"Full House - Sisters 03 - And the Winner Is... - Nina Alexander" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alexander Nina)

"Only five?" Stephanie asked.
"They're all designer boutiques," Allie explained. "With really incredible clothes. Plus you get a dinner with the Miarras at Pacific Rim—that restaurant at the north end of the mall."
Dinner with the Miarras, Stephanie thought. She pictured herself in the ritzy new restaurant. She and the two glamorous designers would sit around a fancy table, getting to know one another. Then they would comment on Stephanie's natural fashion sense and tell her that she should become a designer—just like they are!
"Bummer!" Darcy said. "You can enter the contest only if you have a sister. See? It says since Fiona and Felicia Miarra are sisters, the contest is for 'San Francisco's most fabulous sisters.'"
"Sisters?" Stephanie echoed. "I wonder if I could get D.J. to enter with me. She's a great dresser, and she's pretty, too."
Stephanie read on, feeling more excited by the second. Each pair of sisters that entered the contest would get free modeling lessons and a professional makeover. They would also get to take part in a real fashion photo shoot. For the final contest they had to provide their own clothes, which were supposed to reflect their special sense of sisterly style. That's what they would be judged on.
"This is perfect," Stephanie said. "D.J. and I have great sisterly style. As soon as I get home, I'm going to ask her to enter the contest."
Allie stood on tiptoe to see the sign. "It looks like there are more rules and stuff written at the bottom," she pointed out.
Stephanie couldn't see the rest of the sign. She made her way through the crowd, trying to get a better look. As she moved through a knot of people, she felt her elbow bump someone.
"Oops! Excuse me," Stephanie apologized. She turned to see whom she'd bumped. A tall, slim girl with shiny dark hair gazed back at Stephanie. Her big green eyes were fringed with long lashes. She wore a lavender minidress.
She was the prettiest girl Stephanie had ever seen. I hope she's not entering the contest, she thought. She'll win for sure.
"It's okay," the girl said with a perfect smile. "My name is Rianne. Are you going to enter the contest?"
"I'm thinking about it," Stephanie said, trying to sound casual. "I have to see if my sister D.J. can do it with me. What about you?"
Rianne nodded. "I'm going to enter with my sister Rhonda." She gestured to a tall girl standing nearby.
Stephanie gulped. Rhonda was Rianne's twin. Rhonda looked exactly like her gorgeous sister, except that her dark hair was cut in a short, stylish bob. "That's great," Stephanie said weakly. "Good luck" Then she walked back to her friends.
"Who was that girl you were talking to?" Darcy asked. "She's really pretty."
"Tell me about it," Stephanie said. "She has a twin sister. And they're both entering the contest. Talk about competition!"
"Don't worry about it." Allie placed a hand on Stephanie's shoulder. "You and D.J. have something special."
"I hope so," Stephanie said. "Anyway, a little competition is a good thing, right? It just means that D.J. and I will have to try our hardest."
"So what did the small print say?" Darcy asked. "What are the other rules?"
"I forgot to look," Stephanie admitted.
"There are some entry forms over there." Allie pointed to a table set up next to the fountain. "I bet the rules are printed on them. Be right back," she said, and walked away.
When Allie returned, she handed a form to Stephanie.
"What does it say?" Darcy asked.
"There's a schedule of the events. A photo shoot class on Monday, a runway modeling class on Wednesday, and a makeover on Friday," Stephanie said. "The fashion show is in one week—Saturday afternoon."
Stephanie read the rules aloud to her friends. "'All contestants must be U.S. citizens,'" she said. "'Parents must sign permission slips,' blah, blah, blah . . ." Then her gaze stopped short. "Wait a second," Stephanie said. "All contestants must be age eighteen or under?"
"What?" Allie said. "But that means . . ."
"I know." Stephanie felt her heart sink. "D.J. is too old to enter the contest with me!"


MICHELLE
Chapter 2

So how does it feel to be entering the working world at age ten, Michelle?" Danny joked as he and Joey walked her down the wide central aisle of the mall.
Michelle giggled. "It feels great! Thanks again for helping me get this part-time job, Dad. And thanks for helping me keep it a secret from Stephanie."
Danny gave her a quick hug. "Wild horses couldn't drag it out of me. After all, it's for a good cause."
Joey tugged gently on Michelle's strawberry-blond hair. "I'd say earning money for Stephanie's surprise birthday present is an excellent cause."
Michelle smiled. Stephanie's birthday was coming up in two weeks, and Michelle wanted to buy her something really special. There was just one problem. Michelle didn't have any money.
Then her dad found out that their neighbor, Mrs. Cruz, was opening a taco stand in the new mall. He asked if Michelle could help out there for a week, and Mrs. Cruz said yes!
Michelle gazed ahead, trying to see where the food court began. It was a long walk from where they entered the mall. Michelle didn't mind, though. It meant that they were less likely to run into Stephanie and her friends.
Joey slowed down as they passed a bookstore. "I want to see if they have any new joke books," he said. "I'll catch up with you guys later."
Michelle walked a little faster. She didn't want to be late on her very first day.
"Michelle! Mr. Tanner!" a voice called.
Michelle turned and saw her best friend, Cassie Wilkins, running out of a music store. Her other best friend, Mandy Metz, trailed behind her.
"Hi, guys," Michelle said. "I forgot you said you were coming to the mall today."
Danny greeted Michelle's friends, then glanced into the music store. "I'll be right back," he said. "I just want to say hi to Cassie's parents."
"Hurry up, Dad." Michelle pointed to her watch. "Mrs. Cruz is waiting."
Danny smiled. "That's my girl," he said. "You're acting like a responsible employee already!" He winked and walked into the store toward Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins.
Cassie turned to Michelle. "Are you excited about your job?"
"I still can't believe you're working for a whole week in the new mall," Mandy added. "It's so grown-up!"