Camp Rock by Lucy Ruggles Read Free Book Online

don’t know,” Shane answered. “You seem different.”
    Mitchie laughed. Shane had no idea just how different she was. But did she dare tell him the truth? Maybe he would understand. She opened her mouth to speak, but then Shane smiled wider and Mitchie changed her mind.
    Now wasn’t the time. Maybe later …
    T ess was walking on one of the paths that crossed by the spot where Mitchie and Shane were talking. She had her cell phone pressed to her ear.
    â€œCamp is great, Cynthia… Okay, when mom gets out of the studio, can you tell her I called again and that I love her?”
    Not surprisingly, Tess hadn’t heard from her mom in days. T.J. Tyler was in the midst of one of her “creative streaks,” during which she didn’t like to be bothered.
    Looking up as she clicked the phone shut, her
mouth dropped open. Mitchie and Shane were in the middle of the woods—together.
    â€œSo, I’d better get going,” Tess heard Mitchie say.
    â€œTo the kitchen?” Shane asked.
    â€œHuh?” Mitchie responded, taken off-guard. Did he know?
    He pointed to the chips. “To get some dip for those.”
    â€œOh, yeah, right.”
    They both laughed, like old friends would at an inside joke.
    Mitchie felt her heart race. This was good. Very good.
    Up on the path, Tess watched. This was bad. Very bad.

CHAPTER TEN
    â€œH ey, Mom,” Mitchie greeted her mother dreamily as she entered the kitchen. “How ya doing?”
    Connie looked up from chopping a head of iceberg lettuce. “I’m all right,” she said, amused by her daughter’s mood. “How are you?”
    â€œI’m great,” Mitchie said, tying on her apron. “Fantastic. Wonderful. I’m—”
    â€œâ€”putting those chips in bowls,” her mother instructed.
    â€œRight.” Mitchie headed to the pantry just as
    Caitlyn entered.
    â€œCaitlyn,” said Connie. “Thanks for coming in early. Taco night takes our six hands.”
    â€œSix?” Caitlyn asked, seeing only herself and Connie.
    â€œMy daughter,” Connie explained. “So can you get started on the onions? Brown wants to talk to me about next week’s campfire pig-out.”
    â€œSure,” said Caitlyn, putting on an apron and trying to get excited.
    Thanking her, Connie left to find Brown, just as Mitchie reentered from the pantry with another big bag of chips. She spotted Caitlyn in just enough time to raise the bag to cover her face.
    â€œHey, you must be hands five and six,” Caitlyn joked. “I didn’t know Connie had a daughter. I’m Caitlyn.”
    Mitchie remained silent, afraid her voice would betray her. Instead, the bag of chips silently nodded hello. Mitchie’s mind raced as she tried to plot an escape.
    â€œNeed some help?” Caitlyn asked.
    The bag of chips shook no and backed toward the door. Turning, Mitchie bolted.
    But she didn’t get far. She ran smack into a bucket full of soapy water. With a shriek, Mitchie tripped and fell, spilling chips everywhere.
    â€œMitchie?” Caitlyn asked, running up.
    Mitchie looked at Caitlyn but remained mute. She didn’t know what to say or how to explain. It wouldn’t sound right.
    â€œWait a minute,” Caitlyn said, suddenly realizing what was going on. “You’re the cook’s daughter,” she said incredulously. “She’s your mom? Oh, this is rich … but apparently you’re not.”
    â€œSo, what are you waiting for?” Mitchie exclaimed, visibly upset. “Run. Go tell everybody.”
    Caitlyn folded her arms across her chest and looked down at Mitchie. “Maybe I should.”
    â€œFine,” Mitchie declared. “Whatever.” She got up and started to uselessly wring out her shirt, sending bits of chips flying.
    Caitlyn gave her a hard look. “How long did you think you could keep your little secret?”
    â€œLonger