Free Cape High Christmas: A Side Story (Cape High Series) by R.J. Ross Page B

and dresses are everywhere, much to the group's general irritation.
    "Do we HAVE to dress up like this?" Ward mutters, tugging at his own tie.
    "Boy, you get that tail on the bus this instant!" Alyssa says, pointing. "This is CHRISTMAS! And we will NOT forget the reason for the season! That's why we dress up--it's a show of respect!" She sounds EXACTLY like her mother, she thinks with inward amusement.
    "What happens if I accidentally outgrow my suit, huh?" he asks.
    "Then you go naked," she tells him, not even blinking at the threat, "and you best remember that we're being filmed--the entire super world will see your skinny white backside sitting in church," she declares threateningly. He turns bright red and boards the bus, shooting her one last dark look out the window.
    Once everyone is onboard, even the non-dorm kids and the adults from the dorms (other than Ken and Jeanie), she heads onto the bus, herself. She absently notes that the only one that looks comfortable in his suit and tie is Max. Even Trent is squirming a bit. "We have been kindly invited to join Pastor Ken's church for the morning," she tells them. "You will behave, no running around--"
    "But--but--" Carla says, squirming and waving her hand. "What if we have to go potty during church?" she asks.
    "Then you tell one of the adults, discreetly leave the room and come right back after you're done," Alyssa says, trying not to roll her eyes. Making Carla sit still for anything is a pain, just ask her teachers. "No running," she repeats firmly.
    "We got it," Freddy says, "right, everyone?"
    Everyone agrees and Alyssa sits down in the front next to Banshee, taking a deep breath. Of course she's nervous--she's going to sing in front of everyone, including a professional singer. Sure she's never been a Justin fan, but he's STILL paid to do what she's about to do, right? Is it too late to back out? She'd actually just asked to do a solo, but she'd somehow fallen into something WAY bigger--but she sort of expected it, since it's so close to Christmas...
    She pulls out her phone, almost calling Jeanie. She manages to stop herself just in time. She's been practicing with Jeanie AND Banshee for a week. (She'd asked, Banshee called it extra credit instead of helping with her advent day.)
    They pull to a stop in front of a tiny building--a part of a strip mall. As a group they get off, heading into the church. Alyssa heads straight for Jeanie, who drags her into a hug so tight that she has to squirm to try and get her breath back. "This is going to be perfect," Jeanie tells her silently. Alyssa nods, pulling back and turning to face the group that's gathered behind them.
    "Everyone, this is my helper, Jeanie," she says as Jeanie takes her hand. "We didn't know each other before this, so it's a really big thing that she's going so far to help me," she adds.
    "I LOVED every minute of it!" Jeanie says, giving her a brilliant grin. "You're all in for such a treat! Alyssa--"
    "I haven't told them about that part," Alyssa whispers.
    "Oh! Well, you're in for SUCH a treat!" Jeanie repeats, practically bouncing with excitement. "Let's go on in!" she says, clapping her hands and leading the group into the church. Inside, the place is decorated to the hilt, complete with a massive nativity scene to the side and poinsettias covering the steps of the alter. The podium is gone, though, and the choir are already in place--save for a chair to the side. Alyssa motions the group to sit down and takes her coat off, revealing her long white dress. It's probably the prettiest thing she's ever owned, and it was a gift from Jeanie. "You look so beautiful!" Jeanie says, hugging her again. "I knew that would suit you."
    Alyssa feels a blush crossing her cheeks, and glances into the audience. There, right in the front row, is her entire family. Her mama is ALREADY crying, she realizes. Her face gets redder. "Thank you," she says shyly.
    "No, sweetie, thank YOU," Jeanie says before heading to her