Maeve on the Red Carpet by Annie Bryant Read Free Book Online

away. “Wait—” Dad shouted. “Come back. We’re already five minutes late! If you walk around to the front you’re going to be even later …”
    I sighed, folded my arms, and tapped my foot. “Yes?”
    Dad scratched his dark, curly hair and furrowed his brow. “Come with me,” he decided.
    “Cool,” I replied.
    “No, wait … walk around.”
    “Daaaaaad!” I was getting seriously exasperated.
    “Okay, okay, come with me.”
    I rolled my eyes and walked next to Dad.
Why is he being so weird?
I wondered. It wasn’t ’til I noticed his hand shaking as he unlocked the backdoor that it finally dawned on me.
Oh my gosh, Dad’s actually nervous!
I realized. This camp was a huge deal. And Dad was about to make his big introduction in front of all the kids … plus Artemia Aaron and Mr. Von Krupcake. I couldn’t believe it. Dad loved the spotlight as much as I did.
    Dad shakily flipped on the lights in the hall of the theater. A shiver went down my spine as one by onethe framed posters of classic movies lit up. I always got that feeling—a mixture of pride and excitement. It was like the great movies were in my blood. “How does it look? Is everything … you know … spic and span?” he asked.
    Spic and span was an understatement. The Krupcake King’s renovations had made a big difference, and the Movie House had gone from classic to fantastic. Mr. Von Krupcake wasn’t kidding when he said he’d make the whole place glisten. The wood was freshly glossed and polished, and every seat in the theater was covered with red velvet. Plus we had a brand new plush curtain for the stage. I gave Dad a quick hug. “It’s going to be great!
We’re
going to be great,” I promised him.
    Dad patted my back. “Okay then, let’s go.”
    There was a little march in his step as he strolled down the carpeted aisle to unlock the door. Mr. Von Krupcake even had new, sparkling crystal chandeliers installed. It was like something out of a dream. Then it got so dreamlike I actually had to pinch myself.
    Gathered there, outside the theater, were tons of kids and parents … all here for film camp at
our
Movie House. I squeezed Dad’s hand for good luck. I felt like I was about to make my very own red carpet entrance!
    Dad unlocked the door and I gasped. Sure, the inside of the Movie House was fabulous, but seeing the front of the theater now was really the icing on the cake … the Krup-cake, that is. The whole front was blocked off with a huge white ribbon with the words “New York FilmAcademy” printed in red letters. All the campers gathered close around it. In front of the theater, passersby had stopped on the street and sidewalk to see what all the commotion was about. And was it my imagination, or was that a photographer and a reporter standing next to the doors? This was getting too amazing for words!
    The moment Dad and I stepped outside, the kids all began pointing and murmuring, wondering who this obviously important man was who had just unlocked the doors of the romantic-looking landmark theater … and maybe even wondering who was the very well-dressed, sharp and glamorous redheaded girl? I giggled and hoped they’d think maybe for just a split second that I was a celebrity here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
    As Dad and I made our way through the crowd to the big bow in the middle of the ribbon, the crowd actually moved apart for us. Kids were totally looking at me and then whispering to each other. Even though half of me wanted to tell them that I was just a regular kid and that the big, friendly looking guy happened to be my dad, the other half of me really wanted to be a famous actress … even if it was just for a little while.
    Suddenly, all heads turned away from me and started pointing down Beacon Street. I shielded my eyes and squinted to get a better look. Whoa. Just when I thought this morning could not get more exciting, what should pull up right in front of the Movie House, but a white stretch