face.â
âI agree,â said Valentina, another Angel. âIâd do it for a dollar too.â
For a moment Aly thought about calling Suzy to make sure she understood people liked her makeup idea, but that she was charging too much.
Maybe sheâd change her mind about her fees tomorrow. But then again, Suzy Davis was one of the most stubborn people Aly had ever met, so maybe not.
As exhausted as Brooke and Aly were Tuesday night, they still gave each other manicures.
Brooke painted Alyâs nails with Starry Nights, a navy-blue shimmer polish that matched Alyâs leggings, and topped it off with rhinestones on her pinkies. Even though Aly yawned about fifteen times in a row, she managed to polish Brookeâs nails a bright I Dream of Greenie with gold rhinestones.
Forty minutes later the sisters were asleep, and as ready as theyâd ever be for tomorrow.
nine
News Prince
A ly, is my braid straight? Is there any hair popping out of it?â Brooke asked her sister.
âItâs perfect,â Aly answered as she brushed her teeth.
The next morning was a mad dash to get ready for Picture Day. Aly and Brooke woke up earlier than usual, so they could get to school before the first bell.
Aly looked in the mirror one last time and grinned.
The bows on her sleeves were tied perfectlyâBrooke had helped. And her hair was shinyâMom had let her blow-dry it and then had sprayed it with hair spray afterward. She felt especially fancy.
Aly, Lily, and Charlotte had made a plan to meet by the water fountain near the gym before the first bell rang so that they could admire one anotherâs outfits. Aly arrived first, and while she was waiting she read the signs taped on the wall above the water fountain.
One was looking for more volunteers for Helping the Hungry at LunchâOliver Shinâs community service project.
Another was telling kids when they could audition for the school playâ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . Aly wondered if Brooke might want to do that. Sheâd make a great Munchkin.
Then there was Suzy Davisâs sign for her Suzyâs Spectacular Makeup businessâonly it had been changed. Instead of â$5,â it said â$1.â And instead of information about how to book appointments, it said: NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY!
Aly wondered how early Suzy had gotten to school to put up all these new signs. She also was impressed and couldnât believe that Suzy had changed her plan.
âWhat are you looking at?â Lily asked when she walked up next to Aly.
âSuzy Davisâs sign,â Aly said. âAnd you look great!â
Lilyâs Picture Day outfit was:
â¢Â a gray-and-yellow-striped shirt
â¢Â a pair of yellow jeans
â¢Â black high-top sneakers
â¢Â News Prince nail polish with yellow rhinestones
â¢Â a necklace with green beads and a basketball charmâand a strawberry charm (that she said stood for her job at the Sparkle Spa)
Lily smiled and tucked a strand of her long hair behind her ear. Then she blurted out, âShe made it cheaper!â
Lily glanced at Aly. âSo what do you think, Al, are you going to try it out?â
Aly shrugged. âIâm not sure. Maybe. Probably. I mean, I feel bad. I would be so sad if we had no customers at the Sparkle Spa. You know? And our necklaces and rhinestone manicures were such a hit, Iâm not worried about people thinking her business is better than the Sparkle Spa.â
âNo business is better than the Sparkle Spa,â Charlotte said. âAnd I love both your outfits. How does mine look?â
Charlotteâs Picture Day outfit was:
â¢Â a red dress
â¢Â orange leggings
â¢Â gold ballet flats and a gold belt
â¢Â Go for the Gold nail polish with red rhinestones
â¢Â a red headband with a sparkly rose on the side
â¢Â an orange bead necklace, with a heart, a moon, and a sun