Free Girls Only! by Beverly Lewis

anybody,” he replied. “A person can pick up an awful lot from those slick-talking announcers, you know.”
    She told him she’d enjoyed watching televised sports events, too, as a young girl. “So it sounds like we have something in common,” she said, getting up.
    “You’re the girl with talent,” he agreed. “And I just appreciate what I see.”
    “Do you live in Podunk . . . er, Alpine Lake?” she asked.
    He’d caught what she’d said. Chortling, he repeated it. “Podunk’s quieter than most places I’ve lived. But I like it here . . . in Podunk.” There was a mischievous look in his eyes.
    “I guess I oughta say Alpine Lake.”
    “Aw, go on and call it whatever you like,” he said, leaning back against the bench. “A place is only as good as its nickname.”
    “Where else have you lived?”
    “New York . . . that’s my home state.”
    “Ever go to Lake Placid?” she asked.
    “All the time.” A fleeting look of joy glimmered in his eyes. “The best years of my life.”
    She was more curious than ever. “Did you get to meet any of the world’s best skaters?”
    “Oh, a few.” But he stood up with a grunt, as if he was ready to leave.
    “Well, I guess we could talk all day. Sorry to keep you, Mr. Sterling.”
    He motioned toward the rink. “You have some more skating to do before school, Her Grace.”
    “I sure do!” She beamed back at him, wondering if he’d be here waiting after school.
    He called his “good-byes,” and she did the same.
    Then she bent down to tighten the laces on her right skate. That’s when she noticed the note pad. He must’ve dropped it. Reaching under the bench, she retrieved it. She saw his name written on the outside but didn’t allow herself to peek inside.
    When she looked up, she saw the man walking toward the food court. She would’ve run after him but couldn’t risk ruining her best skates.
    So she slipped the note pad into her bag and decided to return it the next time she saw him. Probably this afternoon.
    Preparing to leave the rink and head for home, she thought about the old man’s nickname for her. “Her Grace,” she said aloud.
    She twirled around, her skate bag flying as she made her way to the mall entrance. All the way home she thought about Odell Sterling, wondering why his name sounded so familiar.

Dreams on Ice
    Chapter Sixteen
    Livvy managed to avoid seeing Jenna before school. She even waited till her locker partner was finished getting her books and things out before heading down the hall.
    When both Jenna and Diane were safely heading off to homeroom, Livvy dashed out from behind one of the classroom doors.
    Just then the first bell rang.
    She had to hurry—Mrs. Smith would be waiting. In more ways than one!
    Her fingers fumbled the combination lock, but she managed to open the locker and stash away her skate bag. She grabbed up her math and English books and slammed the door shut.
    “Whoa, are you in a rush or what?” Suzy asked, running toward her.
    “Run for your life.”
    “What’s the hurry? We’re having an assembly first thing.”
    “I still can’t be late for homeroom . . . bye!” Livvy ran to Room 123.
    The tardy bell rang. Louder than usual.
    She zipped past the doorway. And Mrs. Smith glanced up from her desk just as Livvy slid into her seat. She felt like a baseball player stealing home.
    “Miss Hudson” came the disappointing words.
    She knew to slump in her seat would be a big mistake. So she sat as straight and tall as possible. “Yes, Mrs. Smith.”
    “You’re tardy.”
    “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
    Livvy felt her muscles tense up. Not a good thing for a skater on her way to fame and glory. A terrible thing, actually.
    Here it comes . She braced herself for the worst possible writing assignment in all of Podunk.
    “Miss Hudson, you will write . . .” The teacher paused.
    Livvy realized she was holding her breath. When she inhaled, she began to blink her eyes. Fast.
    “Are you