Caitlin paused on the brick path, and the other girls stopped beside her. "You know, I really should go say hello to my grandmother. She's probably waiting for me." She turned quickly to the others. "We've got to have a meeting for this fundraiser. How about tonight—my room, at seven?"

  "Sure."

  "Great."

  "Darn, I've got to study for an exam tomorrow," Jessica grumbled, "but let me know what you decide."

  "Me, too," Kim commented. "I was on the courts all afternoon yesterday practicing for Sunday's tennis tournament and really got behind with my studying."

  "Okay, we'll fill you guys in, but make sure you come to the next meeting. And I don't want any excuses. If you miss the meeting, you're out!" Caitlin stressed firmly. "I'll catch the rest of you later, then."

  All the girls walked away except Dorothy, who lingered behind. Just then, a tall, elegantly dressed, silver-haired woman walked briskly down the stairs from the administrative office in the main school building. She moved directly toward the Mercedes, quickly opened the driver's door, and slid in behind the wheel.

  Caitlin's arm shot up in greeting, but Regina Ryan never glanced her way. Instead, she started the engine and immediately swung out of the parking area and down the curving drive.

  For an instant Caitlin stopped in her tracks. Then with a wide, carefree smile, she turned back to Dorothy and laughed. "I just remembered. She called last night and said she was dropping off my allowance money but would be in a hurry and couldn't stay. My memory really is bad. I'll run over and pick it up now."

  As Caitlin turned, Dorothy lightly grabbed Caitlin's elbow and spoke softly. "I know you're in a hurry, but can I talk to you for a second, Caitlin? Did you mean what you said about Roger? Was he really looking at me?"

  "I told you he was," Caitlin said impatiently, anxious to get Dorothy out of the picture. "Would I lie to you?"

  "Oh, no. It's just that when I went over to talk to him, he didn't seem that interested. He was more interested in listening to what you and Jed were saying."

  "Roger's just nosy."

  "Well, I wondered. You know, I haven't had any dates since I transferred—"

  "Dorothy! You're worried about dates? Are you crazy?" Caitlin grinned broadly. "And as far as Roger goes, wait and see. Believe me." She gave a breezy wave. "I've got to go."

  "Yeah, okay. And, thanks, Caitlin."

  "Anytime."

  Without a backward glance, Caitlin walked quickly to the administration office. The story about her allowance had been a fabrication. Regina Ryan had given Caitlin more than enough spending money when she'd been home two weeks earlier, but it would be all over campus in a minute if the girls thought there was anything marring Caitlin's seemingly perfect life.

  Running up the steps and across the main marble-floored lobby that had once been the elegant entrance hall of the plantation house, she walked quickly into the dean's office and smiled warmly at Mrs. Forbes, the dean's secretary.

  "Hi, Mrs. Forbes."

  "Hello, Caitlin. Can I help you?"

  "I came to pick up the message my grandmother just left."

  "Message?" Mrs. Forbes frowned.

  "Yes." Caitlin continued to look cheerful. "I just saw her leaving and figured she was in a hurry and left a message for me here."

  "No, she just met on some school board business briefly with Dean Fleming."

  "She didn't leave anything for me?"

  "I can check with the part-time girl if you like."

  "Thanks." Caitlin's smile had faded, but she waited as Mrs. Forbes stepped into a small room at the rear.

  She returned in a second, shaking her head. "Sorry, Caitlin."

  Caitlin forced herself to smile. "No problem, Mrs. Forbes. It wasn't important, anyway. She'll probably be on the phone with me ten times tonight."

  As Caitlin hurried from the main building and set out again toward the dorm, her beautiful face was grim. Why was she always trying to fool herself? She knew there was no chance her grandmother would call just to say hello. But nobody would ever know that: She would make certain of it. Not Mrs. Forbes, or any of the kids; not even her roommate, Ginny. Not anyone!

  Like it so far? Want to read more? LOVING will be available in May 1985.* It will be on sale wherever Bantam paperbacks are sold. The other two books in the trilogy, LOVE DENIED and TRUE LOVE, will also be published in 1985.

  ENDNOTES

  *Outside the United States and Canada, books will be available approximately three months later. Check with your local bookseller for further details.

 

 

  Francine Pascal, Showdown (Sweet Valley High Book 19)

 

 

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