My Deadly Valentine (2 page)

“They use that same crown every year,” Kristin explained to Nancy and Bess. “But Rosie gets to keep the locket.”

“All right, Rosie!” Kristin shouted, and followed her sorority sisters to the floor of the gym. The Theta Pis swarmed around Rosie, eager to congratulate her.

“I'll be right back,” Nancy told Bess. She raced down the bleachers and made her way through the crowd toward Ned.

His face lit up when he spotted her. “Hey, gorgeous!” He rushed forward and swept her off her feet. “You made it!”

Nancy kissed Ned and gave him a big hug, sweaty uniform and all.

“You guys played a great game,” she said.

“I wish Coach Elliot agreed,” Ned said. “Fortunately, Casey and I got excused from the postgame speech.” He nodded at his teammate, who was pressing into the crowd around Rosie. “He wants to congratulate her, but it doesn't look as if he's having much luck.”

Ned was right. Casey couldn't get past the wall of Theta Pis surrounding Rosie. Judging from the scowl on his face, he wasn't too happy about it, either.

“Rosie!” Casey shouted, pushing past Mindy and Kristin. “For once, would you Theta Pis back off?” he snapped.

Kristin raised her eyebrows and stood back.

From the ruddy color of Casey's face, Nancy could tell he was getting madder by the second.

Just then Rosie swung around.

The happy buzz of the crowd died as curious faces turned to the couple.

At first a distressed look filled Rosie's brown eyes. Then she shook her head and said icily, “You don't own me, Casey Thompson, and if you're going to pick on my sisters, you can take a hike.”

“But, Rosie—” Casey argued.

“You've got no right being rude to my friends,” she said, cutting him off. “I mean it. Get lost!”

Casey was fuming now. “You'll be sorry you said that, Rosie Lopez.”

R
OSIE DIDN
'
T REPLY
but stood her ground.

Then Casey mumbled something Nancy couldn't understand and stormed into the locker room.

“You'd better go talk to him,” Nancy told Ned. She was surprised that the argument between Rosie and Casey had exploded into a breakup. But Ned was a diplomat. He had a talent for soothing wounded egos. Maybe he could help Casey.

After Ned ducked into the locker room, Nancy found Bess at the foot of the bleachers.

“What was all the commotion?” Bess asked. “I could see that something was wrong, but I couldn't hear a thing.”

Nancy described the argument. “She told Casey to take a hike—literally.”

“That's too bad,” Bess said. “This should be the perfect moment for Rosie. I mean, how often does a girl get crowned Sweetheart?”

It was true. But when Nancy glanced over at Rosie, she was surprised to see that the girl didn't seem too upset. She was still hugging her sorority sisters.

By now tables had been set up around the edge of the gym. Platters of baked goods were being arranged on them as the deejay tested the sound system. “This one's dedicated to Rosie Lopez, Emerson's Sweetheart,” he said, turning up the volume for the first song.

A few students start to dance. Nancy noticed that Rosie and the other Theta Pis were headed toward one of the refreshment tables. “Let's go over and get something to drink,” she suggested.

“And maybe a doughnut,” Bess said, eyeing one table.

Nancy and Bess were sipping hot cider when Kristin and Rosie joined them. “Rosie Lopez, meet Nancy and Bess,” Kristin said, turning to her sorority sister. “They'll be staying with us during Sweetheart Week.”

“Great!” Rosie replied.

“Nice to meet you,” Nancy said.

“Congratulations.” Bess was beaming. “You make a beautiful Sweetheart.”

“Thanks.” Dimples appeared in Rosie's cheeks as she smiled. “It's a major thrill.”

Just then Ned appeared at Nancy's side. His
hair was still damp from the shower, and he'd changed into jeans and a cotton sweater. His jacket and knapsack were slung over his shoulder.

“Hiya, Bess!” Ned planted a kiss on Bess's cheek, then turned to Rosie. “Congrats. Sorry your boyfriend isn't here to celebrate with you.”

“He's not my boyfriend anymore,” Rosie said softly.

“Casey's just wired,” Ned explained. “Winning this game was important to him. When things weren't going his way afterward, well . . . he lost it. No excuse, but I'm sure he'll apologize in the morning.”

“Isn't he coming to the party?” Nancy asked.

Ned shook his head. “He blew out of the locker room in a rage. Didn't even stop to shower or change out of his uniform.”

“Another tantrum!” Rosie rolled her eyes.

“Sounds like he was really ticked off,” Kristin said, squeezing Rosie's arm.

Rosie frowned and stared down at the ground as if she didn't want anyone to know how much Casey had hurt her. Nancy felt bad for her. She sensed that Rosie's harsh attitude toward Casey was all bravado.

“I can't deal with his temper anymore,” Rosie said. “When I told him to get lost, I meant it. It's over between us.”

“Oh, no,” Bess said sympathetically.

Nancy gave Bess a warning look. Her best
friend loved playing matchmaker, but this was something that Casey and Rosie needed to work out for themselves.

“Anyone else want to hit the refreshment table?” Nancy suggested, changing the subject.

“I'm game,” said Ned. “A guy works up an appetite running up and down the court. Just give me a second to throw my things on the bleachers.”

By the time they sampled the doughnuts, cakes, and heart-shaped cookies, the party was in full swing. An old rock and roll hit was playing, and across the gym students were dancing. Kristin came off the dance floor dragging a husky guy with dark eyes and jet black hair combed back from his forehead.

“You've worn me out, Fitz,” she told him, then turned to Nancy and Bess. “Anybody want to dance with my friend Mike Fitzgerald?”

Bess was already tapping her foot to the beat, and Nancy gave her a playful shove. “Go on. I'll dance with Ned.”

“Let's go!” Bess said, hurrying away with the guy Kristin had called Fitz.

As Kristin went over to the snack table, Ned leaned down to whisper in Nancy's ear. “Are we going to join them? Or are you just going to stand there looking beautiful?”

Nancy laughed. “Tough choice. But since we don't get to see too much of each other these days, why don't we dance?”

A ballad was starting up just as they walked toward the dance floor. It gave Nancy a great excuse to cuddle close to Ned. She loved being in his arms, leaning her head on his warm, solid shoulder.

All too soon the ballad faded to another rock and roll standard. Nancy and Ned tried out a few jitterbug steps, and Nancy laughed when he swung her around.

After the song ended, they met Bess, Kristin, and Fitz by the punch bowl. As they waited for cool drinks, Kristin introduced Fitz to Ned and the girls.

“Don't you guys know each other?” Bess asked.

Ned shook his head. “Emerson's pretty big,” he said. “Where do you hang out?” he asked Fitz.

“Fitz is like a fixture around the Theta Pi house,” Kristin answered as she pushed her blond bangs off her forehead. “He's a lifesaver. He fixes things and tutors some of the girls in chemistry. Fitz is everybody's big brother. And when he's not hanging out with us, he practically runs the student union.” She patted the solidly built guy on the back.

A wide smile softened Fitz's face. “Better stop now before I get a swelled head.

“It sounds like the Theta Pis appreciate your help,” Nancy said.

“They're a great bunch,” Fitz said, waving at
someone across the gym. “Excuse me,” he told the group, “but I think Emerson's Sweetheart needs a dance partner.” He finished his punch in one swallow, then darted away.

“I hope all you Theta Pis are planning to attend the Sweetheart Ball,” Ned told Kristin. “I have a personal interest, since it's sponsored by my frat. We've been working hard to pull it all together. We want a huge turnout. It's open to the whole student body,” he explained to Nancy.

“I think it's going to be extra romantic this year,” Bess said. “Especially since Valentine's Day actually falls on Saturday.”

“We're looking forward to it,” Kristin told Ned. “And don't forget about the Theta Pi auction on Friday afternoon. We're going to auction off Nancy's valentine—and you know what that means.”

“Really?” Ned clapped a hand to his forehead. “That's going to cost me a bundle.”

“It's for a good cause,” Nancy said, squeezing Ned's arm. “And you'd better come up with the money. I can't imagine going to the Sweetheart Ball with anyone but you.”

“I'm auctioning off a valentine, too,” Bess announced. “But I sure hope Kyle makes it to the auction in time to bid on it.”

“If not, I'll be his proxy,” Ned volunteered. “Though I can see this conversation is getting more expensive by the minute.”

“We're worth it,” Nancy said, leaning up to kiss Ned's cheek.

• • •

It was after midnight when the crowd began to thin out. After one last slow dance, Nancy and Ned went to pick up their jackets on the bleachers, where Bess was sitting with Kristin.

“I hate to end the fun, but I've got classes in the morning,” Ned said as he tugged on his jacket and slung his knapsack over his shoulder.

“No problem.” Kristin pulled on her coat.

Bess yawned. “Besides, it's only Tuesday. We've got the whole week to play.”

“Party animal!” Nancy teased.

Bundled up in jackets, scarves, and gloves, they filed out of the sports complex into the cold night air.

With her arm linked through Ned's, Nancy enjoyed the walk through the campus. They passed the modern glass-sided library, then took the path toward the student union, which was built into the hill. Two students crossed in front of them, heading for the main entrance of the building. Nancy and her friends continued on, taking a walkway that curved down around the side of the union.

“The student union must be open late,” Nancy commented.

“The snack bar and laundromat stay open until three,” Kristin explained.

When they came around the back of the building,
Nancy saw the lower stories of the student union. At the very bottom of the hill, the path cut through a garden.

“This garden looks so different in the spring when everything's in bloom,” Nancy said. The grass was frozen and stubby, and the area was bare except for a few scraggly shrubs and trees.

“They've even turned off the fountain,” Bess said. “I guess it would have frozen otherwise.”

“It's pretty bleak,” Kristin agreed, “but the whole campus looks great after a snowfall.”

“Snow's predicted for this week,” Ned said as they walked along the path through the garden.

“Snow would be . . .” Nancy's voice trailed off as an object behind the fountain caught her eye. It looked like a hand lying on the ground—but it couldn't be. Maybe it was a glove.

“Nancy?” Ned asked when she stopped walking. “Something wrong?”

But Nancy was already off the path, crossing the grass to look behind the fountain.

Her pulse began to pound as she circled the fountain and saw that she had been right—a body, one arm outstretched, was lying on the ground!

N
ED GASPED
as he saw the body.

Kristin and Bess were right behind him. “It's Rosie!” Kristin exclaimed. “What happened to her mouth?”

It had been covered with black tape. Probably to keep her from screaming, Nancy thought. She knelt on the cold ground and eased the tape off. A white scrap of paper was pinned to Rosie's coat, but Nancy ignored it for the moment. She wrapped her fingers around the girl's wrist.