Brutal by Michael Harmon

Author:Michael Harmon [Harmon, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-375-89164-9
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2009-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

A sprinkle of rain misted my head and shoulders Monday morning as I walked to school early. Choir practice. The big announcement. Vengeance on Anna Conrad dissolved as I walked, replaced with nervous anticipation. I hate the unknown, and just as Anna left my mind, the thought of walking into that room entered, leaving me feeling like a little girl on her way to the first day of kindergarten. I hoped Mrs. Baird would keep it low-key No gala cele bration for the new kid on the block, but a quick and easy slide in.

I almost hoped Mrs. Baird would take Anna aside to explain. Tell her in private, at least. Call it a moment of guilt or stupidity, but there were boundaries of evil I wasn't willing to cross, and Anna didn't deserve total and complete humiliation. As I entered the music building, I decided human empathy sucked. I was supposed to march in that room without an ounce of remorse and with a heaping plate of spite, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Easy to think, hard to do when it comes down to it. I thought of Theo saying she wasn't that bad, then thought about how I felt when things like that happened to me. The sinking pit of doom in my stomach. The urge to melt to the floor and ooze through the cracks.

I almost didn't want to go in, but then I remembered: I was walking into a room to take the place of the lead vocalist for an award-winning choir based on nothing but talent.

As I entered, groups and clusters of kids lounged around waiting for practice to begin. I recognized some from my classes, even got a few smiles and nods, but most I didn't know. Then I saw Anna Conrad. The glance she gave me didn't speak of anything. Neutral compared to the surprised distaste in the look of the three girls with her. I guessed they were the other soloists. The Elite Choir was called that for a reason, it seems.

I set my bag down and took a seat, waiting. Six or eight stragglers came in after me, then Mrs. Baird walked in. She set a stack of files down and faced us. “Good morning, everybody. A gloomy day, but a good one to be inside and singing. Welcome.” She stepped forward, glancing at me before going on. “We have a new member and I'd like to introduce Poe Holly to you. My hope is that you'll welcome her with open arms and warmth. She's a fantastic singer, and one that will be a great addition to our group.” With that, she swept her arm to me.

I didn't stand but nodded, and thank God above Mrs. Baird went on. “Everybody, please take your positions on the stage and we'll get started.” Students filed onto the stage. Tiered platforms arced around the stage in a slight curve, and I stayed put, not knowing where to go. My eyes fell on Anna and the three girls she'd been talking to.

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