Stitches and Stones Read Online Free Page A

“But do you think it could have been the usual suspects? Could they have put baby powder in your hat during gym?”
    Knowing Ivy and her crew, Zoey thought they might have had something to do with it, but it wasn’t like she actually saw anyone doing anything, and she wasn’t about to be a tattletale. So she just shrugged and said, “I don’t know,” then remembered that Bree had reminded her to put her hat in her locker. “Actually, Bree was kind of nice to me today.”
    Ms. Austen held her gaze for a moment and then stood up.
    â€œWell, I think I might just ask them to come to my office and have a chat, just in case,” she said.
    As much as Zoey wanted Ivy to get in trouble if it was her behind the prank that upset Libby so much, she had a sinking feeling that somehow Ms. Austen having a chat with Ivy and her gang was just going to end up making things worse.
    â€œI’ll give you each a pass to go back to class,” Ms. Austen said. “Zoey, perhaps you can accompany Libby to the restroom first and help her clean up.”
    â€œSure,” Zoey said, taking her pass and Libby’s and picking up the powdery pillbox hat from the desk.
    â€œI don’t want to go back to class,” Libby confessed to Zoey when they entered the nearest restroom. “I’m so embarrassed about what happened.”
    Zoey was busy wiping the remaining powder from the pillbox hat with a paper towel.
    â€œ You shouldn’t be embarrassed,” she said. “The person who did this is the one who should be.”
    Placing the hat carefully on the edge of the sink, she said, “How about I help you get the powder out of your hair?”
    â€œThanks.” Libby sighed.
    Zoey combed her fingers through Libby’s hair, fluffing out the particles of powder.
    â€œYou know, I think that prank was aimed at me,” she said. “Except I was too hot after gym, so I didn’t put the hat back on before I gave it to you.” She hugged Libby. “I’m really sorry it ended up being you.”
    Libby hugged her back. “It shouldn’t have been either of us,” she said. “It was a dumb thing to do.”
    â€œI know. I’m just sorry . . . you know . . .”
    â€œI know,” Libby said. “It’s not your fault. Thanks for helping me get cleaned up.”
    â€œWell, it’s not all gone, but it’ll come out in the shower. At least you smell really nice!” Zoey said, getting Libby to crack a little smile.
    They both headed back to class, neither one of them feeling too good about the situation. Zoey was too worried about the fallout from Ms. Austen talking to Ivy, Shannon, and Bree.

    When she met Priti and Kate later that day, the school was already buzzing with rumors.
    â€œI heard Ivy made Bree do it by threatening not to be her friend anymore if she didn’t,” Kate said.
    â€œWell, apparently, Ms. Austen gave all three of them a very serious warning and said if she can find proof that they’re responsible, or if they misbehave again, they’ll be in big trouble,” Priti said.
    Although part of Zoey knew it was a good thing they’d received a serious warning from Ms. Austen, another part felt anxious, wondering if Ivy would end up retaliating. She felt like she would need to look over her shoulder for the rest of Hat Day.
    Then Zoey ran into Libby in the hall. Libby looked upset again.
    â€œLibby! Are you okay?” Zoey asked. “I thought you were feeling a little better.”
    â€œI got in trouble,” she said. “I didn’t want to take my hat off for class, because I was afraid people might laugh at my hair. So my teacher gave me a detention for tomorrow.”
    â€œBut . . . that’s not fair!” Zoey exclaimed. “I’m sure if you explain to Ms. Austen . . .”
    â€œI’m on my way to see her now,” Libby