The Secret Crush Read Free Page B

the lines in, like, a day.”
    â€œI do have an excellent memory,” Jasper agreed.
    â€œBut Lily and Dylan are completely L.A.,” Zee said. “I picture Dylan as a tanned surfer type.”
    Jasper looked suspicious. “That sounds a lot like Landon.”
    Why do I always let my mouth get me in trouble? “Oh, I didn’t think of that,” Zee said, trying to sound convincing. “Um…let’s get started.”
    â€œOkay!” Chloe shot upright. “I’m gonna sing ‘Love Story.’ Good choice for a romantic musical, huh?”
    â€œI’ll play with you,” Zee said, picking up her glittery guitar.
    As Zee played, Chloe sang along. As usual, she sounded great. She had memorized all the words and hit every note perfectly—even though she was bouncing and spinning around the room. “‘Romeo, save me, I’ve been feeling so alone,’” she belted, jumping up onto the couch, pretending to hold a microphone. When the song finished, she kicked her legs up in the air and plopped onto the cushion.
    â€œBrilliant!” Jasper exclaimed.
    â€œWhat did you think, Zee?” Chloe asked.

    â€œYou sounded amazing,” Zee began. “But don’t you want to practice the way you’ll do it for the real audition? You won’t be able to jump around.”
    Chloe flicked her hand in the air. “Nah,” she said. “I’m just having fun.”
    Zee went to the brick hearth in front of the fireplace. “This is a good stage,” she said, stepping up. With Jasper’s and Chloe’s eyes focused on her, Zee began to sing “Breaking Free” from High School Musical. Her voice trembled, and the first time she got to the chorus and sang “There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach,” she couldn’t hit the right notes. Then she forgot some of the words—even though she’d sung the song a million times. The more she messed up, the more nervous she got and the worse she did. She stopped singing. “That was a disaster!”
    â€œIt needs work,” Chloe agreed. “Why are you so nervous? You’ve sung in front of people before.”
    â€œThis audition is so important,” Zee explained.
    â€œI know what you mean,” Jasper said, looking away.
    â€œOkay, Jasper,” Chloe said. “It’s your turn. What are you gonna sing?”
    â€œSomething from West Side Story ,” he said. “But I’m not sure I know all the words.” Jasper cleared his throat andnervously shifted his feet.
    â€œJust sing the part you know. Then you can memorize the rest later,” Chloe told him.
    In the next beat, Jasper started to sing “Maria,” a love ballad from the Broadway musical. Zee was shocked. Jasper was a great bass player, but she had never heard him sing before. His voice was strong and even. He had no problem hitting the highest notes—or the lowest ones. Had he been practicing as hard as Zee? Did he want the lead that much?
    Then when Jasper sang “I just kissed a girl named Maria,” Zee got a really weird feeling inside. She’d never heard him say anything so romantic.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Chloe asked her when Jasper had finished.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Zee asked.
    â€œYour face is all white.”
    Zee reached up to her face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
    It was the truth. Because the problem was, everything was wrong.
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    5 Things I Know About Me
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    I HAVE to work really, really hard if I’m going to be Lily.
    Landon has to be fantabsome if he is going to beat Jasper.
    I’m not sure why I felt so weird around Jasper today.
    I want Landon to beat Jasper—which means…
    I am the worst friend in the world!
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4
Part Won
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    E-ZEE: Audition 2morrow.
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    SPARKLEGRRL: Good luck, Lily.
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    E-ZEE: I BETTER get the part.