Free Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson

abandoning me like this. Finally, I decide that I'll think about that tomorrow. Right now, I have homework to finish.
    For the next couple of days, I maintain the charade that I'm still going to the homecoming dance. Not only that, but true to my word, I speak to Caleb on Lily's behalf. And by the end of the day, she too is going to the dance. Now Bristol is the only one not going. But she could go if she wanted to. Obviously not with Jayden, but there are lots of other guys who would ask her, if she'd just give one of them a little encouragement. But it seems she'd rather feel sorry for herself-and aim all her poison darts at me.
    At least some of my financial stress is relieved when I actually do get paid. It's not a big check, but I can't believe how comforting it feels to have real money in my purse as well as some food at home. Even so, there's no way I can afford a dress and everything for the dance and still have food to eat. And although I feel guilty, like I'm kind of leading Jayden on, I also keep hoping that something might happen to change my lot. Some miraculous way that would allow me to pull it off. Like maybe my mom would come home with a suitcase full of money. I've imagined Ben and her gambling in Vegas, hitting the big one, and coming home filthy rich. I'm sure I could forgive both of them for everything if that really happened.
    I'm also still considering pawning the TV and DVD player. That might bring in enough to get me to the dance. But pretending I'm still going to homecoming with Jayden isn't my only lie. I'm also keeping up the pretense of having a very sick mom at home. So far I've only told Jayden and Isabella these stories. But by midweek, I've already "taken my mom to the doctor," where I was told that it'll be "touch and go" for a while and that "my mom may have to be hospitalized if she doesn't get better."
    "So I really need to stick around home," I tell Isabella when she drops me at the condo on Friday, which happens to be my night off-the first day I haven't worked since Sunday. But caring for my mom is the only excuse I can come up with for not going dress shopping with her and Lily this weekend. "You do understand, don't you?"
    "Sure, but don't wait too long to get your dress, Adele. All the good ones will be gone."
    "I'm looking some online, too," I assure her as I get out of the car. And this is true. I've been searching for bargain dresses and shoes, and to my surprise, there seem to be some real possibilities. The only problem is I don't have a credit card.
    I'm just inside the condo, where my mom is still AWOL, when my cell phone rings. It's Jayden. "Hey," I tell him, "I thought you were at a soccer match."
    "I am, but it's halftime."
    "Who's winning?"
    "We are, of course."
    "Good for you. I wish I could've come to see it."
    "That's okay. I understand. By the way, how is your mom doing?"
    "About the same." I turn on the lights in the kitchen. This is pretty much my standard answer now.
    "Well, I got an idea. I thought maybe I could come by your place with a pizza later on tonight."
    "But aren't you worried about germs?"
    "No, remember I got my flu shot when I took my grandma for hers yesterday."
    "Oh, yeah . . ." Now I'm trying to think of some other reason to talk him out of this plan, and yet the idea of spending an evening with Jayden is tempting.
    "I just thought I could keep you company. It must get old being stuck at home like that."
    I look around the condo and wonder if there's a way I can pull this off. I think I deserve a break after working all week. I imagine Jayden here with me, just the two of us. And pizza, after a week of old folks' dinners, sounds heavenly. "Okay, come on over.
    "Great! So I'll see you around seven."
    "Can't wait." As I hang up, I wonder if I've made a mistake. I could be blowing my own cover. But already I'm concocting a plan. "Mom" will be barricaded in her room-I'll even make it look like someone's in her bed just in case. But she'll be resting, and