A Formal Affair by Veronica Chambers Read Free Book Online Page B

were kids that Carolina had this big dream of being winter formal queen one day?” Jamie asked before slurping down the remainder of her iced chai tea, which, to her chagrin, was mostly ice.
    Patricia shrugged. “So, she wanted to be winter formal queen. Big whoop! Is nobody else supposed to run? If she’s the queen that the school wants this year, then she should have no problem with a little friendly competition.”
    Jamie couldn’t have agreed more. “I’ll help you out. I believe in shaking things up.”
    And just like that, Jamie Sosa, née Jamie of the boogie-down Bronx, became not only the quince planner for both Reinoso girls, but a behind-the-scenes campaign manager for Patricia’s winter formal queen campaign.
    It wasn’t until Patricia had left, taking off running toward her Spanish class, that Jamie realized that she had never gotten to ask Patricia why she wanted to be winter formal queen. Why the sudden change of heart? But that was okay, she figured. There’d be plenty of time to ask later.
    None of the members of Amigas Inc. had time to catch up for the rest of that day. Carmen was busy with SoBee-related work, Alicia had promised she’d attend an art exhibit with her mother after school, and Jamie was way behind on some work for her Etsy site. So it wasn’t until the next morning, on the way to class, that Jamie even saw Carmen. But when she did, her eyes narrowed. Her friend was holding some suspicious-looking boards with bright lettering all over them.
    â€œWhat are those?” Jamie asked.
    Carmen shrugged. “Just some winter formal stuff for Carolina. She asked me to help her out.” It was now her turn to grow suspicious. Because Jamie was holding on to something as well. Pointing at the banners draped over Jamie’s arm, Carmen asked, “And those?”
    â€œI’m helping Patricia with her campaign,” Jamie replied matter-of-factly.
    If anyone had been standing close to the two friends at that moment, he or she would have felt a distinct chill in the air. The girls looked at each other, eyes still narrowed. Carmen had her free hand on her hip, while Jamie had cocked her head, as if to say, Wanna make something of it?
    â€œUm, correct me if I’m wrong,” Carmen said, “but you’re Super Art Girl, and Patricia’s a client. You should be helping both girls.”
    Jamie instantly reacted. “Pot calling the kettle black much? What about you, then? Why are you helping Carolina? Besides, Patricia’s not just a client. She’s my new friend— and the next winter formal queen.”
    To which Carmen replied, “Well, we’ll see about that.”
    Lunchtime found Alicia and Gaz in the cafeteria. They were sharing an enormous Cuban sandwich chock-full of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and salami.
    Gaz had just taken a huge bite of his lunch, some of which ended up on his cheek. Alicia affectionately wiped a smidgen of mustard off his face, and was about to give him a quick kiss when a shadow descended over the table—in the form of Carmen and Jamie. The two girls were scowling, arms folded across their chests.
    â€œWhat’s the qué pasa , chicas ?” Gaz asked, sensing as much as Alicia did that something was wrong.
    That was all it took. The girls immediately went at it, talking over one another as they each tried to tell their side of the story. From what Alicia and Gaz could make out, each was arguing that the other had crossed the line by offering her support to the opposing winter formal queen candidate.
    After three minutes of loud yelling, Alicia had had enough. “I feel like I’m on Law and Order ,” she said, banging an imaginary gavel. “Order in the court! Order in the court! Step up to the bench and state your case.”
    â€œCome on, Lici,” Jamie pleaded. “This is serious. Girls like Carolina think they’re