Odd Girl In by Jo Whittemore Page B

tough, but as the old saying goes, ‘It’s always darkest before the dawn.’”
    Nick groaned and buried his head in his hands. “It’s going to get even worse tonight ?”
    Dad cleared his throat. “I actually meant things will get better.”
    â€œEasy for you to say!” I exclaimed. “You’re not trying to convince a group of girls that hockey sticks don’t work like microphones!”
    â€œAnd you don’t know how hard it is to stay awake whenthey’re serving turkey sandwiches and warm milk for lunch in the cafeteria!” said Nick.
    â€œAnd my girlfriend broke up with me!” blurted Parker.
    Dad just stood there, looking sheepish. “See? What could be even worse than all of those things?”
    â€œGoing to Champs,” I said.
    But Dad still made us get in the car.
    At least he knew better than to say “have fun” when he dropped us off in front of the building. My brothers and I looked at one another, gave a collective sigh, and forged ahead into the ivory tower.
    Ms. Success was standing just inside the door, talking into a headset. When she saw us, she smiled and indicated that we should follow her.
    â€œWell, that’s fantastic, Jimbo!” she boomed into the mouthpiece. “Tell DreamWorks we can do lunch, but only at the Four Seasons. I’m not suffering through another rank cheese platter like I did with Nickelodeon.”
    I wondered at first if there was even anyone on the other end of the line, but then I distinctly heard a male voice squawking from the headset.
    â€œIs she really talking to a studio exec?” asked Nick.
    â€œIt’s probably her confused gardener,” I whispered back. “All he did was call to ask about the roses, and now he’s trapped in her world of make-believe.”
    Nick and Parker both snickered, but the three of us sobered quickly when Ms. Success stopped and turned to face us. We were standing outside a door with “Champs!” written across it, not with construction paper, but with brass lettering.
    Ms. Success laughed into the mouthpiece and winked at us. “All right then, Jimmer-Jam. I’ll talk to you later. I’ve got some minds to blow.” She pulled off the headset and gave us all a quick once-over.
    â€œEvins kids! You look fantastic. Blue’s a power color on you.”
    â€œUh, we feel powerful,” said Nick with a big smile.
    She pointed at him. “I’ll bet you do, even with all that dirt in your teeth.”
    â€œDirt?” Nick ran his tongue around his mouth and groaned, ducking away to the water fountain.
    Ms. Success sidled closer to me. “Your brother doesn’t eat cement too, does he?” she asked in a low voice. “Because I know a guy with the circus—”
    â€œNick wasn’t eating dirt,” I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “He was drinking coffee grounds.”
    â€œNo filters at home, huh?” She nodded down the hall. “Go ahead and nab a few from the break room. I won’t say a word.”
    â€œOh, no thanks,” I said.
    â€œAlexis.” Ms. Success put a hand on my shoulder. “If you want to survive in the business world, you’ve got to accept perks as they come to you. Knowing me,” she said with a wink, “is a perk.”
    I bit my tongue and summoned a smile. “Gosh, I don’t know what to say. I mean, free coffee filters….”
    Ms. Success waved away the thanks I hadn’t planned to give. “Grab yourself a couple bags of microwave popcorn while you’re at it.”
    â€œWe’re okay,” I said. “Really.”
    She patted me on the head. “All right, kiddo. Then are you ready to mix it up with your fellow Champs?” She shimmied from side to side.
    â€œNot if we have to dance like that,” said Parker.
    Ms. Success turned toward him wearing a frown, and I stepped in front of my