Stepping Up

By Maggie M. Larche

When life gets tough, you’ve got to step up.

Surrounded by good friends and able to indulge her passion for dance, Jenna’s life seems perfect. But when her dad loses his job, everything changes. Rather than quit dancing, Jenna scrambles to find a way to pay her own tuition. Unfortunately, she soon finds that starting her own business is more than she bargained for. Can she band together with her friends – and a new crush she didn't see coming – to pull it all off?

If you like heart-warming stories of clever and adventurous girls – with a touch of romance – you’ll love Jenna’s story in Stepping Up. Try this fast, fun read today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie M. Larche
• Release date: Mar 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310922169

Maggie M. Larche

Maggie M. Larche loves to sing, read, and swing right alongside her kids. All of her stories feature courageous, smart, funny kids, because that's who her readers are!She is the author of the award-winning Striker Jones series, a groundbreaking approach to teach economics to children through mystery stories. She lives on the beautiful Gulf Coast with her family.Sign up for her mailing list at www.maggiemlarche.com and get a free download of one of her newest books!

Book preview

Stepping Up

By Maggie M. Larche

Copyright © 2016 Maggie M. Larche

Cover illustration by Maha Khatib

Smashwords Edition

Books in the True Girls Series

The Mardi Gras Chase

The Ghost with the Green Thumb

Stepping Up

Chapter 1

Jenna should have known something was up when her dad came home in the middle of the afternoon.

Usually, Jenna and her older brother Steven were the first back to the house. After school let out, they had one blessed, parent-free hour of freedom to do whatever they wanted.

Jenna really valued that hour. She was a busy girl, between school and dance classes, and that unscheduled hour was her chance to unwind. On days when Mr. or Mrs. Marlow came home early for whatever reason, it threw Jenna’s whole day off.

This time, it threw her whole life off.

***

Jenna and her three closest friends were gathered in her room after school on a Thursday. Her friend Mary had received a new game for her birthday that she was eager for them all to try out.

Bring it on, said Jenna, flicking back her long brown hair. I’m totally gonna win. She kicked her schoolbag to the side to make more room for her friends. Bright pink embroidered letters caught the light and reflected back the phrase, I’d rather be dancing.

Jenna dropped onto her bed. Now tell me again what game I’m going to win.

Don’t get Mary started, said her friend, Rita. Tall, dark, and graceful, Rita gave off the impression of moving at half-speed, though her long legs always seemed to keep her one step ahead of her friends. I’ve been hearing about this game all day.

Hush, said Mary, a petite blond with hair so blond it was almost white. This is going to be awesome. Get ready to play… She paused for effect. Friendtastic! The exciting way to see your friends in a whole new light!

The girls all laughed. You sound like a commercial, said Pam, the final girl in their foursome. Quiet and unassuming with curly black hair, Pam was Jenna’s oldest friend. They both enrolled in their first ballet class when they were six and met at the barre.

I should, said Mary. I’ve watched it enough times. Ok, first question: what’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you? She handed out small slips of paper to the girls, ignoring everyone’s groans. We each write down our answer, and then we have to guess who said what.

The bedroom was quiet for a minute as each girl thought and scribbled.

Jenna tapped her chin. Unfortunately, she could recall several embarrassing incidents from her past, though it was difficult to rank them. She dithered back and forth in her mind, unable to choose. Only when the other girls all turned in their answers did Jenna select one moment at random. She hurriedly wrote it down and slid her paper to Mary.

Ok, time to guess, said Mary. She shuffled the papers before reading them aloud.

Answer #1: One time I laughed so hard in math class that I peed a little. Mary snorted as the girls all broke out into laughter.

Jenna! yelled Rita. I think it’s Jenna.

No, said Jenna. It’s not me. I’m going with Mary.

Me, too, said Pam, giggling. That sounds like a Mary thing.

Answer #2: When I fell down on my butt at dance class three times in the same day.

Oh, Jenna frowned. Poor Pam. She patted Pam’s arm.

How’d you know it was me?

Wild guess.

Answer #3: My most embarrassing time was when my bathing suit bottoms fell off at the pool.

Jenna’s mouth fell open. I’m changing my answer. That one is Mary’s. Rita’s was the pee. Everybody broke out into giggles again at the look on Mary’s face.

What? she said. It was humiliating. I almost died right there.

I’d forgotten all about that, said Pam.

Answer #4, continued Mary. Ooh, this one must be Jenna’s. She danced the little paper around before reading it. When I accidentally stepped in dog poop on the playground. Mary looked up. Jenna. That is lame.

What? It was embarrassing. People saw me.

Then you get embarrassed way too easily.

Maybe if the dog went right on your foot, said Rita. That might qualify.

That’s disgusting, said Pam.

Well, excuse me, said Jenna in a playful voice. I thought this game was about getting to know each other better. And it just so happens that I –

Yeah, yeah, said Rita. Back to business. Next question!

But before Mary could share the next card, Jenna held her hand up for her to stop. Was that the front door? I wonder if Steven’s going out. He knows we’re not supposed to leave until Mom gets home.

Someone’s in trouble, said Mary.

Jenna stood. Give me a sec, guys. I’m gonna check it out.

She quickly realized that it wasn’t her brother at the door when she ran into him in the hallway. Oh, you’re still here, she said.

Yep. Steven headed down the stairs. Must be Mom back early.

Jenna followed Steven, just as she had since she was born. Only one year older than Jenna, Steven hit every milestone just before she did. Jenna was especially jealous that he was already officially a teenager, while she hadn’t hit that magic threshold yet. She couldn’t wait to turn thirteen.

They entered the kitchen and found, not only their mom, but also their dad.

Hey, said Steven. What are you doing home already?

Hi, guys, said their mom, coming forward to kiss them both hello.

Their dad smiled at them. Good day at school?

It was ok, said Jenna, her forehead creasing in concern. She noticed that her dad seemed kind of subdued. He normally met them with a hug, but today he sat down at the table without his usual greeting. He pulled off his oversized glasses and cleaned them on his shirt, and Jenna was struck by how tired his eyes looked.

Jenna, do I hear your friends upstairs? asked her mother.

Yeah. Why?

I think you need to ask them to go home. Time for a family talk.

What about? We’re kind of in the middle of something.

Jenna, please just do as I ask.

Jenna sighed. Fine. I’ll be back in a minute.

She shot a questioning look at Steven before she left, but he only shrugged. She ran back up to her room.

Who was it? asked Mary. She was braiding Pam’s hair into two French braids, while Rita scrolled through her phone.

My parents are home early. And, I’m sorry, but you guys have to go home now. Mom wants us to all sit down and talk.

But we’re right in the middle of the game! cried Mary.

We’ll finish later, said Rita. She stood and pulled Mary to her feet. Come on. We don’t want to be in the way.

Pam shook her braids out and stood as well. I hope everything’s ok. She gave Jenna a reassuring smile. See you at dance?

I’ll be there. The girls gathered their bags and filed out.

Jenna walked her friends to the door and then headed to the kitchen. She found the rest of her family seated around the wooden table. The well loved furniture held the scars of years of use.

Ok, everyone’s gone.

Thanks, baby, said her dad. Come join us.

Jenna slid into a seat, starting to feel the beginning of some dark emotion twist in her stomach.

What’s up? asked Steven. He sounded nervous.

We’ve got some news, kids, said their mom. She tucked a strand of short, red hair behind her ear. Not the best news, I’m afraid.

Jenna swallowed. Fear. So that’s what the feeling was.

What is it? asked Steven.

Their dad cleared his throat. It turns out that my company is downsizing. I just found out today that I’ve been laid off.

Laid off? echoed Jenna. What’s that mean?

I’ve lost my job.

Jenna looked at Steven. His mouth had dropped open.

Their mother took up the talk. "Now, we don’t want you guys to worry. We’re going to be just fine while