Lemonade Mouth: A Mohini Banjaree Novel

Chapter 1

Welcome to the town of Moonbright, Rhode Island. Population: 15,311 people. My town. Not to be confused with my hometown. I was born in Calcutta, India. I immigrated here when i was only 1 years old, so I don’t really remember much from India. It was October 8th. Only in the second month of school I was already at the top of my class, and teacher's pet in all of my class, periclase. My morning started off great, until I was…… Well you’ll see. 

“Mo, darling. Would you like some water,” the receptionist said. I looked up at her and shook my no.  Then I looked back down at my knees. It was a Thursday morning, and I was sitting in Principle Breagan’s office. I stared down at my violin case that was below my feet and then stared at my bag beside me. This can’t be happening. How could skip class just to be with Scott,” I thought to myself. I’m so naive and that’s the one thing I hate about myself. My morning started off great, and now here I was in the principal's office. I had straight A’s in all of my class, and here I was getting in trouble. If I never skipped class this I wouldn’t be here. 

Just then I heard Principal Bregans door open. I looked up and saw my secret boyfriend, Scott Pickett. I waved to him and he waved back to me. “Miss. Banjaree,” I heard principal Breagan say. I looked up and he motioned for me to come in. That’s It. I'm dead, I thought to myself. As I grabbed my Violin case and bag, I started to panic. My head started pounding and I realised I got a stress headache. As I sat in the chair, I saw principal Breagen take the phone. “Please don't call my dad,” I begged. He Looked at me and I looked at him with a worried look. “This is your first infraction. You are also in the High Honor Roll. Fine. I won't call your parents,” he said. “Thank you,” I said, as I let out a sigh of relief. “This time,” He added on. I looked up at him with a concerned look. “If I ever see you skip class again,” He said, handing me a pink slip. “I won’t. I promise,” I said, quickly taking the pink slip. “Okay. Dismissed,” He said to me.

As I walked out of the office I looked at the slip. “Detention,” I said. I rubbed my forehead, as the stress headache didn’t go away. “Try to have a good day, Mo. Don’t let the stress get to you,” the receptionist said, smiling at me. “Okay,” I said as I smiled back at her. I walked out the office and Scott was standing in front. “I got detention,” I said. “Wow,” Scott said to me. “Well at least we will be together. Right?” I asked him. “He actually let me go with a warning,” he said. “What,” I said surprised. “Yeah, I have practice and games. Anyway, I’ll see you at lunch, Scott said. “Yeah,” I replied back to him. He smiled and walked away. “Unbelievable,” I said as I walked to my class.

When I got into my AP Calculus class, I was the first one there. Yes! Always first one in every class. “There’s my favorite student. Good Morning, Mo” Mr. Clavin Richards said as he smiled at me. I let out a small giggle. “Hi, Mr. Richards. Are we getting our tests back today,” I asked him. “Yes we are,” he said. Yes! I love getting tests back. Once everyone was sitting in there he started to pass out the tests. “As usual, everyone got good grades, but Mo here, as usual, got an A+ with 102%,” Mr. Richards said. I smiled and took my test. 102%. Great job Mo. It said. I was so proud of myself, even though I always get good grades.

At lunch, I went to go find Scott. I sat down at our normal table, and waited for him. “Hey, Mo,” said a familiar voice behind me. I instantly knew who it was ]. I rolled my eyes and turned around. “Hey Ray,” I said. 

Meet Ray Beach. Possibly the only person in the school who hates me. He used to be the popular one, until I came along. He hates me, but in a weird sort of way. He is so nice when Scott and other people are around, because it would ruin his reputation. He can’t be seen being mean to Mesa High’s. Queen. Moonbrights Queen. The whole school. The whole town. They would all turn on him,

“So where's your boyfriend,” he said. “I don’t know. He’s your friend,” I said to him. “Look Queen Mo, I don’t like you at all. So just break up with Scott, and you-,” Ray started to say. “People coming,” I told him, cutting him off. He instantly smiled and started being all nice. “Hi Mo,” one girl said. “Hi,” I said back with my warm greeting smile. “I’ve heard so much about you,” the girl said. “What is your name? I don’t think I have seen you before,” I asked her. “Oh. Bella York. I’m new. I just moved here from Mansflied, Oklahoma,” Bella said. “Oh nice to meet you,” I said. “I was wondering if I could be your friend?” she asked me. “Sure. I would love to be your friend,” I told her, cheerfully. She turned to who must be her best friend and mine, Linda Sandoval. “OMG Linda. I just became friends with Mesa High’s queen,” she said. “I know. Come one let's go get lunch. Bye Mo,” Linda said. “Bye Mo,” Bella said. “Bye Linda. Bye Bella,” I said. I smiled as I watched the two girls run off. 

A few minutes later, Scott came over. “Someone looks happy,” Scott said. “Yeah. I just made a new friend,” I told him. “How do you do that,” he asked me. “I don't know. I guess being Queen of Mesa High has it’s perks. Anyway where were you?,” I said. “Class was running late,” He said heslity. I got worried for a second, but brushed it off. We sat there, ate lunch and talked. 

When lunch was over, I realized that I only had two more classes before detention. I was so nervous. I never got detention before. When the last bell rang, I felt like I was going to faint. Then I realized that we had an assembly first. Yes! Saved by the assembly. Sort of. I thought. When I walked into the gym, I saw Scott and gave him a wave. He waved back to me, and I walked towards him. “Hey,” I said as I sat down. “Hey Princess,” Ray said. I rolled my eyes at him and faced principal Breagan. 

After the assembly was let out. I said goodbye to Scott and walked towards the basement. When I stepped out of the elevator I started to walk toward the detention room. This was all the way at the end of the hall. When I got to the end of the hall I saw a lemonade machine. “Mel’s Organic Lemonade. This might be good,” I said. I put some money in the macnih and got a lemonade. I took a sip and realized how sour it was. After that I walked into detention.