Poster's Note: Welcome to the story known as Campus Terror, which introduces us all to the character of Alice. I won't tell you more about her, she is definitely someone to be experienced for the first time by reading. Please hold onto your hats, keep your seat and table in their upright positions and hold onto your seatbelts. And as always, the HB's are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Syndicate. Please enjoy!

CAMPUS TERROR
By Copagirl

CHAPTER 1

The young woman sat on the bench. To anyone who saw her, they would think that she was waiting for the bus going into town. The woman, twenty years old, sat with her dark shoulder length hair moving softly from the breeze. She stared longingly at the house at the corner of Elm and High. Waiting….Waiting for him. He would be home soon, his last class ended not too long ago.

The woman noticed the #94 bus was coming. Not wanting it to stop, she moved away from the bus stop. She walked a few feet away, standing next to a large bush as the bus passed her by. Tucking her hair back, she thrust her hands in her sweater pockets, then the young woman walked back to the bus stop.

There was a car now parked in the driveway at the house on the corner of Elm and High Street. It was a red 1967 Chevy. A frown crossed her face; it belonged to the other one. The one who always took his attention away from her!

As the other one was getting out of his car, a navy blue BMW drove up, parking behind the Chevy.

Blonde, blue-eyed Joe Hardy smiled and gave a small wave to his older brother. He waited for his brother to get out of the car.

Frank Hardy, his brown eyes twinkling with delight, pushed back his dark wavy hair.

"Hi Frank, how's college life treating you?"

"Hey, we both got home at the same time!"

The two brothers chuckled as they had spoken at the same time. Putting an arm around Joe's shoulder, Frank smiled at his brother as they walked towards the house.

"Joe, you ask me that same question every day. It's not like I'm living away from home, I'm commuting to Bayport U. I'm home every night."

"Yeah, yeah and you're home every weekend. But you're also busy with your studies, seeing Callie. I'm busy with baseball practice, seeing Vanessa, studying."

"Hold on, shouldn't that be studying, baseball practice then Vanessa?"

"No, it really should be Vanessa, baseball practice and studying. Back to your question…I still haven't gotten use to you not being in school with me. I miss you."

Frank smiled warmly at his brother. Placing his arm around Joe's shoulders, he gave Joe a one handed hug.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Come on, let's go inside. I don't know about you but I'm starving."

The two brothers walked into the house, unaware of the young woman standing across the street. Once they were inside the house, the young woman gazed at the house for a few minutes. She then turned to leave, walking slowly away. As she headed for her car, the woman began to reminisce about her first meeting with him….

**Three months earlier**

Alice Walker walked briskly towards the Fine Arts building, her dark brown hair was pulled back by two barrettes. Alice had just moved to Bayport, she had been excited to be on her own in a strange city. Things would be different here, Alice had told herself. She would be popular, liked. Loved. But that's not how it had turned out. Alice didn't like her roommate. No one liked her. The students teased her the same way they had back home.

Although her roommate denied it, Alice knew, just knew that girl was trying to poison her. Quickening her steps, Alice didn't see the crack in the sidewalk, the concrete had risen up slightly. Her right foot hit the raised portion, causing Alice to lose her balance.

As Alice lay face down on the sidewalk, she could hear someone laughing. She rolled onto her side and got herself into a sitting position. Alice wanted to cry, she could feel the tears burning in her eyes.

"Are you alright? Can I help you?" said a deep voice filled with warmth.

Alice looked up and found herself staring into a pair of dark brown eyes. She saw concern and caring in those eyes. She blinked, and saw a handsome, kind face smiling down at her.

"I believe these belong to you." Frank Hardy said, as he handed Alice her books. Seeing a sketchpad lying nearby, Frank picked that up as well. A few pages were loose and had fallen out, Frank carefully gathered these up as well.

"Did you draw these?"

"Y-yes, I did."

"You're very talented, but then I can barely draw stick people. My name is Frank Hardy."

"Alice. Alice Walker and thank you. For the compliment and picking up my books."

"How 'bout I help you off the ground. You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

"No, just my pride. Thank you, Frank."

With gentle care, Frank helped Alice up, then he gave her books back.

"It was nice meeting you, Alice. I'm running late for my class, I'll see you around."

Alice watched as Frank walked away, someone had called him. Frank turned and waved at a tall dark haired boy. The dark haired boy looked over at Alice and said something to Frank and then laughed.

Alice knew, just knew that boy was telling lies about her to Frank. But Frank wouldn't believe him. Because Frank Hardy loved her. She could see it in his eyes.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Poster's Note: Yup, that girl knows a good Hardy boy when she sees one, but she gives me the total heebie-jeebies...