Lily's POV

Lily's POV

"Can I PLEEEEASE go to Camp Rock?" I begged my parents. My mom sighed, and I knew the answer before she said it.

"Lily, I just don't think we can afford it right now."

"Well, what if I could get a scholarship?" I asked.

"I don't think Camp Rock has any scholarships."

"But just say they did," I pressed on.

"Lily, I know you like your music. But face it, you probably aren't going to become famous. Why don't you do something useful, like getting a job. You'd be able to afford a car in a few years, when you can drive."

"Mom, I don't want to get a job! I want to go to Camp Rock!"

"Lily, you're not going!" I stormed outside, slamming the door behind me. I ran to the park, and sat on the swings, one arm draped loosely around the chain, my feet dragging in the dirt.

"Hey." I looked up, wiping away the tears that were dripping down my face.

"Hi." I said, looking closer at the boy. He had curly brown hair and hazel eyes filled with concern.

"You seem upset." I He took a seat on the swing next to me, draping his arm on the chain the way I was.

"Just a little bit." He half smiled.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I thought a moment.

"Maybe. Maybe not." He laughed.

"Oh, I'm Nate."

"I'm Lily."

"So, do you want to tell me the reason you're sitting on a playground crying at…"he checked his watch. "…7:30 at night?"

"It's…my parents. Again," I added under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Okay…care to elaborate?" I sighed.

"I haven't had very, um, 'exciting' summers. Ever."

"You mean, uneventful?" He wanted to know.

"No, unexciting. I mean, exciting in a bad way." I pointed to the scar on my forehead.

"Whoa, Harry Potter!!"

"No, ceiling fan. Long story." He nodded and I went on.

"So, I was thinking this summer, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to go to…Camp Rock." He smiled.

"You've heard of it?" I asked. He nodded. "Yeah! I used to go there!"

"So, I asked my parents today if I could go. First thing I got was the whole 'we can't afford it' thing."

"So do you think it was an excuse?"

"No, we really can't afford it. But I read online that Camp Rock was going to start giving out scholarships and financial aid this year."

"True."

"So I asked my parents-hypothetically-if they'd let me go if I could get a scholarship or something."

"So what's the problem?" Nate didn't seem to get it.

"My mom went on her usual tirade about how she knew I loved my music but I was probably never going to get anywhere with it, and I should do something useful with my life. Now, she says this normally about 3 times a week. But, I don't know, it just hurt especially bad today. Especially, when she told me to get a job and that I couldn't go. Now I'm here. The end." I finished. Nate and I were both silent for a long time.

"Wow. Very interesting. Love your opinion," I said sarcastically. Nate just let out a short laugh, and then turned to face me.

"So your mom crushes all your dreams. Don't listen to her. Since she told you it won't happen, doesn't that make you want it harder?" I thought for a moment, and then the realization dawned on me.

"Yeah, it does. Thanks, Nate!! So you're saying I should apply for financial aid or a scholarship, and not tell my mom? And then maybe go to Camp Rock and still not tell her?"

"Um, well…" Nate seemed kind of shocked, but I rushed on.

"Thanks! It seems like it'll work!" I said brightly.

"But-I wasn't suggesting…." His voice trailed off.

"So you'll help me?"