KAREN'S CHOIR TRIP
A/N: Yes, Karen is older in this story, but not much older than she is in the books. Also, remember Mrs. Kushel? In Karen's Surprise, her class was the one that wanted to write a Thanksgiving play.
CHAPTER 1: One Day At School
"Karen? Hello, Earth to Karen. KAREN!"
I immediately snapped to attention when I heard my teacher, Mrs. Kushel, shout my name. Like some of the teachers I've had over the past few years, she tends to yell, especially if you're not paying attention. Oh, before I forget, I should probably tell you who I am, shouldn't I?
My name's Karen Brewer, I'm ten years old, and in fifth grade at Stoneybrook Academy. I'm actually supposed to be in fourth, but after I started first grade, my teacher decided I could handle second-grade work, so that's where I was put. I have blond hair, blue eyes, a few freckles, and two pairs of glasses—blue ones for reading, and pink ones for the rest of the time. I've been wearing glasses since I was six, and I always somehow manage to find pink and blue frames every year. In case you're wondering, I don't wear my glasses when I'm sleeping, in the shower, or swimming. I also have a brother named Andrew, who's almost eight. He's in second grade, and the best part is, he has the same teacher I did, Ms. Colman.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Kushel," I said. "What were you saying?"
"I was just saying that there's going to be a children's show choir here in town," my teacher answered. "Auditions will be held in the auditorium at Stoneybrook Middle School tomorrow at 3 p.m., and they're open to kids between the ages of seven and eleven."
That's when Hannie Papadakis, one of my best friends, raised her hand. Nancy Dawes, my other best friend, is in Mr. Healey's class. When we were younger, we called ourselves the Three Musketeers.
Say, that reminds me: before I got glasses, we sat together in the back row in Ms. Colman's class, then Ms. Colman moved me to the front so I could see better after that. I still sit in the front row, but Hannie now sits behind me and one desk over, which makes it just as easy to pass notes, even though we've never been caught.
Okay, back to class. "Yes, Hannie?"
"What's this choir going to be called?" she asked.
"It's going to be called the Stoneybrook Kids," Mrs. Kushel answered, "and it's being organized by Mr. Drubek, who's the choir director at SMS, and Jason Everett."
If I wasn't paying attention before, I sure was now! Jason is, without a doubt, the nicest guy in the world. You see, a few years ago, Andrew fell off his bike and hit his head. Jason was not only there to help, but he also comforted me. I've loved him ever since.
After the final bell rang, Hannie and I met Nancy in the hall. The three of us were talking excitedly about the announcement that day. "So, are you going to try out?" Nancy asked.
"Well, yeah!" I said. "Isn't everybody?"
"I know I am," Hannie agreed.
Just then, I heard a voice calling, "Karen! Hey, Karen, wait up!"
My friends and I looked at each other in annoyance. That could only be one person: Andrew. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm glad he's not so shy anymore, but I wish that he wouldn't share it with the world.
"Hi, Andrew," I said, managing to sound cheerful.
"Hi," he smiled. Even from a distance, it's not hard to miss the space where his two front teeth used to be. And if he even thinks about singing that horrible Christmas song about his two front teeth, I swear I'll duct-tape his mouth shut! (On the upside, unlike most kids whose teeth are like that, he doesn't lisp or spit when he talks.) "Did you hear about the show choir?"
"Yes, we know," I told him.
"I'm definitely trying out!" he said ecstatically.
"Well, good luck," Nancy said. Just then, our bus arrived, and we got on. As the bus pulled away from the curb, I wondered how many of us would be chosen, and hoped that I'd be one of them.