Mitchie looked confused. “The only CD player is at the theater. So, we have to go all the way back to the center of camp and listen?”
Caitlyn nodded her head. “Yup,” she said. “And we better hurry because the last clue is always the hardest one.”
“Man, I should have worn my running shoes,” Mitchie said, looking down at her flip-flops. “No one explained to me that this was a track-and-field event!”
Her friends laughed as they all jogged back down the hill toward the theater, where they could listen to the final clue . . . and maybe, just maybe, win the prize.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Mitchie and her friends weren’t the only ones close to finishing. When they arrived, the theater was filled with teams listening on headphones to their CD clues. It was a little tense. How much time did they really have to figure out this musical mystery?
One of the counselors standing at the door greeted Mitchie and Caitlyn and handed them their earphones and a CD player. She set them up in a row of seats away from the other teams. “There’s a strict no-speaking rule while you are in the theater,” the counselor told them. “This is a listening library for the afternoon, so please refrain from talking.” Then she smiled. “Good luck!”
Mitchie saw Andy and Colby huddled together a few rows ahead. They looked very determined as they sat trying to decipher where their final destination on the mystery hunt might be. Colby looked up and gave Mitchie and Caitlyn a small wave, but Andy didn’t even raise his head. Winning was definitely on everyone’s mind.
Tess and her crew, on the other hand, were nowhere to be seen. Mitchie knew that those girls could still come in first.
Looking down at her watch, Mitchie realized that time was speeding by.
As Caitlyn placed her earphones on her head, she looked over at Peggy and Lola across the aisle. Good luck, she mouthed.
Peggy and Lola both smiled. You, too! they both mouthed back, careful not to break the no-talking rule.
Nodding that she was ready, Caitlyn slipped on her headset, and Mitchie pressed PLAY. “Remember,” she whispered, “the clue says that it’s a well-loved spot in camp.” She held up the slip of paper that they had found in the CD case and pointed to the message.
“That could be a hundred places!” Mitchie whispered back, trying not to panic. They were so close to winning!
“Ready?” Caitlyn asked.
“Yes,” Mitchie replied. She reached over and took the song list out of the case and looked at the three songs listed. “None of these seem very nature-oriented,” she commented. “How are we going to hear any lyrics that lead us to a place on the campgrounds?”
“Shhh,” Caitlyn said, holding up her finger to her lips. She looked around the theater. She didn’t want to get called out for talking. The counselor at the front door was showing a new team to its spot, and everyone else had earphones on. “Let’s listen to the three songs,” she said very quietly to Mitchie.
They sat back in their seats and played the music. They were careful to pay attention to all the words, trying not to miss any subtle clues.
The first song was a Connect Three ballad that had been a top-ten hit earlier in the year. The next song was by Faye Hart, which made Mitchie roll her eyes. She was hardly the pop star’s biggest fan. Faye’s songs all sounded the same. She had tried to buy one of Mitchie’s when she had come up to visit Shane for his Connect Three platinum party; Mitchie had learned a good lesson about the music business— and herself. Her songs were definitely not for sale! The one on the CD was like all of Faye’s songs; it had a pulsing beat that gave Mitchie a headache. There were no clues to lead them to any place on the campgrounds. . . .
As the next song started, Mitchie looked over at Caitlyn hopefully. Maybe this final one would hold the clue?
It was quiet in the theater, with just a few hushed whispers. Then the music started to play through their headphones. It was Margaret Dupree! Peggy was singing the song that had one won her first place at Final Jam. Even though Mitchie and Caitlyn were intent on listening for their clue, they couldn’t help but be delighted that Dee had included Peggy’s song.
After the song ended, Caitlyn took her earphones off. “Well, I got nothing,” she said quietly, slumping back in her seat. “Did you hear anything that would give us a clue?”
Mitchie shook her head and looked over the list again. Of the three songs, none of them seemed to have any relation to a place at camp. She was about to give up when she heard the beating of a drum . . . and then some guitar strumming. She hit PAUSE and leaned over closer to Caitlyn. She smiled. “There’s another song! A hidden track!” She tried to keep her voice to a low whisper, but she was too excited. Mitchie moved down low in her seat and went on to explain. “Shane’s so sneaky! Just like he’s planning for his new CD, there’s a hidden track here, too!” She grinned knowing that the clue to their mystery had to be somewhere in this final track. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re brilliant!” Caitlyn said, tugging her earphones back on.
Mitchie leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees, cradling her head. This had to be the clue! The song wasn’t familiar to her, but the voice was—it was Shane! He was strumming his guitar and singing softly. This had to be the new song he was talking about the other night at the B-Note, Mitchie thought. As the song hit the chorus, she heard the clue loud and clear. “Sit with me at the hollowed-out tree, and together we’ll rest and be us for a while.”
Looking over at Mitchie, Caitlyn smiled broadly. “Bingo!” she exclaimed.
Mitchie and Caitlyn quickly returned their equipment to the counselor and raced out the door. They didn’t even look around, for fear of being delayed. They had to get to the tree before anyone else figured out the clue! But would they be the first ones there?
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Glancing up from the CD player in her hands, Lola saw Mitchie and Caitlyn race out of the theater. How could they have gotten the clue so fast? she thought. She had been listening to the songs and nothing sounded like a clue to her! She looked over at Peggy, who had a look of sheer determination on her face.
Tapping Peggy on the arm, Lola pointed to the door as their friends scooted out. If Mitchie and Caitlyn already knew the answer, that meant they would have a solid head start. Lola was afraid that she and Peggy were doomed.
Because they were distracted by their friends leaving, they didn’t realize that Peggy’s song had ended. Instead of hitting the button to start the loop again, they let the CD play on . . . and then the bonus track began.
With wide eyes, Peggy held Lola’s hand. Where did this song come from? It wasn’t on the list that came with the CD. Then, all of a sudden it hit her. She totally got the clue. “A hidden track!” she said softly to Lola.
Lola put her finger to her mouth to keep Peggy from speaking too loudly. She didn’t want to fill everyone in on their discovery!
As they listened to Shane’s new song, they got the message just as quickly as their friends had. After the first verse, their headphones were off, and they, too, were racing for the door.
Before they left, the two girls took stock of who was still left in the room. They couldn’t help but smile when they saw Tess, Ella, and Lorraine sitting in the back row of the theater. Tess was making a sour face, and the other girls were pouting. Clearly, they had not discovered the secret track yet.
“Come on,” Peggy said, tugging at Lola’s hand. “There’s no time to waste. We’ve got to get a move on!”
“Do you think we can catch up?” Lola asked when they got outside. She looked up the hill toward the hollowed-out tree cited in the hidden track.
“Yes!” Peggy exclaimed as she burst forward. “I have no doubt,” she added over her shoulder.
Lola had never seen Peggy move so fast! She ran at full speed up the hill. Somehow they’d have to make up time and get to the tree first!
As they came around the corner, they saw Brow
n, Dee, Shane, and a few other counselors. They all appeared to be looking at something. Peggy squinted her eyes, but she couldn’t tell what they were doing. Then she heard them give a cheer, and her heart sank. There was already a winner. . . .
“At least it was Mitchie and Caitlyn,” Lola said as she slowed her pace. “They can tell us all about the recording with Connect Three.”
“Oh, no, we can’t,” Mitchie said, coming over. She and Caitlyn had reached the tree— but too late. “We didn’t get here first.”
Peggy’s jaw dropped open. “What? So, who won?” She craned her neck to see who was at the center of the circle ahead.
“Colby and Andy,” Caitlyn told them. “They got here right before we did. Just a few seconds, really. Talk about a total bummer!”
“But totally fair,” Mitchie said, shaking her head. “I’m happy for them—they worked hard.”
“And they should be very happy,” Shane said, walking over to join the girls. “They get to perform on a Connect Three CD.”
Mitchie gave Shane a playful hit on his arm. “Very sneaky placing the clue in a hidden track! We almost had the prize!”
Shane smiled. “I told you that the hidden tracks are what CD sales are all about now. You’ve got to keep the audience wanting more.”
“Well, now I will definitely be listening to Connect Three’s hidden tracks,” Mitchie said as they all began, walking toward the two winners. “I bet those will be the best parts of the album.” She winked at her friends Colby and Andy.
The winners grinned. “Thanks, Mitchie,” Colby said. “It’s hard to believe we actually did it.”
“Well, believe it,” Shane said, smiling. “It’s going to be a lot of fun . . . and hard work. You up for all that?”
Colby and Andy nodded. “Yes!” they shouted at the same time, huge grins on their faces.
Soon more teams started showing up at the hollowed-out tree. Everyone had eventually figured out that there was an additional song on the CD and understood the clue. Finally Tess, Ella, and Lorraine arrived. All three looked annoyed.
“My agent wouldn’t like me singing on a hidden track anyway,” Tess said as she passed Mitchie and her friends. “He’s all about me taking on more starring positions. You know, I am the perfect candidate for a solo career.”
Mitchie, Caitlyn, Peggy, and Lola all looked at each other and laughed as Tess strutted by.
“Does she even have an agent?” Mitchie whispered to Caitlyn.
“In her own mind,” Caitlyn replied, rolling her eyes.
Exhausted from their busy day, the girls found a shady spot so they could sit down and rest. For snacks, Connie and some of the counselors were handing out ice pops. The cool treat was perfect for the tired—and very hot—campers.
Mitchie massaged her aching calves with her hands. “Man, this mystery hunt was a serious workout. No one told me this would be a musical marathon! My legs are killing me!”
“I don’t think I’ve ever run that much at any camp!” Peggy said, flopping on her back. She let out a huge sigh.
Caitlyn laughed. “Yeah, but it was worth it. This, by far, was the best musical mystery Camp Rock ever had.”
“Even if we didn’t win,” Peggy said, frowning.
“Well, at least I don’t have to leave on a losing note,” Lola exclaimed. She slurped her cherry ice pop happily. “As long as I can stay at camp for the whole session, I’m good.” She smiled. “I wasn’t ready to leave Camp Rock yet.”
“Oh, don’t talk about leaving,” Caitlyn fretted. “I can’t stand to think about saying good-bye to this place.” Then she looked around at her friends. “And you guys, of course.”
Mitchie reached out and gave her friends a big hug. “We’ve still got lots of music to make,” she said, smiling.
“And a few more jams and prizes to win,” Caitlyn added. “This summer is far from over!” The four girls let out a loud cheer. “To Camp Rock!” they cried, raising their ice pops in a colorful salute. “And to more of the best summer ever!”
Keep rockin’ with another all new
story from camp!
By Lucy Ruggles
Based on “Camp Rock,” Written by Karin Gist & Regina Hicks and Julie Brown & Paul Brown
The sun was high over Camp Rock, and stomachs were growling. After a full morning of dance practice, voice lessons, and swimming, Mitchie Torres was famished. She couldn’t wait to see what her mom, Camp Rock’s chef-in-residence, had whipped up for lunch. Normally, Mitchie would have had to help her in the kitchen, but today Connie Torres had given her daughter the day off.
“After all the parties I’ve had to cater this summer, I think I can handle a little old lunch on my own for once!” Mitchie’s mom had assured her, practically pushing Mitchie out the kitchen door that morning.
Now, walking with Lola Scott, Peggy Dupree, and her best friend, Caitlyn Geller, Mitchie clutched dramatically at her stomach. “Who knew hip-hop could take so much out of a girl!” she cried.
“Yeah,” agreed Peggy. “That new move Shane’s teaching us—the Crush—is killing me. I just can’t seem to get it down.”
“Speaking of crushes,” said Lola, raising a mischievous eyebrow, “I think someone at Camp Rock might have one on Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn’s mouth fell open. She blushed as Mitchie, Lola, and Peggy began to giggle. Lola’s observation wasn’t a surprise. It had become obvious that a certain camper who had come to Camp Rock for Second Session had taken a special interest not just in the music Caitlyn liked to produce on her laptop, but in the producer herself.
Caitlyn immediately sputtered out a protest. “Mac does not have a crush on me!”
“I didn’t mention Mac.” Lola grinned. “You did.”
Caitlyn turned a deeper shade of magenta, and the other girls laughed harder.
Mac Wilson was Colby Miller’s bunk mate. The two newbies had become friends even though they were wildly different. Colby was a preppy New Englander while Mac was a Southern boy who played guitar, always quick with a smile and a greeting. Mac was one of those people who got along with everyone—especially Caitlyn.
“Well, I think he’s cute,” Mitchie said, coming to Caitlyn’s aid. “His drawl is adorable.”
“What’s wrong with meeting someone a little extraspecial at camp?” Peggy shrugged. “It worked for Mitchie.”
Now it was Mitchie’s turn to turn bright red. It was true that Mitchie and Shane Gray, lead singer of the hot band Connect Three and Camp Rock instructor, had formed a special friendship over the summer. Despite his bad-boy reputation and rock-star attitude upon first arriving at camp, Shane was actually really cool. He and Mitchie just got each other. Mitchie had helped Shane get back to his own sound, and he had helped her find her confidence onstage. Still, their friendship was a subject that made Mitchie shy.
Caitlyn laughed and threw her arm around her friend’s shoulder. Just as she was about to make a joke, the deafening sound of a propeller drowned her out. The wind whipped around them, blowing Mitchie’s long, brown hair in her face. All at once, every camper walking toward the Mess Hall of Fame turned his or her face to the sky. It was a helicopter—and it was heading right for Camp Rock!
More campers spilled out of the B-Note canteen in the mess hall’s basement and down the paths from the cabins. They all wanted to see whose chopper was descending on Camp Rock’s front lawn. They stood with their mouths hanging open as the huge aircraft touched down on the grass.
A moment later, pop sensation T.J. Tyler stepped out of the helicopter.
The singer shook her long, blond hair out of her face and scanned the growing crowd. T.J. had some exciting news for her daughter Tess, a camper at Camp Rock. She’d decided a surprise visit was in order. T.J. wanted to tell Tess in person.
Besides being an award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, T.J. Tyler was also the face of Blush Cosmetics. Blush had decided to sponsor a special concert to raise money for after-school music programs. And
they wanted their spokesmodel to perform. Knowing how much Tess had enjoyed the music education she’d gotten this summer at Camp Rock, T.J. was more than happy to help. And when Tess heard the other news, she would be more than happy to help, too.
“Mom!” Tess cried, breaking through the circle of campers and rushing to her mother as she came down the helicopter stairs.
“Hi, babe,” said T.J. as they air kissed each other on both cheeks. “I’m on my way to a photo shoot for Blush, but I just heard from Ginger and wanted to stop by to tell you—”
“Tell me what?!” Tess interrupted, her blue eyes wide. She couldn’t begin to imagine what was so important that her mom had interrupted her busy schedule and come all the way to Camp Rock.
T.J. smiled. She knew her daughter got her impatient streak from her. “Blush is sponsoring School Rocks, a concert to raise money for after-school music programs . . .”
“Oh.” Tess’s face deflated. Just another fund-raiser that would take up her mom’s time.
“. . . and they want you and me to perform— together.” T.J. continued, beaming.
“Me?” Tess repeated, her eyes growing large. A real concert? She would be a household name before the program was over!
Ella Pador and Lorraine Burgess, Tess’s entourage and best friends, had rushed to her side when they saw the helicopter. Now they started jumping up and down, clapping.
“You’re gonna be famous!” Ella squealed.
“O.M.G.,” gushed Lorraine. “This is so awesome!”
“So, I’ll take that as a yes?” T.J. grinned.
Tess nodded her head enthusiastically.
“Yes!” she screamed. Then composing herself, she said casually, “I’ll do it,” as if she was agreeing to take out the trash, not sing in a major concert.
“Wonderful,” said a happy T.J. “I’ll let Ginger know. Gotta jet, babe. Annie’s waiting at the photo studio, and she hates when the talent’s late. I’ll call you about the details later.”
Hidden Tracks Page 5