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winning. She hated looking at Paige’s fake smile. The only thing she would hate more would be Paige’s real smile if she won the contest.
    After the announcements, Murphy said, “It’s just what we need.”
    â€œIt might be what you need, Mr. Manager. I just want to sing,” Molly said.
    â€œYou listen to your manager, Amazing Mollgirl. You aren’t just going to sing—you’re going to win.”
    Molly knew Murphy didn’t understand. She wasn’t amazing, and she didn’t need to win. She needed to sing. Her voice had been trapped for too long. It felt so wonderful to let it out. But Murphy was her best friend, and he wanted to help. So she needed to let him.
    â€œOkay, okay, okay,” Molly said reluctantly. “I’ll try and win the competition.”
    Some things you do for yourself, some things you do for your friends, and that’s all right, Molly thought.

    As soon as the lunch bell rang, Murphy flew out of math class with Molly chasing him.
    â€œHold up, you two,” Ms. Clarkson said.
    They skidded to a stop.
    â€œYou must be excited, Molly,” she said. “I heard you are quite the singer.”
    â€œYou’re right,” Murphy said, keeping his distance from Molly’s fist, which she had clenched. “Molly sings like a star.”
    â€œI can’t wait to hear her,” the principal said. “But slow down in the hall.”
    â€œI can’t wait to give you a beating,” Molly said to Murphy as they continued down the hall. “How does she know how I sing?”
    Murphy stopped outside the multipurpose room to let some other students through the door in front of him.
    He gave her an official look. “Molly,” he said, “if I am going to be your manager, you have to be manageable. And right now you, girl, are impossible.”
    Molly wasn’t sure if Murphy was actually angry or playing manager.
    â€œYou signed up for this thing, not me,” he said. “I’m going to help you. But when are you going to get it through your thick head that you are in a contest? There’s going to be an audience. People are going to hear you. They are going to talk about you. When people hear you sing, they are not going to believe a voice like that came from a kid like you. You are going to win.”
    â€œWhat are we waiting for then, Mr. Manager?” she said with as much determination as she could muster. She led him to the front row. Albert and Jeff sat behind them and Danny plunked himself down next to Molly.
    When Clarissa began to speak, Murphy pulled out a notepad and jotted down her suggestions.
    â€œAre you kidding, Murph? You’re writing notes?” Paige called from a few seats away.
    â€œI’m her manager and we’re going to win,” said Murphy. Paige giggled. “I want you for my manager.”
    â€œSorry,” he said. “I’ve got a client.”
    After Clarissa had finished, the boys and Molly huddled around Murphy. He held his notepad up. “I’ve got some good stuff.”
    Jeff said, “Okay, team, let’s listen to the coach.”
    â€œSince when did this become a team?” Molly asked.
    â€œSince now,” Danny said. “If you’re going to do it, you better win. You’ve got one chance to take this game.”
    â€œThis isn’t soccer,” Molly said. “You guys don’t get it. All I’m going to do is sing, once—that’s it.”
    â€œThat’s all you’re going to do—sing,” Murphy said. “But it’s a competition, and that’s the part we know about. And when you compete for something, you compete to win.”
    â€œWINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING. WINNING IS THE ONLY THING!” the boys shouted.
    Albert nodded. “That’s why we’re a team, Moll,” he said. “You aren’t singing in your head anymore. You’re singing for