Free Katy's Homecoming by Kim Vogel Sawyer Page B

problem.”
    Katy looked from Trisha to Cora. “Why can’t I wear my church shoes?”
    “Are they high-heeled?” Cora asked.
    “Not really. They’re kind of like my tennis shoes, only black, and —”
    The other two girls groaned. They chorused,“Grandma shoes!”
    Several kids looked in their direction and snickered. Katy’s ears heated.
    “You really need something else,” Cora insisted. “Strappy, with a spiky heel. Something sexy, to match the dress.”
    Sexy?
Katy got an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. “But —”
    Trisha shrugged. “Don’t sweat it. We’ll work it out.”
    “Yeah, Katy.” Cora grinned. “Just trust us — we’ll get you all taken care of. You’ll
be
the sophomore attendant, and we’ll show Jewel you belong up there as homecoming royalty.”

    Katy hurried through the hallway toward Mr. Gorsky’s room. She’d looked forward to forensics class all day. Their principal interrupted fifth period and announced that the forensics team had earned nine medals and took third place overall in the tournament at Minneapolis, but he hadn’t named the individual winners. Katy hoped Bryce had won a medal. She wanted to be able to congratulate him. She whirled around the corner and nearly ran directly into Marlys, who was moving in the opposite direction.
    Marlys scowled. “Sheesh, watch where you’re going. Is that hat blocking your view, or what?” She zipped past Katy and disappeared around the corner.
    Katy stared after Marlys, irritation and embarrassment making her wish she could yell an insult that would cutMarlys as deeply as Marlys often cut her. But even if she thought of something, Katy probably wouldn’t say it. She didn’t have the nerve, and she’d been taught to treat others the way she wanted to be treated. She only wished Marlys — and a few other girls — had been taught the same lesson.
    Stifling a sigh, she entered the forensics classroom. She sank into her familiar seat and watched her classmates goof off, the way they always did before the bell rang. Sometimes they continued even after the bell rang. Bryce was in the midst of several other students, talking and laughing. He caught her eye and grinned, and she hoped he might separate himself from the group and come talk to her. But he didn’t. So she unzipped her backpack, removed her forensics folder, and sniffed to control the sting of tears.
    Mr. Gorsky strode into the room and clapped his hands together. “Everybody, take a seat and quiet down.”
    “But this is a celebration day, Mr. G,” one of the boys called. “After our victory in Minneapolis, don’t we get a day off?”
    Mr. Gorsky shook his head. “Nope. We’ll take our day off after the final tournament. Until then, we’ve got work to do. So settle down, gang.”
    With good-natured mutters, the students slouched into their desks. As soon as everyone was seated, Mr. Gorsky addressed the class. “This is very short notice, but I received a call today from the forensics coach at Hill City. They’re hosting a tournament on the twenty-seventh and need two more schools to participate, or they’ll have to cancel.”
    “But that’s the Saturday after homecoming.” The reminder came from one of the senior girls. “We’ve got the dance after the game. It’d be pretty hard to get up for a tournament after being out so late.”
    Mr. Gorsky nodded and held up one hand. “I know, Whitney. That’s why I initially didn’t sign up for it, but —” Marlys bustled into the room, waving a piece of paper. She handed it to Mr. Gorsky then dropped into the seat next to Bryce. Katy tried not to stare when Marlys tipped sideways and whispered something into Bryce’s ear, and Bryce smiled and nodded in response.
    Mr. Gorsky glanced at the paper then set it on the desk behind him. He went on as if Marlys hadn’t interrupted. “There might be some of you who aren’t planning to go to the dance.”
    Every student looked in Katy’s direction. Fire lit