Holly's Heart Collection Three (13 page)

“I heard you got initiated today,” she said.

“So did Andie. We were tied to the flagpole.”

“Together?”

“It was bizarre at first, but then she and I started talking. We talked a lot. And I told her about Jeff.”

“It’s about time.”

“I know.” I felt ashamed again.

“Glad you did, Holly. I was praying for you.”

I wasn’t used to hearing that a friend was praying. Well, except for Danny Myers.

“I’d better get going,” Tina said. “See you tomorrow.”

“No, you won’t,” I teased. “You’ll smell me tomorrow. Better watch out—I might be wearing different perfume.”

“Hey, you wouldn’t do that to me, would you?” With that, we burst into giggles and hung up.

After my homework was done, I made two very cool posters to wave during tomorrow’s assembly. One for Tina, and one for me.

FRESHMAN FRENZY

Chapter 22

The next morning while I waited for Carrie to get out of the bathroom—she was taking longer than ever these days—I wrote in my journal.

Thursday, September 19: Today Andie gives her campaign speech. She’s first, then Jeff Kinney. I can’t wait to see what he does when I hold up my poster. It says: No Friday Pop—Jeff’s Pop’s a Doc!

Everyone knows by now that Jeff lied about having free soda at school. Thanks to all the phone calls Andie and I made last night. The way I see it, she’s destined for class president. Jared and Amy-Liz will probably make it, too. They’ve been campaigning like crazy. And Billy’s going to be a great class treasurer if he gets elected.

Sometimes I wish I had run for office. But then I think about Tina. When it comes right down to it, I know I’d rather be helping her than getting frazzled over school politics and stuff. Besides, I really like her.

After “losing” Andie to the student council thing, I never dreamed my heart could accept someone new as a close friend . . . and so fast. Yesterday Andie said she’d never forget me. Well, I won’t hold her to it, because I can see her changing. And with change comes the growing apart process—the toughest part of all. Maybe I shouldn’t blame it on Andie. Maybe I’m changing, too. . . .

After a bunch of homeroom preliminaries, we headed to the assembly. I sat with Tina, one row behind Billy Hill and his fans. Tina got her guide dog situated directly under her seat for the half-hour session.

“I’ll tell you when to hold up your poster,” I said.

Her face shone. “This is so exciting!”

“I know.” But I had a fleeting thought—a lonely, sentimental feeling—floating around in my brain. And when I scanned the audience for Andie, I noticed she was sitting in the front row with Amy-Liz and Jared. Any other time I would’ve been there beside her. Encouraging her. Saying all the right words.

I refused to think about what used to be and turned my attention to Tina. Something intrigued me about her. Maybe it was her positive, upbeat approach to life. She was blind, yet she seemed so happy.

Just then Mr. Crane was onstage, standing at the podium. The students got quiet. Anticipation, like electricity, crackled in the air. “We have student business to conduct today.” The crowd broke into wild applause.

When things settled down again, the principal continued with his introductions.

At last Andie stood in front of us. She wore her new outfit. I listened intently to her opening remarks. Honestly, I couldn’t remember ever seeing her in a position of leadership like this. I wracked my brain trying to recall a time . . .

Then I heard my name!

“At this time, I would like to thank Holly Meredith for her support and encouragement. Tina Frazer was a great help, too. Several sophomore friends of mine, including Paula and Kayla Miller, were responsible for running my campaign. . . .”

The fact that she’d mentioned my name—and first, before the twins—soothed my sore heart.

“I will not make promises that I cannot keep,” Andie was saying. “The thing I will do, however, is lead my class to the best of my ability. And with your help—each of you in this room—I will represent your needs, listen to your problems, and do my best to come up with solutions. Thank you for your vote of confidence—I’ll see you at the polls!”

Wow, I was impressed. Andie’s speech didn’t sound anything like what the Miller twins might’ve written. And the more I thought about it, I knew Andie hadn’t written it, either.

“Great speech,” I said to Tina, who was also on her feet clapping.

“Not bad for a first timer?” she said, a strange smile on her face.

I had no idea what she meant. “First timer?”

“Your friend called me last night and offered me ten bucks to write her speech,” Tina said. “It was easier than I thought.”

“Andie
hired
you to write it?” I shouldn’t have been surprised. Andie was unpredictable. That part of her hadn’t changed one bit.

Andie walked down the steps, heading confidently toward her seat. Just once, I wished she’d glance up and see me clapping for her, cheering for her. . . .

We took our seats and waited to hear Jeff Kinney’s speech. I couldn’t imagine that he hadn’t heard what we’d been spreading around about him. Bottom line: He was not an honest guy.

“Hold up your poster,” I whispered to Tina.

Lots of other students were waving gimmicky posters as Jeff Kinney approached the stage, shuffling his papers.

The auditorium was still. Jeff stood at the podium and coughed. I felt embarrassed for him, wondering what he could possibly say to save face. “Fellow classmates, teachers, and Mr. Crane,” he began.

Oh, brother, he’s pouring it on,
I thought.

“Today I stand before you to stand behind you, to tell you something I know nothing about.”

Snickering rippled through the audience.

“Now . . . to get things straight right from here on out,” he continued, “my dad’s not going to be able to supply free soda on Fridays as previously promised. He will, however, offer free flu shots to any student this winter. Thanks for your support.”

By now, Jeff’s face had turned a bright red. And as he made his way off the stage, only a few of his close friends applauded. It was an awkward moment for everyone, and I touched Tina’s elbow and told her to put her poster away.

We listened to the other candidates’ speeches, and at the end I decided that Andie’s was best. “It was perfect,” I told Tina. “You wrote a fabulous campaign speech.”

“Thanks,” she said, leaning over to whisper to her guide dog. I carried both the posters as we headed up the aisle, toward the hallway doors.

During lunch, Tina and I went to study hall, where the ballot boxes were set up. I helped her find the square she wanted to check. When she was finished, I waited for her to fold her ballot. Carefully, she felt for the opening on the ballot box and dropped the paper in.

I had an email message from Sean when I arrived home. I couldn’t wait to read it.

Hey, Holly,

Well, how do you feel about writing to a bald guy?

Seriously, I did it. I shaved my head! Most all the guys in Mr. Fremont’s class did, too. It’s weird what some people will do to encourage a friend.

I thought about Sean’s words. And I thought about Andie. I hadn’t shaved my head or anything drastic, but I had done something. Something to assure her a desired goal.

Mom had said flexibility was a big part of growing up. Was that happening? Was I growing up?

I stared at the computer screen. Sean was a perfect example of true maturity. I couldn’t wait to write him back, so I clicked on Reply and began typing away.

FRESHMAN FRENZY

Chapter 23

The next morning Mr. Crane’s voice came over the intercom with election results. “Andrea Martinez has been voted in as president of the freshman class, Jared Wilkins was elected vice president, Amy-Liz Thompson will be the new secretary for the class, and Billy Hill is the treasurer. Congratulations to each of these fine students.”

The hall at lunchtime was crowded with well-wishers, streamers, balloons, and confetti. I hurried to pick up Tina and Taffy in study hall, then we made our way through the tangle of humanity.

“Do you mind if we stop by Andie’s locker?” I asked Tina.

“No problem,” she said, reminding me of Andie.

I laughed, but I was sure she didn’t hear me. Not against the backdrop of hilarious celebration. When we found Andie, she was being swarmed by half the freshman class. At least, that’s how it appeared as I waited with Tina for a chance to congratulate the winner.

Even Stan showed his face, in spite of his sophomore status. And when he walked past me, he gave me a decent smile for a change.

Andie sparkled as she talked to her adoring fans, hugging them, thanking them, and accepting their enthusiastic remarks. And from my vantage point, I surprised myself by not feeling so left out.

I was actually part of it all. I’d helped make this moment happen for Andie, and I was glad.

Nobody could move, it was so crowded. But I waited patiently, and then it happened. Andie glanced up, and her eyes caught mine. “Holly! Holly-Heart, get yourself over here,” she called.

“C’mon,” I said to Tina, guiding her to Andie. The mass of devotees parted like the Red Sea as we came. Then Andie hugged me hard.

“You did it,” I said. “Congratulations!”

“
We
did it,” Andie said, not letting go of me. “Thanks for everything.” I knew what she meant. So did Tina. And long after the throng of kids had gone, Andie, Tina, and I hung around talking.

When the Miller twins finally caught up with the three of us, we were sitting in the cafeteria, well within the seniors’ silly boundary line.

“Congrats,” Paula said.

“We heard the news,” Kayla said.

“Isn’t she fabulous?” I said about Andie.

The twins agreed. Tina too. We sat there reliving the events of the past two days, and I never once felt a twinge of pain. Sure, my circle of friends had begun to widen, but the Holly-Andie bond was as strong as ever. The only difference was it didn’t encompass every inch of our lives. It didn’t have to.

We were freshmen now, for pete’s sake.

To my H
OLLY’S
H
EART
fans
at Radiant Church:

MYSTERY LETTERS

Chapter 1

I hurried off the bus and rushed into the house. “Mom, I’m home!”