A Tangled Thread Read online

  “Okay, let’s launch!” said Allie. “Go ahead—you do the honors.”

  Zoey moved the mouse so it was positioned over the Make it Live button. Her heart was thumping in her chest. Somehow, pressing that button felt like the beginning of something very big. No longer would she just be blogging and posting sketches and making things for herself and friends. She would be selling her work alongside other designers.

  It was a big step.

  Zoey took a deep breath and clicked the mouse. A few seconds later, Accessories from A to Z popped up in the browser, live for the whole world to see.

  “Mission accomplished!” cried Allie. “We did it!”

  She gave Zoey a big hug. Zoey had already started to think of her as a real friend, and she hoped that the accessories store would be just the first of many ventures together!

  “Did I hear some happy shouting?” asked Zoey’s father, poking his head in the doorway. He peeked into the dining room at the tidy piles of materials and accessories. “Is it official?”

  Zoey was beaming. “Yep! We launched it, Dad. It’s live! Our site is live.”

  Mr. Webber strode in and gave Zoey a huge hug. “Way to go, Zo! I’m really proud of you.” He reached over and patted Allie’s shoulder. “And you too, Allie. I’d love to take you girls out to celebrate, but I’ve got to get to a game, and I won’t be back for a few hours.”

  Zoey’s dad was a sports therapist and worked for the local university, monitoring the health of the athletes. He attended most games, and Zoey sometimes went with him, even though she could barely tell a kickoff from a field goal.

  Out of nowhere, Marcus appeared in the doorway. “You know, Dad, I could take Zoey and Allie out for ice cream,” he offered. Marcus had gotten his license recently, and he had a new car, so he was happy to find excuses to drive places. He had been saving up money from his life-guarding gig to buy a car when their dad surprised him with a gently used (but new-to-Marcus) sedan. Their dad liked it because it was safe, and Marcus liked it because it had wheels.

  Zoey lit up. “Really, Marcus? Thanks! Allie, do you want to?”

  Allie nodded, looking pleased. “Sure, that sounds fun. If you don’t mind, that is . . . ,” she mumbled in Marcus’s direction.

  “No problem,” Marcus said. He cleared his throat. “I could even drive Allie home afterward. You know, if she needs a ride.”

  Allie nodded. “Um, yeah, sure! Thanks. I’ll text my mom and let her know she doesn’t need to come get me.”

  Zoey dashed off a text message too—to let her friends know the Etsy shop was officially open for business. In seconds, her phone was buzzing with incoming texts congratulating her and Allie.

  Zoey’s dad left for the game, and Marcus, Allie, and Zoey piled into Marcus’s car and headed to Zoey’s favorite ice-cream parlor.

  At the counter, Zoey said hello to the owner, Mrs. Simms, who’d known Zoey since she was little.

  “Hello, Zoey and Marcus!” Mrs. Simms said. “Great to see you. We’ve got two special flavors today—Rainbow Delight and Marshmallow Mint.”

  Zoey looked through all the flavors, and after careful consideration, ordered a double-scoop cone of mint chocolate chip and Rainbow Delight. She loved mixing different flavors together, just as she loved mixing different fabrics together. It made everything more interesting.

  “This flavor combo should be just right for you,” said Mrs. Simms, handing Zoey the cone. “And how about for your friend?”

  “This is Allie,” said Zoey.

  Allie and Mrs. Simms said hello to each other, and Allie said she was ready to order.

  “I think I’ll have a single scoop of Marshmallow Mint,” Allie declared. Then, with a glance at Zoey’s huge cone, changed her mind. “Well, since we’re celebrating, make it a double.”

  “Celebrating?” said Mrs. Simms. “What are you celebrating, Zoey?”

  Zoey was so distracted by the delicious ice cream, she’d nearly forgotten. She said, “Oh right! Yes, we are. Allie and I just launched an accessories site together on Etsy.com!”

  Mrs. Simms applauded. “Way to go, Zoey! I’ll check it out tonight! In the meantime, these cones are on the house.” She winked at the girls and Marcus.

  “Wow! Thank you, Mrs. Simms!” Zoey couldn’t believe how nice and supportive everyone was being. Her brother had taken her out for ice cream, and now the ice cream was free! It was an important day for sure. “How about I make you a special fabric headband using the colors of the ice-cream parlor logo as a thank-you?” she suggested.

  Mrs. Simms nodded, looking pleased. “That sounds excellent. Then I can tell all my customers where to buy their own when they compliment me on it! Deal?”

  “Deal!” Zoey replied. Nearly giddy with excitement, she followed Marcus and Allie to a high table by the window.

  When they were seated, the three of them raised their cones and clinked them, like they were toasting with glasses. Marcus said, “Congratulations, Zoey and Allie!”

  Zoey was really touched by how proud Marcus seemed to be. He’d always encouraged her interest in fashion, though she was pretty sure some of that had to do with the fact that their mother had loved fashion and sewing clothes too. And maybe it made Marcus feel like their mother, who had died when Zoey was very, very young, wasn’t totally gone.

  Zoey sewed on her mom’s old sewing machine and used a lot of her mother’s old clothes for inspiration, and even to mix in with her own wardrobe. Sewing was a way to stay connected to the mom she hadn’t had much of a chance to get to know. Her father would tell her every now and then how much she reminded him of her mother, and Zoey loved to hear it, even if it made her a little sad.

  Zoey, Marcus, and Allie were enjoying their huge, double scoop cones when suddenly they heard a cell phone buzzing.

  “It’s mine, I think,” said Zoey, assuming it was a text from Priti or Kate.

  “Nope, I think it’s me,” said Allie.

  They both reached for their phones and shrieked at the exact same time.

  “What is it?” asked Marcus, sounding alarmed. “What happened?”

  “I made my first sale!” each girl shouted at the same time. Then they looked up at each other. “You did?”

  Allie clicked through the automated e-mail alert from Etsy to read the name of the buyer. “Hmm, it’s someone named . . . Lulu. Cool name.”

  Immediately, Zoey and Marcus burst out laughing. Zoey checked her e-mail, and, of course, her order was from Lulu as well.

  “Why are you laughing?” Allie asked.

  “Lulu is our aunt,” Marcus explained. “And one of Zoey’s biggest fans.”

  “I bet she’s been sitting at her computer all day hitting refresh and waiting for the site to go live so she could order something from each of us,” Zoey said.

  “For sure,” Marcus agreed.

  Allie shrugged. “An order’s an order!” she said, delighted. “Even if it’s from a relative. I’ll get it to her right away.”

  Zoey was excited too, but part of her wondered if she would sell anything to anyone other than Mrs. Simms, her aunt Lulu, and her closest friends. Maybe the Etsy store would be for relatives only.

  Even if it is, she told herself, it’s still fun making the accessories. And I can always give them to friends later on.

  Zoey decided that now was not the time to worry about the Etsy store, not when she had a huge ice-cream cone in front of her. She went back to enjoying her double scoop as Marcus and Allie began talking about friends they had in common, even though they went to different high schools.

  A huge drip from Zoey’s cone hit the table. As she hurried to lick up any other drips, she couldn’t help noticing how slowly and neatly Marcus was eating. Usually, he scarfed down an ice-cream cone like a starving man. He was even wiping his mouth with a napkin occasionally, something she’d seen him do only at special events and holiday dinners.

  Allie was eating neatly too, like her cone was fragile and precious. But she
also had chewed her gummy bears slowly. Zoey had noticed that while she was practically inhaling them, herself.

  Maybe you have to be really proper when you’re in high school, thought Zoey. If so, I’m glad I’m still in middle school and can eat my ice cream any way I want!

  CHAPTER 3

  Accessories Accomplished!

  Guess what, guess what? The Accessories from A to Z site is now live! I’m so excited!!! Not only that, I’ve already gotten my very first order for a clutch purse. (Sure, it’s from a member of my own family, but it still counts! Right?) Allie and I worked soooooo hard over the weekend getting it ready to launch, and we ended up celebrating with some extremely delicious ice cream. From now on, I plan to celebrate everything with a double scoop of mint chocolate chip and Rainbow Delight! Feel free to try this at home.

  In other news, I’ve been working hard on my design for my friend Priti’s modern sari. I’ve added some ruffles to the bottom (because that’s SEW Priti) and a dramatic swoop of fabric over the shoulder. That’s going to be the tricky part when sewing it. . . . I’ve got to make sure it’ll stay put while she’s dancing! I’ve never worked with a style of dress that wraps like this, so it’s probably going to take me a few tries to get it right. All I need now is the okay from Priti and her mom (and some good sewing mojo!), and I can start my first sari!

  When I finish, I plan to celebrate with—you guessed it—ICE CREAM! Two scoops!

  At school on Monday, Zoey sat at her regular table in the cafeteria with her friends, Kate, Priti, and Libby. Being at school was a welcome distraction from the fact that Zoey hadn’t gotten another Etsy order since her aunt’s order the other day. Zoey had told herself not to get her hopes up about the site, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted people to buy her accessories! She’d spent the evening checking her phone every ten minutes for Etsy e-mails. Being at school in the busy, loud lunchroom was a kind of escape from wondering.

  “Zoey,” said Priti, grabbing Zoey’s arm. “I have news! I talked to my mom this morning and explained that I wanted you to make a modern sari for me to wear at the wedding, and she said yes!”

  Libby and Kate both clapped, and Zoey dropped her sandwich. She was that excited. “So I get to make the sari? And you’re going to wear it in India?”

  Priti nodded happily. “Yes! She was checking her e-mail, so, well, she was a little distracted. But she said yes! Hooray!”

  Zoey immediately began digging in her backpack for her sketchbook. She pulled it out and flipped to the page with the sketch she’d done of the sari. “This is what I was thinking . . . ,” she said, showing it to all the girls. “See the ruffles here?”

  The girls oohed and ahhed over Zoey’s design.

  “I love the ruffles,” said Priti, “and I love the whole design! I saw it on your blog this morning!”

  “Me too,” said Kate. “I’ve started to check your blog before I leave for school each morning so I know what’s going on with you! I’ve missed so much with all my soccer practices.”

  Zoey giggled. “Thanks, Kate. Don’t worry—you get a pass until the season’s over.”

  Libby, who was holding the sketchbook, nodded her head admiringly. “I don’t know how you come up with this stuff, Zoey! It’s soooo beautiful. Priti, can I come to the wedding too?”

  The girls laughed, and Libby handed the sketchbook back to Zoey.

  “Speaking of beautiful dresses,” said Kate, pulling a catalog from her backpack and opening it to a dog-eared page on the table in front of them. “What do you guys think of this dress? I’ve got the big spaghetti dinner for my soccer team soon, and I need something to wear. My mom is going to order this one if I don’t choose something else.”

  Zoey studied the picture. The dress was a pastel floral print, with long sleeves, a collar, and a sash. It looked like something Kate would have liked when she was a little girl, not like twelve-year-old Kate at all.

  Zoey bit her lip, unsure how to reply. She knew Kate could look really amazing in something more modern, but she didn’t want to hurt Kate’s feelings by telling her she didn’t think the dress was right for her.

  Out of nowhere, Ivy Wallace, Shannon Chang, and Bree Sharpe, their school’s notorious trio of girls who were known for always saying the meanest thing possible in any situation, appeared. Zoey wondered if they spent the lunch hour wandering around the cafeteria, listening to other people’s conversations so they could offer their two cents. They were always in the right place at the right time—which was the wrong time for anyone who wasn’t in their group.

  They stopped behind Zoey, and Ivy bent over her shoulder to study the catalog picture. Zoey resisted the urge to swat Ivy away like the pesky fly she was.

  “Pretty dress, Kate,” Ivy said with a sneer. “I assume you’ll be riding your tricycle to the soccer dinner? Will your mommy give you a lollipop if you behave?”

  Zoey watched as Kate’s eyebrows pulled together, her face growing redder by the second. It made Zoey’s stomach turn.

  Then Bree chimed in. “I have a dress exactly like this, Kate—but it’s boxed up in the attic with all the other clothes I wore in kindergarten!”

  She and Ivy burst into laughter. Only Shannon, her face as red as Kate’s, stayed quiet. Shannon had been a good friend of Zoey’s in elementary school, before she’d started hanging out with Ivy. Ivy was a bad influence on everyone around her. She’s poison ivy, really, thought Zoey.

  “Buzz off, girls,” said Priti. “You’re obviously over your fashion heads. You wouldn’t know a great-looking, classic design if it bit you in the ankle.”

  Zoey joined Priti in glaring at the three girls until they moved on to another table.

  Zoey looked at Kate, worried she’d been wounded. “I’m so sorry they said that, Kate! Don’t worry—the dress will look great.”

  To everyone’s surprise, Kate burst out laughing. “Hahahahaha! I know this dress is hideous. That’s why I’m showing it to you! My mom wants to get it for me, but I want you to design me something else!”

  Zoey was surprised but happy to hear those words come out of Kate’s mouth. Kate had never asked Zoey to make her clothes before, and she was a terrific muse! Athletic and tan, there were a million things that would look great on Kate. The possibilities were endless!

  “Oooh, I can’t wait! Really? Oh my gosh! Did you ask your mom if I could?” Zoey asked.

  Kate shrugged. “Well, sort of. She said as long as it’s appropriate, she’ll be happy. And I say as long as I don’t look like my grandmother’s floral wallpaper, I’ll be happy!”

  The girls all cheered and put their hands in the middle of the table together, clinking their bracelets, Ivy’s and Bree’s nasty comments already forgotten.

  “Sounds like I’ve got a lot of sewing to do,” said Zoey. “I’d better get started right away.”

  “I’ve got a bag of sari fabric I can bring over,” Priti offered helpfully. “It’s in my mom’s closet.”

  “And I can pay for my fabric,” said Kate. “I’ve got allowance saved up—”

  “No way,” Zoey cut in. “I’ve got my Doggie Duds money. And I’ve been dying to make you something. This one’s on me.”

  “Thanks, Zo,” said Kate softly, and the two girls shared a look of understanding that only girls who had been good friends for many years could share.

  Lunch dissolved into discussions of what would look best on Kate, what kind of dress went with spaghetti, and how well Priti had told off Ivy. Zoey was itching to start sketching so she could get the ideas down on paper. She had to make the best dress ever for Kate!

  Between classes, Zoey called her aunt and asked her to pick her up after school. She needed a ride to A Stitch in Time to get fabric for Kate’s dress. Lulu had agreed on the spot and was waiting out front when the final bell rang.

  Zoey’s aunt Lulu was an interior decorator with her own business, so not only was she often available at odd times to run errands with Zoey or offer advice, she also knew
her way around a fabric store. Zoey had spent many happy afternoons at her aunt’s house just looking through the mountains of fabric swatches she kept on hand for her clients.

  When Zoey saw Lulu’s car, she hopped in and started talking a mile a minute. On the way to the store, Zoey filled her aunt in on the two new projects she was beginning—making a sari for Priti and a dress for Kate. Aunt Lulu loved to hear about Zoey’s sewing and read her blog religiously.

  “I’ve already seen the sari sketch on your blog,” she told Zoey. “I think it’ll look marvelous. I’m so glad Priti has fabric for you though—those sari fabrics can be pricey.”

  “Well, I have my Doggie Duds money,” Zoey said. She glanced in the backseat, where Lulu’s dog, Buttons, sat dressed in her Doggie Duds cape. “It’s nice to see my doggie clients are still happy with their outfits!”

  “Buttons is a very satisfied customer,” Lulu said.

  They pulled into the parking lot of the fabric store, got out of the car, and hooked Buttons’s leash to her collar, so they could bring her inside. Jan, the store owner, loved dogs, as long as they didn’t make messes in the store.

  “And speaking of satisfied customers,” said Lulu, as they headed into the store. “I can’t tell you how much I love this purse!” Zoey had given the purse to her aunt the day before. Aunt Lulu waved it over her head, as if there was an imaginary crowd around them, watching. “Hey, everyone, my amazing niece made this clutch!”

  Buttons barked and Zoey laughed and pulled her aunt’s arm down. There was nothing like going fabric shopping with your number-one fan.

  Inside the fabric store, Zoey inhaled deeply. She loved the scent of the fabrics. They smelled fresh and new and full of possibilities. Normally, Zoey kept to one end of the store where the better bargains were found, but today she decided to explore the pricier section, where the patterns and textures made her drool.