The New Ashley by Maria Franco

Author:Maria Franco
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 9781434297587, 9781623701963, 9781434297662, fiction, Stone Arch Books, Sleepover Girls, social issues/friendship, social issues/emotions & feelings, clothing & dress
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2014-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Sophie proudly perched the Sirena Simons bag in front of the white backdrop I’d set up. “Your muse awaits, madam,” she said, motioning to my digital camera with a grin. She’d been in a great mood ever since we left school. How could she not? She had only been here a few weeks and was already the lead in the school play.

I should have been on cloud nine having the chance to shoot the bag for my blog, but I just felt down. “Sophie, can I ask you something?” I asked, eager to get it out of my system.

“Ask away,” she said, tinkering with my tripod to move it into a better position.

I took a deep breath. “Why did you go for the part of the Mad Hatter?” I asked. “I mean, we talked about the play when we went shopping, and I told you how excited Maren was about it. Then you showed up out of nowhere at tryouts, and it kind of felt like you stole her role.” I hoped I hadn’t gone too far, but I felt the need to stick up for Maren.

Sophie looked annoyed. “I barely know Maren,” she said.

“I know,” I said, equally annoyed. “It just seemed like you didn’t care since it wasn’t as sophisticated as your French plays you did at your old school.”

“That is not true. I thought the play sounded cool when you told me about it, and I already had the Mad Hatter costume. I thought it would be fun to get involved in theatre again, even if it wasn’t in French. Does that make me an awful person?”

“No, totally not,” I assured her, less annoyed after hearing her explanation. “I don’t even know where that came from. I guess I just really want for you to be friends with my friends, and that felt like a step backward.” It was like my mom always said — honesty really was the best policy. It felt good to let it out!

Sophie shrugged, taking a sip of her sparkling water. “I’m totally open to being friends with your friends,” said Sophie. “But it kind of seems like the feeling isn’t mutual.”

I racked my brain for a solution. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. They’re usually not like that, I swear, ” I told her. “You should see how much fun we have at our sleepovers!” And then, my light bulb moment struck.

“That’s it!” I exclaimed. “I think a sleepover would be the perfect way for everyone to really get to know each other. We can do one next weekend, with spa treatments, scary movies, the whole nine yards! I’m sure my parents won’t mind.”

“Count me in,” said Sophie. “Consider it a clean slate on my end. And you know what? Don’t worry about asking your parents. I’ll host. It will be nice to have everyone over.”

I was so relieved that Sophie was going to give my friends a second shot. Who says five’s a crowd? Now I could concentrate on the fun part: shooting Sophie’s bag.

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