Monica and the Sweetest Song Read online

  -------------------{ table of contents }-------------------

  chapter 1

  Cornered

  chapter 2

  Pinski Panic

  chapter 3

  Claudia’s Demands

  chapter 4

  River Stone

  chapter 5

  No Excuses

  chapter 6

  Help for My Friends

  chapter 7

  Taking Sides

  chapter 8

  Grabbing for Groupies

  chapter 9

  Best Seats

  chapter 10

  The Battle Begins

  chapter 11

  A Different Drummer

  chapter 12

  Saturday Night Showdown

  Chapter One

  Cornered

  Claudia Cortez and I had been best friends since kindergarten. I knew her secrets, her favorite things, and her pet peeves. I also knew that sometimes she wouldn’t take no for an answer, so the best thing to do was just go along with her.

  That was easy today. Claudia’s latest project combined Brad Turino — the guy at our school who she likes — and Bad Dog, her favorite band. She told me and Becca all about it as we walked to school.

  “This is huge!” Claudia exclaimed. “If Brad wins the Tri-County Battle of the Bands this weekend, I might meet Sam Willie!” Sam was the lead singer for Bad Dog, and Claudia adored him.

  “The winner will be the warm-up band at the Bad Dog concert in two weeks,” Claudia went on. “Their friends get front-row seats.”

  “Wow!” Becca said. “That sounds amazing.”

  “When did Brad start a band?” I asked.

  “Last month,” Claudia said. “They’ve been practicing every day. Brad sings and plays lead guitar. He’s really good.”

  I wasn’t surprised to hear that. Brad Turino was smart, a super athlete, and a nice guy. He was great at everything he tried.

  “Who else is in it?” I asked.

  “Jake on bass, Edward on drums, and Adam plays guitar too,” Claudia said.

  “They’re all on the football team,” Becca said.

  “That’s why they picked a football name,” Claudia said. “The band is called Scrimmage.”

  “Clever,” Becca said, nodding.

  “Are you guys busy next weekend?” Claudia asked. “I want you to come to the Battle of the Bands Friday night to cheer for Brad.”

  “Is Jimmy competing too?” I asked. Claudia’s older brother played bass in a band called Jimmy, James, and John.

  “The high school division competed last weekend,” Claudia said. “Jimmy’s band came in fourth.”

  “Fourth out of all the high school bands in three counties is pretty good,” I said.

  “Yep,” Claudia agreed. “They each got a trophy, but they won’t get to meet Bad Dog. So if I’m going to meet them, Brad has to win.”

  At school, Claudia gave Becca and me some Battle of the Bands flyers to pass out. Then she left to round up more fans for Brad.

  “Do you think Scrimmage is any good?” Becca asked.

  “I hope so!” I exclaimed. Claudia would be super crushed if Brad’s band didn’t do well. She was crazy about him.

  Plus, Bad Dog was her all-time favorite band. Ever since their first single came out three years ago, Claudia had daydreamed about meeting Sam Willie, the lead singer. Now it could actually happen!

  The Battle of the Bands was being held in the park. All the bands would play one song on Friday night. Then four judges would pick the top ten. Those bands would play three songs in the final round on Saturday night.

  It sounded like fun, and I wanted to help Claudia.

  I didn’t count on having a Jenny Pinski problem.

  Chapter Two

  Pinski

  Panic

  In homeroom, Jenny stopped by my desk. “Meet me in the band room after school,” she said.

  I stared at her, shocked.

  Was Jenny mad at me? She always looked mad, so I couldn’t tell. I was pretty sure I hadn’t done anything to make the school bully mad, but Jenny was weird.

  “Why?” I asked nervously.

  “My all-girl band is playing in the Battle of the Bands contest,” Jenny said. “And I want you in it.”

  I’m not a coward, but I’m not a moron either. Making Jenny Pinski mad was always a stupid thing to do. I stalled, trying to think. “What do you play?” I asked her. “In the band, I mean.”

  “Drums,” Jenny said. “I got my first set when I was six. My mom didn’t like dents in her pots, so she bought me real ones.”

  The thought of six-year-old Jenny pounding dents into metal pots sounded terrifying. I didn’t want to talk about beating on things. “Who else is in your band?” I asked.

  “Just me and you so far,” Jenny said. “A girl band has never won the Tri-County Battle of the Bands. So this is our year.”

  What if Jenny’s band didn’t win?

  If I joined her band, would she blame me if we lost?

  On the other hand, would Jenny blame me if I didn’t join her band and she lost?

  I was in trouble either way. I didn’t think she’d hurt me, but she’d get back at me.

  I imagined hearing Jenny’s voice over the school P.A. “Monica Murray wears Princess Patsy underwear!” I could deny it, but it wouldn’t help. Truth never mattered once a rumor started.

  “What’s your band called?” I asked.

  “I can’t decide between Jenny Pinski’s All Girl Rock and Roll Band or something shorter,” Jenny said.

  “Shorter is better,” I said. “It’s easier to remember.”

  “Good point,” Jenny said, nodding. She thought for a minute and said, “I like Grit for a band name.”

  “But no one will know it’s a girl band,” I said.

  “They will when we start playing,” Jenny argued.

  “That’s true,” I said. Then I had a sudden brainstorm. “What about Glitter & Grit?” I suggested.

  “Not bad,” Jenny said. “I’ll think about it. See you later.”

  I avoided Jenny the rest of the morning. Her taunts and pranks were bad, but Jenny the stalker was worse.

  When Dan Carter, the editor of our school paper, didn’t put Jenny’s “Homework Hurts Kids” cartoon in the Pinecone Press, she followed him everywhere.

  Sometimes she glared and looked mean. Sometimes she pretended to be his best buddy. No one else wanted to be near him.

  Dan finally published the cartoon and asked readers to comment. Dozens of kids wrote Letters to the Editor. Principal Paul was thrilled with the student interest. Dan didn’t get in trouble, and Jenny was happy.

  So Dan survived. But I didn’t see a safe way out of my Jenny Pinski problem.

  I sat with my friends at lunch. Usually, I could ask them for advice about my problems. Not today. Everyone was too excited about Scrimmage and the Battle of the Bands.

  “It’s so cool that you’re in Brad’s band, Adam,” Claudia said. “I can’t wait to hear you play.” />
  “I think we sound pretty good,” Adam said. “But it’s hard to tell when you’re playing.”

  “I could make a video of your rehearsal today,” Claudia said. “Then you can watch it and see what’s good or not.”

  “Thanks!” Adam said, a big grin on his face. “I’ll tell Brad you’re coming over.”

  “Will you be there Friday night, Peter?” Claudia asked.

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Peter said. “Friends have to stick together.”

  “Are you going, Tommy?” Becca asked. She had a not-so-secret crush on the class clown.

  “Tommy is our best roadie,” Adam said.

  “I’m your only roadie,” Tommy said. “I’m helping Scrimmage set up, but I’d rather watch from out front.”

  “I’ll save you a seat,” Becca said.

  I didn’t say anything. Claudia wouldn’t understand why I had to try out for Jenny’s band.

  I didn’t want to be in Jenny’s all-girl band. Still, I had to admit it was kind of cool to be asked. So I had to show up and tell Jenny to her face.

  There was a sign on the band-room door when I showed up after school. It said Glitter & Grit Rehearsal. Everybody Else Keep Out!

  I opened the door, but I wasn’t the only one Jenny had invited. Anna Dunlap was playing scales on a keyboard. Karen Chen strummed an electric guitar and sang a few notes into a microphone. Jenny pounded the drums and hit the cymbals.

  “What are you doing here?” Anna asked, staring at the flute case I was carrying.

  “Jenny asked me to come,” I said.

  “Are you good enough to play with us?” Karen asked.

  “Let’s find out,” Jenny said. She put down her drumsticks and folded her arms.

  I opened my case and took out my flute. Jenny stopped me before I played my first note.

  “What’s that?” Jenny asked.

  “A flute,” I said.

  “I don’t want a flute player,” Jenny said angrily. Her face clouded. “I thought you played the saxophone.”

  “No. Sorry,” I said.

  “Do you know anyone who plays bass?” Anna asked. “We still need a bass player.”

  “Sylvia does,” I said.

  “I’ll call her,” Anna said, picking up her cell phone. Jenny stopped scowling at me.

  I quickly packed up my flute. I was out of Jenny’s band and out of Pinski danger.

  But when I ducked out the door, I ran right into the wrath of Claudia Cortez.

  Chapter Three

  Claudia’s

  Demands

  Claudia stormed out of the building. I hurried after her, but she wouldn’t wait. Becca was outside waiting for us. She could tell something was wrong as soon as she saw Claudia’s face.

  “What happened?” Becca asked.

  Claudia glared at me. “Monica is in Jenny Pinski’s band,” she said.

  “Jenny has a band?” Becca asked, surprised.

  “Apparently. It’s called Glitter & Grit,” Claudia said.

  “Yeah, but I’m not in it,” I said.

  “Then why were you at the rehearsal?” Claudia asked.

  “Jenny asked me to try out,” I explained. “What was I supposed to do?”

  Becca looked at Claudia. “If Jenny asked, she had to go,” Becca said. “You know how Jenny is.”

  “I guess,”Claudia said.

  “Jenny thought I played saxophone,” I said. “She didn’t want a flute player. So I told them to call Sylvia, and I left.”

  Claudia relaxed and we started walking. “Who else is in Jenny’s band?” she asked.

  “Anna and Karen and maybe Sylvia,” I said.

  “Are they any good?” Claudia asked.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. They weren’t really playing,” I explained.

  Claudia was quiet for a second. Then she asked, “Would Jenny let you watch their rehearsals?”

  “Maybe,” I said. “Why?”

  “So you can find out what they’re doing, how good they are, and report back,” Claudia explained.

  “No way,” I said.

  Claudia frowned. “Why not?”

  “I’d be too freaked out,” I said. “Jenny would know I was snooping.”

  Becca nodded. She said, “Monica nibbles her lip and taps her foot when she’s nervous. She can’t get away with anything.”

  “And if I hang around, Jenny might decide she wants a flute player after all,” I added. I didn’t want to risk it.

  “Okay,” Claudia said. She thought for a second and then went on, “The more kids that cheer for Brad, the better his chances.”

  “We should make signs to hold up Friday night too,” Becca said. “Like they do on TV.”

  “Excellent idea!” Claudia said. “Now, let’s go.”

  “Go where?” I asked.

  “We have to go to the Scrimmage rehearsal,” Claudia said.

  “I can’t,” Becca said. “I have homework, and I want to do it tonight so I can relax this weekend.”

  “And I’m riding with Chloe at four,” I said. “It’s too late to cancel.”

  “But I was counting on you,” Claudia said. “I might miss something the band has to fix.”

  “If you tape it, I could watch the video later,” Becca said.

  “Me too,” I said.

  Claudia loved that idea, and I felt better. She was desperate for Brad’s band to win the Battle of the Bands. I wanted to help.

  I just hoped Scrimmage played as well as Claudia thought they would.

  Chapter Four

  River

  Stone

  Chloe dragged me up the sidewalk to Rory’s house after her mom dropped us off. But instead of going in the front door like we usually did, she pulled me toward the garage.

  When we walked inside, I gasped. Rory and three other guys were there, and they were all holding instruments.

  “You made it!” Rory said. He gave me a huge smile. He put down his guitar and introduced us to the group. “Monica and Chloe,” he said, grinning at us, “this is River Stone. Wade on drums, Kenny on bass, and Jason plays guitar too.”

  “What do you do?” I asked.

  “Lead singer and guitar,” Rory said.

  “Is this why Mark has been giving you time off?” I asked. Rory worked at Rock Creek Stables. He hadn’t been there much the past two weeks.

  Rory nodded. “He wants us to do well at the Battle of the Bands,” he said. “And then he said maybe he’d hire us to play a barn dance sometime.”

  “Cool,” I said. “Chloe said you needed a favor.”

  “A big one,” Rory said, nodding. “I need your opinion about how we play.”

  “But you have to be totally honest,” Jason said.

  “Yeah,” Kenny said. “Don’t worry about hurting our feelings. If something doesn’t sound right, we want to fix it.”

  “It’ll be easy, Monica,” Wade said. “We sound awesome.” Kenny and Jason exchanged a look.

  Rory had two big chairs set up for us. After we sat down, he brought us sodas from a cooler.

  I felt guilty. Claudia thought I was riding. She’d asked me to listen to Brad’s band. I was listening to Rory’s instead.

  “This is so cool,” Chloe whispered to me. “I’ve always wanted to hang out with a band. Do you think Jason’s cute?”

  “I thought you liked Cameron!” I whispered back.

  “I do,” Chloe said. “But he’s totally busy with baseball lately. I
mean, it’s not like he’s my boyfriend or anything.”

  “Then, yes,” I said, grinning. “I think Jason is cute.”

  Just not as cute as Rory.

  Rory was tall and gorgeous and had the best smile. He worked hard and helped everyone, even the stable snobs who gave him a hard time. Chloe was sure he had a crush on me.

  He started singing. His voice was gorgeous. It gave me goosebumps. Kenny and Jason sang back-up harmonies that blended perfectly. Wade just banged on the drums.

  When they finished the first song, Chloe and I jumped to our feet and applauded.

  “Was it that good?” Rory asked.

  “It was great,” Chloe said.

  “What did you think, Monica?” Kenny asked.

  I wanted to be honest. “I thought the drums were a little loud,” I said.

  Wade frowned. “Drums are supposed to be loud,” he muttered.

  “No. Drums are supposed to keep the beat,” Jason said.

  “Not drown out everything else,” Kenny added.

  Rory nodded. “Just back off a little, Wade,” he said. “You know. Take it easy.”

  Wade rolled his eyes and said, “Whatever.”

  Rory, Jason, and Kenny nailed every note of the next song. Wade’s timing was off, and he drummed too much at the ending. I could tell Rory wasn’t happy, but he didn’t say anything.

  I felt bad. Except for Wade, River Stone was a really good band.

  “This next song is special,” Rory said. “Promise you’ll be brutally honest.”

  “Promise,” I said.

  I didn’t recognize the song. Rory sang every word like he meant it. “Can’t think straight, I’m falling apart. I just can’t wait for something to start . . .”

  “It’s good, huh?” Chloe whispered.

  “Love it,” I whispered back.

  “. . . but I’m too shy to tell her so I love from afar,” Rory went on. “Got a girl stuck in my heart!”

  “I don’t know this song,” I whispered to Chloe.

  “That’s because Rory wrote it,” Chloe said.