by Tina Wells
“Cool beans!” Zee said, sliding off her chair. Sometimes Zee’s father brought makeup samples home from the magazine, and Zee wore them around the house. She had never worn makeup outside, though, because her parents wouldn’t let her.
Zee followed Nicole to an area with a huge mirror surrounded by lights. “Tony will be doing your makeup,” Nicole said.
Tony examined Zee’s face and tucked some papers around her collar like a bib. Then he began applying foundation.
“Let’s see what we can do about these freckles,” he muttered with an intense look on his face.
Zee had always thought her freckles made her look at least two years younger than she really was, so if there was some way for Tony to make them go away, she’d be happy.
Tony scrunched up his mouth and grunted.
Zee giggled nervously. “I bet you’ve never seen this many freckles on one face.”
Zee decided to let Tony work his magic and make the freckles disappear. She knew that after foundation would come eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, mascara, and lipstick. She thought about the makeovers she had seen in magazines and how different the “before” and “after” shots looked. She couldn’t wait for her “after.”
“So this is where you went!” Mr. Carmichael called to Zee as he approached the makeup area.
Zee stiffened, worried that once her father figured out what was going on, he’d shout, “Stop! Zee is too young to wear makeup. Take it all off!”
Instead he looked at Zee and said, “This is fun, isn’t it?”
When the makeup artist was finished, Zee felt funny about the way she looked. She expected to love it. But she barely recognized the girl in the mirror. She felt like she was looking at a stranger.
After makeup, Nicole brought Zee to the styling area. Zee had never seen so many clothes in her life. Different sizes hung from racks. In the midst of pants, shirts, skirts, and dresses, Zee spotted a monkey suit and a Santa costume. Bookcases held clear containers of shoes, belts, scarves, and hats.
Nicole handed Zee a pile of clothes. “You can change into these behind the screen,” she told her.
At last Zee could get out of her school uniform and into something normal! She put on the clothes and stepped from behind the screen.
Zee studied her reflection in a nearby mirror. She was wearing a color-block dress with fringe hanging off its layers of fabric and shiny multicolored leggings underneath. Short boots with high heels finished the look.
Ohmylanta! Zee thought. It was like nothing Zee ever wore. She wished she had had time to bring her own clothes—maybe even the gray wrap skirt she’d made. With a fun twist in the front, no one would ever suspect it was just a long piece of stretchy fabric. Or the short-sleeve T-shirt she’d cut leaf shapes out of. She wore it over a bright orange T-shirt so that the leaf cutouts were orange.
All of Zee’s creations cost a teeny fraction of the price of what she had on—and looked way better on her.
Veronica rushed over. “You look amazing!” she said enthusiastically. “You are going to photograph so well in that.”
“These clothes are really, really nice, but not exactly my style,” Zee said carefully. “Can I try something more like what I usually wear?” she asked her father.
Veronica turned to Mr. Carmichael. She didn’t say anything, but she looked anxious.
“The clothes you wear for professional photographs are different from what you wear with your friends,” Zee’s father explained. “Think about all of the celebrities who’ve appeared in Gala. They don’t normally dress like they do in the magazine. We’re creating a story—an image.”
“I thought they were celebrities because people liked their image,” Zee said. “I thought the talent scout liked my image.”
Mr. Carmichael put a hand on each of Zee’s shoulders. “They do, but acting is about becoming another character. If you want to be an actor, you’ll need to get used to adopting new styles.”
“I don’t want to be an actor,” Zee said. “I want to be a rock star.”
Mr. Carmichael glanced at Veronica, and then said to Zee, “But the role in the TV show is to play a rock star—that’s the first step.”
“That’s true,” Zee agreed, without looking him in the eyes. Her stomach turned and knotted a little. Was it true? Or was Zee just agreeing because that’s what her dad wanted her to do?
“This is really just for some headshots,” Veronica said. “The clothes you’re wearing won’t even show in the photo. It’s all about you.”
Zee looked at her father. “For now, you just need to listen to the experts,” Mr. Carmichael said. “When you’re a famous musician, you’ll get to call the shots.”
Will I? Zee wasn’t sure. Besides, she really didn’t want to call the shots. She just wanted to be herself. And she thought that’s what her father and the talent scout wanted, too.
8
Somebody That I Used to Know: The Sequel
* * *
Hola, Diary.
I just finished with my first big Hollywood experience—getting my headshots taken. Some really amazing stuff happened—like having a professional makeup artist put my makeup on and having people get me whatever I needed and do things for me. But some not-so-great stuff happened too—like when I basically turned into someone completely different.
Actually, the past couple of days have definitely been the weirdest ones of my life. But they’ve also been exciting. I can’t figure out if they have been more weird or more exciting, though. So I need your help.
More Exciting
1. I actually met Dakota Morning.
2. Everyone compliments me and says nice things to me.
3. I get to see what happens behind the scenes. (So far it’s a lot of waiting, which is a little boring, but I still think it belongs in this column.)
More Weird
1. My father seems REALLY into my being on this show. What if I don’t get it?
2. I’m not really sure what my BFFs think (except for Ally ☺).
3. Some of my friends are not happy with me.
4. Boys. Do I have to say more?
Uh-oh. There are more “More Weird” than “More Exciting” things. I already bailed on Jasper and the science fair project by going to the photo shoot. But once all of the big stuff is over with, I’m sure I’ll have more time for school.
* * *
“We’re home!” Mr. Carmichael announced as he pressed the button to open the garage door.
“Finally!” Zee said as she climbed out of her father’s SUV. “I never knew having your picture taken could be so exhausting.” After all, on school picture day, she just sat on a chair in front of a blank backdrop, smiled, and headed back to class. This photo shoot involved a lot of changing, redoing, re-redoing, and trying on more facial expressions than she realized one human being could make.
Mr. Carmichael mmm-hmmed in agreement. “But it’s fun, too, right?”
“Maybe you should ask me tomorrow,” Zee said. “I can hardly even think straight right now.”
Zee had just two things planned for the evening:
1. Eat dinner.
2. Do homework.
Actually, it was three things if you counted
3. Go to sleep.
At the moment, Zee definitely counted all three.
When Zee walked into the house with her father, she saw Chloe and Missy sitting in the TV room with her mother.
“Wowee!” Chloe exclaimed. “I hardly recognize you.”
“I’ve never seen you wear makeup,” Missy said.
Zee scrunched up her nose. “How bad do I look?”
“You don’t look bad to me,” Chloe explained. “You just don’t look like yourself.”
“Have you guys been waiting for me to come home?” Zee asked her friends. “I’m sorry it took so long.”
“Actually, we were just helping your mom with the Baby Blast,” Missy said. Then she added, “I hope it’s OK that I’m helping, too.”
Zee dropped her backpack on the ground, suddenly getting a new burst of energy. “Of course it is! I can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with.”
“While the girls fill you in, Zee, I’ll go heat up some dinner for you and Dad,” Mrs. Carmichael said, extending her arm in front of her. “If you help me up, I might be able to waddle into the kitchen.”
Zee grabbed her mother’s hand and pulled her off the couch, then sat down between Chloe and Missy. “Tell me everything!”
“My mom told me about this game that everyone played at her baby shower,” Chloe said. “Each guest brings a photo of herself as a baby. Then someone puts all of the photos on a board so everyone can guess who’s who!”
“And the person who has the most correct answers wins a prize!” Missy finished.
“Hmm.” Zee tried to sound enthusiastic, but she wanted the Baby Blast activities to be more modern and not so old-fashioned. Still, she wasn’t sure how to tell her friends. “Did you ask my mom if she wants that kind of game?”
“Yeah,” Chloe said. “She said it sounded fun.”
“Oh, OK,” Zee said. “Then I guess it’s OK.”
“Do you want to hear about the party favors?” Missy asked.
“Yes! Definitely,” Zee said.
“I thought it would be really cute to have baby bottles for each guest and put things related to the theme in each one. Like jelly beans that are the same color as the decorations.”
Zee forced a smile.
“What’s wrong?” Chloe asked.
“I don’t know,” Zee said. “I was just thinking the shower would be a little more . . . different than the usual baby shower.”
“Like how?” Chloe asked.
“Why don’t you tell us some of your ideas?” Missy suggested.
“Well, with everything that’s been going on lately, I haven’t really come up with anything definite.”
“So, I guess you don’t want to hear what other ideas we had?” Chloe asked.
Zee could hear the irritation growing in Chloe’s voice. “I just wish you had waited for me to be here so that we could all plan the shower together,” she explained.
Missy gave Chloe a sideways look.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zee asked.
“Well . . . your mom is about to have the twins,” Missy said. “And you’ve got your TV show and are really busy.”
“And that’s really awesome,” Chloe put in.
“But you made a really good point that your mom deserves a really cool shower, and we want to help her—and you—out,” Missy finished.
Zee stood up. “This shower is for my mother. It was my idea, and I should be the one planning it—and deciding who should help plan it.”
Chloe and Missy popped out of their seats, too. “Not everything is about you, Zee!” Chloe said, walking toward the Carmichaels’ front door.
“I never said it was!” Zee said, wishing she could take back what she’d said before.
Missy followed Chloe out of Zee’s house. “No,” she said quietly, “but you’re kind of acting that way.”
Zee watched the door close behind them, then spun around. Her mother was standing in front of her.
“What happened?” Mrs. Carmichael asked.
“I can’t believe they went ahead and started planning the Baby Blast without me. And when I told them their ideas might not work, they got really mad.”
“Maybe because they did work really hard on their ideas,” Mrs. Carmichael said. “But we wished you were here with us the whole time.”
“I know,” Zee said, confused. She knew they just wanted to help out, and it was awesome her friends were excited about the twins. “But they were all just their ideas. The twins are going to be my siblings—not theirs.”
“We know that, honey,” Mrs. Carmichael said. “You and Adam will be the most important people in the twins’ lives.”
Zee crossed her arms. “At least I’ll be one of the most important people in somebody’s life,” she muttered. She knew she was tired and overreacting. Still, she couldn’t stop herself. Or maybe she just wanted her mother to reassure her. “It’s like you don’t even need me anymore—now that you have Chloe and Missy,” she muttered.
Mrs. Carmichael gave Zee a hug. “Oh, Zee, I do too need you. So does your father. And there’s still a lot to do to get ready for the shower. But the twins will be here soon. Let your friends help you.”
Zee hung her head. “I just wanted the shower to be the best baby shower ever.”
“With you and The Beans performing, it will be.”
“That wasn’t even my idea! It was Chloe’s. I haven’t done anything for the Baby Blast—or for you, Mom.”
“But you’ll be there to play with The Beans—and to celebrate with us. For now, just focus on the TV pilot and your schoolwork, and the rest will fall into place.”
“OK,” Zee said, feeling a little bit better about missing the Baby Blast planning. “But can I focus on dinner now? I’m so hungry!”
After dinner, Zee went up to her room to do homework. But first, she had to get her thoughts into her diary.
* * *
Hi, Diary.
I hope that this TV show doesn’t ruin my friendships. I feel like things are already messed up—and I’m just getting started. It’s so weird. I mean, I used to hang out with them all the time—during school, during practice, at Wink and our houses. Now I’m spending my time with Dad. Which is great, because he’s great. But I thought I would be able to do it all. Mom’s right, though. I can’t. I have to figure out what I want to do most.
I just hope I’m making the right choice.
Zee
* * *
When Zee closed the last textbook, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Done with homework!” she announced to herself. Now she could wash all of the makeup off her face and crawl into bed. It had been a long day, and all she could think about was how incredible it would be to finally get some sleep.
When Zee stood up, her phone buzzed with a text from Jasper.
>What are ur ideas for the science fair project?
Ohmylanta! Zee thought. I can’t believe I forgot about science! And Jasper! Chloe and Missy were already mad at Zee—and Zee knew she had to apologize to her friends tomorrow. She didn’t want Jasper to be mad at her, too.
Zee wondered how she was going to freeze time long enough to research science topics, type up all the information into notes, and send them to Jasper before tomorrow morning. She sent another text:
>I will send them to you before school tomorrow.
Now she didn’t have to confess that she hadn’t actually done any work. She just had to stay awake a little longer and come up with a few good ideas.
But before she could focus on the science fair, Zee wanted to talk to Ally. Ally was probably still asleep, but maybe getting some of her thoughts down in an email would help. Zee hoped she would wake up to some good advice from her best friend.
Zee brought the laptop to her bed and began typing.
* * *
Hey, Ally!
SO MUCH has happened incredibly fast. I feel like it’s been a year since we Skyped!!
At first, I was kind of upset that my dad and the photographer who took my headshots today were making all of the decisions FOR me. Then I thought about it and couldn’t believe I was complaining. This is the greatest opportunity of my ENTIRE life. Plus, meeting Dakota Morning makes up for all of the bad stuff. That’s right! I met Dakota Morning!!! She even talked to me!
Unfortunately, Chloe, Missy, and I had a fight. I think it was because I was just tired. (And kind of jealous that they have more time than I do to plan Mom’s shower.)
Mom thinks I’m trying to do too much. But my life is going to be like this for a while. I hope my friends understand.
Including Jasper. He’s my partner for the science fair project. I really don’t want to upset Jasper by being a bad partner. With the audi
tions and getting ready for the auditions, I’m afraid I could be. I hope he’ll understand.
You would. Wouldn’t you?
LYLAS,
Yr BFF
* * *
Zee hit “Send,” then began researching topics for the science fair project, but she wasn’t sure where to begin. Still, she wanted to prove to Jasper that she could be a good science fair partner. All she needed to do was find the perfect project idea.
Zee clicked on the links and examined the images and explanations on the screen. Too hard, she said to herself as she rejected the first idea. Too boring. She made the next one disappear. One after another, she scrolled through project ideas.
Too young.
Too time-consuming.
Too blah.
Zee wasn’t sure exactly how many she looked at, though, because she soon fell asleep, without taking any of the notes she had promised Jasper.
9
Ally’s Advice
The next morning, Adam drove Zee to school in his little red car. She checked her emails on the way and was happy to see she had gotten a response from Ally.
* * *
Hi, Zee.
You met Dakota Morning?! Awesome! ☺ I would have fainted!
Still, you must be feeling really horrible about your fight with Chloe and Missy. When I first moved to France, I hated that I was missing all the fun stuff happening in Brookdale. And I was a little jealous of Chloe and Jasper. (OK, maybe REALLY jealous.) Then I realized that even though I was missing out, some cool things were happening in my life, too. (After all, I live in Paris!)
Plus, your mom is completely awesome, and of course, everyone wants to help her out. I wish I could be there to plan the party, too. ☺ (Another cool thing I’m missing.) It looks like you might not really have the time to plan it. So maybe you should tell Chloe and Missy your ideas but let them make the final decisions with Ginny.
