Secrets by Francine Pascal Read Free Book Online Page B

question is, what is she tutoring him in?"
    "It's the law of human nature," put in Olivia Davidson, who worked with Elizabeth on the paper and was known for her liberal views on every subject from nuclear war to organic food. She was especially big these days on women's rights. "A woman doesn't reach her peak until she's in her thirties. Men are practically burned out by then. So it makes sense, really, when you think about it. Though I still can't imagine Ms. Dalton and Ken."
    "What makes sense?" asked Lois Waller.
    "For an older woman to be attracted to a younger man." Caroline filled her in.
    "Maybe," said Elizabeth, "but I still don't think it's true in this case. Ms. Dalton is our teacher. She wouldn't do something as unprincipled as that, even if she wanted to."
    "God, Liz, you are soooo naive," Caroline drawled. "Anyway, that's what makes it so perfect. It's so disgustingly tacky."
    "I talked to someone in Ms. Dalton's first-period French class who told me Ms. Dalton seemed upset, like she was on the verge of tears or something."
    "Maybe someone in her family just died," suggested Lois, a shaggy-haired girl with oversized glasses which kept slipping down her nose as she talked.
    "Or maybe someone's about to get fired," sneered Caroline. "My father plays golf with old Chrome Dome and says he's practically Billy Graham when it comes to stuff like teachers' morals."
    "I'm with Liz," Olivia argued. "Ms. Dalton just doesn't seem like the type."
    Guy Chesney, keyboard player for The Droids, skidded to a stop before them, whipping out a grubby pad and a pencil stub that looked as if it had been chewed by a pack of rats. His impish brown eyes were lit up with mischief. "I'm taking a poll," he said. "So far it's only one out of three in Ms. Dalton's favor. Goes to show, people always want to believe the worst. Me, I thrive on rumors."
    "Has anyone bothered to ask Ms. Dalton whether it's true or not?" Elizabeth wondered. "Why would she tell us?" Caroline replied,
    looking horrified at the idea. "It's not exactly the kind of thing she'd want printed on the front page of The Oracle."
    Guy laughed. "Sounds like a great idea to me. I'll bet it'd sell more copies than Playboy. Hey, maybe you could even staple in a fold-out of Ms. Dalton while you're at it."
    All four girls eyed him with a drop-dead expression.
    "OK, OK," he backed off. "It was just an idea. I mean, heck, any woman with a body like hers ..." His voice trailed off when he saw he was only making it worse for himself.
    At that moment the subject of their heated discussion arrived on the scene, putting an abrupt end to the conversation.
    "Bonjour, class," Ms. Dalton greeted them as she unlocked the door.
    She seemed more subdued than usual, and she was wearing a pair of very dark sunglasses-- something Elizabeth had never seen her do before. A ripple of uneasiness edged its way up her spine. Suppose, just suppose, it were true....
    Ms. Dalton froze as she entered the classroom. Someone had scrawled on the blackboard in large block letters:
    IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A FRENCH KISS
    IS,
    ASK KEN MATTHEWS
    Elizabeth gasped. She felt sick. But her reaction was nothing compared to Ms. Dalton's, who reeled back as if she'd been slapped, burst into tears, and rushed out into the corridor.
    Elizabeth was still upset about what had happened in Ms. Dalton's classroom by the time she caught up with Enid at the end of third period, but she was determined to put a stop to this ridiculous business of not speaking to one another.
    "It's no use avoiding me," said Elizabeth, blocking Enid's path as she attempted to brush past her. "Enid, we have to talk."
    "I have nothing to say to you, Elizabeth Wakefield," Enid replied icily.
    "Enid, you're my best friend. I would never betray you. You have to believe me. I swear I didn't tell anyone about those letters."
    "The next thing you'll be telling me is that your room is bugged."
    "Don't be ridiculous!" Elizabeth was starting to get a little angry