Nancy stood with Bess and George. She frowned when Deirdre Shannon stepped behind her. Deirdre was spoiled and usually got whatever shewanted. What she wanted now was to win the contest!
âI have the best idea for a scarecrow,â Deirdre bragged loudly. âBut Iâm not telling.â
As they filed out of the room George whispered, âI donât know whoâs scarierâJake McStuffings or Deirdre!â
âI heard that, Georgia Fayne!â Deirdre snapped.
Nancy watched Georgeâs dark eyes flash. Nobody used her real name except her grandmotherâand Deirdre Shannon!
The art room had its usual paint-and-clay smell as the class filed in. Nancy, Bess, and George ran to an easel set up with paper and colored pencils.
âWhat should our scarecrow look like?â Nancy asked.
âTotally fashion forward!â Bess said.
âHow about a computerized scarecrow?â George suggested. âHe can wear blinking lights and maybe talk!â
âItâs a scarecrow, not a robot!â Bess argued.
George heaved a sigh. âSometimes I canât believe weâre cousins, Bess.â
Neither could Nancy. Bess had blond hair and blue eyes and loved clothes more than anything. George had dark hair and eyes. She loved computers . . . and clothes, tooâas long as they were comfortable enough to do cartwheels in.
âHereâs my idea,â Bess said. She quickly drew a scarecrow. Over it she drew a dark red coat, black leggings, yellow boots, and a hat decorated with flowers.
âPretty!â Nancy swooned.
âNot bad,â George admitted.
When everyone was done, Ms. Franklin checked out the drawings. Nadine Nardo, Kendra Jackson, and Marcy Rubin designed a sleepover scarecrow wearing colorful pjâs. Peter Patino, Quincy Taylor, and Kevin Garcia were proud of their scarecrow wearing sports clothes and sneakers.
âAfter our scarecrow is in the window,â Quincy explained, âhe can be the mascot for our soccer teamâthe Green Monsters!â
Next Ms. Franklin checked out Harveyâs sketch. His scarecrow looked just like Jake McStuffings, of course. Leanneâs scarecrow was nothing but a stick figure.
Nancy couldnât wait for Ms. Franklin to check out their scarecrow. But she wasnât the only one. . . .
âLook at my Hollywood scarecrow, Ms. Franklin,â Deirdre called. âIsnât she glam enough for the red carpet?â
âVery nice, dear,â Ms. Franklin said with a quick glance. She then breezed past Deirdre to Nancy, Bess, and Georgeâs easel.
Ms. Franklin studied the scarecrow in the flowered hat and yellow boots before flashing a huge smile. âThat outfit is fabulous!â she cried. âAnd we have clothes just like that at Darcyâs.â
She then turned to the class and said, âYou all did an amazing job, kids, but I believe we have a winner.â
âYippee!â Nancy cheered.
âNot fair!â Deirdre snapped while Nancy, Bess, and George high-fived. âTheyâre detectivesânot designers!â
âNow weâre designing detectives.â Bess smiled.
After the class quieted down, Mrs. Ramirez explained that they would build the scarecrow on Friday before the dismissal bell. That was only three days away!
âDarcyâs will have the most stylish scarecrow ever!â Ms. Franklin declared. âThanks to Nancy, Bess, and George.â
âYeah,â Deirdre muttered. âThanks a lot.â
Nancy, Bess, and George didnât have time for sore losers like Deirdre. They had just won a major contestâand that called for a milk-and-cookie celebration!
âReady? Go!â Hannah called out.
Nancy, Bess, and George picked up their glasses of milk and began to drink. Until Hannah saidââStop!â
The girls giggled as they quickly put down their glasses. They loved playing Hannahâs stop-and-go
Brad Strickland
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