The Dance by Christopher Pike Page A

if that wasn’t extraordinary enough, she looked downright depressed. “I wonder what’s the matter with her.”
    “She’s probably worried she won’t be on the court.”
    “Clair’s got the self-confidence of a tidal wave. No, that’s not it. Something’s wrong.” Jessica took off her glasses and hid them away. “Which reminds me. During chemistry this morning, you were looking pretty worried.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Come on, Maria. Haven’t we been friends long enough? You’re not happy. What is it?”
    Her tiny Hispanic friend shyly shook her head. “I’m happy.”
    “Are you still thinking about Nick?”
    “No.”
    After Alice’s party, when the police were running in and out of the McCoy residence and questioning them all, Maria’s parents had suddenly appeared. When Jessica had called her mom to explain what had happened, she forgot to tell her not to call the Gonzaleses. That had been a mistake. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales didn’t even know their daughter was at a party—and at two in the morning. And then Maria’s parents arrived precisely when Bubba was telling a detective about the fight in the pool between The Rock and Nick. Of course Maria had played a vital role in that fight, which Bubba mentioned right in front of her parents. It took them no time at all to figure out that Maria had been dating Nick. And it didn’t help that the police chose Nick—along with Russ and Rats—to detain for further questioning. Jessica didn’t hear exactly what they said to Maria, but from a quick glance at their faces as they were leaving, Jessica knew it couldn’t have been anything gentle.
    Parental law was still in effect in Maria’s family: For absolutely no reason was she to go near Nick Grutler.
    “Liar,” Jessica said. She knew Maria was still thinking about Nick.
    Maria started to protest again, but stopped herself. “I wish I could choose what to think about,” she said sadly.
    “It’ll work out. It usually does.”
    Maria had her doubts. “I can’t even talk to him about it.”
    “Sure you can. Your parents won’t know. Explain the situation to him.”
    “How can I say that because he’s black, my mom and dad assume he murdered Alice?” She shook her head. “It’s better if he thinks I don’t like him anymore. It’s simpler this way.”
    Mr. Bark climbed onto the platform. The crowd quieted. Jessica hoped he wouldn’t give a speech. A minute more of this waiting and she would scream.
    He gave a speech—fifteen minutes—about how wonderful it was to be a teenager and to be alive in such exciting times. Bless him, he even worked in the need for nuclear disarmament. Finally he pulled out the envelope.
    “And now, the new homecoming court,” he said, excited, opening the list. “Princess number one is…”
    Jessica—Jessica—Jessica—me—me—me.
    Mr. Bark paused, perplexed. “There seems to be some mistake. There are supposed to be five girls on the court…” He stepped away from the microphone, spoke quietly to Bubba for a moment. Bubba kept nodding his head no matter what the teacher seemed to ask. Finally Mr. Bark returned to the mike. “The vote has resulted in an unusual situation,” he said. “There was a six-way tie for fifth place. It has, therefore, been decided that there will be only four girls on the court this year. They are: Clair Hilrey, Cindy Fosmeyer, Maria Gonzales, and Jessica Hart.”
    Maria dropped her books and pressed her fingers to her mouth. Jessica let out a totally involuntary scream. Then they hugged each other and laughed with tears in their eyes. It felt good, Jessica thought. It felt better than just about anything had ever felt in her whole life. She couldn’t stop shaking.
    “I can’t believe it,” Maria kept saying. “I can’t believe it.”
    “We don’t have to believe it.” Jessica laughed. “We’re living it!”
    People they knew and didn’t know gathered around to offer their congratulations. Cindy Fosmeyer was one of