Mixed Messages Read Free

changed into it when she got back from the mall so she could match the nail polish color perfectly.
    Chloe looked at Zee curiously, but Zee just smiled. She was sure one more person—especially one as nice as Missy—wouldn’t be a problem.
    It didn’t take long for a problem to appear, though. Kathi Barney walked through the door. Jen Calverez, Kathi’s best friend, followed her. Kathi and Zee were not exactly friends, but most of the time they weren’t enemies, either. Kathi could be really nice when she wanted to, but when it came to Zee, she rarely wanted to be. Jen usually just did what Kathi wanted her to do, so Zee couldn’t count on her to be friendly—especially when Kathi was around.
    â€œZee! I didn’t know you came here.” Kathi fake-smiled and looked Zee up and down. “I thought you were more into the messy look.”
    Then Kathi turned to Ally. “I meant to tell you about the spa my mom and I go to whenever we’re in Paris,” she said brightly. “I can tell you haven’t found a good place yet.”
    â€œThanks!” Ally said. “And I can tell you—”
    â€œHey!” Zee interrupted, afraid of what Ally might say. She didn’t want an argument to erupt in the middle of Wink. “Those are really great earrings, Jen.”
    Jen smiled and reached up to touch the gem hanging from her earlobe. “Thanks. Kathi gave them to me.”
    â€œI can give you the name of the boutique,” Kathi said, curling her upper lip. “You know, so you don’t have to keep wearing those homemade earrings.”
    â€œNo, thanks,” Zee said. “Making my jewelry is even more fun than wearing it.”
    â€œHey, Zee, you and Landon looked like you were getting pretty friendly at the last field trip campfire,” Kathi went on. “What’s up with that?”
    â€œUh . . . I don’t know,” Zee said. She was pretty sure that Landon liked her, but he had been Kathi’s boyfriend the year before. If competitive Kathi knew that Landon had asked Zee to hang out at the mall with him, there was no telling what she might do. Until Zee was certain about Landon, she wouldn’t tell anyone but her best friends.
    â€œFine,” Kathi said. “Don’t tell me. Whatev.” With a huff, she turned to go—and came face-to-face with Mr. Papademetriou, Brookdale Academy’s instrumental music teacher.
    â€œMr. P?” Jen said.
    Without thinking, Zee blurted out, “What are you doing here?” Mr. P was not only a music teacher, he was also the director of Zee’s band, The Beans. Chloe, Kathi, Jen, Missy, Jasper, Landon, Marcus, and Conrad were all in it, too.
    Mr. P ran his fingers through his tousled hair. “Well, I have to get my hair cut, too.”
    â€œIt’s just . . . we’ve never seen you here before,” Jen pointed out.
    Zee and Chloe nodded. “Is this your first time at Wink?” Chloe asked.
    â€œYup,” Mr. P said.

    â€œSo what’s the special occasion?” Kathi asked.
    â€œWho said there was a special occasion?”
    â€œIs there?” Zee coaxed.
    â€œI know!” Jen announced. “You have a date!”
    â€œThat’s it!” Ally cheered.
    â€œAwesome!” Chloe joined in.
    Mr. P’s cheeks reddened. “No, that’s not it,” he protested, laughing nervously.
    â€œIt’s the only thing that makes sense,” Kathi told him.
    Mr. P sighed, then looked from one girl to the next. “I was going to wait until Monday to tell the whole band.”
    â€œWhat?” the girls asked at once.
    â€œI have a big announcement.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Zee wondered out loud.
    â€œI’ll tell the whole band at school.”
    â€œWait!” Zee exclaimed. “Can’t you tell us now?”
    â€œIf I told you now, that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of The