Free Big Time by Tom; Ryan

looks out of sorts. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s…funny or whatever, but isn’t it kind of inappropriate?”
    â€œI don’t think so at all,” says Ms. Kogawa. “I think it’s a lot of fun, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t try workshopping both of these ideas. Maybe we’ll add both to our repertoire. Let’s break into groups. Olive, why don’t you join Macy and Davis and help them out, and Gerri and Tyler, you guys work with Bernice. It will be a good opportunity to practice some theory. I’m sure Bernice will be able to teach you guys a few things, and you can give her a couple of new perspectives on her mashup.”
    It’s obvious that Bernice has been hoping she would just get to take charge of things herself, but she manages to smile it off. I exchange a look with Tyler, who is obviously as unexcited about this as I am.
    There’s a knock on the door, and I look over to see Keith’s face peering in the window at us. He grins and waves when he sees me. Ms. Kogawa opens the door to let him in.
    â€œYou must be Keith,” she says.
    â€œSorry I’m late.”
    â€œWe haven’t started rehearsing yet,” she says. “Come on in.”
    It doesn’t take long to realize that Keith will fit right in with the group. Not only is he a bass, but he’s got a really strong voice, so he’s able to fill in the empty space by himself even though all the other parts have two people singing them. I can see immediately why Ms. Kogawa was so persistent about finding a bass for choral—as we run through our pieces, they just sound fuller and more complete. Keith looks like he’s having fun too, which makes me happy, since I’m the one who invited him to try out. I start to wonder if Meg is right, if maybe he is interested in me. Unfortunately, Ms. Kogawa tells him to work with Macy, Davis and Olive on their mashup. I was hoping I’d get a chance to hang out with him a bit more.
    One unexpected surprise from the practice is that I’m able to keep up with the songs a lot better. I still have to stop and listen often, but I’m picking up on reading quicker than I thought I would. Even just a few weeks of practice have made a big improvement on what I’m able to do.
    â€œThat was really great,” says Keith as we’re packing up after rehearsal. “I’m glad you told me about this.”
    â€œAwesome,” I say.
    â€œHow do you guys know each other, anyway?” asks Olive.
    I’m almost embarrassed to say, but Keith doesn’t seem to care. “We met at the Big Time auditions,” he says.
    Olive’s eyes widen. “You guys tried out for Big Time ? That’s so cool! What was it like?”
    Keith and I look at each other and laugh.
    â€œIt wasn’t exactly what I expected,” I say. “I definitely wish I’d been more prepared.”
    I’m about to tell Olive that I joined choral club to get more experience for next year’s auditions, but Bernice jumps in before I have the chance.
    â€œ Big Time is such a joke,” she says.
    â€œWell, I guess the joke’s on us,” says Keith, obviously unfazed by Bernice and her background.
    â€œI just mean, all these people with no musical training at all, lining up like sheep just to be insulted,” says Bernice.
    â€œKeith has a musical background,” I say.
    â€œYeah, sure,” she says. “I’m not talking about you guys, of course. There are always some good performers. It’s just amazing how many people think they deserve to be professional musicians without ever having stepped on a stage in their lives.”
    â€œI don’t mind,” says Olive. “And I don’t care how mean Tim Canon is, either. I’m gonna be first in line for auditions next year.”
    â€œSuit yourself,” says Bernice. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll win the whole