Clarke sat on her bed, hands clasped, staring at the wall. The Talent Show was coming up soon. The Addams triplets would perform, looking all flawless as they did everything. But, by golly, Clarke couldn't figure out what her talent was. “UGHH! They’re not even that good! People only vote for them because they’re PRETTY!” she shouted into the empty room, her voice bursting like a balloon.
Emily, or "Imma" as her friends called her, sat across the room, her heart set on her own act. “I’ve got it! I’ll hit Theodore with Cheetos puffs!” she grinned. The idea seemed so silly yet so perfect. What could go wrong? But as she practiced her throwing arm, a puffy yellow snack flew across the room, bouncing off Clarke’s photo wall. “Wait, I have to clean that up!? Oh, well, you live you learn!” Imma shrugged, tossing more into the air, giggling at the mess.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Theodore was plotting his moment under the spotlight. “Oh, no, this rap song is short, only eleven more verses!” he yelled, scribbling down the last bits in frantic excitement. Clarke cringed at the thought. How do you rap for 19 verses, especially when no one could understand a word? Her best friend’s brother would be stepping into the crossfire of giggles and boos. Would they throw Cheetos puffs at him, too?
Wednesday afternoon arrived, and the school buzzed. The gymnasium was like a hive with all the performers buzzing about. The Addams girls flitted around, glances from onlookers warm but tinged with envy. Clarke rolled her eyes when Principal Johnson introduced them. “First, everyone’s favorite... Gem Addams!... And Ally Addams and Jayla Addams.” They walked on stage and started to sing, sounding like cats in a blender. Clarke clenched her fists. This was her moment. But still, what if everyone loved the Addams girls' pretty faces more than actual talent?
Imma and Theodore went on next. “Uhm… what a delightful performance from Emily and Theodore… yeah, I might need to have a talk with their parents…” Principal Johnson's voice faded into laughter, drowning out the boos. Clarke couldn’t take it anymore. She had to do something. She ran backstage, her heart racing. She grabbed a ukulele lying around. Sure, she wasn't great at it, but at least she could try.
When her name was called, she stepped out, ukulele in hand, determination in her eyes. The audience looked puzzled. Would they boo her like they did with the triplets? She strummed a few chords, and then she just spoke from her heart. “Look, I don’t have talent like those pretty girls, but I’ll give it my all!" The crowd shifted, some snickering. Yet there was a flicker of interest. She fumbled her way through a silly song about friendship and Cheeto dust, and the laughter turned into cheers.
In the end, the Talent Show was all about heart. Clarke felt accomplished. She didn’t beat the Addams triplets, but they were all laughing together, and that was the win. “Look at us! Nobody even threw food at you!” Imma giggled. Theodore just smiled, thinking maybe he’d come up with a nine-verse song on snacks for the next one. The competition had turned into a celebration, and Clarke had found her true talent: being herself.
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and then Add to home screen.