Mary is going to a private school that $15,000 to attend each year. Mary does not to pay anything though because she has a . Her parents are very poor. Her mom works a cashier at 7/11 and her dad works a custodian. Mary has to get a 3.5 every semester to keep her scholarship. Mary pretends she is rich so she can have friends. at the school has nice cars and clothes. can be hard for Mary to keep up.

's friend Patricia is throwing a party for her birthday. It was going to be in the of a hotel. There was going to be of guests, a chocolate fountain, an ice sculpture, famous singers. Mary had to wear a beautiful , but she knew she could not afford it. ", what are you going to wear?" Patricia asked. " think I'll wear the dress I wore at birthday party last year," she said. Patricia started out loud. "You're kidding me, right?" Patricia said. ", I am! Guess you got me!" Mary lied. took Mary over two years to pay off dress she bought last year. Now she had get a new one.

Everyone would be wearing that cost at least $100. Mary could only $30 on a dress. She went to a shop. She looked around for hours trying to something good. Mary finally came across a long, , and strapless dress. It was originally $300, but only $20! What a good deal! Mary wore dress at Patricia's party and everyone complimented her.