The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,31
by some absolute miracle Ryan disappears in a puff of smoke and my tangled web remains in tact. I’ve got to get to him as soon as I can. Trouble is I don’t know what shifts he’s working. He did say after school and weekends. Maybe I should risk going to see if he’s there today, rather than waiting for the weekend. As long as no-one from school is there. If anyone sees me talking to him and it gets back to Guy or Lori I’ll be in big trouble.
“Let’s go out after school to celebrate,” Lori says.
What is it with this girl? Does she have a hotline to my most dreaded thoughts?
“Sorry I can’t. Promised Mom I’d meet her in town to do some shopping. What about tomorrow?”
“Can’t tomorrow. Netball practice. The weekend then. Unless you’ve already made plans,” she fixes me with a penetrating stare. “Have you?” She giggles then draws a heart on her pad and puts Guy and Suzy in the middle of it.
“Weekend’s great. I haven’t made plans with anyone.” I lean over and scribble out the heart. “Don’t. In case anyone sees.”
Chapter Twelve
I shield the top of my eyes to reduce the glare from the glass and press my face against the window, lucky I have a small nose or it could be painful. But I still can’t make out whether Ryan is there or not.
I can see the pretty blond girl, that all the guys have a thing for, swinging her hips as she walks to the tables and picks up the dirty mugs. And standing behind the counter serving is a geeky looking boy who I swear is barely twelve years old. Other than that, nada. And not many customers either.
Knowing my luck he isn’t working tonight. Then again, it was a long-shot, especially as he worked yesterday. They probably share out the shifts. Looks like I’ll have to come back tomorrow, though I could go in and ask when he’s next working. If I dare. And if I can be sure none of them will say anything to anyone from school. That’s all I need, for some gossip-tart to tell Lori or whoever that I’ve been asking about Ryan.
I turn around and lean against the window with my arms folded, debating what to do. In my peripheral vision I see someone waving but that’s all I can make out. As they get closer I realize that the wave is, in fact, meant for me. Oh, yay. Now what am I to do? It’s too late to do a runner.
“Suzy, hi.”
I stand away from the window, whilst inwardly debating the probability ratio of Guy turning up and finding me—help I’m a math geek and someone forgot to tell me.
“Guy. What are you doing here?”
Of all the people in all the world I had to bump into him. It’s like he’s electronically tagged me or something. I mean it’s very strange that he turns up at just the right moment. If I didn’t know better I’d say he’s stalking me. Yeah, right. Just like he’s prepared to go on stage to declare his feelings for me. I really need to get a grip. That or stop drinking so much diet cola because something seems to be fuddling my mind.
“I could ask you the same question. You told me you were working on your project tonight.” He doesn’t miss a trick.
“Well I was, then Mom asked me to meet her, but she hasn’t turned up. I bet the car’s broken down again. We’re always having trouble.” I roll my eyes upward in pretend frustration at our car. Which really is in perfect working order, even if it is several years older than the new car Guy’s parents bought for him.
“Shall we go into Starbucks and wait, before this drizzle turns into a shower?”
Drizzle? I didn’t even notice it start raining. It might be nice to go inside now I know Ryan isn’t there, and actually enjoy my drink rather than rush it like last night.
“Sure. I’ll text Mom and tell her not to come. I’ll catch the bus. It’s too late for shopping now anyway.” Just listen to the lies drip out of my mouth.
“I’ll give you a ride.” A smile plays around the corners of his mouth and I feel all gooey inside. He’s such a sweetie. And of course I wasn’t angling for a ride home when I said I’d catch the bus. As if I’d be that manipulative.
“Thanks. And my treat