Fashion Academy by Sheryl Berk

Helsinki.”
    â€œOh! That’s okay,” Jade volunteered. “My mom has her own private jet too. I could just meet you there. Save me a seat in the front row?”
    Mickey looked over at JC, who was sitting with Gabriel at another table. “Help me!” she mouthed.
    â€œSo, Kenzie,” Jade said, putting an arm around her shoulder. “My mother is having a small get-together at her Madison Avenue boutique tomorrow night for a few VIP clients. I’d love for you to come. What do you say?”
    Mickey couldn’t believe it! She was invited to an exclusive Bridget Lee party! But she’d promised her mom she’d come home to Philly for the weekend.
    â€œI’d love to, but unfortunately, I have to hit the thrift shops and flea markets,” Mickey said.
    Jade’s cheeks flushed red. “You what? Are you turning me down? To go shopping at Goodwill?”
    â€œSis, you’ve been dissed!” Jake chuckled. “Nice one, Kenzie!”
    Mickey tried to backpedal. “No! I’m not dissing you, Jade. Really! I have this Apparel Arts assignment, and we’re suppose to turn something old into something new and fab.”
    Jade’s face softened. “Well, why didn’t you say so? I know this amazing little resale shop down in the Village that has vintage Chanel, Gucci, Pucci. I’ll take you there Saturday morning!”
    Mickey tried to smile. How was she going to explain breaking her promise to her mom and Annabelle this weekend? And how was she ever going to keep up this masquerade?

“Hold on! Let me get this straight,” JC shouted at Mickey over the phone. “Jadezilla is your new BFF?”
    Mickey had called him immediately after school to give a recap of how her fellow FABers had reacted to her makeover.
    â€œWell, she wants to take me shopping Saturday. I’m not sure what I’m going to tell my mom. She was counting on me to come home for the weekend.”
    â€œJust because Jade snaps her fingers doesn’t mean you have to come running,” he replied.
    â€œI can’t turn her down. She’ll hate me all over again,” Mickey reminded him.
    JC sighed. “You’re right. The show must go on. Call your mom and tell her you have a group project to work on and you can’t get away. She’ll understand.”
    â€œThis is all your fault, you know,” Mickey said. “It was your idea to make me fit in at FAB. Now Jade wants me to take her to Finnish Fashion Week!”
    JC chuckled. “What can I say? I’m just too good for my own good.”
    â€¢ • •
    Once she convinced her mom that she needed to stay in the city—and swore she’d make it up to her next weekend—Mickey made plans to meet up with Jade and her mother’s personal assistant Saturday morning. She was about to put on a pair of purple Dr. Martens and some paisley leggings with a black mesh sweater when she remembered what JC had told her: “Less is more.” So instead, she chose a simple pair of jeans, a white tank, and a black pleather cropped jacket. She had to hunt in the back of her closet to actually find a pair of sneakers that matched, but finally located two black Converse.
    â€œThat’s an interesting jacket,” Jade said, feeling the sleeve as Mickey climbed into her limo. “Is it Prada?”
    Mickey thought quickly. “No. It’s a Finnish designer you’ve probably never heard of.”
    â€œTry me,” Jade challenged her. “I know everything about couture. Right, Tinsley?”
    The young assistant nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, of course, Miss Lee.”
    Mickey felt bad for the young woman. She couldn’t think of a worse job than having to babysit Jade on a weekend.
    â€œSo what vintage store are we hitting?” Mickey tried to change the subject. “I’m sure you know all the best ones.”
    Jade grinned. “Of course I do. I