Lucy Ruggles - Camp Rock The Junior Novel

M itchie, up! Connie Torres commanded as she stepped through the piles of clothes and CDs on her fourteen-year-old daughters bedroom floor. Last day of school! She clapped her hands cheerfully before disappearing down the hall.

In the bed, Mitchie stirred and groaned. Her hand shot out from under the covers and grabbed a CD labeled MITCHIES TUNES from the nightstand. Without looking, Mitchie popped the disc into the CD player and pushed PLAY.

Instantly, the chords of a pop song filled the room. It featured vocals by none other than Mitchie Torres herself. As the beat intensified, Mitchie threw off her covers and jumped out of bed. She pulled her long, brown hair back, and singing the words she knew by heart, she opened her closet and peered in.

What to wear? The jean miniskirt? She held it up to her hips. Nope. The skirt was looking a little too mini. Shorts? Nope. Same problem. Pants, she thought. Maybe? Grabbing a pair of capris from a hanger, she tried them on. Better, but not perfect. Then she spied leggings, and inspiration flared. A skirt, leggings, a T-shirtthe perfect, not-too-dressy, last-day-of-school outfit.

In the middle of putting on a long necklace, Mitchie was hit with an idea. She hurried from her closet to her desk, where she grabbed a journal. On the front, in bold letters, was written Mitchies Songs. She furiously scribbled some lyrics on a blank page. Satisfied with the new verses, Mitchie smiled, put the journal away, and continued dancing out of her room, down the hall, and into the kitchen, where her mother had set out breakfast.

Mitchie plopped down at the kitchen table, and began to scarf down an omelet. On the television, an entertainment show discussed the most recent antics of Shane Graymusician and hottie.

The pop-star phenomenon, Shane Gray, the television reporter intoned, may have gone too far this time when he stormed off the set of his new video after someone gave him a grande nonfat latte instead of his legendary Venti soy chai latte with extra foam. This final stunt cost his label thousands of dollars, but may cost him his record deal.

Mitchie sighed. Shane Gray had everything. Why would he want to ruin it?

The message is clear, the reporter went on. He needs to clean up his act. And to give him time to do it, the Connect Three summer tour has been canceled.

The report was almost over when Mitchies mother sat down in the seat next to her.

Look what I found in the crisper, Connie said, tossing a colorful, glossy booklet onto the table. A Camp Rock brochure. Or should I say another Camp Rock brochure? she added.

Hmm, look at that! Mitchie said, faking surprise. She shoveled another forkload of omelet into her mouth. So maybe the hints shed been dropping about going to Camp Rock this summer hadnt been as subtle as she thought. But if she got in, all her dreams could come true.

So, you have no knowledge of how this brochure got into the refrigerator? her mother asked. Or the one taped to the vacuum cleaner?

Mitchie shrugged.

Sweetie, Connie continued, I know you want to go to this camp, but we just cant swing it right now with Dad expanding the store and my catering business just taking off, and Im sorry, she said gently.

Mitchies mood deflated. Deep down she had figured Camp Rock was out of the question, but a girl could hope

I know, she said, standing to take her empty plate to the sink. Well, gotta go. Last day of school. Dont want to be late.

T he halls were abuzz with last-day-of-school energy. Students were joking with each other as they joyfully dumped old notebooks, tests, and quizzes into the overflowing garbage cans.

Mitchie opened her locker to find a years worth of cluttercrumpled papers, worn-out pencils, leaky pens, and textbooksjammed in at odd angles.

She sighed and began throwing various items into the trash. A Camp Rock brochure caught her eye. She sighed and tossed it into the trash, too.

She was still cleaning a few minutes later when Sierra, a lanky girl with glasses, walked up and opened the locker next to Mitchies. Sierra was Mitchies best friendher only friend.

Let me be the first to say xin xia ji! Sierra exclaimed, acknowledging summers arrival. Guess who got an A-plus in AP Mandarin?

Me. Again!

Sierra screamed excitedly, but Mitchie didnt feel like joining in the celebration of her friends achievement just now. She was too distracted by a group of popular girls floating down the hall.

Ugh, Sierra groaned. The Queen Bees are here. If we dont move, they wont sting. She rolled her eyes, but Mitchie watched the girls enviously.

Dont you ever wonder what it would be like to be one of them? Mitchie asked.

Sierra gave her friend a suspicious look. Are you feeling feverish? She jokingly put her hand on Mitchies forehead. So, she said, changing the subject, howd it go this morning?

It didnt, Mitchie said dejectedly. Camp Rock is a no-go.

But you haveto go! Camp Rock is, like, the music camp. Everybody who wants to be somebody in music Sierra stopped when she saw the unhappy look on Mitchies face. All of which you already know. Sorry.

Mitchie swept the remaining junk from her locker into the trash and closed the door one last time. Me, too. I was so excited to go and have a summer thats all about music.

Sierra closed her own locker and put a hand consolingly on Mitchies shoulder. Then she asked the only thing she could. So, what are you going to do this summer?