Maeve on the Red Carpet (21 page)

“Come on,” I motioned to the boys. “Let’s get this party started.”

Just as we entered the ballroom, the lights went dim and Mr. Von Krupcake, in a white suit with thin red stripes, huffed into the middle of the room and clinked his fork against a glass. “Welcome, one and all, to the Von Krupcakes’ humble abode. Everyone here today deserves a round of applause.” A ripple of clapping erupted around me. I scanned the room and saw all my friends cheering and smiling. Rebeccah Fullerton, in a vibrant red dress, was leading Mickey Snyder in a funny little waltz. Sam was holding hands with Mom and Dad at the same time … which made me smile on the outside
and
inside.

“I know that each person in this room worked very hard to make
Boston Holiday
. And if there’s one thing we believe at Krupcake Pies and Cakes Incorporated, it’s that people should be rewarded for hard work. That’s why I’ve decided, as the grand finale for this film camp experience …”

I glanced over at Madeline. I had to say, she looked lovely in her diamond tiara and a purple taffeta ball gown
as she stroked Fitzy in her arms. Suddenly she burst, “That’s the surprise! We’re going to HOLLYWOOD!”

The room started bubbling with whispers. Was this some kind of joke?

Artemia darted to Mr. Von Krupcake with a look of panic on her face. “Walter … are you sure about this?”

“Of course, Artemia, darling. In exactly three weeks, the New York Film Academy is having a film festival in Los Angeles. And your wonderful film,
Boston Holiday
, is going to be screened at the festival, and …” Mr. Von Krupcake paused. It was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat. “I am personally chartering a jet from Boston to L.A. You and your families will all get the chance to attend a Hollywood red carpet premiere!”

It wasn’t a joke! Everyone cheered at the top of their lungs. You would think we’d all just won an Oscar or something. Every person in the ballroom was going crazy, jumping up and down and hugging each other. Well, except Maddie. I mean she wasn’t hugging a person … she was hugging her precious little Fitzy instead.

Meanwhile, I thought that I was literally dreaming. Stuff like this—celebrity directors, being friends with cute, sort of grownup child stars, and
RED CARPET PREMIERES
—happened to other people … really rich and famous people … people who were NOT Maeve Kaplan-Taylor. And yet here I was, with one of my biggest fantasies actually coming true! I had to remind myself to breathe, but it was hard. I could practically
feel
the red carpet beneath my feet already!

Mr. Von Krupcake barked, “But this movie, this
Boston Holiday
, would not have been so magical, so wonderful, so
MAGNIFICO
, without the talent and inspiration of someone very, very special. Someone close to my heart.” Maddie started to strut into the center as he continued, “I am pleased to introduce you to—”

“Jerry Sherlock, president and founder of the New York Film Academy,” Artemia interrupted, rushing to Mr. Von Krupcake’s side. “Jerry is a well-known Hollywood and Broadway producer, and without his generosity and support, this Boston chapter of the New York Film Academy Camp never would have happened …”

“Artemia, what in the name of Maddiecakes do you think you’re doing?” Mr. Von Krupcake snarled under his breath. “This is my Maddie’s big moment.”

“Uh-oh …” I murmured. Madeline Von Krupcake looked very upset. I don’t know why, but I started feeling a teensy bit bad for Maddie. I wondered if she knew that being the center of attention
all the time
wasn’t such an awesome thing. I wouldn’t have traded places with Maddie right then for all the diamond tiaras in the world.

Artemia pointedly ignored the Krupcake King and gestured a kind-looking bearded man to the middle of the room. Mr. Sherlock acknowledged the claps and cheers of the campers and cleared his throat.

“Thank you, Artemia. Thank you, everyone. I’m honored to have been a part of this amazing project—and I want to thank ALL the talented members of our wonderful camp.”

“I was in the middle of making an important party toast,” Mr. Von Krupcake hissed at Artemia and Jerry. His voice was getting louder. “And I am the party host. It is
most
rude to interrupt the party host in the middle of a party toast.”

“Don’t worry,” Apollo assured me. “My mom knows how to handle this type of thing.” Apollo and I squeezed around people to get a little closer to the middle. (Like I could BEAR missing a single drop of real-live drama?)

Artemia gently put her arm on Mr. Von Krupcake’s shoulder. “This might be your toast, and you might be the host, but I am the director of this film camp. And, Walter … everyone here worked very hard.”

He turned red as a beet. “True, but my Maddie—”

“Worked just as hard as everyone else,” Artemia pronounced. “Now on with the party!”

The room went back to loud, excited chatter, but Artemia and Mr. Von Krupcake weren’t done yet. Apollo motioned at me and we found a space next to the ice sculpture. Good thing too, because now Mr. Von Krupcake was whispering in an angry voice.

“Artemia, I think all the kids in this room would be
very disappointed
if I had to cancel the trip to Hollywood …”

She smiled. “They certainly would. Which brings me to my next point …” Artemia reached into the crowd and took the hand of a dashing man in a black tux. “Walter, have you met my husband? This is Ansel Aaron, Esquire, Attorney at Law.”

Ansel Aaron, Esq., grabbed Mr. Von Krupcake’s hand.
“Wow, it’s an honor to meet you, sir. Your public promise to take everyone to Hollywood was just lovely. Why, you’ve just entered into a verbal contract! And it seems you have about … well let’s see … at least a hundred witnesses. Ha … ha … You are truly a generous man, Mr. Von Krupcake.”

“That’s my lawyer,” Artemia said, looked fondly at Ansel. Except for his silver hair, he looked just like Apollo.

Apollo nodded at me. “That’s my pops.”

Mr. Von Krupcake tried to clink his glass again, but it was clear the moment had passed. Artemia and Ansel left the Krupcake King trying to console a very annoyed Pastry Princess in the ballroom. No one was really paying attention to the Von Krupcakes though … we were too busy discussing our trip to Hollywood.

“Maeve, David, Apollo!” Lizzie Kwan called. She and Rebeccah ran over to us panting. Lizzie looked positively adorable in a green skirt with matching pumps.

“Maeve-a-licious, brace yourself,” warned Rebeccah. “This surprise just might be system-overload for you.”

I glanced at the ice sculpture. “Lizzie, at this point
nothing
about the Von Krupcakes surprises me.”

“But this has nothing to do with the Von Krupcakes,” Rebeccah protested. “Okay, so check it out. My best friend from school, Piper, has a cousin, Zoe, who’s in … brace yourselves, people … GIRL AUTHORITY is here … at OUR PARTY!”

“No way!” David cried.

My hand flew to my heart. “I love Girl Authority!
Their song ‘Girl Authority Theme’ is, like, my favorite jam right now!” I raved.

“Well then you are going to love this news,” Lizzie said.

“Wait, wait! I want to tell!” interjected Rebeccah. “Piper told Zoe about this party and Girl Authority wanted to come. You guys,
they’re here now
. They’re going to perform in,” she looked at her watch, “well, any second now!”

“You’re kidding me!” I shrieked.

Lizzie shook her head, rattling her two pigtails. “Nope. They’re really here. When we asked Mr. Von Krupcake if it would be okay, he was more than happy to, um, what did he call it? Oh yeah, make a few minor adjustments.”

Rebeccah giggled and confided, “He had a rising stage installed in the middle of the ballroom, and a—”

Lizzie poked her. “Rebeccah! Don’t ruin
all
the surprises!”

Rebeccah clasped her hand over her mouth.

“I just can’t believe this,” I confessed.

Lizzie looked exasperated. “Maeve, how many times do I have to tell you? Girl Authority
really is here
.”

I shook my head. “No, I just can’t believe that something this HUGE is about to happen and the Von Krupcake clan has nothing to do with it.”

David pretended to tremble. “Creeeeeepy …”

“You guys are too much.” Rebeccah gave me a hug. “Okay, kids, I gotta run. It’s time for my big announcement!”

Rebeccah ran in front of the grandiose ice princess, her
dress swishing and swooshing all the way. “Ladies and Gentlemen!” she shouted. I was so proud of her—loving the spotlight, she was a gal after my own heart. “I am pleased to introduce the ultimate authority on girl power, coolness, and unbelievable singing. Like you and me, they come from Boston, but they’re known all over the country. Let’s give it up for … Girl Authority!”

A large disco ball descended from the ceiling and the music blasted. Neon lights of every color whirled around the ceiling, as a circular, spinning stage began rising right out of the floor. On the stage were the nine girls of Girl Authority—looking very stylish and hip-a-licious. Then, just when I thought the scene had reached its peak of awesomeness, fog began to stream out from under the stage. I gripped David and Rebeccah’s arms to steady myself. “You gotta love show biz!” I remarked to my friends. “You never know what’s going to happen next!”

No one could keep still as Girl Authority rocked out with their jamming cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

“I love this song!” Lizzie squealed.

“Who doesn’t?” I agreed. “Oh my goodness! Look!” I pointed at Sam, who was involved in some very serious boogying. His whole body wiggled in some kind of earthworm imitation as he sang along to each word. “No fair! Why isn’t anyone taping Sam?” I laughed.

Mickey and Rebeccah broke into one of their dances from the movie. David gallantly held out his hand. “What do you say, Sufoo? Let’s teach Nanny and Assistant a thing or two about dancing.”

I grinned and started freestyle dancing with David. There was only one person in the room who wasn’t lost in the incredible beat of Girl Authority’s music. Maddie Von Krupcake stood in the corner of the large ballroom, uncomfortably fiddling with her hands. The ice sculpture of Maddie was smiling, but the real Maddie was not. At the cast party, usually the romantic leads would share a dance. But Maddie’s romantic lead was dancing with
me
.

“David, wait,” I stopped him. “This isn’t right.”

“Why? You and I are the craziest dancers here, Maeve!” David objected.

I shrugged. “Yeah, but Grego doesn’t end up with Sufoo … he ends up with Princess Sophia.” I glanced at Maddie, standing in the shadows by herself. “Don’t you think you should ask her to dance?”

David groaned. “Maeve, are you kidding me?”

“Just for a little teensy bit!” I pleaded. “She looks so sad and I just can’t stand seeing anyone look sad. It’s just a thing I have.”

“NO WAY.” David shook his head. “That girl was so cruel to me throughout the entire camp. Even if I asked her to dance, she’d probably say no.”

I sighed. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” I sadly let go of David’s hand and started to walk away. “I’ll be back,” I told him in my best Terminator voice.

“Maeve, what are you doing?” David called.

“The right thing,” I replied and muttered to myself, “Geez, I really
must
be crazy.”

I made a beeline right over to Maddie. Even though
we were on the same team in the film, we hadn’t really talked since the day she stole my idea for
Boston Holiday
.

“Hey!” I yelled over the music.

She stared at the ground, like I wasn’t even there. “Hello? I said ‘Hey!’ The polite thing to do is say ‘hey’ back.”

Maddie slowly looked up. “What are
you
doing here?”

“I thought maybe … you might want company,” I answered.

“What?” Maddie shouted.

“COMPANY!”

Maddie cupped her ear. “WHAT?”

“Come here.” I sighed. I took her hand and dragged her into the hallway where it was a bit quieter. To my surprise, Maddie didn’t resist. What a switch this was from the days when I was following
her
around.

“Why aren’t you dancing?” I faced Maddie. “This is Girl Authority. You gotta work it, girl.” I offered her a smile.

“Why do you care? I thought you hated me,” she grumbled.

“No … I don’t
hate
you.”

Maddie looked suspicious. “Whatever. It’s okay if you do.”

I sighed. I didn’t hate Maddie. I felt sorry for her. Maddie could have her limos, and designer gowns, and fancy ice sculptures. But she was missing something—something huge. I thought of the amazing friends I’d
met at camp, and of course, my best friends—the BSG. I wouldn’t trade them in for all the glamour and glitz in the world.

“I don’t hate anybody,” I confessed, remembering a little tip my Dad taught me. “It takes way too much energy to hate, and is soooo not worth it. I was pretty mad at you though.”

Maddie squinted. “Is this about that whole stupid
Boston Holiday
thing?”

“Maddie! That wasn’t stupid. Not to me. I thought I could trust you. I told you my idea and you stole it. And you didn’t even say sorry.”

Maddie shrugged. “I know. Honestly, I didn’t mean to. It just kind of … happened.”

“How does that
just happen
?” I demanded to know.

“Well, I wanted to be the one who had the brilliant movie idea. And I did think of a few, I promise. I even wrote them down in a notebook.”

“You did?”

Maddie bit her lip. “Well, technically Kenneth did. Anyway, when you told me about
Boston Holiday
I knew it was the perfect idea. I wanted
Boston Holiday
to be mine so badly, and I always get what I want. So … I just took it.”

“But you just can’t do that!” I cried.

Maddie nodded. “I know. It’s a really bad habit. It sort of comes naturally to me now.” She let out a little heave and a sniffle-snort. It was weird. I felt like I was seeing Madeline Von Krupcake for the very first time.

“You definitely should quit that habit,” I told her. “Stop
stealing what isn’t yours and meddling with people’s lives to get exactly what you want. Seriously. You’re going to end up missing out on the most important thing.”