The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,21

I live.

“An accident, just over a year ago. You probably read about it. It was in all the papers. The exploding helicopter.” Lori’s hand shoots up to her mouth.

“Oh no. That was your sister? I remember. It was awful.”

“Yeah.” I take the photo from her hand and stare at it before placing it back on my dressing table. “Please don’t say anything to the others. I hate talking about it.”

“Of course I won’t. You have my word.”

“Thanks.” We stand awkwardly for a moment. “Anyway,” I finally say. “What about Guy and tomorrow? Anything I should know in advance?”

Lori looks relieved we’ve switched to a different subject. I don’t mind. I’m sure I’d feel the same if I was in her position.

“Well, you know Rachel isn’t too happy about it. But she had her chance. Well, not her chance exactly. Guy knew she liked him but he told her he’d rather stay as friends.”

Great. That’s all I need. Rachel against me. Why didn’t someone tell me she had a thing for him? Shit. Shit. And triple shit.

“I didn’t realize. No-one said.” I shake my head.

“Don’t worry. She’ll get over it. At the moment she’s more concerned with getting herself elected to the Student Liaison Committee—you may have noticed her rather blatant campaigning.”

“Yes.” You’d have to have been living on another planet not to notice that one.

“Between you and me it isn’t because Guy wants to stay friends with her that he said no to them going out. It’s because she tells way too many lies.”

Chapter Eight

“The first round nomination results for seventh form representative on the Student Liaison Committee are: Michael Reardon, William Phillips, Suzy Green—”

My jaw drops and my heart skips a beat. Principal Roberts just called my name. That must mean loads of people put my name forward. I don’t believe it. You know, I’ve never been nominated for anything in my entire life. Non-conformists are always on the periphery when it comes to roles of responsibility.

Of course, that’s how I always wanted it. So I’m not complaining. But now it’s actually happened to me, I have to admit it does feel kind of good. I suppose Rosie must have felt like this all the time. No wonder she kept her butt firmly on the pedestal.

“Decide which of the five candidates you wish to vote for,” the Principal continues, “and place your voting slip in the box by the stage on your way out.” Did he say five? Who are the other two? My mind wandered after he announced my name.

“Yay, Suzy,” says Lori in my ear from where she’s sitting behind me. “Two from the gang nominated. May the best person win.”

I turn my head to face her. “What? Are you nominated too?”

“Duh. Not me. Rachel.” She laughs and shakes her head.

“Sorry. It’s just after he said my name I sort of tuned out. We’ve both been nominated. That’ll sure cause a stink.”

“Why?”

“Well, you know. I’m new and suddenly I’m nominated. I bet Rachel will really hate me now, especially because of my going out with Guy.” I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I mention Guy and the movies tomorrow night.

“Don’t worry.” She grins, looks from side to side conspiratorially and whispers in my ear. “I nominated you in this first round. But don’t tell Rachel.”

You could knock me down with a feather. I never in a million years expected her to suggest me over Rachel.

“Why? It’s not like I told anyone I wanted to be on the Committee.”

“That’s the whole point. You haven’t been begging for nominations like certain others. And that’s why people put your name forward.”

I pull out a pen from my bag and stare at the blank voting slip. Shall I vote for myself or is that not the done thing? Mind you, I’m not sure that I actually want to serve on the Committee. I like that I’m in the final round but if I win that means lots of extra work. On the other hand, it will look really good on my college application. And as I don’t have anything to put on it other than stuff from this year, it might not be such a bad thing.

“I think I’ll vote for Rach,” I say my pen hovering over the top of the slip.

“You freak,” Lori says, as she leans over my shoulder and grabs my hand just before pen hits paper. “Vote for yourself.”

“I can’t do that, it’s cheating.” Like that’s ever bothered me before. Not that I’ve cheated a