Read Online Mackenzie Blue by Tina Wells - Free Book Online Page B

around her. “You are so going to win Teen Sing .”
    Landon moved closer to Zee. “I knew you were good, but I didn’t know how good,” he told her. “Maybe you can help me with my singing sometime.” Whoosh! A rush of heatfilled Zee, and she wondered if it were possible for a person to spontaneously combust.
    â€œSure,” Zee agreed, afraid if she said any more she’d embarrass herself.
    â€œMy turn,” Kathi said, pushing past. Before Zee knew it, she had lost her balance. Ker-splash! She landed backward in the pool.
    Kathi bent over. “Oh, I’m such a klutz,” she told Zee, without bothering to offer a hand.
    Jasper stepped in front of Kathi and reached toward Zee, soaked from her big splash. “I had no idea this would be such a dangerous party,” he said. Zee couldn’t help laughing as water rolled down his face. Luckily neither could Jasper.
    As Zee climbed out of the pool, Kathi took the stage. She sang like she was born to be there. Every note was perfect, and Kathi looked totally natural. Zee had competition!
    After a few other kids took turns, Marcus turned to Chloe and Zee. “Hey, Chloe! You should go next,” he said. “Brookdale’s never heard you sing before.”
    â€œThat’s an awesome idea!” Zee exclaimed. “Go for it!”
    â€œReally?” Chloe gulped and looked at her group of friends, who stared back expectantly. She looked sick.
    As Chloe’s face got paler, Zee regretted mentioning anything.
    Then Kathi turned to Jen and fake-whispered, “She’s probably scared.”
    â€œI think she’s going to spew,” Jen said.
    Chloe’s expression went from terrified to determined. “I’ll do it!” she said boldly. But as Chloe stepped up to the microphone, her legs looked like noodles. Zee braced for disaster and closed her eyes.
    â€œâ€˜Ooh-ooh.’” Chloe began singing so quietly her friends could barely tell which song she had chosen. But then all of a sudden— poof! —Chloe’s nerves seemed to evaporate. She started clapping her hands together, then motioned for the rest of the party to join in. “‘When you left, I lost a part of me,’” Chloe dived into the chorus of the Mariah Carey classic “We Belong Together” as her friends kept the beat. And best of all, she looked like she was having an amazing time. She couldn’t stand still. And neither could anyone else.

    When Chloe finished singing the last note, Zee couldn’t wait. She rushed up onto the stage. “You were so great! You should audition for Teen Sing ,” she suggested—even though Zee knew that Chloe would be even more competition.
    Chloe bit her lip. “Maybe,” she said weakly.
    â€œAre you okay?” Zee asked. Had she said something wrong?
    â€œI think I just need some water,” Chloe said, rushing away.
    The band returned to the stage. “Awesome singing!” the lead singer told Zee.
    â€œThanks,” Zee said absentmindedly, her eyes on Chloe.
    Zee moved through the maze of people, looking for Jasper. She stopped when her Sidekick beeped with a text message.
    >Have u found ur diary?
    She didn’t recognize the phone number. That was strange—the only people who knew about the missing diary were Ally, Jasper, Chloe, and her family.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Chloe asked, coming to Zee’s side. She took a sip from the big red cup in her hand.
    Zee showed Chloe the text message. “I don’t know who it’s from,” she said.
    â€œDo you think it’s a threat?” Chloe asked.
    â€œWhat else could it be?” Zee wondered.
    â€œIt might just be a friendly question,” Chloe said sweetly, “from someone who’s concerned.”
    Zee had to admit, she hadn’t thought of that. Still, the mysterious number just didn’t make sense. “Maybe,” Zee said