A Change of Lace

by Chloe Taylor

  “I’m so excited for our first tap class!” Kate said as Mrs. Mackey dropped them off the following evening.

  Mrs. Mackey had approval from Kate’s doctor, as long as Kate was careful not to fall and she kept her arm in her sling, so she didn’t make any wild arm movements that might damage her elbow. She had also called the dancing instructor, who explained that the beginning class focused mostly on footwork.

  “I am too!” Zoey said. “I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

  Zoey thought tap class was a blast. She loved dancing, and it turned out she had a knack for tap. It also felt good to be doing something besides being hunched over her sewing table working on yet another of the changes Bryn had requested for her outfit.

  Kate wasn’t quite as enamored of their shared pastime. She found it frustrating.

  “It was fun—especially being with Zoey—but it doesn’t come naturally to me the way like, say, swimming or soccer does,” she told her friends at lunch the next day. “I have to really work at it.”

  “You have to try and feel the music,” Priti said. “And then just move with it. It’s more important to do that than to get every single step perfect, I think.”

  “But I’m not used to feeling music,” Kate complained. “I’m better at reacting to opponents’ moves, or defending the ball.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it eventually,” Libby said.

  “I hope so,” Kate said. “Because that’s what Mom said about piano lessons, and that hasn’t happened. But anyway . . . I’m having fun hanging out with Zoey, so it’s already a win, no matter what happens!”

  By the time Bryn came for her next fitting on Sunday, the stars in Zoey’s eyes had already begun to fade. She really liked Bryn, but it was frustrating how Bryn kept changing the design when Zoey thought she was finished.

  “Is it okay to get this frustrated with a famous person?” Zoey asked her father and Marcus the night before the fitting. “I mean, isn’t she doing me a favor by buying one of my designs?”

  “It’s okay to get frustrated with anyone who behaves toward you in an inconsiderate way, whether they’re famous or not,” Dad said.

  “You’re doing her a favor by making her such a cool outfit,” Marcus said. “You should tell her she’s got to finalize the design, and that’s it.”

  “Yeah,” Zoey said. “I guess I need to say something to her when she comes.”

  She knew they were right, but she wasn’t looking forward to the conversation. Not one little bit.

  When Bryn arrived for her fitting on Saturday, Zoey tried to gather up her courage to say something. It was hard because she really liked Bryn, and she didn’t want to upset her.

  “I really love how it’s looking,” Bryn said when she saw the outfit. “I was just thinking . . . if we could take put a little extra lace here . . . What do you think?”

  Zoey took a deep breath.

  “I think we need to finalize the design, Bryn,” she said. “The thing is, I can’t make any more alterations. I’ve already spent a lot more time on this than I’d budgeted because of all the changes you asked for. I want you to be happy with the outfit, but . . .”

  She trailed off, seeing the expression on Bryn’s face. She wasn’t happy. Not happy at all.

  “Fine,” she said. “I guess we’re done, then!”

  And she turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.

  “Wait, Bryn, I . . . ,” Zoey called after her. She ran to see if she could catch Bryn, but it was too late. She heard the front door slam, and by the time Zoey got there to open it and look out, she saw the taillights of Bryn’s limousine heading down the street.

  “Great.” She sighed. “Now I’ve totally blown it.”

  Dad and Marcus, who’d heard the door slam too, came to investigate what happened.

  “I gather Bryn didn’t take the conversation too well,” Dad said.

  “That’s an understatement,” Zoey said.

  “Talk about acting like a diva,” Marcus said.

  “Bryn’s not like that,” Zoey protested. “She’s really nice. I probably should have just kept my mouth shut.”

  “You don’t mean that, Zo,” Dad said. “Setting limits with her was the right thing to do. I’m sure it’s all going to turn out okay in the end.”

  The thing was, deep down, Zoey had wanted to tell Bryn what she’d told her. But right now she was upset by how things had turned out. And Dad and Marcus were the perfect targets for her frustration.

  “I should never have listened to you!” she shouted, running upstairs to her room and slamming the door. She’d done all this work, upset Kate, delayed making Priti’s outfit, and now it was all for nothing.

  Zoey was lying on her bed feeling miserable when the doorbell rang.

  “Hey, Zo,” Marcus called. “Someone’s here to see you.”

  Zoey ignored him. She wasn’t in any mood for company.

  A minute later there was a knock on her bedroom door.

  “Zoey? It’s me, Bryn. Can I come in?”

  Zoey jumped up and opened the door.

  Bryn stood there looking uncharacteristically shy.

  “Hey, Zoey. Look . . . I’m sorry for storming off like that,” she said. “It was really jerky of me. You must have thought I was being a total prima donna.”

  “A little,” Zoey admitted.

  “I don’t want to be like that,” Bryn said. “I really want you to be able to be honest with me, like . . . you know, a friend. I’m so sick of everyone walking on eggshells around me and pretending to like what I like and always saying yes to me because I’m famous. I was just telling one of my best friends from before I was famous how I wanted people to be real with me—and then when you were real with me, I freaked out.”

  “I guess maybe you aren’t used to it anymore,” Zoey said. “People being real with you, I mean.”

  “Yeah.” Bryn sighed. “Fame has its good points, but it can also make life kind of weird sometimes. The thing is, I really like you, Zoey, and I want you to be able to be honest with me. So . . . friends?”

  “Friends,” Zoey said. “How about we figure out whatever last—and I mean last—changes you want on this outfit?”

  Bryn smiled. “Sounds awesome,” she said. “You’re the true superstar here!”

  When Priti came over that evening for a sleepover, Zoey showed her Bryn’s outfit, which she had almost finished.

  “Bryn’s coming over on Tuesday night to pick it up, and then I’m going to start on yours, I promise!” Zoey said.

  “I like hers because it’s a Sew Zoey design, but you can see it’s also got Bryn’s influence,” Priti said. “But I like it because when I finally get to wear mine, it’ll be different enough from hers that no one can say I’m copying Bryn Allen.”

  Zoey’s dad knocked on the door.

  “Help! I need my fashion adviser,” he said. “Is this okay for a date?”

  He was wearing dark pants and a button-down shirt, with the belt Zoey had picked out for him when they had visited Daphne Shaw’s studio.

  “Wow! You look sharp, Mr. Webber!” exclaimed Priti.

  Zoey nodded. “Priti’s right, Dad. You’re looking good.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Dad said. “You’ve got my cell phone. Marcus is here. Don’t get into any mischief.”

  “Same for you, Dad,” Zoey said.

  “So who is your dad going out with?” Priti asked after Mr. Webber left.

  “I don’t know,” Zoey confessed. “Marcus and I call her the Mystery Lady. He just met her, but he won’t tell us anything about her except that she’s nice.”

  She picked at her bedspread. “It kind of freaks me out a little, though, if you want to know the truth.”

  “I hate the thought of my parents dating other people,” Priti said with a shudder.

  “It’s a little different for me because Mom’s not here,” Zoey said. “And I don’t want Dad to be lonely. But, yeah, I worry if I’m g
oing to like the Mystery Lady, and if she has kids, and will life change, and all that stuff. But since he says he’s not ready to introduce her to me and Marcus, I guess I’m overthinking it.”

  “I hope my parents don’t start dating for a really long time,” Priti said. “Maybe not forever. I don’t even want to think about it!”

  When Bryn’s limousine pulled up on Tuesday after school, Kate, Allie, Priti, Libby, and Marcus were all there to say hi to her. Bryn signed autographs for Libby and Priti, who hadn’t yet met her.

  “Allie, my friends all love the accessories you made,” Bryn said. “I think you’re going to be getting some orders.”

  Allie blushed. “That’s great!” she said. “I’m just glad you like them.”

  When Bryn saw the finished outfit, she was thrilled.

  “It’s perfect!” she said, hugging Zoey. “I can’t wait to wear it!”

  “It was worth all the extra work in the end,” Zoey said. “I think it came out really well.”

  “I enjoyed working with you, Zoey,” Bryn said. “Let’s keep in touch, okay? I’m hoping I can order some more outfits. And maybe . . . you can, you know, help me keep it real?”

  “Oh, Zoey can definitely do that,” Priti said. “She’s great at keeping it real.”

  “Promise?” Bryn said, smiling at Zoey.

  “You’ve got yourself a real deal,” Zoey said, giving Bryn a hug.

  CHAPTER 11

  Speaking Up Is Hard to Do

  Sometimes it’s hard to say what’s really on your mind—especially if you’re afraid of losing a friendship or hurting someone else’s feelings. But it’s worth it in the end, even if things don’t go so well at first, because it feels so much better than bottling everything up inside and getting all mad and resentful. The hard part is getting up the courage to open your mouth when you don’t want to rock the boat.

  Speaking of rocking the boat, that’s something Kate and I are going to do at the midseason tap recital. I’m making really cool accessories for everyone in my class to pin to their outfits and to wear—sparkly things for the girls’ hair and cute leather cuffs for the boys’ wrists. Kate’s helping me with the hair ornaments—she’s taken some home to work on, so we can get them all done in time for the performance. We’re determined to shine in more ways than one!

  “Wait! You’re back in black!” Zoey exclaimed when she saw Priti at school the following morning. “Did your parents agree?”

  “Yes!” Priti said. “Mom talked to Dad and told him how I feel about everything else being decided for me. She persuaded him that maybe letting me make my own clothing choices was a battle they should let me win right now—even if in their eyes, it makes me look like an ‘old widow woman’ instead of a soon-to-be teenager.”

  Zoey laughed. “Trust me, Priti, you don’t look anything like an old widow woman.”

  “I know. Especially when I wear the new outfit you’re making me!”

  “Well, now that I’m finally done with Bryn’s outfit, I’ve started on yours. I should be able to get it done this weekend. That’s if you don’t make me do a zillion little alterations like Bryn!”

  “Yay! I can’t wait!” Priti said. “But in the meantime, I need to do something about the Miles situation. I feel bad that I’ve been stringing him along.”

  “So you’ve decided what you want to do?”

  “Yes. Finally. But . . . can you come with me when I talk to him?” Priti asked. “I need moral support.”

  Zoey felt weird about being the third wheel when Priti told Miles how she felt about him. But she wanted to be a good friend.

  “I guess,” she said. “If you think it won’t be too awkward for me to be there.”

  “I’ll feel too awkward if I have to do it by myself,” Priti said. “Come on, let’s go find him now, so I don’t have to worry about it all morning.”

  They tracked down Miles by his locker.

  Zoey stood nearby, but looked away, as if she weren’t listening. But of course she was.

  “Hey, Miles,” Priti said. “Thanks for your note. And the necklace. It was really sweet of you. . . .”

  She paused, clearing her throat. “It’s just that . . . well, I was hoping we could just be friends. You know, instead of being more than friends.”

  “I kind of figured that,” Miles said with a rueful smile. “Seeing as you haven’t been wearing the necklace.”

  “It’s not that I don’t like you,” Priti said. “I do. It’s just that I met this guy Nick over the summer at camp, and we’ve been writing to each other, and I guess that’s about all I can handle right now.”

  “That’s okay,” Miles said. “I understand.”

  “So . . . are you going to go back to dressing the way you did before, now that you’re not trying to impress me?” Priti asked.

  “I don’t think I am,” Miles said. “I’ve gotten used to seeing myself this way, and I kind of like my natural hair color now. I definitely get a lot less hassle from my parents.”

  “Tell me about it!” Priti said.

  “I think maybe I was hiding behind all the black because I was shy, and I felt insecure about being the new guy at Mapleton Prep last year. Now that I’m used to being here, I don’t need it anymore.” He sighed. “And it’s sad, but people treat me better when I’m dressed like this—they don’t act like I’m some kind of freak.”

  Zoey realized she was guilty of thinking of Miles a certain way last year because of what he was wearing, and she felt bad. Priti was dressing the same way as Miles had been dressing, but Zoey knew that Priti was still the same person underneath.

  “So what about you?” Miles asked Priti. “Are you going to go back to your old style?”

  Zoey held her breath, waiting for Priti’s answer. She hoped Priti would wear her special outfit at least once!

  “I’m not sure,” Priti replied. “It feels right for me to dress in black—for now, at least. I like looking different from the way I always have, because, well, my life is different from the way it’s always been. I don’t care if I get some stares. It’s dramatic in a way that feels okay with me.”

  “Funny how we ended up with complete fashion role reversal, isn’t it?” Miles said.

  “I know,” Priti agreed. “So . . . can we be friends?”

  “Yeah,” Miles said. “I think I can swing that.”

  Zoey could tell from his voice that he still wished it could be more. But being friends with Priti had to be more comfortable for him than being kept on a string, right?

  Kate came over after school that afternoon to practice the tap routine for the midseason recital the following week. Priti joined them, because she’d taken tap herself, and she’d offered to show them some fine-tuning tricks.

  “Make sure you smile big,” she said. “And remember your jazz hands. It’ll give you a little more wow factor.”

  “Or in my case, jazz hand,” Kate joked. “Because I can only use one.”

  Zoey and Kate did the routine again, this time with wide smiles and jazz hands—or in Kate’s case, hand.

  “See, I told you!” Priti said, dancing a little jig. “That was totally wowza!”

  Priti was beginning to show more of her sparkly side again, even if she was still wearing dark clothes, Zoey thought. Maybe eventually she’d start showing some outward signs of sparkle again too.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Ooh! That must be Aunt Lulu!” Zoey said. “She’s bringing Buttons over to stay!”

  Buttons came romping in as soon as Zoey opened the door, giving Zoey and her friends affectionate licks.

  “I can see Buttons is excited for her stay at Camp Webber,” Aunt Lulu said. “But not nearly as excited as I am for our vacation in the Caribbean.”

  She smiled at John, who was carrying a box filled with Buttons’s food, treats, and other supplies.

  John grinned back at Aunt Lulu. “I’m pretty excited myself,” he said.

  “Well, Buttons is going to have a
fantastic time with us, aren’t you?” Zoey said.

  Buttons wagged her tail and barked.

  “I’m sorry we’re going to miss your tap recital,” Aunt Lulu said.

  “That’s okay,” Zoey said. “We can give you a sneak preview!”

  With Priti calling out the beat, she and Kate did a brief number for Aunt Lulu and John, who applauded wildly when they were done.

  “Brava!” Aunt Lulu cheered. “We’ve got to head out—got an early flight tomorrow. Break a leg—except you, Kate; please don’t break or strain anything else, because we want you back on the soccer field. Zo, I’ll try to bring you back some cool fabric from the islands.”

  “And a Caribbean string instrument of some kind for Marcus,” John added.

  “Have fun!” Zoey said.

  “Don’t worry,” Aunt Lulu said. “We plan to!”

  Zoey worked hard over the weekend to finish Priti’s outfit. She brought it to school on Monday and gave it to her friend before classes started.

  “I love it!” Priti exclaimed. “It’s my favorite outfit ever!”

  Even Libby and Kate, who weren’t that crazy about Priti’s new look, confessed that they liked the design when Priti held it against herself.

  “It suits you, Priti,” Libby said.

  “I think I’m getting used to seeing you in dark colors,” Kate admitted. “It’s grown on me. And Zoey’s design is really fab.”

  “I’m so excited to wear it!” Priti said. “It was worth the wait.”

  On Wednesday, the night of the tap recital, Kate and Zoey gave the rest of the dancers in their class the sparkly hair ornaments, cuffs, and leotard decorations that they’d made.

  “Wonderful,” their tap teacher said. “They’ll add pizzazz and flair to our number.”

  They were waiting backstage when Zoey saw Josie, the French student, standing with a group of the more advanced students.

  “Hi, Josie!” she said. “I didn’t know you did tap!”

  “I took dance lessons in Paris,” Josie said. “My mother thought it would be a good way for me to meet people.”