Camp Rock Read Online Free Page B

sitting bolt upright. “I’m up! I’m up!”
    â€œWe both have classes to teach,” said Brown. “Yours starts in five minutes.”
    I n one of the Camp Rock activity rooms, rows of folding chairs had been set up to face a large piano. Sitting in the front with Tess, Ella, and Peggy, Mitchie couldn’t help but feel cool. In another part of the room, Lola and some of her friends were playing around before class, singing and hitting various keys on the piano.
    Lola struck one, then became flustered. “Was that a D-flat or a D-sharp?” she asked, looking between her friends.
    Tess overheard and leaned over to whisper in Peggy’s ear. “She’s gotten really good since last year.”
    Caitlyn, sitting a row behind them, overheard. “What? Are you scared?”
    â€œOf catching your lack of fashion sense?” Tess didn’t miss a beat with her insults. “I’m horrified.”
    Caitlyn smirked and turned away.
    â€œHas anyone actually seen Shane Gray?” Mitchie asked, glancing around at the filled chairs.
    â€œYou know,” Peggy said, popping a piece of gum in her mouth, “this is the class where he developed his sound.”
    Mitchie’s eyes grew wide. Camp was so cool. Ella, meanwhile, was distracted once again. “Hey, guys, is my lip gloss losing its gloss?”
    Impatiently, Andy began beating his desk with his drumsticks. Barron and Sander joined in. They were so caught up in the music that they didn’t even notice Brown walk in.
    â€œWhoa,” he said, the sound hitting him. “If the class is rockin’, I’m glad I came knockin’.” The kids laughed, and everyone settled down. “So, let’s hear what we’re working with,”
    Brown said to the rows of campers. “Who wants to sing first? How about …” He scanned the room as every single hand went up—except for Mitchie’s. “You?”
    â€œMe?” Mitchie asked, glancing behind her.
“Can’t argue with the finger,” Brown teased.
Mitchie hesitated.
“I’ll do it,” Tess quickly interjected.
Brown didn’t take his eyes off Mitchie.
    He shook his head. “Nope. The finger picked her.” Mitchie was way uncomfortable now. “Um … okay …” she stammered. She stood up and
turned to face the room.
    â€œLet ’er rip,” Brown said encouragingly. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
    Mitchie took a beat, and then started to sing very softly.
    â€œI know you’re singing a solo,” Brown said, “but it’s so low, I can’t hear you. Louder.”
    Mitchie nodded and sang louder. Truth be told, she was good, very good. Everyone, even Brown, was clearly impressed.
    â€œShe’s great,” Ella whispered to Tess and Peggy.
    Tess shot her sidekick a look. She was not happy.
    â€œNot bad, not bad,” Brown said when Mitchie’s song was over. “Is that an original?”
    Mitchie felt her cheeks flush as she looked shyly down at her flip-flops. “Yeah. It’s mine, but—”
    â€œNo buts,” Brown countered. “It’s good.”
    Smiling, Mitchie sat back down. Things were definitely off to a great start.
    * * *
    â€œI didn’t know you were that good,” Peggy said after class. “You totally rocked it!”
    â€œTotally!” Ella agreed, making Mitchie blush.
    Tess, who had been oddly quiet since Mitchie’s performance, finally spoke up. “So, I’ve been thinking … you have to sing with us in the Final Jam. Your vocals in the background would be like, amazing. We never let people in our group. But you? A must. Want in?”
    â€œWell … um …” Mitchie stammered. “I was going to sing solo.”
    â€œSolo?” Tess asked, feigning shock. “In your first Final Jam? That’s brave.”
    Mitchie gulped. What was Tess getting at?