Vanessa's Fashion Face-Off by Jo Whittemore Read Free Book Online Page A

. purple pants and a green tank top.”
    I made a face. “I look like an eggplant.”
    â€œI meant blue jeans,” she corrected herself, starting the music again.
    I wrinkled my forehead. “Boot cut, flared, or skinny?”
    The music stopped.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWhat kind of jeans?” I asked.
    â€œFlared.”
    â€œI don’t own flared jeans,” I said. “When did I buy them?”
    Heather sighed. “I don’t know. There was a sale at Blarneys?”
    â€œI think you mean Barneys,” I said. “And even on sale their jeans are not cheap. Where did I get the money? I didn’t babysit those terrible Thatcher boys again, did I?”
    I felt Heather’s hands clutching both sides ofmy head. “You got the money as a birthday present, the jeans were on clearance because they had a stain, and before you ask, you’re wearing ballet flats.”
    I was quiet for a moment. Then I peeked through one eye and asked, “What color are the flats?”
    â€œVanessa!” Heather squeezed my head, and we both busted out laughing.
    After we’d calmed down, I said, “Look, I’m sorry, and I appreciate your help, but visualizing myself confident before an audience won’t work. Trust me, I have a constant daydream where I’m holding a fashion show, and”—I shrugged—“that hasn’t worked, either.”
    She shook her head. “I just don’t get it. You love being the center of attention, and the spotlight is perfect for that. Even if you’re not comfortable in front of two hundred people, you should be okay in front of one camera.” She snapped her fingers.“Remember when we helped Brooke film that video for history? You were in front of a camera then!”
    â€œA cell phone camera,” I reminded her. “And I didn’t have to look directly at it, and my professional career wasn’t at stake!”
    â€œWell—”
    Someone knocked on my bedroom door.
    â€œCome in, Mom!” I called.
    Only it wasn’t my mom. Or my little brother. Or Brooke or Tim Antonides or even Tim Gunn.
    â€œHiyee!” said Katie, waving to me. “Your mom said I’d find you here, and she asked me to babysit your brother, which of course I said yes to because how cute is he, and plus, you and I are like sisters from different misters, so he’s almost family!” She took a deep breath. “But what are you doing by yourself, lonely pants?” She started to walk in and saw Heather off to the side. “Oh! Hi, Heather! Sorry. I just wanted to talk toVanny about the advice-off.”
    â€œThat’s actually what we’re practicing for,” said Heather. “V has a little stage fright.”
    â€œHey!” I turned on Heather with wide eyes. “Why would you reveal my weakness to the competition?”
    â€œAwww, it’s okay,” said Katie. “My lips are sealed.” She pantomimed zipping them shut. “Want me to email you some Toastmasters videos my mom has?”
    I was about to point out that she technically wouldn’t be able to talk if her lips were really sealed, but her question intrigued me.
    â€œToastmasters?” I repeated. “What’s that?”
    â€œIt’s a public-speaking improvement group. My mom used to have a serious phobia about speaking in public, so her doctor recommended she join. After a few months—”
    â€œA few months? I only have a week.” I looked to Heather to back me up, but she shrugged.
    â€œIt couldn’t hurt,” she said.
    Why was she siding with Katie?
    â€œFine.” I nodded at Katie. “Can you email me the files?”
    â€œSure, give me your business card.”
    I froze in the process of getting a pen and Post-it. “My what?”
    â€œBusiness card,” she repeated as she reached into her purse and pulled out a flat, pink card case with a black K in the