Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York (2 page)

 Showtime

 Double Trouble

 Facing Fran

 On Top of the World

 Friends Forever

 SUPERSIZED Scrapbook

 Pizza, Mallory and Mary Ann Style

“Hurry up! Fran is on in five!” I say into the phone.

“Get the popcorn and lemonade ready,” Mary Ann says back. “I'll be right over with pens and paper.”

One of the best parts about living next door to my best friend is that it doesn't take long to get to each other's houses. Mary Ann is on my couch before I even get there with the snacks.

Fashion Fran is about to announce the details of her fashion design contest that she has been talking about for weeks.

I turn on the TV and settle in next to Mary Ann.

She takes a sip of her lemonade. “I don't think I can wait another second,” she says.

I shake my head. I agree completely. Fran announced the contest a few weeks ago, but it feels like it has taken months for it to officially begin. And today's the day. I can't wait to find out what it's all about.

As the music we've been listening to every afternoon for as long as I can remember starts to play, Mary Ann and I squeal.

Like always, we count down with the announcer as we wait for Fran to appear on the screen. “The moment we've been waiting for is finally here!” I say.

But before we get to enjoy it, my brother, Max, walks into the room. He grabs the remote and changes the channel.

“I want to see the sports scores,” he says.

Mary Ann and I both fly off the couch at the same time. So does the bowl of popcorn. My brother is usually faster than I am, but today I grab the remote out of his hand before he can stop me.

“Are you crazy?!?” I shout at Max. “Mary Ann and I have a V.I.S. to watch.”

Max looks at me like he has no idea what I'm talking about, so I explain. “V.I.S. is short for
Very Important Show
.” I tell him that Fashion Fran is having a design contest. “We're going to find out all of the details today!”

Now Max looks at me like I'm the one who is crazy. “And you and Birdbrain actually think you can win?”

I wave my hand at Max to make him stop talking.

A. I don't like when he calls my best friend Birdbrain.

B. His question is ridiculous. We have as good a chance as anybody.

C. I don't have time to answer anyway. Fran is starting to talk.

Mary Ann and I both put our fingers to our lips and make a
shhh!
sound. But Max is already leaving. Mary Ann and I turn our attention to the TV.

“Fashionable viewers, welcome to a very special episode of the show.” Fran smiles at the camera. She pats down her already smooth hair. Then she twirls so viewers can see what she's wearing.

“I love her sparkly sweater,” I say.

“And her lace skirt,” says Mary Ann.

We both shake our heads. One thing Mary Ann and I have always agreed on is that Fran is very fashionable.

The camera pans over the audience. It is filled with happy faces. “Can you even imagine what it would be like to be there?” I ask Mary Ann.

Mary Ann squeezes my arm.

It has always been our dream to be on her show together. But it is hard to imagine that ever happening. We watch as Fran keeps talking. “I'm sure you are all anxious to hear about the design contest,” says Fran. “But first, I want to tell you a little bit about how I started as a fashion designer.”