The Secret Crush

by Tina Wells

  Chloe and Jasper are acting like I chose Landon over them. But I didn’t! Landon and I are the LEADS. If we’re horrible, the entire musical will be bad.

  And when Jasper said he was going to work on the musical, no one cared. But when I said it, it was like I’d committed some major crime. I know I’m right. So why do I feel so crummy?

  Zee

  * * *

  Zee hid her diary under her vest and walked out of the bathroom stall.

  When Zee got to the music room after school, Landon was already there. Yay! Sitting right next to Missy. Boo! Had Landon invited the new girl to work with him, too?

  “When did you move to Brookdale?” Landon asked Missy.

  “Just last week,” Missy said. “We moved from South Africa. That’s why I started late this year.”

  “Africa?” Landon looked surprised.

  Missy nodded. “My mom was working for Doctors Without Borders.”

  “Hey, guys!” Zee interrupted, trying to squeeze between Landon’s and Missy’s desks.

  “Oh, hi,” Landon answered.

  “I didn’t know you were staying late, too,” Zee said to Missy. She tried to sound casual.

  “Mr. P wanted to help me get caught up on the musical, so he asked me to stay after school,” Missy explained.

  Their teacher entered the room and pointed at Missy. “I’ll fill Missy in on the Beans and all the excitement that’s in store for her this year”—he moved his finger back and forth from Zee to Landon—“then we’ll talk about your big duet. Deal?”

  The three students nodded. “Deal,” Zee said.

  As Missy walked toward Mr. P, Zee turned to Landon. What would they do now?

  “Umm…do you know what you’re going to wear for Friends’ Day yet?” Zee asked Landon.

  Landon shrugged. “No.”

  O-kay. That didn’t exactly get the conversation rolling. Zee searched for something else. “Are you going to hang out with Marcus after we’re done?” It was the first thing that popped into her head.

  “Marcus is with Conrad.” Landon looked at the ground.

  “What are they doing?” Zee asked.

  “I dunno,” Landon said. “They do a lot of stuff together.”

  “Ummm—” Zee tried to think of something to say. Obviously, she had not picked the best topic to talk about. She felt horrible for Landon. But she was glad she could be there for him. “After we talk to Mr. P, maybe we could keep working on our parts.”

  “Okay.”

  At that moment, a man Zee had never seen before appeared in the doorway. He was kind of short, with curly black hair and a smile on his face.

  “Dad?” Missy said. “You didn’t have to come into the school to get me. I would have come outside.”

  Zee hadn’t thought it was possible, but she actually felt sorry for this gorgeous, talented, smart girl. It was fine for your parent to show up in your lower school classroom. But upper school? How embarrassing! Zee would hide under a desk if that ever happened to her.

  “I wanted to meet your teacher,” Mr. Vasi said, holding out his right hand for Mr. P to shake.

  “Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to visit,” Mr. P said.

  Missy’s dad nodded. “My pleasure. I’m in between projects now anyway.”

  “What kind of projects?” Mr. P asked.

  “I make documentary films.”

  Cool beans! Zee thought. Maybe Mr. Vasi could help shoot the Beans’ first video someday!

  “Okay, Daddy, let’s go,” Missy said, grabbing her father’s arm and tugging him out of the room. “I have to get home and start my homework.”

  Zee watched the two of them leave.

  After Zee and Landon talked to Mr. P about their big song, they went outside to practice. The Brookdale Academy campus was covered with thousands of plants and trees native to California. The two of them sat under a willow’s drooping branches.

  “Maybe we should read through the dialogue you wrote right before the song,” Landon suggested.

  “That’s a good idea,” Zee said, handing him part of the script. “We haven’t done that together yet.”

  “Lily starts,” Zee said, then took a deep breath. “Dylan, what are you doing here? My friends will freak out if they see you.”

  “I know. The whole football team is trying to keep us apart.”

  “I’m glad you came.”

  Landon paused and looked up from his page. “The script says that I should move closer,” he said. “Should I do that now?”

  “Ummm…okay,” Zee said. “Then just start with the next line.”

  As Landon wiggled forward, Zee’s heart skipped a beat. “I could never stay away from you,” he said. “I’ve had a crush on you since we were little kids.”

  “Me too.” Omigosh! Zee thought. Did I write that? The words sounded more like a page out of her diary than fiction.

  Embarrassed by the confession she’d written, Zee began giggling. The harder she tried to stop, the worse it got. She covered her mouth and turned her head—just in time to see her mother pull up in her gray Prius. The passenger-side window was down, and Zee noticed that her mother looked upset.

  “I expected you to come home after school,” Mrs. Carmichael said. Uh-oh. Zee had forgotten to call. “Why didn’t you pick up your Sidekick?”

  Zee pulled out her phone. “Sorry,” Zee said. “The battery died. I didn’t know you were calling.”

  Zee’s mother reached across the front seat and popped open the door. “Get in, please.” Then she looked at Landon. “Would you like a ride, Landon?”

  “Uh…I guess,” Landon said. He opened the back door and climbed in.

  For a while no one said anything. Mrs. Carmichael gripped the steering wheel so tightly Mackenzie thought she’d squeeze right through it.

  “What were you two doing?” Zee’s mother finally asked.

  “We were working on one of our scenes,” Zee told her.

  “For the musical?” Mrs. Carmichael asked skeptically. She peered into the rearview mirror to look at Landon. “You guys are taking this so seriously, you’d think you were theater professionals, not twelve-year-olds.”

  “Actually,” Landon began quietly, “I’m thirteen.”

  Noooooo! Zee telepathically communicated to him—much too late for it to do any good.

  “Oh, you’re a teenager already,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  Please don’t embarrass me! Zee silently pleaded with her mother. I’ll do anything. I’ll scrub the toilets until I’m forty.

  “Landon, do you think your parents are worried about where you are?” Zee’s mom asked. Evidently, a lifetime of clean toilets was not enough for Ginny Carmichael. Zee was humiliated.

  “Uh, no,” Landon said carefully. “They’re at work, and I texted my sister to let her know I was staying after school. I just sent her another text to tell her you’re bringing me home.”

  “That was very responsible of you,” Mrs. Carmichael said to Landon, but she was looking at Zee—who slid down in her seat a little and decided to admire the scenery out the window.

  “Thanks for the ride,” Landon said when they arrived at his house. He hurried to his front door, without looking back. Zee sank in her seat a little more. “Bye, Dylan,” she said. “I mean, Landon.”

  For the rest of the ride home, Zee tried to make her mother forget how upset she was. “I can’t believe how much homework I have,” she said. “I’m going to be up all night doing it.”

  “Maybe it’s not a good idea to spend so much time with the boys—the Beans, I mean—if you’re neglecting your schoolwork,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  “But I love music,” Zee said. “And besides, there’s so much to do before the show. I haven’t even started memorizing my lines. If I wait until the last minute, it will be even worse. Plus, there’s a lot more script to write. And I have to design the costumes. And compose the music.”

  “It sounds as though you think you have to do it a
ll yourself.”

  “That’s the thing. Everyone is doing a lot—and there’s still probably not enough time to get it all done.”

  “Hmmmm,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  “What?” Zee asked,

  “Just thinking.”

  Uh-oh. That’s exactly what Zee was afraid of.

  As Mrs. Carmichael pulled into the family’s driveway, Zee fished around in her bag for her diary. When she pulled out her binder to see better, Zee’s English quiz, with a big red D+, floated to the floor of the car. Zee rushed to pick it up, but it was too late.

  “What’s that?” Mrs. Carmichael asked, pointing.

  “My English quiz,” Zee said meekly. “It was really hard.”

  “Did you study for it?”

  “Yes, but I had a lot of other stuff to do that night,” Zee explained.

  “Maybe you just need help organizing your priorities,” Mrs. Carmichael said as she handed Zee the paper.

  But Zee knew that her mother would never understand what was really important to her. It was Zee’s dream to be a star, and the musical was her opportunity to shine.

  * * *

  People Who Don’t Get It*

  Chloe

  Jasper

  Mom (and probably Dad

  since they’re usually a team)

  People Who Get It**

  Mr. P

  Ally

  Landon

  * * *

  Even though Zee knew her mother would probably give birth to a cow if she caught her, Zee decided to check out the Beans’ blog. She was working so hard on her parts of the musical, she wanted to see what progress everyone else had made.

  Marcus and Conrad had posted a song they’d mixed for the soundtrack! Zee clicked on the clip. An amazing sound streamed through the computer’s speakers. “Cool beans!” Zee read Conrad’s description of how the boys had gone to the mall and recorded the sounds there. Then they put it all together in the school’s music studio.

  But as Zee logged off, her excitement faded away. She remembered what Landon had said about how much time Marcus was spending with Conrad. The music was incredible, but would Landon feel left out that Marcus and Conrad had recorded it without him? Zee felt bad for Landon.

  9

  Mother’s Helper

  “How was your afternoon, Zee?” Mr. Carmichael asked at dinner that night.

  Zee put a forkful of salmon in her mouth and looked at her mother. “Fine?” she said suspiciously, certain her parents had already talked.

  “What did you do?”

  “I worked really hard on my homework.” Zee spoke fast. “For all my subjects—except music. I even did extra credit for English.”

  “I’m glad that you did your schoolwork,” Zee’s dad continued. “But I think we need to have a talk.”

  “About what?” Zee asked.

  “Yeah, about what?” Adam chimed in.

  Mrs. Carmichael looked at Adam with her this-doesn’t-concern-you face, then turned back to Zee.

  “It’s not a good idea to give all of your attention to one thing.”

  “You mean, like English?” Zee asked hopefully.

  “No, I mean like the musical.”

  “But I know I want to be a singer. And a songwriter,” Zee added. “And Mr. P thinks I’m really good.”

  “Your dad and I think you’re really good, too,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  Adam held up his finger, then gulped down a mouthful of barley salad. “For the record, I think you’re really good, too.”

  “Awww…thanks!” Zee said, turning to her brother.

  Adam pointed back to their parents. “Pay attention.”

  “You’re only twelve,” Mrs. Carmichael continued.

  “You’ve got your whole life to become a singer,” Zee’s dad added.

  “Is this about the D plus?” Zee protested. “I promise it won’t happen again. I can handle all my classes and the musical. I can get back on track.”

  “We’re worried about Landon, too,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  “What about him?” Zee asked.

  “You might be a little too focused on him as well.”

  “He’s my costar!”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  Adam started making kissing noises, so Zee kicked him under the table.

  “Owww!” her brother cried out. “That’s the last time I compliment you.”

  “If you’re going to rehearse with Landon,” Mrs. Carmichael continued, “it has to be in Mr. P’s classroom or here.”

  Zee’s cheeks started to burn. “But—” Zee began.

  “We’ve talked about it and believe it’s the best solution,” Mr. Carmichael said. “We do realize there’s a lot to get done before the show—”

  Finally, Zee thought, they get it.

  “So I’ll be helping out in the classroom,” Mrs. Carmichael said.

  “What?” Zee shouted.

  “Sweet!” Adam said. “I should have popped some popcorn for this.”

  “What do you mean in the classroom?” Zee asked.

  “You know.” Mrs. Carmichael stabbed her salad with her fork. “I’ll come and work with the students on whatever needs to be done—building, painting, recording, anything. Even costumes!”

  “While I’m there?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I don’t know if Mr. P will like that.” Zee scrambled for an excuse. “He probably doesn’t want parents interfering with his class.”

  “Oh, he loves the idea,” Mrs. Carmichael said. “I talked to him about an hour ago.”

  “You did?”

  Mrs. Carmichael nodded enthusiastically, and Zee forced a smile. “Great.” She couldn’t even look at Adam, who was quietly snickering.

  * * *

  E-ZEE: Pls tell me I am dreaming.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: Ur not. Unless u r sleepwalking. Or sleeptyping.

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: I ws afraid of that.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: Y?

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: My parents r torturing me.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: ?

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: Mom wants 2 help w the musical!!! In the classroom!!!

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: OMGYG2BK

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: I wish.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: I’m glad mine travel a lot.

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: Now L will never want 2 date me. That’ll make my parents happy.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: Y?

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: They don’t want me near L. They think he’s 2 old.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: I’m lucky my parents let me c my b/f when I want. 2morrow we r going 2 the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. J says I remind him of her.

  * * *

  * * *

  E-ZEE: Have fun. MUSM.

  * * *

  * * *

  SPARKLEGRRL: <33

  * * *

  The next day in first period, Zee’s mother held up two paint samples—one red, one blue. “Which color do you think will look better for the mall sign?” she asked, stepping into the space between Zee and Landon.

  “I think the red one,” Zee said halfheartedly.

  “What about you, Landon?” Mrs. Carmichael asked.

  Landon studied the two colors carefully. “I kinda like the blue one.”

  Kathi looked up from where she and Jasper were working on their own scene nearby. “I agree with Zee,” she put in. “The audience will be able to see red better.”

  “That’s true,” Mrs. Carmichael said. “Now that that’s decided, mayb
e I can help you and Zee study your lines, Landon.”

  “Uh…I guess,” Landon said.

  Zee looked from her mother to Kathi and had a horrible realization. Ever since Mr. P had cast the musical, Kathi had been really nice to her. She hadn’t acted jealous of her and Landon, or tried to keep them apart, like she usually did. Instead it was Zee’s own mom keeping her and Landon apart!

  “Where’s Marcus?” Chloe asked, looking at the empty seat next to Landon at the lunch table that afternoon.

  “He’s in the recording studio with Conrad,” Jen said in a singsong know-it-all voice.

  Landon sank down in his seat a little. Then Missy came over with her lunch tray. “May I sit here?” she asked, pointing to the blank space.

  Landon straightened up. “Sure.”

  Missy sat down and turned to Zee. “You and your mom must be really great friends,” she said as she opened her carton of milk.

  “Why?” Zee wondered out loud. Because she practically glued herself to me today?

  “Well, my dad said he wanted to come help out in the classroom, but I told him, ‘No way,’” Missy explained. “I’d feel like such a geek having him around.”