Cheryl Crouch - Solo Act

For Sheri King Littlefield and Ann Stephens Poston.
Ive cherished our friendship since kindergarten! Thanks for being like sisters to me.

Thanks to G Studios for dreaming up the Chosen Girls.
Its been fun bringing the dream to life!

ZONDERVAN

Solo Act
Copyright 2007 by G Studios, LLC

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ePub Edition November 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-87053-1

Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zonderkidz, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Crouch, Cheryl, 1968

Solo act / by Cheryl Crouch.

p. cm. -- (The Chosen Girls ; bk. 4)

Summary: Mello wants to enjoy quiet time alone during a retreat at the beach, but when The Chosen Girls are asked to play a concert and lead the music at morning assemblies, her annoyance at being dragged into activities prevents her from hearing the theme of the retreat--becoming a servant.

ISBN 978-0-310-71270-1 (softcover)

[1. Selfishness--Fiction. 2. Bands (Music)--Fiction. 3. Spiritual retreats--Fiction. 4. Beaches--Fiction. 5. Christian life--Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.C8838Sol 2007

[Fic]--dc22

2006034383

All Scripture quotations unless otherwise noted are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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Zonderkidz is a trademark of Zondervan.

Editor: Bruce Nuffer
Art direction and design: Sarah Molegraaf
Interior composition: Christine Orejuela-Winkelman

Table of Contents

My life used to be simple. All I needed: a good book and my fluffy fleece blanket.

Then everything changed with the Trinvasion. Since Trin Adams moved here and took over our lives, my best friend Harmony and I have never been the same.

Sure, Im glad Trin talked us into being a rock band. Im a real drummer now. But I dont like being out front, even though I can do it. Thankfully, I wont have to worry about that for a while.

Now summers here, schools over, and my only scheduled gig is going to Surf & Sand City, where Harmony and I spend a week every year huge cliffs overlooking the ocean, tons of cute boys, and time to read and do a whole bunch of nothing.

But best of all, no band, no work, and no Trin

I had just rolled into my softest fleece throw and shuffled to my bookshelf to choose a book when my cell phone rang La Bamba.

Harmony?

Hello, Mello! Harmonys voice blasted out at me. Are you packed?

Packing.

I knew it. Are you ready for some serious fun-o-rama?

Im ready for some rest-o-rama, Harmony picking out a novel as we speak.

I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

Youve got to be the only teenager in Southern California who thinks a retreat at Surf & Sand City is about resting, she accused.

You can do whatever you want, I answered. Youll know where to find me.

On your favorite cliff, reading a book, she said in her most disgusted voice.

I closed my eyes and pictured it. I could almost smell the ocean and feel the breeze. Definitely.

I cant believe we leave tomorrow. One oclock, just like last year?

Definitely.

And you signed us up to room together, right?

Definitely.

Hasta maana!

I punched the End button on my phone. Before I even put it down, it rang again. But it wasnt La Bamba.

Hello?

May I please speak to Mello McMann?

This is she, I answered.

Mello, this is David Karuthers. You know that Im coordinating this years retreat. Today Im pulling together last-minute details at the office. Are you coming to choir practice tonight? he asked in his bouncy voice.

Yes, I answered, trying to figure out what choir had to do with anything.

Do you think your friend Harmony could come with you? And maybe you could come early? Id like to speak to the two of you about the trip.

I paused before I answered. Was this about last years retreat? The speakers shoes hot-glued to the ceiling? Or the toothpaste on the pillows? Or maybe the water-balloon launcher?

If so, he needed to talk to Harmony, not me. Maybe it wasnt the best idea to invite her to join my youth group on this trip every year.

I said, I think so. Ill call Harmony.

Great. Meet me at the youth center at six thirty.

If I was going to get in trouble for that stuff, dont you think it would have happened last year? Harmony whispered as we walked up the church sidewalk.

I shrugged. Maybe they found out something new. Maybe someone just now complained. How should I know?

So why do you have to be here? All you did last year was read.

I threw an arm around Harmonys shoulder. I guess Im guilty by association, I said with a groan.

We found Mr. Karuthers inside the youth center. He didnt look mad at all. He smiled real wide, bounced over to some chairs, and pulled three of them into a triangle.

Here, girls, have a seat, he said. Thanks for coming.

I looked at Harmony, and she raised her eyebrows. So far, so good.

Mello, Harmony, I want this retreat to be a special time for everyone who attends. I know its a good time to relax, but I think it should be more than that.

Harmony shot me a look. I felt like saying, I dont think hes talking about pranks and water-balloon fights.

Last night I went down the list of students who will be attending, he continued. When I got to your names, I knew I had the answer Ive been looking for!

My heart started beating out a warning. I didnt want to be anyones answer to anything. I wanted to hide on my cliff and read.

He smiled at us and asked, How would the Chosen Girls like to do an outreach concert on the beach Saturday night?