Read Online The Devil and Danna Webster by Jacqueline Seewald - Free Book Online

passing of that special moment that had happened between us, the loss of intimacy. I wondered if I had only imagined that he was about to kiss me. After all, I didn’t have any experience. So how could I know for certain? And yet, deep down I felt he’d liked me a lot in that moment and I’d felt the same.
    I didn’t see Gar again until lunch period the next day. As I went up to the line to buy my milk, I observed him sitting with his friends. For just a second, our eyes met. It was a jarring contact. Then we both looked away.
    As I was finishing lunch, he strode over to my table. He looked down at me with what appeared to be a superior air. “I just wanted to tell you that I won’t be able to manage another tutoring session for a while, too busy.”
    I was saved the embarrassment of a reply by the appearance of Caron Moore. “I’ve been looking for you,” she said to Gar. “I thought we could get together this afternoon.” She placed her hand on his bicep with what seemed to me as a possessive gesture. He shrugged it off.
    â€œAfter practice maybe.” Then he walked away with Caron following.
    â€œHow do you know Gar Hansen?” Phyllis asked moon-eyed.
    I explained about the tutoring.
    â€œSome girls have all the luck! I would do anything for an introduction to him,” she said. “There is no justice. I’m good in math and don’t need tutoring. Dumb girls like you do better with guys. You could introduce me though.”
    â€œFor all the good it would do you!” Joyce remarked. I guess she took umbrage on my behalf about the dumb girl crack.
    Phyllis frowned at Joyce. “You can never tell. He just might prefer a girl who’s pleasantly plump. I read an article about guys who are chubby chasers. They like full-figured girls like me. Although I have to admit, Caron Moore is tough competition.”
    â€œShe really is chasing him,” Joyce agreed, adjusting her eyeglasses. “Anyway, I think they’re both a couple of snobs.”
    â€œHe can be nice,” I ventured. Both Joyce and Phyllis gave me hard looks and I felt myself blush. Why couldn’t I hide my feelings better? “But then I don’t know him that well either,” I added.
    Joyce wanted to get together in the afternoon, except I had already arranged to help Ms. Meade again. Working with Ms. Meade was really the best part of my day. I was very good in pastels and fair in watercolors and acrylics, but when it came to oil, my strokes were awkward. Ms. Meade helped me with the seascape I was working on in my spare time.
    â€œIt’s not very good, is it?” I sighed.
    â€œOn the contrary, it’s coming along very well,” she assured me. “I’ve seen many seascapes, but your work has a unique quality to it. It’s good you’re not just copying other people’s work. You’re developing an original style and that takes time. Don’t be concerned if you make mistakes. Everyone learns by trial and error.”
    In many ways, she was easier to talk to than my mother. Maybe it was because Ms. Meade was younger, but there was also something more. My mother seemed weary, almost tired of life while Ms. Meade was full of energy and assurance. I admired that about her. I also respected her knowledge of art. I wanted to learn everything I could from her. I wanted to be like her.
    â€œCan I ask you a question that has nothing to do with art?” She looked a little surprised but nodded. “There’s this boy who wants to go out with me and I think I like him, only my parents and my friend disapprove of him. If you were me, would you go out with him anyway?”
    She was thoughtful. “Not an easy question to answer. I’d have to analyze why the people who care about me didn’t approve of this boy. There must be a reason.”
    â€œBut if you thought they were wrong?”
    She hesitated. “Well, I suppose