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

center of it. She flipped it open and passed cards to me and Heather.
    Of course.
    â€œWow!” said Heather with the same enthusiasm she’d had for my costume. “These are really nice. And so professional!”
    â€œAwww, thanks!” said Katie. “I want people to take me seriously.”
    I glanced at the card she’d given me, which I had to admit did look really nice. Her name, her email address, and Fashion Guru were writtenin swirly script meant to look like thread coming off a spool at one end of the card.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Katie asked me.
    â€œIt’s great,” I said with a tight smile. I wrote my email address on a Post-it and handed it to her. “I don’t have business cards yet.”
    â€œOh, Vanny.” Katie clicked her tongue. “That just won’t do! We’ll get on that this weekend.”
    â€œYay!” I said, waving a fist that to her probably looked excited but was really holding back some serious rage. “You said you wanted to see me about the advice-off?”
    â€œYes!” Katie gripped my arms and set me down on the bed. “Only . . . can we talk in private?”
    I glanced at Heather, one of my dearest, closest, lifelong friends, and sent her a telepathic message: Do not leave me alone with this girl!
    Heather smiled at us and grabbed her bag. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
    Clearly, I could cross off mental bond from mylist of best-friend benefits.
    As soon as Heather walked out and closed my bedroom door, Katie gasped and put a hand to her chest.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I asked. “Are you having a heart attack? Do we need to cancel the advice-off?”
    â€œVanny, what is this piece of gorgeousness?” She reached for the costume on the back of my door.
    â€œOh no!” I got to it before she could and then tucked it back into my closet. “Nobody was supposed to see that!”
    â€œAre you kidding? Everybody should see it!” she exclaimed, chasing after me.
    I paused and blushed. I had to hand it to Katie. She was an expert at flattery.
    â€œWell, thanks, but it’s a surprise for the Schwartzes’ Halloween party.”
    â€œGotcha,” she said with a wink. “My lips are double sealed.”
    I sighed and sat on my bed. “I hope so. Now, what did you want to say about the advice-off?”
    â€œOh, not much.” Katie twirled her hair dully. “Except . . .” She clapped her hands against my legs. “Vanny! We are going to own it!”
    I cocked my head, not remotely as enthused. “You realize we’re competing against each other.”
    â€œYeah, yeah,” she said with a dismissive wave. “But we’re also competing against everyone else in the advice-off for ratings!”
    â€œRatings?” I repeated. “This isn’t network TV, Katie. It’s going to air in every homeroom. People won’t have a choice but to watch us.”
    â€œUmmm.” Katie made a sassy face. “That’s so not true. The TVs have to be broadcasting us, yes, but the kids in the classroom don’t have to watch.”
    â€œGood!” I said. “The less the better! Or have you already forgotten? Stage fright?” I gestured to myself.
    â€œYes, but you’ll get over it,” she said. “This is our chance to make a name for ourselves.”
    â€œI already have a name,” I said. “It’s Va nessa .” I emphasized the ending.
    â€œVanny!” Katie rolled her eyes, completely oblivious. “You don’t take your career seriously enough. No website, no business cards, no drive to be in the public eye.”
    â€œI’m twelve,” I pointed out. “I’ll have plenty of time to get in the public eye later.”
    â€œBut why not start now? Can’t you see the headline?” Katie stood and held her hands open above her head. “‘Vanessa Jenkins: Middle-School