The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz Read Free Book Online Page A

guys’ behavior at
Carlton High. Whatever. I’ve got to face Lori and the rest of them. And the
sooner the better.
    “No breakfast
for me, Mom,” I yell as I run down the stairs. “Or I’ll miss the bus.”
    “Suzy, wait,” Mom
says coming out of the kitchen. “Is everything okay?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    “You haven’t
been yourself this weekend. Is it Rosie? It gets to all of us sometimes out of
the blue when we least expect it.” Now I feel awful. They think I’ve been upset
about Rosie when really my main concern has been me and my social standing.
    “I’m fine Mom.
Just got a lot of work on at school.” She frowns. Isn’t she pleased I’m working
so hard?
    “There’s more to
life than study, you know.”
    Excuse me? Now
who’s been taken over by aliens? If I had a dollar for every time Mom or Dad
went on at me for not studying I’d be a millionaire several times over. This is
so strange, but there’s no time to ask her, as I wasn’t joking about missing
the bus.
    “Very funny, Mom.
I know your views on achieving and not letting the family down. And I’m really
trying hard, honest.”
    “I know you are.
But remember—” her eyes glaze over. “Never mind,” she adds, giving herself a
small shake. “Off you go. See you later.”
    “Okay. Bye.”
    I race down the
street and only just make it in time for the bus. None of the gang are on it,
because most of them have their own cars or get a ride. Something else I might
work on Mom and Dad about soon. Rosie’s car is sitting untouched in the garage
and I’ve been toying with asking if I can use it. Not sure how they’ll take me
asking though. Rosie would have let me use it, I’m sure.
    “Hey, Suzy,” a
voice calls, distracting me from my thoughts.
    I look up and
notice the bus has pulled into a stop and Janey North is walking along the bus toward
me. As in the Janey North, tart extraordinaire, who Lori warned me to keep away
from. Thing is, I think she’s okay and am not sure she deserves the reputation
she’s got. I don’t see her that much, apart from on the bus sometimes and she’s
in some of my classes, but anytime I do bump into her she’s always friendly. She
did ask me to sit next to her the other day in class but I made an excuse not
to. I didn’t want Lori to get the wrong idea and it jeopardizes me being
accepted. I feel really mean about that.
    “Hi Janey. Want
to sit here?” I pick up my bag and put in on the floor to make room.
    “Thanks.” As she
sits down a huge silver cross with green gem stones slips out the front of her
school shirt.
    “Hey, love that
cross. I’ve always wanted one.”
    Janey gives me
the strangest of looks.
    “Yeah, sure. I
can imagine you wearing one of these. Not.” She holds it in her hand then tucks
it back in.
    Oops. I should
have remembered my people don’t wear jewelery like that.
    “Good weekend?”
I ask changing the subject before I drop myself in it even more.
    A shy smile tugs
at the corners of her mouth and she flushes slightly. “You could say.”
    “Come on.
Spill,” I say curiosity getting the better of me. Or as Maddie would say, my
nosy-bitch beacon on full alert.
    She shifts
awkwardly in her seat and starts to twist her hair around her fingers. She
seems really embarrassed. I’d never have thought she would be like that. This
has got to involve a guy, why else would she be acting like this?
    “I met someone
on Friday night at a party.”
    “And?” I lean in
toward her.
    “He’s nineteen
and goes to college. And—”
    “Janey,” calls a
disheveled looking Amy, another girl from school, as she walks along the bus.
“Geez,” she continues, clutching a hand to her chest. “I’ve just run half a
block. I really thought I was going to miss the bus. I couldn’t believe it when
it was still at the bus stop. The driver tried to close the door on me before I
got on but luckily I shoved my arm in and it opened automatically.” She rubs
her arm.
    “Are you okay?”
I