Can True Love Survive High School?

  The three girls danced together, making up their own versions of the shimmy-shake and the frug. Mads could see that Holly's heart wasn't in it, though. She was convinced that Britta had really eloped, and it was all her fault.

  Tw o boys insinuated themselves between the girls until they were a dancing circle of five. One of them, a short guy with a blond brushcut, definitely had his eye on Mads. By the time the next song started, he'd managed to corral her off to himself. His friend, a preppy/slacker type with chin-length red hair and pale eyes, smiled at Lina and Holly. Holly grabbed Lina and shouted into her ear, “I'm going to check the room and see if Britta called or anything.” She disappeared.

  Lina danced with the red-haired guy for a few songs. Then Mads saw her pull her pulsating cell phone out of her pocket. Lina rolled her eyes. “I'd better take this,” she shouted to Mads. “Or Sylvia will send a SWAT team.”

  She went off to find a quieter spot to talk, and the red-haired guy disappeared in the crowd. Mads and Blond Brushcut danced to new wave classics until sweat soaked their shirts. The band took a break, and Mads and her dance buddy grabbed some water.

  “Are you a freshman?” he asked.

  Mads shook her head. “I'm visiting for the weekend. Do you know Piper Anderson?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “She's in my Psych I section. Did you go to high school with her?”

  “Sort of,” Mads said. “I'm friends with her sister.”

  Blond Brushcut assessed her. “What are you, sixteen?”

  “Fifteen,” Mads admitted.

  “I thought you looked kind of young, even for a freshman,” the boy said. “What's your name?”

  “Madison.”

  “I'm Owen. You're a funky dancer.”

  “Thanks.”

  “The band won't be back up for a while,” Owen said. “Want to take a walk?”

  “Sure.”

  He led her out of Sterling Quad, down a lamplit path. They found themselves in a plaza with a big fountain. “This is the Claw,” Owen said.

  “Why is it called the Claw?” Mads asked.

  “I don't know,” Owen said. “I've only been here for seven months.”

  “Where are the ducks?” Mads asked. “When I walked past here yesterday there were ducks.”

  “I guess they go somewhere else to sleep,” Owen said. “All the partying students keep them up at night.”

  They perched on the edge of the fountain. The water splashed behind them. Mads looked up at the sky, saw the moon and the stars, and shivered happily. I'm at a college, sitting with a college boy. It's late and I can stay out all night if I feel like it! There was something romantic about it, and exciting. Mads looked at Owen. He was pretty cute. He danced like a hyperactive robot, though. Hmm … what would it be like to have a college boyfriend?

  “The moonlight looks pretty on your hair,” Owen said. “Kind of—kind of like an oil slick.”

  “An oil slick? Thanks,” Mads said.

  “No—I mean it's pretty,” Owen said.

  “You think oil slicks are pretty?”

  “Sure. They have those rainbows in them when the light shines on them—that's like your hair.”

  “You sure wriggled out of that one,” Mads said.

  Owen laughed. “I really do think it's pretty.”

  “I believe you,” Mads said.

  He stretched on arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She felt nervous—this was a college boy! What was he going to do?

  He kissed her. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. She leaned backward a little too far … and fell into the fountain, pulling Owen in with her.

  She came up for air, soaking wet and laughing. The shock of the water, the shock of the kiss … Owen laughed, too, and splashed water in her face. She splashed him back. Then he grabbed her and kissed her again.

  “You're cute,” he said.

  “You're cute, too,” Mads said. A breeze kicked up and she felt chilly. All of a sudden she was flooded with guilt. What was she doing? Why was she kissing this guy? And liking it?

  She stood up and Owen helped her out of the fountain. They were soaked. Mads smiled at him to keep him from knowing that anything was wrong, but her mind was racing. What about Stephen? And Sean?

  “You want to go back to my room and dry off?” Owen asked. “You could take a nice hot shower there—”

  “I'd better get back to my friends,” Mads said. “It's getting late.” She wondered whether Britta had come back yet. And something told her a hot shower at Owen's dorm was probably not a smart idea.

  “That's cool,” Owen said. He took her hands. “I had a nice time dancing with you. And swimming.”

  “Me, too,” Mads said.

  “If you come up for another visit, let me know,” Owen said.

  “I will,” Mads said.

  He leaned forward and kissed her again. Mads couldn't believe it. Why was she doing this? Why did it feel so good? Shouldn't her lips have gotten an electric shock or something?

  “Owen,” she said as she pulled away. “I should tell you something. Um, I have a boyfriend.”

  Owen nodded. “That's cool. I've got a girlfriend, too. Back home in Seattle. And I've kind of got another one here, but she split for the weekend.”

  “Oh.” Huh, Mads thought. I guess this is no big deal.

  “Can we kiss some more?” Owen asked.

  “I'd like to, I really would,” Mads said. “But I've got to go.” She started back to Sterling. “See you around.”

  “See you.”

  As she squished down the path in her wet shoes, she turned all these new things over in her mind. She kissed another boy. Should she confess to Stephen?

  What good would it do? It would only upset him. But what if someone saw her kissing Owen—and decided to tell Stephen? Then what?

  She thought about Jane. Maybe it was just as well she'd never gotten through to Sean. How could Mads know what was really going on between Jane and Damien, or Jane and Sean? These love situations were turning out to be more complicated than they seemed.

  The Jane and Sean thing is none of my business, she thought. I'd better stay out of it. Now that that was settled, she felt better.

  She thought about Owen, how he had a girlfriend, or maybe two. She couldn't help laughing. Could true love survive high school? Mads was learning how hard that was. But if this weekend's sneak peek was any indication, it looked as if true love would have an even tougher time surviving college.

  25

  Found

  To: hollygolitely

  From: your daily horoscope

  HERE IS TODAY'S HOROSCOPE: CAPRICORN: Stop checking your horoscope. You have more important things to do!

  * * *

  Piper's suite was empty, and Britta hadn't called. Holly sat on the couch for a few minutes, seething with frustration. What should she do? Should she call the police, or the Fowlers—and risk making Britta angrier than ever? But what else could she do? She couldn't just let Britta disappear.

  Holly went back to the party to find Mads and Lina. She didn't want to make this decision alone. She needed her friends' advice.

  The party was louder and more crowded than ever. Holly bumped into Mads, who was all wet for some reason.

  “What happened to you?” Holly asked.

  “I fell into a fountain,” Mads said. “Did you find Britta?”

  Holly shook her head. “Let's get Lina and go back to the room.”

  They wormed their way through the writhing, sweaty mob of dancers. Holly found Lina dancing with the red-haired guy and tapped her on the shoulder. “We're going back to the room,” Holly shouted over the music. “Want to come?”

  Lina nodded, smiled at the redhead, gave him a little wave, and grabbed Holly's sleeve so she wouldn't lose her in the crowd. They worked their way through the quad. Then Holly tripped over something—someone's big, sneaker-clad foot.

  “Ow! Watch it!” a girl snapped. “You stepped on my foot.”

/>   Holly looked up. The girl turned around.

  “I don't believe it!” Holly cried. “Britta!”

  “Holly! Hey, why aren't you dancing?”

  This question was not what Holly expected to hear from Britta. She was so stunned she could only stare at her. She seemed to be with a group of five or six college kids, guys and girls, all dancing together.

  “Britta, where have you been?” Lina asked.

  Holly regained her senses. “What the hell are you doing?” she shouted over the music. “Get over here!” She grabbed Britta by the arm and dragged her through the crowd. Lina and Mads followed.

  “Holly—wait!” Britta said. “I really like that song—” She waved to the kids she was with and called, “I had fun! Maybe I'll see you later!”

  Holly didn't stop until they reached Piper's suite. She practically threw Britta onto the couch. “Sit down!” she cried.

  Lina and Mads stood beside her. All three crossed their arms, waiting for Britta's explanation. “Britta, we've been looking for you for five hours!” Holly said.

  “I'm sorry,” Britta said. “Were you worried?”

  “Yes, we were worried!” Holly said. “Where were you?”

  “I had the greatest time!” Britta said. “After I left here—I was pretty mad at you, I guess, but that wore off—I met this girl named Gwen. She was carrying this biology book—the same one I read last summer—and we started talking, and she said she and her friends were going for a sunset hike in the Foothills and asked me if I wanted to go. They showed me all the different trees they have there, and birds, and flowers … and when it got dark we went to their dining hall and ate dinner, and then we hung out in their dorm for a while, and then I remembered the party, so we came back here and started dancing. It's been great! I love college!”

  Holly, Lina, and Mads just stared at her. “You've been on campus all this time?” Holly finally said. “Hanging out with some girl named Gwen?”

  “Well, not just Gwen. There was Jonathan, and Danielle, and Jason—” She paused and looked at Holly. “What did you think I was doing?”

  Holly felt uncomfortable. Hadn't Britta practically threatened to run off with Ed just a few hours before? Or had she imagined it? “Um, I'd rather not say.”

  “Duh! We thought you ran away to find Ed,” Mads said. “It was all you ever talked about. You made it sound like you couldn't have fun without him.”

  Britta looked thoughtful. “I guess I did. I kind of thought that was true. But now I know better.” She perked up and added, “Anyway, I figured you knew I was around somewhere, since I left my overnight bag here.”

  She reached down and lifted her bag off the floor for proof.

  Mads laughed. “It was here the whole time?”

  Holly slapped her forehead. It had never occurred to her to check and see if Britta's bag was gone.

  “I've been such an idiot,” Holly said. “Britta, come with me. I need to talk to you. Alone.” She helped Britta to her feet and pulled her into Piper's empty room. Holly shut the door.

  “I'm sorry, Holly,” Britta said. “I'm sorry I got so angry with you before. Because you were right. College is fantastic! I'd really regret it if I missed it. And I realize now that I shouldn't sacrifice everything for Ed—especially not something that is so important to me.”

  “Welcome back to the land of the sane,” Holly said. “I just wish you'd called my cell and let me know where you were. I was going crazy! I thought you used this trip as another chance to run away.”

  “You don't have to worry about that anymore,” Britta said. “I've changed my mind about all that. I'm not going to get married right now. I still love Ed, but from now on I'm going to slow things down with him. I can't wait to go to college! And who knows, maybe I will go to college in England.”

  “I'm glad you're not mad at me anymore,” Holly said. “I felt so guilty about what I did to you. Next time I will definitely ask your permission before I tell all your secrets to your mother.”

  Britta laughed. “Wow, thanks. And I'll ask your

  permission before I run away again.”

  “That's good. I wouldn't want to have to implant one of those microchips in your arm.”

  “I think my parents already did, while I was sleeping,” Britta said.

  26

  The Answer Is Maybe

  To: mad4u

  From: your daily horoscope

  HERE IS TODAY'S HOROSCOPE: CAPRICORN: Your life is a huge mess. But if you put enough mousse in your hair and go for the kooky vintage look, you could make it work for you.

  * * *

  It's hard to come back to cardboard pizza and cold green beans after seeing what a real cafeteria looks like.” Mads glanced around at the lunchroom and sighed. She and Holly and Lina were having lunch together at school, back from their Stanford weekend. “Should we demand that they install a frozen yogurt machine?”

  “What, you don't like the rock-hard ice-cream sandwiches they keep in the freezer case?” Holly asked. She had just bought one and banged it on the table to show how indestructible it was. “They're perfect when you feel like breaking a window but you can't find a brick.”

  “Here, give me that.” Mads spotted Sean sitting with his back to her at the next table. She took the ice-cream sandwich and heaved it at the back of his head. “Ow!” Sean cried. He turned around, rubbing his head and scowling at Mads.

  “Hey, it does work,” Mads said.

  “What did you do that for?” Sean asked. Then he reached down, picked up the ice-cream sandwich off the floor, and unwrapped it. “Whoa, dessert. Thanks, kid.”

  “Sean manages to find a bright side to everything,” Mads said.

  “Mads—why did you do that?” Lina asked.

  Mads shrugged. “I felt like getting his attention. I'm experimenting with different methods.”

  “Well, now you can cross hitting him in the head off your list,” Holly said. “There goes my ice-cream sandwich.”

  “I'll buy you another one,” Mads said.

  “Did you have fun with Rob last night?” Lina asked Holly.

  “Yes,” Holly said. “We didn't do much, just watched a movie. But that's okay. He seems more relaxed now that Ed is safely back in England. Rob and Ed never quite jelled.”

  “Rob doesn't go for the lovey-dovey stuff, does he?” Mads said.

  “Not in that high-drama, Wuthering Heights way,” Holly said. “It used to bother me, but now I find it kind of refreshing.”

  “All that drama takes a lot of energy,” Lina said.

  “I'm not sure how long I could keep it going,” Holly said. “Britta got a letter from Ed already. It was written in red ink, and he decorated the borders with little drawings of hearts and flowers.”

  “Wow. What did he say?”

  “He loves her, he misses her, she's the light of his life,” Holly said. “She's back in swoonsville. But she's found a way of dealing. She says all great romances thrive in the face of adversity. So being apart from Ed will only make their love stronger.”

  “Good luck,” Mads said.

  “Yeah, we'll see about that,” Lina said.

  “Can true love survive separation? That's the next great question,” Holly said.

  “Did we ever decide if true love can survive high school?” Lina asked.

  “Check El Diario and see,” Mads said.

  El Diario by Madison Markowitz

  Can True Love Survive High School?

  That is the question. And here is my answer. True love is delicate. It needs tender loving care, the best conditions, and the tenacity of a pit bull. High school is rough, tough, crazy, full of temptations, hormones, and people who have lost their minds. Can true love survive all that? Maybe. But it won't be easy. If you do manage to make it past graduation, I think you're safe. You've found it. True love.

  Here's a sneak peek at the Dating Game #4

  X-Rating

  Will Holly Anderson, Madison Markowitz, and
Lina Ozu please report to Mr. Alvarado's office immediately.” The library intercom crackled to life with the sound of the school secretary's nasal voice.

  Mads looked at Holly and Lina. “Uh-oh. What now?” “I can't think of anything we've done wrong,” Lina said. “We didn't put any of the dirty letters we received on our Web site.”

  Like the one by the girl who said her ex-boyfriend liked to do it in the car—and only in the car, Mads thought. They knew enough not to put that on the blog. But could something have slipped through the cracks?

  “Hello, girls,” Rod said at few minutes later in his office. “I've been seeing a lot of you these days.”

  “If you'd rather not, we can always leave,” Mads joked.

  Rod cracked a tense smile. “I wish it were that simple. Do you recall the warning I gave you the last time we met?”

  The girls nodded. Nothing controversial on the Dating Game or he'd shut it down.

  “Good,” Rod said. “Did you understand it? Was it somehow not clear?”

  “We understood,” Mads said. “But maybe we have a different definition of ‘controversial’ from yours.”

  “I'm sure you must,” Rod said. “Otherwise, I assume an item like this would not have appeared on your blog.” He picked up a printout. “I believe this is what you call an X-Rating.” He waved the paper in front of them. “I found it in that section where students write in about ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends,” he said. “A young man named Dashiell Piasecki wrote about his former girlfriend, Arabella Caslow. I happen to know Dashiell; he's a frequent visitor to this office.”

  Mads tried to remember what Dash had written about Arabella. He was an obnoxious jerk, and Arabella had said so in her X-Rating of him. But his of her hadn't seemed so bad; in fact, Mads had the impression he still liked her.

  “I'll skip the preliminaries and go straight to the highlights,” Rod said. He read from the printout. “‘Arabella is a bangin’ chick.'”

  “Mr. Alvarado, all he's saying is that Arabella is pretty,” Holly explained. “It's a good thing.”