Camp Rock 2

Mitchie Torres’s forehead pressed against the window of her mom’s van, willing her to drive faster. Pine trees, rest stops, more pine trees … the trip seemed like it was taking forever! Then, suddenly, they came around a curve in the road, and Mitchie let out a scream.

“There’s the sign! Turn! Turn!” she told her mom excitedly as the wooden Camp Rock marker came into view. “I can’t believe we’re finally here.” Mitchie had been dreaming about being back at the prestigious musical camp all year long—and finally she was!

She searched her bag frantically for her phone. “I told Shane I’d text him when we were almost there,” Mitchie said.

Connie, Mitchie’s mom and Camp Rock’s cook extraordinaire, looked over at her. “Mitchie …” she began, before breaking off.

Mitchie stopped her search. “What?” she asked.

Her mom sighed. “Nothing.”

Mitchie gave her mom a questioning look. “Well, it’s obviously something,” she said, having noticed the caution in her mom’s voice. “You and subtle—not very good friends.”

Connie hesitated. “I know you and Shane talk all the time, but you haven’t actually seen this boy in almost a year,” she told her daughter gently. “I don’t want you to be too disappointed if he can’t come this summer.”

“Mom!” Mitchie felt exasperated. She knew her mom was just trying to protect her, but she was positive that Shane Gray would be there. Sure, he was the famous lead singer of Connect 3, but he’d also gotten his start at Camp Rock. After all, his uncle Brown Cesario was the camp’s director. Mitchie and Shane had been e-mailing and texting each other all year. Mitchie had no doubt; Shane would definitely be back for another summer.

“I just want you to have fun and focus on your music,” Connie finished as they approached the camp’s driveway.

Mitchie took a deep breath. “First, this is going to be the best summer ever. And second, nothing could ever make me lose my—” She stopped midsentence to gape out the window. “What’s that?”

Across the road was a brand-new flashing neon sign that read camp star. It had a silhouette of a girl singing into a microphone, surrounded by musical notes. It pointed in the direction opposite Camp Rock.

Mitchie couldn’t believe it. Did someone open another music camp?

Everything at Camp Rock was the same as Mitchie remembered. Bright sunshine, rustic cabins with cozy porches, the fresh smell of pine in the air, the beach, and the beautiful lake.

She hoisted her duffel bag out of the van. “Seriously, why would somebody open another music camp right across the lake?” she asked, shaking her head. That didn’t make any sense. Everyone knew that Camp Rock was the only camp for aspiring rock stars.

Connie shrugged. “Who knows? But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. Maybe …”

But Mitchie wasn’t listening. She’d just spotted one of the greatest things about Camp Rock—her best friend, Caitlyn Gellar!

Squealing, Mitchie ran over to hug her. “I was afraid we’d be late, but it doesn’t look like too many people are here yet,” she said.

Caitlyn grinned. She was a little taller, maybe, but other than that she looked exactly the same. “You know what this means,” Caitlyn said, grabbing her own luggage and pulling Mitchie toward their old cabin. “Since we’re the first ones here, we totally get our choice of bunk.”

Caitlyn and Mitchie swung open the cabin door … and stared. Apparently they weren’t the first ones there. The cabin was already covered with clothes, shoes, toiletries, and tons of other stuff. And there were three people unpacking —Ella Pador, Peggy “Dupree” Warburton, and camp diva Tess Tyler.

Mitchie and Caitlyn raced inside. The five girls hadn’t been together since last summer, and they were excited to be bunkmates this year. Everyone began hugging and screaming and talking all at once.

“Peggy! How was the song? Did you love it?” Mitchie asked her friend, remembering an e-mail Peggy had sent about a song she recorded last month. “I’m sure you were fantastic!”

Peggy was jumping up and down. “It was so fabulous. I got to record, and they gave me the tape!”

“Ahhh, look at that dress!” Ella exclaimed to Mitchie, stepping back to drink in her fashion choice. “You are so cute!”

Mitchie laughed, then motioned toward Caitlyn. “She won, like, this huge dance competition,” she proudly told the girls as Caitlyn tried to shush her. “I’ll send you the link. She was so amazing!”