They all agreed.

  “But that still doesn’t provide you with a date,” Lishia reminded her.

  “Or a dress,” Janelle pointed out.

  “Well . . .” Megan thought hard. “I’ll be working on it.”

  “Why don’t we go shopping today?” Chelsea suggested. “Kate told me that some new gowns shipped this weekend. They should have them out on the rack tonight.”

  “A Best 4 Less dress?” Janelle looked skeptical.

  “Hey, they have some great designer stuff sometimes,” Chelsea said defensively.

  “I know.” Janelle nodded. “But don’t let Amanda and Hallie hear about this or Megan will be the brunt of more of their jokes.”

  “I don’t care,” Megan assured her. “I’m already the brunt.” She turned to Chelsea. “Thanks. I’d love your help with the dress.” She looked at the others. “You guys want to come too?”

  As it turned out, only she and Chelsea were free to go after school. “I have a pretty restricted budget,” Megan admitted as they were going into the store. She didn’t want to admit it was even more limited now that she’d offered to cater their meal for prom night. But really, she would rather put her money into a dinner for her friends than toward a formal gown she would only wear once and probably hate anyway.

  After close to two hours of trying on what felt like every dress in the store, Chelsea proclaimed the strapless fuchsia satin number a winner.

  “Really?” Megan frowned at her image in the three-way mirror. Maybe her eyes were getting blurry or she was just sick, sick, sick of dresses, but she wasn’t getting it. “This is the one?”

  “Well, I’ll admit it’s a little big.” Chelsea grasped the back of the dress and pulled it tighter. “But I called Kate while you were putting it on again, and she assured me that can be easily fixed, and you can tighten this sash.”

  Megan was about to protest. What if the seamstress took it in too much . . . or got it wrong . . . or didn’t finish it on time? But then Megan realized she didn’t really care. “Okay.” She nodded with a little hesitation. “I’m getting it.”

  “Trust me, it’s going to look great.”

  Megan smiled at her. “I do trust you.” Really, why shouldn’t she trust Chelsea? Not only did she have a good sense of style, but she’d been a rock through all of Megan’s flakiness.

  As Megan drove Chelsea home, she described Belinda’s black strappy sandals. “Do you think those will work?”

  “They sound perfect.”

  Megan sighed. “Thanks to you and your dad’s store, I’m saving a bunch of money, Chelsea. Thanks.”

  Chelsea grinned. “It’s not really my dad’s store. He just works for them.”

  “Still, I appreciate it a lot.”

  “It’s too bad Roxie had to see us shopping there tonight. She’ll probably tell her friends.”

  “Probably.” Megan just shrugged. “No big deal.”

  “You’re not worried that Amanda or Hallie will tease you?”

  “Oh, I’m sure Hallie will torture me accordingly,” Megan admitted. “But, hey, I might just tell them. After all, they’ve both been asking me when and where I plan to get my dress. Why not just let the cat out of the bag myself?”

  “Hallie does seem to have it in for you,” Chelsea said. “I suspect she’s the one who started that rumor about how you’re taking a girl as your date to prom.”

  “She turned a lot more vicious after Dayton forgave me. That really seemed to aggravate her.”

  “Well, she should be thankful she’s still going to prom with him,” Chelsea reminded her. “I have a feeling he’d rather go with you.”

  “Between you and me, he kinda hinted at that after he read my apology note. But I told him I’d rather just preserve our friendship.” Megan smiled. “He still needs my writing help, so he’s not pushing it.”

  By Wednesday morning, Megan’s friends were getting seriously worried that she was going to be truly dateless for prom. “There’s still Howard,” she teased them as they helped her clear up the picked-over remnants of campaign goodies from her table. She was down to less than a dozen chocolate bars. Not that she cared. Mostly she’d be happy to see the last of them.

  Janelle groaned. “That’s getting less and less funny, Megan.”

  “I had a couple of suggestions,” Lishia told them. “But Megan told me no way.”

  “Same here,” Chelsea admitted.

  “I just hate the idea of one of you guys cornering a date for me.” Megan shrugged as she zipped her big pink bag. “I think I’d rather go alone.”

  “But that’s so pathetic,” Janelle told her.

  “I don’t know.” Megan held her head high. “Maybe I’ll send a message. That I am enough. I don’t have to have a guy on my arm.”

  “But it’s a dance,” Lishia protested. “Who are you going to dance with if you don’t have a guy?”

  Megan feigned disappointment. “You won’t share your dates?”

  “Speaking of dates.” Lishia nudged Megan’s elbow. “There’s your ex-date coming your way.”

  Megan looked up to see Jack approaching. His expression was hard to read, and so far, he hadn’t even acknowledged her apology note. Not that she’d expected anything. Although it was surprising that Dayton, who she’d never considered the most thoughtful fellow, had seemed happy to forgive and forget. Of course, there was the tutoring thing to consider.

  “Hey, Jack.” She smiled as he stopped in front of her.

  “Can we talk?” he asked quietly. “Privately?”

  She nodded. “Sure.” She tossed her friends a surprised glance, then followed Jack out to the courtyard. “What’s up?” she asked as he paused by a column.

  “Thanks for the note.”

  “Oh.” She smiled. “No problem. I mean, you deserved more than just a letter, but at the time I didn’t think you’d listen to me.”

  “You’re probably right.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Anyway, the musical is coming along pretty good.”

  “Oh, I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Clarisa is doing a good job with Golde.”

  Megan smiled. “I knew she would.”

  “Not as good as you would’ve.”

  She let out a sad sigh. “You know, Jack, I would’ve much rather continued with the musical than the prom campaign.”

  “I know. You explained that in the letter.”

  Now she didn’t know what to say.

  “Anyway, there’s a rumor going around . . .”

  She made a forced laugh. “You mean that I’m taking a girl to prom?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s just a rumor.”

  “No, I mean that you don’t have a date.”

  “Oh . . . that rumor.” She pressed her lips together, wondering what he was getting at—after all, hadn’t she heard he was taking Clarisa?

  “So it’s true?”

  “Uh-huh.” She tried to look nonchalant. She was not going to get her hopes up.

  “Well, I got to thinking . . . Maybe I reacted a little strongly when you quit the musical. To be honest, it had been kind of a bad day. And rehearsal hadn’t been too great. I think I was in a bad mood.”

  “You seemed pretty mad that day.”

  He nodded. “I was. But not completely at you.”

  “Oh.” Was she imagining this? Or was he asking her to prom again?

  “Anyway, if you don’t have a date and you’d like to give me another shot . . .” He made a nervous smile.

  “Are you asking me to prom, Jack?”

  His brown eyes got bigger. “Yeah. You want to go with me?”

  “I’d be honored to go with you.”

  “You forgive me for being such a jerk then?” He still looked a little worried.

  “Of course.”

  He nodded. “And I forgive you.”

  She threw her arms around him. “It’s a date.”

  After the hug ended, he gave her a sheepish smile. “Uh . . . we’ll still have to use your car, okay?”

  She explained about the limo and how she was fixing dinner at her house. He brightened. “Cool. I was getting a little worried about how expensive this was going to be.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m a cheap date.” She laughed.

  20

  By the end of the week, Megan was actually looking forward to prom, although she was probably most looking forward to having it all behind her by the weekend. Not that she wasn’t glad to be going with Jack. Or relieved that her dress alterations had been successful. It was just so stressful knowing that she still had to stand up in front of everyone, smiling congenially as Amanda was crowned prom queen. Her one last form of public humiliation. Still, she was determined to hold her head high and then to have fun for the remainder of the evening.

  It wasn’t that she thought Amanda didn’t deserve the crown. In fact, she planned to secretly vote for her, simply to help ensure that Hallie had less of a chance to win. Not that she thought Hallie had much of a chance anyway. But when Hallie showed up with a “salsa party” during the lunch hour—complete with Mexican music and virgin margaritas and some very enthusiastic fans, Megan wasn’t so sure. She had to admit it was clever.

  “Don’t worry.” Chelsea nodded to where the party seemed to be growing by the minute. “They’re just there for the food.”

  Megan chuckled. “Can’t blame them for that. Those mini tacos and chimichangas look pretty tempting.”

  “Speaking of food, what’s on the menu tonight?” Lishia asked.

  “Italian,” Megan told them.

  “Yum!” Janelle smacked her lips.

  “My mom made her famous lasagna, and I’m making manicotti.” Megan grinned. “The rest is a surprise, but trust me, I think it’ll be good.” The truth was, Megan had probably put as much thought and energy into tonight’s dinner menu and preparations as she put into the prom. She didn’t even care that dinner was taking so much of her time. If her friends enjoyed themselves at her house, she felt that the evening would be off to a decent start.

  “You sure you don’t need help with any of it?” Chelsea asked again.

  “No.” Megan firmly shook her head. “I want you guys to just come and have fun. Everything’s under control.”

  Even so, she drove directly home from school that afternoon and went straight to work. Mom was letting her use the good china and crystal and silver. “Why not?” Mom had said. “We hardly ever use it anyway. What’s it for if not to use?”

  Still, Megan was careful as she set the table in the dining room. She’d put in the leaf to make it comfortable for eight. She’d also gotten fresh flowers and had candles ready to light, as well as a good selection of songs already on the MP3 player. She was just finishing up the green salad when Arianna and Olivia came home from their soccer game.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Arianna told her.

  “It’s okay.” Megan pointed to Olivia. “Did you remember to bring your server clothes?”

  “Black pants and white shirt.” Olivia said.

  “And there are some tea towels to use as your aprons.” Megan demonstrated how they could be lapped over a ribbon and tied to make them look like waiters in a fancy restaurant.

  “This is fun,” Olivia said with enthusiasm.

  “And we still get paid, right?” Arianna said to Megan.

  “Not just in pizza either,” Megan assured them. “Although you’re welcome to leftovers. There should be plenty.” She glanced at the clock. “Mom should be home in a few minutes and—”

  “You should go get ready.” Arianna gently pushed her.

  “Yeah,” Olivia urged. “Don’t you have to do your hair and stuff?”

  Megan shrugged. “I’m not putting my hair up.”

  “You have to put it up,” Arianna insisted. “It will look so elegant.”

  “I’m terrible at putting it up,” Megan confessed. “I’ll just wear it down.”

  “Let me call my mom,” Olivia suddenly pulled out her phone. “She does hair. She used to be a hairdresser before I was born.”

  “That’s right!” Arianna said eagerly. “She’s great with hair.”

  Megan just held up her hands. “Whatever.”

  “Go get ready,” Arianna said again. “You’re burning daylight. And Mom won’t want you around while she’s playing head chef anyway.”

  “Okay.” Megan took one last glance around the kitchen. Everything really did seem to be in good shape.

  “Hurry!” Arianna urged her. “And don’t forget to take a shower.”

  Megan chuckled as she went upstairs. Did Arianna honestly think she’d forget to take a shower? However, the truth was, she was not looking forward to getting dressed for the “big night.” It was probably partially due to all the criticism she’d gotten from Belinda and partly because she still felt like such a fraud. But, she reminded herself, she had to do her best for her friends. They expected her to at least act like a candidate. She owed them that much.

  After a quick shower, Megan slipped on the dress. Despite being taken in and fitting her figure much better, it was still comfortable. The zipper went up fairly easily. Plus the satiny fabric had just a little bit of give in it, so it was still comfortable to sit in. Not that she planned to sit all night, but it was nice knowing she wouldn’t bust a seam if she bent over. She was just putting on her shoes—rather Belinda’s shoes—when Olivia’s mother knocked on her partially open door.

  “Megan?” she called. “It’s Ruth.”

  “Come in.” Megan opened the door fully. She’d only met Olivia’s mom a couple of times. “Sorry that Olivia dragged you into this.”

  “Nonsense. I think it’ll be fun.” Ruth set a small case on the dresser and pointed to the mirror. “Stand right here and I’ll get straight to work. The girls said we don’t have much time.”

  Megan glanced at the clock by her bed. “Yeah. My friends should be here in about fifteen minutes, and I still have—”

  “Hold still.” Ruth was vigorously brushing Megan’s hair now. “How about a loose updo,” she suggested. “With some up and some down?”

  “Whatever you think is best.”

  Ruth looked surprised. “You seem awfully laid-back for a girl who’s running for prom queen.”

  Megan laughed. “Well, I don’t expect to win.”

  “That might be so, but how about I put in a few extra hairpins just in case someone sticks a crown up here, okay?”

  “Whatever.”

  “Do you plan to wear a bit of makeup?” Ruth asked as she used a curling iron on some tendrils of hair.

  “I put on lip gloss.”

  “Mind if I do a little touch-up?” Ruth smiled. “I learned makeup at cosmetology school too.”

  Megan frowned. “I just want to look natural—you know, like myself.”

  “I can respect that. I promise to keep it light. You’ll look like yourself, only better. Okay?”

  Megan wasn’t so sure. But as she looked more closely at her hair, which actually looked great, her confidence grew. “Okay. If you think so.”

  Ruth turned Megan away from the mirror now. “Just relax, honey.”

  Megan took in a deep breath, and as Ruth quietly worked, she prayed that she wouldn’t come out looking like a drag queen.

  “Oh, Megan,” Mom gushed as she came into the room. “You look gorgeous!”

  “Really?” Megan blinked.

  “Careful of the mascara,” Ruth warned.

  “Really beautiful.” Mom nodded eagerly, keeping her hands behind her back.

  “How’s dinner?” Megan asked nervously. “Did you put the bread in to warm and—”

  “Everything’s under control. Remember our agreement. You do the first part and let me do the rest. Right?”

  Megan nodded. “Right.”

  Mom pulled out her jewelry box and opened it. “I just wanted to see if there’s something in here you’d like to wear tonight, sweetie.”

  “Really?” Megan stared down into the box. Mom actually had some pretty nice pieces of jewelry. Dad had been generous when they’d been together.

  “Why not?” Mom pulled out a pendant and held it up. “The big stone is just a garnet, but the small stones are diamonds.”

  “That’s nice with the dress,” Ruth observed.

  “Or the pearls.” Mom held up a strand. “Or are they too matronly?”

  “They’re all pretty,” Megan declared. “How can I decide?”

  They watched as she tried on various pieces and combinations and finally settled on the garnet pendant, diamond stud earrings, and a garnet cocktail ring.

  “How’s that?” Mom asked as Megan took one last look at her reflection.

  “I feel like a princess,” Megan admitted.

  “Well, here’s to you being crowned queen,” Ruth said as she closed her case.

  Megan was just thanking both of them when the doorbell rang.

  “That’s probably your guests,” Mom said. “I told the girls to serve appetizers and champagne in the living room.”

  “Champagne?” Ruth looked alarmed.

  “Sparkling cider,” Mom explained.

  Megan thanked them both again, then hurried down to greet her friends. Of course, they all looked gorgeous—even the guys. “You look fantastic,” Jack told her as he helped her with a wrist corsage. It was tiny dark pink roses tied with a silver ribbon.

  “Thank you.” She held up her wrist. “This is beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as you,” he said quietly.

  She beamed at him. This was so much more than she’d expected. “Thanks. You look great too.”

  “Everyone looks so glamorous,” she told the others as she led them to the living room. “Very Hollywood.”

  “All ready for the red carpet,” Lishia said happily.

  “Look at this.” Chelsea picked up one of the carefully made appetizers, holding it up for the others to see. “Very uptown, Megan.” She winked. “By the way, you look gorgeous too.”

  Everyone seemed to relax as they munched on the appetizers, and by the time dinner was ready, the eight of them were having so much fun that one of the guys suggested they just skip the prom altogether.

  “We can’t do that,” Chelsea said as they headed into the dining room. “We have to see Megan get crowned tonight.”