Rocky Road by Susannah McFarlane Page B

star!’
    â€˜Yeah, a rock star who is too shy to sing,’ said EJ glumly. ‘Elle, I just don’t think I can even walk outon stage let alone sing and I have to sing “Rock ’n’ Shine”. Now. And I can’t.’
    â€˜You can and hey, I have an idea,’ said Elle, ‘why don’t we sing it together, just like in your room?’
    â€˜How?’
    â€˜You still have that fancy phone, right?’ said her friend.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Okay, keep me on the phone and plug in your earphones and I’ll sing with you—we’ll sing a secret duet. Hey, then I will be a rock star too! What do you think?’
    EJ thought it was a fantastic idea. With her friend singing with her, she thought she just might be able to do it. As she took out her phone, she noticed the little heart charm on her bracelet and twisted it. As she did, an inscription appeared,

    EJ smiled. With the help of her friend she just might be able to shine after all. She plugged in her earphones.
    â€˜Are you still there Elle?’ she checked.
    â€˜Are you kidding, where would I go? I wouldn’t miss this for anything. This is going to be so cool, just wait until we tell...’
    â€˜Elle!’ said EJ. ‘You know you mustn’t tell anyone about this, ever.’
    â€˜I know, sorry, just forgot. My lips are sealed. Well, after we’ve finished singing they will be!’
    â€˜Okay, well here goes,’ said EJ quietly. She got up, tickled Pinky-poo under her chin and left the dressing room. ‘I’m walking up the corridor and onto the side of the stage. The lights are so bright, Elle.’ EJ could feel her mouth go dry as she spoke.
    â€˜Awesome,’ cried Elle. ‘What are we waiting for? Let’s go!’
    EJ walked on stage, the crowd went crazy. The other members of the band looked at EJ and then looked at each other. Could they tell? If they could, it was too late—a spotlight swung on to EJ as she stepped up to the microphone.
    â€˜Here we go, Elle,’ she whispered to her friend. ‘Stay with me, won’t you?’
    â€˜I’m here, all the time. Let’s rock!’
    EJ took a deep breath, pressed play on the guitar charm and spoke into the microphone, ‘Here’s one last song for all you SHADOWs out there. It’s a special re-mix of “Rock ’n’ Shine”!’
    The crowd roared. EJ waited for the drums to start, then the bass, then the keyboard. Then EJ’s guitar let rip and she and Elle began to sing. Even though they were right in front of her, EJ didn’t really see the audience, she didn’t notice the spotlights or the lasers. She didn’t even really notice the other band members, who were giving her slightly odd looks. She just sang, she sang her heart out with her BESTie, just like in her bedroom, although with better speakers! And EJ loved it, she loved every minute of it. The crowd did too but all too soon it was over. The moment the song finished, the stadium went black and all EJ could see was a steady stream of fluorescent pink hair moving towards the backstage area. The plan was working like a song.
    EJ had done it.
    â€˜Thanks heaps, Elle,’ whispered EJ. ‘I’ve got itfrom here. See you at school.’
    As the stage lights came back on and the audience began to leave, EJ quickly slipped back to Shady Lady’s dressing room. She had one more thing to do.



Back in the dressing room, Pinky-poo was excited to see EJ and another Chum Chew made her even more so. EJ took out her phone and pressed 4-6-6-3 into the keypad and a woman’s voice answered immediately.
    â€˜ SHINE Home Delivery Service—straight to your door any time, anywhere.’
    â€˜Agent EJ12 requesting home delivery, express please,’ replied EJ.
    â€˜Roger that,’ said the woman, ‘and for how many this time, EJ12?’
    EJ thought, she wasn’t completely sure.