Camp Rock by Lucy Ruggles Page A

clutter—crumpled papers, worn-out pencils, leaky pens, and textbooks—jammed in at odd angles.
    She sighed and began throwing various items into the trash. A Camp Rock brochure caught her eye. She sighed and tossed it into the trash, too.
    She was still cleaning a few minutes later when Sierra, a lanky girl with glasses, walked up and opened the locker next to Mitchie’s. Sierra was Mitchie’s best friend—her only friend.
    â€œLet me be the first to say xin xia ji!” Sierra exclaimed, acknowledging summer’s arrival. “Guess who got an A-plus in AP Mandarin?
    Me. Again!”
    Sierra screamed excitedly, but Mitchie didn’t feel like joining in the celebration of her friend’s achievement just now. She was too distracted by a group of popular girls floating down the hall.
    â€œUgh,” Sierra groaned. “The Queen Bees are here. If we don’t move, they won’t sting.” She rolled her eyes, but Mitchie watched the girls enviously.
    â€œDon’t you ever wonder what it would be like to be one of them?” Mitchie asked.
    Sierra gave her friend a suspicious look. “Are you feeling feverish?” She jokingly put her hand on Mitchie’s forehead. “So,” she said, changing the subject, “how’d it go this morning?”
    â€œIt didn’t,” Mitchie said dejectedly. “Camp Rock is a no-go.”
    â€œBut you haveto go! Camp Rock is, like, the music camp. Everybody who wants to be somebody in music—” Sierra stopped when she saw the unhappy look on Mitchie’s face. “—All of which you already know. Sorry.”
    Mitchie swept the remaining junk from her
locker into the trash and closed the door one last time. “Me, too. I was so excited to go and have a summer that’s all about music.”
    Sierra closed her own locker and put a hand consolingly on Mitchie’s shoulder. Then she asked the only thing she could. “So, what are you going to do this summer?”

CHAPTER TWO
    U nfortunately, Mitchie’s dreams of a rock-filled summer were replaced with the harsh reality of waiting tables. Not the glamorous break she had imagined, but it would keep her busy and hopefully earn her some cash.
    She was still bummed, however, when she got home the evening after her first shift. The smell of burgers wafted through the house. Following the scent, Mitchie walked into the backyard. Her mother greeted her with a plastic plate holding a large, juicy hamburger.
    â€œOur world-famous Torres burger!” Connie
declared.
    Mitchie’s father, Steve, waved from his spot manning the grill.
    â€œUh … I’ll pass,” Mitchie said, feeling slightly nauseous. She had seen enough hamburgers for one day.
    â€œOkay,” her father said, his eyes twinkling despite the sad expression on his daughter’s face. “I can’t stand it. Tell her.”
    â€œTell me what?” Mitchie asked, confused.
    Her mother’s face broke into a wide smile. “You’re going to Camp Rock!” she cried.
    Mitchie’s mouth fell open as she stared at her parents in disbelief.
    â€œActually,” corrected her mother, grinning as she sat down at the picnic table, “we’re going. Connie’s Catering is going camping.”
    As the words sank in, Mitchie let out a loud shriek and began jumping up and down.
    Connie unfolded her napkin in her lap as her daughter continued to celebrate. “Business is slow in the summer,” she explained. “This is a steady job, and you get to go to camp for a discounted rate. But you have to help out in the kitchen.”
    Mitchie didn’t care. She would clean the bathroom, too, if they asked. “Thank you,” Mitchie said, wrapping her arms around her mother and then her father. “Thank you, like, a million times!”
    â€œI think she’s excited,” her father said, shooting a wink at his wife.
    Connie