"School play," Amy read aloud. "The Sound of Music in the Big City. A tale of romance, songs, and Fifth Avenue. Auditions take place Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, three to five. Everyone is guaranteed a part. Remember there are no small roles, only small actors." Amy shot a quick smile at Ellie.

"I'm trying out, you?"

Ellie frowned.

"I don't know, I'm not a good actress but it would be way rad to work on the sets."

Amy smiled. This was her one way to get in the in crowd. She was a pretty good actress and now she could show off her talents.

"So you trying out for the play?" Jimmy asked.

Charlotte bit into a carrot stick as she contemplated.

"No. I'm not an actress. You?"

Jimmy nodded. "Hell yeah. Are you joking? Big Jim's in the house!"

He pretended to shoot a basket as Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"But I'd definitely want to do costumes or choreography. How about you Terri?"

Terry giggled and put on an English accent.

"Why not? I'm a sucker for the stage darling."

Terri and Charlotte exploded with laughter.

Charlotte checked her watch.

"I've got to get my stuff from my locker. Meet you guys after school in front of the theatre."

Charlotte walked away and Jimmy found himself staring at her butt.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Spinner flicked Jimmy in the head.

"What? Me? Nothing." A happy smile spread across his face.

Charlotte felt her eyes slowly close as Ms. Kwan droned on. This is so boring. Will she shut up already? "Psst. Char." Hazel smiled triumphantly as she passed a note to Charlotte.

Char—

Let's hang out after school today.

Love, Jimmy

Char shot Jimmy an excited smile as she nodded and mouthed the word, "Yes." Ms. Kwan looked angrily at Charlotte.

"Charlotte. You can go outside for talking in class."

Red-faced Charlotte stood up, gathered her things and walked out the door. She tapped her foot angrily on the tile floor. That was so embarrassing. Seconds later, the door opened and another red-faced kid came out.

"I was listening to music," he explained, pointing to his headphones. Charlotte smiled.

"Oooh rebellious." They both laughed.

"I'm Peter," he said. "You're new aren't you?"

Charlotte nodded. Hey, he's kind of cute. Shaggy dark hair fell over his piercing blue eyes, he was tall and lanky with tanned skin and a great smile.

"Char," she said, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too. So you…trying out for the play?"

Char cocked an eyebrow, a habit she'd picked up from Amy.

"Nope, I'm a dancer, not an actress."

Peter shot her a smile.

"Cool…yeah same. I mean…I don't dance. But I-I…"

Charlotte batted her eyelashes. Hey, nothing wrong with a little harmless flirting.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Hey, see you around, okay?" she waved and headed to the bathroom.

Terri bit her lip nervously as she peered into the big window that opened into the theatre where try-outs would be held. There were at least a hundred kids in there. What if she didn't make it? Charlotte walked up beside Terri.

"Just talked to Mrs. DuPree, the drama teacher. I'm doing costumes and choreography. Pretty cool, huh?"

Terri nodded.

"Ter! Don't worry! You'll be great. I promise."

Jimmy popped up behind Charlotte.

"Excited? I am so gonna snag the part of Captain von Trapp."

Terri and Charlotte rolled their eyes.

"Look! Auditions are starting! We'd better go in."

Charlotte crept to the front of the room to take her place with the other staff. Mrs. DuPree was the director with Liberty as assistant director. Ellie was the set director and costume designer.

The first one to audition was Kendra. She was shaky and nervous as she began singing but as she grew into the music she became more passionate. She had a solid voice but not a great one. A petite blonde grade six was next. She spoke like a little girl and began singing of all things, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Marco was next, he had a surprisingly good voice. Ashley came up next. Her voice was sweet but not amazing. Everyone smiled at her as she came down. Nadia was next, although she was in a wheelchair her voice still sang out. Amy was next, her surprisingly deep, passionate voice reverberated throughout the room. The big surprise was Manny. When Manny began singing her song of choice Amazing Grace, everyone's jaws dropped. Her voice was clear and throaty, hitting every high note there was. The audience filled with applause.

Next was the dancing audition. Charlotte led them in a quick and simple routine. Emma was the best followed by Terri, Hazel, and Paige. Jimmy was simply awful. There was no other way to put it. Amy was pretty good.

The acting audition was next. Manny was really good and everyone else was just okay. After a few minutes the casting list went up.

Captain Von Trapp Marco Del Rossi

Maria Manny Santos

The Baroness Paige Michalchuk

Liesl Terri McGregor

Kirk, Liesl's Boyfriend Spinner Mason

Friedrich Craig Manning

Brigitta Hazel Aden

Louisa Amy Baudelaire

Kurt JT Yorke

Marta Nadia Jamir

Gretl Emma Nelson

Mother Abbess Ashley Kerwin

Nun 1 Kendra Mason

Priest Toby Isaacs

Dinner Guests Everyone else

Jimmy let out a disappointed sigh. He thought for sure he had the leading role! Oh well. At least he got to hang out with all the kids who didn't get in at rehearsals and stuff.

Terri smiled satisfactorily at the board. She got the biggest part out of all the children and she got to hang out with Hazel at rehearsal. Awesome.

Ashley wiped away tears. She was supposed to be Maria and some grade eight got it instead. Worse than that, she wasn't even one of the children, she was Mother Abbess! A nun!

Manny squealed. She was Maria! She, Manny Santos, was Maria!

"Kurt scared me with a snake!" Emma began. "It was this big!" She stretched her arms out as far as they could go.

Manny looked on disapprovingly.

Emma moved her hands to about the size of a pencil.

"Kurt!" Manny called out.

JT walked onto the stage.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't tell me, tell her." Manny snapped.

JT delivered his lines comically. "Sorry."

Mrs. DuPree jumped up.

"No JT. It's not supposed to be funny. Take 42"

On the Other Side of the Building

Charlotte demonstrated a sweet waltz, slow and romantic.

"Now you try it. Sing too."

"I am sixteen going on seventeen…" Terri stepped into the waltz twirling romatically.

"You are sixteen going on seventeen…" Spinner caught her in his arms as she fell exactly as Charlotte had shown them.

Wow, she's beautiful. Spinner thought.

Ellie bent over the set as she painted the walls of the convent. She imagined painting them a deep dark wooden color. It would be serious and romantic.

"I can't believe I'm not Maria…" Ashley droned on and on about the stupid role.

"Look! Ashley! I'm concentrating on my job. Why don't you concentrate on yours?" Ellie snapped.

Ashley frowned and stalked out of the room. How unfair.