Fabulous Five 023 - Mall Mania Read Online Free PDF Page A

teapot out of its box and held it up for the girls to admire. "We're
going to have this on the coffee table in front of us! Isn't it wonderful?"
    "It's just the right touch," Christie said,
nodding.
    "Shawnie got some teacups that match," Beth added.
    "Are you going to pay Shawnie for the teapot, too?"
Katie asked her.
    "Sure," answered Beth. "Then I'm going to
save it and give it to my mom for Christmas."
    "Great idea," said Melanie.
    "Well, we can't wait to see the show," offered
Jana.
    "I know," Beth said excitedly. "Why don't you
guys come over tomorrow and watch it with me? Come at nine o'clock, and I'll
make pancakes before the show."
    "Sounds great to me," said Katie, and the others
said they would be there, too.
     
    Beth watched the clock all day. She tried to concentrate on
classwork, but all she could think of was the taping of The Wakeman Bulletin
Board after school. Every time she looked at the clock on the classroom
wall, expecting twenty minutes to have gone by, she discovered that only a
couple of minutes had passed. The day dragged on endlessly.
    At last the dismissal bell rang. Her heart racing, Beth ran
to her locker and picked up her new outfit and the teapot. She rushed into the
girls' room to get ready for the taping of the show.
    The bathroom was empty. Beth took her makeup case out of her
book bag with trembling hands. She didn't usually use a lot of makeup, but she
knew that the bright lights would make her face look washed out if she didn't
apply some color and highlights.
    First Beth applied the foundation, smoothing it over her
face and blending the edges into her hairline. Then she put some eyeshadow on
her lids and darkened her lashes with mascara. After that came blush and lip
gloss. Finally a dusting of powder took the shine from her nose and chin.
    She pulled the dress out of the bag and slipped it on over
her head. With a pounding heart, she zipped up the back and straightened the
fabric so that it hung smoothly. Next, she put on the shoes and the earrings
that matched the dress so perfectly.
    Beth stood in front of the mirror and looked at her
reflection. It was perfect. The absolutely right outfit for her television
debut. Her heart was really racing now. This is ridiculous , Beth
thought. I've acted in lots of plays. This is a taped show. Why does it feel
like such a big deal?
    Then she remembered the thousands of people who might tune
in to see her on TV. The show was a big deal!
    She took a deep breath, and gazed at herself in the mirror. "You
look terrific. You know your lines. And you're going to be just as good as they
are," she whispered to her reflection as she thought about the women she
had been watching on TV and whose techniques she had been studying. "Not
only that, someday you might be one of them. " Beth smiled at
herself and started to leave the rest room. Then she stopped, turned around,
and gave herself a big grin. "Break a leg!" she shouted, and then
raced out the door.
    When Beth arrived at the media center, Shawnie looked up,
obviously relieved. "Oh, good. You're all ready. I changed in the bathroom
across the hall." Shawnie looked terrific in her new red dress and
matching shoes. She wore a gold chain with a crystal pendant around her neck.
She grinned and stepped up next to Beth, putting an arm around Beth's shoulder.
"Do we look great together, or what?"
    "Sensational!" Beth said. "Now if I can just
stop shaking . . ."
    "Why be nervous?" Shawnie asked, sounding full of
confidence. "We look so good that if we do mess up, no one will even
notice—they'll be too busy gawking at these gorgeous women on the screen in
front of them!"
    Beth nodded. They did look great together, and she'd spent
all last night going over the script, but she still didn't feel as calm as
Shawnie sounded.
    The media center had closed five minutes earlier to anyone
not involved in the cable program. Mr. Levine, Jon, and a tall, lanky man with
dark hair were setting up the lights.
    "That must be