Stitches and Stones Read Online Free

bathroom on the way to Ms. Austen’s office, to put the fascinator back on properly. She loved that Mapleton’s principal, Ms. Austen, had a great sense of style. Zoey wanted to make sure her special Spirit Week outfit looked just right.
    Ms. Austen was waiting for Zoey outside her office. She was wearing a striped boatneck top and a beret with slim black capris and black flats.
    â€œI love your outfit!” Zoey exclaimed. “It’s très français !”
    â€œ Merci , Mademoiselle Zoey,” Ms. Austen replied, but without her usual enthusiasm. She opened the door to her office and ushered Zoey inside. Zoey wasgetting the feeling that this wasn’t about a package from Fashionsista or about something good. It was a feeling that was confirmed when she saw Libby sitting by Ms. Austen’s desk, her hair streaked gray with some whitish powdery substance, and her eyes red and puffy from crying.
    â€œLibby! What happened?” Zoey exclaimed. They’d only just recently parted from each other in the cafeteria after lunch.
    â€œThat’s what I was hoping to find out,” Ms. Austen said, sitting behind her desk, a grim expression on her face.
    Zoey was confused. She’d do anything for Ms. Austen or Libby, but she didn’t know what was going on.
    â€œI put on the pillbox hat after you gave it to me at lunch and went to my next class,” Libby explained, taking another tissue from the box on Ms. Austen’s desk to dab at her damp eyes. “But then I had to take it off when class started and . . . well . . . saw this .” She pointed to the mess on her hair and clothes. “Someone put what looks like baby powder in it, and it got all over my hair, my clothes, and thedesk, which was bad enough, but then . . .”
    Libby started tearing up again, and Zoey put her arm around her for comfort.
    â€œBut then people started laughing and pointing, and I started crying in front of the whole class.” Libby sniffed. “That’s the worst part of all.”
    Zoey understood how she felt. She’d hate to cry in front of Ivy. But she didn’t think telling Libby that was going to make her feel any better.
    â€œWhen Libby explained to her teacher that you and she had switched hats at lunch, Mrs. Brennan called me in to investigate,” Ms. Austen explained. She leaned forward and looked Zoey straight in the eye. “I have to ask this, Zoey. Did you do this, thinking it might be a funny prank to play on Libby? After all, it’s your hat.”
    Zoey’s face expressed all the horror she felt that Ms. Austen would think she’d do something like that to one of her best friends, that she’d think upsetting Libby like this was funny in the tiniest way.
    â€œNo way!” she protested. “I would never . . .” Zoey turned to Libby. “You believe that, don’t you?”
    Libby nodded. “I never thought it was you. I told Mrs. Brennan, but she said it was ‘just a little too convenient.’ ”
    â€œFor the record, I didn’t think it was you either, but I needed to ask the question, just to be one hundred and ten percent sure,” Ms. Austen said. She stood up and walked around the desk to sit perched on the end, next to Zoey.
    â€œSo what did happen?” Zoey asked.
    â€œI looked up what class you have before lunch, Zoey, and I noticed Ivy, Bree, and Shannon are in that class with you. Did you put on the hat after gym?”
    â€œNo . . . I didn’t,” Zoey answered. “I was too hot and sweaty after playing basketball, and I didn’t want to get it dirty, since it’s Priti’s mom’s hat.” Zoey paused, lowering her eyes. “I guess it’s too late for that, now. What am I going to tell Mrs. Holbrooke?”
    â€œDon’t worry, sweetie. Baby powder will come out. She’ll understand,” Ms. Austen reassured.