Read Online Big Time by Tom; Ryan - Free Book Online

do it,” I say. She gets up and I sit at my desk to write a quick message.
    Hey, Keith. This is Gerri from the Big Time auditions. I really like your videos, they’re great. I was wondering if you could get in touch with me, I have a question to ask you. About music.
    â€œWhat’s with ‘about music’?” asks Meg.
    â€œI don’t want him to think I’m asking him out or something,” I say.
    â€œYeah, ’cause that would be awful, right? You should take that out. Leave him guessing a bit.”
    I take that part out, leave an email address and post the comment. To my surprise, he responds within ten minutes.
    Hey, Gerri, great to hear from you! Do you want to meet for coffee sometime?
    â€œThat sounds promising,” says Meg.
    â€œI told you, it’s not like that. We need a bass for choral, that’s all.”
    â€œSuit yourself,” she says, “but I wouldn’t be so quick to assume the only thing he’s interested in is your voice.”

Chapter Ten
    Keith and I meet for coffee after school the next day, at a place downtown called Human Bean. I’ve never been there before. It’s really cool. There’s colorful oversized artwork hanging on the exposed brick walls, funky old furniture and a raised stage at the back.
    I get there first and order a chai latte, then grab a table in the corner and try to figure out how to bring up choral club with Keith. I haven’t mentioned anything to Ms. Kogawa about the possibility of him joining us, because I honestly have no idea what he’ll think of it. In the meantime, I need to figure out how to explain it to him.
    I don’t have much time to think about it, because he shows up shortly after my drink arrives. He’s got his guitar slung across his back, and he orders a coffee before scanning the café. I catch his eye, and he waves and heads to the table.
    â€œHey, Gerri!” he says, carefully placing his coffee on the table before leaning the guitar in the corner.
    â€œYou take your guitar everywhere, don’t you?” I ask.
    â€œPretty much,” he says. “I do some busking, and I’m in a couple of groups with some people from school. Nothing serious, but we try to practice at school during lunch hour and stuff. Lately I’ve been trying to hit up open mics with some of those guys.”
    â€œWow,” I say. “You’re busy.”
    â€œYeah,” he says, smiling. “Music’s everything. I try to play as much as I can.”
    I turn to glance at the stage in the corner of the coffee shop. “Is this one of the places where you do open mic?”
    â€œYeah,” he says. “Human Bean is pretty cool, hey? The owners are really great. They love to give local musicians a place to play.”
    â€œThat’s great,” I say. I’m beginning to think that Keith’s scene is a lot cooler than anything I have to offer. A choral group at another school is probably the last thing he’s interested in.
    â€œSo what did you want to ask me?” he says.
    â€œOh, it seems kind of stupid now,” I say.
    â€œTry me,” he says.
    â€œI’m in a choral club, at my school,” I say.
    â€œCool,” he says. “You mean like multiple harmonies, a cappella stuff?”
    â€œYeah,” I say. “I’m a soprano. It’s kind of a new thing for me. Anyway, we need a guy who can sing bass, and I know you have a deep voice and all, and I was watching your videos and…”
    â€œI’d love to, if I have time,” he says. “That sounds awesome.”
    â€œWhat?” I say. “I haven’t even asked you anything yet.”
    â€œYou’re wondering if I’ll try out for your choral group, right? I think it sounds cool.”
    â€œAre you serious?” I ask him.
    â€œTotally,” he says. “I told you, I love music. Any chance I have to try something new, bring it on.