The next day, Miley and Lilly headed into school. Mr. Corelli, one of their teachers, was trying to get the attention of the freshman class.
“Okay, okay, all ninth graders listen up!” Mr. Corelli called out. “The circus I hired for the freshman fund-raiser is no longer available.”
“Aww . . .” a crowd of students groaned.
“But no worries,” he explained. “One of our very own has come up with a brilliant, last-minute substitution.”
In the crowd, Amber Addison, one of the most ambitious and aggressive students in the class, lit up with excitement. “Karaoke night!” she sang out happily.
Ashley Dewitt, Amber’s enthusiastic best friend, tried to lead the crowd of students in a round of applause. Some people clapped, but the response was halfhearted at best. Most of the students knew it would be an opportunity for Amber to hog the spotlight— as usual.
Mr. Corelli and Amber walked down the stairs. She was still focused on the idea of a karaoke night. It would give her an opportunity to stand onstage, all eyes on her, for the entire length of a song. Or maybe several songs. Back to back. Amber really liked karaoke.
“For admission, you get food, drink, and the chance to get up there and be compared to”— she sang out the last word—“me. . . .”
As a teacher, Mr. Corelli thought it was his duty to encourage his students. But even he came close to rolling his eyes at this. “They get it,” he told her.
Amber crossed her arms and glared at him. No one ever interrupted her.
“Well, now, I know not all of us can sing as well as some people,” Mr. Corelli began. Amber and Ashley pointed to each other to show everyone they knew who their teacher was referring to.
“Stop pointing,” Mr. Corelli told them. He turned back to address the crowd. “But I still expect to see everybody here and singing on Saturday night!”
Despite his peppy tone, no one seemed too fired up. In fact, they groaned and muttered to each other. Getting up onstage? In front of all their classmates? And singing? It was a recipe for disaster— not to mention having to listen to Amber and Ashley all night!
Just then, Amber caught sight of Miley in the crowd. A mischievous smile spread across her face. Amber and Ashley liked to pick on people, and Miley and Lilly had been their targets for months.
“Hey, Miley,” Amber called out. “If you’re too gutless to sing, you can always go up there and do one of your pig calls.”
“Oh, you mean like this?” Miley retorted. “Amber, Ashley, get in here!’” She made a few pig snorts.
“Boo-ya!” Lilly cheered, giving Miley a high five. A few other students gathered around to watch the scene that was unfolding.
Ashley frowned, puzzled at Miley’s response. “That’s weird. Her pigs have our names.” Then she realized that the joke was on her. “Oh, real mature,” she said sarcastically.
“Exactly what we’d expect from the tone-deaf twins!” Amber added with a smirk.
“In your face!” Amber and Ashley yelled in unison. “Ooh!” They turned to walk away, satisfied that they had just won this little battle.
But Lilly couldn’t let them off the hook just yet. She was too mad about their insults. She had to say something.
And before Miley could stop her, Lilly cried out, “Well, what you don’t know is that I happen to have a really great voice.”
“What?” Miley blurted out, horrified. “No! Lilly, you can’t sing . . .”
Lilly looked confused.
“. . . up there, with Amber!” Miley finished quickly.
“Why not?” Lilly asked.
“Because I’m coming down with something and . . .” Miley coughed. “I just gave it to you. Sorry.”
“Oh, you two are coming down with something all right,” Amber sneered. “Chicken pox.”
“Emphasis on the chicken!” Ashley added, just in case they didn’t get the point.
Amber gave her friend an exasperated look. Why was Ashley always explaining her jokes? “I put the emphasis on the chicken!” she complained.
“What are you so worried about?” Lilly asked Miley. “You heard that CD. I can take her!” She called out to Amber, “Hey, check this, Twitney Houston, I’m going to sing you off that stage.”
Amber scowled at her. “Oh, it is so on! I’ll see you Saturday night, Smelly Clarkson!”
Meanwhile, Lilly was gloating to Miley. “This is going to be so great! When she hears my voice, she’s going to freak!”
“She ain’t the only one, honey,” Miley muttered. Oh, boy, Miley thought. This is going to be one interesting evening!