He's With Me by Tamara Summers Page A

said.
    “But, Colin, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. Or say. Or wear . Oh my God .”
    “Who cares?” Colin said. “It’s just Jake. He doesn’t care what you wear.”
    Sadly true , Lexie thought. “Okay,” she said, “but Sally will be reporting right back to Bree. So I have to at least pretend to care.” That’s my story, anyways. So Colin doesn’t notice how much I actually do care .
    “You’ll figure it out,” Colin said. “You don’t need your dumb brother’s help.
    I vote for Indian or Mexican. You decide.”
    He dropped two menus on the counter next to her and left the room, Thorn
    and Alanna pattering along behind him. Lexie stared at the door. What on earth
    was wrong with Colin?

Chapter 6
    Colin wasn’t the only one acting bizarre. Mrs. Willis kept giving Lexie tiny smiles all through dinner Tuesday night. On Wednesday she left a pile of nail polish and
    makeup on Lexie’s desk. And on Thursday evening she suggested a shopping trip,
    “just us girls,” even though she knew Lexie hated shopping. Lexie wasn’t about to
    be bossed into tennis and shopping in one week, so she said no.
    “Are you sure, sweetheart?” her mom said. “We could get you something
    nice to wear. In case you need it sometime soon. For anything.”
    Aha . Lexie’s mom was on to her. Mrs. Kim must have told her about the
    double date. Lexie was kind of impressed that her mom had managed not to ask
    Lexie a million questions right away.
    “Oh, no, I don’t need anything,” Lexie said. Her mom’s face fell, and Lexie
    felt a twinge of guilt. “Besides, Mom,” she added, trying to be nice, “you’re a
    much better shopper than I am. I like the stuff you get me.” It was true. With the
    exception of the bikini, Mrs. Willis’s taste in clothes was remarkable. Sometimes
    Lexie thought it was the only thing keeping her out of the ranks of the true dorks
    of the school.
    “All right,” Mrs. Willis said, hovering in the doorway. “If you’re sure.”
    “Uh-huh,” Lexie said. “Thanks.”
    As her mom closed the door, Lexie crawled over the bad and knocked three
    times on the wall, the signal for Colin to come over. Then she started pulling
    clothes out of her closet.
    “What?” Colin said, opening the door and poking his head around.
    “Come help me decide what to wear tomorrow,” Lexie said.
    “No way,” Colin said.
    “Colin!”
    “That’s girl stuff.”
    “And where am I supposed to find a girl to help me with this?” Maybe if
    Karina weren’t all the way in China ... although Karina had never really cared about clothes, either.
    Colin shrugged. “Ask Mom.”
    “Yeah, right,” Lexie said. “So, should I lie to her and say I’m suddenly dating
    Jake, who’s been our friend for three years, or should I explain that I’m only
    pretend dating him to protect him from another girl? Which of those fantastic stories do you think she’d like best?”
    “Whatever,” Colin said. “I see skirts, so I’m leaving.”
    “Colin!” But he had already shut the door with a firm click.
    Lexie hesitated, looking at the scattered hangers and folds or fabric. Was
    this a fancy date? The diner wasn’t exactly a fancy place. So was it more of a jeans
    and T-shirt event? She didn’t want to look like she’d made too much effort, but
    she didn’t want to underdress, either. She tried to remember the time difference
    in China. But her parents had set strict rules about when and for how long she
    could talk to Karina, and their next phone date wasn’t for another week. She’d
    have to find her girly advice elsewhere.
    Her hands shook a little as she picked up the phone and dialed. Sure, Sally
    was probably only doing this date thing because Bree told her to. But she couldn’t
    lie about what she was going to wear. So maybe her advice could be useful, in just
    this one situation.
    “Oh, howdy- doo , Lexie,” Mrs. Kim said with the significant emphasis one
    might use to say, “You are the next