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bad points of letting Ezra display his work.
    Marcus drummed on the table with his fingers. It was a family joke that he always seemed to think better when he was drumming.
    â€œZo, I think you should stay true to yourself and say no. Maybe offer to call and see if he can get his own booth or something,” Marcus suggested. “If he likes you enough, he’ll understand.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea!” Zoey said, feeling like aweight had lifted from her. “Thanks, Marcus!”
    â€œWell, now that I’ve solved that problem . . . How are things going with you and Allie?” Marcus asked. “Last time she was here, things seemed tense.”
    â€œOh, that,” Zoey said. She hadn’t wanted to mention Allie to her brother, but she was still worried. “Well, we’re both selling accessories, so we made a No Weirdness Pact.”
    â€œUh . . . what’s that?”
    â€œBasically, we agreed to have fun and not make the gift fair sales a competition,” Zoey explained.
    â€œThat sounds like a good plan,” Marcus said.
    â€œIf we can keep to it,” Zoey said. “The thing is, Allie and I were never supercompetitive before, but things feel different ever since you guys broke up, even though we’re trying to get things back to normal.”
    â€œI’m sorry that what happened with Allie and me seems to have messed up your friendship,” Marcus said.
    â€œI don’t know if our friendship will ever be the same, but I’m willing to try—and so is Allie.”
    â€œWell, I hope it works,” Marcus said. “I really do.”
    â€œYou know what? Talking to you has helped me make up my mind,” Zoey told her brother. “I’m going to go ahead and make more bracelets to sell. And I’m going to tell Ezra no.”
    She wasn’t looking forward to that last thing at all. Not at all.

CHAPTER 8
    From Copied to Copycat
    I’m busy making bracelets for the gift fair, where I’m going to have a stall for the first time. If you’re one of my friends, teachers, or parents reading this, please come by and check out the clothes and gifts—perfect for all your present-giving needs! These bracelets aren’texactly like the ones you can buy for a lot more in the boutiques. But people at school—well, at least most of the people at school—seem to like them, anyway.
    I know there’s debate in the fashion world about producing knockoffs of other designs, but like my mentor told me, “Imitation is a form of flattery.” I’ve been “flattered,” and now I’m hoping I’ll be flattering other designers. As long as I’m putting my own special twist on the design, I think it’s okay. . . . Do you? I sometimes wish there was a rule book with all the fashion laws written out, like the rules of the road.

    â€œI can’t wait to see the maternity dress you’ve made for me,” Aunt Lulu said when Zoey, Marcus, and Dad arrived for dinner on Friday evening.
    Her aunt’s baby bump had really expanded since Zoey had last seen her, and Aunt Lulu had also developed a bit of a waddle.
    â€œI hope it fits,” Zoey said. “I mean, I made it with plenty of extra room for the baby . . . at least I think I did . . . but I’m not exactly an expert when it comes to making maternity clothes!”
    â€œThanks, honey,” Aunt Lulu said. “I take it you noticed my new duck walk.”
    â€œMy adorable duckling,” Uncle John said.
    Aunt Lulu swatted him, but she was smiling.
    â€œStop! You’re driving me quackers!” she said.
    â€œYou guys are quacking me up,” Marcus said.
    â€œI love this family,” Uncle John said. “I hope the baby inherits its quacky sense of humor.”
    Aunt Lulu groaned.
    â€œLet’s see this dress, Zo,” she begged. “I want to try it on before