Prom Date (11 page)

Some might think it was a crazy idea, or perhaps not even worth the effort, but she was committed to carrying it through. She honestly thought it could pay off. Okay, maybe renting a gown wouldn't fly with someone like Bryn. But she felt certain that a lot of other students at Northwood would go for this. At the very least, it was worth a try.

B
y lunchtime on Wednesday, Bryn had already selected about a dozen prom dress possibilities that she was eager to show her friends. To this end, she had Cassidy's iPad in the center of the lunch table, and as soon as all members of the DG were present, she started to explain her plan.

“I realize that we don't all like the same kinds of gowns,” she began, “and it's not like I think we have to be totally coordinated, but as you guys know, I'm the one who pays the most attention to fashion and I just think that since we hang together and we'll probably be at prom together, well, it might look better if our dresses went nicely with each other. You know, instead of clashing, or looking all out of place or weird.”

“Oh, no.” Cassidy let out a groan. “Here we go again.”

“Really, Bryn, don't you think we're smart enough to pick out our own prom dresses?” Devon made an exasperated sigh.

“Yeah, instead of obsessing over prom dresses, maybe we should figure out how to get dates.” Abby frowned.

“But this is important,” Bryn protested. “Time's limited and there are fittings and alterations and—”

“I agree with Abby,” Emma interrupted. “What point is there in getting a dress if you don't have a date?”

“We could always just go to prom together,” Cassidy suggested. “All the DG girls renting a limo and—”

“No way!” Devon exclaimed. “I am not going to prom with a bunch of girls. That is so lame.”

“I don't know.” Abby shrugged. “Might be fun to be free to dance with all the guys.”

“All the guys?” Devon frowned. “What if no guys go? So far, from what I've heard, no one's been asked to prom yet.”

“No kidding.” Emma held up her hands in a hopeless gesture. “I thought I'd get invited by now. But Isaac is being really stubborn about this. I pretty much came right out and told him on Saturday that I wanted him to ask me to prom. And he seemed genuinely sympathetic. But he hasn't mentioned it once since then. I honestly don't get it.”

“It's because of the prom boycott petition,” Felicia said. “I heard a couple guys talking about it in math. It's like they think since they signed the boycott, it would be hypocritical for them to ask a girl to prom.”

“We really need one of the guys to step up and take one for the team,” Abby declared.

“Yeah,” Devon agreed. “How about Kent? You guys are almost a couple.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “Calling us a couple is an exaggeration. But I honestly thought Kent would ask me to prom. And I've been hinting about it, but he's still dragging his heels.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Bryn said with impatience. “I know all about the guy problem and I agree we need to do something about it. But right now I wanted to talk about dresses.” She pointed to a long pale-blue gown with gorgeous beadwork. “I really like this one,” she began, “but it might be a little too princessy, you know? And it wouldn't look very good next to a dress like, say, this one.” She pointed to a glittery purple cocktail-length dress. “Although I do think this is a great design and—”

Abby held up a hand to stop Bryn. “Hey, before we get too involved in dress decisions, I have an announcement to make.”

Bryn frowned at Abby. “An announcement?”

Abby nodded. “And it has to do with prom dresses too.”

“Oh?” Bryn smiled. Maybe Abby was on her side after all. “Okay, what is it, Abs?”

“I created a blog that will go live this afternoon,” Abby told them. “It's called the PBC. That stands for Prom Budget Challenge.”

“What's that?” Emma leaned forward with interest.

Abby started to explain the plan she'd cooked up. She wanted everyone to be really frugal while shopping for prom. Bryn thought it sounded ridiculous. “Instead of buying expensive gowns, girls can rent them or buy used or borrow—”

“You have got to be kidding!” Bryn stared at her best friend.

“I'm totally serious.” Abby locked eyes with her. “My dad figured out how much money will be wasted on prom clothes that are only—”

“That's so like your dad,” Bryn shot back at her. “Mr.
Tightwad
.”

“He makes a very good point,” Abby argued. “It's a one-night deal, and if you add up how much money everyone in
this school will waste on stupid formal wear that they'll never use again, it's a pretty staggering figure.” Abby pointed to Felicia. “And that money would be better spent on Sofia's cancer treatments.”

“How does it work exactly?” Cassidy asked Abby.

“People will register on my blog. They'll put in the amount of money they expect to lay out for prom—kind of like a budget. Then we'll help them to find better deals for everything. And we'll keep track of the savings, and the cool part of the challenge is that they'll commit to donate their savings to the Sofia fund. So they end up getting what they need for prom and helping Sofia too.”

“That's so sweet of you,” Felicia told Abby.

“I love this idea,” Emma chimed in. “Makes perfect sense to me.”

“Well, I do
not
love it,” Bryn declared. “I couldn't stand to wear a rented or borrowed gown. And I don't think you can make people do something they don't want to.”

“Of course not,” Abby agreed. “It's totally voluntary. Not everyone will want to be part of this. But it might appeal to some.”

Bryn shoved Cassidy's iPad back at her. “Then I suppose it's pointless to show you guys the dresses I thought you might like. Never mind that I spent most of last night picking some good ones out.”

“Why is it pointless?” Abby asked.

“Because it sounds like you all plan to show up in sackcloth and ashes.” Bryn frowned at them. When had her friends turned into such party poopers? Wasn't prom supposed to be fun? Shopping for the perfect ensemble was just part of the fun . . . wasn't it?

“The websites I've listed on my blog have some really great-looking dresses,” Abby told her.

“Don't forget the dresses we wore to the Christmas ball,” Emma reminded her.

“That's right,” Felicia added, “the same dresses the rental company let us take to the red carpet for free.”

“You said we all looked good at the Christmas ball,” Cassidy reminded Bryn.

“And remember your fancy, expensive gown?” Abby narrowed her eyes slightly. “Remember how that made you feel?”

“That's something I'd prefer to forget,” Bryn said quietly. “But thanks for reminding me.”

“Come on and admit it, Bryn,” Abby persisted. “Spending a lot of money did not make you happy. You could've rented your gown and had a much better night.”

“I will never wear a rented gown,” Bryn declared.

“Fine. What about a gently used gown?”

“Same difference.” Bryn glared at her. “I refuse to wear someone else's smelly old dress and you cannot make me.”

“Then why not just look at the bargain sites,” Abby pleaded. “You might be surprised.”

“Are the gowns new?”

“Some of the sites only carry new dresses,” Abby assured her. “And some of them have designer labels—at a fraction of the original prices.”

Bryn still felt slightly betrayed by her best friend, but with all eyes on her, she felt something else too. Outnumbered. “Fine,” she said sharply. “I'll look at the cheap dresses. But I'm not promising anything.” Suddenly she was aware that Felicia had been watching her with a sad sort of interest.
That's when Bryn really remembered little Sofia . . . and suddenly felt about two inches tall.

“I'm sorry, Felicia.” Bryn let out a long sigh. “That probably sounds all wrong and selfish. And, believe me, it's not because of Sofia. I just like what I like, that's all.” She thought for a moment. “But here's what I'll do.” She turned to Abby. “I'll figure a way to do matching funds with my clothing expenses, okay? Whatever I spend on my dress, I'll put into your silly challenge, okay?”

“Okay.” Abby just nodded. “Whatever works for you and helps Sofia.”

“Good.” Bryn tried to act like this was no big deal, like she was perfectly okay with the idea of rented or used formal wear, but the truth was she was not. Even though she'd promised to consider a “cheap” gown, she knew she would not settle for shoddy. Sure, Abby was right about the gown fiasco at the Christmas ball, but that was only because Bryn had been teased for looking like she was wearing a bridal gown. Just because it was white. No, not white. It was cream. But for whatever reason, the rumor had gotten started that she was wearing a bridal gown, and that had ruined everything.

Although Bryn no longer felt the excitement she had earlier, she decided not to let this moment pass without getting a little bit of feedback on the dresses she'd selected. “Even if you all insist on wearing secondhand dresses, can you at least look at the ones I've picked out?” She reached for Cass's iPad again. “I found something for everyone. And, really, part of the fun of prom is planning what we'll wear. Even if you insist on rental gowns, we can still talk about it. Can't we?”

To her relief, they all agreed to look at the designs she'd picked out, but getting them to agree on anything was like
herding cats. If someone wanted a long gown, the girl next to her wanted a short one. If one wanted something simple and classic, the other one wanted something with layers and details.

“See,” Emma proclaimed, “we will be just like the
real
red carpet.” She produced her phone and started to show them the photos she'd taken down in Beverly Hills. “There's Lupita in a pastel gown. And Jennifer Lawrence in that strapless tomato-orange number.”

“But look, they're all wearing long gowns,” Bryn pointed out. “That's why I think we should probably all go with long too.”

“But some of us don't look that great in long gowns,” Emma argued. “Felicia and I are both petite. We look better in short dresses.”

“I say let everyone wear what they want,” Cassidy said. “Emma's right about the red carpet, they're wearing all kinds of styles and colors.”

“And here's someone in a short dress.” Emma pointed to a photo of a woman in a green satin cocktail dress.

“Who is that?” Bryn peered down at the photo.

“I don't know,” Emma admitted. “Someone's date maybe.”

“Well, all the real stars are wearing full-length gowns,” Bryn told them. “That's what I plan on doing.”

“Me too,” Devon agreed.

Bryn did a quick search on the iPad. “Look at the Olsen twins.” She pointed to a group of photos. “They're both really petite and they look great in long gowns.” She frowned. “Well, some of the gowns look good. I think you just have to make the right choice.” She was just starting an informative lecture about style and why some gowns made everyone look short
and fat while other styles did just the opposite, but before she could finish, the bell rang and it was time to go to class.

Okay, that had not gone like she'd hoped it would. She understood that Abby was only trying to help Sofia by introducing her silly budget blog idea. But somehow Bryn had to exert some kind of quality control over the fashion portion of this big dance. It would be so pathetic if everyone showed up at prom looking like they'd shopped at a thrift store bargain rack.

C
heck this out,” Emma told Cassidy when they met up in the art and graphics department after school.

Cassidy studied the promposal poster that Emma had been working on and nodded. “That looks really good, Em. How'd you get a photo of the bike and camping gear taken up in the mountains like that?”

Emma explained how she'd photoshopped the prize photos over an outdoor scene. “Mr. Rajini helped me with it. Not bad, eh?”

“I like the caption too.” Cassidy read the words on top. “See how far a promposal can really take you.” On the bottom of the poster were details about winning the prize with the most creative promposal.

“Mrs. Dorman is organizing an online vote for the student body.” Cassidy picked up a glossy poster. “Are these ready to go up now?”

“That's why you're here.” Emma handed her a roll of
masking tape. “Let's plaster them all over the places where the guys like to hang most.” She made a face. “Not that it'll do much good. I already gave Isaac a heads-up about this. I thought it might tempt him to come up with a promposal, but I'm not holding my breath.”

“Maybe it takes time to get a really good promposal going,” Cassidy said as they headed down the hall.

“Well, I'm starting to dream up some pretty good ones myself,” Emma confessed as they started to tape a poster next to the guys' restroom. “I just hope I don't have to use them.”

“But maybe you'd win the bike.”

“Maybe.” Emma brightened.

It was 4:30 by the time they finished hanging the last poster. “We better hurry on over to your grandma's,” Cassidy told Emma as they got their stuff from their lockers. “Bryn plans to get Devon there by six.”

“That was nice of Bryn to take Devon dress shopping with her,” Emma said as they headed outside. “I could tell that Devon was feeling blue. And I felt like such a rat when she casually mentioned her birthday this morning and we all acted like it was no big deal.”

“Yeah, me too. Poor Devon.”

“Well, she's probably having fun looking at prom gowns.” Cassidy unlocked her car. “Although shopping with Bryn is not for the faint of heart.”

“I'm sure Devon can handle it.”

“Did you finish that painting for her?”

“Yeah. I stashed it at my grandma's yesterday, along with some balloons and crepe paper that was left over from a party at Mom's work.”

“And your grandma really didn't mind making us dinner?”

“No, she insisted,” Emma assured her. “But I promised we'd do the setting up. Bryn and Abby can do cleanup.”

“Do you think Devon will be surprised?”

“I think she'll be shocked. No one has said a peep about it.”

“Well, hopefully Bryn won't open her mouth either.” Cassidy turned into the driveway, then backed out. “I guess I should park a ways away, huh?”

As they went inside, Cassidy held up the package that she'd wrapped yesterday. “I'm not sure what Devon will think of this,” she said with uncertainty.

“What is it?” Emma asked.

“A Bible.”

Emma looked surprised.

“I know,” Cassidy said. “She'll probably hate it. But it's in really easy-to-understand language and it has lots of study helps.”

“I think that's a nice gift,” Emma assured her. “Even if Devon acts like it's not so great . . . well, don't take her too seriously. Remember, she's Devon.”

“Right.” Even so, Cassidy was already regretting her impulsive choice. She didn't want Devon to think she was preaching at her. Cassidy said a silent prayer as she followed Emma inside, setting the package on a living room table where several other wrapped presents were already waiting, some from Emma's grandma and one that looked like the painting Emma had made. Even though it was silly, Cassidy took the time to bury her package beneath the other gifts. At least she could delay the disappointment.

“It's so sweet of you girls to do this for Devon,” Emma's grandma said as they joined her in the kitchen. “She's been very quiet lately and I've been worried that she might be sad.”

“Or maybe she's just thinking about things,” Emma said.

“Well, her mother never calls.” Emma's grandma sadly shook her head. “I've told Devon to go ahead and make the first move and call her mom, but she just refuses.”

“What a beautiful cake,” Cassidy said when she spied the layer cake. The frosting was a buttery yellow and it was decorated with real flowers and hot pink birthday candles. “Devon should like that.”

“And it's carrot cake,” Emma's grandma told her. “Devon's favorite.”

“Is that lasagna?” Emma asked as she peeked in the oven window.

Her grandma confirmed this, then sent Cassidy and Emma into the dining room to set the table. “I've put out a nice linen tablecloth and the good china,” she called. “And I've got a bouquet of yellow rosebuds and some pink candles for the candelabra too.”

“Pretty formal shindig,” Emma said as she and Cassidy began to smooth out the tablecloth. “I'm starting to feel jealous. Grandma hasn't gotten out the good china for me.”

“You're not seventeen yet,” her grandma called from the kitchen.

Emma laughed. “Oh, I didn't know that was the magic number.”

After the table was set, Emma and Cassidy blew up balloons and draped the living room with crepe paper. It was a little before six when Abby and Felicia arrived, and that's when they turned off all the lights and hid in the shadows, waiting to surprise Devon.

“Do you think she'll be surprised?” Felicia whispered in the darkness.

“I hope so,” Emma said quietly.

“But, knowing Devon, she might play it cool and act like she expected it,” Cassidy told her.

“I hear something,” Abby warned them.

The door opened and, as they'd previously agreed, everyone silently counted to five and then Emma turned on the light switch and they all leaped out, yelling, “Surprise!”

“What!” Devon leaped back, obviously surprised.

“Happy birthday,” they started calling, rushing out to hug their shocked friend. Bryn was coming in behind her now, and suddenly Devon was crying. She wasn't just crying, she was sobbing.

“Oh, Devon,” Emma said with worried eyes.

“Did we frighten you?” Felicia asked.

“Are you okay?” Emma's grandma said with concern.

“I—I'm fine,” Devon sobbed. “I—I'm just so surprised.”

“Well, that's the point,” Cassidy said as she hugged her again.

“But we didn't mean to scare you to death,” Abby assured her.

“I never had a surprise party before.” Devon blew her nose on the tissue that Emma's grandma had handed her. “In fact, I never had a real birthday party before.”

“No real birthday party?” Cassidy asked.

“Now that you mention it, I don't ever remember you having a birthday party either,” Emma admitted.

“Anyway, sorry to fall apart.” Devon stood up straighter. “This is really sweet, you guys. Thanks!”

“It was Cassidy's idea,” Emma said.

Devon turned to Cassidy with a slightly astonished expression. “Really? You thought of this?”

Cassidy shrugged. “Well, when I heard it was your birthday . . . it seemed like a good idea.”

Devon hugged Cassidy again. “Thanks, Cass, you really are a friend.”

Cassidy just nodded.

As the party progressed into dinner, Cassidy could see that Devon was really having a good time, but as the group moved to the living room to open presents, Cassidy was feeling nervous. As Devon opened the first gifts—slightly frivolous items, but obviously things she liked—Devon graciously expressed thanks.

“Oh, Emma,” she said as she peeled the paper away from the painting. “I love this. Did you really paint it yourself?”

“I was trying to imitate van Gogh,” Emma confessed, “but maybe I should stick to my own style.”

Devon held up the painting for everyone to see, and Emma looked relieved as they all praised it. Cassidy was feeling even more nervous because hers was the only gift remaining. But just as she was reaching for it, Bryn held a shiny gold bag toward Devon. “Now this!” Bryn announced with a twinkle in her eyes.

Devon took the bag and, opening it, slid out what appeared to be a shoe box. “Are you kidding?” she said as she removed the lid. She held up a pair of gorgeous strappy silver sandals. “How did you do that?” she asked Bryn.

“When you went to use the restroom, I bought them and they let me slip them into my oversized bag. I thought for sure you'd notice how fat it looked.”

“I never even noticed.” Devon was already pulling off her shoes and slipping her feet into the silver sandals. “They're perfect.”

“And they'll go with almost any prom gown,” Bryn proclaimed.

“One gift left,” Emma announced just as Cassidy was considering tucking the last package under a couch cushion. “It's from Cass.”

Cassidy controlled herself from rolling her eyes. “And if you don't like it, I think you can exchange it,” she said quietly.

Devon took her time to unwrap it and when she saw that it was a Bible, her expression grew serious. Or maybe it was grim. Cassidy wasn't sure.

“What is it?” Abby asked.

“A Bible,” Emma told her quietly.

“Thanks, Cass,” Devon said in a somber tone.

“Really, you can return it,” Cassidy assured her. “I just thought that maybe you didn't have one and I really like having—”

“I'm going to keep it,” Devon told her. “I like it. I really do.”

Cassidy let out a small relieved sigh.

“You guys are the best,” Devon told them. “This is the best birthday party ever.”

“You said it was your only birthday party,” Abby reminded her.

“Yeah, so it could be the worst one ever too,” Emma teased.

“No way.” Devon shook her head. “It's the best. I swear it is.”

“And we still have birthday cake,” Emma's grandma announced.

As they went into the dining room for dessert, Cassidy felt relatively certain that Devon had meant what she'd said. After all, Devon was the kind of girl who always spoke her mind. She'd said that she liked the Bible and that she intended to keep it. That was enough for Cass.