After weeks of preparation and anticipation, the big moment finally arrived. The Camp Star amphitheater was filling up, and TV cameras were positioned on the stage. A huge lighted sign that read hitz tv hung above it.

A TV host fixed her earpiece and faced the camera. “Hello and welcome to Hitz TV. I’m Georgina Farlow, and today we’re bringing you ‘Camp Wars’—the ultimate summer-camp showdown. There can only be one winner in this Final Jam, and your votes are going to help us decide. Just call or text in after each performance—kids, make sure to get your parents’ permission—and let us know who you think sang out and who you think hit the wrong note. What’s your favorite camp—Camp Star or Camp Rock?”

When the introduction spot was finished, the TV host walked over to Axel and Brown.

“Great to see you, Georgina,” Axel said, shaking her hand.

She gave a curt, professional nod. “As always, Axel. I’m going to go do some stand-ups backstage before the concert. Good luck.” And she walked away.

“You know her?” Brown asked, surprised.

“I know everybody,” Axel said smoothly. “But don’t worry, she doesn’t have anything to do with the voting.”

Brown hadn’t been thinking about that, but now he wondered—had Axel somehow fixed the show’s results? He wished things could be different with his former friend and bandmate. But he knew they never would. “So I probably shouldn’t hold out hope for us ever being friends again,” he said.

“Probably not,” Axel replied, sounding upbeat. “Though you never know. Next year I might need to hire you to run my summer camp.”

Brown smirked. “Thanks, but I’m already booked.”

Mitchie was filled with anxiety as she stood in the wings of the Camp Star amphitheater, getting ready for the final showdown. She’d just witnessed Luke and Tess having a backstage spat—but Tess being Tess, she covered it up by plastering a big smile on her face.

The stage manager motioned for everyone to get in their places, and Georgina Farlow walked onstage to wild applause. With spotlights shining down on her, Georgina began to speak in a dramatic voice. “As the sun goes down, the volume goes up. Welcome back to the ultimate summer-camp showdown, where you decide the winner. First up is Camp Star. Camp Star was founded only this year by superstar producer and founder of Star Records, Axel Turner, who’s been producing hits for over twenty years. I know if I was going to study music, this is the place I’d want to be.”

Caitlyn nudged Mitchie. “Why is she saying that?” she hissed.

“It’s her job,” Mitchie whispered back. “She’s supposed to say nice things.”

Ella’s face was pale. “If she doesn’t stop talking, I think I’m going to throw up.” She grimaced. “Too late.” She ran off to find a bathroom.

Mitchie could sympathize—the entire experience was so nerve-racking it was enough to make the very best performers sick. She watched as Georgina introduced Camp Star.

As Mitchie expected, the Camp Star set was amazing, complete with a multileveled stage, catwalks, and intricate backdrops. And also as expected, Luke and Tess were the stars of the show while the rest of the Star campers did perfectly synchronized backup dance moves, singing flawlessly.

Except Mitchie hadn’t expected them to sound quite as good … or dance as amazingly as they did … or have such detailed, elaborate costumes.

The lyrics were completely over-the-top. Luke and Tess sang about how they had the confidence to command the stage, own the crowd, and steal the show. They are literally singing their own praises, Mitchie thought. She exchanged a worried glance with Shane as dancers ran on and off the stage. As much as she hated to admit it, their performance was great. Really great.

And the crowd knew it. As the Camp Star performers finished, the audience was on their feet, cheering and clapping.

“I kind of wish I hadn’t watched,” Peggy said, expressing the thoughts of all the Camp Rock counselors.

“Me, too,” Caitlyn muttered. “I hate it when Tess is good.”

Now Mitchie was the one who felt sick to her stomach as Luke and Tess took their bows. But we’re great, too, she reminded herself, clapping politely. And when Luke and Tess exited the stage, she gave them a sincere smile. “Congratulations! You guys were really good.”

“I know, right?” Luke boasted, full of himself as always. “Only one thing would have made it better,” he said, sauntering off. “Doing it solo.”

“For once I totally agree!” Tess yelled after him, scowling. She turned to Mitchie, all smiles. “It’s this little bantery thing we … Thanks. That means a lot.”

Having to perform with Luke had to be pretty brutal for someone like Tess. Mitchie didn’t blame her for trying to act as if things were perfect between them.

But there was no time to feel even a teeny bit bad for Tess Tyler. Mitchie had to steady her nerves and focus on her own performance.

“Weren’t they incredible?” Georgina Farlow was back onstage. “Camp Star, everyone. Remember, if you loved them as much as I did, call or text in now. But don’t go away, because in a few moments we’re gonna hear from Camp Rock!”

The Camp Rockers were all standing there, gazing out at the stage, full of opening-night nerves. Mitchie clapped. “That’s us! Everybody move.” Startled into action, the campers dashed to their places.

Shane ran over. “Have you seen Nate?”

Mitchie shook her head, looking around.

While Shane was wondering about his brother’s whereabouts, Nate was over by the keyboard section, trying to get to Dana before she left. He whipped out a bouquet of flowers he’d brought with him from Camp Rock. “I thought you were a star,” he told her, handing her the flowers.

Dana gave him a smile. “Thanks.”

“I really gotta go,” Nate told her, walking away—and then running back. “Oh, and I hate crust on my bread, and birds make me nervous.” Once that was off his chest he turned to go and found himself face-to-face with Dana’s dad. Again.

“Sorry, but once you start expressing your innermost thoughts and desires, it’s hard to stop,” Nate blurted out. Then he called back to Dana one last time. “Wish me luck!”

“Good luck!” she cried, tossing him her dana bracelet. With a huge grin, he caught it and took off running.

“Dana! He’s the enemy,” her father reprimanded her.

“No, he’s not,” Dana said, standing up to her father. “Everything in life is not a competition.” Then she lifted the bouquet to her nose and inhaled its sweet scent. “But I think I just won.”

“And we’re back,” Georgina announced dramatically from the Camp Star stage. She looked out at the crowd. “If you liked Camp Star, well, get ready to be blown away by Camp Rock!”

Mitchie stood next to Shane in the wings. She’d just received a text telling her to vote for Camp Star. Clearly, Axel was using his connections to try to influence the results. But there was no time to worry about it now. Shane’s eyes were fixed on hers.

“Ready?” he asked, squeezing her hand.

“Ready! Let’s show them what Camp Rock is all about,” Mitchie replied.

Georgina’s voice boomed through her mike: “Ladies and gentlemen, Camp Rock!”

The Camp Rock opening was a lot like Camp Star’s. Mitchie and Shane began singing under a spotlight, just as Tess and Luke had a short while ago. Except a few moments into their song, lights began to come up across the stage, and soon all the Camp Rockers were coming out to perform—singing, playing guitars, dancing.

Then, as Mitchie sang, she saw her great idea come to life. On one of Camp Star’s huge flat screens, Trevor’s video footage of the summer began to play.

There was Jason with the Junior Rockers, trying to fish Trevor’s camera out of the lake; Mitchie singing to a clearly smitten Shane in the Camp Star amphitheater; Barron and Sander rocking out in the DJ booth; Jason chasing the Junior Rockers around the rec room; Nate teaching drums to the campers; Caitlyn showing a room full of dancers some incredible moves; Ella dressing up a camper in an original Ella design; the Junior Rockers giving Jason a present: a rock-and-roll birdhouse; Mitchie playing the piano as her friends gather around, singing; Shane playing Frisbee with some campers on the beach; Connect 3 performing; Mitchie and Shane on a rowboat; campers catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows, splashing in the lake, drinking “bug juice.”

Mitchie poured her heart into the song, a song that captured everything she felt about this magical, amazing summer with her awesome friends. And there was the proof up on the screen—proof that it had been a wonderful summer for everyone at Camp Rock.

As the music ended, the packed theater erupted into thunderous applause. They loved us! Mitchie thought excitedly, sneaking a peek at Shane. They’d put everything they had into this performance.

Hopefully it would be enough.

Wow, now that really was incredible!” Georgina enthused as the Camp Rockers joined hands for an ensemble bow. “So call in now and let us know which summer camp rules! Stay tuned, we’ll be right back.”

“And we’re out,” said the stage manager.

Sander bounced from person to person. “Call in! Call in!”

Everyone scrambled for their phones and madly started texting.

“All right, everybody to their places, we’re back in thirty seconds!” the stage manager barked.

When it was time for the results, Mitchie felt like everything was moving in slow motion. She and the other Camp Rockers stood on one side. The Star campers were on the opposite side. Shane held Mitchie’s hand, and she closed her eyes as the lights flashed on and they were back on live television.

“And the results are in!” Georgina cried. “By an overwhelming margin … Camp Star!”

Across the stage, the Star campers were on their feet, cheering and screaming. Mitchie couldn’t believe it. They’d put on the best performance ever, but it hadn’t been enough. She felt tears slipping down her cheeks and her breath caught in her throat.

“Yes! Yes!” Luke exclaimed, punching the air and pointing over at the Camp Rockers in triumph. Tess was definitely happy, but she had the decency to shoot a mournful glance over to Mitchie, Ella, and Peggy.

Mitchie allowed her mom to give her a consoling hug. She felt devastated, but she joined the other Camp Rockers in congratulating Camp Star on their victory.

Then Brown rounded up his disappointed campers, and they paddled quietly back to the other side of the lake.