Secrets of My Hollywood Life #4: Paparazzi Princess by Jen Calonita Read Free Book Online

Girl just like I do, and swear by the two-hour block of Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy . Lauren even likes Star Wars . Our chat is only interrupted once briefly when Ava tells off this Nickelodeon actress for having said something negative about her to Page Six. It all happens so quickly that I don't even have time to react. Lauren is too busy grilling me about my favorite Star Wars scenes. It turns out the three of us shop at the same stores, all agree that Coffee Bean kicks Starbucks's butt and can't get enough of Pinkberry yogurt. Ava is funny and Lauren, despite her rep for being an airhead, actually seems to have a lot to say. I almost feel guilty for believing everything I read about them. I know I'd hate it if they did about me.
    "Okay, enough talking," Ava declares. "It's time to shop." She grabs my hand and I notice several camera flashes go off around us. "Come on! Let's go."
    The three of us rush up to the Cinch shop and Lauren and Ava begin plucking bags off their pedestals like they're candy. "Oooh, look at this one! I only have it in blue. I don't own red. Do you make an orange? This one is killer! It's so cute and tiny. I'll take three. What kind of wallets do you have? Do you have a matching keychain?"
    I make my way along the display and stop in front of a large leopard print bag with black leather trim and tons of zippers. I pick it up and twirl it around. I've never seen a Cinch bag like it before.
    Ava gasps. "That bag is divine," she says, taking it out of my hands. "The leather is so soft, and I love the pattern. You have to get it. It's so you."
    I laugh. "It's kind of loud for my taste. And big. I don't carry this much stuff."
    "Trying something out of character is so now," Lauren says. "That bag rocks."
    I put it on my shoulder and look in the floor length mirror standing next to the display counter. The bag is cool. And I don't have anything quite like it. I look at the price tag. Ouch! It's over three thousand dollars.
    Ava sees my face. "Don't think about the price. The money goes to charity."
    "Even so, it's a lot. My mom will kill me." I have bags that cost much more than this, but they've all been gifted to me. I can't buy this. I can hear Mom yelling already.
    Lauren shrugs. "Wait till the bill comes in to tell her. That's what I do."
    "I can't do that," I say, surprised. I put the bag back on the pedestal and stare at it longingly.
    "Don't think. Just buy," Ava tells me and takes the bag off the pedestal again and pushes it into my arms. "You work hard. You make money."
    "But my mom," I start to say again.
    "Forget your mom," Ava insists. She looks at me intently. "This is a great bag and you deserve it, especially with your show going off the air. Buy the bag to cheer yourself up."
    Maybe I do deserve a pick-me-up. I look at the bag again. No. I can't do it. Mom will freak. She can make a purchase like this, but if I did it, she'd wig out. "Maybe I'll talk to my mom and if she says it's okay I'll get it then," I say a tad sadly.
    Lauren pouts. Ava sighs and shakes her head. "Don't you ever just do what you want to do? I mean, without asking anyone for permission?"
    Um. No?
    I stare at the bag again and play with one of the zippers. Hmm ... maybe Ava's right. Everyone is always making my decisions for me. I should be able to buy a bag without having to call a meeting. And Mom did say to get whatever I want. The money goes to charity. Besides which, I love this bag. "Okay," I say defiantly. I hand my credit card to the Cinch girl and feel a surge of adrenaline shoot through my body.
    The girls squeal in approval. Their loot winds up costing three times more than mine, but neither flinches. When we get back to the table, my Sidekick begins buzzing and I see the message is from Nadine.
    FUTUREPREZ: Great news! We got U in2 the Vanity Fair Oscars party! U + 1. Guess we need 2 find U a dress. Congrats! (P.S. Don't forget 2 study 4 my SAT quiz on Monday.)
    Oh my God. I got in to the Vanity Fair party!