Knot Too Shabby!

by Chloe Taylor

  “I’m going to go too,” Zoey said, getting up and taking her tray. “I want to be there to congratulate Priti.”

  “Me too,” Taylor said.

  “I’ll follow you in a sec,” Campbell said. “I want to grab another cookie.”

  There was a big crowd around the cast list when Zoey and Taylor got there. They couldn’t get close enough to see it, and they couldn’t see Priti. But then she emerged from the fray, strangely subdued—not at all her usual, exuberant self—and for once, speechless.

  “What happened?” Zoey asked. “Are you okay?”

  Priti just shrugged and then walked away.

  Zoey gave Taylor a worried look, and they both wormed their way to the front of the crowd to look at the cast list. Zoey couldn’t believe her eyes. The name next to the leading role that Priti wanted so badly was . . . Campbell, with Taylor as her understudy.

  Priti had been cast as Puck, which was a fun supporting role, but Puck didn’t get to kiss Oberon—who was going to be played by the very cute Nick.

  Taylor was in the Company, and Zoey was listed as the costume designer, but with a question mark after her name and a note to go speak to the director.

  “Oh no!” Taylor said. “Priti must be so upset! It’s not like Campbell even planned on auditioning until the director made her do it.”

  “I know!” Zoey said. “Let’s go find Priti. She’s going to need some serious cheering up.”

  Priti was sitting on a bench just inside the doors of the drama building, looking very glum. Just as Zoey and Taylor found her, Campbell walked by. As soon as the crowd around the cast list spotted her, they all started cheering, much to Campbell’s confusion.

  “What’s going on?” she asked her friends.

  Zoey and Taylor glanced at Priti, who was staring at a spot on the floor, apparently trying to avoid looking at Campbell at all costs.

  “Um . . . well . . . it seems like you got the lead,” Zoey explained. “You’ve been cast as Titania.”

  “What?” Campbell exclaimed. “But . . . what about Priti? I didn’t even want to audition!”

  Priti was quieter than Zoey had ever seen her.

  “I . . . I’m happy for you, Campbell,” Priti said, her voice cracking. “I don’t want to be a crybaby or anything. It’s just disappointed not to get my first choice part, is all.” She sighed heavily. “I think I just need a little time alone. I’ll . . . see you guys later.”

  “Okay, Priti. See you later,” Zoey said, her brow creased with worry for her friend. She knew that not getting the chance to kiss Nick, her crush, was just doubling Priti’s disappointment.

  “We have to do something,” Campbell said as she watched Priti walk away with her shoulders slumped and her feet dragging. “This is so wrong.”

  “But what can we do?” Taylor asked. “It’s not our decision.”

  “We can talk to the director,” Zoey suggested. “I have to talk to her anyway, about the costume thing. I didn’t think they’d need a costume designer, to be honest. I thought they’d already have costumes or they’d rent them.”

  “Let’s do it,” Campbell said. “Right now.”

  They headed straight to the theater director’s office and asked if they could speak to her.

  “Sure,” she said. “What’s on your mind?”

  Campbell explained her dilemma and asked if Priti could have her role instead.

  “Here’s the thing, girls,” Ms. Natasha said. “I need someone with a big voice and a strong personality to play the role of Puck, and even with a bad cold, I could tell Priti was my girl. She just radiates personality. Puck is a great role for her—it’s actually more challenging and interesting than Titania.”

  She looked from Campbell to Taylor and then back to Campbell.

  “I’m sorry, which one of you is which? I’m embarrassed to say I can’t tell.”

  “I’m Taylor.”

  “And I’m Campbell.”

  “I cast you, Taylor, as the understudy, because although you have a beautiful voice and so much potential, you don’t project your voice well yet, and you don’t seem to be very comfortable center stage.”

  “It’s true,” Taylor admitted. “I’m not.”

  “And you, Campbell—you might not have realized this yet, but you’re a natural actress.” Ms. Natasha smiled. “You’re also a terrific friend.”

  She leaned back in her chair. “I’m going to speak to Priti about her role. I have a strong hunch this is all going to work out just fine. Priti’s lucky to have friends who care about her so much.”

  Zoey felt a little better, although she wouldn’t stop worrying about Priti until her friend was back to her normal, outgoing self.

  “Zoey, I’ve got one thing to ask you before you go,” said Ms. Natasha.

  “What’s that?” Zoey asked.

  “The camp director told me about your blog, Sew Zoey, and I was hoping to get you to design some really fabulous new costumes for the main characters,” Ms. Natasha said. “We’ve got costumes for the cast, but I’d love to get some fresh ideas for the leads, to change it up a bit. Because the costumes I have are a bit more modern in style, I’m thinking of changing the setting from ancient Greece to something a bit more contemporary. What do you think?”

  “Sounds cool!” Zoey exclaimed. “I’d love to design the costumes. Plus, I haven’t been sewing at all, which feels really weird.”

  “Great!” declared Ms. Natasha. “I’m so glad we had this little chat.”

  “Me too,” Zoey said.

  “Me three,” Taylor said, nodding enthusiastically. She was staring at Zoey with wide eyes.

  As soon as they left the director’s office, Taylor grabbed Zoey’s arm.

  “Wait . . . are you the Zoey? From the Sew Zoey blog?” she asked.

  “Um . . . yes. That’s me,” Zoey said.

  “I can’t believe it!” Taylor said. “I read your blog all the time! My friend Kaley told me about it, and now I read it every chance I get.”

  “In fact,” Campbell added, “right before we came to camp, Taylor and I were thinking about writing to you for fashion advice!”

  “Wow! Well, now you don’t have to write to me—you can just ask me in person,” Zoey said.

  “We’ll do that,” Campbell said. “But first things first. We need to go cheer up Priti.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Dramarama

  Dear Kate,

  Hi hi hi hi!! I can’t remember which sport you’re doing this week, but I hope you’re having a blast kicking, paddling, or whatever. You wrote me about running five miles a day. I can’t imagine having to run five miles ever, especially when it’s this hot! How do you survive? I’m glad to hear you get to go swimming, too. I was picturing you melting into a puddle of hot, tired, Kate goo at the end of the day.

  Priti’s down about not getting the lead in a play. Do you have any good coach things I can tell her to cheer her up? I’m trying to think of what Dad would say. I’m attaching a sketch of the outfit I came up with for her character. Hope it makes her like the whole play situation more! Miss you!!

  Xoxo,

  Zoey

  Fortunately, it wasn’t in Priti’s nature to be down for long. Once the director spoke to her and explained why she cast Priti in the part of Puck, she cheered up quickly and was soon back to her usual self. She was still envious that Campbell was going to get to kiss Nick, but since Campbell clearly wasn’t looking forward to it, it wasn’t something Priti was going to let come between their friendship.

  The camp days took on a fun routine. Mornings were for nature walks, arts and crafts, sports, and other activities, and afternoons were spent at rehearsals for the theater production. Priti, having reconciled herself to her role, was absolutely shining as Puck. Zoey sat in on rehearsals with her sketchbook to get ideas. Ms. Natasha brainstormed with Zoey about what contemporary setting might allow her to create the most interesting costumes. Zoey thought of her recent visit to New York and a
ll the varied fashions she’d seen there.

  “And then the woods could be Central Park!” she suggested.

  “I love it!” Ms. Natasha said. “What a fabulous idea. And we can make great sets for that, too. Go for it.”

  Zoey took measurements for the main characters’ costumes. Her favorite was Priti’s. It was whimsical and woodsy, to tie into the Central Park theme, but Zoey made sure to add a bunch of sparkly sequins to catch the light—and to make Priti happy, of course!

  Time at camp passed by quickly. Zoey was busy creating costumes for the lead characters, and she spent a lot of time using the sewing machine in the arts and crafts room.

  Weekends were a time for sports and relaxation. One Sunday, Zoey and Priti agreed to meet Campbell and Taylor at the lake after lunch for a cool-down swim, because it was so hot and humid.

  “After we call our mom,” Taylor said. “We call every Sunday. She’d worry if we didn’t.”

  “Plus, it’s nice to hear her voice, you know, even though it makes me a little homesick,” Campbell said. “A swim will cheer me right up!”

  Priti and Zoey walked down to the lake and found a good spot for their towels.

  “Are you glad you came to camp, even though my dad kind of made you do it?” Priti asked as they stretched out to soak up the sun.

  “He didn’t make me do anything—but I am really glad he suggested it,” Zoey said. “I’m having so much fun. How ’bout you?”

  “I’m having fun too,” Priti said. “And it’ll be totally worth it if my parents are happier when I get back. It’s been scary to see them argue so much. I’ve been really afraid they were going to get a divorce.”

  “I know,” Zoey said. “But . . . I’m sure this break will be good for them.”

  The truth was, Zoey wasn’t sure at all. Her dad had said they’d just have to wait and see. But she wanted everything to go well, for Priti’s sake, because she knew how worried her friend was.

  It wasn’t long before Taylor and Campbell joined them. They were dressed in matching swimsuits, matching flip-flops, and matching swim caps. Priti and Zoey started laughing.

  “It’s Camplor and Taybell!” Priti said. “Honestly, when the two of you are together and dressed exactly the same like that, it’s impossible to tell who is who!”

  “Is there some kind of secret to telling you two apart?” Zoey asked. “Like, does one of you have a freckle or a scar the other one doesn’t have?”

  “Well . . . at the moment, Campbell has bangs, but I don’t,” Taylor said. “Mom still hasn’t recovered from that.”

  “Wait—what bangs?” Zoey asked. “You don’t have bangs.”

  “I do. You just can’t see them,” Campbell said. She pulled out shorter strands of hair from her French braid.

  “See, I cut them myself,” Campbell admitted. “I was just sick of everyone mistaking me for Taylor. But ever since the Day of the Hair Hacking, Mom’s made us both wear our hair in French braids, so no one can tell.”

  “I can’t remember ever not being dressed alike.” Taylor sighed. “We’ve worn the same thing—from our hair down to our shoes—ever since we were little.”

  “It’s not that we don’t like being twins,” Campbell said. “Being identical can be fun. We used to switch places sometimes, but even that’s getting old. We’re tired of looking like clones.”

  “That’s what I was going to write to Sew Zoey—I mean, to you—about,” Taylor confessed. “I wanted to ask for advice about finding clothes that look similar enough to keep Mom happy but that are still different enough to let Campbell and me feel like ourselves.”

  “It does get confusing with the two of you dressed the same,” Priti agreed.

  “I would love to help you,” Zoey said. “It’ll be fun!”

  “Really?” Taylor said. “That would be awesome. I can’t wait!”

  While the girls were basking in the sun after swimming in the lake, Zoey asked the twins questions. Did they prefer wearing pants, shorts, or skirts? Taylor loved wearing skirts, but Campbell felt more comfortable in pants and shorts. She also asked them about their favorite hobbies and sports and which colors they liked best.

  Even though the twins were identical, their tastes weren’t. Taylor’s favorite color was blue, and Campbell’s was green. Zoey had a lot to work with.

  That night, Zoey curled on her bunk with the journal and pencils that had been a gift from her dad and aunt Lulu, and worked on ideas for the twins’ clothes. She tried to create outfits that were different enough to let each girl express herself, but which still had some elements that brought them together to show that they were proud to be twins.

  At breakfast the next morning, she revealed the designs she’d come up with. The twins were thrilled.

  “Oh my gosh, Zoey! You’re amazing!” Taylor exclaimed. “I love mine!”

  “I love mine too!” Campbell said. “I wish I could wear it right now.”

  “If I were at home, I could make them for you, no problem,” Zoey said. “But I don’t have my sewing machine. Camp rules.”

  “Can you make them for us when you get home, if we send you the money for materials?” Taylor asked, gazing longingly at the sketches. “If Mom saw us in those outfits, maybe she’d realize we don’t always have to be dressed like two peas in a pod.”

  “Sure,” Zoey said, but she’d just had another idea—one she had to keep secret until she’d had a chance to speak to Ms. Natasha.

  As soon as she had a spare moment, Zoey went to the theater building to see the director. She explained Campbell and Taylor’s lookalike dilemma and how they wanted to convince their mother it was time for them to choose their own clothes. Then Zoey showed Ms. Natasha the designs she’d created for the twins.

  “I just think if I could make the outfits for them to wear when their mom comes to pick them up, maybe it’ll help her change her mind,” Zoey explained. “But it would mean I’d have to use the camp’s sewing machine and some of your fabrics. I brought some of my own fabrics from home, but not enough, and besides, they’re not what I have in mind for this. I’d do it all in my spare time.”

  “I don’t think that will be a problem, Zoey,” Ms. Natasha said. “After all, designing and making clothes is a terrific arts and crafts project!”

  “Thank you!” Zoey said. She couldn’t wait to get started on the surprise project for her twin friends.

  Zoey decided to let Priti in on the secret, so she could help Zoey pick fabrics and consult on the design—and because it was more fun collaborating on a surprise project than having to keep it all to herself. It felt so great to be sewing again that Zoey was able to make the outfits in no time at all.

  “I wanted to keep this a secret till the last minute, but we have to let the twins in on this,” Zoey told Priti one afternoon, after showing her the almost-finished pieces. “I need them for fittings now. I got a sense of their size by taking measurements from Campbell’s clothes when she wasn’t in the cabin, but to get these outfits perfect, I need to see them on.”

  “Oooh! Can I be there when you tell them?” Priti exclaimed. “I want to see the identical expressions on their identical faces!”

  Zoey caught Taylor and Campbell before rehearsal, making sure Priti was on hand.

  “Can you two stick around for a few minutes after rehearsal? I need to do a fitting,” she said.

  The twins looked puzzled.

  “But I thought you already finished our costumes,” Taylor said.

  “It’s not for that,” Zoey said. “It’s for a little surprise I’ve been working on.”

  “Surprise?” Campbell asked, and then smiled widely. “Wait! Do you mean . . . the outfits?”

  Zoey nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Seriously?!” Taylor shrieked. “I’m so excited!!”

  “Me too!” Campbell exclaimed. “But how?”

  “Priti’s been helping me,” Zoey said. “And Ms. Natasha let me use the theater department’s sewing ma
chine and fabrics. We wanted you to be able to wear the outfits when your mom comes to pick you up from camp!”

  “I can’t believe you two went to so much trouble for us,” Taylor said.

  “You guys are the best,” Campbell agreed. “I’m so glad you came to Blue Mountain this summer.”

  “Let’s just hope your mom is glad too,” Zoey said. “After rehearsal, you can try them on and I’ll make them fit just right.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Not Exactly Two Peas in a Pod

  Dear Libby,

  Bonjour! I’m glad to hear ballet camp is très magnifique! I’m sure your feet are sore after dancing all day. I’m not sure which is worse—sore toes or itchy mosquito bites. Neither is a whole lot of fun. . . .

  Not long now till I see you! We have to go to the beach, and then to the pool, and back to the beach, and then to the mall. Especially the mall, since there won’t be mosquitoes there. Ha-ha!

  Remember the identical twins I told you about in my last letter? They usually wear identical outfits, too, but I made these new clothes for them. They’ll still be dressed twinish but also look a little unique. Or that’s what I’m hoping!

  Can’t wait to see you and catch up on everything!

  Xoxo,

  Zoey

  “Can you believe there’s only a week left?” asked Kelly, descending from her bunk bed. “It seems like we just got here.”

  Zoey knew exactly how she felt. When her dad had talked about going to camp for six weeks, it had seemed like such a long time to be away from home and her friends. But it had flown by, and now it almost seemed like it was going to end too soon.

  There were so many more things she wanted to try. She still hadn’t done archery yet, or canoeing. But she’d had a great time exploring all the arts and crafts offered—tie-dyeing, ceramics, jewelry design, stained glass—and of course, making the costumes for the play.

  “Yikes!” Campbell’s face suddenly looked pale. “That means only one week till the play.”

  “I can’t wait to see you in it,” Marisol said. “Zoey says you’re amazing.”