The Gossip File by Anna Staniszewski

be a contest. We can ask people which ones they like the best.”
    â€œSo you want us to make cupcakes?” says Carrie, looking skeptical.
    â€œIs that breaking the rules?” I hadn’t even thought about that. All I know is that my itch to bake something good is driving me crazy.
    She shrugs. “Whatever. I doubt anyone will care. Besides, how else are we going to kill the next couple hours?”
    I get to work, poking through the ingredients in the back until I find what I need to make some chocolate and vanilla cupcakes. I add a few spices to the batter to make them a little more interesting. When those are in the oven, I add more butter to the frosting that we use for the donuts to make it creamier. It feels great to be making something I’m excited about for once.
    â€œIt smells so good in here,” says Taylor when the cupcakes are done baking. “I wish it was like this all the time. Then I might actually want to eat some of the food.”
    Carrie looks up from noshing on a cookie. “It’s not so bad.” She laughs at what must be a frown on my face. “My mom thinks sugar is the devil, so she won’t let us keep anything like this in the house. That’s why I don’t mind the stuff here, even if it doesn’t actually taste like dessert most of the time.”
    The timer goes off, meaning the cupcakes are cool enough to decorate. “Okay,” I say, grinning with excitement. “We each get five minutes and a plate of cupcakes to decorate. Then we can bring them somewhere—maybe to the salon?—and have people judge them. Ready. Set. Frost!”
    All three of us start frantically glopping icing onto the cupcakes. I try to make mine look like faces because I figure those are the easiest. I make one that looks like Marisol, one that looks like my mom, and one that looks like my dad.
    â€œAre you making troll cupcakes?” Carrie asks, looking over my shoulder.
    So much for my artistic talent.
    A second later, the timer goes off. “Time’s up!” I yell. “Step away from the cupcakes.” I’m reminded of the baking competition I did a few weeks ago back home. Luckily this time there’s no pressure. In fact, I don’t care if I win at all. It’s just fun to be goofing off with my new friends.
    As we admire our work, the café door swings open. I turn to see Ellie walk in. Oh no. Before I can do anything, Carrie and Taylor grab the plates of cupcakes and shove them under the counter.
    â€œHi, girls!” Ellie chirps. “I wanted to see how you’re all getting along.”
    â€œFine,” says Carrie with a tight smile. “Everything’s great.”
    Ellie glances around. “It looks a little empty in here, but it smells fantastic!”
    I can feel Carrie and Taylor stiffen beside me, probably getting ready to lie if Ellie asks what’s been baking.
    â€œActually, we were talking about how to fill this place up,” I find myself saying. “We thought about going around the resort this afternoon and giving out pastry samples. That might bring in some business.” This must be Ava talking because I’m usually terrible at thinking on my feet.
    Ellie’s face lights up. “That’s a great idea. Nice thinking, Rachel.” She gives us a bright smile and walks back out the door.
    My stomach drops all the way into my toes. Oh holy buttered linguini. Did she just call me Rachel?
    I can’t even look at Carrie and Taylor. Now that they know I’ve been lying to them, they’re going to hate me like they hated Melody.
    â€œOh my gosh,” says Taylor after a long minute. “Did you hear that?”
    Carrie laughs. “I know! Ava, she doesn’t even know your name. Do you see what we’re talking about? Ellie’s the worst!”
    By the looks on their faces, I can tell they’re serious. I’m relieved to be off the hook, but I also feel