Fashion Academy by Sheryl Berk Read Free Book Online

“No more Cruella De Vil hair. Wash out those streaks.”
    â€œReally? Is this necessary?” she complained.
    JC held up a hand. “Do you want people to think of you as more than the Cabbage Patch Kid?”
    â€œFine,” Mickey said, grabbing the towel out of his hand and walking to the bathroom. “I’ll try anything.” She scrubbed her hair in the sink and blew it dry so it fell in soft waves around her shoulders. When she came back, JC nodded in approval.
    â€œBlond is definitely your color,” he said. “No more trying to hide it with hair chalk.”
    He handed her a garment bag. “Try this on for size. I usually sew for pups, not people, but I think I did a decent job.”
    Mickey unzipped the bag. Inside was a teal one-shouldered dress. The fabric was soft and shimmery and draped to perfection.
    â€œWow. It’s really beautiful. You made this?” she asked.
    â€œI saw something similar on the Paris Runway reports—Beyoncé bought it.”
    Mickey admired the delicate stitches and attention to detail. “It’s amazing, JC, but I just don’t think it’s me.”
    JC took the dress off the hanger and handed it to her. “It is you. The new you. Try it on.”
    She ducked into the bathroom and slipped the dress over her head. It fit her like a glove. When she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized the person staring back at her.
    JC knocked on the door. “How does it look?”
    Mickey opened the door and stepped out. JC’s jaw dropped.
    â€œWow. You look like a supermodel. This oughta give Jade and her cloniacs something to talk about tomorrow!”
    â€œOh no. I can’t go to school like this!” Mickey exclaimed.
    â€œOh, yes you can!” JC insisted. “And we’ll need a really good story to go with it.” He flopped down on his beanbag chair to think of a plan. “I know! Your real name is Kenzie Wills, and your father is a famous fashion designer. You were just trying to hide your true identity from the paparazzi!”
    Mickey sighed. “My father is a bass player who I haven’t seen in ten years.”
    JC shrugged. “So? A little white lie never hurt anyone. Right, Madonna?”
    The tiny dog yawned in approval.
    â€œHow would my dad be a designer that no one has ever heard of?” Mickey asked.
    â€œHe designs very far away—in Finland. That’s it! He’s a Finnish fashion star! To the royal family of Finland!”
    Mickey shook her head. “And you think Jade is going to buy that? Or South or any of them?”
    JC grinned. “With a little gossip, they’ll buy anything. And I know just how to spread the word.”
    He went to his laptop and typed in a website address: www.sewfab.com.
    â€œWhat is that?” Mickey asked.
    â€œA little style blog that everyone at FAB worships. No one knows who writes it—it’s a Gossip Girl kinda thing. Very secretive. But you can send in your tips. Which is exactly what I’m going to do…”
    Mickey watched nervously as JC’s fingers flew across the keyboard. When he was finished, he showed her what he’d written:
    What new student is really the daughter of Finnish fashion royalty in disguise hiding out from the press? Watch for a grand entrance at FAB tomorrow morning!

JC had insisted that Mickey not take the bus Friday morning to school. He insisted she needed “a big reveal.”
    Think, “I’m Kenzie Wills, design diva!” he texted her bright and early. And don’t forget to ditch the high-tops and wear my mom’s heels that I gave you! C U soon!
    Mickey knew she had to play the part of Kenzie Wills or no one would believe her. So she tried it out on Aunt Olive first.
    â€œMorning, Auntie,” Mickey said, gliding into the kitchen in her new dress.
    â€œYou look… different ,” Olive noted. “No turquoise streaks in your hair today to