Free SVH11-Too Good To Be True by Francine Pascal Page A

started up in the pit of her stomach. Suzanne was right. She didn't want to believe it. Not about Mr. Collins, of all people. He was more than just her favorite teacher, he was also her friend.
    Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes. "Tell me everything," she said grimly.
    In a low, hesitant voice punctuated by occasional hiccups, Suzanne told the story. ''He seemed different when he came home," she said. "Like maybe he'd been drinking. Only he wasn't acting really drunk, just, well... friendlier somehow. He asked me if I wanted some wine, and when I told him I was too young to drink, he said--he said I seemed pretty grown-up to him. Then the next thing I knew he was kissing me--and trying to unbutton my blouse. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. I ended up running all the way over here."
    Elizabeth was so stunned she could hardly think straight. "It just doesn't sound like Mr. Collins. I've never known him to act that way."
    "You don't believe me?"
    " It's not that I don't believe you...." Elizabeth was confused. " It's just that--well, couldn't you have been mistaken?"
    Suzanne shook her head. "No. It was no mistake. Look, he even tore my blouse when I was trying to get away."
    Elizabeth thought of all the times she'd gone to Mr. Collins when she was in trouble or needed advice, all the times he'd helped her. He always knew how to lead her to the right decision without actually telling her what to do. He was almost like a big brother or a favorite uncle in so many ways. Hearing Suzanne's story was
    like having a nightmare. The worst kind of nightmare--the kind a person couldn't wake up from.
    "We have to tell someone," she said. "My parents. They'll know what to do."
    Suzanne grew panicky. She clutched Elizabeth's arm. "What if they think it's all my fault? That I led him on? That's what he'll say."
    Elizabeth hugged Suzanne. "How could they think anything so terrible about you? You're the sweetest person in the whole world! My parents know what you're like."
    Suzanne clung to Elizabeth as if she were drowning. "I'm so scared, Liz! Nothing like this has ever happened to me. If Pete knew, he'd be so upset. He'd probably kill Mr. Collins."
    Tears were streaming down Elizabeth's cheeks. Her own image of Mr. Collins kept bumping up against the one Suzanne had painted of him. It was like trying to put together one jigsaw puzzle with pieces from another. Part of her still didn't want to believe it was true. How could Mr. Collins be capable of such a hideous thing? But the evidence was all there--Suzanne's hysteria, the torn blouse....
    As Elizabeth went down the hall to wake her parents, she could hardly stand up. Her knees felt weak and trembly. She knew that as soon as this got out, it would cost Mr. Collins his
    job, maybe even ruin his life. A tiny nagging voice inside her asked, What if it isn't true?
    But how could she doubt that dear, sweet Suzanne was telling the truth?
     

Twelve
     
    "I still can't believe it." Todd shook his head as he started his car. "Mr. Collins just doesn't seem the type to go around attacking innocent girls. It doesn't make sense."
    "I know," Elizabeth said miserably, shifting around in the passenger seat so she was facing him. " It's exactly how I feel, too. But I guess we just have to accept it."
    The last two days--since the scandal about Mr. Collins had broken over Sweet Valley like a tidal wave--seemed like the longest of Elizabeth's life. She couldn't sleep, and her stomach was one gigantic knot.
    It began with her father-going to see Mr.
    Cooper, the principal, who quickly notified the members of the school board. After that the news spread like wildfire. Practically everybody in Sweet Valley was buzzing about what Mr. Collins had done to Suzanne. It was the scandal of the century, thought Elizabeth. Even worse than the time everyone had thought Ms. Dalton, her French teacher, was having an affair with Ken Matthews. At least then it had only been rumor. This was fact. There was going to be