Summerlost by Ally Condie

eleven. She’d been watching the show for years because it was free and her family didn’t have much money. They came every night. Lisette was later quoted in many interviews as saying the Greenshow was better than a movie.”
    Leo grinned at me. We’d been doing the tour for a few weeks now and I sounded like a pro.
    I gave the same information Leo did but I said things in different ways.
    â€œWhen she was eleven, the Summerlost Festival decided they wanted to do a Greenshow act with children in it,” I said. This was my favorite part. “Lisette didn’t audition. She didn’t hear about it in time. But she watched the performances all summer long. And one day, when one of the children stayed home sick, she jumped up on the stage. In her shorts and her T-shirt and sneakers. And she did the whole dance, and then said all the missing girl’s lines.”
    Florence clasped her hands and smiled, even though she must have already known this. I smiled back. I understood.
    I loved the story because Lisette went ahead and took her chance. She decided to go for what she wanted.
    And I loved the story because it reminded me of my dad and that day he’d been pulled out of the audience. Even though he and Lisette were totally different onstage. Even though she’d wanted to go up and he’d been embarrassed the whole time.
    â€œAfter that,” I said, “the Greenshow director wrote Lisette into the production for the rest of the summer. And that was the beginning.”
    Leo took over the next part because they loved it when he rattled off the dates and names of every single Lisette Chamberlain performance in less than two minutes. He dared them to time him and they always did.
    â€œYoung man!” said Ida, the third of the sisters. “That was amazing!”
    Leo smiled. “What was your favorite performance of Lisette’s?”
    I stood, half listening, and I noticed someone walking across the courtyard stop and look over in our direction. Whoever it was raised a hand to shield their eyes.
    Uh-oh. Had we been sighted? Could they see us through the trees?
    Leo and I had a code in case something like that happened.
    I raised my hand, which I never did otherwise.
    Leo was smooth. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s discuss this more as we move on to our next stop.”
    They followed him out the way we’d come, through thetrees toward the parking lot near the college’s science building. Away from the festival. I looked back. People still crisscrossed the courtyard, walking back and forth, but no one watched us anymore.

19.
    â€œThat was splendid,” Amy said. “Wonderful. We’ll be sure to recommend you to all our friends.”
    She gave us a fifty-dollar bill even though she only owed us thirty dollars and told us to keep the change. It was our biggest tip yet.
    â€œWow,” I said. “Thank you.”
    â€œAnd we appreciate your recommending us to others,” Leo said. “But if you could let them know to follow the instructions on the flyer exactly, that would be great. We don’t want to get into trouble with the festival. This tour isn’t official.”
    â€œIt may be unofficial, but it’s extremely professional,” Ida said. “You kids are so motivated. Are you saving up for college?”
    â€œFor a trip to London,” Leo said.
    â€œPerfect!” Florence said. “And you, dear?”
    â€œSchool clothes,” I said, because that was the easiest answer.
    â€œThat’s wonderful,” Ida said.
    It didn’t sound wonderful. It sounded like nothing, next to London.
    Leo and I walked over to the bank again to get the money split up. “Twenty-five dollars each,” I said as we took the billsand the lollipops out of the bank tube and waved at the teller through the window. “Not a bad morning.”
    â€œWe have eight people signed up for tomorrow already,” Leo said.