“Hi, Mrs. Lee,” I said. “Kelsey is getting you a freshly made one up there!”

Kelsey held a donut, and I opened a paper bag for her to put it in before I rang it up.

“Oh, it’s so nice that you girls get to work together,” said Mrs. Lee.

“It really is,” I said, looking at Kelsey.

Kelsey looked relieved. “Yep,” she said. “Because you get to work with people who love you.”

“Oh, aren’t you girls just the sweetest?” Mrs. Lee said. “You are sweeter than the donuts!”

I giggled as she left. “Kelsey, we are sweeter than the donuts,” I said.

“Hmm,” said Kelsey. “Like, sweeter than the chocolate ones or the plain ones?”

“Oh, definitely the ones with sprinkles,” I said, laughing.

“How about the crème-filled ones?” she asked.

“Yeah, those too,” I said. “And absolutely the jelly-filled.”

“Ugh, I hate the jelly-filled,” Kelsey said. After a minute she asked, “So you aren’t mad at me?”

“I’m not mad,” I said.

I didn’t want Kelsey to feel bad, but I guess she did, because she took out the garbage without even bargaining with me. She also wiped under the tables and chairs. We closed up the counter a little early to get ready for the dress party, and I was waiting for Dad to take me home when Casey appeared.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“Your chariot awaits, madam,” said Casey. “We’re taking you home.” She waved to Jenna and Lily, who appeared with big bags of stuff.

“What’s all that?” I asked.

“We are your glam squad,” said Jenna. “I’m doing hair, Lily’s doing makeup, and Casey is doing your nails.”

“Really?” I asked.

“That way,” said Lily, “you can see what you’ll look like when you’re all done up in the dress.”

Jenna twirled her keys. “Let’s go. I have orders from Kelsey to stay on schedule.”

I looked over at Kelsey, who was rolling up the mat behind the counter. I ran over to her to help.

“Go!” she said, shooing me away.

I gave her a big hug. “Thank you!” I whispered into her ear.

I didn’t know what else to say, but I guess it was enough, because she hugged me back and said, “This is going to be such a fun night!”

Then she pushed me toward Jenna and Lily, and Casey grabbed my hand.

“Operation Glam!” said Casey. “Reporting for duty! I hope the Glam Squad is ready, because this one is going to need a lot of work!”

“Casey!” I yelped. “That’s not nice!”

She laughed. “I’m kidding, Linds. You’re perfect just as you are. Now let’s go, Cinderella. The ball is starting soon!”

Chapter Nine Operation Glam!

“First, a shower,” demanded Jenna when we got home. “We start from scratch here.”

I wrapped myself in my bathrobe, wondering what else was ahead of me.