"So how was your date last night with the 'King of
Cool'?"
Jessica asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. It was Saturday morning and her
and Jessica were in the kitchen making pancakes for breakfast.
"It was fine, Jess."
"Now why don't I believe you?" Jessica said measuring out the flour.
"I don't know," Elizabeth sighed opening the fridge. "It was
just an
ordinary date. Nothing special."
"That's the problem," Jessica argued taking the milk from her sister's
hand. "You guys never do anything special. It's just routine with you
guys."
"Well maybe I like it that way," Elizabeth argued. "Maybe I like
being
comfortable with Todd and having things predictable."
Jessica looked horrified. "How boring! Liz, we're sixteen, not sixty!
And if you're worried about no finding other dates…"
"It's not that!" Elizabeth protested, mixing the batter. "I
have had
other guys ask me out-"
"You have?" Jessica said surprised.
"Yes," Elizabeth said lightly. "I just really like Todd. Is there
anything
wrong with that?"
"No," Jessica admitted. "I guess not. But what if you meet this
really
fantastic guy and he asks you out."
Elizabeth blushed. "I don't know," she admitted. "I'd
probably stay
with Todd."
Jessica poured the batter onto the griddle. She stared at her sister.
"Hey," she said softy. "I like your outfit."
Elizabeth smiled. She had decided to wear one of her new outfits.
It was a red halter-top and a short jeans skirt. "Thanks."
"I'm serious," Jessica insisted. "You're dressing more like a
high
school girl than a mother."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Elizabeth said poking
her
sister.
"Whatever," Jessica said flipping the pancakes. "Todd is going
to drool."
Elizabeth blushed. "I'm working at the Oracle today, I probably won't
be alone with Todd."
"But you'll be alone with Mr. Collins," Jessica said slyly. "He's
just
way to cute to be a teacher."
"Jessica!" Elizabeth said shocked. "I'm going to write my
column,
not seduce him!"
"Maybe he'll seduce you," Jessica said wickedly. "With
that short
skirt and bare stomach…"
"Jessica!" Elizabeth repeated.
"I would take advantage of it," Jessica said dreamily. "I swear,
your
beauty is wasted on you."
Elizabeth smiled weakly.
Elizabeth walked into the Oracle office that afternoon. She felt all
exposed. Everyone had commented on how great she had looked.
Todd even told her that she looked like a babe. But Elizabeth had
never liked having people make a big deal over her. That was more
Jessica's thing.
"Hey, Mr. Collins!" she called out before sitting down.
He turned and looked at her and his eyebrows raised. "Jessica?"
"Elizabeth," she corrected.
"Sorry," he said to her. "Listen, I have a new assignment and I
think
you'd do great with it."
"Great," Elizabeth said, pleased that he had considered her first.
"El Carro High School recently started this new program called Peer2Peer
counseling. A number of students were trained to be Peer Mediator's and
they are kind of like a court system. When two students are having
problems they help them work it out."
"Sounds great!" Elizabeth said.
"It is a great program," Mr. Collins agreed. "I would like you to
write
about it and see if it is something we could start doing here."
"Sure," Elizabeth said smiling.
"I've arranged a meeting with you and Mr. Lockhart, the teacher in
charge of it, for this afternoon."
"Okay," Elizabeth said gathering her stuff. "I'll head on
over."
Elizabeth walked down the hallways of El Carro. Her steps
vibrated
through the empty hallways. Her meeting had gone well and she had
a lot of interesting things for her article. She had even managed to talk
with some of the students. She wasn't paying attention and she crashed
into someone. Her things spilled out of her bag and onto the floor. She
bent her head down and began to pick her things up. "I'm so sorry,"
she
mumbled as she crouched down.
"It's okay," a deep voice said softly as he handed her things. She
was
about ready to get up but the guy placed a finger underneath her chin
and lifted her face up. Elizabeth found herself staring at the most gorgeous
guy she had ever laid eyes on.
"I'm sorry," she repeated breathlessly. His touch sent shivers
throughout
her body.
"It's okay," he said with a deep throaty voice as he smiled at her.
Elizabeth
saw that his green eyes were dancing.
He held out his hand and she took it and he pulled her up.
"Thanks," she said feeling shy.
"Don't think about it," he said. She stared at her for a moment,
then continued
down the hall. "I'll see you around."
After he disappeared around the corner, Elizabeth leaned against the lockers.
What was wrong with her? She was feeling things she had never felt before and
all he wanted to do was to see that guy again. Suddenly Todd Wilkins seemed
very far off.
