Take the Stage

by JoJo Siwa

  Grace smiled gratefully as JoJo paused to choose her next words carefully. “But, anyway, if you love them, it doesn’t really matter what we think. Did someone tell you unicorns were dumb or babyish?” she asked softly.

  Grace put her head down, and JoJo could see that her cheeks had turned red. She took a deep breath and then began to speak. “Yeah, some girls at my last school used to make fun of me for liking them,” she said slowly. “They made fun of me for a lot of things, but my unicorn stuff was always something they teased me about. Part of me wanted to stop wearing them, but then the other part of me was, like, why should I?”

  Grace looked up and saw that JoJo and Miley were listening closely, sympathetic looks on their faces. She continued. “So, as you can tell, I kind of had a hard time making friends at my old school. I used to get picked on a lot, and it was hard . . .”

  JoJo reached out and squeezed Grace’s hand. She wanted her to know she had friends and support.

  “My sister used to tell me not to listen to the mean kids, that they were just bullies and I was special, like a unicorn,” Grace added. “She used to tell me to imagine I had unicorn power to rise up above it all when kids were picking on me. Thinking about that always helps, and I guess that’s why I always wear something with a unicorn on it . . . to remind me that my sister thinks I’m special.”

  “Coolest sister ever!” JoJo cried. “Oops, sorry, indoor voices! But seriously, I love that! And your sister is right—you are special!”

  “Totally!” Miley cheered.

  Just then, BowBow jumped up from her spot next to JoJo and ran over to Grace and hopped into her lap.

  “See? BowBow knows!” JoJo smiled as the little Yorkie made herself comfortable.

  Grace laughed and pet BowBow, who licked her hand. JoJo could tell she was feeling much better. She knew how special it was that Grace had chosen to confide in her and Miley.

  “You know, what your sister told you sounds a lot like what the Siwanatorz stand for,” JoJo said.

  “Do you know about the Siwanatorz?” Miley asked Grace.

  Grace shook her head, and JoJo continued. “Siwanatorz are like my fan army,” she explained. “Siwanatorz stand for kindness. We stand up for each other and believe that bullying or being mean is never okay—like, not ever. We always have each other’s backs.”

  “So we always have your back,” Miley added.

  “Oh, wow, that sounds amazing,” Grace said. “I’d love to be a Siwanator too—what do I have to do to become one?”

  “There’s no special process or anything!” JoJo laughed. “You don’t have to do anything. Just hang out and be yourself. Besides . . .” She pointed to her little dog, who had fallen asleep in Grace’s lap and was snoring softly. “I think BowBow has already decided you are one!”

  CHAPTER 7

  From the way BowBow was barking in a corner of the room while JoJo practiced, she had a feeling her little pup was trying to tell her something. JoJo jogged over to her speakers and lowered the volume.

  “What’s up, BowBow?” she asked breathlessly.

  BowBow yipped again, and JoJo’s eyes fell on her glitter phone case.

  “Is my phone blowing up?” she asked.

  JoJo’s suspicions were confirmed when she saw that she had two missed calls from Miley, as well as a text that read, Call me!

  “Miley, I just got your text,” JoJo said a moment later at the exact time that Miley said, “JoJo, did you get my text?”

  “Jinx!” JoJo laughed. “So what’s up?”

  Miley explained that she’d gotten a text from Kyra saying she wanted them to come over that afternoon to check in on how things were going for the block party, which was just three days away.

  “Did she ask you to include Grace too?” JoJo asked.

  “No.” Miley’s voice was uncharacteristically serious. “She just mentioned you and Jacob. But I already texted Grace anyway—I mean, she’s as much a part of the block party as we are! I’m not going to Kyra’s without her.”

  “I totally agree.” JoJo nodded. “I hope things are less tense this time than they were at my house last week . . .”

  “Me too,” Miley said.

  “But no matter what, we’ve got Grace’s back!” JoJo finished.

  “Siwanatorz forever!” Miley cheered.

  JoJo could tell Grace was nervous as soon as she came out her front door. Her red hair was in a cute side braid, and she wore a super cute, long-sleeve tee with a unicorn on it, but her expression was anxious, and her eyes were worried.

  “I love your fishtail braid,” JoJo said, grinning at her friend.

  “Thanks.” Grace smiled shyly and twirled her fingers through the end of her braid.

  “Are you okay?” JoJo asked.

  “I—I’m just . . .” Grace’s voice trailed off. They were only half a block away from Kyra’s house.

  “Hey, you guys go ahead, and we’ll meet you there!” JoJo called to Miley and Jacob. They waved to let her know that was fine with them, and JoJo turned to Grace. “Talk to me,” she said.

  “I’m feeling nervous about going to Kyra’s,” Grace blurted out. “I know she doesn’t like me, and I don’t know why. I’m just kind of . . . scared that things are going to be super awkward again.”

  “I can understand why you feel nervous,” JoJo said honestly. She fiddled with the end of her own ponytail as she thought about what else to say to Grace. “Things were a little weird at my house the other day. But I don’t think you should be scared,” she added firmly. “If, for whatever reason, Kyra has decided she doesn’t like you, then that’s her problem, not yours. I know it can be hard, especially because you were bullied at your old school, but you just have to try to build a wall and block it out. That’s what I do!”

  “That’s what you do?” Grace repeated, her eyes wide. “Who would ever make fun of you? I mean, you’re, like, the coolest girl ever!”

  “Right back at you!” JoJo said. “But believe me, I have been made fun of. People have said some really mean things about me online. It used to really upset me, but now I just don’t pay attention to it. I built a wall around me, and I just block it out.”

  “Just block it out,” Grace repeated. She took a deep breath. “I think I can do that!”

  “Won’t let the haterz get their way . . . ,” JoJo sang.

  “I’ma come back like a boomerang!” Grace joined in.

  “Yeah, high five!” JoJo cried. “And no matter what, we all have your back! Never forget that!”

  “Wait, I thought your mom said Miguel was doing cotton candy while I did the snow cones,” Jacob was saying to Kyra. “Is that a different Miguel?”

  It was a little while later, and the group had been meeting to go over all the final details for the block party. They hadn’t even gotten to JoJo’s performance yet, and one thing was clear—a lot of details still needed to be worked out.

  “No, it’s the same Miguel,” Kyra said with a sigh, and she scratched something out on her list. “I think—I’ll figure it out.”

  “So if Miguel is doing cotton candy, then he can’t do balloon animals, right?” Miley asked gently. “Can we help you find someone to do them?”

  “Yeah, maybe my brother has some friends who can help out with the balloon animals,” JoJo volunteered. “Want me to ask him?”

  “No, I’ve got it all figured out,” Kyra replied. “Thanks, though. Anyway, let’s talk about your performance, JoJo. I think everything is all set,” she added confidently.

  “What about the flyer?” JoJo asked. “Did you just get a photo online or something? May I see it?”

  “Oh.” Kyra’s face turned red; she had clearly forgotten all about the flyer. “I was saving the best for last!” she said quickly. “I’m doing it later today! I just need you to send me the picture you want me to use!”

  Miley and JoJo exchanged a nervous look. It was really important to have a flyer with all the details about

  JoJo’s per
formance. Otherwise, how would people know about it?

  “Maybe we could help you out with the flyer,” Miley said. “Because, you know . . . you have so much still to do.”

  “No, I’ve got everything under control,” Kyra said, a tight smile on her face. “Besides, you have so much to do too, planning for your dance class! I’ll figure it out!”

  “I’d be happy to help with the flyer,” Grace volunteered. JoJo grinned at her gratefully, and Grace took a deep breath. “I could work on it tonight and then send it to you, and—”

  “I said, I have it under control!” Kyra snapped. “I don’t need your help!”

  “I just thought—”

  Kyra kept right on talking, ignoring Grace. “Well, I think we’ve covered everything, so I guess I’ll see you guys on Saturday! Let’s all plan on showing up a little early, just in case . . .”

  “Wait, we didn’t talk about Grace’s portraits,” Jacob said.

  “Oh, I forgot all about that,” Kyra said, waving a hand dismissively. “You know . . .” She tapped her pencil on her pad. “I don’t think we need them. I doubt if there will even be time for them . . .”

  “Of course there’s time for them!” Miley and JoJo cried in unison.

  “Seriously, Kyra, Grace is super talented,” JoJo said passionately. “I guarantee, her portraits will be a huge hit—we have to have them!”

  “Fine,” Kyra said, sighing. “You can do your portraits for two hours, at the end. Things will be slowing down at that point, anyway, since people will be getting ready for JoJo’s performance.”

  “Why can’t Grace do portraits all day?” Jacob asked. “The other stands will be open the entire day leading up to the performance, so why can’t Grace’s be?”

  “I just don’t think there will be that many people who want to get a portrait done,” Kyra said firmly, tapping her pencil decisively as she spoke.

  JoJo opened her mouth to say something, to tell Kyra she was being really unfair, but Grace caught her eye and shook her head as if to say, It’s okay. JoJo did not like the way Kyra was acting one bit, but she was really glad to see that Grace didn’t seem to be letting it get to her.

  Grace’s mom picked her up at Kyra’s shortly after that—they had some errands to run—so JoJo, Jacob, and Miley left together to walk home.

  “JoJo, don’t forget to e-mail me the photo you want for the flyer as soon as you get home!” Kyra called as they walked down her driveway.

  “I won’t forget!” JoJo called back.

  “Well, that was interesting,” Jacob said as they rounded the corner.

  “I was so proud of Grace,” Miley replied. “She just let Kyra’s behavior roll right off her!”

  “And just wait until Kyra sees how talented Grace is,” Jacob added. “Her portraits are going to be the hit of the block party! After your performance, that is,” he said, nodding to JoJo.

  “I think I know a way to kind of tie the two together, actually,” JoJo replied, her eyes twinkling.

  “Ooh, do tell,” Miley said eagerly.

  “Well, I decided what photo I’m going to send Kyra for the flyer. Except it’s not a photo at all—it’s a Grace Taylor, one-of-a-kind portrait!”

  “Amazing idea!” Miley cheered.

  “I know, right?” JoJo beamed. “I want to surprise her, though, so let’s keep it between us!”

  “And on that note,” Jacob said, his eyes twinkling, “I’ll see you guys on Saturday. But . . . does anyone want to wish me luck with what I’m doing the day after tomorrow?”

  “What is he talking about?” Miley winked at JoJo.

  “I have no idea,” JoJo said with an exaggerated shrug.

  “Really?” Jacob frowned. “You’re messing with me, right?”

  “Of course we’re messing with you!” JoJo and Miley exclaimed in unison.

  “Friday is B-Day!” JoJo grinned. “And to celebrate and wish you luck . . .” She dug through her backpack until she retrieved a paper bag that she and Miley had decorated with hand-drawn smiley faces with braces. “We got you a little something to enjoy between now and then.”

  “There’s every kind of chewy candy in here!” Jacob yelled in delight as he tore through the bag. “Laffy Taffy, gum, Starbursts, gummy bears, sour gummy worms . . . You guys are the best.”

  “Remember,” Miley said, “you have to eat all that candy before you get your braces.”

  “A last hurrah,” JoJo added.

  From the way Jacob was grinning from ear to ear, JoJo knew they’d found the perfect way to let him know how much they cared.

  CHAPTER 8

  Saturday morning, the day of the block party, JoJo woke up earlier than usual. She was super excited about the block party and just a teeny bit nervous about her performance. But the butterflies in her stomach didn’t bother her. JoJo had performed enough times to know that they would go away the moment she walked onstage. She loved performing and always felt great doing it. She knew the butterflies were fluttering around from excitement just as much as nervousness!

  The smell of pancakes wafting up from the kitchen officially lured her out of bed.

  JoJo slid her feet into her favorite slippers—fuzzy purple slides with silky bows on top—grabbed her phone off her nightstand, just in case Miley was up early too and needed to discuss any last-minute details for their dance class, and headed downstairs.

  In the kitchen, she found her mom and dad at the table enjoying a pancake breakfast. “Good morning! Did the smell of pancakes wake you up?” her mom asked as she pushed out the chair next to her to invite JoJo to the table.

  “You know it.” JoJo yawned. “Works every time!”

  BowBow sniffed her slippers and looked up as if to say, Where’s my good morning?

  JoJo scooped BowBow up and gave her a good-morning kiss on the head, and BowBow licked her cheek.

  Sliding into the chair next to her mom, JoJo helped herself to a couple of pancakes, piled some strawberries on top, and then doused everything in plenty of maple syrup.

  “Dee-lish,” she told her mom between mouthfuls.

  “We were just discussing how good the flyer for your performance looks,” her dad said as he took a sip of coffee. “Your mom said your friend Grace drew the picture of you and BowBow? She’s quite talented!”

  “She sure is,” JoJo agreed. She poured herself some orange juice. “I’m hoping that people will see the flyer and want to get their own portraits done by her. She’ll have a stand at the block party, but only for a couple of hours, so make sure you get there early to get yours done!”

  “Why such a short time?” her mom asked. “Once everyone sees this flyer, people will be lined up around the block to get their portraits done!”

  “I know, right?” JoJo sighed. “There was some drama with Kyra, the girl organizing the events for the block party. She wasn’t being very fair to Grace and didn’t even want to give her stand a chance.”

  “That’s a shame,” her mom said, and her dad nodded. “I hope it doesn’t make Grace doubt her own talent.”

  “I’m trying to make sure that doesn’t happen,” JoJo replied, and her parents smiled warmly. They were proud that JoJo was always there for her friends.

  Later that morning, JoJo was almost finished getting ready for the block party. She had the outfit she’d be performing in packed and ready to go in her backpack, and she was loving the outfit she’d chosen to wear beforehand: pale pink leggings, lilac Converse, and a peach, pink, and lilac polka-dotted T-shirt. Not only was the outfit super cute, it was also really comfy, so she could wear it for Miley’s dance class. A matching peach bow completed the look. JoJo looked in the mirror and smiled . . . and as her eyes landed on the bow at the top of her side pony, she had a fantastic idea! She carefully removed the peach bow from her hair and scanned the dozens and dozens of bows that were attached to long ribbons dangling from hooks on her closet door. That’s the one, she thought as her eyes landed on a pastel rainbow bow. The bow had
long, glittery strands dangling down from it. The colors matched her outfit perfectly, but even better, the bow reminded her of a unicorn’s mane, and by wearing it, she could support Grace by giving her an extra dose of unicorn power!

  “So has anyone seen Jacob yet?” Miley asked breathlessly.

  “Nope, but he texted me to say he’d be here in a few minutes,” JoJo replied. “I can’t wait to see his braces. I kept asking him to text me a selfie last night, but he said he wanted to unveil his new look in person.”

  “He told me the same thing.” Miley laughed.

  It was almost 11:00 A.M., and the block party was about to begin. As promised, JoJo, Miley, and Grace had all come early to help Kyra with any last-minute setup, but she was nowhere to be seen, so they were all hanging out near her face-painting stand. Grace’s portrait stand was right next to it. Grace was already set up, even though her stand wouldn’t be opening for a few more hours.

  “Are you nervous about your performance later?” Grace asked JoJo.

  “A little nervous, but it’s a good kind of nervous,” JoJo replied. She bounced on her toes. People were starting to show up already, and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. “I think I’m more excited than nervous!” she decided.

  “I’m super excited!” Miley exclaimed. “I can’t wait for everything to begin!”

  “And I’m hungry,” Jacob said.

  The three girls spun around at the sound of Jacob’s voice. They hadn’t heard him walk up, but there he was, grinning broadly and showing off his brand-new, bright blue braces.

  “You are totally rocking those.” JoJo jumped up and down in excitement. “They look AH-MAZING! Right, guys?”

  Miley skipped over and gave Jacob a hug. “They look so good on you, Jacob! Blue was a great choice!”

  “They really do look great on you!” Grace agreed. “So, how did it go?”

  “It was a lot better than I expected,” Jacob replied. He was speaking just a little slower than usual, since he was still getting used to the feeling of braces. “All the stuff you told me about what to expect helped a lot.”