Free Vanessa's Fashion Face-Off by Jo Whittemore Page A

“Did I get it right?”
    Miss Lillian’s pitying smile said it all. “The riots were long before you were born, so I wouldn’t expect you to know. But it was a good effort! Just remember, confidence. There was a great deal of uncertainty in your voice.”
    â€œI was a great deal uncertain,” I said.
    â€œLet me see if I can do it,” said Brooke, leaning forward. “Ask me a question, Miss Lillian.”
    Miss Lillian stroked her chin and finally asked, “How can I lower my cholesterol?”
    Brooke folded her hands on her lap and glanced up at Miss Lillian. “High cholesterol can definitely be a danger, and it’s good for you to be concerned. You should really consult your family doctor if you’re not seeing desired results.”
    â€œBravo!” Miss Lillian clapped the tips of her fingers together.
    Brooke leaned toward me. “I got that last part from a dandruff commercial.”
    I snickered quietly since Miss Lillian was now talking to Heather.
    â€œWhat advice would you give two people who are going through a divorce and fighting over the toaster?”
    Heather took a sip of hot chocolate and then said, “The important thing in ending any relationship is keeping your dignity and humanity. If the other person wants a toaster that badly, let them have it. You can always buy another. If you lose yourself, you can’t buy that back.”
    Brooke and I looked at each other and then at Heather.
    â€œAll hail the queen of advice,” said Brooke, raising her hands high and bowing at the waist.
    â€œTruly, we are not worthy.” I covered my eyes and turned my head away.
    Miss Lillian smiled. “Heather, my dear, Ibelieve you’ve earned another muffin.”
    After Miss Lillian returned with more muffins and hot chocolate, she drilled us with a few more questions and then had us stand side by side in front of her bathroom mirror.
    â€œI want you to see what confidence looks like,” she said. “This”—she gestured to our reflections—“isn’t it.”
    â€œIt’s hard to be confident when you’re not sure if you drank too much hot cocoa,” said Brooke, fidgeting.
    â€œThis will only take a minute,” Miss Lillian assured her. “Girls, heads are high, backs are arched, shoulders are strong.” She moved among us, adjusting our postures. “Now look at yourselves in the mirror.”
    We did as she said. I had to admit, I looked pretty confident.
    â€œVanessa”—Miss Lillian put a hand on my back—“I understand you get stage fright.”
    My confident reflection faltered a little. “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œWhat I want you to do when you get onstage is imagine you’re talking to your reflection, not the audience. Does that make sense?”
    I nodded.
    â€œAnd recall a happy memory. One that makes you smile just thinking about it.” She gestured to Heather and Brooke. “I want you all to try that, in fact. As Peter Pan would say, ‘Think lovely, wonderful thoughts.’”
    I thought for a moment and smiled at my friends in the mirror. “Hey. You guys remember in elementary school, when Heather brought a candy bar to feed the llama at the petting zoo?”
    Heather’s mouth dropped open, and she poked me in the side. “Don’t you dare bring that up!” she said, but she was smiling.
    â€œYeah,” Brooke said with a grin. “Except the candy bar had so much caramel that the llamacouldn’t stop chewing, and its teeth got stuck together.”
    â€œPerfect!” said Miss Lillian. “Now that we’re all smiles—”
    â€œBut the llama’s lips were still moving,” I said, giggling. “And it looked like it was talking.”
    Heather giggled too. “And Brooke started speaking for it.”
    â€œHi, I’m Mr. Llama,” said Brooke in a deep voice. “Do you have a