Free Prom Date by Melody Carlson Page B

didn’t want anyone in the DG to try to set her up either. Hadn’t they all agreed that this time—it was up to the boys to do the asking? Well, she didn’t know about the rest of the DG, but Cassidy was determined to stick to her guns. If Lane didn’t invite her, she was content to stay home.
    When she got home, Cassidy went online to see if her article had been uploaded onto the school’s website yet. Not only was it posted, but there were a number of comments as well. Most of them were positive and supportive, but there were a few from some of the disgruntled guys. Including, she was surprised to see, one from Lane.
    It’s nice to see the prom committee cares about helping others and I have to agree that Sofia Ruez’s leukemia treatments are a worthwhile cause. But I want to challenge the prom committee. What if you just held a plain old fund-raiser—something we could all get behind? Why do you have to attach the fund-raising to anevent that most of the student body doesn’t even want to attend? What if you created a more inclusive event that invited everyone to participate? Wouldn’t you raise more money to help Sofia? Just saying.
    My Two Cents,
Lane Granger
    Cassidy read Lane’s post a couple of times and, despite herself, she thought it made real sense. In fact, she totally agreed with him. At the same time, she realized that she was on the prom committee. She was supposed to be supportive of prom. And if she told Bryn her concerns, she might be considered the enemy.
    Cassidy wrestled with this for a bit and finally decided she didn’t care if she offended Bryn. The truth was the truth and what was right was right. In this case, even if it meant sacrificing prom, she felt that Lane really was right. So she shot off a comment to the school’s blog, admitting that she agreed with Lane. Then, to avoid feeling two-faced, she sent Bryn a quick text, suggesting she check out the prom comments on the school’s website. Okay, she felt a little guilty when she hit Send. But, hey, she was just being honest . . . and true to herself. And the sooner Bryn knew it, the better it would be for everyone.
    Cassidy felt a sense of relief as she helped her mom to get dinner ready. She’d never been that enthused about being on prom committee in the first place. But she was glad to help with a fund-raiser for Sofia.
    â€œIs that your phone?” Mom asked as Cassidy was chopping a tomato.
    Cass paused to hear her phone beeping, and a quick check revealed that the text was from Bryn. She did not sound happy.
    What do u mean? Answer phone. Now .
    Suddenly Cass’s phone was jingling. Of course, it was Bryn. “Hey, Bryn.” Cassidy made an apologetic smile to her mom, stepping into the laundry room. “What’s up?” she asked innocently.
    â€œThat’s what I want to know. I feel like I just got stabbed in the back. By a friend too.”
    â€œSorry, but when I read Lane’s—”
    â€œYou’re on prom committee ,” Bryn said sharply. “We’re supposed to be on the same team. I was counting on you, Cass. What about Sofia?”
    â€œI’m still on board for a fund-raiser, but—”
    â€œYou betrayed us when you wrote that comment on the school’s blog, Cass. Everything we worked for today—you just blew it all off. And you were there, you saw how hard we worked to gain what little ground we got. I can’t believe you’re undermining prom like this.”
    â€œAm I not allowed to have my own opinion?” Cassidy demanded.
    â€œOf course. As long as you agree with me.”
    Cass laughed. “Yeah . . . right.”
    â€œSo you don’t want to help Sofia?”
    â€œYou know I do. But I think Lane is right. I think we can help her more if we hold an event that everyone in the school can come to—something they’ll all want to attend.”
    â€œThat’s