The Secret Crush Read Free Page A

direct—”
    â€œHey! Between all of that and homework, you’re not going to have any time for us,” Chloe interrupted.
    Zee reached out and put an arm around each of her friends’ shoulders. “I’ll always have time for you guys.”

3
A Big Surprise
    Z ee’s dad, J. P. Carmichael, turned his SUV around the corner toward Chloe’s house. “What are you girls doing today?” he asked Zee.
    â€œWorking on Taking Sides with Jasper,” Zee replied.
    â€œTaking sides?” Zee’s dad raised an eyebrow. “Against whom?”
    Zee laughed. “ Taking Sides is the name of the Beans’ musical. Auditions are coming up.”
    â€œOh, that explains all the singing in the shower.”
    â€œYeah. Now I need a real audience.”
    â€œWhich part are you trying out for?”
    â€œLily,” Zee told him. “She’s the female lead. Dylan is the male lead. They have two best friends named Brianna andGabe. And they spend a lot of time at the mall.”
    â€œI wonder who came up with that idea,” Mr. Carmichael joked.
    â€œAn-y-way,” Zee continued. “Lily’s gang is a group of hip-hop dancers, and Dylan’s friends are football players.”
    â€œAnd they all hang out together?”
    â€œNo way!” Zee said. “It’s like Romeo and Juliet, so the groups totally don’t get along. You know, they argue and make fun of each other. But then Lily and Dylan have a crush on each other, so things have to change.”
    â€œHmmm…,” Mr. Carmichael said as he pulled into Chloe’s driveway. “Problems with friends?”
    â€œYeah—and parents,” Zee said. “Lily’s mom and dad don’t want her to date.”
    â€œI like it!” Mr. Carmichael cheered.
    â€œDaaaad,” Zee groaned as she climbed out of the SUV and grabbed her stars-and-stripes-studded guitar case.
    Mr. Carmichael smiled and shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
    Zee shut the door. “Bye, Dad!” She was so excited, she climbed the Lawrence-Johnsons’ steps by twos and rang the doorbell.
    â€œHello, Mackenzie.” Chloe’s mother greeted Zee with her soft southern accent. In her flowing silk pants, matching tank top, and strappy gold sandals, she looked as thoughshe was dressed for a special dinner—not for a casual afternoon hanging out.
    â€œIs Chloe here?” Zee asked.
    â€œShe’s downstairs with Jasper,” Mrs. Lawrence-Johnson said.
    Zee bounded down the stairs to find Chloe and Jasper sitting on the couch next to the pool table.
    â€œWhat about carrots?” Chloe said. “I like carrots.”
    â€œMe too,” Jasper agreed, writing on his pad of paper.
    â€œWhat are you guys doing?” Zee asked.

    Chloe looked up. “We’re just trying to figure out what to plant in the school garden.”
    â€œI thought we were going to practice for the musical,” Zee said.
    â€œWe are,” Chloe said. “But there are other things to think about.”
    â€œNot for me,” Zee said.
    â€œMy mom says that if the band interferes with my schoolwork, I have to drop soccer—and I am not planning to do that,” Chloe explained. “I just want a small role—like one of the hip-hop dancers.”
    â€œWell, I want to get the lead, so I need to start practicing,” Zee said. “What about you, Jasper? Who do you want to be? Gabe? One of the gang?”
    â€œDylan, actually.” He pushed his glasses up on his nose.
    â€œWhat?” Zee’s voice squeaked with surprise. Jasper could be shy, so she hadn’t expected him to want the biggest part.
    â€œYou should so get that role,” Chloe told Jasper.
    â€œReally?” Jasper sat up a little straighter.
    Zee slumped over. “Really?”
    â€œUh-huh,” Chloe said to Jasper. “Nobody works harder than you do. You’d probably memorize all