Bead-Dazzled (27 page)

“The presentation itself was a bit rough around the edges, but that will come in time.”

“Oh.” That wasn’t the response she was hoping for. She knew Paige was tough, but had it been that bad? “And the clothes?”

“The clothes…” Paige took a moment to consider the collection. “The fashion was a wow. Total Wow.”

Emma pumped her fist and took a deep breath. She did it! They all did it!

She pulled Holly and Charlie aside and thanked them. Without Charlie dragging her back to Earth, the fashion show never would have happened. Then she texted her parents and told them Allegra was a hit. Marjorie was old school and didn’t text, but Emma was sure her dad would fill her in. Last but not least, she texted Adja with an outfit-by-outfit rundown of the fashion show. Emma knew she’d want to hear more. Luckily, on Monday, she’d be only an elevator ride away on the eighth floor. Emma hoped Adja would make enough money beading prom dresses that she could someday have her own jewelry line.

“Check out the crowds trying to talk to Francesca about Allegra!” Charlie said.

“I feel bad. I wish I could help her,” Emma said.

“It looks like she found a helper,” Holly pointed out. “Who’s the short, dumpy guy with the bow tie next to her? He’s totally into her.”

“That’s Billy Perez,” Paige replied.

“Seriously, that dude?” Charlie laughed. “Priceless.”

“He’s not how I thought he’d be,” Emma admitted.

“Allegra is probably not as anyone here tonight thinks she is either,” Paige reminded her. For a moment, the four of them watched Francesca and Billy laugh together. It was clear he no longer cared about finding Allegra Biscotti. He’d found Francesca.

Paige moved on to talk with other fashion industry people, while Emma, Holly, and Charlie circled the enormous room. Emma took in the amazing flower arrangements, the spectacular diamonds glittering around women’s necks, and the color palettes of the different make-up lines. She insisted on watching the other designers’ fashion shows two or three times. Every collection stirred new ideas in her brain. Her fingers itched for her sketchbook.

“Where’ve you been?” Kayla asked Holly, as they returned to the Allegra area. “I’d be front and center watching the Allegra show non-stop if I were the star.”

“I’m not the star,” Holly said. “The clothes are.”

“Allegra Biscotti used Egyptian fashion as an influence, too,” Lexie pointed out to Emma. “I was so right to come up with that idea. I’m always on trend.”

“Yeah, I saw.” Emma wasn’t going to let Lexie’s bragging ruin her best night.

“You should watch her runway show again, if you want to get into fashion. Nothing against you, but her clothes are so much better than your sketches.”

“They are pretty great.” Emma shared a secret smile with Holly and Charlie.

“I’m glad our project worked out,” Lexie continued, too self-involved to clue in. “I’m psyched for the B-plus. But I almost fell over when Chloe whipped out that tunic she sewed. The girl needs some serious lessons.”

“Don’t be harsh. It’s not so easy to sew,” Emma said. “I thought it was a good first try.”

“It was lame.” Lexie fished her phone from her quilted bag. “This is getting boring.”

Raffles, silent auctions, and speeches had started, and the designers stopped showing their films. Emma decided she’d talk to Chloe next week. She felt bad that she hadn’t helped with the tunic. Maybe she’d offer Chloe a sewing lesson. Maybe they could be better friends.

“Hey, Holls,” Lexie said. “Ivana just texted from the play-off game. It’s half-time, and Clayton tied it up with a free throw.”

“Really? I wish I could’ve seen it,” Holly said.

“I say we grab a cab and go to the school. The fun part of this is over, and we still get our gift-bags if we leave early,” Lexie said. “You’re in Kayla, right? Holls?”

Holly glanced at Emma.

“Go!” Emma commanded. Holly and Clayton had just officially starting going out. “Although,” she teased, “I doubt that’s really the best outfit for a school basketball game.”

“I’ve learned from you, Em. Always go in style!” Holly laughed. “Clayton and Jackson will think we dressed for their game, Lexie.”

Lexie grimaced. “I doubt Jackson cares what I’m wearing.”

“Why? I thought you two were—” Holly hesitated, not sure how to finish with Emma by her side.

“Jackson’s crushing on some other girl,” Kayla filled in. “But this girl has a boyfriend.”

Boy, he moves fast,
Emma thought.
He was just into Lexie. Now who?

“Who’s Jackson crushing on?” Holly lowered her eyebrows, confused.

“You guys don’t know?” Kayla giggled. “Emma. Jackson likes Emma.”

“Me? But I don’t have a boyfriend,” Emma protested.

“Yes, you do,” Kayla said. “Everyone knows that you and Charlie are a couple. You’re always together.”

“Charlie?” Emma cried.

Charlie whooped and bent over laughing. “That’s a good one!”

“Get over yourself,” Emma warned him. She faced Kayla and Lexie. “Charlie is my best friend. He’s not my boyfriend.”

Charlie wrapped his arm around Emma’s shoulder. “Friends until the end. No more quitting.”

“The bitter end,” Emma agreed.

“You two are strange,” Lexie muttered. “I’m out of here.” Kayla followed her to the door.

“Come too, Em,” Holly encouraged. “You can tell Jackson he had it all wrong. He still likes you.”

“It’s too late,” Emma said. “Beside I’m going to stay and help Francesca.”

Holly hugged Emma and ran to catch up with Lexie and Kayla. Charlie followed the waiter passing out mini cream puffs.

“You like that boy?”

Emma whirled around.

“I have good hearing.” Paige shrugged. “So?”

“Yeah. I did. Well, maybe I still do, but it’s not going to work,” Emma said.

“Why’s that?”

“I can’t focus on my fashion and also chase a boy.”

“Doesn’t sound like you have much chasing to do.”

“He thinks I’ve been blowing him off, because I like Charlie,” Emma explained. “He’s wrong, but I can’t tell him what I’ve really been doing. It’s too complicated.”

“It’s not that complicated. Complicated is pulling off a collection in record time using only recycled materials and searching out undiscovered beading artists to help.” Paige pulled her cell phone from her Hèrmes satchel and quickly sent a text. “Get your coat from the coat room and hurry. He’s waiting by the curb.”

“Who?”

“Benny, of course. He will drive you to your school gym. There’s a basketball player you need to set straight.”

“Why are you doing this?” Paige had never taken an interest in Emma’s life outside Allegra.

“It’s not easy to balance work and love and friends when you’re crazy about what you do. I haven’t done it so well.” Paige twirled her huge cushion-cut engagement ring and sighed. “You’re young, and Allegra is just beginning. You did great tonight, and tomorrow the emails and orders will pour in. Go have fun. Go!” Paige nudged her toward the door.

“What about Allegra?”

“The night’s over. Francesca will clean up—and it looks like Billy will, too. You don’t want to get in their way. Go on.”

* * *

Emma sat in the back of Benny’s car, watching the street lamps sparkle in the light mist as they raced down Park Avenue. She felt glamorous sitting in the back of a chauffeured car in her awesome beads. She felt like Allegra Biscotti, up-and-coming fashion designer.

She opened the glossy Goin’ Green program that was handed out as the guests left. Each designer was featured on an individual page. She found Allegra Biscotti’s page and laughed loudly. Francesca had done just as she asked.

“Everything okay back there?” Benny eyed her in the rearview mirror.

“Everything is perfect.” With her finger, she traced the picture. Not a photo, real or created on the computer. A drawing.

Emma held the cartoon up to the light. In it, she saw both herself and Allegra.

The girl wore a pink cape and a flirty mini skirt that sparked. Her wide eyes gleamed triumphantly as she flew over tall building and through the sky. A super hero’s mask covered part of her face, keeping her identity forever hidden.