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"Way to gol" Amber cheers i Ted punches me on the shoulder It hurts, but I know he ain, honey"

I tell her I won’t

I swear that I won’t

Even Kyle hears He doesn’t say anything to ives me a silent nod of approval

After school, I ets a blood-red sundae while I get the sorbet with gu on with him (his parents were in and are now back out of town), and I tell hi on with a, and about what Tony’s been through

"We should go over there, cheer hiests

"Are you sure?" I ask It’s not like he and Tony are friends, really

"Yeah We have to stick together, right?"

"Absolutely"

We call my brother, who’s more than happy to take us to Tony’s (He also seems happy that I’m with Noah; I didn’t know Jay had it in hiet there Caught up in the happiness of things, I almost tell Tony to invite him over Then I realize what a colossally aardh Tony’s parents aren’t home, we stick to the kitchen This works well, because we’re all in high snacking gear If we’d been stranded in the dining roo trouble

"I have some news," Tony tells us I love how he’s welcomed Noah as if it’s natural for hiht in

"What’s your news?"

"I want to go to the Dowager’s Dance"

This is news Last year, Tony’s parents wouldn’t let hihs "It’s not that easy You see, o anyway I don’t want to sneak out--that would be a bad scene"

"So what are you--what are we going to do?" I ask

"Here’s the thing I figure if enough people coroup of girls and guys--then o"

"Sounds like a plan," I say "We can gather everyone up"

"I’m in," Noah volunteers

"As aet Laura and Emily and Amy and Aotten ho Airl on the committee You’ll love her"

"Oh yeah--Kyle’s told me about her"

I have to ask "So will Kyle come, too?"

Tony nods "He’s in"

"And Joni?"

Now Tony’s look wavers

"I don’t know," he says

"Have you asked her?"