Free Pam by Jacqueline Druga Page A

when he said that. “I can’t believe you put that much emphasis on it.”
    “All the kids are doing it.”
    “No, they aren’t. And if you think that little of me that you can’t wait... then I’m sorry.” I started to leave but he stopped me. Pulled that Richie stuff on me to get me to not be mad and forgive him.
    I had to leave. I didn’t know where Sharon had gone , and all I kept thinking w as that she and Connie were fighting in the parking lot.
    When I got back to my car , Sharon was a lone, waiting by the car.
    “You all right?” She asked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Did you break up with him?”
    “No.” I sulked and opened my car door. “I didn’t and don’t say anything.”
    “Yo ur problem. Not mine.”
    We weren’t driving very long when we saw her walking.
    “Is that her?” Sharon pointed to the girl on the street in the cheerleading uniform.
    “Yeah, that’s her.” I felt a gnaw in my gut.
    “Pull over.”
    “What for?”
    “So we can teach her a lesson.”
    “Sharon, no.” I said.
    “Where’s Richie?” Sharon asked. “Huh? Because uh … she’s headed into that park. Bet me they’re meeting.”
    On her words, I pulled over . Connie really wasn’t walking into the park. She was walking by the place that would be the new Colville community playground. The construction sign out front boasted that.
    We pulled over , and Connie looked back. At first, she tried to stay cool and calm, keeping her pace steady until Sharon got a head of me and started to run for her.
    That’s when Connie ran.
    She didn’t scream ; maybe she should have.
    Shar on was fast ; she ca ught Connie , and with a hard shoulder clash sailed Connie to the right and to the ground .
    “Proud of them panties?” Sharon sneered at Connie.
    Out of breath , I caught up to them. “What are we doing?”
    “Teaching her a lesson.”
    “I’m telling,” Connie replied . “Don’t think I won’t call the cops. Or tell Richie his girlfriend is a psycho .”
    Sharon sailed a foot into Connie’s s ide and did so with such force that Connie rolled over.
    “Sharon!”
    “She’s all mouth and needs to be taught a lesson.” She reached down, grabbing Connie by the hair. While she attempted to lift Connie by her locks , Connie screamed , and Sharon sailed another foot into her.
    She wheezed heavily, and then Connie started to cry.
    “That’s enough , ” I told Sharon.
    “If I stop now, she is going to the police. We teach her a lesson, she won’t say anything.”
    “She’s gonna tell either way , ” I pleaded. Sharon still had a firm grip intertwined in Connie’s hair.
    “Then what? Nothing. We’ll get a fine. But she won’t get your boyfriend anymore. Besides, we aren’t hurting her. Not really.” Without saying anymore, her hand holding Connie’s hair, Sharon also grabbed Connie’s sweater and pulled her into the playground construction site.
    “What are we doing?”
    “Shut up , ” Sharon barked, dragging Connie.
    “But …”
    “Shut up!” Again, Sharon yelled at me and heaved Connie for ward with everything she had.
    Poor Connie tried to get up ; she got to her knees , and again Sharon struck her.
    “I’m done.” I raised my hands. “I’m not doing this. Let her go.”
    “I’m not doing anything. I’m done.” Sharon knelt down to Connie. “Almost.” She reached for her cheerleading skirt and pulled it.
    Connie squirmed left to right, but Sharon didn’t let go of the skirt.
    “Sharon , ” I called her name.
    Sharon ignored me, smacked Connie in the face , and grabbed her underwear. “Wanna show off what you have under this skirt? You’re real proud , h uh?” Clenching the underwear, Sharon ripped at them.
    Connie screamed and struggled, her body dragging on the ground as Sharon pulled.
    Sharon prevailed. As if she ’d won a prize she cheerfully waved Connie’s underwear and skirt high in the air. “Come on, let’s go.”
    “We’re gonna leave her like that?”
    “Why not? She