All the Way by Megan Stine Page A

Tyler.
    â€œI’m working on it,” I admitted. For some reason, I suddenly wanted to pour my heart out to Emily. “I’m hoping I’ll get to hang out with him during rehearsals, and then maybe we’ll go out or something, and then . . .”
    Did I dare say it out loud?
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’ve been secretly fantasizing that he’ll ask me to the prom,” I whispered, leaning close to her to make sure no one else would hear.
    â€œThat would definitely be cool,” she said. “He seems like your type.”
    I turned to eye her. “Just what do you think my type is?”
    â€œNice,” she said. “And confident, like you.”
    â€œWhat about you?” I said. “Are you going to the prom?”
    â€œOh God, I’d love to,” she whispered. “I’ve never gone. But I’m not counting on it.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    She shrugged. “Guys aren’t into me,” she said matter-offactly.
    â€œThey should be,” I said, and I meant it. “You’re really pretty, and you look amazing when your face lights up. Guys just need to get to know you. You should . . . I don’t know . . . work on it. Maybe highlight your hair or something?”
    I was trying to be tactful. Totally change your hair, try wearing some makeup, and do a massive makeover on that baggy wardrobe was what I was really thinking.
    She had tons of potential. She just needed someone to help her pull it out.
    â€œDo you think?” Her voice was really tiny. She looked over at me in the dark, waiting for my pronouncement. “I mean, would highlights make that much of a difference?”
    â€œLet’s go shopping sometime and see what we can do,” I said. “I’ll help you pick out a killer outfit and show you what color highlights would work. But the real question is: who are you going to use it on? I mean, if you could pick any guy to go to the prom with—other than Tyler, of course, don’t even think about going after him—who would it be?”
    â€œI can’t think of anyone,” she said.
    Just then, David poked his head through the stage curtains. I guess he was trying to see what was going on out front.
    â€œWhat about him?” I said, pleased as punch with my big bright idea.
    â€œWho?” She had no idea who I was talking about.
    â€œDavid.” I pointed in the dark toward the stage. “He’s nice . . .”
    â€œHe’s obviously in love with you,” she cut me off. “I saw him on Friday, stalking you backstage. He’s been in love with you since economics.”
    This girl notices everything.
    â€œOkay, well, anyway. We’ll have to think of someone.” She didn’t answer. I think she figured that getting a date for the prom was pretty much hopeless.
    On the stage, Stella Macaffrey was doing some really cool stuff with the Hot Box girls, but the rest of the auditorium was in chaos. Most of the cast members were just hanging out, goofing off, or having fun with it. I saw Jacob and Becca read through a few lines from the script and then laugh and start playing around, making up their own dialogue.
    Tyler and Natalie were off in their own corner, too far away for me to hear. From the looks of it, though, they weren’t really working on lines. More like having a private conversation. She had her megawatt smile turned on and was staring up at him like he was a rock star or something. I couldn’t see his face, as he had his back to me. Damn.
    â€œYou realize we’ve been talking so much, I haven’t heard a word of the rehearsal or gotten a single idea for costumes,” I said.
    â€œSo what? That just gives you an excuse to hang out at rehearsal again tomorrow,” Emily said, shooting me a knowing grin.
    Yeah. More Tyler time. Was I complaining?
    Finally Mr. Richards called it quits. “Okay, people, we aren’t making much progress here. Main