12

Emma didn’t know what to expect when she showed up at Costello’s for the DG meeting. As far as she could tell, their club was turning into a disaster. Bryn was upset that Jason seemed to have gotten interested in Devon. Abby thought that Kent was interested in Bryn. Emma was still waiting for Isaac to step up to the plate. Ironically, it seemed that Cassidy was the only one enjoying a little success. Emma had witnessed the whole thing, and although she was glad for Cassidy’s sake, she was feeling left out.

“Can you believe it?” Cass chirped happily as they sat down at Costello’s with the other girls. “Lane asked me to the dance.”

“When did this happen?” Abby asked.

“Just a few minutes ago in the school parking lot.” Cassidy beamed at them. “I guess the DG really works.”

“Maybe for you,” Emma said glumly.

“This is so not fair,” Bryn complained to Cass. “You do the least work of any of us, and then you’re the one who lands the first date. How is that fair?”

Cassidy just shrugged.

“Well, it’s not over yet,” Devon told them. “It’s possible that we just need to regroup. That’s why I called this meeting.”

“Regroup as in you stealing Jason from me,” Bryn said hotly. She set her cup down so firmly that her mocha sloshed over the side.

“I am not stealing anyone,” Devon told her. “Can I help it if he’s more into me than you?”

“What about the rules?” Bryn demanded.

“That’s right.” Cassidy pointed at Devon’s notebook, which was sticking out of her bag. “Already you guys are breaking them.”

“That depends on how you interpret them,” Devon argued as she removed the notebook. “For instance, answer this for me: Is Jason Bryn’s boyfriend?” She looked around the table, and everyone appeared uncertain. Emma had to agree with Devon on this. “See what I mean?” Devon pressed. “Bryn has never gone out with Jason, so how does that make him her boyfriend?”

“But we all know she was going for Jason,” Abby told her.

“Yes, and we all know I was going for Harris. It looks like Harris is not interested in me.” She pointed at Bryn. “But we know Harris is interested in you.”

“And Jason is interested in you?” Cassidy asked Devon in disbelief.

Devon grinned. “Yeah, I think so.”

Bryn folded her arms across her front, narrowing her eyes.

“We just need to keep things in perspective,” Devon told them. “These are the Dating Games, which means this is like a sport. Does it really matter who takes you to the dance as long as you go?”

Emma wasn’t so sure. “But what if I don’t want to go with someone besides Isaac?”

“Why not?” Devon demanded. “Maybe Isaac would be more interested in you if he saw you with another guy.”

Emma could barely imagine herself with Isaac. How would she possibly be comfortable with someone else?

“Back to Harris and Jason,” Bryn said sharply.

Devon held up her hands helplessly. “What do you want me to do?”

“You used to like Harris,” Abby quietly told Bryn. “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad going with him.”

“But it feels like Devon stole Jason from me,” Bryn argued. “Like I never even had a chance.”

“For your information, I tried to talk Jason into taking you out,” Devon told her.

“Right. Now you’re acting like you had to force him to even consider it.” Bryn stood up and grabbed her bag. “I think I’ve had enough of this club.” She stormed off.

“I’d better go with her,” Abby told them.

“See if you can talk some sense into her,” Devon called as Abby hurried away.

Cassidy looked concerned. “What will I do if I’m the only one going to the dance?” she said suddenly. “I told my parents it was a group date. They won’t like it if it’s just Lane and me. Besides that, what if, thanks to Worthington’s speech, no other guys want to go to the dance?”

“Don’t worry so much,” Devon said casually. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be going to the dance. And I’m working on Isaac for you.” She pointed at Emma. “I think he’ll come around.”

“Cassidy made a good point, though,” Emma told her. “What if hardly anyone goes to the dance? Won’t we look ridiculous? Maybe this is all a big mistake.”

“Emma,” Devon said sharply. “Don’t be such a wet blanket.” She scowled at Cassidy as she pulled out her iPhone. “I’m going to text Isaac the good news right now—that Lane and Cass are going. I’ll insinuate that others are going too.” She was texting something, but Emma couldn’t see it. “I’ll make it seem like he’s going to be left out.”

Cassidy’s smile returned. “Good. Then even if it’s just Emma and Isaac, at least it’ll be a double date. My parents might be okay with that.”

“This is not just about you,” Devon told her.

Cassidy looked slightly guilty now. “Yeah, I know, but I don’t see how I can help the others.”

“You can,” Devon said. “It’s now up to you to put some pressure on Lane. Get out your phone and encourage him to get the other guys on board. Convince him that it’ll be more fun if there are a bunch of us going together.”

Emma nodded eagerly. “Yeah. Maybe he can talk to Isaac.”

“That’s right,” Devon told Cass. “It’s the least you can do for Emma. After all, if she hadn’t talked to Lane, you probably wouldn’t even have a date.”

On Thursday morning, as Emma was on her way to art class, Isaac fell into stride right next to her. “What’s the big hurry?” he asked in a friendly tone. “Where’s the fire?”

Caught off guard, she gave him a shy smile. “No big hurry,” she said, trying to remain calm. “What’s up?”

“Not much.” He pressed his lips tightly together, as if he was about to say something but felt unsure. Feeling hopeful, she slowed down her pace and made a feeble attempt at small talk. They were nearly at the art room. If he didn’t say something soon, this moment would be lost.

“So . . .” he said slowly. “I hear Lane is taking Cassidy to the dance.”

Emma just nodded. “Yeah. I heard that too.”

“And, well, I was wondering . . . maybe you’d like to go with me?”

Despite her wildly pounding heart, Emma was determined to remain calm. “Sure,” she said quietly. “That’d be fun.”

Isaac looked surprised. “So you do? You want to go?”

She laughed. “Didn’t I just say so?”

He gave her an embarrassed smile. “Yeah, I guess you did. Okay, it’s a date then.”

“Yeah.” With one hand on the art room door, she looked up into his sincere-looking blue eyes and gave him a happy smile. “It is.”

“Cool.” Just like that, he turned and hurried off. Emma felt so jazzed that she wanted to jump up and down and squeal like a four-year-old, but she managed to control herself until Isaac was out of sight. Once she saw him disappear around the corner, she did a little happy dance right there in the hallway before entering the art room. She didn’t even care when some of the other art students teased her. It was worth it. She was going to the homecoming dance!

Emma couldn’t wait to tell her friends, but since this was a no-phone time, she would have to contain her excitement until lunch. She’d be sure to show her gratitude to her DG friends, and she’d apologize for being so impatient with them, because it seemed obvious that it was working. As Emma began working on her charcoal sketch, she still could hardly believe that Isaac had asked her to the dance. If anyone had told her, back before the DG, that she would be going to the homecoming dance with Isaac McKinley, she would’ve chalked them up as just plain crazy. And yet . . . she was going. And she already had the dress!