studying I’d be a millionaire several times over. This is so strange, but there’s no time to ask her, as I wasn’t joking about missing the bus.
“Very funny, Mom. I know your views on achieving and not letting the family down. And I’m really trying hard, honest.”
“I know you are. But remember—” her eyes glaze over. “Never mind,” she adds, giving herself a small shake. “Off you go. See you later.”
“Okay. Bye.”
I race down the street and only just make it in time for the bus. None of the gang are on it, because most of them have their own cars or get a ride. Something else I might work on Mom and Dad about soon. Rosie’s car is sitting untouched in the garage and I’ve been toying with asking if I can use it. Not sure how they’ll take me asking though. Rosie would have let me use it, I’m sure.
“Hey, Suzy,” a voice calls, distracting me from my thoughts.
I look up and notice the bus has pulled into a stop and Janey North is walking along the bus toward me. As in the Janey North, tart extraordinaire, who Lori warned me to keep away from. Thing is, I think she’s okay and am not sure she deserves the reputation she’s got. I don’t see her that much, apart from on the bus sometimes and she’s in some of my classes, but anytime I do bump into her she’s always friendly. She did ask me to sit next to her the other day in class but I made an excuse not to. I didn’t want Lori to get the wrong idea and it jeopardizes me being accepted. I feel really mean about that.
“Hi Janey. Want to sit here?” I pick up my bag and put in on the floor to make room.
“Thanks.” As she sits down a huge silver cross with green gem stones slips out the front of her school shirt.
“Hey, love that cross. I’ve always wanted one.”
Janey gives me the strangest of looks.
“Yeah, sure. I can imagine you wearing one of these. Not.” She holds it in her hand then tucks it back in.
Oops. I should have remembered my people don’t wear jewelery like that.
“Good weekend?” I ask changing the subject before I drop myself in it even more.
A shy smile tugs at the corners of her mouth and she flushes slightly. “You could say.”
“Come on. Spill,” I say curiosity getting the better of me. Or as Maddie would say, my nosy-bitch beacon on full alert.
She shifts awkwardly in her seat and starts to twist her hair around her fingers. She seems really embarrassed. I’d never have thought she would be like that. This has got to involve a guy, why else would she be acting like this?
“I met someone on Friday night at a party.”
“And?” I lean in toward her.
“He’s nineteen and goes to college. And—”
“Janey,” calls a disheveled looking Amy, another girl from school, as she walks along the bus. “Geez,” she continues, clutching a hand to her chest. “I’ve just run half a block. I really thought I was going to miss the bus. I couldn’t believe it when it was still at the bus stop. The driver tried to close the door on me before I got on but luckily I shoved my arm in and it opened automatically.” She rubs her arm.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “I bet that hurt.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It didn’t hurt that much. Move over and let me sit down.” Lucky we’re all small as three on a seat made for two is nothing if not intimate. “How was the party on Friday, Janey? As boring as you thought?”
“Depends on what you mean by boring.” Janey smirks. “I was telling Suzy about it, wasn’t I?”
“Yes, and we’ve just got to the interesting bit. Come on Janey, what happened? I’m getting all hot and bothered just thinking about it.”
Janey and Amy both look at me with bemused expressions of their faces. I think I might have said something wrong.
“That’s not the sort of comment we’d expect to hear from a member of the Virginity Club,” says Amy, her tone distinctly sarcastic.
What the—
“I’m not. Well I am, but I only went on Friday. How do you know?” And more to the point, does she know what else happened?
“I saw you leaving Starbucks with Lori and Rachel.” Phew. “I know that’s where they go so I put two and two together and got my answer. Hardly rocket science.” She rolls her