Secret Admirer (9 page)

“That actress was awesome,” Selena agreed. “I didn't even read the subtitles. I just stared at her face.”

“That will be you someday,” Eddy teased.

‘Oh, really? You think I'll need subtitles?” Selena cracked. Eddy opened the car door for her. She settled into the bucket seat of the red Honda Civic and shut her eyes for a moment. The car reminded her of Eddy—warm and comfortable.

When he first picked her up, Selena had felt uncertain and awkward. But the more time they spent together, the more relaxed she felt.

“Where next?” Eddy asked, climbing in beside her. “Are you hungry?”

“I shouldn't be, after all that popcorn,” Selena admitted. “But actually, I'm starved.”

“Me too,” Eddy agreed. “Ever been to Sam's?”

“Sam's? No,” Selena replied. “Where is it?”

“It's a great burger place in Waynesbridge near the junior college,” Eddy told her. “Want to try it?”

“Sure,” Selena said. Actually, she thought that if Eddy had suggested going to a place that served baked worms, she'd probably agree to it!

“Do you like jazz?” Eddy asked, slipping a cassette into his tape deck.

“I don't know much about it,” she replied.

“My dad got me hooked on it,” Eddy told her. “At first I didn't like it. But now it's my favorite, even more than rock music. This is an old tape. By Bill Evans. He was a great piano player.”

Selena listened to the music as they drove along the dark highway to Waynesbridge. “It's kind of nice,” she told Eddy.

“You might like something newer,” he told her. “I have a great new Wynton Marsalis tape. We can listen to it on the way home.”

He guided the car through a narrow tunnel, then pulled into a space in an underground parking lot.

Eddy led Selena back through the tunnel and up a flight of concrete stairs. Pushing open the door at the top, Selena stepped out into an area of small restaurants and shops. The walks were paved with cobblestones.

“This is cool!” she declared.

He smiled. “Yeah, it's part of the campus. The college drama majors hang out at Sam's a lot. The owner used to be an actor in New York. People bring their parents here because the shops are so nice.”

“I love it!” Selena gushed. “I'll bet it has a really different crowd than the places I usually go.”

Eddy pulled open the front door of Sam's, and the greasy aroma of burgers and fries drifted out. A
waitress led them to a dark wood booth in the back. Selena settled in, glancing around at the sports posters on the walls.

“The food here is not too shabby,” Eddy told her. Their waitress arrived and they each ordered a burger and fries, with root beer for Selena and a Coke for Eddy.

“So how are you doing on your lines for the play?” Eddy asked.

“I've memorized all of acts one and two,” Selena reported.

“The scenes I've seen you do were excellent,” Eddy praised her. “You hardly need any direction. You have a lot of talent, Selena.”

“Thanks,” she murmured, embarrassed. “But I keep thinking I haven't gotten the character right. There are some things I don't understand about Juliet.”

“That's why you're so good,” Eddy said intently. “Most high school performers just say the lines. You really think about it and try to do your best.”

“But what if my best isn't good enough?” Selena demanded, fiddling with the metal napkin holder. “I mean, the drama coach from Northwestern will be coming to opening night. My only chance of going to college depends on how I do.”

“You'll definitely get the scholarship,” Eddy replied. “But if you're worried about it, I can coach you;”

“Are you serious?” Selena cried.

“Sure,” he said, flashing her a dazzling smile. “I'd be happy to. But don't tell anyone else.”

“I won't,” she promised. “Are you sure it's okay?”

“Definitely,” Eddy replied. “I just don't want Mr. Riordan to think I'm playing favorites.”

“I understand,” Selena assured him. She smiled at the thought of having a secret romance with Eddy. He made her feel so comfortable, so close to him.

“You know,” Eddy continued, “you
are
my favorite, Selena. And I want to get to know you better. I don't usually meet people who love performing as much as you do. And I think it's amazing that you've stuck to it. I know you've been through a lot in the past few years. It must be tough for you without your father, but you haven't let that stop you.”

Selena's mouth dropped open. “How do you know about my father?” she asked. “I never told you he died.”

“Mr. Riordan told me,” Eddy said. “I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned it.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “I really care about you, Selena.”

Selena gazed back at him, suddenly uncomfortable.

“I realize you're very busy,” Eddy went on. “And I've seen how popular you are. But I'd like to be with you … I mean, whenever you have time.”

Selena didn't know what to think. She found Eddy so attractive—but what did she really know about him?

Nothing.

And yet he seemed to know so much about her.

So much that she had never told him.

She pulled her hand back. “I'd like to see you too, Eddy,” she said. “But—”

“But what?” Eddy interrupted. “Do you already have a boyfriend?”

Confused, Selena shook her head.

“Do you think I'm too old for you? Is that it?” He gazed at her earnestly.

What's going on?
Selena asked herself.
I really like Eddy! Why am I so suspicious?

“I'm sorry,” Eddy said. “I guess I've been coming on too strong.”

“It's not that,” Selena replied. She felt torn. On the one hand, she liked Eddy and wanted to confide in him. On the other hand, she felt afraid to trust him. Afraid to trust anyone.

“What's wrong, Selena?” he asked gently.

“It's—it's—Someone has been threatening me,” she blurted out.

“Excuse me?”

“I know it sounds crazy,” Selena cried. “But someone has been leaving me ugly notes and horrible, frightening presents. I don't know who I can trust anymore!”

“Wow,” Eddy murmured. “Do you have any idea who it is?”

“Not really,” Selena replied hopelessly. “But I think it's someone in the drama club.”

“Oh, wow,” Eddy repeated, shaking his head. “I feel so bad for you.”

Haltingly at first, and then more quickly, Selena found herself telling Eddy everything that had happened, from the first bouquet of black flowers through the most recent note.

“And the most frightening part is that … that I think this guy pushed the wardrobe over on Alison and dropped the lights on Katy. Trying to get me.”

“It's possible,” Eddy agreed. “But it's so unbelievable! I mean, would someone we know actually try to
kill
you?”

Selena sighed. “Katy thinks it's a stalker. Like those crazy people who get obsessed with movie stars. But I'm not even famous.”

“You're pretty well known in Shadyside, though,” Eddy said thoughtfully. “Did you tell Mr. Riordan?”

She nodded. “He thinks the wardrobe and the lights were accidents. He thinks the notes and horrible gifts were someone playing a sick joke. He said he'll be more alert than ever. But he doesn't think I'm in any real danger.”

“Maybe you should go to the police,” Eddy said, lowering his voice.

“They'd probably have the same reaction as Mr. Riordan,” Selena protested. “Accidents and dumb jokes.”

Eddy sighed. “I'll think about this,” he said. “Maybe there's some way I can help you feel safer.”

“Thanks, Eddy,” Selena replied. “I appreciate it.”

He picked up the check and flashed her a thumbs-up. “Back in a minute,” he said.

Selena watched him walk to the cashier.
I'm glad I told him everything,
she thought.
He really understands
. She glanced past Eddy, to the front of the restaurant.

Danny Morris stood in the doorway.

Staring hard at her.

Selena caught her breath.

What is he doing here?
she wondered, feeling anger—and fear.

Did he follow me?

What does he want?

17
 

S
elena felt all of her muscles tighten.

This place is not a high-school hangout,
she thought.
It's miles from Shady side
.

There could be only one explanation. Danny followed her! Trembling with fury, Selena leapt up from the booth and stepped into the aisle, blocking Danny's path.

“Hey—Selena!” he cried, pretending to be surprised.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded furiously. “Did you come to bother me some more?”

Danny didn't reply. He stared at her, his face filled with scorn. His lips curled into a sneer. “You really think you're the center of the universe, don't you, Selena?”

“Huh? Give me a break, Danny!” she raged. “I want to know why you followed me here.”

He shook his head. “I brought my date here,” he said finally. “She lives in Waynesbridge.”

He turned to the door. A short, pretty girl with brown curls and big, brown eyes entered.

“Selena,” Danny said, smirking, “this is Susie. Susie, this is Selena. She goes to Shadyside with me.”

“Uh, hi, Susie,” Selena choked out. Her face was burning with embarrassment. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her. “I've, uh, got to go,” she mumbled. Then she turned and ran out the door.

Eddy waited outside.

“That was close!” He laughed.

Selena stared at him, confused.

“Danny,” Eddy explained. “If he saw us together, he'd tell Riordan for sure.”

“Oh, right,” Selena murmured. Eddy opened the door to the concrete stairway. Selena barely even noticed where they were going. She couldn't get Danny out of her mind.

He had another girlfriend. Or at least he was interested in another girl.

So he wasn't the stalker.

Not Danny,
she thought.
Not Danny. Not Danny
.

Then who?

She followed Eddy down the steps to the tunnel.

There were no sidewalks, so Selena walked as close to the concrete wall as possible. Eddy stayed right beside her. “I have to tell you, Selena. I've waited a long time for this date,” Eddy said.

“What do you mean?” Selena asked.

“Well—I was an upperclassman at Shadyside High when you first started in drama. I've really had my eye on you since then.”

Selena walked along in silence. She couldn't believe it. Eddy had had a crush on her all this time!

“The only bad thing about this place is getting to the parking lot,” Eddy commented, changing the
subject. “But the food is worth it.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Having a good time so far?” he asked.

“Definitely!” Selena replied.
The best time in ages,
she thought.
I finally feel safe
.

They were halfway through the tunnel when Selena heard a loud screech. It took her a moment to place the sound.

The squealing tires of a speeding car.

Selena spun around. A dark Taurus with its lights out.

Roaring toward her.

She tried to dodge out of its way.

But Eddy grabbed her by both shoulders—and shoved her into the path of the hurtling car.

18
 

S
elena's shriek of horror echoed off the concrete walls of the tunnel.

She felt herself staggering forward. Stumbling. Unable to stop.

She braced for the impact.

“Ohh!”

Her body smashed into something hard.

I've been hit!

But no. She had hit the wall. She felt a rush of air as the car skidded past her, its tires squealing.