Sing your heart out - Caterina Alexander (classic children's novels .TXT) 📗

PROLOUGE

"Momma. When can I enter the singing competition?"

"When you're 15 Hannah" my mom laughs. "That's almost 7 years from now."

"But that's so long momma"

"I know. But you take this time to practice. You need to be ready when your time comes."

"But I'm ready now momma"

"Hannah, your voice is good, but you need more practice. Ok?"

"Yes momma" I say looking down.

"How about you grow that front tooth and then we will talk more about singing, ok?"

"Yes momma" I say smiling up at her.

"Say your prayers. It's time for bed."

"But momma-" I whine.

"Say them." She says smiling a little.

I pout for a second and realize that it was hopeless. "Fine" I groan. I bow my head and close my eyes. "Dear Lord, please help mommy, and daddy, and my booger headed brother Joseph. Help them get well and keep them safe. And God? Can you please make my front tooth grow a little faster? Like tomorrow morning? I love you Jesus. Love, Hannah Wild. Amen." My mom chuckled and kissed my forehead.

"Night Hannah"

"Night momma" and she flicked the light off.

CHAPTER 1

This is it. I'm ready. I think. I've been waiting all my 15 years for this. Mom's confident. As well as dad. But I'm chewing my nails like crazy.

"Chewing your nails is not lady-like Hannah" my mother says. My hand immediately drops to my lap and I stare down at my breakfast. I'm too nervous to eat. "Don't worry sweetheart. You'll do great."

"Thanks mom" I say smiling.

"Actually," Joseph, my brother, says butting in. " you'll fail miserably. I've heard you sing... And well.... You better grab a straw from the cabinet because you suck." He smiles triumphantly. I scowl at him.

"Oh ha-ha. Very funny. You're almost there Joseph. Care to say how you'll do?" I say. Joseph dreads his time. He isn't 15 yet. But he's close. He's 13.

"Won't be the end of the world if you don't make it Hannah" he says folding his arms.

"It'll be the end of yours if you keep talking" I snap.

"Enough. Both of you." Mom says slamming her fork to the table. We both look down. Our mother is scary. When she wants to be. And now is one of those times. My father walks in and grabs a piece of toast. He must notice the quietness cause he slowly backs out of the room. "Well. Time for school" she says putting her plate in the sink. I pick up my plate and set it on the counter.

"I have to get my backpack" Joseph mumbles. Mom sighs. I grab the brush sitting on the outside counter and run it through my light brown hair. I just noticed how soft my hair was... And how it smells of a warm summer breeze. I smile slightly.

"Here Hannah. This will match your shirt." I look down and my black and red plaid shirt. Man I love plaid. She hands me a long, black, velvet box. I stare at it and take it from her. "Go on. Open it." She says smiling. I swallow and slowly open the gift from my mother, carful not to drop it. I'm very clumsy. It held a beautiful golden locket. I stare at it with my mouth slightly open.

"Well put it on" my father says. I'm so startled by his sudden appearance that I almost drop the box. I catch it and fall to my knees, clutching it to my chest as if it held my soul inside. "I'm sorry. The suspense was killing me." He says. I breath heavily. Mom laughs and helps me to my feet.

"Let me help you." She takes the box and removes the locket from it. "I wore this to my audition you know. It's a family heirloom" ok. No pressure at all.

"It- it's beautiful mom" I say. She comes behind me and gently pushes my hair to one side. I instinctually pick up my hair as she fastens it.

"There" she says walking back in front of me. "It looks amazing on you"

"Thank you" I say fingering it. "It's a beautiful locket."

"And it's on a beautiful girl" my father says.

"Thank you." I hug my mom, then my dad. "I love you guys so much"

"We love you sweetheart" my father says kissing the top of my head. Mother looks weary.

"What's wrong momma?"

"Nothing." She says too quickly.

Publication Date: 09-01-2013

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