Royal Icing by Sheryl Berk Page A

Her artistic eye and talent for painting and drawing had made her PLC’s expert cupcake decorator. She dreamed of one day having an exhibit at a famous art museum—like the Met in New York City, the Louvre in Paris, or the National Gallery in London. “What kind of an art show?”
    â€œThe lady who placed the order said it’s for all local artists in the Connecticut area. I was thinking maybe you’d want to create an awesome painting and enter it in the contest.”
    â€œOMG! That’s amazing! I’ll be right over!”
    An hour later when Lexi rang her doorbell, Kylie had finished inviting over the rest of the club and was poking around in the kitchen cupboards.
    â€œKylie, honey, Lexi’s here,” her mom said, ushering Lexi into the kitchen. “And she brought her entire art studio.”
    Kylie looked up from the shelves of spices. Lexi had an easel under one arm and a canvas under the other.
    â€œI didn’t bring my entire studio,” she corrected Mrs. Carson. “Just my oil paints, brushes, a couple of canvases in case I make a mistake…”
    Kylie shook her head. “As if you ever make a mistake,” she said, climbing down from her step stool. “Lex, your paintings are all masterpieces and so are your cupcakes.”
    â€œWhich is why I had this great idea,” Lexi said, opening her bag and pulling out her sketchbook. “Cupcakes are art—you know that and I know that. So why not prove it to everyone else?”
    She held up a drawing she’d made in pastel colored pencils. It was a beautifully frosted cupcake, dotted with rainbow sprinkles.
    â€œEveryone else will probably paint landscapes or flowers or horses. I thought a still life of a cupcake would shake things up a little.”
    â€œI think that’s a brilliant idea,” Kylie replied. “Maybe we should do mini versions of your painting on each cupcake. How cool would that be? If anyone can paint an awesome cupcake, it’s you, Lexi.”
    â€œI agree!” said a voice outside the kitchen. It was Sadie, followed by Jenna with Delaney tagging along behind her. Sadie, as always, was on her skateboard. She was the sportiest girl in the cupcake club, but had proved she was an awesome baker as well.
    â€œThe door was open, so we came in,” Jenna said. “Do I smell buttered popcorn? I’m starved!” Other kids in school teased her for being overweight, but all the PLC girls loved Jenna just the way she was.
    Kylie chuckled. “How do you say it, Jenna? Mi casa es tu casa? ”
    Jenna tried to be polite. “Yeah, that’s kinda how you say it…only with a much better Spanish accent.”
    Kylie jumped down and gathered up a pile of DVDs she’d placed on the kitchen counter. “Let’s get the monster movie fest under way!”
    They gathered on the rug in front of the TV, where Kylie had arranged pillows and bowls of popcorn.
    â€œI’ll sit over here.” Lexi pointed to the couch. She took the throw blanket on it and wrapped it around herself. “In case I need to duck for cover.”
    â€œI don’t think you’ll need that,” Kylie’s mom said, popping a DVD into the player. “I spoke to Juliette earlier today, and she dropped off something she wants you girls to watch.”
    â€œHey!” Kylie protested. “I have a whole lineup of monster movies planned!” It wasn’t like their club advisor to spring something on them. She usually consulted Kylie first. After all, Kylie was PLC’s president.
    â€œI think you’ll want to see this,” her mom replied. “Especially since Juliette has a big surprise for all of you and she’ll be here in an hour to tell you about it.”
    â€œA surprise?” Delaney asked. “What kind of surprise?” The last “big surprise” she had was her mom announcing she was pregnant with twins! “Monster