Read Online Molly's Promise by Sylvia Olsen - Free Book Online Page B

Paige said, sauntering out of the washroom with the other girls behind her. “Does that mean you’ve decided to be my manager?”
    Molly leaned against the wall and slithered down to the floor. She wished she had the strength to stand up and tell Paige to shut her mouth. But she couldn’t move.
    Murphy said, “I thought I said Molly.” He turned to Albert. “Did you hear me say Molly?”
    Albert laughed. “I heard you say Molly.”
    â€œDid anyone hear Murphy talking to Paige?” Danny asked.
    Paige’s face turned red. She swung around and saw Molly sitting on the floor. “Looks like your singer is a real winner, Murph. I’m giving you one more chance.”
    Murphy ignored Paige and said, “You okay, Moll?”
    Jeff pulled Molly to her feet. Her legs felt like wet noodles.
    â€œI’m okay,” she said.
    Paige strutted down the hall with Fi and Dede close behind her. Nell was pale and shaky. She put her hand on Molly’s arm. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That was horrible.” Then she followed Paige and the other girls.
    â€œI booked the stage in the multipurpose room for three o’clock tomorrow to practice,” Murphy said.
    â€œDo I have to?” Molly asked.
    â€œYes, you do. Forget those girls. They’re stupid,” Murphy said. “Tomorrow we’ll have a stage and a microphone.”
    â€œGrandma had a stage,” Molly said. She would love to forget the girls, but the competition was making that more impossible every day.
    Murphy said, “But you need to practice with a mic. Plus Clarissa’s going to be there.”

    After school the next day, Murphy and the boys were waiting for her when Molly arrived at the multipurpose room. And sure enough, Paige and the other girls lingered in the hall nearby.
    â€œOh, hey, Murph,” Paige said, feigning surprise to see him. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œWe’re on at three,” he said.
    Paige said, “I’m on tomorrow afternoon at four. You’re invited.” She pushed her hips a little closer to him. “If you want to watch someone worth seeing, that is.”
    Danny said, “Don’t you ever quit?”
    Murphy ignored Danny and Paige. “Okay, Moll, I googled using microphones, and I’ve got some stuff we need to go over.”
    â€œI’m listening,” Molly said.
    â€œThe first thing is distance—the mic can’t be too far or too close from your lips.”
    â€œSounds good,” Molly said.
    Nell appeared in the hall. She walked past Paige and stood in front of Molly and Murphy. She waited for Murphy to finish and then she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Hey, Murphy, can I watch Molly this afternoon? Maybe I can help.”
    â€œAre you switching teams?” Danny asked.
    â€œYeah,” Nell said. “I want to be on Molly’s team.”
    â€œNell, are you kidding?” Paige said. “You’re my stage manager, in case you forgot.”
    Clarissa and Veronica came through the door. “Your playing is exceptional,” Clarissa was saying to her. “You might want to think of accompanying a singer sometime.”
    â€œLike Molly,” Murphy said, overhearing the conversation. “That would be awesome.”
    â€œNo kidding,” Veronica said. “But let’s wait until after the competition. Can I join you guys for Molly’s practice?”
    Murphy nodded. “For sure.”

Chapter Thirteen
    â€œTesting. Testing,” Jeff said, tapping the microphone.
    Molly sat on the edge of the stage with Nell. “Thanks for being here,” she said.
    â€œI’m so sorry, Moll. For everything,” Nell said. “I’m soooo done with Paige, Fi and Dede.”
    â€œAre we all ready?” Murphy asked.
    â€œReady,” several voices said.
    â€œThen the show is all yours, Moll. Take it away,” Murphy