“Look Loverboy,  don’t have time to explain now, but you don’t need to pick me up for the dance.  I’ve got someone’s feelings to hurt.  Talk to you tonight.”  Courtney flicked her cell phone shut with a sneer and put her twisted plan into action.   She caught up with Vaughn later that same day as everyone was heading home.  Vaughn was on his way to one of the waiting buses. Courtney timed her approach to appear as if this was a chance meeting.  Even so she had to run to catch up to the long-strided Vaughn.  Clutching her books to her chest school girl-style,  Courtney put on her best innocent look, which was a stretch for her under any condition.  Had Vaughn been jaded he would have seen through this preposterous act.  As it was,  Vaughn was a trusting soul.
 

     “Hi Vaughn,”  Courtney panted as she tried to appear as casual as possible.  Courtney was no athlete and that little jog she did to catch up to Vaughn winded her.
 

     “Hi Courtney,”  Vaughn answered affably.  Vaughn’s attention always seemed to be focused elsewhere and right now his attention was focused on not missing his bus.
 

     “Long time, no see,”  Courtney replied with false interest.  April was near the flagpole,  waiting to walk home with Sandy.   She spotted Courtney and Vaughn near the buses.
 

     “What is Courtney up to,”  April said to herself?  Then, like a bolt of lightning,  April figured it out.  Bending just long enough to ditch her knapsack at the base of the flagpole,  April stood up and headed for Courtney and Vaughn at a dead run.  In the process, she bumped the shoulder of the Assistant Principal, Thayer,  who unfortunately was also the school disciplinarian.