Chapter 11

     “That would mean that our 3^rd place band, The Music Note Band, is our second place, and our 4^th place band, The Butterfly Instruments Band, is our 3^rd place! Congratulations!” The Butterfly Instruments Band, who was groaning and moaning earlier and didn’t even know that they were 4^th place at that time, let out a gigantic cheer. I felt happy for them, but I felt mad at the band that was disqualified. Master Tann handed out 5 gold metals for our band. I put it on my neck and held hands with Ally. Our parents each took a picture.

     We went off stage and went to our parents. My parents were so happy that they let me buy my dog this afternoon right after school! I went to tell Ally the news. She was smiling too. “What did they say?” I asked.

     Ally dragged me to a private little place. “You know that we’re going to Music Land next month, right?” “Yeah, so what?” “Well my parents were so happy that they’re going to buy a ticket for Ellie to go to Music Land with us!” “Yay!” I really like it when Ally and Ellie go somewhere with me together. Ellie was my second best friend.

     “Guess what?” “What?” asked Ally. “I can get my dog this afternoon right after school! And I’m inviting you to come with me!” “YAY!”

     We sat on the bus on the way home. I was smiling and looking at my gold metal the whole way home. I was so glad that my band won. All that practising was worth it! I was thinking about what would happen when I got my dog. Would it be cute? Would there be the type of dog I want? And the colour? I just couldn’t wait to find out.

     When we got back to school, our class was holding lots of signs that said, “You did great!” or “You are the champions!” and lots more. We told them the big news and they cheered so loud I thought my eardrums were damaged. We sat down and had language lessons. 3 hours seemed to take forever to end.

     Finally it was the end of school. Ally and I walked home with Allan, Jason, and Janisa. We were all wearing our gold metal on our neck. We were thinking about our band gold trophy sitting at the top of the shelf thinking, “I was sure I would be awarded to this band!” I giggled just thinking about it.

     Allan went to Jason’s house with Jason and Janisa. Ally and I went to our own houses. I changed into my favourite green and white striped t-shirt and light orange shorts. I did up my hair in a bun since it was messed up because of all my sweat of nervousness. I used a blue hair band. Then I took my purse and looked inside my wallet. I had $20.78. I guessed that was enough for a dog. I zipped up my purse and called Ally on my white cell phone. She said she would be at my house in 5 minutes. My mom and dad and I waited in our car. After 3 minutes, Ally came on her bike and she parked it on our front porch and attached the lock. Then she came in and sat down beside me. She was wearing the same green and white striped shirt as me and was wearing her yellow shorts. We almost looked like twins!

All in all, I was proud of my band. I stared at my gold metal still hanging around my neck. I wrapped my hands around it. It sure was the best day of my life! But never did I stop wondering about Music Land. It was just one of the great mysteries in Ally, Jason, Janisa, Allan, and my life. And we were glad that we had won the competition. We were going to the place we were asking questions about like crazy next month! And best of all, all my best friends were going to be there, even Ellie. I could not wait for the next, next week to come, when Ellie returns from China with her English-expert Chinese friend. But that was okay. Ally, Ellie and Allan were also Chinese. But they are English-experts and, most importantly, my best friends. I knew our friendship would last for a really, really, really long time.

Find out about Monica’s new dog in the next book, Musical Wizards #2, Strokses