True Colors Read Online Free Page A

one of the True Colors manicurists to help. And there were no days available to reschedule anyone before the showcase because of her research project.
    Aly popped a few banana slices into her mouthand grabbed her backpack. She would have to think of something while she was at school.

    During gym, while the rest of her class played volleyball, Aly tried and tried to come up with a plan, but other than finding kids who could polish as well as she and Brooke could to work at the salon, she couldn’t come up with anything. And really, no other kids she knew could polish like she and Brooke could.
    After the final bell rang, Aly went to the library to work with Charlotte and Lily on their Lewis and Clark project. Half of their fifth-grade class was in there with them, and Ms. Abbott, the librarian, was going from group to group helping everyone out. In between researching, Aly and Lily and Charlotte talked about Brooke’s arm and the fact that she wouldn’t be able to work tomorrow.
    â€œI wish I were a better polisher,” Charlotte said.
    â€œI wish I could polish at all,” Lily added. “But you remember what happened last time I tried?”
    â€œOrange pinkie toe,” Charlotte and Aly said together. Then the girls giggled, in spite of the seriousness of their conversation.
    Aly knew she would have to find a solution that didn’t involve Lily painting people’s entire pinkie toes orange. Because that would absolutely not be good for business at the Sparkle Spa.

    When the girls finished their research and Ms. Abbott had to close the library for the day, Aly decided to stop by True Colors quickly to see if Joan needed anything. With Mom gone, Aly knew it would be crazy at the salon. And sure enough, she was right.
    â€œOh, thank goodness you’re here! Can you pitch in with the usual stuff?” Joan asked the moment Aly entered the salon.
    â€œAbsolutely!” Aly said. She quickly took care of the jobs she and Brooke usually did at True Colors—went to the bank to turn twenties into singles, organized the polish wall, and refilled the rhinestones at Carla’s, Jamie’s, and Joan’s stations.
    When that was all done, Aly sat down to take a breather with Mrs. Franklin, one of the girls’ favorite regulars, who was under the nail dryers.
    â€œWhere’s your sister?” Mrs. Franklin asked. “I brought a new photograph of Sadie I know she would love to see.” Sadie was Mrs. Franklin’s dog, a famous dog model—or, at least, she was a little bit famous. She was in magazines and was the official spokes-dog for the Paws for Love animal shelter in town. Brooke especially loved seeing pictures of Sadie dressed in silly outfits from her photo shoots.
    â€œShe broke her arm chasing Sparkly,” Aly replied. “But I’ll tell her that you have pictures.”
    â€œA broken arm!” Mrs. Franklin said. “Well, that’s too bad. But I think I might have something more than pictures to cheer her up. Would you mind unzipping the side pocket on my purse?”
    Aly did as she was asked, pulling out a gold pencil case and opening it to find paw print stickers inside.
    â€œWhy don’t you take a couple of those for Brooke to put on her cast?” Mrs. Franklin suggested. “It’s Sadie’s autograph.”
    Aly smiled. Brooke would love the stickers. “Thanks so much, Mrs. Franklin.”
    Mrs. Franklin nodded. “Of course, dear. And please tell your sister I hope to see her back in the salon soon.”
    â€œI will,” Aly said.
    Aly noticed Joan putting some paper on a clipboard and attaching a pen to it with a ribbon. “What’s that?” she asked.
    â€œLately, there have been so many walk-in customers, in addition to our regulars,” Joan explained. “There just isn’t enough room, with all these people crowding here. So I made a chart: name, cell phone number, time of arrival.