Glitter Girl Read Free

cringed. Uh-oh. Here we go again , she thought.
    Kat watched as Zoe shot Jules a hostile look. Zoe clearly didn’t like Jules who, with her shaggy brown hair, “Save the Whales” T-shirt, camouflage pants, and black Converse (who wears those anymore?) clearly did not fit in with Kat’s new besties.
    â€œFor your information, I didn’t whine. I looked around on the Internet for articles on missing children and left them up on my laptop screen where I knew my mom would see them,” Zoe shot back proudly.
    â€œYou scared your mom into getting you a new phone? Wow. What a proud moment,” said Jules, more than a little disgusted.
    â€œYeah. I wish I had thought of it. The plan was an absolute perspiration!” offered Darcy, her red curls bouncing in excitement.
    â€œI think you mean ‘inspiration,’ Darce,” said Kat, trying to be helpful.
    â€œI do?” asked Darcy, not quite sure what she had said that was wrong.
    Before Jules could open her mouth to say something that would undoubtedly create more tension in the group, Kat jumped in. “Well, I think it’s great you got the phone, Zoe, and I think we can all agree that it’s important to stay in contact with our parents.”
    Before they could or couldn’t agree, the second bell rang.
    â€œGotta go, peeps,” said Zoe. “Mrs. Jolly wants me to come by her room and explain why I’m dropping out of choir this year.”
    â€œWhy are you? I thought your dream was to be a pop star,” Kat asked.
    â€œExactly. Stars aren’t part of a choir,” sniffed Zoe. “They’re backed by a choir. If I want to be a star, gotta start thinking like one. Later, ladies!”
    Zoe sashayed down the corridor, deliberately causing her lustrous hair to swish from side to side.
    â€œSee you guys tomorrow.” Darcy smiled, heading toward the exit.
    â€œUh, Darce. It’s first period,” said Kat.
    â€œOh yeah, right. Silly me,” giggled Darcy. She looked around puzzled for a moment, trying to get her bearings. Finally, the lightbulb went on, her face lit up, and she headed down the hall to her class.
    Kat shook her head and then looked accusingly over at Jules. “How can someone who is so committed to humanity and saving the world—and peace, love, and understanding—be so judgmental?”
    â€œSorry. It’s the smell of all those hair products. Makes me a little nuts,” replied Jules, faking a spastic attack.
    Kat laughed. Even though Jules didn’t quite fit in with her new friends, or even junior high school in general, she was still the smartest, funniest person Kat knew and could always make her laugh.
    As they headed into science class, they were stopped by Ms. Donovan, the frumpy, bespectacled teacher who ran the school’s Shakespeare Club. Though she was barely thirty, she dressed more like someone’s grandma than the young woman she supposedly was.
    â€œLady Jules. Pray thee. Hast thou come up with any ideas for thy sonnet?” asked Ms. Donovan in a fake English accent that was more fake than it was English.
    â€œNot yet, Mistress Donovan. Sure ’tis a burden to choose just the right poem. But I’m working on it,” answered Jules in an actually quite spot-on English accent.
    â€œWell, let me know if you need any help. I am quite the expert, you know,” continued Ms. Donovan sounding less British as she went.
    â€œHave you ever considered getting contacts, Ms. Donovan?” asked Kat. She had been scrutinizing the nerdish teacher’s appearance like the host of one of those extreme makeover shows you see all over cable.
    Ms. Donovan looked over to Kat as if noticing her for the first time but in reality was deliberately ignoring her.
    â€œBecause, you know, they would really help show off your face,” continued Kat.
    Ms. Donovan was not particularly fond of Kat or her type (meaning popular girls, not