Everything was “Jacob said,” and “Jacob did,” and “Jacob thinks.” Laurel was there too, occasionally making faces at Mandy, often shaking her head in wonder. But, for Drew’s benefit, both kept their smiles stretched wide. Neither of them had seen their friend this happy, ever. “He’s already talking about the prom,” Drew said, her cheeks blossoming with blush for the twentieth time since lunch period started. “The prom! God, do you know what that means?” “I think it’s a big dance at the end of the school year,” Laurel said. “Ha, ha,” said Drew, shaking her head in annoyance. Mandy was suddenly struck with a very odd and kind of funny image. She pictured herself at the prom, amid glittering decorations and flashing lights, dancing with her computer screen. Lines of text rolled over it while a slow number gave a rhythm for her feet. She paused and introduced the computer to her friends. This is my date, Kyle. Kyle this is… “Dale,” Laurel whispered. “What?”
