Hello all ,

This is a long author's note, but I need to clarify some things from my story.

1. It's kind of confusing, but Chapter 2 (Jess) doesn't mention the fashion show or Hong Kong because it hasn't happened yet.

2. Also, the chapters are sequential, but not necessarily with the same people so the events might seem different, and the chapters might start with a different event. As the story gets closer to the Hong Kong trip, the chapters will start making more sense.

3. I will try to update at least once a week.

Finally, thank you to everyone who reviewed! Keep reviewing and I will accept requests for POVs (any character) for any chapters to come.

If we can get to 20 reviews, I'll post a bonus scene about Zach's thoughts when he was on stage with Cassidy and I might update my other story, called Becca. Be sure to check that out!

Cassidy

Dirt is on my face, my hands are covered in chicken manure, and a worm is dangling from my hair.

This is probably one of the worst days of my life. To Mrs. Chadwick, though, this is like the best thing ever.

This month was the Chadwicks' turn to host the book club, and Mrs. Chadwick ushered us to her garden as soon as we got there.

My mother's face turned from a cheerful smile to a worried frown as soon as Mrs. Chadwick told us the "great" news.

I couldn't even imagine how Queen Clementine was going to handle gardening.

Of course, Mrs. Wong was ecstatic when she heard about Mrs. Chadwick's organic gardening venture. Of the ten of us here, she is one of the few people that actually were excited about this book club meeting.

"I think that this will be an amazing opportunity for us to bond, Megan." I hear Mrs. Wong whisper to her daughter.

Megan looks annoyed. "Right, Mom. It must be blatantly obvious that I love gardening because I'm a fashion designer."

"Cheer up!" Mrs. Hawthorne tells us as she gets into Super-Mom mode. "Calliope was very nice to host this month's meeting."

"Besides," Mrs. Wong adds, "This might be fun!"

I shake my head and turn back to the planter that I'm currently working on.

Mrs. Chadwick assigned me the job of "Clean Up Crew", which basically means I'm pulling weeds.

This is the opposite of fun. The sun is out, and it's like ninety degrees outside.

I slathered myself in sunblock before I came out, and I still look like a strawberry. I think my hair is turning redder too.

My mother and I started Understood Betsy, but we aren't discussing it in this meeting because Mrs. Delaney is gone.

She and Mr. Delaney are in Austria right now for their anniversary. Jess has been reading the book by herself, while Mrs. Delaney reads in Austria, but we wanted to wait before we started the discussion.

Mrs. Chadwick's voice jolts me out of my thoughts. "How are you doing, Cassidy? Would you like some lemonade?"

"Sure, Mrs. Chadwick. I'm doing great." I muster a smile and grab a glass of lemonade.

A few hours later, Mrs. Chadwick tells us to come inside.

"You all have done such a good job!" Mrs. Chadwick is beaming at us.

"Well," my mother says, "Let's go on to the next part of this meeting!"

All of us nod enthusiastically. Mrs. Chadwick looks even more excited, if that is even possible. "I've planned something really special! We are all going to start a knitting club!"

Only Megan, Gigi, and my mother seem happy about this.

"Remember when you were little, Lily?" Gigi turns to Mrs. Wong. "I taught you how to knit when you were six years old."

Mrs. Wong laughs. "There's a reason why I moved to the States. I wanted to get away from fashion and knitting and start studying calculus and physics."

Mrs. Chadwick purses her lips. "Well, there's no reason why this can't be a perfectly enjoyable experience for everyone," she says stiffly, "I spent a lot of time picking out yarn for us to use."

Mrs. Hawthorne chimes in. "Of course we're all grateful for your contribution to this month's meeting, Calliope. Aren't we girls?" She gives us all the mother eye of death.

Everyone nods. Mrs. Chadwick sits back, a smile on her face.

Half an hour later, I am knitting a hot pink cowl. Knitting is not something I enjoy.

Megan, though, is happily chatting away with Gigi as her fingers fly with the needles. Her yarn ball is getting smaller and smaller, while mine seems to remain the same.

My mother is having a good time with this too, and her perfectly manicured nails move as easily as Megan's.

Even Emma and Jess are managing just fine.

It's only Becca and me that are struggling. Becca pokes herself with her needle and looks at me.

"I hate knitting," she whispers.

"Me too." I grab my yarn and try to knit some more. I only succeed in tangling my yarn and poking myself with my knitting needle.

I'm still struggling to "cast on" as my mother finishes her second hat. She lives for this kind of homebody stuff.

I, on the other hand, would much rather be skating right now. At least it'll be less painful than knitting.

When it is finally time to leave, my mother has an entire grocery bag full of things she knitted.

I have a half finished cowl.

"Well, wasn't that fun?" My mother is smiling as she fingers the scarf she just knitted.

"Yeah, it was the best thing ever." Nothing can hide the sarcasm in my voice.

"Cassidy, I know you hate ladylike stuff, but this is a great opportunity for you to get a hobby besides skating."

"What about photography?" I am in no mood to argue with my mother, but I can't help but bring it up.

"You didn't participate in the newspaper this year. You said that the Lady Shawmuts took up too much of your time." My mother looks at me reproachfully.

"Yeah, I was busy. I'm going to try to join Yearbook."

"That seems fun." My mother pulls up into our driveway, and I get out of the car, clutching my mother's bag of knitted items.

"Hey Cassidy." Stanley pats me on the back and returns to the TV where he is watching the game.

I return the hello and head up to my room. It's eleven o'clock, and I am dead tired.

As I fall asleep, I think about what my mom said.

Tomorrow I am going to rejoin the newspaper.

How was that? Tell me what you think and review! I haven't had a chance to read Understood Betsy yet, so I apologize if I don't weave the book into my story too soon. The book that they're reading probably won't play a big part in the story because I want to focus on what happens to the girls in Hong Kong and in school.

Request POVs when you review!

Britt