Free Mixed Messages by Tina Wells Page B

sent me ten bunnies.”

    â€œReally?” Zee leaned in to get a closer look. Ally was right. Missy had sent Ally lots of bunnies, a couple of private messages, three notebook doodles, and one group invitation.
    Zee felt a tug of jealousy. She had thought that she and Missy were getting to be better friends because of the twins, but now she realized Missy was much closer to Ally. It was weird to see the proof right on the screen.
    â€œHey, Zee, look!” Ally said. “The Fashionista Club has seventy-three members.”
    â€œCool beans!” Zee exclaimed. “More of your French friends signed up.”
    Jasper suddenly pivoted in his chair and wiped his forehead with his palm. “Seventy-three members? For a fashion club?”
    â€œI know. Isn’t it cool?” Ally said.
    â€œEveryone loves Bluetopia,” Zee cheered.
    â€œMost of the ideas were yours,” Jasper reminded her. “I just did the programming. Now, unfortunately, I’m still doing the programming to make sure it doesn’t crash. I had no idea that Bluetopia would take up so much time. I’ve hardly been able to think about anything else.”
    â€œWhat else is there?” Ally joked.
    â€œBrookdale Day, for one,” Jasper said. “If I mess that up, it could hurt my music grade.” He looked at the computer screen. “But if Bluetopia crashes, it could be an international disaster.”
    â€œYou worry way too much,” Zee told him. “It’s not going to crash. It’s perfect.” Then she turned to Ally. “We should upload those pictures of the stuff we got at the thrift shop the other day.”
    â€œEveryone can suggest how we should mix and match all the different clothes,” Ally added.
    â€œThen we can vote,” Zee agreed.
    Jasper’s phone buzzed with a text. “My mum is here to pick us up,” he told the girls.
    â€œRehearsal time!” Zee announced, grabbing her guitar.
    Ally logged off, and the three of them hurried downstairs.
    Zee found her mother and Mr. Sterling at the bottom of the steps. Mrs. Carmichael wore a serious expression as Mr. Sterling explained, “You’ll need a gate that locks.”
    â€œWe’re going to Kathi’s now,” Zee told her mom.
    â€œAll right, honey,” Mrs. Carmichael said without looking at her.

Chapter 10
Karaoke Dokey
    M rs. Chapman had already picked up Chloe from soccer practice on the way to rehearsal. Jen was sitting next to her in the minivan.
    â€œYou’ll never guess what my mom was doing when I got home this afternoon,” Zee blurted out as she fastened her seat belt.
    â€œTaking a nap?” Chloe asked.
    â€œNot this time,” Zee told her. “She was talking to someone about baby-proofing the house.”
    Chloe raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
    â€œIt means I’m probably going to have to know a secret code to open a cabinet, go up steps, or lift the toilet lid.”
    â€œPerhaps we should start hanging out at my house more,” Jasper joked.
    â€œBut what about Mrs. Carmichael’s snacks, Jasper?” Chloe asked. “Wouldn’t you miss them?”
    â€œI already do,” Jasper responded, exaggerating a frown.
    Jen laughed loudly.
    â€œThere weren’t any,” Zee said. “Again.”
    â€œMaybe your mom just didn’t have time, because the baby-proofer was coming,” Ally suggested.
    â€œI bet it just slipped her mind,” Mrs. Chapman called from the driver’s seat in her British accent. “I remember when I was pregnant with Jaspy.”
    â€œJaspy?” Zee silently mouthed.
    Jasper buried his hands in his face.
    â€œWhat happened?” Chloe asked.
    â€œI forgot everything,” Mrs. Chapman began. “I would pick up the phone and forget who I was calling. I’d drive to the grocery store and end up at the bank.”
    â€œIs that normal?” Ally