Page 134 of Disharmony

“Snacks?” Brick’s face lights up, going back to her previous comment. That guy and his stomach are something else. He can put away more food than anyone else I know. As soon as it’s mentioned, that’s all that’s on his mind. “What kind of snacks?”

“Oh, the best kind…” Cookie starts listing them off.

While she’s chatting to Brick, Dad takes a seat next to me on the bed.

“It’s good to see you,” he says. He looks like he wants to say more, but we sit in silence like we always do when words evade us. Finally, he clears his throat. “Your mom would have been really proud. She’d have loved to see you on that stage.”

“Thanks Dad,” I mumble, “but I’m not sure if I can do it.”

“Ashley Cooper.” He rarely uses my full name unless I’m in serious shit. “This is what you’ve always wanted. You’re here to live your dream, and I know you can do it. You’re going to get on that stage, you hear me?”

“Dad, you don’t understand—”

“No, you don’t understand.” He holds up a finger to silence me. “I’m not good at… this… it’s what your mom used to do, but if she were here, she’d be saying the same thing. You’re talented, Ash. I want you to show everyone what you’re capable of. You don’t get to quit on the final hurdle. You can do this.”

Can I?

Not feeling great is only part of the problem. Ever since Jacqueline gave me the solo to prove to the world that Camp Harmony has changed me, I’ve been thinking about how far I’m willing to compromise who I really am. It was one thing when Brick uploaded a video to the internet, but can I willingly present myself as someone I’m not to millions of people? How long can I keep pretending?

“Thanks Dad,” I mumble, not realizing that Cookie and Brick have stopped talking to listen to our every word.

“He’s right, Smash,” Brick says. “You can’t get cold feet now. This is your chance to shine and show them what you can do. You’ve got this. We believe in you. Everyone else will too.”

After all we’ve been through, it means a lot to know he’s here to support me. He’s had my back from the beginning, and without him, none of this would be possible. Seeing both of them gives me a renewed sense of hope. People believe in me. The real me.

Dad clears his throat and straightens his collar to break the emotional family bonding moment. “So, where are these snacks?”

“Cookie’s given me directions,” he says. He winks at me. “We’ll see you out there, Ash. You’re gonna kill it.”

The two of them file out of our cabin, disappearing into the forest to join the other guests.

“Cookie, I know I should go out there and do what I’ve been practicing for weeks,” I say, “but I don’t think I can be who McCallister and Jacqueline want me to be.”

I don’t belong in Camp Harmony. I never have.

“Your dad and Brick believe in you, and so do I.” Cookie tilts her head to the side and a grin breaks out over her face. “But listening to Brick gave me an idea…”

“An idea?”

“You want to show them the real you, right?” She pulls out her cell and starts texting furiously. “We’re gonna need reinforcements.”

* * *

Cookie has refused to tell me any more about our plan until Leila, Conor, and Declan are assembled in our cabin. All of them look as confused as I do.

“You know we’re gonna get our asses kicked for sneaking off,” Declan points out.

Leila rolls her eyes at him. She’s always down for breaking the rules.

“We can’t let Tiffany get away with what she did yesterday,” Cookie continues. She’s holding her binder open and snaps it shut aggressively, then hurls it across the room, making all of us jump. “This camp is corrupt. It covers up everything bad that happens, and no one is ever held accountable. It has to stop.”

Conor grins, looking at the papers that have spewed out of her binder and now cover the floor. “What’s your plan?”

“Ash,” Cookie turns to me, “how do you feel about performing as the real you? The metal version? The one who sang with the Basilisks?”

“What do you mean?” I mutter. “I don’t understand…”

The others catch on quicker.

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