Singing in Seattle Read Free

Aly and AJ.
    â€œHi, Claire,” AJ said. “We just wanted to say congratulations. We really liked your song.”
    Claire didn’t answer. Aly and AJ exchanged glances, then moved in closer. Claire was softly crying.
    â€œClaire, what’s wrong?” Aly asked.
    Claire straightened up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It’s my notebook,” she said, between sobs. “It’s not here.”
    â€œIt’s probably around here somewhere,” AJ said. “We can help you look for it. What does it look like?”
    Claire took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I’m freaking out,” she said. “Every song I’ve ever written is in that notebook. I’m really happy that you picked me to move on in the contest. But without my notebook, I won’t have anything to present in the next round.”
    â€œI can totally relate,” AJ said. “Sometimes I think I’d be lost without my notebook. But I’m sure yours is around here somewhere.”
    â€œIt’s purple,” Claire said. “And there’s a picture of a butterfly that I pasted onto it. I always keep it inside my guitar case. But when I opened my case just now to put my guitar back, the notebook was gone.”
    â€œMaybe it fell out,” Aly suggested. She knelt down and looked under the bench. She spotted some dust bunnies and a chewed-up pencil, but no notebook.
    â€œKeep looking,” AJ told Aly. “I’m going to ask around and see if anyone has seen it.”
    Aly scanned the backstage area. Most of the contestants had left already. She cornered Kurt and Rainbow as they were about to leave. Neither of them had seen the notebook.
    Austin and Amber were packing up their things.
    â€œCongratulations, guys,” she said. “Aly and I really liked your songs.”
    â€œCool,” Amber said. She had a nice smile that somehow didn’t match all of her black makeup. “Thanks,” Austin replied, grinning at AJ. “But you know, you might as well not bother with the next round. You’ve got your winner right here.”
    AJ shook her head, but she couldn’t help smiling back. Austin was cocky, but there was something really sweet about him, too.
    â€œWe’ll see about that,” she said. “Listen, have either of you seen a purple notebook back here? Claire lost hers.”
    â€œNo,” Amber replied.
    â€œThat’s too bad,” Austin said. “So, what number should I call you at if I find it?”
    â€œYou can call Lily,” AJ said. This boy was persistent!
    Austin reached into his own guitar case and took out a blue flyer. He handed it to AJ. “If you and Aly aren’t doing anything tomorrow night, you should check out this poetry slam,” he said. “The best poets in Seattle will be there. That includes me, of course. Actually, a lot of the contestants are part of the poetry scene.”
    â€œThat sounds cool,” AJ said. She had heard about poetry slams before, when poets get up onstage and read their poems to an audience. She’d always wanted to go to one. “Maybe we’ll see you tomorrow.”
    â€œI know you will,” Austin said.
    Amber rolled her eyes. “Austin, give it a rest.”
    AJ laughed and headed back to Aly and Claire. “Any luck?” she asked.
    â€œNothing,” Aly replied. “How about you?”
    â€œNobody’s seen anything,” AJ said. “But then again, I didn’t get a chance to talk to everybody. Maybe something will turn up.”
    Claire looked like she might cry again.
    â€œClaire, do you have a copy of your songs somewhere? On a computer, maybe?” Aly asked.
    â€œNo,” Claire said. “I know I should have. But the notebook’s all I’ve got.”
    Aly gave her a hug. “You’ll find it. We’ll talk to Lily for you. She can have the theater manager look for it.”
    â€œIt’s a