Hello Stars Read online

  “What??” The anticipation was building and I could feel my heart doing a happy dance inside my chest.

  “The winner will get to meet her! You and Emma have to do it! This is your chance to meet Mallory Winston!”

  The three of us became one big ball of bouncy noise.

  “Wait, but how?” Emma said exactly what I was thinking.

  “She said the information is on her website. Just go to it and enter!”

  We all jumped up and down again.

  “Savannah, you have to do it too!” I demanded even though I already knew she probably wouldn’t. She’s way too shy for that.

  The bell rang and we darted in separate directions.

  “Bye, Emma!” Savannah and I called as we headed inside and back towards Room 109.

  When Ms. Blount announced we had earned a little reward time for finishing our grammar worksheets on time, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I needed to tell someone about my chance to meet Mallory! I found the huge blue beanbag in the back corner of our classroom under the huge wooden frame we made as a class. It looked like a window full of stars in the middle of the wall. We’d each signed our names on a little star and placed them on a huge piece of dark blue construction paper behind the frame. Ms. Blount said she wanted us to always remember to shine.

  I opened the little black notebook I had recently gotten for my eleventh birthday, and started writing.

  Hello, Stars,

  Today is the best day ever! You know that Mallory Winston concert that Savannah went to? Well, she just told us all about it and that there’s a chance I could actually meet her!! That would be the best thing ever! I’m gonna pray and ask God to make that happen. Mallory loves God and I love her, so I hope He listens!

  Dear God,

  Can you help me to meet Mallory Winston?

  Ok, thanks!

  For the rest of the day my head was spinning with the thought of meeting Mallory Winston. Even though I had no idea what I needed to do, I was determined that I would do it as soon as I got home.

  The sound of the last bell tickled my ears. I gathered all of my things and raced to the van. Mom hit the little button when she saw me coming and by the time I reached the door it was already open. I plopped right in, ignoring my sisters, and started talking, “Mom, you are not going to believe what Savannah told me today!”

  “Oh really? What is it?” Mom kept her eyes on the road in front of her but she made sure I could see her smile through the rearview mirror.

  “You know how Savannah went to Mallory Winston’s concert this weekend?”

  Mom nodded.

  “Well, she said Mallory told everyone she’s having a contest and that the winner would have a chance to meet her and audition to be in a movie with her!” My mouth was moving fast and the words were spilling out.

  “Oh wow, Lena. That’s great,” Mom said.

  “Wait, how Lena?” Ansley asked.

  “Well, I don’t know all the details yet, but I wanted to know if I can enter when we get home. Can I, Mom?”

  “We can certainly talk about it.”

  “Mom! Please!” I begged.

  “First we’ll need to know what the contest is and what you have to do.” At a stoplight Mom reached her hand back and quickly patted my leg to try and calm my excitement.

  “I know,” I said quickly. “Savannah says that all the details are on her website.”

  “Ok, let’s take a look when we get home. After homework of course.”

  “Yes! Of course.”

  I sat back in my seat smiling from ear to ear, picturing what it would be like to actually meet Mallory Winston. Mom knows how much I love her. She’s the one who got me her CD for my tenth birthday and I have loved her ever since.

  I spent the rest of the car ride trying to explain to Ashton that Savannah said this was for big girls only and even though she was a big girl she wasn’t big enough yet. I promised that I would take everyone with me if I won.

  “So if you meet her, then we will get to meet her too right, Lena?” Ashton confirmed.

  “Yes.” I nodded. “Absolutely.”

  I smiled back at her toothless six-year old grin.

  The car had barely come to a stop before I hopped out and ran into the playroom to get to work on my homework.

  After finishing, I grabbed my mom’s computer and typed www.mallorywinston.com.

  “Calling all girls 10–12 years old!” was highlighted across the top of the page in flashing black letters. I scrolled the little black arrow directly on top of the words and waited anxiously as a video loaded.

  “Hey! So I have a little bit of fun for you girls.” There she was—Mallory.

  “I’m gonna be in a movie. Like a for real movie! Now I know what you are thinking—Mallory, you are not an actress—and I agree! Crazy right? But here is the thing. You are right, I am not an actress. But I am God’s girl and that means I’ll do whatever He tells me to do! This movie is an awesome opportunity to shine God’s love on the world so I am doing it! And guess what?”

  “What?” I replied back as if she could hear me.

  “I want you to do it with me! We are looking for a girl between the ages of ten and twelve years old to be in the movie with me! The best part is, you don’t need to be actress either. You just need to send me a video telling me who you are and why you want to audition and anything else random and cool that you want me to know!”

  Mallory’s video message ended with, “Just do it and see what happens. Remember, anything is possible with Jesus. He loves you and has a big plan for your life!”

  “Well . . .” Mom’s words startled me. I was so intrigued with Mallory and her announcement that I hadn’t even heard her come into the room.

  “Can I do it?” I asked.

  Mom’s forehead had three tiny wrinkles forming in the space where her eyes meet her nose. “Lena, do you realize it’s for a chance to audition for a movie? You would meet Mallory but that’s not really what the contest is for. Do you even want to be in a movie?”

  I paused for a moment. “Like be an actress?” I could feel my forehead creasing, mirroring my mother’s.

  I had never actually thought about it. My sisters and I loved to make up plays and shows. Sometimes we even recorded them and added cool music and effects. But this was also a chance to meet Mallory, so of course I wanted to do it.

  “Well, yes. I’m sure I want to do it.” Each word I spoke was a little more convincing than the one before it. “Even Mallory said you don’t need to be a real actress, so why not? I mean I at least need to send a video, right?”

  Mom looked at me as if she was trying to see inside my brain.

  I stood tall and spoke loudly, “Yes! Yes, I want to be an actress!”

  Mom dropped her mouth open and let out a high-pitched, “Ahhh, Lena.”

  “Is that a yes? Mommy, please? Can we record a video and send it to Mallory? Can we do it now? Please!”

  “Ok, Lena.”

  “YES!!! I’m going to meet Mallory Winston!”

  “Don’t you mean you are going to enter the contest to audition for a part in a movie that Mallory Winston will be in?” Mom chuckled.

  “Oh right . . . that’s what I meant!”

  I ran off and immediately scouted the house for a plain white wall and a quiet space to record in. The wall was way easier to find than the silence I needed. But after begging Ashton, Amber, and Ansley, they agreed to sit quietly and watch if I agreed to mention them in the video.

  We had a deal.

  “Mom, I’m ready! Bring your phone, please!”

  I shoved a few fruit snacks into my mouth to try to calm my jittery stomach and waited as mom shuffled her way down the hall.

  “Are you sure you are ready?” she asked. “Have you prepared anything?”

  “Yup. I’m ready!”

  “Do you know you have jelly on your shirt?” she laughed.

  “Oh, that’s weird. Must be from lunch. Stay here, I’ll
go change!”

  I replaced my dingy uniform shirt with a fresh yellow T-shirt. I stood in front of the mirror, patted my hair down, and gave myself the once over before determining I was all ready.

  Ashton stopped me in the hall and locked eyes with my khaki uniform skirt.

  “It’s fine. Mom will only record from the waist up,” I assured her before she could voice her concern out loud.

  “Mom, I’m ready.”

  Mom looked me over and gave me a thumbs up before hitting record. I leaned against the wall and stared directly into the little hole at the top of her phone. In two and a half minutes I told Mallory all about my life and my plans to be an Olympic swimmer and a volleyball player. I told her about Savannah and Emma and I told her to keep an eye out for their videos as well. As promised, I talked about each of my sisters. I told her how fun it was to have twin sisters and how opposite they are—

  “Amber is so silly and Ashton is so serious! They are hilarious together. But then there is my other sister, Ansley. Ansley just makes us laugh all the time. She doesn’t even try, and that’s what so funny about her!”

  When I finished talking, Mom handed me the phone to check the video.

  “I’ll watch it later,” I told her and instead I immediately attached the file to an email and hit send.

  Without giving Mom a chance to respond, I grabbed both of Mom’s hands and forced her to dance in a circle with me while squealing, “We did it! Thank you, Mommy!”

  For the rest of the evening my body felt like I had little ants crawling up and down my legs and I needed to keep shaking them off! So I did. I danced through dinner, had a personal concert in the shower, and slid up and down the halls in my stockinged feet until it was bedtime.

  When Mom turned Ansley’s and my bedroom light off for the night I was still singing. I was wide awake. My body was exhausted but when I closed my eyes I pictured myself standing next to Mallory wearing matching purple boots. “Can you sing one of my songs?” she’d ask. And of course I would belt out a beautiful array of her music until eventually she’d join me. We’d sing for hours, wear matching outfits, and live happily ever after.

  My thoughts made me giggle.

  “Ansley?” I whispered.

  A grunt, moan, and snort were her reply.

  “Ahhhh, I need to empty my brain.”

  I reached under my bed and grabbed my little book and pulled out my favorite “I Love Paris” pen. Then I scooted to the corner of my bed, right under my window. I knew just where to crawl in order to let the nighttime light hit the pages of my journal. I glanced up at the sky and smiled at the stars.

  “Hello, stars,” I whispered.

  Hello, Stars.

  It’s me Lena, again. I know we just talked earlier but I promise I’ll leave you alone after this. Ok, well except for my daily countdown to summer vacation, which by the way is only 27!

  Remember I told you about the chance to meet Mallory? Well I did my part and I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen. I’m going to meet Mallory Winston. Mom wants me to stop saying that and to say that I entered into a contest for chance to audition for a part in a movie . . . but that’s way too complicated! I know it’s not guaranteed but I have a feeling in my toes. I AM GOING TO MEET MALLORY WINSTON and I can’t wait!! It’s going to be fantastic!

  OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!

  And now . . . goodnight.

  “Lena, wake up.” I could hear the words rattling in my brain but my body refused to respond.

  “Lena, Daddy’s getting us donuts!”

  I opened my eyes and could see straight up Ansley’s nose. She was standing so close I had to move just to see the rest of her face.

  I rolled away from my sister’s morning-breath greeting and sat straight up.

  “Donuts?” I asked. And with one nod of her head, I was suddenly wide awake. I began to unravel my blanket from around my neck, pulling and pulling until I was finally able to break free.

  “Come on, guys. Donuts today!” I hollered down the hall toward Ashton and Amber’s room while headed for the bathroom.

  “We already know!” their tiny voices called.

  “Good morning, Mommy. I have to help Mr. Lipscomb today!” I bellowed down the hall.

  “Hi, Lena.” Dad poked his head in the bathroom. “We will be sure to get you there on time.”

  “Oh, hi, Daddy. Glad you’re back!” I smiled.

  “I can’t wait to see this video! I’ve heard all about it!”

  His words made my toes curl.

  Within fifteen minutes I was fully dressed, my teeth were brushed, and I was standing in the middle of the kitchen searching frantically for my lunchbox.

  “Ash, Am, Ans—have you guys seen my lunchbox?”

  “Nope.”

  “Nope.”

  “Nope.”

  “Urghhh,” I moaned.

  Please God, help me find it, I thought to myself.

  Just as I was stuffing a peanut butter and honey sandwich into the side pocket of my polka-dot jacket, I was abruptly interrupted by a wet smack on my knee.

  “Hey buddy, hold on.” I reached down to pat Austin on the head and was met by his cold wet tongue instead.

  “Ew!” I placed a hand behind each of his floppy ears and leaned down close to his navy blue nose, “Twenty seven days left, boy! Then I’m all yours for the summer!”

  Austin scurried behind me, nibbling on the back of my shoes and circling my ankles until Dad announced that it was time to go.

  Like almost always, we gathered around the back door to pray first. Ashton held out her tiny hand and linked with Amber. Amber locked elbows with Ansley while Ansley fumbled her backpack to the floor with her loose arm. I grabbed it and playfully squeezed my hand down her arm until our hands met. Mom rested one arm around my shoulder and the other around the bottom of Dad’s waist. Dad left one arm free and held Mom’s phone in his palm.

  Standing like this, in a circle and attached to my family, is one of my favorite parts of the morning. I suppose it’s like a family tradition. My Dad’s mom prayed with him every morning and now he prays with us. It always reminds me of a team and this is our huddle before the game. Teams come up with a plan to take care of each other and work together in order to win. You never break a huddle and start playing knowing that your teammate isn’t prepared. No one would start the game if a team member was wearing the wrong colored jersey or if their shoe was untied . . . team members take care of each other.

  Dad says that prayer and God’s Word give us our daily instructions. No one is ready for the day until we’ve read it together.

  I closed my eyes and prepared to listen to my dad.

  “Lena,” he spoke. “Before we pray today, let’s hear about this Mallory Winston contest!”

  “Da—” was the only sound I could get out before Ansley interrupted.

  ‘Let’s watch the video!”

  “Oh yeah!” I agreed. “I haven’t even watched it yet!”

  Standing even closer than we were before, giggling and squirming, we glued our eyes to the tiny screen resting in Dad’s hand.

  “OH NO!!!!!!” I screamed out immediately.

  Everyone gasped.

  There I was on the screen with a huge glob of gummy goo nesting between my top two front teeth.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me my teeth were red?” I let out a desperate cry. Immediately I could feel tears welling in the bottom lids of my eyes.

  Everyone remained silent and the look on my sisters’ faces was a mix of fear and total confusion. Their eyes were full of concern as a stream of tears poured down my face.

  “What is that?” Dad was puzzled.

  “Fruit snacks,” Ashton answered for me.

  “Is this the one you sent in?” he asked.

  Mom tried to quiet his questions and resolve my meltdown. “It’s ok, sweetie.”

  But it wasn’t. The video had been sent.

  “No, it’s not! This is terrible!”

  “S
orry, Lena. But don’t worry about it.” Dad took a concerned tone and began searching for something on Mom’s phone.

  He found what he was looking for and read, “Philippians 4:6 ‘Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God’.”

  I stood in the middle of our family huddle and sobbed.

  “How can I be thankful for this? This is terrible! I know that Mallory is laughing at my pathetic attempt to convince her that I am the one she should choose. How could she even take me seriously with a giant piece of fruit snack on my tooth?”

  I sobbed even louder.

  Mom hushed me with a full-body squeeze. I felt my body collapse into hers while a group of tiny fingers patted my back.

  Mom spoke softly, “Lena, God isn’t saying to be thankful because you made a mistake. He wants you to be thankful even though you made a mistake. See, God wants us to acknowledge His goodness in our lives even when things aren’t going the way we want. He tells us not to worry about anything, even our mistakes, but to thank Him instead for His goodness and trust Him with everything. Even the things we think are mistakes. He can handle those if we ask Him to.”

  “Huh?” Ashton stole the words right from my mouth.

  “God is compassionate to us. So He is not happy to see you so sad. But Lena, it really will be ok. Instead of focusing on the fruit snack, let’s thank God for Mallory and the great opportunity this is. Then let’s just trust Him for the plan He has for your life. Ok? Let’s pray.”

  Mom released her squeeze just enough for Dad to place his hand on the side of my dripping wet face.

  “Can I pray?” Amber asked.

  Dad nodded.

  “Dear God, thank you for this day and thank you that we are going to get donuts. I pray that you help Lena not be sad about her tooth and that you let Mallory pick her anyway. And that we all get to meet her. Amen.”

  “Amen.”

  When my eyes opened Mom was staring at me. “It’s going to be ok, Lena!” Mom definitely had no way of knowing that it would be ok, but hearing her say those words did make me feel better.