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doing?”
    â€œTexting Drew a big fat yes,” Maria said, handing back the Sidekick.
    â€œHow do you know I was going to say yes?” Gemma demanded.
    â€œGirl, please. If you didn’t say yes after all this, I would kick your ass myself.”
    The crowd of girls around her buzzed with excitement. Gemma felt like a princess with all her royal subjects standing around trying to figure out who this guy was and how she became so lucky.
    â€œGirl,” Maria said, handing the Sidekick back to Gemma, “You’re finally going to meet your Prince Charming.”
    The bell rang and the girls scattered. Gemma carefully placed the vase into her locker and gently closed it.
    â€œIt’s about time he asked you,” Maria said. “I was beginning to think Drew was just a figment of our imaginations.”
    â€œI know,” Gemma said as they hurried to class. “Do you think I should have told him I was busy tonight though? Isn’t it kind of last minute?”
    â€œMaybe ...” Maria said, considering. “But the flowers go a long way in making up for any dating faux pas.” She squeezed Gemma’s arm. “So what are we, I mean you , going to wear?”
    Gemma’s heart began to beat faster and harder. It was happening. She was going to meet Drew, and a lot sooner than she had expected. That was good, she reminded herself. Ever since texting him that very first time, she couldn’t wait to put a face to all those sweet messages.
    â€œYou are excited, right?” Maria asked, misreading her friend’s silence for hesitation.
    â€œI am ,” Gemma replied. “Really.” Maria’s question about her outfit sent Gemma into a panic. What was she going to wear? And what about her hair? She wanted to look perfect for tonight.
    As if reading her mind, Maria said, “I’ll come over after school and we’ll decide what you should wear.”
    Gemma gave her friend a quick hug. “What would I do without you?”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly!”
    Â 
    â€œWord around school is that you’re dating a dude who likes to send flowers,” Seth said to Gemma when she arrived in her bio class.
    â€œReally?” Gemma asked. Good news travels fast, she thought. Or maybe just gossip. “Well, for once the rumors are true.”
    â€œThat’s great,” Seth said. “Just last week you sounded as if there were no good guys around, and now you seem like you’re floating on air.”
    â€œDo I?”
    â€œSo who’s your mystery man?” he asked.
    Gemma pretended to be looking for something in her backpack. “Um,” she mumbled into her pack. “His name is Drew.”
    â€œYou okay down there?”
    Gemma sat back up, giving herself a head rush. “Sure, fine.”
    Seth looked at her quizzically, his pale eyebrows coming together.
    â€œTo tell you the truth, I am a little nervous,” she confessed.
    â€œAbout what?”
    She didn’t want to admit that she had never actually met Drew—or even seen him. Instead she said, “I’m not sure what to wear.” As soon as the words escaped her lips, she cringed. Like guys cared about things like that.
    Seth smiled. “Oh, that’s easy. If you really want to impress this guy, wear nothing. That would impress me.”
    Gemma laughed, relieved that the uncomfortable moment was over.
    â€œClear off all desks and no talking!” Mr. Simms, their biology teacher, commanded from the front of the room. “Time for a pop quiz.”
    Gemma placed her books into the wire basket underneath her seat, preparing herself to fail another surprise bio quiz.
    â€œHave fun tonight,” Seth whispered.
    She mouthed back, Thanks.
    Â 
    â€œYou look good. Don’t worry about it,” Maria reassured her. Gemma and Maria were in Gemma’s bedroom, having shopped all afternoon after school. They must have tried on every piece