down the rest of her punch drink before walking over to James to talk about her performance.

"....So, I just told him to back off before a split him in two with my wand..." Padme stiffened as she heard that word but James showed no surprise or confusion. He didn't even seem to notice the word slip through Giselle's mouth. And Giselle didn't jump in to make a correction. Padme raised an eyebrow, only for it to hit her. James was a wizard too. She smiled now and covered what remaining space there was between the three of them. "How was my performance, James? Be honest." She ignored Giselle's indignation at being interrupted and glared at James until he looked away uncomfortably. "It was good...." He said hesitantly. Padme nearly hit him as her self-confidence withered into nearly nothing. "It was that bad?" Expecting the worst, Padme braced herself but it didn't come. "You did better then good for a girl your age. I think it was awesome and you two will be my lead stars if you can manage to put more into it. Padme...this may sound foolish but...can you dance?" Padme rolled her eyes, although a boost of respect shot through her.

"A little. Not that you can't teach me..." Giselle smirked at Padme's words, twisting into an evil person right before Padme's eyes. "Please...." She whispered in James' ear, who looked terribly upset and irritated at Giselle. "Be quiet." He snapped at a now heartbroken Giselle. "I will teach you Padme, since dance is one of the basic things to singing. Giselle, I want you and Padme to practice as much as you can. If you two get your voices together into harmony with each other, it would work so much better. Your guitar needs tuning Padme and Giselle, work on those vocal cords a little. I also want you to move your feet while dancing, it gets some style into the song and..." He went on and on until Padme and Giselle were lectured on every aspect on singing and dancing. Finally, Danny and Cathy came over. Daphne and Pierre were no where to be seen, but Padme didn't mind. The kids all together was better then having the fearsome adults shepherding them around.

"That's a wrap for today. You guys, however, will be staying here for a long time. Danny and Catherine have arranged rooms here too, so everyone's going to be my guests. Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Dumas won't be staying for business reasons. But otherwise, I want your four to make yourselves comfortable. Padme...I'm sorry you have to quit your art education, but I managed to fit a studio for art and paintings in there too. There's only one though, so Danny might be coming in there too. There's also a microphone for you and Giselle in your rooms, connected to small speakers so you can hear yourself. It records too, an extra bonus. Cathy, I got a bar up in your room so you can practice ballet during your stay. Now, if that's all your questions, I'm going to go off to bed...." James licked his lips and cleared his throat, which must be sore from all the talking. True to his words, he left them speechless and without questions.

[sammy]

Cathy grinned at James with appreciation and respect. It was obvious that he had much experience and control over the recording company. If he could manage to put all that access stuff in their rooms....She covered her thoughts with an impassive face before walking off to her new room. 123 was the number, oddly enough. Cathy flipped her long hair over her shoulder and began counting the footsteps following her. Giselle's were obvious with the heavy thump and loud voice, another happy boy - probably that Danny kid - and lighter footsteps with a muted voice. Cathy knew instantly who that must be. The girl Padme Rendel. Cathy already liked her; her voice was amazing and so light, so powerful, so full of passion and remorse at the same time. Cathy had been tangled into her voice and sadly, when she stopped, so did Cathy. The girl was strange though...she seemed tired and always worn, except when around Dan. Then she brightened and turned considerably better. It was obvious she was into him. Cathy smiled thoughtfully as she thought about love. Sure, she had many dates in her life, but they had only been for her natural good looks. Nothing more. Cathy sighed and entered her room of one-twenty-three, closing the door lightly behind her. Voices walked past the door, then everything was completely still.

The room was immense and larger then life, as some put it. A barre was set up on the east wall. A huge king sized bed was limp with her heavy luggage, which she had brought just in case an occasion came up like this. Lucky for her. The east side was also a complete window. She was satisfied at this; the sunrise would wake her nice and early every morning. That was the only window in the room, for unlike the rest of the building, this was built of more then glass material. The west wall was laden with pictures and awards, none of which Cathy recognized. An empty portrait was in the back of the room, ready for her to bring it to life. Cathy wished she could at the moment, but the bed called to her. Inevitably, she would have to sleep in it. Flopping down on the bed, Cathy finally let her tense muscles relax. The room was perfect. She relaxed as long as possible, before her eyes dried up and demanded sleep.

A knock startled Cathy into going awake. Her eyes scanned the room carefully before calling, "come on in." And in they came. The figure wasn't recognizable in the shadows, but soon it appeared familiar. James. Cathy pulled the covers up to her chin, for she wore nothing but a flimsy nightgown. James neared her bed slowly and dully almost as if he was....sleep walking! Cathy started, it had to be the only explanation of this. She gazed at him with fear as he crumbled on her bed. A moan escaped his lips and he curled up into a wistful ball. Cathy watched, afraid to move and reveal herself. "Mother!" James cried out, flailing around wildly for some pinnacle of success. "I've tried to be good enough, I have! Just let me show you. I own a business and am one of the most successful fifteen year olds in the world. Doesn't that count for anything?" He writhed and screamed in agony. Cathy watched with horror as his fit broke into hysteria. "Please no. I didn't do it! It wasn't me. I didn't mean for it to happen, please Mother. Don't blame me. I didn't....NO!" A thud and James stopped all movement. He had landed on the floor and knocked himself out. Cathy swallowed hard, and, after waiting a few minutes, got out of the covers and poked at James. Nothing. Pulling on him still resulted in nothing. Cathy sighed and began to tug harder, pulling on him all the way to his marvelous room full of wealth and wonder. How could such a troubled mind be rolling in money and pride....?

[giselle]

Giselle swayed sullenly and rubbed at her eyes. Dawn had awaken her too early today. Scrubbing away all signs of sleep, Giselle held on to the wall and tried to clear her mind. What had she been doing last night? Memories flashed through her mind....stealing through the cupboard to find some whiskey to put into her rootbeer...drinking it in great gulps....walking back to her room before collapsing on the rug. If Cathy knew she'd have a fit worthy of a note in the history book. Giselle smirked in her disoriented state and opened the door, only to trip. Tender arms caught her and she looked up to find James holding onto her. She smirked quickly but was horrified when he let go of her after she was put up right. She wanted to stay in his arms longer.

"Good morning, sleepy." James greeted, sounding rather tired himself. Giselle grunted angrily and pushed away from him to the kitchen. James hesitated for a moment before walking in the other direction. Giselle blanched for a moment....he was supposed to follow her! Giselle was going to get James if it was the last thing she did....he would be a great piece in her collection of boyfriends. She swallowed again to force down the bile and puke rushing to her throat and tottered toward the food, hoping to wash down her drunken state with some water. It burned on her cracked lips when she finally drank it. No one was in the kitchen besides her. Giselle scowled darkly and dabbed at her bleeding lips with a napkin.

Footsteps approached and Giselle turned to see Padme standing at the threshold. Stupid little runt, Giselle thought with hatred and revulsion, the girl was horrible compared to her. No greeting from Padme and Giselle returned the silence, which hovered menacingly above them. Finally, Padme spoke up. "You're a good singer." Nice, a pleasant comment. Giselle glared at her form, which was blurred at the edges. "I wish I could say the same for you." Giselle replied with a chortle that ended with a hiccup. Padme stared, making her false smile turn into a sneer. Good, the girl had lessons in making faces. Giselle stood up and dazedly ran into a chair, knocking it to the floor. Padme made no move to pick it up and Giselle would never bend so low as that. Where were the servants in this place anyway? She hovered on the doorstep for a moment, glaring back at Padme's ugly face before retreating to her room, where no sounds would hurt her head.