Alex's Challenge Read Online Free Page A

and those flaws made them unique, even cute. Meanwhile, she beat up on herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d received a B in school. Anything but an A-plus was unacceptable to her. Report card day always made Alex’s parents so happy—they were big on good grades.
    It wasn’t just school either. At camp, Alex always got up five minutes earlier than everyone else so she could tidy up her stuff after she got ready in the morning. She’d make her navy and white bed and neatly stack toiletries into her cubbyhole. Even her shoes were lined up alongside the foot of her bed. She never went frantic looking for a lost flip-flop or barrette like Brynn did. Alex never left her room—or her bunk—unless everything was in order. She was always on time (even though she was always sneaking off to take care of a secret personal errand) and during the school year, she always carried around her to-do list.
    Alex’s mom thought she put too much pressure on herself. She was always giving Alex those relaxing CDs where frogs chirp and water gurgles. Alex knew she should try to take it easy, but it just didn’t seem like she was built that way. She hadn’t even ripped open the plastic on those calming CDs that were tucked away deep in her summer suitcase.
    â€œIt’s too bad you’re too young to be Color War captain,” Jenna said as they headed back to the bunk to get cleaned up for dinner.
    â€œReally? You think I’d be a good captain?” Alex asked, surprised.
    â€œDuh!” Jenna yelled, rolling her eyes.
    â€œBut Jenna, you’re really good at soccer, too,” Alex said.
    â€œI just have to admit that you’re better,” Jenna added. “I wish I could be captain—it would be so cool—but I was watching you out there. You’ve just got it .”
    Alex could feel her heart beating fast, her body getting excited. She tried not to smile too much—she didn’t want to be braggy—but she almost couldn’t help it. “Got what?” Alex asked.
    â€œIt!” Jenna and Brynn yelled at the same time.
    That was a big thing for Jenna to say. She had been upset when Alex had turned out to be a better diver a few weeks ago. Alex did everything she could to help Jenna with diving—even spent time with her at the lake—but Jenna just kept getting more and more upset when she couldn’t do it right. They worked it out, though, and Jenna even improved her diving.
    Alex understood that Jenna could be really competitive. That’s why it was especially nice for her to say these things to Alex now. After all, the two of them had been coming to Camp Lakeview together forever. Even though they were close, it always felt like they were rivals, albeit friendly ones.
    â€œOh stop it, you all,” Alex said, hoping that she really would get to be the captain in a few years. She couldn’t help but think about how she’d missed being captain of her school soccer team last year.
    â€œYou’re going to give Alex a big head!” Brynn interrupted, teasing her.
    â€œNah, we won’t,” Valerie added, smiling.
    â€œDoesn’t that distinction go to Chelsea, anyway?” Grace whispered to Alex.
    â€œCan we stop talking about it, please?” Alex asked, embarrassed by all the attention. She hoped they all meant it—she was thrilled!
    Do they think I’m the best at sports? she wondered, smiling.
    â€œUm, okay then,” Karen said, and everyone hushed to look at her. Karen rarely spoke out loud. She could only be seen whispering to Chelsea, although lately she’d been standing up for herself more and not letting Chelsea boss her around quite so much. “I have a question for Alex. Could you tell me, what’s Color War?” Karen said.
    Alex liked Karen a lot, even though the girl was a different kind of person. She had about twenty stuffed animals around her bed. Alex