Help Wanted by Richie Tankersley Cusick Page A

to take the job—which you will , because you find me extremely fascinating and want very much to be close to me—this could turn out to be very educational and professional. Does that suit you better?”
    When Robin didn’t answer, he reached down and tugged on a strand of her hair.
    â€œYou really don’t feel comfortable with me, do you?” he teased.
    â€œI just want to get to class,” Robin said, avoiding his eyes. “I’m late enough as it is.”
    â€œAnd that really shook you up back there, didn’t it? Finding crazy old Claudia like that.”
    â€œWell, maybe you think it’s funny, but I don’t.” Robin bit her lip, still seeing that pathetic heap at the bottom of the stairs. “The poor thing looked so scared … so …”
    â€œSo what?”
    Parker stopped, blocking her way. As Robin looked up, startled, his eyes held hers in a merciless stare.
    â€œWhat were you going to say?” he persisted, his smile slowly fading. “Claudia looked so … what?”
    â€œLike she wanted—I don’t know—” Robin stammered. “Almost like she wanted me to … protect her or something.”
    Parker’s lip curled in a wry smile. He shook his head at her, and the laugh he gave held no humor.
    â€œForget it, Robin,” he said solemnly. “You can’t protect Claudia. No one can.”

S tunned, Robin watched Parker turn and disappear through the door at the end of the hall. She went after him, but by the time she got outside and scanned the grounds behind the school, he was nowhere to be seen. Totally frustrated now, she turned and went back inside.
    By noon, reports of the new girl and her accident had already spread, and when Robin sat down in the cafeteria, Faye pounced on her.
    â€œSo tell me! How does it feel to be a hero?”
    Robin shrugged. “All I did was stay with her until the nurse came. Big deal.”
    â€œShe’s Parker Swanson’s sister. That is a big deal.”
    â€œShe was scared and upset. Anybody else would have done the same thing I did.”
    â€œI heard Parker was there, too.”
    â€œHe happened to be coming by.”
    â€œJust then?” Faye snorted. “How come he happened by just then? Just when you were there?”
    â€œHe was on his way to class. It was a coincidence. You’re making something out of nothing.”
    â€œDid he ask you out?”
    â€œOf course he didn’t ask me out. He was worried about his sister. Is that all you think about?”
    â€œWhoa—don’t bite my head off! I was just asking. I just want to be the first to know, is all. Did you hear the latest?”
    Robin shook her head and stared down at her lunch tray.
    â€œVicki isn’t in school today,” Faye said triumphantly.
    â€œSo what?”
    â€œAnd she didn’t come home last night, either.”
    This time Robin glanced up. “How come?”
    â€œNobody knows.” Faye moved closer and lowered her head, her voice conspiratorial. “She went out late last night— sneaked out! Her folks didn’t even know. When she didn’t show up this morning, the school called her house, and Mrs. Hastings realized Vicki’s bed hadn’t been slept in all night.”
    â€œSo … was she with Todd or what?” Robin speculated.
    â€œOkay, here’s the thing. She had sneaked out to be with Todd—he admitted it! But she never showed up at their rendezvous—so he just assumed she changed her mind and wasn’t coming!”
    Robin’s mouth opened in surprise. “Faye—you sound as if you’re excited about all this!”
    â€œWell, of course I’m excited about it! You know how Vicki’s always talking about doing something really wild! Taking off in the middle of the night—hitchhiking to California—just to see how far she can get before someone catches