Free Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York by Laurie Friedman Page A

addressed to Design Your Dream Outfit Contest.”
    A New York City address flashes on the front of the screen.
    â€œWrite that down,” I say to Mary Ann.
    Mary Ann starts writing.
    Fran keeps talking. “You have three weeks to submit your design. I will personally look at each and every one that comes in.” Lights twinkle on the screen behind Fran. She smiles into the camera. “And when we come back, I’ll announce the prize for winning the Design Your Dream Outfit contest.”
    The TV cuts to a commercial.
    â€œI can’t wait to start designing,” says Mary Ann. “Me too,” I say to my best friend. My head starts filling up with ideas. I can already picture the dream outfits Mary Ann and I are going to design.

    I’m really excited to design my dream outfit. But I’m even more excited to find out what you get if you win the contest.
    When Fran returns, the lights twinkle again. “Now, the moment you have all been waiting for.” A drum rolls in the background.
    I squeeze Mary Ann’s hand as Fran starts talking.
    Fran raises an eyebrow and grins. “Viewers, I will choose the winning design. Then our seamstresses will sew it, creating a real dream outfit from the design.” Fran pauses like what she’s about to say next is the most exciting thing she has said so far. Mary Ann and I lean in toward the TV.
    â€œThe winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for four to New York City … AND a chance to appear on my show and model the winning design!”
    When Fran says that, Mary Ann starts bouncing up and down on the couch. I’m starting to feel couch-sick. It’s the same thing as seasick, except it happens when you’re on a couch that is moving instead of a boat.
    â€œWow! Wow! Wow!” screams Mary Ann. “All we have to do is win the contest, and we get to go to New York City and model our outfits on the
Fashion Fran
show. We’re going on
Fashion Fran
!”
    I look at Mary Ann. I’ve never seen her so bouncy. I’m excited too, but I’m not sure why she’s so bouncy. I’m also not sure why she used the word “we.”
    I put my hand on her arm and she stops moving. “Didn’t you hear Fran?” I say. “She didn’t say “
winners
,” she said “
winner
.”
    I wait for what I said to sink in, but it doesn’t. Mary Ann waves at me like she’s heard enough. She points to the screen. Fran is starting to talk again.
    She holds up a sketch pad and a pencil. “You design it. Our seamstresses sew it. One lucky winner will model her design on the show.” Fran smiles. “This contest is only open for the next three weeks. So get busy drawing your dream outfit. I know there’s a fashion designer in all of you.”
    Fran blows a kiss and waves. “That’s it for today. See you tomorrow with more of the latest, greatest finds in the world of fashion.”
    The camera cuts to another commercial.
    â€œ
One lucky winner
” keeps spinning through my head. What was supposed to be the most exciting episode ever just turned into the worst episode ever. “What are we going to do?” I ask Mary Ann.
    Mary Ann looks at me funny. “About what?”
    Sometimes I wonder what goes on in Mary Ann’s brain.

    â€œOnly one person gets to go on Fran’s show. And there are two of us.”
    Mary Ann takes a deep
give-me-a-minute-to-think-about-this
breath. “It’s simple,” she says. “All we have to do is make a pinky swear. If one of us wins, we’ll figure out a way to both go on the show.”
    She holds up her pinky like she’s waiting for me to hook mine around hers.
    I look at her. “How are we going to do that?”
    Mary Ann shakes her head like now I’m the one who doesn’t get it. “We need to stop talking and start promising!”
    I shake my head. “I don’t see how