Holly's Heart Collection Three Read Online Free Page B

morning.”
    “It started frizzing out, so I decided this was the best I could do.”
    “Oh, but it’s very stylish,” Paula offered.
    “Wish I had some hair product to weigh it down.” Quickly, I told Paula the perm story, playing it down in light of the blind girl who sat a few tables away.
    “Thank goodness for modern hair repair,” Andie said, laughing. “Holly was up all night applying moisturizers.”
    There was a glint of recognition in Paula’s eyes. “I’ve certainly had my share of such discouraging things.”
    I smiled at her comment. Paula and her twin, Kayla, had a very unique way of expressing themselves.
    Suddenly I noticed there were no lunch trays or brown bags for either of them. “Not eating lunch today?”
    They glanced at each other, smiling. “Oh, we just had burgers with some guys,” Andie said.
    “What guys?” I looked around.
    Andie explained. “Actually, it wasn’t just guys. Amy-Liz and Kayla were along, too.”
    “Oh yes, it was really very surprising how it all came about,” Paula spoke up.
    “How what came about?” I asked.
    Paula continued. “A group of us got charged up about student council elections—”
    “In two weeks,” Andie interrupted.
    “Yes,” Paula said, “and we decided to have sort of a prayer conference about it. So all of us zipped over to the Soda Straw, you know, and prayed about how we could influence our school for God.”
    “Over burgers?” I asked.
    Andie’s dark eyes twinkled. She stopped for a moment and spoke to Paula, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying because I was chewing potato chips.
    Paula burst out an explanation. “Since we couldn’t have group prayer on school grounds, we took our meeting to a public eating place.”
    “Who’s we?” I asked, wondering why I’d been excluded.
    “Jared, Amy-Liz, Kayla, and us . . . you know, the kids most interested in running for student council,” Paula said.
    “Oh.” I’d told Andie a few days ago I wasn’t interested. Not this year—too much homework. And I had to keep up my grades. Obviously she thought I didn’t care about any aspect of it.
    “So,” Andie piped up, “we decided that as many Christians should run as possible. What do you think, Holly?”
    I nodded, feeling completely left out at this point. “Well, I think it’s a great idea. Hey, why don’t we turn the elections into a crusade?” My words gave me away. I sounded way too sarcastic.
    “Holly? What’s wrong?” Paula asked.
    I shrugged. “High school’s just a little overwhelming, I guess. Haven’t you gotten tons of homework already today?”
    Paula shook her head. “It may seem rather unfair, but being a sophomore helps. Honestly, I can’t say that I’ve experienced the same sort of homework load that I hear most ninth graders talking about.”
    “Don’t call us ninth graders,” Andie retorted. “We’re freshmen.’
    Paula smiled, and when her lips parted, I noticed her perfectly straight, white teeth. I don’t know why I always noticed that part of Paula and her twin, but somehow their pearly whites always got my attention.
    “Did you and Kayla wear braces when you were younger?” I asked.
    “We never wore them,” Paula cooed.
    “Let’s face it,” Andie said. “They have teeth to die for. And poor me—I just found out I have to get braces. Can you believe it? At my age? I’ve got to wear them for nearly three years —ugh!”
    I laughed. “Well, your smile should be beautiful in time for senior year.”
    She sighed. “At least I’ll have one year of high school without braces.”
    “Well,” Paula said, glancing at her watch, “I have a class now. See you two later.”
    “Bye.” I expected Andie to stay a few minutes and chat, but to my surprise, she followed Paula right out of the cafeteria with only a fleeting wave back to me.
    I finished off my Jell-O salad and cookie, wondering how things between Andie and me could’ve gone from a super-tight friendship . . . to