Meant to Marry Me

Anxiety bubbled up in Bree as she stood in the staging area, getting ready for the big show. All around her, models and bands were putting the finishing touches on their makeup and hair, the models getting into their first outfits so that they'd be fully prepared to grace the runway as soon as it was their turn to take the walk and show off the newest fashions to an invigorated audience.

From what Bree could tell, this wasn't actually one of those fashion shows where the clothing was practical and might be bought by the average housewife. No, it was mostly lingerie, and it was mostly, well, ridiculous, in her point of view. None of it was so revealing that it wouldn't be appropriate for the cable television channel that was broadcasting the event live, but the accessories in particular that went along with the bras and panties were a little silly in Bree's view. One of the models across the room from her had a giant bird's head poised on top of her own. Another had plants growing out of her shoulder blades. Bree didn't quite get it, but then, she was an artist of a different sort and didn't proclaim to tell others how to express themselves.

She did tell others what hairspray to avoid, though. Specifically, she told her bandmates about the news cast she'd seen, the one that had said Bright Salon was highly flammable. "Since we'll be standing close to live flames, I would suggest we avoid anything that might easily catch on fire." Bree had decided to put her hair in a French braid so that she didn't need much product at all. Shawna's hair was loose and lovely, but she didn't use a lot of products in her hair anyway. The guys. mostly used gel, not hairspray, so she thought they'd be all right.

As she stood backstage observing the motion around her, she thought she was probably being ridiculous. Really, Monica might not be trustworthy, but she had to assume the rest of the people putting on the show were. Even though she'd seen that maintenance man with Monica working on the piping near where they'd be performing, there was no reason to assume the worst. No, Bree was quite certain she was being silly. Until Monica came over.

She was dressed in a golden bra and red and gold panties with glittery chains connecting them and a collar. Bree didn't understand the statement, but she looked fabulous. She sort of didn't want Trent to see his ex-fiancée wearing her underwear again, but she'd known there'd be no getting him to stay home. He was probably already there, if they were letting the audience in. Celia would be with him, to keep him company, and because she'd said she wanted to be there to remind him that she'd warned him that this was a bad idea. Bree had rolled her eyes at that, but she liked Celia and didn't mind the fact that she wanted to come. Maybe she could shield Trent's eyes when Monica walked out on the runway-- wearing that.

"How is it going?" Monica asked with a cheerful smile. The guys in the band all looked a little slack-jawed, even Zach, whose girlfriend was right beside him. He quickly looked away.

"It's going," Bree said, finding a smile. "We're all ready to take the stage as soon as we get word it's our turn."

"Great!" Monica's expression didn't quite match her words. "Did you use this great array of beauty products you've been gifted?" She picked up one of the makeup trays and looked it over. It was one that Bree had opened and used to dirty some of the brushes so it at least looked like they'd used what they were given.

"Yep, sure did." Shawna nodded, but her smile was tight, probably because she didn't like what Monica was doing to the men, namely Zach.

"And the hairspray?" She reached for the can, but Chase snatched it up.

"Yep. It's practically gone, we used so much of it." He sprayed a little more, sending it well over his head.

Monica arched an eyebrow. "Really? That big can?"

"I really love me some hairspray." Chase sprayed more and then began to cough as he breathed in the fumes.

"Well, okay then." Monica seemed to believe him, at least to some degree. Her eyes shifted back to Bree, but she wasn't looking at her face. She was looking at her hair. "You could maybe use a little more, Bree." "Thanks." She didn't reach for the can, though. "I already used quite a bit."

Monica's face shifted, a sly smile pulling up one corner of her mouth. "Good. But you can always use a little more." She reached for the can.

Bree looked at Chase, not sure what to do. He looked as if he didn't want to hand it over, but then, how would he keep it from her without causing a scene or making Monica suspicious.

Just as her hand was about to make contact with the can, a frazzled looking woman with curly orange hair came running over. "Miss Edge, you're up next, and I need to get one more layer of powder on your face before you go." Monica swirled around, her evil side coming out. "Oh, good grief, Candy! You are the most incompetent makeup artist I've ever worked with! Why can't you ever get anything right the first time?"

The other girl looked like she was on the brink of tears. "I'm so sorry, Miss Edge."

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Shaking her head, Monica headed off with her. She took a few steps before she turned back around and smiled. "Be sure to spray a little more, Bree. You'll need it."

"I will!" Bree reached for the can and held it up for Monica to see. The model nodded and then turned and followed Candy back toward her staging area.

"That bitch," Griffin said, shaking his head. "Why did she yell at that poor girl?"

"Because she is a bitch," Bree reminded him. "Because she thinks she's better than everyone."

"Hmmm," Shawna said quietly, stepping up next to Bree, her finger on her chin. "I have an idea."

"What's that?" Bree asked, arching an eyebrow at her keyboardist.

A sly smile spread across Shawna's face. "I think... as soon as Monica goes out on stage for her first runway walk, we go pay a visit to Candy."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Seeing where she was going with this, Bree grinned back at her. "That is a lovely idea, Shawna." They both laughed like a couple of witches. The guys seemed lost, but that was okay. Bree didn't feel the need to fill them in. If they figured it out, good. If not, that was okay, too.

The two girls watched for Monica to leave her station and go out to the runway and then headed over to Candy, hairspray in hand. She was working on another model at the station next to Monica's, and that woman wasn't being any nicer. It seemed like no one around here was very nice to the people responsible for making them look so lovely. As soon as Candy turned her back to the other model for a second, Bree pounced on her chance. "Excuse us, Candy," Bree said. "We don't mean to interrupt."

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"Hold on one second," she said with a timid smile. She turned back to the other model and finished powdering her nose before the woman shot off in a huff. Then, Candy was facing them. "How can I help you, Miss Matthews?" Bree was glad she knew who she was. "Monica isn't very nice, is she?"

"That's putting it mildly." The makeup artist rolled her eyes. "But I'm used to it."

"Well, we have an idea that might put her in her place," Shawna said. "For some reason, she seems to think Bree needs to use this particular can of hairspray on her hair. We have no idea why, but we think she's up to no good." "Bright Salon?" Candy said, taking the can from Bree. "I can't imagine Monica using something this strong."

"And flammable," Bree noted. If she really thought there was any chance of Monica catching on fire, she wouldn't be there. Chances were, Monica had tainted this can with something that would turn her hair gray or make it fall out. She didn't actually think Monica would do anything to put her life at risk. Still... there was a chance. "Anyway, maybe you should put some of this in her hair when she comes back."

"Without her knowing, of course," Shawna added.

The same smile Bree had worn since she had caught on to what Shawna was getting at spread across Candy's face. "That--is a great idea. Thanks!" She took the can and placed it behind a bag on Monica's staging area where she wouldn't see it. With her back to the artist, she wouldn't likely see what Candy was spraying on her hair. With any luck, whatever it was she was hoping would happen to Bree's hair would happen to hers instead.

Looping her arm through Shawna's, Bree headed back to where the boys waited for them, a devious smile still on her face as she hoped Monica got what was coming to her.