Lane gnawed her lower lip. Should she stay? Jim might ask her out for that night.
We can always go out Friday night instead, she told herself.
It wouldbe neat to see the play, especially with Mr. Kramer. Couldnt hurt, either, in the Brownie points department.
The bell rang. Lane remained in her seat.
As Jessica stepped by, she glanced at Lane and shook her head.
Probably thinks Im an idiot, wanting to give up a Saturday night to see Shakespeare.
Maybe I am. If it turns out that Jims busy Friday night, Im going to kick myself. He was gone last weekend, Ill be gone this weekend. Thatll make three weeks in a row if I go to the play and he cant make it on Friday.
ThisSaturday night was when shed wanted to go out with him. All week hed been especially nice. Trying to make up, Lane supposed, for being such a creep Monday morning.
She turned on her seat. Five other kids had remained in the room.
Therere six of us, and he can only take four. If Im not picked, thatll solve the problem right there.
I see Ive got more Shakespeare fans than tickets, Mr. Kramer said. Thats certainly gratifying, but it does present a little difficulty. We want to be fair about this. He dug a hand into a pocket of his slacks and pulled out a quarter. Ill flip a coin. The first two of you to lose will have to bow out. Does that sound okay to everyone?
Nobody objected.
Okay, Lane, you first. Call it in the air. He rested the coin on his thumbnail and flicked it high.
Heads, Lane said.
It landed in the palm of his right hand. He slapped it onto the back of his left, kept it covered and smiled at her. Want to change your mind?
Nope. Ill stick with heads.
He looked. Heads it is, he said, tipping his hand and letting the coin drop into the other.
He didnt let anyone see it, Lane realized.
What the heck, theyre his tickets.
Okay, George, your turn.
George won. So did Aaron and Sandra.
Jerry and Heidi, the losers, called the coin again to determine who would be first choice as an alternate in case one of the chosen was unable to attend. Heidi won.
Okay, Mr. Kramer said, Ill fill you in on the details later. In the meantime, have a good weekend. Dont do anything I wouldnt.
That comment brought a few chuckles.
Lane gathered her books and stood up. Im glad youre one of the lucky four, he said. Maybe Ill get a chance to meet your father when I pick you up for the play.
Im sure hell be glad to meet you.
Ill have to pick up one of his books and get an autograph.
Thatll make his day.
And maybe we can firm up the date hell be coming in.
Yeah. He said any time after the first.
Well, maybe we can make it more definite.
Lane nodded. Have a nice weekend, Mr. Kramer.
You, too. Try to stay out of trouble. He winked.
What would be the fun of that? she said, blushing.
As he laughed, Lane waved good-bye and left the room.
The hallway was crowded with kids, noisy with slamming lockers, shouts, and laughter. She leaned against a wall and waited for Jim. A few minutes later he came along.
I have to drop some stuff off at my locker, Lane said. They started up the hall together.
When are you leaving for Los Angeles? he asked.
As soon as I get home.
What a drag.
Theres always next weekend. Next Friday, anyway. I have to go to a play Saturday night with Mr. Kramer.
Yeah? He glanced at her, lifting an eyebrow. Isnt he a little old for you?
Get real. Its a school function. Hes taking four of us from his sixth-period class.
Great.
Oh now, dont start pouting. Ive got nothing on Friday night.
Nothing on, huh? Id like to see that.
I just bet you would. She felt a hand slide over the seat of her skirt. Quit it.
Sorry. Just trying to refresh my memory. Its been two whole weeks, you know, and now itll be another.
Im not overjoyed about it myself. Nothing I can do, though. She arrived at her locker and started spinning the combination dial.
Maybe you could pretend to be sick, he suggested. What if you did that, and they let you stay home by yourself? I could come over to your house tomorrow night and...
Dream on, MacDuff.
She opened the locker and switched books, taking out those she would need for homework. Then she shut the metal door. Even if I did stay home, boys arent allowed in the house when my parents are gone.
Who would ever know?
I would. Anyway, you might as well forget it. Aint gonna happen. They started down the hallway. If you promise to behave, Lane said, Ill give you a ride home.
What about your goofball friends, Fat and Ugly.
Lane frowned at him. I dont know who you mean.
You know, all right. Betty and Henry.
Why dont you refer to them that way, okay? They are my friends.
God knows why.
Are you trying to start something?
No, no. Just kidding. Theyre wonderful people, the salt of the earth.
You could stand to be a little more like Henry.
Uh, duh. He put a dopey smile on his face and started bobbing his head.
Very funny, she said, but couldnt hold back a smile. Stop it. Thats not nice.
Duh, okay.
Anyway, Bettys mom was picking them up after school and talcing them to violin lessons.
So itll just be you and me, huh?
If you can fit your big head into the car.
I can try.
At the end of the hallway Jim held the door open for her. She stepped out and looked toward the student parking lot. She spotted her red Mustang.
No sign of Riley Benson.
After Monday, shed expected each afternoon to find him perched on the hood. So far he hadnt tried it again. Though they crossed paths several times a day, hed done no more than give her tough-guy looks.
He mustve given up on his big plan for revenge, she decided.
Maybe Jessica had talked him out of it.
Pays to be nice to people, she thought. Especially if theyre buddy-buddy with someone who wants to wipe up the floor with you.
When Lane opened the car door, hot air poured out. They cranked down all the windows. She took a beach towel from the trunk and spread it over the drivers seat so she wouldnt burn her legs on the upholstery.
You dont have one for me? Jim asked.
Youre not wearing a skirt.
You sure are, he said, and bent forward as if trying for a glimpse of her panties when she climbed in. Pink, he announced.
Wrong.
She started the engine. She twisted around to look out the rear window as she backed out of the space. She could feel her blouse pull tight against her breasts. Jim, of course, was staring at them.
If they match your bra, theyre white, he said.
Dont you ever think about anything but sex? she asked, grinning at him.
Sure. Instead sometimes I think about sex.
She shook her head, faced forward again and steered for the parking lot exit.
Must be hot, wearing a bra all the time.
What makes you think I wear one allthe time?