Free Camp Rock by Lucy Ruggles

up.
    â€œTess?” Mitchie said in an unwavering voice. Tess turned and shot Mitchie a look that dared her to say something. “Stop talking to me like that,” Mitchie continued defiantly. “Stop talking to everyone like that. I may be the cook’s daughter, my father may not be rich, but I am a much better person than someone who feels better about herself because she makes everyone else feel bad. And I’ll take that any day.”
    The room had grown silent. Everyone was staring at Tess, whose cheeks were becoming bright pink. But always the consummate actress, she quickly regained her composure.
    â€œMake something good for dinner,” she hissed. “I’ll be starving after practice. And by the way, if it wasn’t obvious, you’re soout of the group.” Tess tossed her head and turned on her heel to go. Peggy and Ella followed dutifully.
    Behind her, Caitlyn gave Mitchie a warm smile.
    â€œThen we’ll make our own group,” said Caitlyn.
    Mitchie nodded. She may have lost her social status, but being herself again was worth it.
    A crowd was gathering behind him as Brown stapled a poster to the bulletin board outside the Mess Hall of Fame. In bright letters, it announced something the entire camp had been buzzing about since the first day: FINAL JAM: 5 DAYS.
    For the next few days, camp was filled with the sounds of preparation. Groups sang, danced, drummed, and jumped as they got their groove on for the big jam. Tess, Ella, and Peggy were sweating as they drilled through their choreography. They weren’t getting very far, however, as Tess stopped them every eight counts to chew the other girls out for one mistake or another.
    Two days later, Brown had tacked up a 3 to cover the 5 on the poster. Three days till Final Jam, and on the campgrounds, Sander and Barron were practicing their rapping. In the Vibe Cabin, Tess was still lecturing an annoyed Peggy and Ella on their routine.
    Two more days down, and Brown had replaced the 3 with a 1. It was the day before Final Jam, and Mitchie and Caitlyn quickly put away groceries so they could go practice their routine. When they were done in the kitchen, they went to the lake. They wanted all the practice they could get.
    Later that day, Mitchie and Caitlyn were ready. Back in the kitchen, they were telling Connie a story as they stirred big vats of macaroni and cheese. Just then, the door flew open. It was Tess, followed by Brown.
    â€œI’m sure they have it,” Tess said, pointing an
accusing finger first at Mitchie and then at Caitlyn.
    The girls looked at one another, clueless as to what Tess was talking about. “Okay, she has officially lost it,” Caitlyn said.
    â€œNo, I didn’t lose anything,” Tess insisted. “You stole it.”
    â€œWhat?” Mitchie asked.
    Connie was just as confused. “What is going on here?” she asked.
    Brown, who had been standing silently while Tess threw accusations, finally stepped forward. Taking a deep breath, he ran a hand over his light brown hair before speaking. “Tess thinks that Mitchie and Caitlyn took her charm bracelet.”
    â€œWhat?!” the two girls exclaimed at once.
    Mitchie’s mom shook her head confidently. “I’m sorry, Brown, but the girls would never do such a thing.”
    â€œLook,” Brown said calmly, “let’s just settle this.” He thought if Tess looked for her “stolen” charm bracelet and could not find it, this would end quickly.
    â€œBut—” Mitchie protested. She hadn’t taken anything!
    Tess was still glaring and pointing at her. “I know it was her. She was lying all summer about who she is. Who knows what else she’d lie about?”
    â€œOkay,” said Brown, noting Caitlyn’s angry stare and Mitchie’s red cheeks. “We’ll look here first and then in your cabin.”
    â€œFine,” Mitchie