This did not make me feel any better. But it did possibly explain Marco’s weird non-cooking-related questions.

“And what about telling people what happened at the audition?” I asked.

“I think you should focus on the competition and forget everything else. It’s just a distraction,” Kevin said.

“That’s exactly what I was going to say.” Jeanine giggled.

Kevin’s face went red. “What were we up to?”

“Huh?” I said, because I don’t speak JeanineandKevin.

“Jackson,” Jeanine said.

As Jeanine and Kevin went on naming presidents, I took out my phone. There were four missed calls, all from Josh, and a bunch of texts:

Josh: Did u do it?

Josh: It has to be over by now

Josh: WHAT HAPPENED

Josh: ?????

Josh: ??!!

Winnie: How’d we do, Slick?

We. That said it all.

I clicked reply and added Josh.

Me: WE MADE IT!

Chapter 11

The Petersville Gazette

Vol. 1, Issue 5

Town Happenings

Don’t miss The Petersville Fair, Saturday, June 14! Petersville, you did it! You made over Main Street, and it looks incredible. Now it’s time to celebrate. This Saturday, new stores will hold their grand openings, and special activities are planned all day:

Stinky Cheese Farm Store: Ever make your own mozzarella? It’s not stinky, but it’s easy and fun, and melts in your mouth. Come by the shop at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to give it a try.

The Watch, Cut, and Quilt: Watch The Wizard of Oz while Peggi shows you how to turn your old T-shirts into a cozy blanket, and Deena gives you one of her special movie-themed haircuts, “The Dorothy Trim,” “The Tin Man Buzz,” or “The Wizard Surprise.”

The Pop Shop: Come to the fire pit in our backyard and learn how to make campfire popcorn using sticks and tinfoil.

The Board Room: Play Scrabble on a life-size board on Main Street. Board and pieces all made by Hazel herself.

The Family Clinic: Join Dr. C for free Tai Chi on the lawn outside the clinic at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Beginners welcome.

Main Street will be closed to traffic on Fair Day:

Petersville’s own Tris Levin has been selected to appear on the hit TV kids’ cooking competition Can You Cut It? The show will start filming later this month in New York City and will air in August.

Featured Series

Things Most People Get Wrong and How YOU Can Get Them Right

By Jeanine Levin

How many times have people told you to put your arms over your head when you’re coughing because food or liquid has gone down the wrong pipe?

Medical experts agree that putting your arms over your head does absolutely nothing. You want to help somebody who’s choking? Take a first aid class and learn how to do the Heimlich maneuver.

You’re welcome!

“How late were you up?” Josh asked as he handed a customer the cinnamon pastry gun.