Gemma and the Ultimate Standoff by Ahmet Zappa

Author:Ahmet Zappa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2016-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Gemma sat on the bed watching Zoe and Cici as they stood in front of the full-length mirror in Zoe’s bedroom, giggling. Gemma couldn’t help laughing, too. Cici was wearing a poorly fitting dress in a cheap, shiny material with a garish print. The hem of a white slip stuck out underneath the skirt. On her legs were black tights with runs in them, and she wore what Gemma could describe only as sensible lace-up shoes. She wore a pair of dark eyeglasses that were fastened together across the bridge with tape. Her hair was done up in a hugely unflattering three-ponytail style. Zoe wore slicked-back hair, a similar pair of taped-up glasses, a garish plaid shirt in shades of brown and blue, a clashing red-and-yellow plaid bow tie, and pants that were pulled up practically to her armpits, explosing her white socks. Black lace-up shoes completed her ensemble.

“You are both totally hideous!” said Gemma.

“Thank you!” they replied in unison.

“But…um…what are you supposed to be?” Gemma asked.

“Why, we’re nerds, of course!” Zoe answered, still admiring her reflection.

The two girls turned and looked at Gemma. “Where’s your costume?” Cici asked. “Go put it on!”

Gemma grabbed her backpack (which presumably held her nonexistent costume), walked into the bathroom, and closed the door. What should she be? The only costumes that came to her were Starlandian ones—a glion, a star ball player, a bunch of ozziefruit. Not exactly appropriate for Wishworld. She wondered if she could even access costumes on the Wishworld Outfit Selector.

“Hurry up!” called Zoe. “It’s time to go to the carnival!” Gemma had to think fast. Then she smiled. She knew exactly what to do. She looked into the mirror and did her thing.

“Holy guacamole!” Zoe said as Gemma walked into the room. “You look amazing, Gemma!”

Cici stared. “Wow,” she simply said.

The costume that Gemma had chosen to wear was actually not a costume at all. It was Gemma’s real sparkly Starlandian appearance. It made perfect sense—since she was there on a holiday when Wishlings changed their looks, she could revert to her true appearance. It was liberating and fun.

“How in the world did you manage to get ready so quickly?” Zoe asked, marveling at Gemma’s sparkly skin and glittery hair.

And Gemma simply answered, “Practice.”

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