Why Did She Have to Die? (2 page)

“H
e called!” Kathy’s quickly whispered words almost made Elly drop her glass of orange juice.

“When?”

“Last night, about ten. Dad was mad about a boy calling me that late, but I did get to talk to Russ for fifteen minutes.”

Elly vaguely remembered hearing the phone ring the night before. It had awakened her from a foggy sleep she’d drifted into while trying to concentrate on her English assignment. “So what did he say?”

“He said he might drive by the school someday this week to see me.”

Elly stared wide-eyed at Kathy, picturing the sensation it would cause at the junior high school if he did such a thing. “You should have him come to the house.”

“And have Daddy give him the third degree? Russ is seventeen. Dad would never let me date him.”

As if on cue, Mr. Rowan swooped into the kitchen. “What’s all the whispering about, girls?”

Elly looked down guiltily at her plate of scrambled eggs.

“Nothing,” Kathy told him.

Their father settled into his chair at the table and reached for the newspaper. It was unusual for them to eat breakfast together because his job often demanded he leave the house before six a.m. “I have to go by the bank for the boss before I got to the site,” he explained. “You two need a ride to school?”

“We’d rather walk,” Kathy said, a little too quickly.

“Yeah. I’m supposed to meet Joy at the corner,” Elly added, wondering how she’d fallen so easily into the scheme with Kathy. She flashed her sister a questioning glance, but Kathy pretended not to notice. They finished their breakfast in silence.

Later, as they walked to the corner, Elly asked, “Did Russ say he might drive by our school
today
?”

“No. I just wanted to walk.”

“In case he did,” Elly finished. “You’re not thinking of sneaking around with Russ, are you?”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Kathy said. “But I would like to get to know him better. Just for fun. I mean, he can have his pick of any girl at Leon High. I don’t think he really likes me. I’m just someone new . . . different. You know?”

Surprised by Kathy’s honesty, Elly nodded. “I—I guess I see what you mean.” They shuffled along, and Elly gave her sister a wink. “Still, it is exciting to have a sister who gets the attention of Russ Canton, Superstar.”

Kathy smiled shyly. “Thanks for standing by me, Elly. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything dumb.”

The two sisters locked gazes and instantly understood each other. At that moment, Elly felt wonderfully close to Kathy. “Heck, what are sisters for?”

* * * *

“You going out for cheerleading?” Joy asked Elly as she looked over the school bulletin posted in the hallway outside the main office.

“Are you kidding?” Elly wrinkled her nose. “With Kathy head cheerleader this year, I don’t want to stumble along in her footsteps. I think I’ll join the newspaper staff instead.”

“Aw, come on. Maybe because Kathy’s on top of the heap . . . ,” Joy giggled at her own joke, “you’ll have an inside track. If you go out, I will, too.”

“No way. I want to do something that’s my own.”

“But I can’t write!” Joy wailed. “And I want us to do the same activity next year.”

“So maybe there’s something else you can do besides write. Mrs. Wenzel is the advisor. We can talk to her after school.”

Joy thrust out her lip in a pout.

“I hear Dan Richards is on the staff,” Elly offered, dangling the information like a carrot in front of a horse.

Joy perked. “He is?”

“Saw his name on the sign-up sheet on Mrs. Wenzel’s desk.”

“Well, I guess working on the newspaper might have its rewards.”

“I thought you’d think it was better than cheerleading.”

Elly wondered why Joy was so taken with Dan. He wasn’t her type at all. After knowing guys like Russ Canton were around, Elly thought Dan seemed immature and childish. She wondered what it would be like to have a guy like Russ Canton interested in her. She almost laughed out loud. Who was she kidding? Guys like Russ were only attracted to pretty girls—like Kathy.

“Wonder if Dan’s taking anybody to the dance. Has he asked Kathy?”

Elly bristled. “For crying out loud, I’m not her social secretary! So far I don’t know who’s asked her, but I do know she’s real picky about who she’ll go with. I mean, what if somebody really amazing comes along?”

Joy narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Are you keeping something from me, Elly Rowan?”

Elly’s cheeks flushed. She felt slightly guilty. She’d promised Kathy that she wouldn’t breathe a word about Russ. Now she’d made Joy suspect something was going on.

“Of course not. It’s just that I don’t know everything that’s going on in my sister’s life. I certainly don’t know who she’s going to the dance with.”

“Well, you don’t have to get all huffy about it. I just wanted to know if I had a chance with Dan or not.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bite. But this whole dance thing is so stupid. I don’t even think I’ll go.”

“You can’t desert me!” Joy cried. “If we can’t get guys to ask us, at least let’s go together. We could have a worse evening.”

Elly wasn’t so sure, but she promised Joy she’d think about it.

That night, Elly made a list of all the boys in her school she thought were cute and would be returning the following year. It was dismally short. Only Kenny Hughes made it. “Face it,” she told herself out loud, “even after Kathy goes to high school, I’ll still be one step behind her.”

Kenny Hughes
. Elly mulled the name over as she thought about Kenny’s dark hair and blue eyes. He was all right. Maybe she could get him to take her to the dance. Then she’d feel less like Kathy’s kid sister and more like her own person. Her heart thudded in anticipation. Why hadn’t she thought about Kenny before? She’d really like showing up at the dance with him. Despite what she’d told Joy, she did want to go. And her father was buying her a new outfit. It might just work out if she put her mind to it.

Tomorrow I’ll put Plan A into gear. Tomorrow, I’ll start getting Kenny to notice me.
As Elly climbed into bed, she told herself she’d go to the dance with a date—and not with a bunch of girls.

* * * *

Elly spent a whole week giggling at everything Kenny said. She even dropped a bunch of papers at his feet to get his attention. Finally, he sat with her at lunch in the cafeteria on Friday. Elly sipped her milk and gazed across the table at him.

“You—uh—you’re on the decorating committee for the dance, aren’t you?” Kenny asked.

“Sure am,” Elly said. Things were going better than she’d hoped.

“I hear it’s going to be a great time.”

“I’m doing my share.” She smiled broadly at him.

Kenny shuffled his feet and glanced nervously around the crowded room. “You—uh—you finished with your lunch?”

“All done.”

“I thought maybe we could go outside before the bell rings.”

“Sure.” Elly picked up her tray. Her hands were shaking, but she moved quickly and hoped Kenny didn’t notice. She was so nervous there was a knot in her stomach.

They walked out into the bright noon sunlight and wandered onto the common patio area of the school. The air smelled clean and warm. Sunlight cut jagged patterns across the old cement tiles. Elly studied the tiny blades of grass pushing up through the cracks.
Get on with it, Kenny
, her mind pleaded silently.

“I was—uh—you know—thinking about the dance. Are you going?” He turned to face her.

Elly tipped her head and gazed up at him. She remembered to flutter her eyelashes like she’d seen Kathy do when she talked to a boy. Kenny’s ears turned red. She desperately wanted him to say the magic words and put them both out of their misery. “I haven’t decided yet,” she hedged.

“Well, since it’s the last dance of the year and summer’s coming . . .”

Elly swallowed hard. Her hands felt cold and clammy. She thought of the new outfit she’d bought—a soft, flowered shirt and the coolest jeans ever.
I’ll look great for you, Kenny
, she promised him inwardly.

“I mean, it’s short notice and everything . . . but I was wondering . . . if you—uh—well, if maybe you could tell me if your sister has a date yet.”

E
lly stared at Kenny and let his words sink in. Briefly, she contemplated murder, but gave up the idea. They were standing in too public a place.

“If you want to know Kathy’s plans, ask her!” Elly turned and strode toward the girls’ bathroom. Behind her, she heard Kenny mumble, “. . . don’t have to bite my head off . . .”

Inside the bathroom, her anger turned to tears. Elly leaned against the cool green tiles. The smell of disinfectant made her sick to her stomach. But it wasn’t really the odor that bothered her. It was what had happened with Kenny.

Stupid!
she told her reflection in the mirror. She had been stupid to think that Kenny might be interested in her. It had been Kathy he wanted all along. It was always Kathy.

Joy ambled into the bathroom. “I thought I saw you rush in here. Hey! What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Elly said, suddenly resenting her friend’s nosiness. “Can’t a person go to the bathroom without making a public announcement?”

“Excuse me!”

Elly raked a brush through her hair. She didn’t want to tell Joy that Kenny had rejected her. Instead, she asked, “Do you know that Kenny Hughes had the nerve to ask me if Kathy had a date for the dance yet? Where does he get off anyway? I told him to ask her himself.”

“I thought you looked angry. But you shouldn’t get so mad about it. I mean, Kenny acted like a jerk, but so what? You don’t like him, do you?”

Elly shrugged. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a nerd and I wouldn’t look twice at him.”

“So, no real harm done.” Joy flashed her a smile. “Are we going to the dance together?”

Elly sighed. “You’re the best offer I’ve had.” She forced her voice to sound happy. “Come to think of it—you’re the
only
offer I’ve had.”

“Thanks a lot!” Joy poked Elly in the ribs, but they left the bathroom together laughing.

At least I’m laughing on the outside
, Elly thought.

* * * *

By Monday, Elly had decided Joy would be an okay date for the dance. She felt sort of satisfied that the great Russ Canton hadn’t called Kathy again. He hadn’t followed through on his promise to drive by the school to see her, either.
Justice does triumph
, she told herself as she and Kathy walked home in the late afternoon sunshine.

“So, did you decide which frog you are going to kiss and turn into a prince for the dance?” Elly asked.

“Very funny. Actually, I don’t want to go with anyone who’s asked me. All the guys keep pestering me to go with them. I don’t care a bit about any one of them!”

“Tough problem.”

“I guess that sounds vain to you, doesn’t it? I mean, why can’t I just say yes to one of them and go to the silly dance?”

Elly tried to see too many date offers as a problem. “Maybe the right guy hasn’t asked yet.”

Kathy gave a shrug. “I wish I’d never met Russ Canton.”

The crunch of car tires pulling up next to the curb interrupted Elly’s reply. Both girls turned toward the sound.

“Want a ride, beautiful?” a deep male voice asked.

No one had to introduce Russ Canton to Elly. Nor did she wonder for a minute who the grinning, blond, green-eyed boy was talking to. Elly hung back as Kathy stepped casually to the side of Russ’s red Mustang.

“Russ?” Kathy asked, as if she hardly recognized him. Elly rolled her eyes. Her heart was pounding against her rib cage. Although she’d seen his picture in the paper many times, nothing had prepared her for seeing him in person. She admired her sister’s cool. Only the faintest rush of pink in Kathy’s face revealed her excitement.

“Sorry I couldn’t stop by sooner. The basketball team’s been in strict training for the playoffs. Then baseball season started. I’m the pitcher.”

“No problem,” Kathy said, flipping her shiny brown hair off her shoulders. “I figured you’d make it sooner or later.”

“Listen, I’m wasting gas. Get in the car and I’ll drive you home.”

Elly saw Kathy hesitate. “Oh, that’s all right. My sister Elly and I only live a few blocks away. We were just saying how nice it was to walk, weren’t we, Elly?”

Elly fumbled for an answer, trying to get her tongue untied.

“Your sister, huh? I see good looks run in your family.”

Elly turned beet-red. Pleasure seeped through her with his compliment, but she noticed that his eyes barely scanned her before resting again on Kathy.

“Come on. Get in.” Russ pushed the passenger door open.

Kathy looked at Elly questioningly. Elly refused to budge. She grabbed her sister’s arm. “Dad will ground you for the rest of your life!” she muttered under her breath.

“Not if you ride with us,” Kathy countered.

“He wants
you
to ride with him. Not me.”

Russ gunned his motor impatiently. “What are you two doing? Voting?”

Kathy giggled. “Your offer includes Elly, doesn’t it?”

Elly could have strangled her.

“Sure!” Russ said. “Two pretty girls are better than one!”

Kathy flashed Elly a pleading look. Elly fought her better judgment and gave her sister a short, jerky nod of acceptance. Feeling like an intruder, Elly gritted her teeth and climbed into the back seat. Kathy settled in the front and smiled sweetly at Russ. “Thanks for the lift.”

Russ popped the car into gear and squealed away from the curb. Elly clutched the seat. She prayed under her breath that their father wouldn’t see them.
We shouldn’t be doing this
, she told herself.

The car was terrific, Elly had to admit. It smelled of expensive aftershave. She ran her palm across the smooth upholstery. She felt a certain importance about sitting in Russ Canton’s car, driving down the familiar streets of her neighborhood. She hoped she wouldn’t run into her parents, but she half hoped Joy would see them . . . or even Kenny Hughes.

“We live down this street,” Kathy said as Russ shifted into a higher gear.

“I know where you live, but why go home yet? Let’s go for a ride.”

“Kathy, we—we really shouldn’t,” Elly blurted. She suddenly realized that they were someplace they shouldn’t be. The thought weighed heavily on her conscience. She watched Russ’s eyes focus on her in his rearview mirror.

“I’ll go around the block and let you off. Then Kathy and I can go.”

Elly’s cheeks burned. She really wasn’t wanted. Giving her a ride was the only way Russ could get Kathy to go along. Elly felt a sudden dislike for the cocky driver and the pain of her own humiliation.

“Oh, I don’t know, Russ . . . ,” Kathy started.

Elly stared straight ahead, wishing she could slip between the cracks in the seat. Up ahead, right in front of them, Elly saw a little girl wobbling unsteadily on a bicycle. Elly remembered her first experience on a bike without training wheels. She’d been determined to ride on two wheels, like Kathy. Her father had cheered her on despite her many spills.

The little girl didn’t seem to see the car, and Russ was concentrating on Kathy. For a brief moment, Elly thought the girl would get out of the way before the car came any closer. But she wobbled even more. Time seemed to freeze. Everything around Elly seemed as if it were moving in slow motion. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Someone in the car—was it her?—shouted, “Look out!” At the last second, Russ saw the little girl. Elly braced herself as he hit the brakes. He whipped the steering wheel to avoid the girl, and the car responded as if it had been shot from a sling.

Elly saw a blur of motion as a lamppost loomed next to the passenger side. She heard a crunching, shattering sound, felt the impact of metal against metal, smelled the odor of burned rubber. She heard a scream, and the world flipped around her in a skidding circle. A wrenching twist of pain burned along her side. A numbing sensation shot down her leg. Finally, she fell forward into a pit of welcoming blackness.