Double Date (16 page)

“I know this video seems like a shocking contrast when we're talking about something like a slightly decadent Christmas ball,” she began somberly. “I doubt that anyone in this room can truly relate to the kind of poverty these children experience every single day of their lives—or the disappointment they will feel when Santa seems to have forgotten them . . . again. So I want to take a moment to ask every single one of you to consider this question: What can you do to help a needy child during the upcoming Christmas season?”

As planned, the stage went dark for a few seconds. The audi
torium was silent—as if the crowd was actually considering her challenge. Then suddenly the lights came on and, with “Jingle Bell Rock” playing, the two stylish elves danced out towing their flashy sleigh. Emma and Felicia were boogying and jumping around—until they stopped center stage and bent over to peer into the sleigh. Exclaiming that it was empty, the two girls collapsed into loud sobs and the cheery music dwindled, replaced by an old Elvis tune about having a blue, blue Christmas.

Abby could tell that the audience was both amused and confused. Perfect.

Feeling confident that her mission was nearly accomplished, Abby returned to the mike. This time she spoke with excited animation. “Okay, everyone, you heard that the Christmas ball is free this year. But now I'm going to tell you exactly how and why it's free.” Abby explained Project Santa Sleigh and how every double date was expected to create some kind of sleigh and to fill it with gifts for needy children. “That will be considered your admission into the dance. But that's not all.” She held up a finger. “You and your dates will be expected to adopt a child or two or even a family, and everything you put into your sleigh will be delivered to them—helping them to have a truly wonderful Christmas.”

As Abby finished, Amanda and Bryn and Jason danced back onto the stage and when the music faded, Bryn grabbed the mike. “Well, that's all fine and good, but it sounds like a lot of work to me—making a sleigh, filling it with stuff, finding kids who need some help.” She turned to Amanda. “Doncha think?”

Amanda nodded as she took the mike, pointing at the audience. “The truth is, we were a little worried that some of you lazy people might think this way too. So we decided you might need a little motivation, ya know?” She handed the mike to Jason.

“That's why we decided to turn Project Santa Sleigh into a
contest
!” He announced this like a contest in itself was fabulous
motivation. “I can't speak for you girls, but we guys tend to love competition. So everyone will be challenged to create the coolest sleigh, filled with the coolest stuff. Impartial judges will pick one double-date foursome as the winners.” He looked expectantly out to the crowd.

“Well, if it's a contest, shouldn't there be a prize?” Amanda asked.

“Yeah.” Bryn nodded. “We need a prize.”

“Is that right?” Jason called out to the crowd. “You guys think we need a prize?”

Everyone clapped and cheered.

“Well, it just so happens we've got some pretty cool prizes.” Jason continued building it up. “Since we knew you guys might be among the least motivated, we decided we needed something really off the hook to get you into this.” He made a dramatic pause. “You ready for this? Tell me, guys, have any of you ever been to the
Rose Bowl
before?” Naturally the crowd went wild. “That's right. We just happen to have two expenses-paid trips to the Rose Bowl—that's the prize for the male side of the winning double date.”

“Hey,” Amanda said, “what about the girls?”

“That's right,” Bryn added. “What about the girls?”

“You think girls wanna go to the Rose Bowl?” Jason frowned.

“No,” Bryn told him. “The girls I know would much rather go to something like . . . well, something like the
red carpet at
the Oscars.
Right, girls?” The girls in the audience cheered loudly.

“Well, how about that. I just happen to have—” Jason held up two fingers—“two tickets for an expenses-paid trip to the Oscars red carpet event—in
Hollywood
!”

Just as planned, confetti and streamers fell onto the stage as the music started to play loudly. The elves and the threesome danced happily about and everyone in the auditorium erupted in loud applause and enthusiastic cheers.

When it all died down, Bryn grabbed the mike again. “Okay, everyone, you know what this means. Get your double dates lined up and start working on Project Santa Sleigh. We'll have lots more information about the rules of the contest as well as resources for finding your children to help on the school's website.”

“Let the games begin!” Jason made a fist pump and the crowd continued to clap.

Abby couldn't have been more pleased when she finally exited the auditorium. Everything had gone off perfectly. The response from the crowd was even better than expected. As she headed for her locker, noticing the Christmas ball and Project Santa Sleigh posters that had been hung by some of the committee members while the assembly took place, she felt certain this project was off to a great start.

“Nice job.”

Abby turned in surprise to see her dad coming from behind her. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Your mother told me about how hard you've been working to put this assembly together. I had some time so I thought I'd pop in to see what you were up to.” He put an arm around her shoulders, giving her a warm squeeze. “I'm proud of you, honey.”

“Even though I gave up basketball?”

He made a crooked grin then nodded. “I think you made the right choice. I can't wait to see how Project Santa Sleigh turns out.”

Abby couldn't remember a happier moment as her dad walked her toward her locker. Now if only this whole thing would go off as smoothly as the assembly.

T
hat was so awesome!” Felicia exclaimed as she and Emma went backstage to change out of their elf outfits. “Thanks for letting me do it with you.”

“Thank
you
,” Emma said with enthusiasm. “It was a whole lot easier to go out there and act like goofballs with you by my side.”

“Goofballs?”
Felicia acted offended, then laughed. “Yeah, it was pretty silly, but it was still fun.”

“Thanks for helping with the sleigh too,” Emma said as she pulled off her cap.

“All I did was follow directions and glue things where you said to.”

“Well, it wouldn't have been nearly as glitzy without your help.” As Emma peeled off the magenta velveteen vest, she thought about Cassidy. She had been trying not to complain, but so far Cass had not been pulling her weight in regard to Project Santa Sleigh. Emma knew it was because Cass had been so focused on midterms and, being the academic of the group,
Cassidy always took a heavier load of classes. But even so, it felt unbalanced and slightly unfair.

“I just hope that I'll get a chance to be part of a double date,” Felicia said a bit glumly.

“Why wouldn't you?”

“Because of that stupid MyPlace page.” Felicia let out a long sigh. “What guy would want to ask me out now?”

“Well, that's just wrong.” Emma pulled on her jeans. “I'm surprised Tristin hasn't gotten in trouble for it yet.”

“Maybe she didn't really do it.” Felicia zipped her hoodie. “Remember a person should be considered innocent until proven guilty.”

“Yeah . . . right.” Emma grimaced to remember how Felicia hadn't been treated like that. “So do you still want to join our, uh, our club?”

Felicia's eyes lit up. “Really? You guys will let me?”

“I think so.” Emma pulled on a boot. “I'll have to check with the others, but the last time we talked about it, everyone had been open to it. Now that your name's been cleared . . .”

“Does that mean you guys will help me find a date to the dance?” Felicia asked hopefully.

Emma shrugged as she reached for her phone. “I can't promise anything.” She sent a quick text to the other DG members, asking them if they could have a brief meeting today or tomorrow. By the time she and Felicia were wheeling the sleigh toward the parking lot where Cassidy had promised to meet them to give them a ride home, the DG had already agreed to meet at Costello's at four. Naturally, Emma couldn't invite Felicia to this meeting.

“The assembly was awesome,” Cassidy said cheerfully as she drove to Felicia's house. “You guys were great little elves.”

“It was really fun,” Felicia said. “I was kinda sad when it was all over.”

“Maybe it's not all over,” Cassidy told them. “I heard Abby saying that she's going to ask you to be elves again for the skating party.”

“Skating party?” Felicia asked.

Cass told Felicia about the plan to invite all the kids involved in Project Santa Sleigh to a skating party to present the gifts.

“Naturally, that won't happen until after the Christmas ball,” Emma clarified as Cassidy pulled up to Felicia's house.

“I really hope I get to go—I mean, go to the dance and be part of a double date and do the competition and help the kids and everything.” Felicia crossed her fingers as she got out of the car. “Even if I don't get asked to the dance, it was fun helping you guys today.” She smiled brightly.

“Thanks again,” Emma called out.

“She's so sweet,” Cassidy said as she drove away.

“I know. It just doesn't seem fair that she should miss out on the dance—especially after she's been so much help with everything.”

“Yeah, I know.” Cassidy grinned at Emma. “Speaking of the dance, I have good news.”

“What?”

“Lane asked me to go with him! After seeing that video that Isaac and Kent put together, he's super excited about Project Santa Sleigh. And even more so after he heard about the prizes. It's like our plan is really working.”

“Uh-huh.” As much as she hated being like this, Emma was starting to feel slightly resentful toward Cassidy again. Here she'd gotten a date to the dance, but she'd done hardly a thing to help with Project Santa Sleigh.

“That doesn't sound very enthusiastic.” Cassidy frowned at Emma. “I thought you'd be happier for me.”

“I am.” Emma tried to inject mirth into her tone. “Lucky you.”

“Lucky you too.” Cassidy giggled. “Don't say you heard this from me, but Lane hinted that Isaac will be asking you soon.”

Emma couldn't help but smile. “Well, that is good news. I still feel sad for Felicia, though.” She told Cassidy about Felicia's concerns that no guy would want to take her. “In fact, that's why I called this meeting. I want Felicia to be part of the DG.”

“Hopefully everyone will agree with you,” Cassidy said as she parked in front of Costello's. “Just in case, you should be ready to make your case.” She pointed at a small red car. “Looks like Amanda is here too.”

“I still don't feel like she belongs in the DG,” Emma said quietly as they walked toward the coffeehouse.

“Yeah, I know.” Cass pulled open the door.

Soon they were seated with the other girls. Before Emma could present Felicia's case and ask for a vote, Amanda took over. “Did you guys hear the news yet?” she asked eagerly.

“What news?” Devon asked.

“Tristin's been expelled.”

“Seriously?” Bryn's blue eyes grew wide. “So she really did make the MyPlace page on Felicia?”

“So it seems.” Amanda scowled. “I had my suspicions all along, but Tristin kept telling me it wasn't her.”

“How do you know it was her?” Abby asked.

“She confessed.” Amanda grimly shook her head. “Stupid, stupid girl.”

“Stupid for confessing?” Emma demanded.

“No. Stupid for doing it.”

“Why
did
she do it?” Abby asked.

Amanda shrugged. “Who knows?”

“Because she's mean,” Emma declared. “Just plain mean.”

“And because of Marcus Zimmerman,” Cassidy added. “Because Tristin was into Marcus and he had been looking at Felicia. Tristin smeared Felicia.”

“Speaking of Felicia,” Emma said quickly, before they all went down another rabbit trail, “that's why I called this meeting. I want to nominate her for membership.”

“You gotta be kidding,” Amanda said.

“No. I'm not.” Emma frowned at Amanda. “In fact, I suspect if Tristin hadn't done what she did, Felicia would already be a member.”

“But that will make the DG an odd number,” Bryn pointed out. “What about the double date plan?”

“Speaking of the double date plan,” Devon said carefully, “I still need someone to double with me.”

“I thought you and Amanda were—”

“That was
before
 . . .” Amanda's brows arched slightly.

“Before
what
?” Devon demanded.

“Before you did exactly what Tristin did.” Amanda glared at Devon.

“I admit it was stupid. I only did it to help clear Felicia's name.”

“Two wrongs don't make a right,” Amanda said haughtily.

“Okay, okay.” Cassidy held up one hand as she clicked on her iPad. “Let's not turn this into a fight. Maybe it's time to go over the DG rules again.”

They all let out a moan.

“Fine,” Cassidy said. “But we were discussing voting in a new member. Let's deal with that before we move on to other business.”

Emma took the opportunity to make a quick impassioned plea for Felicia, reminding the girls of how she'd been slandered and expelled and then how she'd enthusiastically helped with the assembly today. “And she helped with making the sleigh too.” She glanced at Cassidy. “You should be grateful for that.”

Cass frowned. “Yeah . . . well, let's put it to a vote. All in favor?” Everyone except Amanda put up a hand.

“Amanda?” Emma said with irritation.

“Well, I'm just thinking,” Amanda said slowly. “If Felicia joins the DG, who will partner with her on the double date?”

No one said anything for a moment.

“I will,” Emma declared.

“But you're with me,” Cassidy reminded her.

“Felicia already helped me make the sleigh,” Emma gently pointed out. “And she helped me in the assembly today. Maybe it makes more sense for me to partner with her.”

“Yeah . . . I guess that makes sense.” But Cassidy looked both shocked and hurt.

Emma glanced back at Amanda now. “Especially since no one else wants to partner with Felicia. Now will you vote for her?”

“I'm still not sure,” Amanda said stubbornly.

“We need a unanimous vote,” Cassidy pointed out. “We still don't have it.”

Devon nudged Cassidy. “I'll partner with you,” she said eagerly. “I think Harris is going to ask me to the dance. He was actually flirting with me after the assembly.”

“Harris Martin is asking you?” Amanda said in disbelief.

“Maybe.” Devon looked uncertain.

“If we let Felicia in,” Bryn said slowly, “it'll be Emma and Felicia, Cassidy and Devon, and Abby and me.” She glanced at Amanda.

“What about me?” Amanda said in a slightly whiny tone.

“What about you?” Devon said nonchalantly. “You turned up your nose at me. Now it appears there's no one left.”

“What about Sienna?” Bryn suggested. “She'll be without a partner now that Tristin's expelled.”

“But she's not in the DG,” Cassidy pointed out.

“Maybe that doesn't matter,” Emma added. “It's not like—”

“Why
can't
Sienna be in the DG?” Amanda demanded. “If we vote Felicia in, why not vote Sienna in too? She's interested. In fact, I'll vote for Felicia if you guys let Sienna in.”

“Isn't that like blackmail?” Emma asked the others.

“I think Amanda needs to make a case for Sienna—just like Emma did for Felicia,” Devon told them.

Amanda sat up straighter. “Fine. I will. For starters Sienna is a very nice person. She's very honest and hardworking and smart.”

“I can vouch for the last part,” Cassidy told them. “I have Sienna in some classes. She is hardworking and smart.”

“Here's something you may not know,” Amanda said quietly. “Sienna has never been on a real date.”

“Seriously?” Devon looked shocked. “But she's so pretty and popular.”

“Her parents wouldn't let her date until she turned seventeen.”

“Well, she's a senior,” Cassidy pointed out. “How old is she?”

“Seventeen.” Amanda took a sip of coffee.

“Does she have a date for the dance?” Bryn asked.

“Not yet, but she wants to go.” Amanda pointed at them. “And that's how the DG can help.”

“Helping Sienna get a date should be easy enough,” Bryn told her.

“Says you,” Abby teased. “Don't forget you haven't gotten yourself a date yet.”

“I could go with Jason if I wanted to,” Bryn pointed out.

“Then why don't you?” Amanda challenged her.

“Because I don't want to.” Bryn stuck out her chin.

“Back to Sienna and Felicia,” Cassidy said grumpily. “Some of us don't have all night, you know.”

They discussed it all some more, but before the meeting adjourned, they had admitted two new members—and everyone seemed to be fairly happy about it. Everyone except Cassidy, that is. As Cass drove Emma home, she seemed to be in a serious snit.

“Are you mad that I'm partnering with Felicia on this?” Emma asked when Cassidy pulled up to her house.

“Not exactly mad . . . just hurt.” Cassidy turned to look at Emma. “I feel kind of blindsided.”

“But no one else wanted to go with Felicia.”

“I know.”

“And she'd been helping me already.”

“Yeah.” Cassidy let out a sigh. “I'll be okay with it, Em.”

“You and Devon have been getting along pretty good lately,” Emma said encouragingly.

Cassidy frowned. “Yeah . . . lately. But you never know what Devon might pull.”

“I'm sure you'll keep her in line,” Emma said as she opened the door.

“Right. Babysitting Devon—just what I want to do.”

“It'll all work out, Cass.” Emma grinned. “Don't forget, at least you have a
real
date. You should be celebrating that Lane asked you out. Remember?”

Cassidy brightened. “That's true. It might be interesting getting to know Devon better too. She might be unpredictable, but she sometimes comes up with some pretty clever ideas. You're right. It'll be okay.”

As Emma went into the house, she felt a little uncertain—or maybe even a little jealous. Had she been too hasty to let go of her partnership with Cassidy? After all, Cassidy was smart and motivated and trustworthy. For all Emma knew, Felicia might not even want to partner with Emma.

She peeled off her coat and pulled out her phone. She wanted to call Felicia and share the good news, but before she did this, she noticed she had a text from Isaac. He was asking if she had a date to the Christmas ball yet. Feeling excited at the prospect, she texted him back her answer then waited.

In less than a minute Isaac texted back, inviting her to go with him. Okay, she might've preferred being asked in person or even on the phone. But maybe this was for the best . . . considering
it was Isaac. So now she texted him back saying she would only go with him on two conditions: one, she wanted to double with Felicia, and two, Isaac had to get Marcus Zimmerman to ask her out. This time she waited for five minutes with no response.

Feeling saddened that she might've frightened him off, Emma decided to go ahead and call Felicia anyway. First she told her the good news, explaining more fully about what the Dating Games club was and even reading her the rules. “So do you want to be part of it?”