Free Secrets by Francine Pascal Page A

lately."
    "I don't think it's ever too late to say you're sorry in a situation like this, Enid."
    Impulsively Enid threw her arms around her teacher. "You know something? I suddenly feel about a hundred pounds lighter. Even if I dori's have a date for the dance," she ended on a glum note.
    "Why not go alone then?" Ms. Dalton suggested. "Just because you don't have a date, that's no reason to stay home. Plenty of kids go without dates. Just hold your head up, that's what counts. You might even surprise yourself and have a good time."
    "Do you really think I should?"
    "Of course I do! I'd go with you myself, if it weren't for--" She broke off, clearly uncomfortable about discussing her own problem with Enid.
    "Oh, Ms. Dalton," Enid cried, "it's so unfair! I hate what everyone's been saying about you!"
    "Enid," she said, her voice catching a little, "I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I've been thinking quite seriously about resigning. I've spoken to Mr. Cooper about it, and he--"
    "No!" Enid leaped to her feet in a blaze of indignation. "You can't. You can't just quit!
    What about all that stuff you just told me? How can you expect me to hold my head up if you won't do the same?"
    Ms. Dalton was staring at her with a dazed expression. "You don't understand, Enid. It's not the same thing."
    "Why isn't it? We've both been accused of something we didn't do. What's the difference?"
    All the tears Enid had been holding back now streamed down her cheeks. She got up and grabbed her jacket, suddenly feeling as if Ms. Dalton had abandoned her.
    "Running away is running away--no matter what excuses you make!" Enid cried as she stumbled blindly toward the door.
    She was gone before Ms. Dalton could reply.
    The doorbell rang as Enid was applying a final coat of polish to her nails. She was so nervous that the noise startled her into knocking the bottle across her dressing table in a splash of pale pink.
    "Darn!" she cried, dangerously close to tears once again. But this time she was determined not to give in to them. She'd spent the last hour applying her makeup, and she wasn't going to let anything spoil it.
    Through gritted teeth, Enid addressed her reflection in the mirror: "You're going to have a
    good time at this dance if it kills you, Enid Rollins!"
    "Enid!" Her mother stuck her head through the bedroom door. "Someone's here to see you."
    "Who?"
    Enid couldn't imagine who would be stopping by at this time. It was nearly eight. Elizabeth would be too busy getting ready for the dance herself. The only other person she could think of was ...
    "Ronnie!" She jumped to her feet, her heart taking off at a full gallop.
    Mrs. Rollins shook her head, wearing a mysterious smile. "I'm afraid not, dear. But I don't think you'll be disappointed when you see who it is."
    Enid flew downstairs, forgetting that she hadn't put on her shoes. She came to an abrupt halt when she reached the living room.
    "George!" she gasped in disbelief.
    This couldn't be the same George Warren she'd last seen two years ago. The boy standing before her now was at least a foot taller. A tower of tanned muscle topped by a gorgeous white smile and the sexiest eyes Enid had ever been hypnotized by. He was dressed in a suit and tie that made him look even more irresistible. She stepped forward as if in a trance to take the hand he held out to her.
    "I know I should have called first," he said in a deep baritone, "but I was afraid maybe you'd tell me not to come over. Somehow I just couldn't stand the idea of not being able to see you, Enid."
    "I--I'm glad you came, George," she stammered, finally regaining her senses. "Oh, George, I can't believe it's you. You've really changed!"
    "So have you." He laughed. "For the better, too. I remember you when you were a skinny kid with bangs that kept falling in your eyes."
    "And braces," Enid said. "Don't forget the braces."
    "How could I?"
    They both laughed. Within minutes, they were chatting away as if they'd seen each