"Hey, guys. I need your advice about something," Miranda said to Lizzie and Gordo.

"Whoa. Sounds serious," Gordo said, noticing the no-nonsense look on Miranda's face.

"Yeah, what's it about?" Lizzie asked.

"Well, they're going to have auditions for Choralettes members to sing solo at the Christmas concert." Miranda was talking about Hillridge High School's swing choir, a small choral group which performed pop music with guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums. Although there'd never been many freshmen in the group, Miranda had made the cut.

"Are you gonna audition?" Lizzie asked, getting excited.

"Do you think I should?"

"Of course, Miranda," Gordo said. "I'm surprised you're even asking that."

"Well, I'm a freshman. There are only a couple of us in Choralettes."

"So? You're a great singer, Miranda. You were the best one in glee club in middle school," Lizzie said. "And I can tell you want to. I can see it in your eyes."

Miranda couldn't stifle a grin any longer. "It would be cool if I made it, wouldn't it?"

"Yes," Gordo said emphatically. "And if you're not chosen this year, the experience of going through the auditions can only be helpful for next time."

"Wow, so you're my life coach now?" Miranda said, her joking tone evidence that she wasn't so worried anymore.

"And it doesn't even involve bowling," Gordo replied, remembering when she'd helped him get over his fear of his fingers swelling and a bowling ball getting stuck on them.

Miranda chuckled and broke into a world-class smile. "You know what? I'm gonna go sign up right now. Thanks, guys." She grabbed both of them in a quick group hug and rushed off, saying, "Wish me luck!" as she left.

"Good luck!" Lizzie and Gordo replied.

Gordo shook his head and chuckled. Lizzie noticed and said, "What?"

"She didn't need advice. She was going to sign up for those auditions the entire time."

Lizzie's eyebrows went up as she realized she agreed with Gordo. "You're right. She just wanted a little cheering on."

"Yep. She's gonna knock 'em dead."

---

Miranda hadn't heard Gordo say she was going to sign up the entire time. She would have agreed with him in principle. She was a little nervous about it, though. High school choral activities were a step or two up from middle school. There were more people who took it seriously in high school, which is what Miranda had hoped for. She was starting to feel at ease with the other choir members.

All of these things ran through her mind as she walked to the building which housed the music program. The choir director had a manila envelope taped to his office door. A student interested in auditioning would write his or her name on a slip of paper and put it in the envelope. It was more private than a signup sheet. That was Miranda's guess as she dropped her slip of paper into the envelope. The concert was in mid December, six weeks away. The auditions for which Miranda was signing up were three weeks away. She had two or three songs in mind; she had some time to narrow it down.

16 Dec 2008