Free School of Charm by Lisa Ann Scott

start thinking about what you’ll be wearing for the pageant. Will you be joining us, Chip?”
    I turned to the pond and its shiny surface. I thought about the way I’d looked when I peered in the water with the mud on my face. Playing around in that gunk made me feel like I belonged with Dana and Karen. Could taking part in a beauty pageant make me fit in with my family? I did promise Mama I’d get along with Grandma, and this seemed like a good way to try.
    I looked away from the water and, right into Miss Vernie’s cool blue eyes. “Yes. Yes, I am joining.”
    The way her eyes softened felt like a hug. “All right, then,” she said. “Tomorrow’s the deadline. We’ll go into town, sign you up, and look for some dresses too.”
    We walked down Miss Vernie’s driveway toward our homes. The comfortable silence we’d fallen into back in the pond was gone. We went our separate ways at the end of the driveway without saying good-bye. I frowned, anxious to come back and get rid of those wicked weeds so I could see the pond clean and clear.
    Then I smiled, remembering the news I had for Mama. Wouldn’t she be surprised? Charlene too. I practiced all the different ways I could deliver my announcement. I was joining the pageant. I would be part of their summer project. This tomboy was going to be like them. That bubble inside me grew a lot bigger just thinking about it.

chapter eight
    â€œB RENDA, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ? Y OU MISSED SUPPER,” Grandma scolded as I walked into the dining room. “And you’re filthy again.” She was standing in front of the table, serving a peach pie and wrinkling her nose. She held the knife in the air, waiting for my answer.
    â€œI was at school,” I mumbled, rocking back on my dirty Keds. My heart was practically bursting to share my news. Would Mama clap? I was sure she’d jump up and hug me.
    â€œSchool? It’s July,” Charlene said. She poked a fork at her uneaten slice of pie.
    â€œIt’s charm school,” I whispered, warming up to deliver the big news.
    â€œCharm school?” Mama asked, scrunching her eyebrows together. “Where?”
    â€œJust down the street. Miss Vernie’s School of Charm.” I toyed with my bracelet.
    â€œWhat are you doing in charm school?” Charlene asked while Mama gave me a funny look.
    I blinked a few times. This wasn’t going like I’d planned. “Learning stuff. Like, stuff for a pageant.” I shrugged, and my skin felt itchy. “Maybe.” I coughed.
    â€œThe pageant? We talked about this, Chip.” Charlene sounded angry, and she pushed her plate away.
    Mama sat up and cocked her head. “You’re joining the pageant? A beauty pageant? You don’t even like to go to Charlene’s pageants.” A little laugh slipped out and my heart fell. “Are you pulling my leg?” she asked, narrowing one eye at me.
    Even Ruthie laughed. “You’re so funny, Chip.”
    That bubble inside me popped, and my insides felt like a big empty tub. Why were they laughing? I looked down at my feet and sucked in a breath before a little sob snuck out. “I said maybe. I’m not sure.”
    â€œMiss Vernie?” Grandma set down the pie dish. “I didn’t know she was still running that school.”
    â€œReally? But you’re neighbors,” I said.
    â€œKeeps to herself. But I knew her long ago. She was in the Miss North Carolina pageant in 1939. The year I won.” Grandma frowned, her bottom lip sticking out, and shook her head. “Anyone interested in joining a pageant should be learning from me, not Miss Vernie. I was Miss North Carolina. And she’s gone a little daft since . . .” But her voice was overpowered by Charlene.
    â€œWhy does Brenda get to go to a charm school? She doesn’t even want to be in pageants. And just look at her!” Her chest was