Ann Martin - Mallory Pike, No.1 Fan

Chapter 15.

I felt like a celebrity. After the final curtain went down everyone congratulated me and shook my hand and patted my back. It was the greatest feeling. "A definite A-plus," Mr. Williams said when he came backstage. "Between us~, it was by far the best project in the class." "Thanks," I said, smiling from ear to ear. "I can't believe how much I learned." "That was the idea," said Mr. Williams as he left.

Ms. Simon and Mr. Katz came over to me next, surrounded by my Kids Club cast. "We have a request," said Ms. Simon.

"Anything," I said. "I owe you guys a lot. You helped me land an A-plus on my project." "The kids would like you to write an updated, kids' version of A Christmas Carol for them to perform at the pediatric ward of the hospital over the holidays," Mr. Katz told me.

"Like, Scrooge is the big bully in the schoolyard," said Haley. "And these kid ghosts come and visit him one night." "What a cool idea," I said excitedly. "I'll start working on it right away." "Danielle should be Scrooge," suggested Haley, "since she's our star." Danielle smiled. "I wouldn't mind." The kids went their own ways as their parents came back to congratulate them. Mrs. Ramsey came over to me with Squirt squirming in her arms. "We really enjoyed the play, Mal," she said.

"Thank you," I replied. "Becca did a great job playing Jessi, or I should say, Sissy." Becca and Jessi came over with their arms around one another. Jessi put her other arm around me. "I'm surrounded by talent," she said. "Lucky me." My family came backstage next. "Nice job, Mal," said Dad.

"It was wonderful," Mom agreed. - "Pretty cool," Byron said.

"Haley did a good job reading my poem," said Vanessa. "Do you think the people liked it?" "I'm sure they did," I told her. "It's a good poem." Standing by the door, I noticed Ms. Hayes. She still held the rose I'd given her. "I'll be right back," I told my family.

"I am so proud of you, Mallory," Ms. Hayes said when I joined her. "That was a terrific first play." "It went through a few rewrites," I admitted.

"Most good work does," Ms. Hayes said. She fished in her large black leather shoulder bag and pulled out a stack of papers held together with a red rubber band. "Here's an outline, for example, which went through several revisions." She handed it to me. "This is the outline and the first three chapters of The Anderson Family Reunion. Look at the acknowledgements page, the tenth or eleventh page, I believe." I thumbed through to the eleventh page. When I read it, I looked up, wide-eyed with amazement. "Ms. Hayes," I gasped. "You put my name on this." It said: The author thanks Mallory Pike for suggesting the idea for this book and for her valuable input.

"The book was your idea, and many of your ideas are in here. You deserve the credit," said Ms. Hayes.

"Oh, but I never expected . . . I . . . This is so great. Thank you!" "You're very welcome, Mallory," said Ms. Hayes. "You certainly deserve it. This is a copy for you. I sent another copy off to George Delmore this morning." Filled with happiness, pride, and gratitude, I threw my arms around Ms. Hayes. I always knew someday I'd see my name in a book, but I never expected it to be so soon.

My parents came over and introduced themselves. "You have a very special, talented girl here," said Ms. Hayes. "I'm sure you know that." "Yes, we do," said Dad.

"But thank you for saying so," added Mom politely.

Ms. Hayes said good-bye and turned to leave. "Will I see you next Tuesday?" she asked me.

"Absolutely," I said. "Don't file a thing until I get there." Ms. Hayes laughed, and, with a wave, went off down the hall. "What a nice woman," said Mom.

"She's great," I agreed, handing Mom the manuscript. "Look at this." My parents were very impressed. "I think this calls for a celebration," said Mom. "Why don't you invite your friends over. I'll order pizzas." "Great!" I said. I didn't have to look far for my friends. They were just walking in.

"Mallory! Mallory!" they chanted.

"Way to go!" said Claudia, slapping me five.

"Excellent job," said Kristy.

After my friends had congratulated me, I invited them to the pizza party. "Sounds like fun," said Claudia. "I'll be there." The others said they could make it, too.

Then Kristy checked her watch. "It's five o'clock," she announced.

We all knew what that meant.

"Let's go," I said. "Hey, maybe Dad can give us a ride." Looking around, I saw that my family had left, but I thought I might still be able to catch up with them if they'd gone back out to the auditorium. I took a shortcut across the stage and found Mom and Dad standing in the aisle talking to Mrs. Barrett.

"Sure, I can fit everyone in," Dad agreed, when I asked him to drive us to Claudia's house. "I'll meet you in the parking lot." Hopping back on the stage, I crossed to the wings. Out in the auditorium, and behind' me, backstage, people chattered noisily. But there in the darkened stage wings it was almost quiet.

I looked out across the shiny floor of the stage and thought about everything that had happened. Even though I was still the same age, I felt older, as if the kid part of my life had somehow ended, and another part had just begun. It was an exciting feeling - scary, but also thrilling. Who knew what big changes were up ahead, waiting for me?

"It's five after five," reported Kristy from behind me.

"Okay," I said. "My dad will give us a ride." As my friends and I walked to the car, I thought about how Ms. Hayes had found inspiration for the Alice Anderson books in the happiest time of her life. If I were to write about the happiest time of my life, what would I pick?

I didn't think about it for more than a moment.

The first sentences of that book sprang to my head.