Passion In James County XIX: Family Affairs
Chapter thirty
While Matt was enjoying his ecstatic afternoon and evening with Mary, Dianna was having a miserable time. During cheerleading practice, the other girls, led by Lisa, ignored her and treated her as if she were some kind of leper. Dianna, confused and hurt by their behavior wasn't sure why they were treating her like they were. She had no idea Lisa thought she'd displaced Lisa as Miss Conklin's plaything, and that Lisa was very angry about it.
Upset by the treatment the others showed her, Dianna was less than her best in practice. When, at last, it ended, she walked dejectedly toward the locker room.
"Dianna, can I see you in my office a minute?" Miss Conklin asked.
Lisa was standing behind Miss Conklin, and Dianna saw hatred in the other girl's eyes and was shaken. "Why is Lisa so angry with me?" she wondered as she followed the coach into her office.
"You didn't have a very good day today, did you Dianna?" Miss Conklin noted when they were inside.
Dianna shook her head. "No, not really. I'm not sure what's wrong with me today," she said. The fact that she was upset was part of the reason, and the fact that the other girls did little things to make her look bad was another part.
"Look, why don't you come over to my house after school?" Miss Conklin suggested. "Maybe we can talk about why you're so upset and..." She smiled warmly at the slim teenager.
Dianna had both feared and anticipated this moment all day. She was sure Miss Conklin was going to invite her to her apartment again, but wasn't quite sure whether or not she wanted to go. She'd been pondering what to do all day and, by the time she got to cheerleading practice, she still hadn't decided what she would do if and when the question were asked, but now that the question had been asked, she knew what her answer would be. She wasn't going.
She shook her head. "I...I don't think I...I can, Miss Conklin," she said. "I...I really don't feel all that well. I...I think I may be coming down with something."
"Are you sure, Dianna?" Carol Conklin asked. She was surprised. She was sure she had Dianna in her power. "I'm so disappointed to hear you say that. I had some wonderful new things planned for us tonight."
Even though she knew she was doing the right thing, Dianna was torn. Miss Conklin had given her astounding pleasure the night before, and she was promising even more tonight.
"Oh, Dianna, please think about it. It will be wonderful," Miss Conklin purred. She reached out and caressed Dianna's hand. "I promise you'll be so glad if you come over."
Dianna felt her resolve weakening. She looked around the small office. "I..." she took a deep breath and shook her head. "I have to go, Miss Conklin." She bolted out the door and headed for her locker.