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DJ AMBITION

CHAPTER 1 BAD MORNING

'And that was Beyoncé with 'Me, myself andI' on R&B Today here at Capital Radio...'

'Come on, Ali. Wake up!' called Ali's mum.'You're going to be late for school!' Ali didn'tmove. She thought about last night at theFoxx Club. Her mum was always angry withher because she went to clubs in theevenings. She wanted Ali to do homeworkinstead.

Ali opened one eye and looked at the clocknext to her bed. 7.45. Suddenly sheremembered: her first gig as a DJ was onlythree days away and today she needed topractise! Before she left this morning, shehad to collect all her records together.

She jumped out of bed quickly and put onher clothes! She was still wearing herjewellery from last night. 'I'll have to take itall off for school' she thought. The teachersdidn't like earrings or nose rings in class.

Ali got her records then went downstairs tothe kitchen. Her 14-year-old brother, Calvin,was sitting at the kitchen table. He waseating his breakfast noisily. Their mum,Veronica Zuri, was busy in the kitchen.'Ah, you're here finally!' she said. I´ve got togo to work in ten minutes. What do you wantfor breakfast?'

'Oh, nothing thanks. I'm not hungry,' said Ali.'I haven't got much time this morning.'Ali's brother, Calvin, laughed. 'That's becauseyou've been to a club again, “Miz Ali”. Heused Ali's DJ name. 'You always wake up toolate after you've had a night out.''Shut up, Calvin!' said Ali. Like a lot ofyounger brothers, Calvin usually said thewrong thing.

Veronica Zuri looked carefully at Ali. Sheworried about her daughter.'You have to eat something in the morning,'she said. 'Here, have this.' She gave Ali somebread.Ali took the bread and quickly put somebutter on it.'You seem tired this morning, Ali,' said hermum. She gave her a cup of coffee.Ali looked at her mother. She didn't want afight today.“I´ve got to run,” she said. 'See you later!'Her mother saw the records next to Ali' sschool bag.'Wait a minute!' she said. 'I want to talk toyou.'Ali got her things and walked to the door,with the bread in her hand.But her mother didn't stop. “You know, Ali”she said, 'you're 16 now. You have to makesome plans about university.''Not again,' thought Ali. This was hermother's favourite conversation. 'Please,Mum,' she said, 'not now ...''You're clever' her mother said. 'Maybe youcan be a doctor one day or a...''See you later, Mum' said Ali. She walked outof the door and onto the street.

Her school Tottenham Place, wasn't far. Itwas spring and the weather was warm. ButAli felt unhappy. She always felt bad afterthis kind of conversation at home. Hermother just didn't understand! Ali wanted tobecome a DJ - nothing else. She loved music.R&B and hip-hop were her life. R.Kelly,Beyoncé, Usher… she loved them all. Aliwanted to do a really good set at theTottenham Place end-of-year party, her firstgig. But she didn't want to stop there. Shewanted, more than anything in the world, tobe a real DJ in a real London club.

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A little way down the road, she saw her bestfriend, Kat. 'Hey, Ali!' Kat always joined heron her walk to school.'Last night was great! But I'm so tired!''Yeah, me too...'The two friends talked until they got to theschool entrance. There, Ali heard:'Look at her! It's Miz Ali.'Ali didn't turn round. She knew that voice. Itwas Nik Galas. He called himself 'Da G'. Hewas a DJ and he was already getting somework in clubs. He thought he was really cool.'Hey, Zuri!' he called. 'So you want to be aDJ?!' He ran in front of Ali. He was with twoother boys.Da G was tall, much taller than Ali. He stoodright in front of her.'You'll never be a DJ!' he said. He laughedand looked at his friends. They had stupidsmiles on their faces.'Shut up, Galas' said Ali. She tried to pushpast him.Da G laughed. Ali walked faster. Da G wasalways trying to fight with her. And it wasworse this week, because Ali was practisingfor the end-of-year party. There were twoother DJs doing the party. One of the otherDJs was Da G.'Girls aren't DJs, Zuri!' shouted Nik.Ali walked into the school. She didn't havetime for this. It was only eight-thirty, but itwas already a bad morning.

CHAPTER 2 - A GIG

'French is so boring' said Kat to Ali. Theywere putting their books into their bags. Itwas the end of their last lesson that day.'It's all boring' said Ali. She was alwayswaiting for the end of the day. She could playher music then.'I´m going into town. I need to buy somenew clothes for the end-of-year party onFriday. Do you want to come?' Kat asked.Ali smiled at her friend. 'No thanks' she said.'I´ve got to practise my set for the party.'Kat walked to the door. 'See you tomorrow,then!' she called to Ali. 'And good luck!'

Ali got her records and carried them acrossthe gardens to the music room. The musicroom was in a different building from the restof the school. This was great, because no

one could hear the noise. She opened thedoor.Brilliant! There was no one there, and todaythe school was open until late. She closed thedoor behind her.The equipment at school wasn't very good.The record decks were really old and thespeakers were terrible. But it was betterthan nothing. Really good equipment costabout £2,500 and she didn't have that kind ofmoney.She turned on the equipment and put on theheadphones. Then she started to practise.Ali played her records. She had a lot of goodmusic: Beyoncé, Kelis, Usher, Alicia Keys andlots more. She practised different mixes forher set on Friday. In the end, she was happywith it. She took off her headphones.'That was great!' Ali jumped. She turnedround quickly and saw Miss Jakic, the musicteacher. Ali didn't like many of the teachersat her school but Miss Jakic was cool. Shewas younger than the other teachers, andshe was interested in the students.'Sorry, Ali' she said. 'I was just putting thingsinto cupboards and I heard the last bit. Itwas really good.''Thanks,' said Ali. 'It's for the end-of-yearparty.''Well good luck' said the music teacher. 'I'msorry, but you can't stay here now. I have tolock the door.'Ali looked at her watch. Six o'clock! Timepassed so quickly when she was DJing. Shegot her records and ran out of the door. Hermother got home at six, and she wasprobably waiting for another conversation likethe one that morning.

Finally the evening of the end-of-year partycame. In her bedroom, Ali chose her coolestclothes. Then she put on her new earrings.They were really big rings, just likeBeyoncé's. They looked great against herlong dark hair.'Don't forget the 'bling' she said to herself.'Bling' was the hip-hop word for jewellery.She was very excited.She went downstairs. Calvin came out of hisroom and followed her. 'Well, Miz Ali' he said,'the guys will be better than you.''What are you talking about?' She turnedround and looked at her brother.

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'You know' he said, 'the DJ guys. They'regoing to be better than you. You're going tolook really stupid. Everyone's saying it...'Ali waited until Calvin got close to her on thestairs. Then she put her face right next tohis. 'Shut up, Calvin' she said. 'You're theonly stupid one around here!'

Ali walked to school and thought about herbrother's words. Calvin always liked to makeher angry. She knew that. But maybe he wasright. 'Are the boys going to be better thanme tonight? Will everyone think that I'm areally bad DJ?'When she arrived at school there werealready a lot of people. They were waiting forthe start of the party. Kat waved at Ali fromthe other side of the room, then walkedslowly across to her between all the people.'Hi there!' Kat said to her friend. 'You're late.I was starting to worry.''You thought I wasn't coming? No way!' saidAli. 'This is my first real gig.'Ali felt nervous, but she was ready.Da G and his friends walked up to them.'Hello, little girls' he said. 'Are you ready tosee a real DJ at work?''Shut up, Galas!' said Kat. 'Come on, Ali. Let'sget a drink.'

The first DJ, Jaggz, started the party. Heplayed some hip-hop and people starteddancing. Everyone was having a good time.Da G - Nik Galas - came next. He stoodbehind the decks and waited. Everyonelooked at him. Nik did a lot of gigs and helooked very cool. He wanted everyone toremember him. When all the eyes in theroom were on him, he started his set. Withits mix of hip-hop and R&B , it was reallypopular.Kat said to Ali, 'He's good... but not as goodas you.'

Then it was Ali's turn. Da G walked past Alion his way to the dance floor. 'Everyoneloved me' he said. 'Now try not to kill theparty.' Ali looked away and walked to therecord decks.

The students stood around in little groups.Da G was right - they liked him. They weren'thappy that it was someone else's turn. And it

was Ali's first gig as a DJ. Maybe she wasterrible.

Everyone waited. Ali put her records on thedecks and started playing. Her first recordwas 'Dance for me' by Mary J. Blige. Just afew people danced at first. But then, slowly,people got up. Soon everyone was dancing.Ali played her next records. The party gotbetter and better. Everyone loved Ali's music,and her mixes. When she finally stopped,they shouted 'More! More!' Ali was hot andtired when she left the record decks.

Kat ran up to her. 'Here, have some water.You were fantastic, Miz Ali! Everybody'ssaying it!' Ali and Kat had another drink.Finally Ali decided to go home. She passedDa G and his friends near the door. Da Glooked at Ali. For once, he wasn't smiling.

CHAPTER 3 TROUBLE

It was Sunday evening when Ali got thephone call. 'Hello, is that Ali?' said the voiceon the phone. 'It's Gina Banks here. I was atthe party at Tottenham Place.' Ali didn't knowGina, but she seemed very friendly.'Your set was great!' said Gina.'Well, thanks,' said Ali.'Anyway,' said Gina, 'there's a party at myschool, Westside, next Friday. Will you do aset for us there?''Well, I... Yes, of course I will!' said Ali.

Ali was smiling when she walked into theliving room.Her mother was there. She was watching herfavourite programme on TV.

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'Well, you look happy!' said her mother.'What's happened?''You don't want to know,' said Ali.'How do you know? Try me,' said VeronicaZuri. She turned off the TV and looked at Ali.Ali told her mother about the phone call fromGina Banks and the gig at Westside.'But Ali, don't forget your school work,' saidher mother. 'You can't be a DJ all your life.You've got to think about your future!' 'Mum, I've already thought about it. I want tobe a DJ that's my future!' shouted Ali. 'Younever listen to me!'

Ali walked out of the living room and ranupstairs to her room. These conversationswith her mother always ended the same way.Ali phoned Kat and told her the news.'… and Gina says they've chosen the best DJsfrom all the schools in north London!' shefinished.'Wow, that's great!' said her friend. 'I don'twant to upset you, but... I heard that Da G isplaying a set there too...'Ali put the phone down. I´ve had enough ofDa G,' she thought.

She lay on her bed and closed her eyes. Whywere so many people against her? EvenCalvin and her mum! And she didn't have anygood DJ equipment. And Kat was going awayfor a few days with her family; she couldn'tbe at the Westside gig.Ali put on her headphones and listened to'Me, myself and I'.I´m going to be my own best friend!' sangBeyoncé.The words seemed just right. 'Yeah,' thoughtAli. 'No one else is going to help me. But Ican do it - just me, myself and I.'

Friday night finally came. Ali took the bus toWestside School alone. At the school, Ginamet her and showed her the record decks.'You're playing last,' she said. 'Da G is doinga set, then a guy from Westside, then you.It's nice to have a girl DJ for a change.''Thanks,' said Ali.She looked around. She needed to leave herrecords somewhere.'Oh, you can leave your bag over there. Thenyou can go and dance' said Gina in a friendlyway.

Ali left her records on a table behind therecord decks. They were in the right order forher set. Then she went onto the dance floorand waited for Da G.

After a few minutes, Da G arrived with hisfriends. He was talking very loudly about hisset, and soon there was a group of girlsaround him. They were smiling and laughing.Ali looked the other way. 'How can those girlsbe so stupid?' she thought.

An hour and a half later, Ali went backbehind the record decks and got her recordbag. The Westside DJ, Lonnie D, was justfinishing his set.Ali went up to the decks and put on theheadphones.She started her set with Beyoncé's 'Me,myself and I'. The song was for all the girls inthe room. When Beyoncé sang 'I´m going tobe my own best friend' Ali saw the girlsaround Da G. They were dancing!Ali got her next record. She wanted to followBeyoncé with an Usher song, 'Can you handleit?' She took the record out of its sleeve andput it on the deck. She listened to it in herheadphones. But... that wasn't Usher - it wasAbba!Ali quickly took the record off the deck. Shegot the next one and looked at the sleeve.Alicia Keys. She took out the record. It said'Army of Lovers'! She quickly looked throughthe rest of the records. Her own recordsleeves had records by Aqua and otheruncool bands inside!

Everyone on the dance floor was standingstill and looking at Ali. No one made a sound.Then someone shouted, 'Oh, very cool, MizAli!' Was that Nik Galas's voice again?She looked out onto the dance floor and feltvery bad.What could she do? Ali played an Aqua songand tried to put her records in the rightorder. But she couldn't find most of herfavourite songs, so she had to play a lot ofterrible music. After 45 long minutes, shefinished the set.Then she took her records and walkedquickly across the dance floor to the door.Everyone was talking about her terrible set.Ali could see Gina Banks. She was telling her

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friends something. She didn't look veryhappy.

Ali ran out of Westside School and into thestreet. She didn't want to see anybody or talkto anybody. She ran down a side street tothe park. She sat down in the park and puther head in her hands. Who did this? Was itDa G and his stupid friends?'I'll never get another gig' thought Ali. I´vegot no future as a DJ now.'

CHAPTER 4 - THE PLACE

It was three days after the party at WestsideSchool and Alí was still very upset. Kat wasback in town and the two girls met at Kat'shouse. Ali told her friend the story.'I looked really stupid' said Ali. I´ll never be aDJ now.''Come on, Ali' said Kat. She put an armaround her friend. 'Don't worry - of courseyou will! You're a really good DJ. You knowyou are.''But you weren't there, Kat' said Ali. 'It wasterrible! And how did it happen? It was DaG's idea - I'm sure of it.''You're right' Kat said. 'Da G's friends did it.They were talking about it this morning.''Well ... no one else knows that' said Ali. 'ToGina Banks and everyone at Westside, I'mjust a bad DJ.''Everyone will know soon, Ali' said Kat.'Because Da G and his friends won't be ableto shut up about it.'Ali looked at Kat. She was right, of course.Da G was probably telling everyone right nowabout his clever trick.'Anyway, listen' said Kat. I´ve got someinteresting news. There's going to be a bigDJ contest at The Place next month.''The Place?' said Ali. 'Is that the new club inCamden?''Yes, that's right' said Kat. 'It's quite small.But everyone says that it's great! Let's gothere on Saturday night and have a look.''Well I...''Come on, Ali' said Kat. 'You've got to forgetabout Westside!'They could just go to The Place for a look,thought Ali. She didn't need to be in thecontest. 'OK' she said finally.Kat smiled. 'Great! Now, what are we goingto wear?'

On Saturday night Ali and Kat went toCamden. The Place was a club on a quietside street. It was already full of people whenthey got there.

They sat down on the comfortable red chairsbetween the bar and the dance floor andwatched the dancers. 'The DJ's really good!'Ali said to Kat. 'I like his mixes.' Ali looked atthe expensive record decks and the DJbehind them. 'Maybe that'll be me one day'she thought, 'a DJ in a London club!'

They watched the dancers for about 20minutes. Then Ali went to the bar for somedrinks. On her way back, she saw a sign onthe wall with information about the DJcontest.

'Do you want to be a DJ? Can yoube the best?' said the sign. 'DJ

contest: July 24th. Win a residencyat a London club.' 'Interested ?'

Ali jumped. She turned round and saw a tallgoodlooking man, about thirty years old.He was wearing a really cool shirt and greenjeans. He was smiling at her.'Well yes… I...' she said.'Are you a DJ?' he asked.'Yes... e ...''What kind of music do you like?''R&B' said Ali. 'Some hip-hop too, but R&B ismy main thing. I like Beyoncé, Usher,Ashanti…''Great!' said the man. 'You've come to theright place. There'll be some R&B latertonight. Have you had a lot of gigs?'

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Ali laughed. 'Not really' she said. 'Just tworeal ones, and the last one was terrible.''Terrible?'She looked at the man. Who was he and whywas he talking to her? He seemed friendly.'It' s a long story' she said.'Try me' said the man.'Well' she started, 'there's a guy at myschool, Da G. He's a DJ too and he doesn'twant another DJ in the school. Anyway, hechanged my records for some really badones…'Before long, this man knew everything.'... and so everyone thinks that I'm a reallybad DJ' she finished.'Well' he said, 'we'll have to do somethingabout all this.'Ali smiled. 'What can you do?' she asked.'What can anyone do?'

'Well maybe I can do something' said theman. 'My name's Ben Ricci and this is myclub.'Ali was very surprised. 'Really?'Ben laughed. 'Really. And your name is ...?''Ali' she said. She was laughing too. 'Ali Zuri.''Well Ali Zuri' said Ben, 'you need to practisesomewhere for the DJ contest next month.What about The Place ?''I... what do you mean?''Well' said the club owner, 'we have the verybest equipment here. When the club's closed,none of our DJs use it. So you can come andpractise here.''Well I...' Ali knew already that the deckswere really good, and really expensive.'Is that a 'yes'? 'Well I need to think' she said. 'Give me afew minutes.'Ali wanted to talk to Kat about this.'OK fine' he said. 'Come and find me at thebar, sweetheart.'She looked up at him. 'Sweetheart?' shethought. 'That's a bit strange. I'm not hisgirlfriend.' Then she hurried back to Kat.'Where have you been?' asked her friend.'You disappeared for about 20 minutes. I wasstarting to worry...' Kat stopped talking andlooked at her friend carefully. 'What'shappened?' she asked.Ali told Kat about her conversation with BenRicci. '... but I'm not sure about him. Hecalled me 'sweetheart'' she finished.

'I don't care' said Kat. 'Ali, this is a real pieceof luck. There's no question about it. Youhave got to say yes!'Kat was right: Ali was lucky. The Place was afantastic club. She could practise here ongreat equipment. Then she could be in the DJcontest. And maybe, just maybe, she couldwin a residency at a London club! She stillfelt a bit strange about Ben Ricci. But hewasn't a big problem. She smiled. 'Yes' shesaid to Kat. 'Yes, yes, yes!'

CHAPTER 5 – A PIECE OF LUCK

'A thirty-year-old man? A Camden clubowner?' said Veronica Zuri. 'Ali, I don't likethis!''Oh Mum, it's OK' said Ali. 'He's just helpingme.'Ali was on her way to The Place with herrecords. But her mother was standing in frontof the door.'I don't know' her mother said. 'This isn't agood idea, Ali.''Don't worry, Mum. I'll be fine' Ali said. 'Youdon't understand. I have to do it! I'll probablynever have this kind of luck again.'Veronica Zuri turned away. She still wasn'thappy, but she knew her daughter. When Aliwas so sure about something, she didn'tlisten to anyone - and certainly not to hermother.

Soon Ali was in Camden. She went to ThePlace. Ben met Ali at the door and showedher around the club. It looked very differentduring the day. All the lights were on, and itwasn't full of people.Ben showed her the equipment. When shetried on the headphones, he put his handsover hers. He didn't need to do that - it was abit strange. She moved away from himquickly.

Then they looked at the record decks. 'Thesedecks are really expensive' he said.'I know' said Ali. 'They're cool!''Look' he said. 'You turn it all on like this.''That's great' she said. 'It's brilliant that I canpractise here. It's a really good club.''Thanks' said Ben. I´m happy that you like it.''So how did you get your own place? Mostclub owners are much older than you.'

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'I´m thirty-three' said Ben. 'I got a lot ofmoney from my father when he died fouryears ago. At first I didn't do anything withthe money. I didn't want to make a mistakeand spend it on the wrong things. Finally Idecided that I wanted my own club. So hereI am ..''Ben, I have a question ...' said Ali.'Yes?' said Ben. 'What is it?' He gave her abig smile.'Why are you helping me?' Ben looked at her.'Why not?' he asked. 'You need help and Ican help you. So why not?'Ali looked into his eyes. Could she believehim?'Anyway, thanks again' she said.'No problem' answered Ben. I´ve got to dosome work in the office now. I'll come backand see you later.''OK' said Ali. 'Bye!'Perhaps Ben was OK she thought.She put on the headphones and startedplaying her records. Soon she was lost in themusic.

Ali started mixing the records in new ways.Some of her ideas were good; others wereterrible. 'This is cool' she thought. 'The bestequipment and time to practise. And I've stillgot two weeks before the DJ contest.'An hour later, Ali looked up. Was someonewatching her? It was dark in the corner ofthe room, but she could just see someonenear the door. It was a girl. She was slim,with blonde hair - maybe twenty-five ortwenty-six years old. She was looking at Aliand listening to the music.'Hi!' called Ali across the room. ‘I´m Ali.'

'Are you?' said the girl. She didn't seem veryfriendly.'Do you like the music?' asked Ali.'It's OK but I prefer hip-hop.' She didn'tsmile.'Oh, great!' said Ali. 'I like some hip-hop too.Do you work here?'The girl laughed. It was a strange laugh -almost angry.'No, I don't!' she said. She tumed away andopened the big black door. It closed behindher with a BANG.'That' s strange' thought Ali. 'Why was she sounfriendly?'

A little later Ben came back. 'Good' thoughtAli. 'I can ask him about the girl.' But Benstarted talking before she could ask anything.'That sounds good, Ali' he said. He carne upto the decks. 'Now, I need to show yousomething...' Suddenly Ben moved quiteclose to her. He touched something on thespeakers.'Er... thanks' she said, and moved away fromhim quickly. 'I´m finishing now anyway.'Ali put her records back in her bag. Ben juststood there and watched. She walked to thedoor. 'Well bye!' she called.'See you tomorrow, then?' he asked.'Maybe' she said. 'I´m not sure abouttomorrow...

Ali thought about The Place all evening. Whowas that blonde girl? And what about Ben?Was he as nice as he seemed? She was surethat he came a little too close to her. Butperhaps she was wrong. Was it OK to gothere again tomorrow? Oh, she couldn'tdecide.

She phoned Kat and told her everything.'But I'm not sure, Kat' she finished. 'Perhapshe's fine, and I'm just worrying aboutnothing.''Hmm, I don't know' said Kat. 'Go againtomorrow, maybe, and see...'In the end, Ali decided to go back to ThePlace the next day. She wanted to use thewonderful equipment again. And she didn'twant her mother to be right about the cluband its owner.So the next afternoon, Ali went back to ThePlace. When she saw Ben, she told him aboutthe blonde girl.

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'So who is she?' she asked.'I don't know' said Ben. 'Sometimes peoplejust come in from the street.' He started aconversation about something else.After a few minutes, Ben went to the officeand Ali started to practise. She tried to forgetabout the girl.Perhaps there was nothing strange about anyof this.

For the next few days, she practised at ThePlace every afternoon. Then, on Friday, theslim blonde girl came back again. Ali saw hernear the door. She took off her headphonesand called, 'Hi! How's it going?''Why are you practising? You won't win thecontest!' answered the girl.Ali looked at her angry face. 'But...''I know some of the judges' she said. 'You'renot going to win. No way!''I can see that you don't like me' said Ali. 'Butwhy? Have I upset you in some way?''Stay away from Ben!' said the girl. 'He's myboyfriend.''But... I'm not interested in Ben!' said Ali. Butbefore she finished the words, the girl waswalking angrily out of the door.

CHAPTER 6 BEN AND LISA

'So he' s got a girlfriend,' said Kat. 'What' sthe problem with that?'It was the next evening. Ali and Kat were inAli's bedroom. They were listening to musicand talking.'Well, why did Ben lie about her? And why'sshe so angry with me?' said Ali. 'She reallyseems to hate me.''That's Ben's fault, not yours. You haven'tdone anything!' said Kat.'It's not my fault, but it is my problem. Shesays that she knows the judges in the DJcontest. She' s going to talk to them aboutme. Then they won't make me the winner.'

Ali was very upset. She didn't want anyproblems with Ben's girlfriend. She thoughtabout it a lot that night, but the next day shewent back to The Place. The DJ contest wasonly a week away, and she really needed topractise. Ben was in the office when she gotthere. She started to practise as usual. Shehad a new Missy Elliot record and she wantedto mix it with her favourites.

A few minutes later, Ben came in. 'Good,' shethought. 'Now I can ask him about hisgirlfriend.''So, how's it going?' he asked. 'It soundsreally good to me. Of course, I' m not goingto be a judge...'While he was speaking, Ben carne very closeto Ali.She moved away from him quickly.'Oh, the music's fine,' said Ali. 'I, er... how' syour girlfriend?' she asked.Ben smiled. 'Lisa? What about her?' he asked.Ali looked at his face. He didn't seem upsetby her question.'Well,' said Ali, 'I, er... I met her yesterday...''Listen, Ali,' said Ben. He carne close to heragain and this time he put his arm aroundher. At that moment, the door opened and Aliturned round. It was Ben's girlfriend, Lisa!She walked out again and shut the door witha BANG.

Ali pulled herself away from Ben and ran outof the room after Lisa.'Lisa!' she called. 'I need to talk to you!'But Lisa wasn't there. Ali couldn't find heranywhere. She was so angry with Ben! Shewanted to shout at him, but it was onlythree days before the contest. She couldn'tupset him now because she needed ThePlace for her practice. 'Just three more days'she told herself. She went back to the recorddecks.

Friday afternoon carne. The contest was thenext day. Ali went to the club and started topractise. She didn't want to see Ben. She justwanted to think about her music. Suddenly,the door opened and Lisa walked in.

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'Oh good' thought Ali. 'Now I can talk to her.'But Lisa started first. 'Stay away from me andfrom Ben' she shouted.Ali looked at Lisa's angry face. 'Listen, Lisa'said Ali. 'About Ben...''I know your game!' Lisa said. 'You like oldermen. So you spend all your time here...''But I'm not interested in Ben!' said Ali. 'It'shim!''You're lying' said Lisa. 'Ben doesn't do thatkind of thing. It's you!''Lisa' said Ali, 'that's really not true...'But Lisa didn't listen. She turned away fromAli and walked out of the door.

That night in bed, Ali thought about Lisa andBen. Why did Ben come so close to her allthe time? And why did Lisa believe that itwas Ali's fault? Did Lisa really plan to speakto the judges? Then Ali couldn't win thecontest. She turned this way and that in herbed. She couldn't sleep.She got up late. When she went downstairsfor breakfast, Calvin was sitting in thekitchen. He looked up.'Good morning' he said. 'Or is it the afternoonalready?! You look terrible. Did you have abad night?''Shut up, Calvin' she said. She made herselfsome coffee.I´ve got some news for you' her brothersaid. 'You know your DJ contest tonight? WellDa G is going to be there too.'Ali didn't say anything, but she felt terrible.She had enough problems already. And nowDa G! Ali drank her coffee quickly. She triedto forget about Da G. She had biggerproblems. She needed to get to The Placeearly and talk to Ben.

CHAPTER 7 - DJ AMBITION

At the club, Ali went to Ben's office.'Ali!' said Ben. 'How's it going?'Ali was very nervous. 'Ben,' she said, 'I wantto talk to you.'Was this a really bad idea?'Er... of course!' said Ben. He smiled. 'What isit?'OK, well, I... I want to talk to you aboutyou... and me.' Ali felt stupid.'Yes?' Ben smiled at her.'I... I think, no, I'm sure that you, I mean... Idon't want you to come so close to me. Idon't want your arm around me. I'm notinterested, Ben.' Ali's voice got louder. 'Andyour girlfriend... Lisa... it' s not nice for her.She thinks that you and I...''What are you talking about, Ali?!' said Ben.Ali stood up. 'Don't play games with me,Ben,' she said. 'I like you, and you've beenkind to me. But please don't do this. It's notright. And it's not fair on Lisa!''But I'm only being friendly,' said Ben. Hewas still smiling, but Ali wasn't.'You don't really think that, Ben. And anyway,I don't care,' Ali said. 'I want you to stopNOW!'

Ali turned and walked out of the room. 'NowI've got to talk to Lisa,' she thought. Luckily,she found her very quickly just outside Ben' soffice, at the club entrance. But Lisa wasrunning out of the door. She didn't turn backwhen Ali shouted after her.There were only a few hours before the startof the big contest. She couldn't worry aboutBen and Lisa now. She had to think about hermusic.First she practised her set one last time.Then she called Kat. Kat was helping her withher clothes and make-up.

Kat arrived late in the afternoon with Ali'sclothes - a really cool red top and blackjeans. The colour of the top looked greatwith Ali's dark hair and skin.'Fantastic!' said Kat. 'Now, what aboutjewellery?'Ali chose her big earrings. 'For luck!' she saidto Kat. 'I wore them at the end-of-year partyat Tottenham Place, and that gig went well.''This one is going to be even better,' saidKat. 'But remember: Da G and his stupid

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friends are going to be here. Don't leave yourrecords anywhere!''No way!' said Ali. She smiled at her friend.'My record bag' s going to be with me all thetime.''What about the judges?' asked Kat. 'Who arethey? Is Ben a judge?''There are five judges,' said Ali. 'Ben isn'tone, but Lisa knows a few of them...' Shestopped smiling.'Oh, don't worry,' said Kat. 'Everything'sgoing to be fine.'

The contest started at nine o' clock. Betweeneight and nine, other DJs arrived. Ali was theonly girl! Da G was standing around with hisfriends. They were laughing and talking.'Probably about me,' thought Ali.The club was soon full of people. Finally, thejudges arrived. Two of them owned otherclubs in London. Then there were threefamous DJs from the best clubs in London.'Look!' said Ali to Kat. 'It's Haze!' The twogirls looked at the famous DJ.'I'm so nervous,' Ali said.'You'll be great' said Kat.Suddenly at the other end of the room, Alisaw Lisa. Was she crying?'Wait a minute, Kat' said Ali. I´ve got to goand talk to Lisa.''No, Ali' said Kat. 'The contest is starting in aminute. Don't let Lisa upset you again. Goand wait with the other DJs. Good luck!'Kat was right. There was no time. Ali went tothe back room. 'But what will Lisa say to thejudges?' she thought. 'Oh well with Lisa hereI'm not going to win. But I've got to do mybest anyway.'

Ali was nervous, but she was ready. Tonightshe could show everyone that she really wasa good DJ.

There were eight DJs in the first part of thecontest, then four in the second part. Finally,in the last part, there were just two.

In the first part she did a really good set andeasily reached the second part of the contest,with Da G and two others.

'Great, Ali!' said Kat. 'The judges like you!'Ali smiled. Perhaps Kat was right. Maybe thejudges didn't care about Lisa's stories.

Ali's second set was even better than thefirst, but the contest was getting moredifficult. The judges talked for twentyminutes before they decided on the two DJsfor the last part of the contest. It was Da Gand Miz Ali!'I´m going to win, Miz Ali!' Da G said as hewalked past her.'In your dreams, Galas!' said Ali quietly.Da G just looked at her. It was the last partof the contest - Miz Ali against Da G. Ali feltgood. She knew that she could win. She justhad todo everything right.

Da G went first and did a really good set.Everyone in the club danced. Then Ali walkedup to the record decks and started her set.All her mixes went really well. She startedwith Ashanti and then played Mary J. Blige,R. Kelly and all her favourites. When shefinished, everyone shouted excitedly. Thejudges started talking.

Kat carne up to Ali. 'You were the best!' shesaid. But Ali didn't say anything. She was toonervous. She needed to know: was she thewinner?

Fifteen minutes later the judges had theanswer. Haze stood up. The Place becamevery quiet. 'And the winner tonight,' heshouted, 'is... Miz Ali!'Everyone in the room started shouting. Alijumped up and down. She was the winner!Kat put her arms around her and shouted,'You won! You won!'

'And what has she won?' asked Haze. 'Well;has anyone heard of Igloo?' There was morenoise from the dance floor. Igloo was a clubin Holloway, in north London. Haze workedthere for many years before he becamefamous. 'Well, give a shout for Miz Ali, Igloo'snew resident DJ!'Everyone shouted even louder. 'Miz Ali'sresidency will be on Monday nights. Andshe's the first girl DJ at the club!' Haze cameup to Ali. 'Your sets were fantastic,' he said.'You've got a big future ahead of you.' Ali feltvery happy.

At the door she could see Da G and hisfriends. Da G gave Ali an angry look. But shedidn't care now. She was the winner!

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Lisa appeared. 'Great, Ali!' she said. I´m sohappy for you.'Ali was very surprised. Why was Lisa being sofriendly suddenly?'And I, er... I'm sorry about everything,' saidLisa. 'You didn't do anything wrong with Ben.I know that now. I heard your conversationwith him earlier.''Oh, er, I...' Ali couldn't think of the rightwords.'I was a bit upset after that,' said Lisa. 'Ialways believed Ben, but... well, that's ourproblem, not yours. Anyway, you didbrilliantIy in the contest. Maybe I'll see you atIgloo one day.'Ali smiled. Finally she and Lisa could befriends. But what about Ben?A few minutes later, Ben arrived.'Hi, girls! Ali, you were great! A residency atIgloo - that's really cool'.Ali and Lisa just looked at him. They saidnothing. 'And... I'm sorry, Ali.' He put his armaround Lisa. 'Perhaps you were right thismorning, about you and Lisa and everything.I hope we can all be friends.''Maybe,' thought Ali. 'But maybe Ben and Lisawill be happier without me at The Place.'

Then, for a minute, she thought about hermother. 'What's she going to say about myresidency?' But all that was in the future. Forthe moment, Ali was happy, very happy. Shewas the new DJ at Igloo. This was a fantasticstart to her DJ ambition!

THE END

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BEFORE YOU READ AND WHILE YOU’RE READING.Work with a dictionary the meaning of the words in bold letters. Write a list

Word or phrase Meaning Word or phrase Meaning

instead

jewellery

noisily