Music in the Night (Logan 4)

"Whoa, buddy," Brad said. Robert's glare put him back a step, too. They all looked so shallow and cowardly to me, despite their expensive clothing and jewels.

"Come on, Robert," I said. "Let's not waste any more of our time on them."

"The reason we were wondering about your brother," Janet said, "is Grant just came in from having a cigarette and said he saw him loitering in the parking lot."

"What?"

"That's right. He's out there in the cold, dreaming of being in here with his sister," Brad blurted.

Robert's arm shot out so quickly, I didn't realize he had moved until I saw his hand bounce off Brad's chest, sending him back so awkwardly he lost his balance and landed hard on the gym floor. Some of the kids around him started to laugh. He turned red, but after scurrying back to his feet, he kept his distance.

"That was very rude," Betty exclaimed. "Maybe where you come from that happens all the time, but we aren't allowed to do that at our parties." Her eyes widened and she groaned. "Oh no! Mr. Rosner's coming across the floor already. He'll make us cut the party short if there's any wild or stupid stuff and I worked hard to make this a success!" she cried, her mouth twisted and distorted.

"What's going on here?" Mr. Rosner demanded, his hands on his hips. He looked from Brad to Robert and then at the others.

"Just a silly joke, Mr. Rosner," Adam said, smoothly cutting in front of him. "It's nothing. We're all cool."

Mr. Rosner studied everyone and although he wasn't satisfied, nodded.

"I don't want to see any roughhousing," he warned. "You won't," Adam said. "I guarantee it, sir. As class president, I'll take full responsibility."

"I'm sure you will, Mr. Jackson," Mr. Rosner said. When his eyes fixed on me, he calmed down. "You all look very nice," he said, "and up until now, this has been a very nice affair. I hope you'll continue to make us proud of you."

"Thank you, Mr. Rosner," Lorraine said sweetly. I saw the corner of his mouth twitch as he turned and started away.

"That was close," Adam said, glaring at Robert. "It wasn't his fault," I said.

"No, that's for sure," Betty said. "Actually, we all feel sorry for him."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Robert demanded. "Robert, come on," I pleaded, desperate to get Robert away before they could elaborate on their ugly rumors. "No, what's it supposed to mean?" he pursued.

"Why don't you go, out and ask her brother?" Janet quipped and they all started to smile.

"Shall we dance?" Adam asked Marsha, holding out his hand.

"Anything to get away from this incestuous atmosphere," she said and they all laughed as they broke up to go their separate ways and leave us standing alone.

"Spoiled, rich--"

"It's all right, Robert. Let's not pay attention to them." He nodded and then looked at me.

"Do you think Grant was telling the truth? Do you think Cary's hanging around out there?"

"I hope not," I said. "I'm sure he made it up just to hurt us."

Robert forced a smile.

"If you want to go for that ride now," he said finally, "it's fine with me. The air is getting stale in here."

"Yes, I would," I answered him in what I hoped was a cheery tone of voice.

His mood softened.

"Great. I want to be sure to get you home before twelve," he said. "I wouldn't want your father mad at me."

"Most of the time, Daddy's growl is worse than his bite," I said.

"I'm not worried about being bitten; I'm worried about being forbidden," Robert said, slipping his hand into mine, "forbidden to see you."