Superstar Calling

Chapter 2

I waited until Mom was in the house before I started to walk downstairs. I was trying to do it gracefully, but you know me, I heel-toed my way down just three steps and tripped. This was not the first time I had done this, but this time, I crumpled into a ball and slid down the whole way. It was only slightly painful. I looked up and saw my Mom, staring at me, not at all concerned. She smiled and started to applauded my fall.
"It was very stylish, I must say." Mom said with a laugh. I stood up and hugged her. After squeezing me, she pushed me back and held me at arm's length.
"I wonder if Venus VonCleave would think that's funny." I gasped and asked, "You know about Venus's proposal?"
She laughed and pushed a lock of thick brown hair behind her ear. "Of course I do silly! Do you think the school would tell you first without telling me?"
"Well, I guess there is no way that you won't believe me!"
Mom smiled and asked if I was interested in going.
I gave her a playful glare. "You're kidding right? Of course I want to!" When I saw the hesitation on her face, I sighed. "Let me guess, you are worried because I am fourteen and way to young to be on my own." Mom raised her eyebrows sheepishly, indicating that I was right.
"Just like Mrs. Lawrence." I mumbled, head drooping. When I looked up, I saw Mom mouthing at something behind me. She didn't see me looking, so I read her lips.
I know you don't want her to go, but how can I say no to her and Venus? Callie, please help me try to talk some sense into her.
I was furious. My own best friend didn't want me to go! And after she had acted so happy for me. I spun around to face her.
"You too, Callie? You don't want me to go? Why did you act so happy when I told you? Huh? Why?" I could feel my face going red with anger and the volume of my voice raising. Callie had gone white and was avoiding my piercing eyes. She smiled shyly and murmured,, "I was about to tell you that it might be a bad idea, but then your Mom came home. Sorry." My voice got even louder, if that was possible.
"Oh, were you? Really? I should have known! You never like it when I get an opportunity and you don't! You're jealous and you want it for yourself! Well, You can't keep it from me!"
Callie opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off.
"Save it, Callie! Just leave me alone." With that, I ran upstairs, pushing Callie out of the way as I went, and slammed the door behind me. I started fuming.
"I can't believe my own best friend would do this to me! And my Mom! Even the principal doesn't want me to go. But I have to!"

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Downstairs, Callie was crying. Mom was hugging her and was trying not to cry herself. They both knew that this was a chance in a lifetime for me, but they didn't want me to go. Callie looked up at Mom with tear stained eyes and breathed deeply.
"What are we going to do, Mrs Dawson?"
Mom smiled down at her and said sweetly, "I don't know, honey. I don't think there is anything we can do to change her mind."
"But, why did she get so mad?" Callie asked, stifling another sob. She loved me so much and hated seeing me mad. Especially at her. Mom straitened and patted Callie on the head. She stood up from the couch and said sadly, "She just wants this really bad and thought you would be happy for her. When you weren't, she got mad. I'm so sorry this happened. How about a cup of cocoa? It's a cold day, and that should warm our bodies and our hearts."
Callie frowned. "I don't think anything could warm my heart right now." She stood up and followed Mom into the kitchen.

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I watched Callie and Mom from a crack in my floor that was right over the living room. Now it was my turn to cry. What was I thinking? I had just yelled at my best friend and my mother and now they were in tears. I watched as Callie stood up from the couch and walked into the kitchen. I heard her soft voice say, "I don't think anything could warm my heart right now." That's what did it. I ran to my door, crying profusely. I threw it open and bolted down the stairs. I, surprisingly, didn't trip this time. I slowed down and walked into the kitchen. Callie and Mom were there, sitting on the counter, holding sage green mugs filled with steaming brown liquid. They stared incredulously at my crying self. I tried to speak, but the words caught in my throat. Mom sensed what I was feeling, set down her mug, and pulled me into a big hug. Callie hopped off the counter and joined us. When I had calmed down a little bit, I said, "I have been such a jerk today. I am so sorry. I just wanted to go and thought you would too. I reacted so badly. Please forgive me." Mom and Callie squeezed me tighter and replied, "Always." I smiled and we stood there in the kitchen for a long while more. Mom pulled away and looked at Callie and I.
"Now, you two head upstairs and get some homework done. Love you both."
I smiled and gave her one last hug. "Love you too."
I grasped Callie's hand and we bounded up the stairs.