Her heart raced. She had never acted in a school play—her nerves always got tangled during the chorus. Yet the opportunity felt like a comet streaking across her quiet sky. She sprinted up the stairs, burst into the kitchen, and blurted out, “Mom, I need to audition for a TV show!”

Back in Willow Creek, Siterip returned to a hero’s welcome. The town held a small parade: the fire department’s trucks honked, the high‑school marching band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the local bakery displayed a cake with a silver star in the center.

Siterip’s breath caught. She showed the email to Milo, who high‑fived her and declared, “You’re officially on the road to stardom, sis!”