Free Twice As Nice by Lin Oliver

baseball cap. Mrs. March had the find of the day, though—an old-school Girl Scout beanie with a little green tassel on the top. She thought that it might be from the 1970s. Lily spent most of her time collecting buttons and scarves and glittery jewelry that would make each hat original and fun.
    After an hour, we had collected a big pile of stuff. Mrs. March bargained with Claude, the shop owner, who she seemed to know pretty well. They settled on a price of twenty-five dollars for everything.
    â€œThat was the most fun thing ever,” I said as we walked out carrying everything in brown grocery bags.
    â€œI can’t wait to show all our treasures to Bethany,” Lily said. “She’s going to be so excited.”
    â€œLet’s go show her now,” Lauren suggested. “She texted earlier that she was at the club.”
    I didn’t want everyone going back there in case we’d run into Sammie. She was in such a bad mood, there’s no telling what she’d say to them. But I couldn’t think of a reason to say no, so we got in the car and Lily’s mom dropped us off at the club. I was so relieved when we went inside and Sammie was nowhere in sight. Bethany was sitting at a table outside, drinking a bottle of water.
    â€œHow’d the shopping go?” she asked.
    â€œWait until I show you all the cool stuff we got,” Lily said to her. “We have enough for seven or eight hats, and I’ve already designed some others.”
    â€œThis is so amazing,” Bethany said. “Let’s lay everything out.”
    The two outside tables were reserved for the ladies bridge club, so we went inside the clubhouse. GoGo was in the kitchen, experimenting with kebab marinades for Bethany’s party. She thought kebabs would go better with mini quiches than chicken drumettes. My dad was having a meeting in the living room with two men about possibly adding a locker room and resurfacing the tennis courts. They had plans and blueprints spread out all over the coffee table. No space was available.
    â€œNo problemo,” Lauren said to me. “Let’s just go to your room and lay everything out on your bed.”
    Before I could say anything, she headed toward the bedroom I share with Sammie. Our bedroom door was closed with a sign tacked up on it. It was in big, red letters, in Sammie’s handwriting.
    P RIVATE ! it said. D O NOT EVEN THINK ABO UT COMING IN HERE.
    Lauren looked at it and laughed, then with her usual swagger, pushed the door open.
    â€œYou can’t go in there!” I shouted to her.
    But it was too late.

“Hey! Didn’t you see the sign?” Sammie yelled. She practically threw her body in front of Lauren to stop her from entering our room. Lauren tried to peek around Sammie, to get a glimpse of what was going on.
    â€œWhat’s the big secret, anyway?” she asked.
    By that time, I had caught up with her. I quickly glanced into our room. I could see Sara and Alicia standing by the far wall. Sammie was doing her best to block them from our view.
    â€œGet her out of here,” Sammie warned me. “I’m not kidding, Charlie. Now!”
    â€œCome on,” I said, taking Lauren’s arm. “Let’s go.”
    â€œIt’s your room, too,” she grumbled. “Sammie has no right to keep you out of it.”
    Sammie stepped into the hall and closed the bedroom door behind her.
    â€œI think you should mind your own business, Lauren. And that goes for her, too,” she snapped, pointing her finger at someone behind me.
    I turned around to see Bethany.
    â€œSammie? Tell me what’s going on,” I said.
    â€œAlicia and Sara and I are busy. That’s all you need to know. If you guys come in, I’ll never forgive you.”
    â€œWow, that’s intense,” Bethany said.
    â€œLet’s just go back into the kitchen,” I suggested, trying to lighten up the situation.