Secret Admirer (4 page)

“Th-thank you,” Selena stammered, a little embarrassed.

“You're probably used to people complimenting your acting,” Eddy continued. “You're a natural. I thought you were awesome when you took over Simone Perry's role two years ago. That was your first leading role, right?”

“Um, yeah,” Selena answered. “How did you know about that?”

“I saw the play,” Eddy explained.

“You're kidding!” Selena was astonished. Eddy had been watching her two whole years ago! And he remembered her performance. Selena stared at him. There
was
something so familiar about him….

“I've seen a lot of your plays,” Eddy continued. “I think it's great that you've managed to keep your grades up while doing so many shows. Not many kids could do that.”

“Well, I have to get good grades if I want to go to college,” Selena replied absently.

Her head was spinning. How did Eddy know about her schoolwork?

“You know a lot about me,” she said, trying to keep it light.

Eddy gazed at her intently. “I know a lot about the whole drama department,” he explained. “After all, I'm going to be interning with you.”

For a moment, Selena didn't answer. There was something very strange about Eddy's interest in her. He hadn't taken his eyes off her since he sat down. Selena studied his face, but saw nothing but friendliness.

“When do you start interning?” she finally asked.

“I'm going to be here for the tryouts for
Romeo and Juliet,”
he told her. He leaned closer to Selena. “I can't wait to see your Juliet,” he murmured.

Selena couldn't think of a thing to say. Eddy continued to gaze at her, his dark eyes burning into hers.

“Eddy”—Mr. Riordan's voice broke into Selena's thoughts—“come over here. There is someone I want you to meet.”

“Catch you later,” Eddy said, giving Selena another heart-melting smile.

“Making friends with the new intern, hmm?” Selena glanced up as Katy plopped back down in the chair.

“Sort of,” Selena replied, still feeling a little dazed. “He's really intense.”

“And he's cute,” Katy declared.

“Oh, really? I didn't notice,” Selena joked. Her gaze fell on Jake, sitting in the corner by himself. Selena stood up. “Be right back,” she told Katy.

She strode across the room and dropped into the space next to Jake on the sofa. “Hi, buddy!” she said, bouncing a little on the cushion.

“Hey, Moon,” Jake replied lifelessly.

“What's wrong?” Selena asked. “You look sort of down.”

“So?” he snapped. “Is there a law that everyone has to be cheerful every single minute?”

“No, of course not,” Selena said, drawing back. Why was Jake so grouchy all of a sudden?

“By the way,” she started slowly. “Did you leave a little present for me back at school?”

“Excuse me? A present?”

“Did you leave a lovely bouquet of black flowers in my locker?”

“Are you nuts?” Jake exploded. “What are you talking about?”

“Calm down! I was just asking,” Selena replied. “Someone left me flowers, and I thought it might be you. You're always pulling dumb jokes.”

“Well, I haven't felt like joking lately,” Jake grumbled. “Besides, black flowers don't sound too funny.”

Selena nodded. “There was also a card. It said tonight was my last performance.”

Jake gaped at her. “That's a joke?” he cried. “That's totally sick.”

“It's no big deal,” Selena replied. “But then Katy and I think someone climbed a ladder outside my bedroom window. And watched us in my room.”

Jake swallowed hard. “Maybe you should tell Mr. Riordan. Or call the police. You know. Show them the card.”

Selena thought about it. “Maybe I
will
tell Mr. Riordan.” She stood up and crossed the room to the teacher, who—for once—was standing alone.

“What's up, Selena?” he asked. “You look so intense.”

“Well, there's something I want to talk to you about,” she explained. “I mean, it's probably nothing, but—”

Before Selena could continue, she heard a frantic banging at the front door, so loud it rose over the music and voices of the crowded room.

“Huh?” She gasped and turned to the front door—along with everyone else.

The door opened slowly.

A moan floated into the silent room from outside.

Then a familiar figure stumbled into the living room.

Selena gasped in shock.

Danny Morris.

His once-handsome face was caked with dark blood.

“Help me!” he moaned. “Selena!”

He staggered forward. He reached blood-soaked hands out to Selena.

Then, with a groan, he fell at her feet and lay there, unmoving.

7
 

S
elena screamed. She gazed down at the crumpled form at her feet. Danny lay in a dark pool of blood.

Selena gasped for breath. Her mind whirled.

She stood frozen, too horrified to move. Too frightened to help him.

Danny stirred and raised his head. He groaned. “I'd rather die than live without you, Selena.”

Selena gasped again. Her whole body trembled.

Was he serious? Had he hurt himself because of her?

“Danny—no!” she cried.

He sat up abruptly. Pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. Began wiping the blood off his face. He grinned up at her. “Who's the best actor in the room?”

“You—you …
moron!”
Selena shrieked.

Danny tossed back his head and laughed. “Come
on, Selena! You didn't really think I would
die
for you, did you?”

Selena glared down at him. She knew everyone in the room was watching her. Everyone was laughing at her.

Danny shook his head. “Wow, Selena. You must be the biggest egomaniac on the planet!”

Her face burning, Selena spun away from him. She heard laughter. Kids whispering to each other.

Selena took a deep breath to calm herself. “Very mature, Danny.” She kept her voice as cold as she could. “You win the Academy Award for Best Total Jerk.”

“That was a dumb stunt, Danny,” Mr. Riordan agreed, his voice stern. “You really did scare us.”

Danny climbed to his feet. “I couldn't resist!” he said. “I just wanted to show everyone that I can act. Now we all know who should be Romeo!”

“I
don't know if we want you to appear in the spring play at all!” Mr. Riordan said, shaking his head. “That kind of behavior—”

“It was a joke!” Danny protested.

“We're all laughing our heads off,” the teacher replied sarcastically. “Let's start up the music again, okay?” He turned and headed over to the CD player.

Selena decided to get some fresh air. She crossed the room to the patio door.

“I can't believe you used to go out with that guy,” said a deep voice in her ear.

Startled, Selena dropped her hand from the doorknob. She turned to see Eddy's handsome face. “How did you know about me and Danny?” she demanded.

“Oh, I must have heard it from one of the other kids,” Eddy replied. He gazed at her, and Selena felt tongue-tied by the intensity of his dark eyes.

“Mr. Riordan is signaling me again,” Eddy told her. “He wants me to meet everyone in the drama club!” His dark eyes flashed. “But I'll talk to you later, Selena.”

Selena watched Eddy leave.
Weird,
she thought.
He's so intense, but I like him anyway. At least he's more mature than Danny
.

Danny. Selena frowned, thinking of his dumb stunt. She felt so embarrassed that she had fallen for it. Selena gazed around the room. Were kids still laughing at her?

Maybe I'll just go home,
she thought.

She wandered over to the refreshment table. “Have you seen Katy?” she asked Alison.

“She was here a while ago,” Alison replied. “I think she's in the kitchen with Mr. Riordan.”

Selena started for the kitchen, but Alison stopped her.

“You were awesome in this play,” Alison said, staring intently at Selena. “And I know you'll probably get the part of Juliet.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “But I want you to know I'm trying out too,” she finished in a rush.

“Well, of course,” Selena said, surprised. She and Alison had always had a good-natured competition for parts, and Selena expected it to continue. “Why should the spring play be any different?”

Katy came through the kitchen into the living room. She approached the refreshment table and grabbed a handful of peanuts. “What's up?” she greeted Selena and Alison.

“I think I want to go home,” Selena told her. “It's getting late and I'm starting to crash. I'm always so wiped after a performance.”

“Okay. I guess I'm ready to leave too,” Katy
shrugged. “Just let me get my keys. I left them in my bag in the other room.”

“I'll wait for you outside,” Selena decided. She thanked Mr. Riordan for the party, then crossed to the front door. She stepped outside into the cold air.

Overhead, a million stars sparkled in the black night sky. Selena felt a chill. She had the weirdest feeling—as if the stars were all eyes, a million eyes staring down at her.

All of Katy's stalker talk is making me paranoid!
she told herself, shaking the feeling away.

She started down the path—but stopped as a shadow swept over her.

A large figure stepped out of the shadows to block her way.

“Where are you going?” Danny's husky voice demanded.

“Home!” Selena answered coldly. She was in no mood for Danny after the trick he had pulled.

“Fine,” Danny said. “But you're going home with
me.”

“In your dreams,” Selena snapped. “Why would I go anywhere with you? Don't you get it? I don't want to get back together!”

Danny grabbed her arm roughly. “Selena—” he pleaded.

Selena yanked her arm away. “Just leave me alone!” she cried.

“I only want to drive you home,” Danny insisted, his voice rising.

“Hey, what's going on?” cried another voice. Selena glanced up to see Jake standing at the edge of the walk.

“Butt out!” Danny snarled. He grabbed for Selena again.

“Whoa!” Jake grabbed Danny's shirt and spun him around.

“What's your problem? Leave her alone!” Jake demanded.

“Mind your own business!” Danny growled.

“Selena is
my
friend!” Jake argued. “If she needs a ride,
I'll
take her home!”

Every guy I know has gone nuts!
Selena decided.

Danny shoved Jake with all his strength.

Jake shot Selena a startled look as he stumbled back onto the brick walkway. And toppled over.

“Ohhh!” Selena uttered a low cry as Jake's head hit the pavement hard, with a dull
thunk
.

Jake sprawled on his back on the sidewalk.

He didn't move.

8
 

“J
ake!” Selena cried.

“Get up!” Danny ordered, breathing hard as he stood over Jake's unmoving body. “Get up!”

Jake stirred. He moaned and slowly pulled himself to his feet.

Selena started toward him. But Jake launched himself at Danny's legs, pulling the bigger boy down.

As Selena watched in horror, the two boys rolled over and over, pounding each other frantically with their fists.

“Stop! Stop it!” she screamed.

A jagged cut already covered Jake's forehead. Danny's nose began to spurt blood.

Selena grabbed the back of Jake's shirt and yanked with both hands. Using all her strength, she managed to pull him away from Danny. Before the boys could begin again, she stepped between them.

“Get out of the way!” Jake warned, wiping blood from his forehead, his chest heaving.

“No!” Selena insisted. “Jake, what do you think you're doing?”