Read Online Solo Star by Cindy Jefferies - Free Book Online Page B

would be able to manage it if they could give him a chance to try again?
    There were no words to go with the riff, so Chloe opened her mouth and sang the notes once for him in her clear voice. She looked at Zil, who nodded slightly and played up to the riff again. Chloe repeated the line for Lenny. He was still struggling, so she sang the riff once more. This time, when it came around again, Lenny was ready. He nodded at her gratefully and took over.
    He was so nearly note-perfect that Chloe felt like cheering. Instead she allowed herself another glance in Lenny’s direction. Their eyes met and Lenny smiled. But it was important that Chloe didn’t miss her cue to sing the next verse and Zil was watching her anxiously. She beamed him a smile and he looked reassured.
    Chloe’s confidence was soaring now. The band was rocking, and her voice was doing the song justice, but she wanted to give it something extra. She had belted out the first verse and sang the chorus with Zil backing her, but when she went into the second verse her mind was racing ahead to a line she had always liked. As she approached it, she brought her voice down and glanced at Danny. His drumming followed her mood and grew gentler. She could sense Zil’s surprise, but he followed and so did the other two. Instead of singing the line, Chloe almost said it, quietly but with great feeling.
    She glanced back at Danny again and nodded. He picked up the beat once more and the guitarists followed.
    She sang the rest of the verse in the best rock tradition. The band was really going for it now. Danny was thrashing his drums and Zil’s lead was a triumph. They finished with perfect timing, as if they were one person instead of five.
    They bowed and waved into the cameras as the audience applauded. Chloe felt terrific. It had gone better than she could have possibly dreamed! They had all had the chance to demonstrate their own particular skills individually, and together the band members had sounded fantastic.
    As soon as they got back to the rehearsal room, they were greeted with whoops of approval from the other students. Chloe had just enough time to give her encouragement to the next act, and then she was engulfed in waves of enthusiasm from the remaining students and the teachers.
    â€œThat was so good!” Judge Jim told the band. “You were all fantastic.”
    â€œWhat gave you the idea to speak that line instead of singing it?” asked Zil.
    â€œI don’t know,” said Chloe, a little embarrassed now that it was over. “I’m sorry. It just suddenly came to me. Was it all right?”
    â€œYou shouldn’t introduce new ideas when it’s such an important performance,” said Jeff. “We might have messed up!”
    â€œBut we didn’t,” said Danny. “I could tell what you wanted, Chloe. You communicated really well. And that line was inspired.”
    â€œAnd thanks for helping me out,” said Lenny. “I really panicked there for a minute.”
    â€œYou covered for him so well,” said Zil. “I’m sure everyone will think we were supposed to do it like that.”
    â€œYou played your riff perfectly in the end,” Chloe said to Lenny. “I wanted to cheer!”
    â€œI’m glad you didn’t.” Danny laughed.
    â€œThank you for letting me sing with you,” Chloe said seriously. “I never thought I would say this, but I loved it.”
    â€œDid you love it enough to do it again sometime?” asked Mr. Player.
    Chloe looked at him. “Yes,” she told him. “It’s very different from what I’m used to, but it was super exciting performing with a real band. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything!”
    â€œWell, let’s hope something comes of it,” said Zil.
    â€œDon’ worry,” said Judge Jim. “There are plenty of important people out there, and you’ll get a chance to talk to them in