A Rose for Melinda Read Online Free

miss seeing Bailey every day. I'll miss Zorita's soft purr. I'll miss e-mailing Jesse. The competition will be fierce, but I've always wanted this.
    I know that getting into the corps of a good ballet troupe is so very competitive that some of the girls would push you down a flight of stairs if they thought it might eliminate competition and better their chances. (What I just wrote sounds hateful, but it's the gospel truth!) Gosh, I hope I don't make any enemies.
    Stop it, Melinda!!! (Sometimes I have to be stern with myself.) Just go and dance and learn!
    “Hello, Melinda. It's me, Jesse.”
    “No way!”
    “Way.”
    “You're calling me? From California? Is—is everything all right?”
    “Of course. When I got your e-mail about being accepted into the Washington program, I asked Mom if I could call you and she said I could, so here I am.”
    “Oh, Jesse … this is so sweet of you. Really. I—I haven't heard your voice in years.”
    “How do I sound?”
    “Great.”
    “You too. I'm kicked about your getting picked. I mean, I know how much you love ballet.”
    “But it's going to be hard, Jesse. I mean this is a whole different level.”
    “You scared?”
    “A little.”
    “You're going to be the best.”
    “I just hope I don't embarrass myself. Some of the girls are sixteen and seventeen and ready to go off to real dance troupes. Dance masters come to watch us and pick the best and dismiss the others. Imagine, training all your life only to be told you're not ‘suitable.’ It's a crusher.”
    “That won't happen to you, Melinda. When you're sixteen, they'll fight over who'll get you.”
    “I hope! But enough about me. What about you, Jesse? Are you going to New York to see your father again this summer?”
    “I can't get out of it.”
    “Promise me you'll give them another chance, OK?”
    “I'll give them another chance. Um … Mom's making signs at me to hang up, so I've got to go.”
    “Thanks for calling. It means a lot to me.”
    “Write me from Washington. If you have the time, I mean.”
    “I'll find the time. Goodbye, Jesse.”
    “Bye. You know what? I miss you … even after all these years.”
    June 23
    Dear Melinda,
    I miss you like crazy! But I know you're loving it. Boy, from your letter, it sure sounds like you're really working hard. I can't believe you're not feeling good. What a pain to be up there competing with all those prima donnas and not feeling good.
    Listen, I'm gonna bust if I don't tell you something. I was saving it till you got home, but I can't wait another minute. Here goes. I went to the mall last Friday and ran into Peter Keating. (Remember, I had a thing for him in September, but he was in high school and my parents squashed it.) Anyway, Pete asked me to go to the movie playing at the mall and I said “Sure.” Inside it was practically empty and the theater was totally dark, and then Pete slid his arm around me and the next thing I knew he was KISSING me! Wow, I thought my nail polish would melt. It was SO hot! (And I don't mean the temperature.)
    So now Pete and I are “on” again and he's coming over this Saturday while I baby-sit the twins and Mom and Bill go shopping. My plan is to lose the twins (temporarily) and practice kissing Pete. Gotta run now. More after Saturday!
    Hugs,
    Bailey
    P.S. Sure wish you were going to be here for mybirthday!
    July 4
    Dear Bailey,
    First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! This is our only day off, so I'm answering your letter before classes begin again in the morning. That's how great a friend you are! Careful with Pete. Don't practice too much kissing because it might lead to something else. Sorry if I sound like your mother, but I only want you to BE CAREFUL.
    I think I'm trying too hard. My timing's off and the dance master embarrassed me in front of the whole class yesterday. I just couldn't keep up and she really snapped at me. Some of the girls giggled (competition, you know). I could have sunk through the floor. I've got bruises all