The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High Read Online Free PDF Page B

“I hate the fact that Josie even watches them. They edit people’s conversations and rearrange everything to appear more dramatic. Not to mention this insane release they expect me to sign.” She points to a paragraph that she apparently finds particularly disgusting. “If anything goes wrong, there’ll be no legal recourse!”
    â€œOkay, Mom? Take a breath,” I say. “You’re a great lawyer and can probably negotiate some stuff in there.” I slide the contract out of her hand since its presence is not helping. “I want you to think about what a great opportunity this can be. The prize money can help us out with bills, and you can stop working so hard.” I look at her meaningfully as I add, “We’ll be able to spend more time together as a family.”
    I’m aiming for her weak spot, and let me tell you, Mom’s guilt over working as much as she does is so soft and gooey, it’s like a giant toasted marshmallow with a bull’s-eye painted on it.
    â€œThey may even give me a new car!” I say, which is overshooting because, apparently, Mom does not feel at all guilty that I’m stuck driving Aunt Kate’s old Coroda.
    She shakes her head no.
    â€œShe should get this chance, Mom,” Josie speaks up from where she’s been hovering close by. “They will be fixing her socially. Do you have any idea how much help Shannon needs?”
    Mom raises her eyebrows. It isn’t very often that Josie and I double-team her, which is why it can be so effective when we do. Mom shakes her head in disbelief, which is a good sign she realizes we’re determined to wear her down.
    â€œIf becoming popular is something you care about, why don’t you just work on your people skills?” Mom says. “Josie, you can help her— without involving nationwide viewers. Have you even thought about how embarrassing this could end up being?”
    I am, of course, familiar with the concept of manufactured drama among the contestants-slash-participants-slash-stars of reality shows. But really, who wants to watch real reality? I may as well sit at our bay window watching the little old couple across the street argue with each other. We call them the Bickersons, and let me tell you, they can get into it over anything. Whether or not the right front tire of their car is low on air— it’s not . Whether or not it’s going to rain— it did . Whether or not Mrs. Bickerson needs to “shut the hell up already”— she does . Sorry, tangent . I did warn you.
    As I’ve been daydreaming, Josie has been trying to work Mom over, and I tune in just as she blurts out, “Did you know Shannon’s been getting bullied at school for over a year now?”
    Mom swings on me with her nostrils flared. “What?”
    â€œThanks a bunch, Jos,” I say, and she mouths sorry and heads to her bedroom. Mom asks me if it’s true.
    â€œI’ve been getting lightly bullied off and on. Mostly on. But doing the show would put an end to that.”
    Mom grabs the bridge of her nose. “Please tell me you’re not getting called a slut.” She takes a deep breath.
    â€œNot exactly. It’s just one mean girl that I can totally handle. Don’t worry.” Mom presses me for details, and seeing how upset she is makes the pain fresh and raw all over again. “I’m sorry, Mom.” I can’t stop the tears in my eyes. “I didn’t want you to know.”
    We sit in silence while I get my emotions under control by fantasizing what it would be like to walk down the hallways at school with my head held high.
    â€œSo, voted into the bottom three, huh?” Mom finally says.
    â€œI’d like my senior year to be different,” I tell her. “This show can help.”
    ***
    Mom finally agrees to meet with Mickey and Victoria, which is how she, Josie, and I end up huddled together on our