In spite of Danny’s nasty mood and Molly’s preference for watching games rather than competing in them, the race had got her thinking that joining the girls’ soccer team might not be such a bad idea. She was faster than she thought, and with a pair of soccer boots that fit she could pass the ball and probably even score.
But soccer wasn’t exactly what Molly wanted to do. She didn’t tell anyone what she really wanted to do. It was a secret she had promised never to share with anyone except her mom. So she had to wait until her mom came home.
Lunch was almost over by the time Jeff, Albert, Murphy and Molly reached the school after the race. Danny and a crowd of kids inside the foyer were crammed around the notice board. Molly stood on her toes and caught a glimpse of a large poster tacked on top of the other notices. It read:
CENTRAL VALLEY YOUTH TALENT
COMPETITION
Do you dance? Do you sing?
Are you a slam poet?
Danny read the poster. “So you think you can dance?” He jumped around pretending to dance. “Spare me the pain of watching all the try-hards from this school,” he said. “It’s going to be a freak show.”
Murphy looked at the poster and said, “Do they really think Riverside has talent?”
“Maybe they’re thinking about the soccer field,” Jeff said, simulating a shot on goal.
Molly ignored the boys and read the small print.
Date: March 12
Place: Central Valley Community Arts Center
Time: 2-5 PM
Ages: Grades 6-12
Sign up by February 28
Registration forms are available at Riverside Middle
School and Central Valley High School
Cash prize of $500 and a trip to Winnipeg to compete
in the Canadian Youth Talent Competition
There were only two weeks to sign up and another two weeks to practice.
“We should put on the soccer boots,” Murphy said. He dodged from side to side as if warming up in net.
“Hey, Molly, did you read the poster? How cool is that?” Nell appeared out of the crowd. “Paige is going to dance. She’s got a mega-good chance.”
Paige arrived, followed by Dede and Fi. She looked over Molly’s head, making an obvious effort to ignore her. Molly was easy to miss. She was at least a head shorter than Paige.
“Come on, Nell,” Paige said. She shot a deadly glance at Molly and turned to her friends. “I’ve got to decide on a dance and get my costumes and…how am I going to wear my hair?” She pulled the elastic band from her ponytail, releasing her hair in a cascade of golden waves. “What do you think? I love my hair down, don’t you?”
“No kidding,” Fi said. She brushed her fingers through Paige’s hair. “If you got it, girl, use it.”
“You are soooo right,” Dede said as the girls disappeared back into the crowd. “I just love the way your hair…”
When the bell rang, Molly reread the poster carefully, noting the time, the place, the entry fee and the names of the judges—Leroy Macpherson, Tiffany Terrell and Magpie.
She silently rolled Magpie around on her tongue. Magpies, Molly had discovered in Earth Sciences class, were one of the most intelligent animals, even though they were only little songbirds. They could sing for more than an hour without stopping.
Molly took another look at the poster. Pictures of dancers floated around the edges, making it look like it was advertising a dance competition, not a talent show. Under the writing in the center of the poster was an image of a hand holding a large microphone. She shivered.
“Come on, Molly!” Murphy called from the end of the hall. “We can’t get started without you.”
First block after lunch was Foods class. Molly, Jeff and Murphy were cooking partners. Today they were making pizza.
“What’s up with you, Moll?” Murphy said when the pizza was finally ready to eat. “You’re pretty quiet.” He shoved a huge bite in his mouth.
“What do you guys think about the talent show?” she asked.
“Huh?” Murphy grunted as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“I said, what do you guys think about the talent show?”
Jeff laughed. “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, maybe I’m a poet?”
“No way, Jeffman.” Murphy made an X with his arms. “You got real talent. You should suit up and do a solo show with a soccer ball. The audience could count one kick, two kick, good kick, great kick.”
“Now that’s real talent.” Jeff smiled. “Singers and dancers won’t have a chance against a skill like that.”
“It’s a great idea,” Molly said. “No one else would even think of it.”
“I was just kidding,” said Murphy. “No offense, Jeff, but I don’t think you’d be very entertaining.”
“But it’s a talent,” Molly said. “Everyone would think it was great.”
“No freaking way. I’d probably flub it after five or six kicks,” Jeff said. “Murph should sing. Or Danno could dance. Yeah, he could wear a tutu.”
Murphy and Jeff were laughing so hard, Molly decided not to say any more about the talent competition.
“Did I hear you guys making fun of my dancing ability?” Danny pirouetted over to their table and dropped into a chair next to Molly. “Molly is the one who should dance,” he said, appearing friendly. Then, with a mean look, he said, “She should stick to what she’s good at.”
“At least I can dance better than you,” Molly said.
Murphy said, “Why don’t you just leave her alone?”
Danny got up, slammed his chair against the table and went back to his own cooking group.
“Thanks,” Molly said. “I don’t care if he doesn’t like me, but he doesn’t have to keep rubbing it in.”