Free The Dating Deal by Melanie Marks Page B

tools than I’d realized.
     
    I stared at Brian.
     
    It was late.  I was tired.  And I knew what I had to do.  “Brian,” I said, “did you know I’m a Mormon?”
     
    “Uh, yeah.  I’d heard something about that,” he said, sounding confused, as though wondering why I was bringing it up.  So, I enlightened him.
     
    “Well, I don’t drink or go to parties.  And the boys I date can’t drink or go to parties and they have to be Mormon.”  I looked at him inquisitively.  “Do you want me to send the missionaries over to your house?”
     
    Brian took a step back.  “Uh, well, no.  I don’t think so.”
     
    “No?”  I tried to sound disappointed.  After all, I still needed him to be my partner.  “Well, that’s okay, I guess.  I understand.  You and Raven make a really cute couple.”
     
    Brian looked confused.  “Thanks.”
     
    My work here finished, I started for the house, but then turned back.  “Why don’t you invite Raven to our next practice?” I said, feeling inspired.  “How about tomorrow morning before school?”
     

chapter 15
     
     
     
     
    Raven came to our next duet practice, but she still gave me dirty looks.  I tried to put myself in her shoes, though.  After all, I remembered how unhappy I was when Conner and I were still together and he started spending so much time with Laura.  Let me tell you, I was one scowling puppy.
     
    But still, I was bummed.  Discouraged.  I’d thought inviting Raven to come to our practices would help, but it didn’t.  She and Brian argued the whole time.  About everything.  It was like watching a bad made-for T.V. movie—a lame one that you’d change the channel on, only the remote is clear across the room and you’re mega tired. But it seemed too contrived.  No one in true life could fight that much.
     
    Only, apparently, they could.
     
    Because they did.
     
    And it was bringing me down.  Big time.
     
    “Don’t you think we’re way better than the last time you saw us?” I asked Raven, trying to get rid of the thick, dark cloud hovering in the room.  Trying to bring in a little light.
     
    She rolled her eyes.  “Yeah.  I guess.”
     
    I smiled broadly, acting as though she had exclaimed, “Oh yes!  You’re great!”
     
    “Me too!” I said enthusiastically.
     
    Raven just rolled her eyes again. 
     
    When the bell finally rang for class, I practically did cartwheels I was so excited to get away.  Free!  Free!  At last free!  
     
    “See ya,” I said, and ran for the door. 
     
    *  *  *  *  *
     
    Trent raised his eyebrows when he saw me at lunch.  “What happened to you?”
     
    I put my hand over the huge, black bruise on my forehead.  “Conner did it.”
     
    I was explaining yesterday’s episode when Caitlin passed by.  Of course, she stopped to shoot the breeze, being as cheerful as always. 
     
    “I know this isn’t really happening, Trent,” she said.  “You suddenly changing so much.  Suddenly going to school dances and dating ‘Megan the Mormon.’”  She was about to march away, but then turned back, saying it again, “Megan the Mormon!”  She huffed it as though it was inconceivable.  “What are you going to do, Trent?” she sneered.  “Stop drinking and start going to church?”
     
    Trent took my hand, looking into my eyes.  Suddenly, I couldn’t move.  Or breathe.  Or remember my name.  “Maybe,” he said.
     
    Caitlin, Nina, and I—we all blinked.  “Huh?”
     
    Caitlin shook her head with disgust.  “This is too much.”
     
    This time she did storm away, fuming.
     
    I took a sip of my water, trying to gain composure.  But I could still feel the warmth of Trent’s hand.  It’s just an act , I told myself.  The hand holding, the words, all of it—just an act .  But it was hard to convince myself of that.  Because it didn’t feel like an act, not to me.
     

chapter 16
     
     
     
     
    Saturday morning, the day of the dance, I