by Annie Bryant
Marty was used to being the center of the girls’ attention, but at this moment they were completely preoccupied with Katani. Even Avery, who adored Marty, was totally absorbed in Katani’s good news. All eyes were glued to the computer screen as Maeve tapped the keyboard.
“Check it out!” Avery cried. Maeve had pulled up Teen Beat’s website. The girls huddled over her shoulders, intently studying the information about the fashion show. “That’s Leah Kim! She’s gonna be at the show too!? Sweet!”
Katani stared at Avery, shocked and confused. “Leah Kim?” she asked. Katani could hardly believe her ears. She seriously doubted that Avery would ever be interested in clothes that were not plastered with team logos. The thought that Avery was actually excited about fashion was almost more incredible than Michelle’s phone call!
Avery started to blush a little as she pointed to the picture of a beaming girl on the screen. “Yeah, Leah Kim,” she repeated. “She’s a rising star in teen fashion design! And she’s…” Avery’s voice faded into a mumble. “Well, she’s the person I chose as my idol today.”
A wide-eyed Charlotte turned to face Avery. Maeve’s jaw dropped. Katani was speechless.
“Is it my imagination,” Maeve asked, “or did Avery actually choose a fashion icon as her favorite role model?”
“And she said ‘fashion’ without gagging,” Isabel added. “This is too strange!”
Avery bounced impatiently. “Knock it off, guys! It’s not just fashion that makes Leah Kim my personal hero. Look—she’s Korean-American, just like me. And did you know she’s adopted? ALSO like me. She’s already huge in the fashion world and she’s still young! Obviously I think she’s great!”
The others glanced at one another. “Korean-American” and “adopted” were serious hot button issues for Avery. No wonder she was so interested in Leah Kim.
Isabel began, “That does sound pretty exciti—”
“There’s more!” Avery interrupted, now completely wound up. “I read the blog on her website all the time! She specializes in designing sports clothes for girls our age and she finds all these awesome new fabrics in exotic places…from all over the world! See, she’s really interested in her heritage too. She’s got tons of Korean-American links on her website. I have already learned so much from her. Believe me, she is just too awesome for words!”
“Okay, okay! I’m convinced already!” Katani laughed. “Slow down and breathe, Avery!”
Charlotte giggled. “Hold on, you’re telling Avery to take a deep breath? Flash back to ten minutes ago when you were dancing up my street!”
Isabel added, “And complimenting the Queens of Mean…for real!”
Katani grinned sheepishly. But as her eyes passed over each of her best friends, her bright smile seemed to fade.
“Whoa there!” Avery said. “What’s wrong?”
Katani shrugged and looked at the ground.
“What?” asked Maeve. “Katani, what’s the matter?”
Katani turned away, her dark eyes avoiding her concerned friends. They looked at each other, confused. How could Katani, who had just a minute ago been in the midst of euphoria, suddenly be so miserable? She mumbled something under her breath, but nobody could hear her.
“Que?” Isabel asked. “What’d you say, Katani?”
“I said,” Katani repeated, “that Michelle told me I could only bring one friend along to the show.”
Avery seemed completely unfazed and began to do her tae kwon do kicks across the room. “Isn’t that good news?” she asked. The others glanced at each other and shook their heads. They all looked very serious.
“One friend?” Charlotte repeated. “As in just one friend? As in…you’re going to have to choose one of us…” Her face turned pale.
There was a sudden silence in the Tower. Marty peered cautiously from behind the chair where he’d taken refuge. He snuggled closer to Happy Lucky Thingy. Even Happy Lucky Thingy, who looked either very happy on one side and very mad on the other, now appeared, like the rest of them, very serious indeed—if it were possible for a stuffed toy to be serious.
Katani had been so elated five minutes ago, and now she felt just miserable. “One friend,” she said hoarsely. “Which means that even though I don’t want to, I have to leave three of you behind. I am so sorry.”
CHAPTER
2
The Perfect Companion
The other four girls glanced uncomfortably at one another. Their wild spurt of excitement for Katani had now completely faded away.
There was silence in the Tower.
From downstairs Charlotte’s father called, “Char, what about these pizzas? Are you girls going to eat these or are Marty and I going to have to take care of them ourselves?” Marty excitedly yipped back. He seemed to like the idea and raced down the stairs.
“I’m not hungry anymore,” Isabel murmured.
“Me neither,” mumbled Charlotte.
“I couldn’t even look at food right now,” Maeve choked, dramatically placing a hand on her head.
“Now hold on just a BSG minute,” Avery said. “Let me remind you, THIS is pizza night. And WE are the BSG! And the BSG always have pizza on pizza night, am I right?” The other girls looked at each other and nodded halfheartedly.
“Well,” Isabel added, “we do have something special to celebrate…” She placed a hand on Katani’s shoulder and emphasized, “Katani’s unbelievable, totally fantastic break into the fashion world.”
Though the other girls tried to look hopeful, Katani just flopped into the nearest chair. “Sorry. I just feel so bad about only being able to take one of you. Suddenly, I don’t feel a whole lot like celebrating.”
“That’s ridiculous, Katani!” Isabel protested. The other four girls looked up, startled. Isabel hardly ever raised her voice, which was incredible, especially considering that she hadn’t had an easy year. Isabel, along with her sister and mother, had relocated to Boston so her mom could get special medical treatments for her multiple sclerosis. With Mrs. Martinez unable to take care of her daughters full time, Isabel’s Aunt Lourdes was acting as head of the family, and she could be very strict. But, no matter what happened, Isabel hardly ever got ruffled.
Therefore, Isabel’s firm tone with Katani now shocked the others. When Isabel saw that all eyes were on her, she continued, “This fashion show is the best thing that has ever happened to you. It is a fantastic break, no matter who goes with you. And I don’t want you to be bummed out about it for another instant!”
“But—” Katani started to protest and then thought better of it. “Okay, Izzy. You’re right. Even if I can’t take all of you, I can still take one of you. That’s better than nothing, right?”
Avery spoke up. “Can I ask you something, Kgirl?”
“Shoot,” said Katani.
“Who did you pick as your idol?”
“Duh. Oprah…of course!”
The girls smiled knowingly at each other. “Well…” Avery continued, “what would Oprah do?”
Katani pondered this for a moment before a sly smile appeared on her face. “I know!” she announced. “Charter a jet and take her whole studio audience to the fashion show?”
Avery threw a Nerf ball at Katani and made a siren noise. “Beeeep beep! Wrong answer. She’d hold her head up and make the best of the situation!”
Charlotte nodded. “Absolutely right. What if we draw straws to see who goes with you, Katani?” she proposed. “That way, it’ll be fair.”
Maeve hesitated. “I’m not sure, Charlotte. Let’s think about this for a second here. No offense, Char, but you’ve never really been that into fashion. I mean, have you even read a fashion magazine in your life? And, Avery, before today, I’ve never even heard the word ‘fashion’ come out of your mouth.”
“But I want to meet Leah Kim!” Avery protested.
Maeve ignored her and went on, “I know Isabel might like to go—”
“Might?” Isabel interjected. “I’d di
e to go! I’ve wanted to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art all my life! It’s always been a dream…”
Maeve was barely listening. “But, Isabel, it wouldn’t even matter. Your aunt would probably say no anyway. Katani, I’m really the only real choice here. I’ve seen hundreds of movies about New York City. I could help you get around, and besides…I’m going to be a Broadway actress someday, and actresses should spend as much time in New York City as possible. So there.” Maeve folded her arms and looked pleased. “See, it’s just like how you told me to solve the math problems, right, Charlotte? Logic!”
“Logic?” Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Maeve, how is this for logic? I want to be a writer. Think what I could learn at Teen Beat magazine…even in just one weekend! I could do a special assignment for The Sentinel on the fashion show. And P.S.—my dad and I spent plenty of time in New York when we first moved back from Paris, and I know the whole bus and subway system inside and out. It makes just as much sense for me to go with Katani!” All the BSG stared at Charlotte. It was unlike her to be so forward. Charlotte, on the other hand, was secretly pleased with herself for standing up for what she wanted. Before meeting the BSG she never would have been confident enough to say anything.
But Katani didn’t say a word. Nothing she could say right now would be helpful anyway, she thought. On the other side of the room, Marty, who had made his way back upstairs, buried his little head between his paws. The girls didn’t even notice him as they went on, their voices becoming louder and louder.
“Hey!” Avery protested. “It just so happens that I’ve been dreaming about visiting the Statue of Liberty. And Leah Kim is my idol; I’d give anything to meet her. Besides, New York can be dangerous! Katani needs someone who knows a few tae kwon do moves!”
She gave a demonstration that almost knocked over the computer. Maeve suppressed a giggle.
Charlotte made a dive to save the wobbling desk. “Careful!” she cried.
Isabel turned to Maeve and said calmly and thoughtfully, “You know, Maeve, my Aunt Lourdes has lightened up a lot lately. My mom would totally let me go if I were with a friend in a supervised setting, like the Metropolitan Museum. And guess what? I bet Aunt Lourdes would too! Unlike all of you, I’ve never been to New York. It’s an important place for artists to go! Especially for the show. Fashion has a lot to do with art, you know.”
“Hey!” Maeve cut in. “I love fashion too, remember? Does anyone in the BSG wear more outrageous outfits than yours truly? And don’t I know the most here about celebrities—who will definitely be at the fashion show?”
From that point on, everyone began to talk—or shout—at once. And as their voices become louder, Marty began barking and yipping. His little tail waged wildly as his eyes darted between the girls. Soon the girls’ voices were drowned out by Marty’s high-pitched yowling.
Isabel started to laugh. “Hey, cut it out, you guys. We’re scaring Marty!” she exclaimed.
“Ohhh…poor little guy,” Avery cooed. She scooped Marty up in her arms and snuggled him and Happy Lucky Thingy close against her. Marty lapped at her hand, though his tail continued to wag frantically.
Just then Charlotte heard her father calling from downstairs. “Char, if you don’t eat now your hot pizza is going to taste like old shoes!”
Avery’s stomach let out an enormous growl. “I am starving!” she declared. “Come on, let’s eat!” The other girls couldn’t help but giggle.
“Where have I heard that before…?” Maeve asked.
Charlotte agreed. “Come to think of it, I’m starving too. Coming, Dad!” she called.
“Saved by the bell,” Katani said wryly to Isabel. “I thought in another minute you guys might have put on boxing gloves and gone at it!”
Avery placed Marty down on the floor with one last hug, but she was the first BSG to dart out of the Tower and scamper down the stairs. The others followed, lured by the scrumptious scent of cheese.
The girls were all thrilled to each finally have a huge slice of pizza in their hands, but tension remained in the air. As they ate, the BSG concentrated on their food as though it were the most fascinating thing in the world.
Katani looked around the table as she bit into her second slice. Everyone’s upset, she thought. To think—I was so happy an hour ago!
“So, Katani,” Maeve said casually as she reached for her juice, “have you thought about what clothes you’re going to take to the show?”
Katani started to answer, but the words would not come. The BSG were her very best friends in the world and they were supposed to be having a pizza party! Though Katani didn’t want to admit it, she feared her big news was ruining the whole evening. Life was just too complicated sometimes, she thought with a sigh.
Charlotte felt terrible. She jumped up and ran around the table to comfort her friend. “Oh, Katani!” she exclaimed. “It’ll be okay!”
Katani felt a lot better after Charlotte’s fierce hug. “I just don’t—I just don’t want anyone to be mad at anyone else—or at me,” she said miserably.
“We won’t be!” Isabel assured. “Whichever one of us gets to go, that’s just how it was meant to be. Really, Katani, we don’t want to ruin your big break just because we all wish we could go with you. Forget about us. This trip is your dream.”
Maeve felt guilty for making such a big stink about going. “It’s not your fault,” she offered. “I mean, it’s great you can even take one of us.”
“Maybe it would be better if none of us went,” Charlotte suggested. “That way, nobody has to feel left out. Wouldn’t that be fair?”
All at once, the others turned and stared at her.
“What?” asked Charlotte.
But Katani shook her head. “Look, I really want to have a friend with me! I need one of you guys for support!”
Isabel nodded. “You’re absolutely right. And at least one of us should have the experience.”
“And one of us should have the chance to meet Leah Kim,” Avery hinted.
“Avery!” Maeve laughed. “I thought we agreed to stop pressuring the Kgirl!”
“I’m just saying.” Avery shrugged as she grabbed another slice of pizza. In a minute she was chewing away blissfully.
Katani felt a lot better. Things had gotten pretty heated up in the Tower, but now the BSG were back to normal. They all just wanted the best for her. “Maybe we should just draw straws—like Charlotte said. That way I’m not really choosing, it’s just random, luck of the draw.”
“That would be fair,” Isabel agreed.
“I’m okay with that,” Maeve chimed.
“Leah Kim…,” Avery repeated, very faintly this time. Maeve blew a straw at her friend.
“Avery,” Charlotte said with a twinkle in her eye. “You’re going to hurt Katani’s feelings.”
“What?! The Kgirl knows I’m just kidding, right?” Avery argued, smiling sweetly.
Katani managed a faint grin.
“Hey, I have a question…,” Isabel said curiously. “What’d your parents say when you told them you were going to New York for the weekend?”
Katani blushed. “Well, huh, they don’t exactly know about it. They’re out of town for their anniversary. Grandma Ruby’s taking care of us this weekend.”
Maeve was wide-eyed. “But what if they don’t let you go?”
Katani looked horrified. “They have to let me go! This is the start of my career! No—the start of my LIFE!” It suddenly occurred to Katani that she had never asked for anything this big before. She would have to get their permission somehow. “I’ll make them realize how important this is to me. I’ll find a way,” she vowed.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was lost in thought, imagining how much fun it would be to have Mrs. Fields, their school principal and Katani’s grandmother, as a babysitter for the weekend. Mrs. Fields always made the students at Abigail Adams feel comfortable, even when she was disciplining them. Mrs. Fields was such a strong, positive person. In fact, she was one o
f the first friends Charlotte made at Abigail Adams Junior High. “She is sooo wonderful,” Charlotte said aloud.
“Well, thanks,” Katani said, obviously flattered.
Charlotte really laughed then. “Oops! You’re really cool as well, Katani, but Mrs. Fields must be so awesome to have as a babysitter!”
Katani laughed too. “Oh, she is. And Kelley just loves spending time with her.” Kelley was Katani’s older sister, and she was autistic. Katani adored Kelley, though she sometimes felt more like Kelley’s older sister than the other way around.
Suddenly a thought dawned on Isabel. “Hey! Are we going to dance, or what? I gotta perfect my Dina B moves!”
“Ooh! I completely forgot! Let’s go, ladies!” Maeve exclaimed. In a few minutes, they’d whisked the plates and cups off the table, cleaned up the dining room, and headed back upstairs to the Tower. Maeve inserted her new dance mix in the CD player and began demonstrating to the BSG the new dance steps she’d learned in her hip hop class.
The girls were soon whirling around the Tower room, scaring poor Marty, who scurried back and forth to avoid the ten almost synchronized feet. The girls laughed and joked as they tried to imitate Maeve’s super-chic moves. Charlotte, as usual, was the last one to pick up the steps and the first to fall down. Katani wasn’t much better. Though she was tall and slender, Katani’s dance moves were un inspired. The fact that two of her older sisters, Candice and Patrice, were graceful and coordinated—one a star athlete—didn’t help a bit! Thank goodness I discovered horseback riding, Katani thought as she struggled to follow Maeve’s routine. Though the other girls laughed and shimmied in the Tower, they all were wondering the same thing. Which one of us will get to go to New York?