by Annie Bryant
How did I miss that? I wanted to throw out the muffins as quickly as possible, but Maddie grabbed the bag right out of my hands. “Oh well. I suppose blueberry will just have to do.” She peered into the bag. “Yum. I’m going to have the muffin tops. You can have the bottoms. I hate the bottoms.”
I felt a little pang as I watched Madeline pop off the moist muffin tops and leave me with the dark, waxy bottoms. It didn’t quite seem fair … but I didn’t say anything. I guess it wasn’t her fault that she didn’t like the muffin bottoms.
“Come along, Maeve. We don’t want to be late for warmups.”
Since the first day of camp, Maddie and I got to lead the morning warmup exercises. I wasn’t sure how we got that job exactly, but I was learning that when you hung out with Maddie, people pretty much started thinking that you knew as much about stuff as she did. It was just one of those things.
We burst through the doors of the theater and all the kids who’d been chatting got very quiet and turned to watch us stroll down the center aisle. “M&M … M&M …” they whispered to each other.
“I like your jeans, Maddie!” peeped a short girl as we passed.
Maddie smiled to herself. “Gucci, darling.”
“Your hair looks so pretty, Maeve,” said a tall girl with curly hair.
“Pantene, darling,” I told her. It was so inspiring to be admired like a real starlet. Maddie told me that the first step to landing a lead role was acting like the lead. She had so much great advice.
We took our rightful places in the center of the stage and waited as the other kids moved the boxes and props into the right places. “Never do the work of a grip … or else that’ll be the job you get stuck with,” Maddie warned. Hey, not getting my hands dusty and musty was fine by me. She and I took our nail files out of our purses, clicked them together, and laughed. Then we just relaxed and filed while the other campers scurried around.
It seemed like Apollo wasn’t afraid of getting stuck as a grip though. Whenever I saw him he was always untangling wires, repairing equipment, or helping the younger kids. “Okay, let’s swing this over here, Sam,” I heard Apollo shout from backstage. Sam and Apollo appeared from behind the curtain hauling a large, worn-out sofa. “Wow, Sam, you are one strong dude,” Apollo complimented.
Sam looked overjoyed. “Thanks! I’ve been doing my pushups before bed. Just like you told me.” Sam spotted me and looked excited. “Hey, Maeve, can I have my muffin now?”
Oops … I felt my cheeks burn and then thought of something. “Um … uh … don’t you mean please can I have my muffin now?”
Sam held out his hand. “Please?”
“Um … I sorta forgot. Sorry, Sam.”
“But you said you’d get me one!” Sam objected. I wasn’t really sure what to do to about that. Unfortunately, at that exact moment, even Sam’s new pushup routine wasn’t going to stop the sofa from slipping out of his sweaty little hands and landing on the wooden stage with a ginormous “THUD!”
Looked like my big-sister mistake was saved by the couch. “Nice going, Sam. Dad’s going to be sooooo mad if you scratch the stage—he just refinished it!” I reminded him.
“Hey, maybe if you guys actually did some work—like helped us out—then the couch wouldn’t have fallen,” Apollo said in an aggravated tone.
“Yeah!” Sam yipped.
Who did Apollo think he was that he could tell Madeline Von Krupcake and Maeve Kaplan-Taylor what to do? Just because he didn’t want to be a star anymore didn’t give him the right to act so high and mighty, I thought.
Maddie just started laughing though. She wasn’t bothered at all. “Why, Apollo, you’re terrible!” she squealed. “I’m a thinker not a laborer. Apollo, you know that.”
“Besides, we have plenty of work to do,” I added.
“Yeah!” Sam chirped. “On your nails.”
I glared at Sam. I couldn’t believe how my own little brother could be so disloyal, saying that in front of Apollo. Worst of all, Apollo burst out laughing.
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Speaking of thinking, I’m going to go talk to Artemia about an idea I had in the shower this morning. Picture it, Maeve—our faces on a billboard outside the Movie House. Fabulous, right?”
“Fabulous,” I agreed, although I felt kind of funny about the whole idea. Maybe it was a little too much?
“Now you boys can just keep doing, well, whatever it is you’re doing. I need to find Artemia.” She was always going to find Artemia and telling her about her ideas. Maddie skipped down the hallway and left me sitting alone in the middle of the stage with my nail file. I was the only person not moving things around, and suddenly I started feeling a little silly. I glanced back at Apollo trying to drag the old couch with Sam huffing and puffing on his end.
“Hey, Maeve. Can you give us a hand?” Apollo asked.
With all my heart I really did want to get up and make it a little easier for Sam … but what if Maddie came back and saw me working like a common camper? Even though I knew Sam needed me, I couldn’t risk losing Maddie and going back to being just a camp nobody.
“No thanks. I’m a thinker not a laborer,” I replied in my sweetest voice.
“A thinker not a laborer?” Apollo dropped the couch and folded his arms. “Dude, what’s up with that? What’re you, some kind of Maddie-clone?”
“I—I—I … That’s not a very nice thing to say!” I finally exclaimed.
“He’s kind of right, Maeve. It seems like ever since you and Maddie started hanging out, all you do is copy everything she does. I mean … you even dress like her,” Sam pointed out.
“I do NOT!” I protested, even though it didn’t take a genius to figure out that we were both wearing jeans with a black top.
Apollo looked at Sam and the two of them burst out laughing. “No offense, little dude, but I think your sister is morphing into Madeline Von Krupcake Part Two. Hey I just got a good idea for a sci-fi movie …”
Sam giggled. “I gotta get my tape!” He tore off the stage to rummage through his equipment.
I huffily got up and marched right over to the end of the couch that Sam had not-very-expertly been trying to carry. “Look, I’m just trying to be taken seriously around here … as an ack-tour.”
Apollo lifted the arm of his couch with a loud, “Mmph!”
“And just because I’m becoming more mature …” (I pronounced mature like ma-tour) “… doesn’t mean I’m turning into Maddie!”
“Maeve, just because you act the way you think a movie star would act doesn’t make it right.”
“Easy for you to say,” I griped. “You don’t need to worry about how to act, ’ cause you’re already a movie star.”
“Yeah right,” Apollo mumbled. “Ex–movie star. Ex. That stuff is so not for me.”
“Well that stuff IS for me, and excuse me if I want to try as hard as I can to become a movie star.” I was getting really fired-up now. I couldn’t believe that Apollo was saying this to me when he had no idea how serious I was about my dream.
“All I mean is, you can be a movie star and NOT be a clone of Maddie.”
“I’m NOT a clone!” I insisted.
“I know!” Apollo exclaimed. “Because if you were a clone, you wouldn’t have helped me carry this couch across the entire stage.”
“Huh?” We stood—out of breath—on the other side of the stage. I’d been so wound up that I’d lifted the couch and hadn’t even realized I was doing it. Weird. Maybe helping out was one of those things that just came naturally to me.
Right at that moment, Maddie pranced back into the theater and slammed her cell phone shut. “Maeve, darling, I have the most fabulous news. Daddy says you can sleep over our house tonight, and we won’t take no for an answer.”
I didn’t think I could take no for an answer either! Maddie’s house wasn’t just a house—it was a mansion. I’d heard Dad go on and on about it after his meetings with Mr. Von Krupcake. “Well, I guess …” I began.
/> “Good, it’s settled.”
“I was going to say, I need to ask my parents first.”
Maddie laughed. “As if they’d say no. This is a big opportunity for you, Maeve.” Maddie squeezed my hand and giggled. “Trust me. We’re going to have so much fun!”
I felt myself burst into a smile. After that invitation, there was no doubt about it. Madeline Von Krupcake really liked me. Madeline Von Krupcake was my friend.
CHAPTER
8
Living La Dolce Vita
I showered and packed up with lightning speed. Once the water hit my head, it was curly Maeve all over again. But Maddie had promised that I didn’t need to worry about looking glamorous or anything. “The theme of the night is comfy and casual,” she assured me before we left camp.
The drive to Maddie’s was positively torturous! I couldn’t wait to see her house, but Mom was in turtle driving mode. She kept slowing down and gushing, “Wow, Maeve, look at this house! Isn’t it spectacular? I forgot how much I love Beacon Hill.”
I had to admit, I loved Beacon Hill too. It was one of Boston’s loveliest and oldest neighborhoods. The streets were all one-way and really tiny, running up and down a hill that overlooked the Boston Public Garden. Smack in the middle of Beacon Hill was the State House. I thought Massachusetts had the most beautiful state house ever, even though I’d only seen the state houses in Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Florida (Orlando is a total must-see). But what I liked best about the Massachusetts state house was the gold pine cone on the top of the dome. Ms. Rodriguez told us that the pine cone symbolized the importance of the lumber industry to the early New England economy.
“Look, Mom, there’s Louisberg Square. That’s us.”
Mom turned right on a narrow street lined on both sides with brick townhouses. I instantly felt like I was back in time, or in an old movie—like My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn (even though it was supposed to be in London, I think).
“Number 7 Louisberg Square. Here we are,” Mom said and whistled. “Your father was right. This place really is something.”
I just gulped. Maddie’s house was a huge brick mansion on the corner, probably the biggest house on the street. It was surrounded by a tall iron gate covered with ivy. Mom pressed the button on a little box on one of the tall posts in front.
“Name?” said a man’s voice.
“Carol Kaplan. I’m Maeve Kaplan-Taylor’s mom. We’re here to see—”
BZZZZZZ!
The gates split and slowly opened up to a crescentshaped driveway. “Whoa. Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” I breathed.
We pulled up to the front door and I felt myself shaking as I gathered my things.
“Don’t be nervous, sweetie. I’m sure the Von Krupcakes are just like us … only …”
“Richer?” I offered.
“Now, Maeve, that’s not very polite,” Mom reminded me. “You know better than to judge people by how much money they have.”
I’d heard that whole “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” speech like a million times before.
“It’s not a bad thing, Mom,” I assured her. “I think Maddie’s … fabulous. Ta-ta!” I quickly kissed Mom on the cheek and got out of the station wagon. I really wanted Mom to drive away quickly before Maddie noticed that the car that took me here was definitely not a stretch limo with a chauffeur.
I rang the doorbell and in about ten seconds the door opened. “You must be Maeve,” said a gorgeous Orlando Bloom look-alike in a suit. “We’ve been expecting you.”
And you must be my future prince, I thought, feeling myself blush a little. Thank goodness “Yes, I’m Maeve,” was about the only thing I could squeak out.
“Pleased to meet you, Maeve. My name is Kenneth. I’m Mr. Von Krupcake’s personal assistant,” he said in a British accent. “If there is any way I may be of service to you during your stay, do let me know.”
“What does a personal assistant do? Is that like a butler?” I asked. Way to be a total ditz, Maeve. Butler? Oh no …
But Kenneth just smiled kindly and explained, “Something like that. I run Mr. Von Krupcake’s household and arrange some of his business affairs.”
I nodded. It was probably better for me to just smile and stop talking. Kenneth was too dreamy—Maddie had to be the luckiest girl ever. Still, I couldn’t imagine asking him to do anything for me. It just seemed so weird! “Thanks, Kenneth,” I managed to say.
“Miss Madeline is upstairs. I shall show you to her wing.” Then Kenneth started to grab my black velvet sleepover bag right out of my hand.
I tightened my grip and cried, “What are you doing?”
Kenneth seemed just as startled as me then he started to chuckle. “Oh no, I’m sorry, Maeve. I was going to carry up your bags for you. You are the guest of honor.”
I wanted to shrivel up and disappear on the spot! Wow, talk about not being used to the life of luxury. I’d have a thing or two to tell the BSG after this for sure!
I followed Kenneth through the front hall and up a long, winding marble staircase. The walls were covered with large oil paintings that were full of color, just like the ones I’d seen at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. At the top of the staircase, in a fancy gold frame, was the largest portrait of all. It was of Maddie in a long purple dress holding Fitzy in her arms. Purple velvet drapes hung on either side of the picture. “We close the drapes when it gets too sunny so the paint doesn’t fade,” Kenneth explained.
We walked down a long, lavish hallway. It felt like it went on forever. Finally we got to a large door with a gold plaque on it that said “Madeline” in script. Kenneth rapped on the door and I heard Maddie’s voice chirp, “Enter.”
When Kenneth opened the door I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. Madeline’s room made my pink palace seem like a shoe box. First of all—it wasn’t just a room, it was a … hotel suite fit for a princess.
Maddie was sitting cozily on a green satin sofa next to two matching chairs and a coffee table. There was a sterling silver tea set on the coffee table and two plates—cookies and scones on one and cheese and crackers on the other. Steam was even rising from the teapot.
“Maeve, darling. You’re just in time for cocoa,” Maddie said, patting the couch beside her. She took a sip out of her cup with her little pinky sticking straight up in the air.
Seriously, I could not believe her room. Right then, I really did feel like Little Orphan Annie seeing Daddy Warbucks’s mansion for the first time. I used to think that canopy beds were the ultimate in dreaminess … until I saw Maddie’s bed. It was humongous and draped in luxurious fabric right smack in the middle of her room. But the best part was the lace veil that hung from her ceiling and covered her bedposts like a curtain of mist. It reminded me of the dreamy bed in the movie version of The Secret Garden. I always thought that kind of bed was so romantic, but I’d never seen one in person until now …
Maddie had the most spectacular view. Her enormous windows opened up to a balcony that looked right over the Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House with its gold dome. I could imagine rehearsing lines out there on a sunny day with my big sunglasses. Maybe I’d be practicing a song and a cute boy walking on the sidewalk below would hear my voice and become completely enchanted. Anyway … a girl could dream.
“Now, Maeve darling, come over and have a cup of this delicious hot cocoa,” Maddie called.
Kenneth poured a stream of creamy chocolate liquid into a porcelain tea cup, scooped out a dollop of whipped cream from a silver bowl, and plopped it in with a little splash. “I’ve got to go help your father now, Miss Maddie. He’s organizing a Krupcake convention in Baltimore. Call down when you two are ready for dinner.”
Kenneth waved and shut the door behind him.
“So, darling, what do think of my little home?” Maddie tucked her blond hair behind her ear and smiled sweetly.
“Little home? Maddie, this place is huge! The hallways
go on, like, forever.”
Maddie shrugged. “I guess it just seems little compared to our cottage in the Hamptons. Maeve, have you been to the Hamptons? It’s so fabulous.”
I shook my head. Why did Maddie always call things “little” or “cottage” when what she really meant was just the opposite?
“Now, Maeve, that outfit, it’s really not quite right.” Maddie looked disapprovingly at me. She had told me that the dress code for the night was comfy-casual, but here Maddie was wearing a short, cream-colored dress with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. A white fur shawl rested over her shoulders. Meanwhile, I had thrown on a terrycloth pink sweat suit. I should’ve known that in the Von Krupcake household, comfy-casual meant a whole other league altogether.
“I’m sorry … I left all my dresses at home …” I began.
“Well, that little jogging ensemble you have on will simply not do. We’re just going to have to find you something more suitable, I suppose.” Maddie pressed a button on what looked like a TV clicker resting on her coffee table. Two large doors in front of us split open, revealing another room filled with clothes and accessories. The sides of the room were lined with shelves of shoes—so many shoes it looked like a department store. The room was mostly a closet that seemed to stretch back to infinity. Maddie pressed another button on the clicker and suddenly, the closet started moving.
I gasped and Maddie giggled. “Daddy designed it like a dry cleaning place. Isn’t he too brilliant?” she sighed and pressed a button that made the closet stop. “There. I have the perfect frock for you.” I loved the way she said “frock.” Maddie just had the cutest way of saying things.
Maddie floated over to the rack and my heart nearly skipped a beat. Maddie walked straight up to a long pink satin gown with a thick pink belt and enormous bow in the back. It looked just like the famous one from this old movie I saw once—Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
But instead of grabbing the glorious pink dress, Maddie grunted and reached in behind it. “Come on, I know it’s around here somewhere,” she said, groping through the fabric. “Ah-hah! Here we go!” Maddie pulled out a garment zipped in a plastic dress bag and skipped back over to the loveseat.
