Girl Overboard by Justina Chen

Author:Justina Chen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: JUV000000
ISBN: 9780316028387
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2007-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

27

By the time Grace drops me off at school, the bell has already rung, but before I head to homeroom, I stop in at the library, where I know I’ll find Lillian. Just as I thought, she’s parked at the computer, devouring another jargon-laden medical article as though she’s cramming for a final that’s going to help Amanda.

“Lillian,” I say, resting my hand lightly on her shoulder.

Despite the dark circles scooping out her eyes, Lillian shines a megawatt-smile at me. “What’s up?”

“You don’t have to with me,” I tell her quietly. “You don’t have to be perfect, not with me.”

Instead of being offended, Lillian nods, her smile sloughing off her face, leaving her as vulnerable and panicked as a girl who has slipped overboard. But I’m on lifeguard duty, and I’m not letting her go down, not without a fight. So when she asks, “God, what’re we going to do if the transplant doesn’t work?” I tell her, “I think I have an idea.”

“Syrah, not even your dad can do anything. Even Dr. Martin said that this was our best option—thanks for having him call.”

“My pleasure, but—”

“Look, I know you want to be helpful, but Amanda’s got the best pediatric oncologist around, thanks to Chelsea’s mom.”

Mrs. Dillinger connected them to Children’s Hospital? No wonder Lillian’s been on her best behavior with Chelsea. I sit in the chair next to hers. “I know Amanda’s getting the best care in the world, but I’ve got an idea for finding her a bone marrow match.”

As if she’s traipsed down this well-worn path from hope to heartbreak one too many times, Lillian only shrugs. “How?”

“What if we stage a fundraiser—”

“Money’s not the issue.”

“—fundraiser,” I continue, pretending her doubts haven’t interrupted me, “that will also publicize the need for more people to get tested for the National Bone Marrow Registry?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You said that the issue is that Amanda doesn’t have a perfect match. And that there’s probably somebody out in the world who’s mixed race and matches her, right?”

Finally, Lillian turns in her chair to face me head-on, willing to listen now.

“So what I’m saying is that we draw attention to Amanda. We stage a snowboarding exhibition in her honor. ‘Ride for Our Lives.’ ” I pull a copy of my business plan out of my backpack. “We’ll invite some of the best snowboarders around, especially the ones of color. There are a bunch of Japanese riders who are absolutely kicking it in competition. I bet they’d care about this because it could be them, or someone in their family, or a friend who needs a bone marrow match. We’ll offer a prize purse, and get a matching donation for the registry.”

“It’s a long shot, Syrah.”

“I know, but so is your parents having a just-in-case baby.” On the cover, I tap the manga drawing of Amanda on her snowboard etched with Ride for Our Lives. “All I’m saying is why not have a just-in-case plan?”

Lillian lifts her eyes from the deck of

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