Prom Date by Melody Carlson Page B

sponsors and some donations from businesses.” Bryn rubbed her chin. “Maybe I’ll go to the Hartfords again. They’re the richest people I know. And they really care about kids and our school. They might be willing to help again.”
    â€œI still don’t quite see what this has to do with Sofia,” Emma complained.
    â€œOr how you plan to pull this off,” Cassidy said with skepticism.
    â€œOkay, let’s start at the beginning. We’ll be on prom committee,” Bryn started to explain. “Cass and Emma and me to start with. By the way, the first meeting is tomorrow after school, which means we need to get busy before then. At tomorrow’s meeting we’ll vote to raise the price of prom tickets and to turn prom into a fund-raiser.” She held up a forefinger. “Hey, maybe we could even have some other fund-raising events related to prom. And then, when it’s all said and done, all the proceeds will go to Sofia’s cancer treatment.” She beamed at them. “How about that?”
    Felicia’s dark eyes lit up. “Really? You would do that? Donate all the proceeds to my little sister’s treatment?”
    Bryn nodded firmly. “You bet we would. We want to help your sister. And turning prom into a fund-raiser would be a great way to raise money.”
    Abby was getting some mixed feelings right now. On one hand, she loved the idea of helping Felicia’s little sister. On the other hand, was Bryn just being opportunistic? Was she using this little girl’s very serious cancer diagnosis to garner enthusiasm for a prom that was in peril of perishing—and perhaps should be quietly buried?
    But suddenly everyone was talking at once and it was clearthat they were enthusiastic and supportive of the fund-raising prom idea. And Bryn was so excited about the possibilities. Abby knew this wasn’t the time and place to question her best friend’s true motives. Besides, how would it look to sound so negative and suspicious with Felicia so obviously thrilled by this idea? Talk about being a wet blanket. Abby decided to just keep her mouth shut.

6
    S ometimes Bryn felt like she’d make a good general. Not in a real army, of course, but she was good at leading the troops. And by the time she got home from the DG meeting, she was already preparing her battle plan. First she texted Emma and Cassidy, reminding them of tomorrow’s prom planning meeting, as well as assigning them tasks to have completed before the important meeting. After dinner, she called Mrs. Hartford, leaving a long message that explained her idea to turn prom into a fund-raiser for Sofia Ruez.
    â€œEveryone knows how prom can be considered such a selfish and shallow sort of event,” she said finally. “And I know how much you and Mr. Hartford believe in Northwood Academy—how you respect the school’s traditions and care about the students. I just think we could all do something really amazing this year. Similar to what we did with Project Santa Sleigh. Feel free to call me or text me or even use email to let me know if I can count on you for support. And, even if youare unable to partner with us on this, I just want to thank you again for all your support in the past. We really appreciate you.” Then she said a cheerful good-bye and hung up.
    First thing on Wednesday morning Bryn went to Mrs. Dorman’s office, since she was the staff member overseeing prom. She signed up herself, Emma, and Cassidy for prom committee.
    â€œI’m glad to see you taking interest in this,” Mrs. Dorman told her. “Last year it was like pulling teeth to get students to help with prom.”
    â€œWell, I believe in keeping traditions like prom alive,” Bryn assured her. “And I’ve heard rumors that there are some kids in our school who don’t feel the same.”
    Mrs. Dorman’s brows arched. “Really?”
    Bryn nodded.