Molly's Promise by Sylvia Olsen Read Free Book Online

judges.”
    â€œListen,” Murphy said, and he shook his notepad as if to call order. “Here’s what you need to do. Number one, remember your audience and forget about them at the same time. You are there to entertain, and the audience will help you do that.”
    Murphy continued reading from his list. “Number two, enjoy yourself—at least, look like you’re enjoying yourself. Number three, treat the microphone as if it’s your best friend. Number four, every once in a while take a look at your manager—that’s me. He’ll give you confidence.” Murphy laughed. “Number five, remember you are performing mostly with your face. Your face will win or lose it for you.”
    â€œMy face,” Molly said. “Are you kidding?”
    â€œReally. It’s your face that communicates with the audience and the judges.” Murphy shook the notepad again. “I’m not finished.”
    By the time Murphy got to number seven, Paige and the girls, plus several other competitors, were crowded around him, listening. “Practice, practice, practice, until you know your piece so well you don’t have to think about it.”
    â€œIs that all?” Molly asked. “Are you sure there aren’t a hundred other things I need to remember?”
    â€œYeah, there’s one more thing,” he said. “Play to win.”
    â€œMurphy!” Molly shook her head. “Stop all the pressure.”
    â€œClarissa said the performer who is the most convincing is going to win. That’s a quote,” he said. “You will convince everyone you should win because you love to sing, Mollgirl.”
    Paige said, “I think you have the wrong client.”
    Dede and Fi started to laugh. “There’s no contest,” said Fi. “Did you hear what else Clarissa said? Style? Confidence? Skill? Doesn’t sound like Molly to me.”
    â€œDoes to me,” Murphy said.
    Paige smiled. “Well, good luck with that, Murph. But if you want a winning client, you know my number.”
    â€œYou need more than a manager, Plague ,” Danny said. “If you think you can beat Molly, you are in for a big surprise.”
    Before Paige could argue, Clarissa said, “Hey, come on, kids. Don’t ruin the competition.”
    â€œThen tell Paige to shut up,” Danny said as Paige pasted a big fake smile on her face. “She’s the one slagging our team.”
    â€œWe’re just kidding, Danny,” Paige said in a syrupy voice. She turned to Clarissa. “Clarissa, thank you so much for your help. Are you one of the judges?”
    â€œThe judges are listed on the poster,” Murphy said.
    When Clarissa walked out the door, Danny said, “It couldn’t be any more obvious that you’re just kissing butt.”
    Paige ignored him. “Molly should stick to soccer,” she said. “I hear she can run and kick better than some guys around here. Or maybe Molly is one of the boys?” She tossed her head, and her ponytail swayed as she sashayed into the hall with the other girls shuffling behind her.
    â€œYou gotta beat that girl, Molly,” Danny said.

    When Molly got to the field after school, Paige, Dede and Fi were standing on the sidelines beside Albert. It was the last game of the regular season, with the Strikers playing the Searchlight Middle School Stars.
    Ten minutes in, the referee called a penalty on the Stars’ wingman. Free shot. The Strikers huddled for a few seconds before Jeff emerged and picked up the ball.
    A Stars defenseman laughed out loud. “No worries,” he shouted. “FN boys can’t kick.”
    â€œFirst Nations boys can kick your butt,” Danny said.
    â€œThat’s enough,” the referee warned, pointing his finger at the Stars player.
    Jeff set the ball in its place, looked at the goalie, wound up and drove the ball high and over the left side of the