Prom Date Read online

  “What is it?” Emma demanded. “You have to tell me.”

  “It’s just that I’m worried about Sofia.” Felicia sighed deeply. “It’s silly, really.”

  “You mean because Sofia’s been sick?” Emma knew that Felicia’s little sister had gone through some bad bouts of flu this past winter.

  “Yeah . . . She had some tests earlier this week.” Felicia lowered her voice. “For leukemia.”

  “Leukemia?” Emma tried to take this in. “Really?”

  Felicia attempted a half smile. “I’m sure the results will be just fine. They were supposed to come back this afternoon, but Mom didn’t hear back yet. I really shouldn’t have mentioned it, Emma. Not right before our big trip. The only reason they tested her was just to rule it out.”

  “You were right to tell me.” Emma placed a hand on Felicia’s shoulder. “Of course Sofia will be fine. She’s just had some stubborn bugs, that’s all. I heard this was a bad year for the flu.”

  “Yeah.” Felicia nodded. “That’s what my parents keep saying too.”

  “But I’ll be praying for Sofia just the same,” Emma promised. “For her to get completely well.” As they rejoined Emma’s mom, Emma knew that she would keep this promise. She would pray for her friend’s eight-year-old sister. Even though she felt certain that sweet little Sofia couldn’t possibly have a sickness as serious as leukemia, she also knew that Sofia had missed a fair amount of school this winter. It was high time for Felicia’s little sister to get well.

  2

  I’m happy for them,” Bryn told her friends as they got into her car out in the airport parking lot. She knew her tone didn’t sound convincing and, to be honest, she didn’t really believe it herself. “I really am. But at the same time, I can’t deny that I’m extremely envious. I won’t lie to you guys. I really wish I was going too.”

  “Duh.” Devon laughed. “Who doesn’t?”

  “But just think about it, I was really instrumental in setting up that whole prize package and the competition and—”

  “Which is just one more reason you need to let it go.” Abby gave Bryn a warning look from the passenger’s seat. “Move on.”

  “But it’s like I can’t stop thinking about it,” Bryn confessed. “I even asked my parents for the money to sneak down there so I could crash Emma and Felicia’s hotel room.”

  Abby just shook her head.

  “What a cool idea,” Devon said eagerly. “What’d they say? And can they adopt me and send me down there with you?”

  “Seriously?” Cassidy sounded disgusted. “You guys would actually do that to Emma and Felicia?”

  “Well, I’d ask them first, of course!” Bryn felt defensive as she started the engine. She was just trying to be honest. “And I’d offer to sleep on the floor or a rollaway bed. And I wouldn’t expect to go to the actual red carpet event . . . well, unless I could find a ticket and—”

  “But that’s just wrong,” Abby told her. “I mean, it’s not like you won, Bryn. Why should you get to horn in on it? You wouldn’t really go down there, would you?”

  “If my parents had given me the money . . . I think I would.” Bryn considered this. “Yeah, I definitely would. It would be fun. Just like a big sleepover. Are you telling me you wouldn’t like to go down there too—if you could?”

  “No way.” Abby folded her arms in front of her.

  “Me neither,” Cassidy declared. “We didn’t win the prize, Bryn. Emma and Felicia did. And they deserved it. It would be wrong to push our way.”

  “Yeah, six girls and Emma’s mom in one hotel room for three nights? Imagine the waiting line for the bathroom.” Abby waved her finger at Bryn. “And I know how long it takes you to do your hair and makeup. I’m guessing the slumber party would get old fast.”

  “Especially for them,” Cassidy added.

  “Well, maybe just Bryn and I should go down there and crash them,” Devon said in a teasing tone. “Leave you two party poopers at home.”

  “Fortunately—for Emma and Felicia—you guys can’t afford to crash them.” Abby poked Bryn in the shoulder. “And you should be ashamed for even asking your parents for the airfare, Bryn.”

  “Hey, you can’t blame a girl for trying . . . or dreaming.” Bryn sighed as she stopped for the traffic light. She honestly felt like the LA trip was going to be slightly wasted on Emma and Felicia. Naturally, she had no intention of admitting that to her friends. It looked like she’d already offended Cass and Abby. And of course, Devon would be on board for crashing in on their friends. But that in itself wasn’t exactly reassuring. “Well, I do hope they enjoy it,” she said as she pulled out of the intersection. “And you’re probably right, Abby. With six girls and one mom sharing one room, it would probably get old fast.”

  “Speaking of six girls in a hotel room, has anyone made plans for spring break yet?” Devon’s voice had a slightly mischievous tone. When Bryn glanced at her through the rearview mirror, she could definitely see a glint of deviousness in her dark brown eyes. Or maybe that was just Devon’s natural expression.

  “What do you mean?” Cassidy asked warily. “Six girls in a hotel room—what are you thinking of?”

  “Oh, I just heard that some of my friends, you know, from my old high school—anyway, they’re making plans to go to Phoenix for spring break. I could probably go with them, but I’m not sure it’s such a good idea. These girls are kinda wild.”

  “Then it’s definitely a bad idea,” Cassidy warned her. “Don’t go.”

  “Well, I probably won’t. But it got me thinking that a spring break with girlfriends could be fun. And I’ve never been to Phoenix, but they made it sound pretty cool.”

  “Why are they going to Phoenix?” Bryn asked.

  “Probably because it’s warm down there. And not that far away. And one of my friends has grandparents with a condo they can use.”

  “Oh?”

  “Anyway, it got me thinking that spring break’s only three weeks away. Not too soon to make plans.”

  “Really? Just three weeks?” Abby said absently. “Sure doesn’t feel like spring around here.”

  “Even so, I plan to have some fun on my spring break. I’m going to make the most of it,” Devon declared in a sassy tone.

  “By doing what exactly?” Cassidy sounded a bit suspicious. Based on Devon’s recent history, Bryn felt a little suspicious too. Devon certainly had a flair for trouble. To be fair, Devon had been trying to turn things around these past few months. Still, Bryn knew that Devon was Devon and more than a little unpredictable at times.

  “I’m not suggesting anything stupid or disgusting or illegal,” Devon said a bit defensively. “I just thought going somewhere that was sunny and warm—with some of my girlfriends—well, it might be fun.” Then she broke into an old song from the eighties, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

  The rest of them attempted to sing along, but no one really knew the lyrics, and before long the song ended.

  “I think going to a warm, sunny place with girlfriends sounds fun.” Bryn turned on her windshield wipers as raindrops began to splatter down.

  “According to the weather forecast this rain is supposed to turn into snow later tonight,” Cassidy informed them.

  Everyone let out a groan.

  “This is like the never-ending winter,” Abby complained. “And track practice starts up next week. At this rate, I should buy snowshoes instead of running shoes.”

  “See why we need to go someplace warm for spring break? Just imagine hanging by a pool, soaking up some sun, eating junk food, relaxing with your friends,” Devon said persuasively. “By the way, does anyone have a grandma with a cool condo or beach house, something in a warm place?”

  After it was confirmed that none of them had any snowbird relatives with houses to loan, Bryn decided to broach another subject. Something she’d been thinking about for a week or so. “Spring break is only three weeks off . . . but has anyone been paying any attention to the date for
prom this year?” Bryn was pretty sure that she’d be the only one aware of this date, but she waited, just in case.

  “I think I heard it was sometime in April,” Devon tossed out.

  “April 17 to be specific,” Bryn clarified. “Which is seven weeks away.”

  “You’re already counting how many weeks until prom?” Abby asked Bryn. And then she laughed. “Of course, why should that surprise me? You’re probably already making up a campaign to be prom queen.”

  “I am not!” Bryn narrowed her eyes. “That’s totally ridiculous.” Okay, maybe not totally. But it sure wasn’t anything Bryn intended to admit to.

  “So what’s the big deal then?” Cassidy asked. “Why are you talking about prom all of a sudden? Have you been asked or something?”

  “No, of course not.” Bryn turned the car’s heat up a notch. “I seriously doubt that anyone’s been asked yet. But it’s not too early to start thinking about it. Because, as Devon pointed out, it’s spring break in three weeks. That means that by the time we get back from spring break it will be only three weeks until prom. Three weeks is not a long time.”

  “A long time for what?” Cassidy asked. “Seriously, what’s the big deal? It’s just another dance. Why would anyone need more than three weeks?”

  “To prepare for prom.” Bryn wasn’t surprised that Cass would turn into a wet blanket regarding prom. But what about the others? “Seriously, is there anyone in this car who doesn’t want to go to prom this year?”

  “Is this turning into a DG meeting?” Cassidy asked. “Because if it is, it seems like Emma and Felicia should be present.”

  “And speaking of DG, what about Amanda?” Devon asked. “I realize we’ve kinda backed off on DG events lately. But is Amanda still in or not?”

  The truth was that the DG—as far as a dating club—had quieted down considerably since Christmas. Oh, they had an occasional “meeting,” but it was mostly an excuse to do something together outside of school. And so far, for whatever reason, Amanda and Sienna had not been in attendance. Possibly because they had not been invited. But recently, Bryn had realized how much she missed these times with her DG friends. Just sharing pizza at the airport today—although it had been short and sweet—was a good reminder of the strong bonds of friendship that the girls shared.

  “I really don’t think Amanda or Sienna even want to be part of the DG anymore,” Bryn confided to them. “Last time I heard Amanda mention the DG . . . well, it was pretty negative and snooty.”

  “Good.” Cassidy sounded relieved. “I like the DG with just our original members. Plus Felicia. She fits in nicely.”

  “And six is a good round number,” Abby pointed out. “Not too big, not too small.”

  “So what’re you thinking about in regard to prom?” Devon pressed.

  “And what’s the big deal when it’s still seven weeks off?” Abby added.

  “Well, I was looking at some websites last week. Reading up about proms. And I’ve been learning some interesting stuff. Stuff that might be helpful to all of us.”

  “Like what?” Devon asked with interest.

  “Well, for starters, do any of you know that a prom is very similar to a wedding—”

  “A wedding?” Cassidy demanded. “How on earth can you compare a silly high school dance to a wedding, Bryn? In fact, that makes me really not want to go to prom. Are you serious?”

  “Hear me out,” Bryn insisted. “The blog I visited said that a girl who’s good at planning and preparing for prom will be better at planning and preparing her wedding.”

  “Well, I don’t intend to plan a wedding,” Cassidy shot back at her. “Not until I’m at least thirty.”

  “Not me,” Devon said. “I plan to get married by twenty.”

  “By twenty?” Abby sounded shocked. “What about college?”

  “What about it?”

  “You have to go to college,” Cassidy told Devon.

  “Says who?”

  “Everyone,” Abby declared.

  “You really do need to go to college,” Bryn added. “We all do. But, hey, we were talking about prom, remember?”

  “Right,” Cassidy said sarcastically. “Prom and wedding planning. Do tell, Bryn.”

  “Okay, I will.” Bryn took in a deep breath. “So think about it, you need a special dress for a wedding, right? You need the right shoes and accessories—same is true for prom. And whether it’s a wedding or prom, you have to coordinate the guys’ ensembles. Their tuxes need to complement our dresses. And there are flowers that need to coordinate too—both for the guy and the girl. Just like a wedding. And, really, there are lots of things. Dinner plans, transportation plans, and—I forgot the most important thing—the promposal.”

  “Promposal?” Abby echoed. “What is that?”

  “Well, you know how some guys go to really great lengths to make a fabulous proposal to get married? Like I saw this one on YouTube where the guy got all his friends to do this amazing parade with music and clowns and little girls twirling batons and all sorts of crazy things. Anyway, his girlfriend just thought they were watching a regular small-town parade, but then she noticed how people in the parade were holding up these letter cards, spelling out the words Will you marry me?” She sighed. “It was so sweet.”

  “So are you suggesting that guys—I mean, the guys at our school, the same guys who aren’t particularly motivated to attend dances or date or even talk to girls without a little prodding and even if they do, they’re looking over their shoulder to be sure that Mr. Worthington’s not watching and—” Cassidy paused to catch her breath. “Are you suggesting that these same guys will actually invite girls to prom by setting up elaborate fake parades and flash dances and whatever, just like an over-the-top wedding proposal?”

  “They might.” Bryn nodded stubbornly. Okay, she knew it was a long shot. But hadn’t their other dances and events been long shots too? Why did Cassidy have to be such a buzz kill? “At the very least they could deliver a balloon bouquet or a singing telegram . . . something special and memorable.”

  “You’ve gotta be kidding.” Cassidy laughed so loud she snorted.

  “Fine. Make fun if you want, but it could happen.”

  “Seriously, what guy at our school would stage a parade or even a singing telegram to ask a girl to prom?” Abby demanded. “No offense, Bryn, but I think you’re losing it.”

  Bryn didn’t appreciate their sarcasm, but decided not to react. There were better ways to spend energy. In fact their negativism made Bryn feel even more determined to invest herself into this year’s prom. And if people wanted to call her shallow or superficial for wanting their prom to be fabulous and unforgettable and fun—well, then that was their problem! Bryn was going to do whatever it took to ensure that prom was the biggest event of the school year.

  3

  Devon was grateful to still be living with Emma’s grandmother. Really, she was. It was much better than living with her mom—more specifically her mom’s creepy new husband. Grandma Betty was a good cook and surprisingly fun to talk to, not to mention a pretty decent card player. But sometimes Devon longed for something more. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was she thought she was missing in her life. Sometimes she thought it was boys and fun and action. But then she would try to remind herself of where that had gotten her in the past.

  So instead of acting on crazy impulses—and possibly derailing her life—she’d been trying to stick with her dial-a-friend plan. It was actually Emma who had come up with this particular plan. And, despite their ups and downs—and there were many—Emma was still the closest thing to a best friend that Devon had ever had. But it was Saturday night, Emma was down in LA, and Devon was feeling antsy.

  It hadn’t helped much that Emma and Felicia had been sending all these fabulous-looking photos and texts for the past twenty-four hours. From what Devon could see, those two were having a totally amazing time and, like Bryn, Devon couldn’t help but feel envious. Which was probably why
she texted Em back this afternoon, saying something stupid and snide and admitting that she was bored outta her gourd. And it was probably why Cassidy called her at 5:30, insisting that Devon attend youth group with her tonight. Feeling homebound and stuck and slightly hopeless, Devon had reluctantly agreed to go.

  “It’s nice to see you going to youth group,” Grandma Betty said as Devon emerged from her room at a bit before seven. “And don’t you look pretty tonight.” She fingered a strand of Devon’s wavy hair. “I was just telling my friend Irene that you have the most beautiful hair—the same color as a shiny copper penny, and all natural too.”

  “Thanks.” Devon smiled. No matter her mood, this sweet old woman almost always made her feel better. “Although I’m not convinced that I really want to go to youth group.”

  “But surely it’ll be better than spending the evening with an old lady.” Grandma Betty grinned. “Or maybe I can entice you to stick around and play some cribbage with me.”

  “It might be more fun than youth group.” Devon wrinkled her nose.

  “Really?” Grandma Betty’s eyes twinkled. “In my day, we loved going to youth group—that was where you met the best boys.”

  Devon considered this. “You mean nice boys?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t go that far.” She chuckled. “Unless things have changed in the last fifty years. I can assure you that not all youth group boys were nice back in my day. I doubt it’s much different now.”

  “Probably not.” Devon laughed.

  “I guess the point is that at least they’re trying.”

  Devon spotted headlights in the driveway. “There’s Cass, I better go.”

  “Have fun!”

  As Devon went out to the car, she wondered if it was possible to have fun at youth group. After all, Grandma Betty was right about one thing—there would be boys. Devon wondered why she hadn’t considered this before. “What did you do to your hair?” Devon asked Cassidy as she slid into the passenger seat.

  “Huh?” Cassidy reached up to touch her brown hair, which looked rather juvenile in two long pigtails, then giggled. “Oh, the braids—I was helping my mom work in the garden all afternoon. I forgot to take them out.”