The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy Page A

search the stands for Heather. Not surprisingly, she was nowhere to be found. I would’ve bailed too.
    We found Mark in the crowd and followed the masses out to the main parking lot. I felt like a genuine part of the gang, hanging out with Sarah Jane and Mark as people stopped to gab about tomorrow’s Summer Slam obstacle race. I might be a tagalong, but at least I was along. That was a step up already.
    When everyone had scattered to the winds and Mark had deposited us back at the convertible, Sarah Jane turned to me and said the words I’d been dying to hear.
    “Are you ready to play Cinderella?”

Chapter 6
    SAFELY ENTRENCHED BACK in the nearly empty Club—most everyone else was probably off hashing out makeover plans at the mall—I pulled out my CMM and dug in. If I needed to try out some signature style ideas before we could launch my makeover, I was all over it. I’d promised Mom I’d be home for dinner and to help her in the nursery, so I didn’t have all night.
    I settled in next to Kat and reviewed the appearance section. The overview was like a style bible itself, supported by articles written by everyone from top designers to Hollywood makeup artists. It didn’t take me long to devour words of makeup wisdom from Bobbi and figure-flattering advice from Stacy. But the coolest part of all? Some of the big names had gotten together and created a CMM style quiz just for the Cindys.
    But I had to tackle my first project before I could hit the computer and pay a visit to Quiz City.
    I knocked on the door of Gaby’s office, and she lifted her nose from a binder to rival SJ’s. “Back from the front lines?” she asked.
    “I got here half an hour ago. You were on your cell, so I didn’t want to disturb.”
    “Sorry.” Gaby rubbed her eyes. “I’m trying to finish myfinal Beta project. I’m also going for the Girl Scout Gold Award®, so it’s more juggling than I’m used to.”
    “You’re in TCS and in Girl Scouts?” Talk about a girl-power one-two punch.
    Gaby nodded. “I’m usually fine with balancing them, but I’ve got a bunch of things hitting at the same time right now. I’ll get it done, though. Somehow.”
    Overachiever, thy name is Gaby. “I heard you’re shooting to be the youngest Gamma in the history of TCS,” I said, not bothering to mask my awe.
    “That’s the goal. Some girls have done it the summer between sophomore and junior year, but I skipped second grade, so I’m a year younger.”
    Dang . Brilliant after skipping a grade? Einstein had nothing on Gabrielle Winston. “Your parents must be really proud of you being the youngest soon-to-be Gamma.”
    Oh. Except they probably didn’t know.
    Gaby chuckled at the look on my face. “Yeah, I wish I could tell them. I’m kind of overshadowed by my sister, Angie. She was born eleven minutes before me, and she’s been the one to watch ever since. She’s on the fast track to Juilliard as a dancer.” She rolled her pencil between her fingers. “A little advice? Don’t treat your sibs like two halves of one person. Every twin is a whole person all by themselves, even if parents forget that.”
    I felt bad that I let my resentment toward Mom and Dad spill over onto the babies. It wasn’t the twins’ fault they’d have things I never had—parents who were actually there for them, a place to really call home. Plus, they weren’t even born yet, so how petty was I? At least I’d never had to fight with anyone for my parents’ attention. When they were paying attention, I mean.
    I told Gaby I’d keep her advice in mind, then shifted back into CMM mode. “The binder says I need to get materials for my Signature Style Portfolio from you?”
    Gaby pulled out a large, chunky envelope and handed it to me. “Instructions for the Signature Style Portfolio are inside, and magazines are in the storage cabinet in the lounge. But I have three words for you: Zen is queen . If a style gives you even the tiniest twinge of nerves,