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arms. “They have better taste in tunes,” she said. “Katy, Beyoncé, an occasional Ariana Grande…”
    She pointed to Charlotte’s crib. “You pick her up and try it.”
    Lexi lifted the baby out of the crib and gently rocked her back and forth. “So I sat quietly…agreed politely,” she sang softly. Charlotte yawned. “You’re gonna hear me roar…”
    Delaney gasped. “Lex! You can sing!”
    Lexi made a face. “Nah, not really. I just mostly hum to the radio.”
    â€œNo, really!” Delaney insisted. “You have a gorgeous voice! You should be the one to compete against Meredith.”
    Lexi stared. “No way. I could never get up on a stage and sing in front of hundreds of people.”
    â€œThousands, maybe even millions,” Delaney pointed out. “The pageant is going to be on local Connecticut TV, remember?”
    Lexi placed a sleepy Charlotte back in her crib. “That’s even worse!” she whispered. “No way. I’m not doing it.”
    She returned to the living room and found the rest of the cupcake club debating who was the worst singer among them.
    â€œI think I am,” Sadie said. “My mom says I’m totally tone deaf.” She demonstrated a very off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
    â€œI always mangle the lyrics,” Jenna insisted. “I had to sing ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ in first grade chorus. You know the part about him making a list and checking it twice? I sang, ‘He’s making a list, chicken and rice!’”
    Kylie cracked up. “We all stink!”
    Delaney came bolting down the stars. “Not all of us!”
    â€œFine, we know you want to do it, Delaney,” Jenna said.
    â€œNo, I don’t! I think Lexi should enter the pageant.”
    A hush fell over the room. “Lexi? Lexi Poole?” Jenna said what everyone else was thinking. “Are we talking about the same girl?”
    â€œI’m right here!” Lexi complained.
    â€œShe’s an amazing singer,” Delaney insisted, patting Lexi on the back. “I just heard her upstairs doing ‘Roar,’ and she sounds just like Katy Perry!”
    â€œDo you want to do it?” Kylie asked Lexi.
    â€œNo!” Lexi crossed her arms and pouted. “I absolutely do not.”
    â€œBut we’d coach you,” Delaney continued. “And Jenna’s mom could make you an amazing pageant gown.”
    â€œ Sí ,” Jenna said. “My mami would definitely sew you something precioso .”
    Lexi stood up and stamped her foot on the floor. “Are you guys listening to me? I said no.”
    â€œBecause you’re afraid Meredith will beat you, right?” Kylie asked. “That she’ll humiliate you and call you a loser.”
    Lexi nodded. “Exactly.”
    â€œAnd that’s exactly the reason you should do it,” Kylie continued. “To stand up to her and stop being afraid.”
    â€œTrust us,” Delaney said, gently. “We’ll be right behind you.”
    â€œJust think about it,” Kylie added. “No monster was ever beaten without someone being brave enough to step up and challenge her.”
    Lexi knew that was true and that her friends were right. But did she have to challenge Meredith on a huge pageant stage in front of millions of strangers?
    â€œFine,” she said, finally giving in. “I’ll think about it. But no promises.”

Lexi didn’t have to think too long or hard about the pageant. The decision found her fourth period in study hall. Meredith skipped into the classroom with Abby trailing behind her. Ms. Rathbane wasn’t there yet, and Lexi smelled trouble.
    â€œSomeone had spinach for lunch,” Meredith said, giggling and pointing to Lexi’s teeth. She tossed her bag down on the desk next to Lexi’s. “Or are you just green with