Free Rock 'n' Roll Rebel by Ginger Rue Page A

for now.
    â€œSo what kind of music do you like?” Tig asked Claire.
    â€œOh, really anything,” Claire said. “I love all sorts of music.”
    â€œYeah, us too,” Tig said. “All of us do, in fact. You should come over sometime. The girls and I have this, well, you might call it a musical community. We get together at my house—my family has this little building on our property, and my folks let me use it as kind of a hangout, so sometimes we jam a little bit.”
    â€œYou all have a band?” Claire asked.
    â€œWell, you could call it a band,” Tig said. “It’s no big, really. Very casual. We just kind of mess around.”
    â€œTig’s the drummer,” Will said.
    â€œYou’ve heard her play?” said Claire.
    â€œNot yet,” Will replied. “But I’d like to.”
    â€œWill just wants to make fun of how pathetic I am,” Tig said, smiling. “But he’s not going to get the chance.”
    â€œI might not make fun,” Will said. “Depends on how badly you play.”
    The moment had come. Tig was just about to invite Claire over to her house Friday night when a shadow fell over the table.
    â€œI absolutely love that scarf!” It was Haley. She was looking right at Claire.
    â€œOh, thank you,” Claire replied.
    â€œYou’re in my study hall, aren’t you?” Haley asked.
    â€œYes, I think so.”
    â€œI’m Haley.”
    â€œI know,” Claire said. “I’m Claire.”
    â€œYou’re new, right?”
    â€œKind of.”
    â€œWell, it’s great to meet you. Come sit with me in study hall, okay?”
    â€œSure,” Claire said. “I’d like that.”
    As Haley walked away, Robbie, Tig, Olivia, and Kyra exchanged a look.
    Tig rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Claire. “So, as I was saying, we’re getting together Friday night if you want to come.”
    â€œWasn’t that nice of Haley to come over and introduce herself?” Claire replied.
    â€œSure,” Tig said.
    â€œI wonder what she’s like,” Claire said.
    â€œI’d be happy to answer that question for you,” Robbie said.
    Tig shot her a look. “We don’t really know her all that well,” Tig said. “So, what about Friday night? Want to join us?”
    â€œI’d like that,” Claire said. “I don’t play an instrument, so I’d love to see you all play.”
    â€œGreat,” Tig said. “Let’s make it a slumber party! We have those all the time at my house. It’s tons of fun.”
    â€œWhat time should I be there?” Will asked.
    Robbie gave Will a playful smack on the head. “You wish!”
    Will laughed. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
    â€œSounds good,” Claire said. “I’ll ask my mum and let you know tomorrow.”
    Tig tried not to scream Yes! and high-five Robbie. She could hardly wait to get home and work some more on “Plush.” Claire was going to be their lead singer. Claire didn’t know it yet, of course, but Tig could just feel it.

Chapter Twenty
    I t came as no surprise that even Claire’s pajamas were classic: pale pink cotton with the traditional collar and four buttons on top, and white piping along the collar, pants, and sleeves. She accessorized with small pearl stud earrings and the same baby-pink color of polish on her toes.
    In contrast, Robbie wore a gray-and-white tie-dyed Pink Floyd T-shirt and boxer shorts; Olivia, Hello Kitty pj pants and a tee from a tennis tournament; and Tig and Kyra, supersoft yoga pants and tees from last year’s fall festival at school.
    Tig half expected Claire to pull out a satin sleep mask to complete her look—but if she had, Tig wouldn’t have minded. It would have suited Claire. There was something about her Tig admired. The way she carried herself with natural elegance. Tig