I Didn't Know it Was You

By Dee-Ann Lang

At her high school reunion, Valerie Thompson is intrigued by an attractive and sexy dark haired man. His brown, soulful eyes draw her in and bring her a sense of security that has always eluded her. Though she can’t remember who he is, what his name is or what their relationship was, he makes it clear he knows exactly who she is. When he playfully refuses to divulge his identity, Valerie reflects on her tumultuous teenage years, disastrous young loves and numerous adolescent regrets hoping to discover his identity.
Eliminating the possibilities, she finally puts a name to the handsome face and remembers the one heated night they shared all those years ago. She also realizes the mistake she made when she shut him out of her life.
Prepared to correct her mistake, she'll travel half way around the world to make things right, if he’ll let her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dee-Ann Lang
• Release date: Oct 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9780992033033

Dee-Ann Lang

I started writing in 2008 never thinking it would turn into such a passion. Aside from dabbling in writing in my early twenties, I never seriously considered becoming a writer, though my head was filled with romantic stories. Once I started writing, however, I couldn’t stop.When I'm not writing, I love being out in the fresh open air. I don't hike in the mountains as much as I’d like to, but I go out to walk six miles a day, rain or shine.My summers are spent in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec, Canada and the winters in Cheraw, South Carolina.

Book preview

Chapter One

Familiar and not so familiar faces smiled at Valerie Thompson as she entered the gymnasium of Fulton High School in Montreal. A strong wave of nostalgia swept over her as she looked around. The school hadn’t changed much in the past twenty-five years. It even smelled the same; that peculiar school smell of pencils and erasers, or maybe it was chalk and white glue.

Although the gym had been brightly decorated with balloons and swaths of fabric, it looked the same as it had when she’d played floor hockey or badminton. At the far end were the doors that led to the locker rooms and high above her head, hidden behind swaths of strategically placed burgundy and gold fabric, were the hiked-up basketball hoops.

Valerie, a feminine voice called out.

She turned to a beautiful, tall blond walking her way.

Is that really you? Why of course it is! You haven’t changed a bit, the blond said.

Now that she was closer, the tall blond wasn’t quite as beautiful as Valerie had thought. Heather? she managed to say with a perplexed smile.

Wow. I mean, you really haven’t changed. The collagen smile on Heather’s face dimmed as she stared disbelievingly at Valerie. Look at you.

Valerie twirled around, displaying the fabulous cut of her elegant black dress. She’d deliberately worn her long auburn hair down, knowing it added to her youthful appearance. She faced Heather and they eyed each other with uneasy silence. I didn’t think you would be here, Valerie finally offered. I heard you’d moved to California.

I did. Big dreams, you know. Her voice held a note of reserved melancholy. Hollywood. Bright lights. The whole thing. But nothing really worked out.

The awkward silence returned and Valerie fidgeted uncomfortably. Without saying more, Heather walked away to greet new arrivals, leaving Valerie to look around for another friendly face.

Among a small group of men, she spotted a tall, dark haired man with intelligent, brown eyes and a shy smile. His head was tilted down as he listened with great interest to the portly man to his right. Running through a mental list of classmates, Valerie tried to put a name to the face. She felt certain she knew him.

As she continued to stare, he met her gaze and held it for a curious moment. A look of recognition flickered in his eyes and curved his lips. With an apologetic pat on the portly man’s shoulder, he excused himself and made his way to her.

Frantically searching her memory, Valerie tried to find his name before he reached her. She couldn’t even remember whether she’d liked him or not. His smile was warm and genuine and he seemed happy to see her.

Valerie, he said softly as he reached out to take her hands in his. I feel like I’m back in the tenth grade. You look exactly like I remember you.

Her smile felt silly on her face. Embarrassed, she wanted to fake her way through. Hi! You look great, too!

The rich, hearty laugh that shook him took her by surprise. Don’t worry. I’m not offended if you don’t remember me. Twenty-five years may not have touched you much, but it has certainly left its mark on most of us.

I’m so sorry, she apologized sheepishly. I do feel like I know you, I just can’t quite put my finger on your name.

His gaze traveled the length of her body and slowly rose back to her eyes. His scrutiny lacked the usual crude evaluation she was accustomed to. Instead, he regarded her with warm and earnest appreciation for what he saw. Really, you still look like a school girl.

She’d expected him to let her in on his identity, but quickly realized he enjoyed her confusion.

Considering that I looked like a twelve-year-old on prom night, I guess now I finally look like a high-school graduate. She laughed at her baby face. The round face she’d held responsible for making her look like a child, now boasted high cheekbones that were well defined and she’d come to appreciate her big, hazel eyes with the one inquisitively arched brow.

He leaned in close and lowered his voice to a deep, secretive tone. Funny, when guys talked about you back then, they never said anything about you looking like a twelve-year old.

That voice, she thought as a shiver shot through her. She tried to attach it to a certain memory, but all her attempts led to a dead end. Had he been a friend? A friend of a friend? How well had they known each other? Maybe they had only known of each other without ever speaking. Damn, it drove her nuts. She smiled as she caught the teasing gleam in his eyes and wondered how long he would keep it up.

Really? What did they say? She wanted to keep him talking.

His soft, brown eyes darkened for a moment. All good stuff, he finally said.

Yeah, I bet. She laughed, remembering her adolescent years. She’d been hard-headed and stubborn and, at times, troublesome and rebellious.

###

Sitting in class, Valerie barely listened to Mr. Johnson as he rattled on and on about wars, battles and invasions. Of all the dull, useless things she had to sit through in one day, history with Mr. Johnson topped her list. How could knowing who did what, when, possibly help her get a job once she finished school? Added to that miserable thought was the fact that Mr. Johnson was the all-around, most boring teacher ever.

An average student, Valerie did her best to keep her head above the ever churning waters of her studies and just hoped to graduate. With an autumn birthday that’d had her starting school a year later and her subsequent run of ill health that had kept her back in second grade, she was already set to graduate well past her eighteenth birthday. The thought of falling behind was enough to make her panic, but making sense of Mr. Johnson’s class was beyond her.

What part did Roberval play in this chapter of our history? Mr. Johnson asked.

Stuart, a history buff who always sat at the head of the class, cleared his throat loudly and threw his arm up. Ignoring him, Mr. Johnson snorted and scanned the room for the lowest held head.

Before her could call on her, Valerie enthusiastically shot her hand up. Sighing with relief, she smiled as Mr. Johnson, predictably, ignored her and called on the poor soul behind her. Turning to look at Graham, she caught the quick wink he directed at her from under his bush of blond curls.

She’d had a crush on Graham since the third grade and although he’d always been sweet and oh-so nice to her, he’d never looked at her the way he looked at other girls. I’m not your sister, she thought.

Dreamily, she looked at Graham’s strong, broad chest and impressive shoulders. Her eyes caressed his sculpted biceps, visible despite his casual attempt to diminish their size under a loose fitting T-shirt.

Above all else, that was what she liked most about him. Even with a body and face like his, he remained humble. Unlike many young men, he didn’t feel the need to constantly show his strengths to everyone around him by wearing skin tight shirts that clung to every inch of his torso. Looking at his twinkling blue eyes set in that angelic face, she wanted to melt. And when he wore his hair a little long, as it now was, all she could think of was running her hands through the dark, blond curls that lay in a tousled mess around his face.

If I remember correctly, Mr. Johnson, Graham said as he sat up straight and took on a studious air. Roberval was simply a no-good who doesn’t even deserve to be a part of our history. I honestly don’t understand why we are even talking about him. He is a dishonor to our country and I think he should be banished from our books.

The class chuckled, making Graham’s self-amused grin broaden all the more.

Class let out and Valerie followed Graham out. You have a way of making Mr. Johnson smile even while you’re making him mad as hell. she said.

With another quick wink he walked on, leaving her at her locker.

If you had a dime for every wink, you could retire before even getting out into the work force.

Valerie turned to Mark, her giddy grin still stuck on her lips. He turned to his locker where he quickly stuffed his face with three snack cakes.

If you had a dime for every snack cake you ate, you’d be even richer, she said. Still smiling, her tone held a note of reproach.

Friends since fourth grade, she’d watched his waistline spread to dangerous proportions. His deep set, brown eyes and stringy, brown hair were the only things that had remained constant over the years.

###

Choosing to ignore Valerie’s comment, Marc stuffed the last crumbs of his cake into his mouth and eyed her as she traded her history books for math. His gaze fell to her snug fitting, faded jeans and slowly rose to her simple white, cotton blouse that clung casually to the curves of her breasts and trim waistline.

Lucky, he thought for the millionth time. Without even trying, she always remained trim and sexy. And pretty, he had to add. Not movie star gorgeous or fashion model beautiful. She was holding-hands pretty and run-your-fingers-through-her-long-hair pretty. She was let’s-be-more-than-friends pretty.

With her math books cradled in her arm, Valerie slammed her locker shut and clamped the lock. See ya, she shot over her shoulder.

As he watched her skip down the hall, he once again tried to understand how Graham could ignore the obvious crush she had on him. He was the envy of so many guys who had tried to make Valerie smile the way only Graham could. With her cute, little button nose and dreamy, big, hazel eyes, how could Graham turn away from her?

Chapter Two

Everyone is coming to my house Friday night. My mom and Holly will be out. You coming?

Valerie looked dreamily at Karen. Is Graham going? She tried to make it sound like idle curiosity.

He wasn’t sure yet.

Hearing Karen’s voice in the distance, Valerie was lost in her own little world. Lying in the grass at the far end of the football field, they took in the warming rays of the late May sun. They’d wolfed down their lunches and had hurried out to relax for the remainder of their lunch hour. Tilting her nose up to the sky, Valerie breathed in the welcomed scents of spring.

Behind the shield of her eyelids, she saw Graham’s smiling face. His eyes were fixed on her with a hunger that drove her wild. Turning coyly away, she waited for him to come and take her in his arms. Wrapped in his strong grip, she felt his hot breath on her neck.

Graham, we’re friends. You shouldn’t be doing this. She tried to pull free of his grasp, but he held her tight in his strong, beefcake arms.

Shh. His lips brushed against the spot his breath had just warmed and her knees weakened. Contrasting with the hard and uncompromising hold he had on her, his kisses were tender and gentle.

Valerie. Valerie!

Karen’s voice pierced through, shattering the heavenly daydream. What? Valerie asked quietly, still feeling the effects of her fantasy.

Will you come back to earth and answer me?

Answer what?

Flipping her long, blond hair over her shoulder with an exasperated huff, Karen repeated her question. Can you come early and help me clean up and stuff?

Yeah, sure. Whatever.

Karen stared at her for a long, reproachful moment. She knew her well enough to know where her imagination had taken her. It wasn’t hard. It was always the same thing. And while Karen understood her attraction to Graham, she’d often begged Valerie to give up and move on to someone else.

Valerie?

Squinting, Valerie turned to face her.

Robert wanted to know if you would be there.

So?

Karen hesitated a moment. I think he wants to ask you out. He’s been talking about you a lot lately.

Valerie’s let her head fall back to the grass. A smile slowly crept to her lips as she thought of him, however. Robert was the typical tall, dark and handsome. He was smart and had a wicked smile. His family had arrived from Spain several years before and he still loved to woo willing, young women with his beautifully spoken Spanish prose.

Robert, she thought, her mind churning. Maybe it would even make Graham a little jealous; make him see what he was missing out on. She imagined his heavenly, dark eyes and the sensual curve of his lips as they parted to kiss her. She’d heard many of his conquests claim he was a dreamy kisser.

Valerie suddenly propped herself up on her elbows and turned to Karen. Really?

Really.

###

By the time Friday rolled around, Valerie was eager to party. She’d seen Robert several times at school and, although he smiled warmly at her, he gave no indication of being more interested in her than usual. The sinking feeling that Karen had misread his questions began to weigh on her.

Why was it so important all of a sudden that Robert like her? She hadn’t cared one way or the other until just a few days ago. Looking out the window of Karen’s living room, she realized she was lonely. Don had broken up with her at the beginning of the school year, and aside from a few dates here and there she’d remained alone. Now, having put her pursuit of Graham aside for the moment, she desperately wanted to feel the warmth of Robert’s hands on hers. She wanted to get lost in his arms and drift blissfully away on his kisses.

On the sidewalk below, Valerie saw Graham, Don and Mark make their way to the door.

I thought you said Graham wasn’t coming, she called out to Karen in the kitchen.

No, Karen corrected as she walked down the hall to greet her guests. I said he wasn’t sure.

Hey, Val. Graham came to her and brushed a platonic kiss on her brow.

She blushed. Glancing around, she caught Mark’s scrutinizing gaze and the disapproving shake of his head.

As the self-appointed DJ, Don was already at the turntable going through his box of LPs. Valerie took a seat on a cushion on the floor beside Graham as music filled the room.

So you and Robert, huh? Graham said, catching Valerie off guard.

She hadn’t even seen Robert yet and already the word was out. She looked into his clear, blue eyes and searched for that trace of jealousy she’d anticipated. Instead, all she saw was a friendly smile. He seemed genuinely happy for her.

Give it up, she thought grimly. Why can’t you just take him for the big brother he takes himself to be?

As if on cue, Robert walked in and his smoldering gaze immediately found hers. Shrugging of his jacket, he threw it on the sofa and walked to where she and Graham were seated. Without a word, Graham got up and let Robert have the seat beside her.

Valerie brazenly kept her eyes on Robert’s as he scanned her tight, faded jeans and thin blue cotton blouse. It opened low in the front, and she suddenly wondered if it wasn’t too low. She’d wanted to communicate innocent allure, not obvious desperation.

The conversation shifted to the subject of school as music filled the air.

I’m doing pretty good in everything except history, Valerie was telling Robert as they shared a cushion. With the loud music drowning out their voices, she had to lean in close, her lips brushing against his ear every time she spoke.

You still have time to get a tutor and bring your grade up before it’s too late.

Is that an offer? she asked. But she knew he wasn’t fairing much better in the subject.

No, but I can offer you something else. His voice suddenly dropped to a luscious, velvety tone that made her insides quiver. He moved away to readjust the cushion on the floor and for the hundredth time she read the inscription on the wide, dark brown leather cuff around his wrist: Love thy neighbor.

He brushed her hair off her shoulder then settled his hand at the nape of her neck, caressing her gently. Licking his lips, he hesitated for a moment and averted his eyes. In the dim light, Valerie thought she’d seen his gaze find Graham’s, seated on the sofa behind them. Was he looking for approval? Permission?

Having apparently received Graham’s blessing, Robert returned his burning gaze to her. Barely able to contain herself, she leaned in to meet his embrace. Their lips crushed together and his tongue slipped into her mouth. She welcomed him hungrily and wrapped her arms around him as the peopled room disappeared and all that remained was the soft moisture of Robert’s mouth and the knowledge that Graham was nearby, watching.

Did her complete abandon intrigue Graham? Did he regret releasing her into Robert’s arms? Or was he happy to see her with someone else. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to catch a glimpse of him in the dim light. She fought to keep from smiling into Robert’s mouth, but inside she was giddy with excitement as she caught his furrowed brow.

She was giddy until she noticed Darlene coming in. All of her five-foot-nine, arrogant and haughty self sauntered in and loudly saluted all present as she flipped her shoulder length, blond hair back. Few returned her greeting, but among those who did was Graham.

Valerie’s heart sank at the sight of his smile as his gaze shifted in Darlene’s direction. Without a word, Graham got up to greet Darlene.

Hey, babe. Glad you could make it. Graham offered her a quick kiss as his arm slid around her waist.

Is this really the best you could come up with? Mark asked Graham while eyeing Darlene with disgust.

His loud show of disapproval was echoed throughout the room. Darlene had an unfortunate way of annihilating people. Her mean-spirited chuckle filled the air as Graham led her down the hall to a bedroom.

Mark sneered and shouted, She’ll turn you to ice, man. I swear she will.

The room smiled at Mark’s comment, but Valerie was too overwrought to smile. Of all the girls Graham could have chosen to make out with, she hated to see him go off with her. She tried to hide her disappointment as Robert gently guided her face back to him with the tips of his fingers. Pulling her in for another heavy kiss, he took her hand and placed it high on his thigh.

Tensing up, Valerie hesitated, but before she could argue, Robert rose and pulled her to her feet. Following the steps of Graham and Darlene, he led her down the hall to a vacant bedroom.

At the threshold, Valerie put her hand to the door frame and stopped. No, Robert.

Come, on Valerie. His voice may have been gentle and sweet, but the tug on her arm was firm, even insistent. I just want to get away from the crowd, you know… be alone with you.

She knew better than to believe that line. Once alone, she knew where he would lead her. I’m sorry, she muttered, feeling like a lame tease. I can’t. Let’s stay in the living room instead. At seventeen, she was older than all of them, but knew some of her friends had already gone all the way. She still held back despite many requests and the term ‘tease’ had been used many times in the same breath as her name, but she refused to give in to the pressure.

Fine, Robert said, barely holding his frustration in check.

Chapter Three

Valerie looked at her mysterious stranger as he handed her a glass of white wine. He’d playfully ignored her questions about him and judging by the reaction of others at the reunion, his identity was a mystery to many of them as well.

She’d already eliminated Graham from her list of possibilities. Granted he could have colored his hair, but the height and build were wrong as was the eye color. She tried to remember Robert’s features as she looked into this man’s eyes, but there was absolutely no resemblance to him either.

Have you stayed in Montreal all these years? the stranger asked.

Before she could answer the portly man he’d been speaking to earlier came up to them. Maybe she could learn his identity from him.

Hey, you left this back there, the portly man said, handing the stranger a small, digital camera and walking on.

Hey, she thought wryly. He called him ‘hey?’

Thanks. Patiently, he returned his gaze to her. So, did you say you’ve stayed in Montreal?

"Yep. Well, in Greenfield Park actually. At the moment I’m, unfortunately, living with my sister, Anne."

He looked surprised and Valerie wondered if it was the ‘living with my sister,’ that surprised him or the ‘unfortunately.’ She had no desire to talk about the disastrous relationship she had with her sister. Tense for a long time, their difficult relationship became unbearable after she moved in.

Lost everything in a fire a little while back, she said. Everything.

Everything?

She nodded. Happened in the middle of the night. I had just enough time to throw a T-shirt on before running out.

You certainly seem happy for someone who lost everything. He gazed at her with admiration. I’d be devastated if I lost everything.

His astonishment made her chuckle. It’s not like I had Picasso and Rembrandt on the wall or Gucci and Armani in my closet or anything. In fact, I’m kind of taking this as a good omen. I think it means I’m clearly in need of a fresh start. You know, start over, begin anew, open a new chapter, that sort of thing.

That’s quite an optimistic outlook. I’m impressed.

Well, I could cry about it, and I did the first day. But then, what can you do? Crying isn’t going to bring my stuff back and I’m looking forward to this new beginning… as soon as the insurance money comes in.

And what does this new beginning entail?

Don’t know yet. I’ll decide when I see how much money I get. They’ve been haggling, so… She shrugged. We’ll see.

He raised his glass to her. Well then, to new beginnings.

Smiling, she raised her glass to his. And what about you? She sipped her wine as they walked to a nearby table.

He offered her a vague, mysterious smile and she tried to remember Robert’s cocky grin. Maybe he was Robert after all.

###

Monday morning, Valerie still floated on the cloud of Robert’s kisses. With Graham clinging to Darlene, she’d felt the need to cling to someone herself and Robert had been fun to cling to. As she took her seat in front of Graham in history class, she wondered if he’d thought about her at all.

Some of us will have to consider how we will be spending our summer, Mr. Johnson bellowed as he walked through the rows of desks and placed a graded test paper before each student.

With dread, Valerie awaited her results. She sensed Mr. Johnson’s remarks were aimed at directly her. She flipped the test over, and the grade confirmed her fears. She’d failed another test.

A soft murmur filled the class as students commented, compared and questioned their grades. Valerie couldn’t help but look over Stuart’s shoulder to see his grade. Not surprised to see the big 98% marked in red, she thought of Robert’s suggestion and wondered if she could get Stuart to tutor her.

Not happy with your grade? Graham called from behind her.

She turned to him with an air of disgust. Not quite. The thought of spending her free time studying with Stuart made her sick. I got only 46%.

Graham showed her his grade. He was barely getting by himself. Too bad, she would have loved to spend time studying with him.

Forty minutes later, the class ended and she followed Stuart to his locker.

Hi, she said cheerfully.

###

Stuart eyed her suspiciously. Although he’d known her since grade school, she’d never said a word to him before. Like many, he also had a crush on her, albeit from afar; very afar. They were simply worlds apart.

Discretely, his gaze swept over her. Her hair was piled haphazardly into a bun atop her head and wild strands fell about her face in a most becoming way. She wore her frayed and faded, blue jeans with a simple white T-shirt with a large, yellow daisy stamped across it. The angelic smile she flashed him immediately softened his wariness and when she lightly brushed her fingers over his forearm, he felt an unfamiliar and nervous twitch rush through him.

I need help with history, she blurted out. I’m failing and I have to do something before it’s too late.

He stared blankly at her before letting his gaze fall to her hand that still rested on his arm. The only thought going through his mind was how happy he was that he’d rolled up the sleeves of his red and white, checkered shirt, allowing him to feel the touch of her fingertips against his skin. Did she realize the effect she had on him?

As students rushed past them, heading off to their various corners of the school for recess, Stuart’s world stopped. He wanted to take her hand in his and bring it to his lips and to kiss her palm. He wanted to pull her to him and crush her against his chest, untie the mass of curls and run his fingers through the silky strands. Imagining the clean fragrance of her hair, he pictured himself nuzzling her neck, and lightly passing his lips over her soft skin. Blood rushed to his groin, forcing him to self-consciously place his black binder in front of the crotch of his ill-fitting, green corduroy pants.

Stuart? Are you listening to me? She snapped her fingers before his face.

Yeah. Yeah, sure. With unsteady fingers, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and considered what she was asking. He usually charged by the hour, but couldn’t bring himself to tell her that. When?

Flashing him a brilliant smile, she squeezed his arm gratefully, the touch registering in his mind, never to be forgotten. Really? That’s great. Letting go of him, she paused for a moment. Lunch hour would probably be best… maybe in the library.

No offense, he said shyly, fervently hoping she wouldn’t be put off by what he was about to say. I don’t really think we can study much in barely an hour. With time to eat then find me in the library… not to mention the possible distraction of your friends, we probably wouldn’t get twenty minutes of actual studying in.

She nodded. Well then, you tell me when. I don’t mind.

Nervously, he ran his hand through his bad haircut, cursing the unruly strands that fell awkwardly to one side. His gaze fell again to the daisy splashed across her breasts, and quickly darted away. I usually tutor at night, after dinner. Either at my house, which I prefer because I know it will be quiet and there’ll be no interruptions, or it can be at your house, if you want.

Okay, she said with a happy chirp. Your house it’ll be. When?

He looked down at her tiny, beige Hush Puppies. I saw your grade, he said with embarrassment. If you want to bring your grade up before the end of the year, I think we’d need to see each other two, maybe even three times a week. Say, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Friday’s not good, she quickly pointed out. Thursday would be better.

He’d known she wouldn’t agree to Fridays, but had felt compelled to try to pull her away from her usual group of friends. Thursday then.

Great! Can we start tonight?

He nodded and slowly wrote his address on a neatly torn sheet of paper. Seven o’clock.

She grabbed the bit of paper and merrily trotted off to join her friends. Thanks, she shouted over her shoulder.

Behind his black binder Stuart felt his blood pound as he watched her backside leave.

###

For the next month Valerie went to Stuart’s house the compulsory three nights a week, never once missing a session. Her mom was proud of the initiative she’d taken and was also pleased with the subsequent results. In a flash quiz two weeks into her tutoring, her grade had already gone up seventeen percentage points.

Karen, however complained about the lack of time they spent together, and although her friends understood, they were surprised by the intensity of her studies.

You spend more time with that dork than you do with me, Robert lamented.

Well, that dork is going to help me pass, so give me a break. She had no aspirations of great grades… after all, she had no intention of going to college, but she was adamant about getting a high school diploma.

The usual gang was at a park near Karen’s building. Some sat on swings chatting, while others were sprawled out on the surrounding park benches. Valerie, Karen, Don and Robert slowly spun on the merry-go-round.

You must really be desperate for good grades to be going over to his house so often, Karen said with heavy disdain.

Real desperate. Robert ran his fingers through Valerie’s loose hair.

Relaxing under the soothing touch of Robert’s fingers, Valerie was a little disheartened by their attitude toward Stuart. Yes, he was a dorky know-it-all, but he’d been so nice to her and so sweet. She’d become fond of him. He was patient when she had a hard time and he was always a perfect gentleman. Added to that he wasn’t charging her as she knew he did others. She was aware of the crush he had on her and felt only slightly guilty for taking advantage of it. For the time being, she was too reluctant to give up her spending money on studies and if he was happy with things the way there were, why should she complain? Did you know that he’s going to be eighteen next fall just like me?

And I bet he’s a virgin like you, too, Don said.

Funny, she said with a grimace. We were both born in the fall and both got held back a year. I never thought I could have so much in common with someone who’s so smart.

You can proudly claim that commonality with Mark, too.

Valerie grimaced even more.

Too bad you didn’t get brains like Stuart, Karen said.

No, luckily you turned out a lot better looking than he did.

You know, I was thinking of maybe inviting Stuart over once, Valerie said.

Snorts and chuckles swirled over the merry-go-round.

Why, so he can take notes? Don hooted. Isn’t that what he does?

The others burst out laughing.

Yeah, he could take the minutes, Robert said with a howl.

Hey… no, I know, Karen interjected. He could write an essay on what the cool kids do on the weekends.

Valerie frowned and glared at them.