Into the Woods by V. C. Andrews Read Free Book Online Page B

gab session. There were just too many opportunities to interrupt or take breaks that went on and on. In the end it was always what I did on my own that made a difference. but I was tempted to break my own rules for Trent.
A part of me was hesitant, however, for another reason. I remembered how much Autumn liked Trent. and I couldn't help feeling like someone who was getting too involved with her friend's boyfriend, even though he was far, far from that. She had barely spoken to him. It was ridiculous to feel that way. I knew it and put it aside.
"All right," I said.
'How about tonight?" he fired back at me before I could even think of taking another step. "We shouldn't waste any time!" he added with a look of exaggerated panic. At least. I shouldn't."
I stopped myself from laughing again. I was beginning to feel like one of those girls who giggled after practically every word said to them, especially when they are standing in the glow of some goodlooking boy.
"Okay," I said. "Come to my house at seven."
"Your house?"
"I'll leave your name at the gate. Here's my address." I tore a sheet of paper from my notebook. He spoke as I scribbled and made a little map of the street.
"I was thinking I could maybe come get you and take you to my house. It's going to be very quiet there. My parents are going to a charity event, and my sister is sleeping over at a friend's house."
I handed him the paper. "I don't go anywhere on a school night," I said with a finality that made his shoulders sag,
"Oh. Your father's like a general or something, isn't he?"
"No," I said, laughing with good justification this time. "The navy doesn't have generals. Admirals. My father is a lieutenant commander, an instructor in Heliops."
"Huh?"
"Helicopters.''
"Oh."
"Don't look so worried. The last time he bit someone, there was no sign of rabies." I added.
"I just thought we would be more comfortable at my place:"
"I'm very comfortable at home. I have my own room. No one will bother us. I promise." I said "All we're going to do is study anyway, so why worry?"
"Right," he said. He glanced at the group of students hovering around Wendi and Penny and then smiled at me and said he would be there at seven.
Before the end of the day I saw him again. He gave me a big smile and waved on his way to baseball practice. I knew he was one of the school's star pitchers and there was one more big game to be played. I had yet to attend one and thought that I just might go to this game. scheduled for Friday at the home. field.
Despite my determination not to let our study session be anything else but that. I couldn't help feeling excited about it. I tried to be as casual and nonchalant as I could when I informed Mommy that Trent was coming to study with me. Daddy was still at work, and then he called to say he wouldn't be home for dinner. He had a meeting with his command to plan an elaborate exercise. At dinner Mommy asked me about Trent, and I told her he was the boy Autumn had a big crush on. I explained haw popular he was, a star on the baseball team, and very goodlooking. I added that I had told him how seriously I took my studying for tests, practically growling about it.
She smiled to herself as if she knew something about me that I didn't know.
I went on and an about how helping someone study reinforces everything for yourself. She listened and nodded but kept that soft smile on her lips.
"What?" I finally cried. "I know you've been laughing at me. Mommy."
"I'm not laughing at you, Grace. I think you're cute justifying a study session with this boy. You let slip how good-looking and popular he is, not to mention what a hero he is on the baseball team. You like him, don't you?"
"I don't know him enough to like him. Mommy."
"Okay." she said, and then dropped the smile from her lips and looked hard at me. "Don't let what happened to Autumn Sullivan dominate your relationships with boys. honey. Keep it all in mind, be cautious, but don't be afraid of yourself. Do you know