Getting the Boot by Peggy Guthart Strauss Page A

Kelly was truly excited about something. At dinner the night before, Dr. Wainwright had announced that whoever was interested could join him for a trip to the shore.
    â€œLido di Ostia is not the prettiest beach in the world, but I love it for two reasons. First, it’s only a half hour away on the metro. Second, Ostia Antica was the major seaport of ancient Rome and its base of naval operations during the heyday of the empire. Where else in the world can you find a festive seaside resort sitting cheek by jowl with some pretty spectacular Roman ruins?
    â€œWe’ll get in a little history and still have plenty of time to soak up some rays. And I promise I won’t wear my Speedo.” Dr. Wainwright had guffawed.
    Kelly had smiled over at Joe, who gave her a big wink and the “hang loose” sign.
    The group was leaving right after breakfast, so Kelly hustled down to her storage bin to grab the new black bikini she’d bought especially for this summer. With her mom’s voice echoing in her ears, she grabbed sunscreen and her straw hat. Then she bolted up the five flights to her room to grab a couple of her reading assignments and the fashion magazine Starr had just sent her.
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    Lido di Ostia was a bit seedy and run-down, but there were loads of pizzerias, bars, and seafood restaurants scattered along the beach, along with some old-timey hotels that needed a paint job. The group staked out a patch of sand and spread out their towels. Kelly settled back to people-watch. Big Italian grandmas romped in the surf with toddlers beside young couples in skimpy bathing suits. Families laid out elaborate picnic lunches, complete with wine, on their beach blankets. One thing she could say for sure: Italians knew how to eat.
    Wonder of wonders, Sheela had actually come on the trip. She had been on the fence all morning, and it took serious coaxing from Kelly to get her on the metro. She was about as scantily dressed as Kelly had seen her in years—normal-length shorts and a properly fitting T-shirt, with a bathing suit peeking out underneath. Sheela had sexy, womanly curves that other girls would have loved to show off. But back home, while Kelly’s other friends casually strutted around the locker room in thongs, Sheela cringed if anyone caught even a glimpse of her bra. Kelly was glad to see her loosening up a little.
    Best of all, Sheela was sitting with Jarvis again. The two of them were talking up a storm, and the way Sheela was laughing and leaning forward was unmistakable—in her own quiet way, she was flirting! The little devil knew how to have fun, after all. Kelly felt strangely proud of her—she had learned from the master. Maybe Kelly would take her aside and give her a few extra pointers later.
    Kelly pulled out her sketch pad and scanned the beach for a subject. Andrea was walking toward her, a pair of to-die-for sandals on her pedicured feet. Kelly wondered where she’d bought them.
    â€œHey, Kelly,” Andrea said. “I’m glad to see you brought your sketch pad. Does that mean you’re working on the assignment that was due Friday?”
    Kelly’s heart was hammering. How could she have forgotten? Andrea had asked the art-history students to choose a building or person of historical significance to Rome and do a rendering in charcoal. The class was only held Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Andrea wanted the kids to have as much time as possible to work on their drawings. So she’d given them until Friday afternoon to hand them in. Kelly had completely spaced out; she hadn’t even decided on a subject, let alone started sketching.
    Andrea leaned forward to look at the open page of Kelly’s drawing pad. A lone seagull, drawn in pencil, soared across the page.
    â€œThat’s lovely,” Andrea said, “but not quite the historical subject I was looking for.”
    Kelly blushed. “Andrea, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. May I