Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples Read Free Book Online Page A

what?”
    “The outfit. It’s awesome.”
    The willowy figure in the drawing was clothed in pure fantasy, flowing sleeves and a tight-laced bodice only an elf from Tolkien’s Rivendell could wear.
    “In fact—” Zoe closed the sketchbook and hitched one knee onto the mattress so she faced Stacey. “We should do that. This summer. We’ll make our own clothes and no one—guaranteed, no one—will be wearing anything like our stuff next fall.”
    “
That
outfit? Pretty extreme for school. Maybe for a Renaissance fair or a play.” Still, the pattern began to form in Stacey’s mind along with calculations of how much fabric she’d need and what material would produce the flowing effect. Three yards of chiffon at least for the sleeves alone.
    Zoe tossed the sketchbook onto the bed and got to her feet. “This’ll be great. What if we come up with designs together and make our own patterns, and then sell the clothes?”
    “Then we wouldn’t be unique.” Stacey retrieved the sketchbook and slid it into the cubby of her nightstand.
    “No, no, listen. Everyone will be copying us. We’ll be the trendsetters. We’ll rule that school.
And
we’ll have a nice fat portfolio that will get us into design school. I love this idea!”
    It was easy to get caught up in Zoe’s excitement. The girl couldn’t wait to get out of Stiles County. A pleasant moan escaped Stacey at the thought of driving away, being in control of her life, chasing a dream. She had dozens of ideas laid out in her sketchbook,combining sweeping lines of mythic fantasy with futuristic elements like Manga art.
    “We should go on a research trip.” A humungous grin spread across Zoe’s face. “Not around here, though. In Raleigh. Check out the high-end malls. Hit the trendy shops. Get inspired.”
    “Uh, Calvin’s house? Tomorrow?”
    “Sunday, then.”
    “Sunday is Easter. Mom’s probably going to make us go to church.”
    “All right then! During the week while we’re off school.”
    “I’ll have to check. I’m not sure Daddy will let me drive all the way to Raleigh.”
    Zoe stomped her foot and turned her face toward the ceiling. “What is it with your dad? He’s so strict about
everything
.”
    No arguing that; Daddy ran the family like a division of the police station. He was all about rules. In fact, he’d been so angry about her impulse decision to bleach her hair and put in pink streaks that he’d threatened to chop it all off. Maybe God was angry too, because in the shower this morning, dozens of hairs came loose in Stacey’s fingers.
    Her cell rang on the bedside table. She gasped at the photo on the screen. “It’s Calvin.”
    Zoe rolled her eyes, snatched a fashion magazine from the stack on Stacey’s bedside table, and collapsed cross-legged to the floor. Stacey grimaced and took the call.
    “Hi-eee!”
    “Hey, Stace. How are you feeling?” His deep, mellow voice was enough to make a girl sigh. It was the most attractive thing about him. That and his sparkling hazel eyes, Cupid’s-bow mouth, cherub cheeks …
    “I’m fine. Much better.”
    “That’s great. Want to go to the movies tonight with me, Tyler, and Flannery?”
    “Ooh, I’d love to, but I can’t. Sorry. Zoe’s here.”
    “Oh.” His voice dropped, turned the single syllable into three.
    “But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Okay. So what are y’all doing?”
    “Talking about designing clothes.” She glanced at Zoe on the floor and wondered if the girl processed every word of her half of the conversation. Stacey eased toward her bedroom door. “So, um, what are
you
doing?”
    He sighed. “My bike broke down today. Throttle cable. I don’t know how I’m going to get it fixed so I can ride at all this week.”
    With a final glance at Zoe—who stared at a boring ad in the magazine as if it actually interested her—Stacey stepped out to the hallway. “I’m so sorry, babe. We can do something else outdoors if you want.” She ran her finger