Secret Singing Superstar

Twelve ~ ♫♪♫

Claire hurriedly walked around the kitchen, checking and double-checking the food to make sure everything was there and that it was perfect. She knew that if Caitlin and Leanne were here they'd call her a worry wart, but she was too tense to care. She had ticked off most of the things on her checklist.

Clean house? Check.

Enough food with no nuts in it, as Stephanie was allergic to nuts? Check.

Making sure Mum wouldn't stalk friends? Check. Well, sort of check.

Enough entertainment? Check.

Enough drinks? Check.

Okay, everything was good. Now she had to wait for people to arrive. She went into the music room, her favourite room, and began to read a book. It was titled Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. She was trying to tad it because Leanne had recommended it to her, but honestly, she was hating it. Too much romance moments. But it was still a good book nevertheless.

She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't notice that somebody had arrived until her mother appeared at the doorway and yelled, "Claire!"

She opened the door and saw Leanne standing there. She leaned from side to side. Claire knew her long enough to know that she only did that when she was nervous. "Am I too early?"

"Not at all," answered Claire. Leanne walked in her house and looked around.

"It hasn't changed much from when I was last here."

"You were here about a month ago," said Claire. Leanne and Caitlin had come over to her house once to hang out after school.

Leanne wondered off to the kitchen to get a drink. Claire was about to follow her when the doorbell rang. Next to arrive was Stephanie.

"Hello," said Stephanie. She held up a plate of cupcakes. "I brought cupcakes."

"Oh, you didn't need to," said Claire, touched by her generosity.

"I know, but I wanted to. I made them myself," said Stephanie. She passed a cupcake to Claire and watched as she tasted one. "What do you think?"

"It's really good," Claire said truthfully. "Leanne's in the kitchen, do you want to go and join her?"

"Where's the kitchen?"

"That way," said Claire, pointing along the hallway. "I would come with you, but there's probably - "

She was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Stephanie grinned. "More guests?"

Claire nodded and opened the door to see Caitlin. Caitlin had a present in her hand.

"Caitlin," said Claire exasperatedly. "You didn't need to buy a present!"

"So I wasn't the only one who brought something," said Caitlin, smiling at Stephanie. "Can I try a cupcake?"

Stephanie nodded and passed Caitlin a cupcake, which Caitlin ate without delay.

"They are delicious," said Caitlin. "I sure can't make cupcakes. Can you teach me?"

"I can write down the recipe for you," said Stephanie. "Would that help?"

"Very," said Caitlin. Waving goodbye to Claire, she and Stephanie headed to the kitchen just as Leanne came out. Leanne joined Claire in the lounge room after giving Caitlin a hug.

"What's the present Caitlin's holding?" she asked.

"No idea," said Claire. "I don't even know who it's for - she hasn't given it to anyone yet."