Jan didn't awaken until about noon the next day. Her first thought was of Cindy. She dialed the hospital operator, and they transferred her to Cindy's room. Carol answered the telephone.

"She's doing all right for now," she told Jan. "She's still asleep."

After speaking briefly with her mother, Jan went to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat. She was about to reach for the milk and orange juice when she remembered that it was now closer to lunchtime that to breakfast. She was puzzling over what to do when the telephone rang.

"I hope I did not awaken you," said Ilya.

"Oh no, I've been up for a few minutes," Jan replied.

"How is Cindy doing?"

"She's doing all right. I just spoke to Mom."

"How about if I take you somewhere for lunch, and then we could go to the hospital," Ilya suggested.

"That sounds swell! Just give me a few minutes to get ready." Hurriedly Jan dressed and awaited Ilya's arrival. He arrived wearing a polo shirt and jeans. He hugged her and kissed her lips in greeting after she let him in.

"Are you doing all right?" he asked her. "I know that you are very worried about your sister."

"I'm fine, thanks." Jan smiled. "It's so sweet of you to check on me."

"It is my pleasure." Ilya grinned.

He took her to McDonald's, where she had a Big Mac meal and an ice cream, and then they went to the hospital. Cindy was still very groggy, so they didn't stay for long. Afterwards Jan invited Ilya back to the Brady's for awhile. They watched TV for a couple of hours, and then Jan made sandwiches for dinner and Ilya said good-bye.

"I will see you at school on Monday," he told her as he gave her a friendly hug and kiss.

Valentine's Day came on a Saturday that year. Ilya brought Jan a dozen red roses when he picked her up for their date that evening.

"My friend James Hayward tell me that in U.S.A., today is day to give romantic gift to your sweetheart," he told her.

"Oh, they're beautiful!" Jan exclaimed. "All I got you is this card," she added a bit apologetically.

Ilya laughed. "Oh, Jan, that is all right! I am very happy you got me card. It is beautiful card."

He took her out to dinner and then to a romantic movie. After the movie, Ilya drove to a spot on the beach overlooking the sand dunes. The lights from the nearby bridge bathed the area in a romantic glow.

"My friend James Hayward tell me about this place," Ilya said. "He say that he come here with his girlfriend when they want to be romantic."

"I've heard of it, but I've never been here with a guy before," Jan replied.

"It is very nice, yes?"

"Oh, it's beautiful!"

"You are beautiful, Jan." Ilya held her face between his hands and gazed into her eyes. He began to kiss her softly, and she responded enthusiastically. After a few minutes, she realized that Ilya's tongue had slipped between her lips to touch her own, and this time she didn't pull away.

"We would be more comfortable in back seat," Ilya murmured after awhile.

In the back seat, Jan lay back and Ilya lay on top of her. He continued to kiss her as he had before, with both their tongues intertwined. Jan felt Ilya's hand moving over her clothing, caressing her breasts, and she felt something hard against her thigh. The combined sensations made her both giddy with desire and frightened nearly out of her wits.

Ilya's hand came to rest over Jan's heart, and he felt her rapid heartbeat. "Are you afraid, Jan?" he asked.

"A little bit," she admitted.

"I am sorry." Ilya immediately looked penitent. "I did not mean to make you afraid."

"That's all right." Jan gently swept her fingers through Ilya's dark brown hair.

Ilya took her hand into his own and kissed it. "Come on. I will take you home."

Jan thought he sounded a little bit sad.

Jan didn't hear from Ilya at all on Sunday. Monday she looked for him at lunchtime but couldn't find him. I sure hope he's all right, she thought. That evening she called him but got no answer. She didn't see him at lunchtime on Tuesday either. By Wednesday she was really worried. That day she ate her lunch hurriedly and decided to go for a walk outside the cafeteria. Relief swept over her when she spotted Ilya, but her joy was short-lived, as she soon realized that he was with Marilena, a girl she recognized from her biology class. The two of them were talking and laughing together.