Prom Date Read Free

slowly wheeled both their carry-on bags as Emma attempted to stuff her toiletries back into her purse, adjusting the purse strap that seemed to have come undone in the X-ray. “You reminded me of my little sister,” Felicia said quietly. “Sofia always gets flustered going through security. I try to help her too.” Felicia’s dark eyes turned unexpectedly sad.
    â€œAre you missing your family?” Emma took her carry-on bag from Felicia, studying her friend’s expression and hoping that she wasn’t the homesick type. Emma realized how close Felicia was with her family, but what if she regretted taking this trip?
    â€œNo . . . no, that’s not it. Not exactly anyway.” Felicia’s brow creased and her lower lip quivered slightly, almost as if she was on the verge of tears.
    â€œWhat’s wrong then?” Emma pulled Felicia aside, looking into her eyes. “I can tell you’re upset about something.”
    â€œI didn’t want to say anything about it, Emma. Didn’t want to spoil our trip.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Emma demanded. “You have to tell me.”
    â€œIt’s just that I’m worried about Sofia.” Felicia sighed deeply. “It’s silly, really.”
    â€œYou mean because Sofia’s been sick?” Emma knew that Felicia’s little sister had gone through some bad bouts of flu this past winter.
    â€œYeah . . . She had some tests earlier this week.” Felicia lowered her voice. “For leukemia.”
    â€œLeukemia?” Emma tried to take this in. “Really?”
    Felicia attempted a half smile. “I’m sure the results will be just fine. They were supposed to come back this afternoon, but Mom didn’t hear back yet. I really shouldn’t have mentioned it, Emma. Not right before our big trip. The only reason they tested her was just to rule it out.”
    â€œYou were right to tell me.” Emma placed a hand on Felicia’s shoulder. “Of course Sofia will be fine. She’s just had some stubborn bugs, that’s all. I heard this was a bad year for the flu.”
    â€œYeah.” Felicia nodded. “That’s what my parents keep saying too.”
    â€œBut I’ll be praying for Sofia just the same,” Emma promised. “For her to get completely well.” As they rejoined Emma’s mom, Emma knew that she would keep this promise. She would pray for her friend’s eight-year-old sister. Even though she felt certain that sweet little Sofia couldn’t possibly have a sickness as serious as leukemia, she also knew that Sofia had missed a fair amount of school this winter. It was high time for Felicia’s little sister to get well.

2
    I ’m happy for them,” Bryn told her friends as they got into her car out in the airport parking lot. She knew her tone didn’t sound convincing and, to be honest, she didn’t really believe it herself. “I really am. But at the same time, I can’t deny that I’m extremely envious. I won’t lie to you guys. I really wish I was going too.”
    â€œDuh.” Devon laughed. “Who doesn’t?”
    â€œBut just think about it, I was really instrumental in setting up that whole prize package and the competition and—”
    â€œWhich is just one more reason you need to let it go.” Abby gave Bryn a warning look from the passenger’s seat. “Move on.”
    â€œBut it’s like I can’t stop thinking about it,” Bryn confessed. “I even asked my parents for the money to sneak down there so I could crash Emma and Felicia’s hotel room.”
    Abby just shook her head.
    â€œWhat a cool idea,” Devon said eagerly. “What’d they say? And can they adopt me and send me down there with you?”
    â€œSeriously?” Cassidy sounded disgusted. “You guys would actually do that to Emma and Felicia?”
    â€œWell,