The Secret Bedroom Read Online Free PDF

hoping she’d say something, hoping she’d help him out.
    But Lea didn’t say a word.
    She turned her glance on him, leaving her face expressionless. He had beads of perspiration on his forehead even though it was cold in the hall.
    â€œMarci’s great, really,” Don continued, still rocking up and down on his sneakers. “You’ve only seen the bad side of her. She just gets really jealous, that’s all.”
    He stopped, took a deep breath, and let it out, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t be apologizing for her,” he said, staring at Lea’s face. “I should be apologizing for me. I’m really sorry, Lea.”
    â€œThanks for apologizing, Don,” she said, keeping her voice low and steady.
    â€œLast week in the lunchroom,” he continued, a little less awkwardly. “When I saw you, I thought—” He stopped suddenly. Lea followed his gaze down the hall.

    Marci had just turned the corner.
    Lea felt a sharp stab of anger, mixed with dread.
    â€œUh—I’d better go,” Don said quickly. “Sorry. Really. I really am.” He turned and, dodging two girls on their way to the lunchroom, hurried in a half run to intercept Marci.
    Lea remained against the wall, unmoving, watching Don and Marci. He caught up to her, took her by the arm, and turned her around. They disappeared back around the corner.
    Wow, thought Lea. Marci sure does have Don wrapped around her little finger!
    â€œSorry I’m late,” Deena said, appearing from behind Lea, grabbing Lea’s shoulder.
    Lea, lost in thought, jumped in surprise. “Oh, hi.”
    â€œWagner kept me after class. I totally blew the chem experiment. He wouldn’t let me leave till I got it right.”
    â€œOh, that’s okay,” Lea said wistfully, following her friend into the lunchroom. “I’m not very hungry, anyway.”
    â€œYou still thinking about Don and Marci?” Deena asked sympathetically.
    â€œYeah. I guess.” Lea shrugged. “I wish I could just shut them out of my mind. Just shut the door on them, lock it, and board it up—like the room in my attic.”
    â€œThe room in your attic?” Deena was totally mystified.
    â€œNever mind,” Lea said, and picked up a lunch tray from the stack, burning hot and soaking wet, as usual.
    *  *  *

    After school Lea pulled some books out of her locker, loaded her backpack, closed the locker, and prepared to lock it. It was then she realized that Marci was standing beside her.
    Marci’s short red hair was perfectly brushed, and she was wearing a very short green suede skirt over black tights and a silky green top that emphasized her full figure. Just standing next to her made Lea feel small and boyish.
    â€œMarci, what do you want?” Lea asked, sounding more impatient than angry.
    â€œI want to apologize too,” Marci said softly.
    â€œWhat?” Lea hoisted the backpack onto her shoulders.
    â€œI made Don apologize, and now I want to apologize too.”
    Lea had the sudden feeling that she was in a dream, that she was sound asleep, fashioning this whole scene from her subconscious. She stared past Marci down the hall. The solid walls, the bright ceiling lights, the other kids at their lockers, all seemed to indicate that this wasn’t a dream. It was really happening.
    â€œYou
made
Don apologize?” Lea couldn’t hide her surprise or her confusion.
    â€œI went too far,” Marci said, staring into Lea’s eyes. “I really did. I’m not a mean person. Usually. And this time I just went too far. After Saturday I felt terrible.”
    â€œSo did I,” Lea said bitterly.
    â€œI want to make it up to you,” Marci said, putting a hand briefly on Lea’s shoulder. “We’re having asorority meeting tomorrow after school. Would you like to come see if you’d be interested in joining?”
    Lea stared into