“And that means that x would be…?” Dunstan asked, smiling encouragingly.

“Eight!” Ophelia exclaimed. She laughed delightedly. “You’re right, it does make more sense this way.” She shut the notebook and stretched. “I think I can handle the assignment now,” she added, pleased. “Thanks, Dunstan.”

Dunstan shrugged and responded, “It’s no big deal.” He glanced over at the clock. “Hey, it’s almost six. Want something to eat?”

“I guess, but maybe I should head home now.”

“Why? Will your parents worry if you’re not in by a certain time?”

“Something like that,” Ophelia said slowly. “I have a tendency to find trouble if left to my own devices for too long.”

Dunstan chuckled. “I’m sort of like that,” he admitted. “But fine. I’ll let you go. But, before you do, I just want to let you know that if you ever need anything-- homework help, someone to talk to, or just a way to waste time-- feel free to stop by. I’d like for us to be friends, since I’m working with your family and all.” He smiled charmingly and added, “I’ll even provide any food you like.”

“Even tiramisu?”

“Sure. I love tiramisu, so there’s almost always some in the house.”

“Sounds great!” Ophelia replied. “Maybe I’ll come by sometime soon, then.”


“Wow,” Emily murmured. “So far, he hasn’t been that bad. I mean, he even provided tiramisu for you.”

Ophelia sighed and replied, “His promises of anything I wanted, as well as the chance to get away from my damn family, to be treated better than Charise… all of that clouded my judgment. I even started canceling plans with Cy and Mae, just to hang out with Dunstan. One day, he failed me, and it was the start of the downfall. If I had been smarter, perhaps things would have gone differently…”


“Where is he?” Ophelia whispered. The wind was unusually cold, cutting through her clothes and threatening to mess up her hair; to make matters worse, it had started to rain. “He should have been here an hour ago.”

“I’ll drop Charise off at her house and then come and get you,” Dunstan had assured her. “There’s a great little café you’ll love. They serve the best beignets.”

“Maybe his car broke down,” Ophelia whispered. “Or maybe he got into an accident.” She shifted her weight from one foot to another, worried and impatient. She dialed his cell phone number. The phone rang and rang, but no one answered. “This is bad,” she whispered. “And I’m not exactly within walking distance of my house.” She sighed and selected a telephone number from the list saved on her phone. Luckily, this person answered on the first ring.

“Cyrus,” Ophelia said hoarsely, “I need you to come get me.”

_______________________________

“Thanks for letting me take a shower,” Ophelia said.

“What were you doing over by the park?” Cyrus asked.

“I was waiting for a ride.”

“You got stood up?”

“Looks that way,” Ophelia replied, rolling her eyes.

“You’re crazy,” Cyrus remarked. “Freezing cold like it is, and you’re dressed like that. Must be a really impressive guy.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ophelia said slowly.

Cyrus grinned and asked teasingly, “More impressive than me?”

“No way!” Ophelia replied, laughing. “No one’s more impressive than you are.”

Cyrus chuckled and ruffled Ophelia’s damp hair. “That’s my Lia,” he said, “always makes a guy feel like he’s the most important in the world.”

“Am I?” Ophelia asked. “I mean, you are my best friend and all.”

“Even more of your best friend than Mae is?”

“Way more!” Ophelia exclaimed. “I can talk to you about anything without you getting all weird.”

“That’s great,” Cyrus replied, grinning. “So, uh… I was thinking… maybe you’ll go to the next dance with me?”

Dunstan’s not likely to want to go to a high school dance, Ophelia thought. And Cyrus is a great guy. We’ll have lots of fun.

“Sure,” Ophelia replied.