Singing in Seattle (7 page)

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Authors: Tracey West

BOOK: Singing in Seattle
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“Claire is definitely in,” Aly said.
“Right,” AJ agreed. “And Henry is definitely out.”
Aly nodded. “For sure. He needs to branch out a little more. What about Amber?”
“She's good, but I can't imagine singing one of her songs,” AJ said. “So that leaves Bree, Austin, and Josh. We can only pick two of them.”
Aly studied her notes. “I thought Austin and Josh were both great.”
“Me too,” AJ said. “But Austin . . .”
“There's no proof,” Aly said. “And I
really
liked his song.”
Aly sighed. “Okay. Are we on the same page?”
AJ nodded.
“Then let's call everyone out,” Aly said.
The six contestants filed onto the stage. Aly and AJ stood up.
“This was a really tough decision,” AJ said. “Even tougher than the last round. You're all great songwriters. But we're also trying to pick someone who can write a great song for us.”
“So, our first finalist is Claire,” Aly announced. “Great job.”
Claire let out a happy squeal and hugged Amber.
“Our next finalist is Josh,” AJ said. “Josh, you wowed us with your lyrics today.”
Josh pumped his fist in the air.
“That leaves our third finalist,” Aly said. She saw that Henry and Bree were holding hands tightly. “Austin, we'll see you in the finals.”
Austin let out a whoop and jumped in the air.
Henry and Bree hugged.
“You so deserve this,” Amber told Claire. “I hope you win.”
Aly and AJ watched them from their seats.
“No Heather-like outbursts this time,” Aly said. “That's a relief.”
“Maybe,” AJ said. “But I won't be relieved until we solve this mystery.”
Aly shook her head. “AJ, everything's working out fine. Maybe we should just let it go.”
“We can't,” AJ insisted. “The winner of this contest is going to get a great prize and lots of attention. I don't want to crown a thief by mistake!”
CHAPTER TEN:
LOST AND FOUND
Aly and AJ were beginning to get their stuff together to leave when Henry and Bree approached them.
“We just want to thank you for the opportunity,” Henry said. “This was a great experience.”
“It was so nice to meet you both,” Bree said. “But before you go, I'd love to get some advice.”
Aly and AJ chatted with them about writing songs and finding inspiration.
“I think it always helps to write about things you know about or have experienced,” Aly told them. “People can always tell when a song comes from your heart.”
Henry glanced at Bree. “I think I know what my next song will be about,” he said, smiling shyly. Bree blushed.
They talked for a few minutes more, and then Henry and Bree left.
“They are so cute,” AJ said to Aly as Henry and Bree walked away, holding hands. “It's nice that even though they didn't win the competition, they found each other.”
Aly swung her purse over her shoulder. “You know, before we leave, I'd like to say good-bye to Amber, too.”
“She might be backstage,” AJ suggested. “Let's go.”
They walked onto the stage and headed toward the backstage area. They could hear the contestants talking and AJ spotted a figure walking in the shadows, away from the stage door. The person had a sweatshirt on with the hood pulled up over his or her head.
“Hey,” AJ murmured to Aly. “Who is that?”
“I don't know,” Aly replied. She raised her voice. “Excuse me, can I help you?”
The person stopped and stepped out of the shadows. It was Heather!
“Oh, it's you two,” she said.
“What are you doing here?” AJ asked.
Heather let out an exasperated sigh. “You know, we all had a life before Aly and AJ came to town. I know everyone here, remember? I came to see how they did in the competition.”
Aly shook her head. “I didn't think you were tight with any of them,” she said.
“We are a small community of poets and songwriters. I was curious to see who made it to the next round,” Heather said. “And you know what? I still think I'm better than all of them. You had the chance to sing one of my songs. Too bad you blew it. Later.” She turned and stalked off the stage and toward the theater doors.
“Forget songwriting. She should really enter a Miss Congeniality contest,” Aly said sarcastically. “I hope this is the last time we run into her!”
AJ looked thoughtful. “Did you believe that's why she was here? I think she might be trying to cause trouble.”
“She definitely seems to have it in for this competition—and you and me!” Aly said.
Just then, a loud cry filled the air.
“What was that?” Aly asked. They pushed open the door and walked backstage.
Claire was standing over her open guitar case. In her hand was a purple notebook!
“My notebook!” she said. “Someone put it back in my guitar case!”
Aly and AJ hurried over.
“Are you sure it's yours?” AJ asked.
Claire opened the book and flipped through the pages. She looked up and smiled at the sisters.
“It is!” she said. “All the pages are here, too.”
Austin patted Claire on the back. “I'm glad it turned up,” he said.
Everyone began to talk as Amber and Josh came over to see what was going on.
“Maybe you just misplaced it,” Josh suggested. “Like, it was stuck in the lining of your guitar case or something.”
Claire shook her head no. “There are no holes in the lining and no room for something to get lost. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad it's back!”
“I'm so happy for you, Claire,” Aly said.
“Even though I was able to remember my songs, I'm glad to have it back,” Claire said. She smiled at Aly and AJ. “Thanks for all your help. Maybe whoever stole it got nervous when they heard you guys were helping me look for it, so they returned it.”
“I really think it just must have been stuck in your guitar case,” Josh insisted. “I don't think any of us would have taken your notebook.”
“We're just glad it's back,” AJ said. “We've got to get going. We'll see you guys at the studio tonight, right?”
The finalists had been invited to watch the girls rehearse for their concert and share their songs with Aly and AJ's band.
“I'll be there,” Austin said with a big smile. “I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world.”
After saying their good-byes, Aly and AJ walked out of the theater and caught a cab.
“That's a relief,” Aly said as she sank back into the seat.
“Even if Austin did take it, the notebook was returned, so there is really no crime, is there?” AJ asked hopefully.
“Or maybe that's what Heather was doing there sneaking around,” Aly said. “Returning the notebook.”
“Either way, the problem is solved,” AJ said. “And we can concentrate on the contest—and our concert!”
After they relaxed for a little bit at the hotel, Jim dropped Aly and AJ off at a rehearsal studio for practice.
“Hey, guys!” Aly greeted the band as she walked into the room. “Did you miss us?”
“The bus was empty without you,” the bassist, Malcolm, said. “But luckily we had Hello Kitty to keep us company.”
Aly and AJ laughed. Their tour bus looked like a Hello Kitty factory had exploded inside. The cute cartoon kitten was on everything—pillows, blankets, dishes, even the shower curtain!
Jeffrey, who played keyboards and also served as the musical director for the tour, was tuning up along with Matt, the lead guitarist. Tommy, the drummer, sat at his drum kit, lightly tapping with his sticks.
Claire, Austin, and Josh walked into the room.
“I hope we're not late,” Austin called. He gave that cute grin of his. “I wouldn't want to miss a second of this.”
“It's like having a private Aly and AJ concert,” Claire said. “I'm so excited.”
Josh looked nervous. “I really want to hear some feedback about my songs.”
“We'll get to that,” AJ said. “But first, meet our band.” She introduced the contestants to the band members.
Jeffrey stepped out from behind the keyboard. “First, we're going to run through our set for the concert,” he explained to Austin, Josh, and Claire. “So why don't you guys take a seat and get comfy. Afterward, we'd love to play some of your songs.”
Jeffrey held up a large piece of poster board. It had song titles written on it in magic marker.
“I'm thinking the concerts in Miami and New York sounded great,” he said. “Are there any changes you want to make to the set list?”
Aly and AJ looked at each other.
“I'm happy with it,” AJ said.
“It works for me,” Aly replied. “We'll just have to figure out when we should sing the winner's song.”
They discussed it for a bit and then the girls strapped on their acoustic guitars and stepped in front of the microphones. Together with the band, they performed a quick sound check. Then they launched into the song they had been opening the tour with, “Potential Breakup Song
.
”
“It took too long, it took too long, it took too long,
For you to call back,
And normally I would just forget that,
Except for the fact it was my birthday,
My stupid birthday.”
After the stress of judging the contest and fingerprinting guitar cases, it felt relaxing to play and sing, backed by their band. They finished the song and went through the set list from beginning to end.
After the last song was played, Austin got to his feet and cheered and clapped. Josh clapped, too. Claire stood up, smiling from ear to ear.
“That was amazing!” she gushed.
“Wow! Thanks, guys,” Aly said.
AJ smiled as she took off her guitar. “Thanks. But we're not done yet. Let's hear what you guys have got.”
The band played a couple of songs from each contestant. Aly and AJ also had a chance to sing the songs, so they could get a feel for which one fit them the best. The guys from the band were really helpful, giving Josh, Claire, and Austin tips and advice.
“Thanks a lot,” Austin said. He smiled at AJ. “It was really great to see you perform tonight. One day maybe you'll give me a private concert.”
AJ giggled. “Maybe one day I will,” she smiled.
Aly looked at her sister and raised an eyebrow. AJ blushed.
The contestants left, giving Aly and AJ a chance to talk about their songs with the band.
“I really like Claire's work,” Tommy said. “Her lyrics were really insightful, plus she knows how to write great music, too.”
“She is good,” Jeffrey agreed. “But Austin's music has a certain something, like a catchy hook you just can't get out of your head.”
“Yeah, I think Austin is my favorite,” Malcolm said. “But Claire is talented, too.”
Matt put his guitar on its stand. “I really dug Claire's work. She's a talented songwriter. Whether she wins this contest or not, she'll make a name for herself in the music industry.”
AJ was scribbling in her notebook, trying to record the band's impressions of each contestant. She looked up.
“What about Josh?” she asked.
Jeffrey shrugged. “He's not bad, and he definitely has a flair for writing music. Except for that love letter song of his, his lyrics need work.”
Matt nodded. “Josh isn't as well-rounded as the other two.”

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