Dawn's Acapella Read Online Free PDF

thing a bit too
far. If he doesn’t stop, the school’s gonna shut down our
club.”
    “ I know, I know… But he’s
so…”
    “ Cute? Doesn’t seem worth
it.”
    “ But Rose! I don’t care if
he likes me or not, I just wanna go to prom! All he has to do is
get me in the door!”
    “ That’s not really a
reason to go with someone. What, you’re just gonna leave him after
you’re in?”
    “ Are you standing up for
him now?”
    “ No, I just don’t think
it’s a good idea.”
    “ Don't tell me what to
do!”
    “ I’m not! I just don’t
think he’s right for you. You deserve better.”
    She sighed. “I know he’s not right for
me, I just... I wanna go to prom.”
    “ I know, I do to, but
we’ll get out turn soon. Tell you what. When I’m old enough, I’ll
take you to prom.”
    “ What if you have a
boyfriend?”
    “ He’ll understand. He can
get his own ticket, and you’ll be my ‘date’.”
    “ You promise?”
    “ I promise.” They shook on
it. “And I always keep my promises.”
     
    That weekend, Rose invited Dawn over
to study. Well, Dawn had basically invited herself, but Rose agreed
to it and told her what time to come.
    “ Boost that biology grade
yet?” Rose asked.
    “ Yeah! He let me re-take
the test, and now Dad says he’ll take me to the beach at the end of
the term as long as I keep it up!”
    “ Great.” Rose was putting
the finishing touches on her English essay. After that, she had
only to help Dawn with her math, or at least, attempt to. Study
sessions always began so well-intended. Then came the “need” to
have snacks with their work, which always led to further fun and
distractions.
    “ Cookies!” Dawn said,
jumping up and down in the middle of the kitchen. “Let’s make
cookies!”
    “ Like we don’t already get
enough,” Rose giggled. But that was all the resistance she had to
offer, and soon the whole house smelled like a bakery. Rose’s mind
drifted to all the bake sales, all the fun and laughter and songs
of the Everyday Heroes Club.
    “ Dawn?”
    “ Yeah?”
    “ Do you think what we’re
doing—with the Heroes Club and all—do you think we’re actually
making a difference?”
    “ Of course we
are!”
    “ It’s just… With the
pranks and such, now it kind of feels like it’s all a game. It
doesn’t mean anything real .”
    “ And you’re so concerned
with what’s real?”
    She giggled. “I know.”
    “ Even if it looks like a
game sometimes, we’re raising a ton of money for charity. I’m sure
we’re changing lives, even if we can’t see it. I mean… Has anyone
ever changed your life, but you didn’t tell them?”
    “ That’s getting awfully
profound, freshman.”
    She didn’t know how it happened.
Something about the calming smell of the cookies, the joyful
atmosphere, and her newfound sense of leadership brought on a
bizarre confidence. Before she knew it, she and Dawn were looking
at her notebooks together, and discussion her plans for her book in
depth.
    Rose had told Lucy and Nick the basic
premise for her book, and asked their opinion on tiny details—such
as word choice—but she’d never shared further than that. She mainly
helped them with their works, offered her input when asked, and let
them shine. They often asked about her work, but never pushed too
hard.
    But when Dawn asked it was different.
It wasn’t demanding just to be demanding, or, like Lucy, wanting
everyone in the writer-group to have equal speaking time. It was…
Over the top, childlike curiosity. Real curiosity. Not a parent who
asked because they had to ask. Not a fellow writer who wanted to
offer criticism. This was someone who would actually read the book,
and everything she said made Rose feel special.
    “ I wish I had naturally
purple hair,” Dawn said.
    “ Me too. I don’t know if
I’m more jealous of Eva’s hair or Hannah’s. I love that wavy look,
and you can never get good looking blue from a bottle. I’ve
tried.”
    “ If my mom