The Blind Date Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Although I might need some extensions to make it look right.”
    â€œThat’s doable.” Mom nodded. “I think you’ll make a lovely Katniss.”
    â€œEven though my skin’s a little darker?” Abby said in a joking tone.
    â€œI know you can pull it off, sweetie. And I just remembered I have this old leather jacket that might be perfect for your Katniss.”
    â€œCool.”
    Mom frowned. “That was what was troubling you?”
    Abby shrugged. It would be so easy to pretend that was all . . . but Mom was being so sweet and supportive. “The truth is I’m worried about finding a blind date for Devon. I picked her name, but I don’t know her that well. She’s new at school, and she and I are so different, you know? And we’re not supposed to tell our other friends who we picked so I can’t really ask anyone for help.” She sighed. “I guess I’m worried I might set Devon up with the wrong guy.”
    Mom looked relieved. “Well, the dance is only one night, Abby. It’s not like they’ll be getting married or anything.”
    Abby forced a smile. “Yeah, I know.”
    â€œJust do your best. And remember the dance is supposed to be about having fun. Don’t take it too seriously.” She patted Abby’s back.
    Now Abby wished she hadn’t mentioned her concerns to her mom. It figured that she didn’t get it. Why should she? It had been ages since Mom was a teenager.
    â€œI’m so impressed with how you and your friends are doing these dances together,” Mom told her as she put the last glassin the dishwasher. “Your dad and I both feel much better about you dating in groups.”
    Abby gave the counter a quick swipe with the dishcloth.
    â€œDo you think you girls will plan another pre-dance dinner?” Mom poured the soap in the dishwasher and closed the door. “You could have it here if you want.”
    â€œI don’t know.” Abby laid the dishcloth beside the sink. “But I can check with my friends.”
    Mom beamed at Abby. “Now see, aren’t you glad we talked? It wasn’t such a big deal after all. And I don’t see any reason why your dad would be concerned about any of that.”
    Abby nodded. She knew she wasn’t being a hundred percent honest with her mom. And yet she hadn’t said anything untrue either. But, really, parents couldn’t expect you to tell them everything, could they?

    By Tuesday Abby was still feeling overwhelmed by her assignment to find an appropriate date for Devon. Although none of the other DG members had secured a blind date yet, she could tell they were making progress. But for some reason she felt slightly stuck. Or maybe her mom was right—maybe she was making too big of a deal about it.
    On one hand, Abby was tempted to just ask the next guy who spoke to her. And why not? Because, really, no matter who she asked, she felt certain Devon would not approve. But on the other hand, she felt some weird responsibility for the guy she would rope into this. What if he turned out to be a really nice guy who couldn’t stand a girl like Devon? Okay, that seemed unlikely . . . but who knew?
    During AP English, Abby had her eye on Leonard Mansfield.He was a quiet, academic guy with short, dark curly hair and sincere brown eyes. He was tallish and a little on the skinny side, but if someone set Abby up with him, she wouldn’t complain. Okay, maybe Leonard was slightly nerdish, but he was sweet and genuine and, in Abby’s opinion, Devon could do far worse. Especially if you considered how badly Devon’s date with Jason had gone. Really, who was Devon to complain? And yet she did.
    Abby tried to be subtle as she pointed out Leonard during lunch. “That’s Leonard Mansfield,” she nonchalantly told her friends. “I have a class with him and he’s really a nice