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 �>�The Exhibitionist Next Door by BPClavel

   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 355: Miss Whitaker

   "I really had no idea that Alexa was going to do this," pleaded Miss
Whitaker.  "I know you probably won't believe me, but I didn't."

   "Okay --" said Dale, not knowing what to think.

   "I've made mistakes before," continued Miss Whitaker.  "Never like this.
I know I'll have to try and convince a judge that I was taken in.  I've
been hiding out here, hoping to get a quick opportunity to apologize
directly.  I am indeed sorry."

   "Would you like to sit down, Miss Whitaker?" asked Nate, hoping to make
a very awkward situation a little less uncomfortable.

   He looked back at Dale.  She was biting her thumbnail.  Looking into her
eyes he saw that she was shaking her head almost imperceptibly.

   "No, that's all right," said Miss Whitaker.  "I've mostly said what I
hoped to have the chance to say.  Like I said, I'm here to turn myself in.
I'm hoping that they'll take that into account.  Everyone seems to think
that I was in on this, so the police are looking for me."

   "Okay," said Nate.  "I'm sure Dale doesn't know what to think right now.
What else would you like to tell her before turning yourself in?"

   As Nate said that, he stepped a little to the side so that Miss Whitaker
could see Dale.  Dale held onto Nate -(TM)s belt with both hands, examining
the very distraught looking young teacher with her face half hidden behind
Nate -(TM)s large shoulder.

   "Well, mostly just that," she said, but then looking at Dale directly
she continued, "I really didn't know anything about this plan in advance. I
didn't think Alexa was capable of such a thing.  I know you'll find this
hard to believe, but I even thought that the stories of the earlier
stripping incidents were fabrications.  I now know that I was relying too
heavily on just one source, and a dishonest one at that.  I had seen
pictures of you doing things naked, doing them willingly, and I was easily
convinced that the alleged stripping incidences also fell into that
category.  To be completely honest, I don't think much of you Dale.  I
think you brought this upon yourself . . .  I do.  But that said, no one
deserves what happened to you today.  I don't think you're a Princess, but
you deserve to be left alone to make your own way in life.  If you want to
run around naked, trying to get yourself raped, I suppose that is your
prerogative."

   "Miss Whitaker," interjected Nate.  "Is that really what you came here
to say?"

   "I guess not," admitted Miss Whitaker.  "My main points are that I'm
truly sorry about what happened.  And that I was just as surprised as
everyone else when Alexa took over the assembly and started waving those
remote controls around --"

   Nate looked over at Dale, she was staring at the floor, obviously not
knowing what to say.

   "Okay," said Nate.  "I think there are police next door at the Jordan's.
That's probably how you go about turning yourself in."

   "Nate, would you do me a favor?" asked Miss Whitaker.  "Would you go
next door and bring an officer back.  From my hiding spot, I've seen a lot
of people come and go this afternoon.  I'd rather not have the audience
that is over there right now.  I expect handcuffs will be involved."

    -�Sure," said Nate hesitatingly.

   "Nate --" pleaded Dale.  She pulled him down, bringing his ear near her
face.  "You -(TM)re not going to leave me here with her," whispered Dale
apprehensively.

   "Do you want to come with me?" he asked.

   She shook her head.

   "Okay, Miss Whitaker, how should we do this?" said Nate.  "Why don
-(TM)t you follow me out.  You can wait in the side yard while I go next
door and get an officer.  I'm sure you understand.  I'm not comfortable
leaving you here alone with Dale."

   Looking over at Dale he saw her mouth a  -~thank you -(TM).

   "I guess," said Miss Whitaker.

   Nate led her outside.  Before closing the door, he turned to Dale. 
"Lock the door behind me, okay?" he said.

   "Come right back," said Dale.  "Remember . . .  we stay together."

   Nate nodded, "I'll hurry."

   He heard the deadbolt click just after he had closed the door.  After
escorting Miss Whitaker to the side yard away from the Jordan house, he
went to the Jordan front door and knocked.

   "Oh, thank God!" said Dale's mom, hugging him just after she had opened
the door.  "Where's my Dale?" she added craning her neck to look around
him.

   "She's here," said Nate.  "You can see her in a minute; however, first,
I'd like to speak with an officer in private."

   Pulling Nate inside, Mrs.  Jordan said, "Nate, this is Officer Kudrow."

   "Nate Miller, I presume," said the grey-haired officer, reaching up to
shake Nate's hand.

   "Can we talk in private," said Nate, indicating to the officer that he
wanted him to follow him back out the Jordan front door.

   "Absolutely," said Officer Kudrow, following him.  Continuing in a
casual manner, he said, "Based on what a teacher told me earlier, I had
reason to believe that you might be party to this hazing incident. 
However, I now think that I'm going to need mother-in-law advice from you,
son.  You disappear with this woman's daughter . . .  her naked daughter .
. .  and she doesn't seem especially worried, at least not about that.  She
is so proud of her daughter, and so full of praise for you."

   "Can we talk about that later, Officer Kudrow, -�said Nate, leading him
towards the sidewalk.  "Right now there is someone who wants to turn
herself in."

   "Alexa Finch?" asked the officer.

   "What?" said Nate in surprise.  "She's not in custody."

   "Nope, she somehow escaped out the back of the high school.  Bottomless,
if testimony is to be believed."

   "No, not Alexa . . .  Miss Whitaker," said Nate.  "She's here in my side
yard."

   They rounded the corner of the house.  Miss Whitaker was just standing
there, waiting.

   "If you'll excuse me officer, I have a daughter to reunite with her
mother," said Nate.

   "You do that, son," said Officer Kudrow.  "We'll need her testimony in
short order.  Possibly yours as well."

   "Okay," said Nate, turning and heading back to his front door.  Even
though he had a key, he knocked and Dale let him in.  As soon as the door
was closed, Dale hugged him tight.  "Now don't leave me again, "she said.

    -�Well, I was going to go next door and bring back your mother," said
Nate.

   "Talking to her does have to be next," said Dale.  "But don't you dare
leave my side.  I'm sure she knows I'm a streaker now.  This is going to be
so hard for me."

   "She loves you, Dale," said Nate.  "You know she'd still would, even if
you robbed banks."

   "Is that supposed to be reassuring?" asked Dale.

   "I'm just saying it will be fine," said Nate, turning to head back out
the front door.

   "Nate, what about,  -~don't leave me again, -(TM) are you not
understanding?" asked Dale.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 356: Dale's Mother

   "But --" said Nate.

   "Let's call," she said picking up the Miller -(TM)s home phone and
dialing.  When she heard her mother answer she quickly passed the phone to
Nate.

   " -- anyone there?" he heard her mother ask.

   "Oh, sorry Mrs.  Jordan," he said.  "I'm next door with Dale.  She
-(TM)d like to see you.  Can you come over . . .  alone?"

   "I'll be right over," said Mrs.  Jordan.  The line went dead.

   About thirty seconds later, there was a knock.  Nate opened the front
door.  Before Dale's mom entered, they both turned, noticing Officer
Kudrow. He was escorting a handcuffed Miss Whitaker to his police cruiser.

   "Dale, look out the window," said Nate, directing his words back inside.

   The three of them watched as Officer Kudrow placed a hand on Miss
Whitaker's head, guiding her carefully into his back seat.  Once the car
door was closed, Mrs.  Jordan stepped inside, Nate closing the door behind
her.

   "Who was that," asked Mrs.  Jordan, lifting up Dale's chin and looking
into her eyes.  "Not Alexa.  She -(TM)s blonde, right?"

   "That was a teacher, Miss Whitaker, -� answered Nate.

   "Oh, Dale," said her mother, embracing her and squeezing her tight.

   "Oh, mom," said Dale, her tears starting to flow.

   The two of them hugged, both of them crying.

   Nate quickly felt like a third wheel as the two of them tried to comfort
each other, both of them crying tears of anguish mixed with tears of
relief. He felt like he should give them some space, and yet he was under
strict orders to stay where he was . . .  by Dale -(TM)s side.

   "Are you okay, honey?" asked Dale's mother softly.

   "I don't know, mom," she said sobbing.  "I'm so --" Her tears came full
force, cutting off whatever she might have been intending to say.

   "At first, I didn't want to believe what they were telling me," said her
mom.  "It all sounded so awful.  I wanted it to be a nightmare . . .  so I
could wake up and it would all disappear."

   "It was terrible . . .  the whole school . . .  and me tied like that .
. ." said Dale between sobs.

   "I know, dear.  Don't think about it.  Don't force yourself to relive
it."

   "She's not even physically okay," interjected Nate.  "Look at her arms."

   Dale loosened her grip on her mother to show her the bruising and
abrasion on her wrist and and elbow.

   "My ankles too," added Dale, pulling up a pant leg.

   "That's terrible!  Those ropes must've hurt," commented her mother.

   "The worst part was being their prisoner.  That felt so awful, and it
was more than that I simply couldn't move.  It was claustrophobic, and I
didn -(TM)t know what they intended to do to me.  I was at their mercy,
trapped . . .  and I expect they told you that the ropes . . .  were all
that I was wearing," said Dale casting her eyes down.

   "Yes.  I'm so sorry, honey," said her mother, tears flowing down her
cheeks.  "I need to keep my distance from this girl.  I'm sure I would lose
my composure.  I've never wanted to physically hurt another person before
today."

   "But you're such a pacifist?" said Dale.

   "Like mother, like daughter," said her mother.  "But I expect Alexa will
have her day in court.  I'm sure she will be caught soon."

   "What?" said Dale surprised.  "Alexa hasn't been arrested?"

   "She somehow slipped out a back door before the police got there,"
replied her mother.

   "That's what Officer Kudrow told me as well," offered Nate.

   "I hope you know how much I love you, dear," said her mother.

   "I hope you can still love me," said Dale.

   "That's ridiculous . . .  of course I still love you.  I -(TM)ll always
love you," said her mom.  "Why would you even say such a thing?"

   "I presume you have learned a few things about me today," said Dale.

   "Well, naked bungee jumping the night of your first date with this young
man . . .  was indeed a surprise," said Mrs.  Jordan turning to Nate,
giving him the eye.

   "It's free if you go naked," said Dale hopefully.

   "Oh, that explains everything," said Mrs.  Jordan, laughing heartily. 
"Sign me up!  And to think, your father and I were limiting how much
kissing time the two of you had that evening.  I guess the joke -(TM)s on
us."

   "The joke -(TM)s on you?" asked Dale.

   "Yep, I guess we should have kept Nate from taking you out in the first
place," said Mrs.  Jordan.  "Maybe Mrs.  Shepherd is right about our
seemingly well-behaved neighbor after all."

   "No she's not!" said Dale, letting go of her mother and stepping in
front of Nate as if to protect him.  "Don't you dare change your opinion of
Nate," she added adamantly.

   "Don't worry, honey," said her mother.  "I know Mrs.  Shepherd is wrong
about Nate.  He is part of the family."

   "Part of the family?" Asked Dale.  "One second you're talking about not
letting us date, the next, you're welcoming him into the family."

   "I know him better now.  I suppose it is good that we didn't see those
photos back in September," replied her mother.

   "But one of the family?" asked Dale.

   "I don't think that this is a temporary relationship, honey, but I don't
want to unduly influence the course of your lives.  The two of you have to
make your own way," said her mother.

   "It's not a temporary relationship, mom," said Dale, turning and hugging
Nate around his midsection.

   "Well, he's a fine young man," said her mother.  "He took care of you
this afternoon, and he even found a way to get word to me that you were
safe."

   "You're not upset that we didn't come right home?" asked Dale.

   "You did what you needed to do.  I can't begin to imagine what you went
through at school.  You needed a little time.  I'm sure the events of today
will take a long time for all of us to come to terms with.  More so for you
than the rest of us," said her mother.

   "So, mom, have they shown you other photos?" asked Dale nervously.

   "I've seen a picture from Sunday night in Madison Park," said her
mother.

   "Sorry," said Dale, hanging her head.

   "Why in the heck girls your age get piercings like that  -" do that to
your bodies  -" is really hard for me to understand," she said.   -�And you
didn't ask me or tell me.  Is our newest family member to blame for that?"
she asked, looking askance at Nate.

   "No, mom," said Dale.  "He found out after the fact.  It was something I
did spontaneously."

   "My little Dale . . .  spontaneous?" said Mrs.  Jordan skeptically. 
"I've known you far too long to believe that, young lady."

   "Well, I guess you're right," said Dale.  "The decision was rather
spontaneous, but it was something that I had researched beforehand."

   "I was also shown a few photos from today's assembly, but the quality
was poor . . .  fortunately.  It would have been too much for me,
otherwise," said Dale's mother.  "I have heard that there was a line-feed
set up.  The police want to find it, as evidence, but it was gone, the
camera, everything."

   "Gone?" Asked both Nate and Dale simultaneously.  "That's what I
understand," said her mother.

   "Oh, my God," said Nate.  "That means --"

   " -- that it will be posted on the Internet," said Dale finishing his
sentence, her mouth hanging open, worry in her eyes.

   "I sure hope not," said Mrs.  Jordan.   -�But that -(TM)s what happens
these days, isn -(TM)t it? -�

   "That'll go viral if it makes it to the Internet," said Nate.

   "Oh, my God, Nate," commented Dale.  "What'll we do?"

   "It's almost like the video of a rape," said Nate.  "There must be laws
against posting videos of sex crimes."

   "But once something is on the web, it never goes away," commented Dale,
fear evident in her trembling voice.  "Alexa must have the camera.  She
must've placed someone in charge of getting it."

   "I don't know," said Nate, shaking his head.  "Hopefully Alexa will be
caught, and hopefully she'll have it with her."

   "That's probably too much to hope for," said Dale, sighing in
exasperation.  "It already seemed as if I wasn't in control of my destiny.
Today has added greatly to that feeling.  Being tied up and displayed naked
to everyone my age in town really changes one's perspective."

   "I'll bet it does, dear," said her mom, fresh tears in her eyes.  "I
can't begin to imagine what that was like."



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 357: Dale's Father

   "It inspires me to reassert control over the things I can actually take
control of," said Dale.  Nate was suddenly caught off guard, feeling Dale's
hand gripping his nut sack firmly through his pants, down between their
bodies such that it was hidden from her mother -(TM)s eyes.  "If you know
what I mean," she added, looking up into Nate's eyes and smiling.

   "That's perfectly wise, dear," said Dale's mother.  "But experts always
advise to avoid making big decisions while under stress or duress."

   "Of course, mom," said Dale, stealthily squeezing Nate -(TM)s nuts
tightly so that he could have no doubt about what she intended to be in
control of.

   "Dale, -� said her mother.  "Let's get your father over here.  He loves
you and he's just as concerned as I am."

    -�He doesn't want to kick me out of the house?" asked Dale.

   "Oh, of course not.  Stop with that!" insisted her mother.

   "But he won't be home from work for another hour or more," said Dale.

   "Oh, he's home," said Mrs.  Jordan.  "The news of what happened at the
high school traveled through town like wildfire.  He came right home.  Can
Nate call him?"

   "Sure," said Dale.

   While Nate again called next door, Mrs.  Jordan held her daughter.  They
both shed more tears, comforting one another.  Dale realized that it might
be just as hard to have what happened to her, happen to a daughter.

   "So, who's next door now?" asked Mrs.  Jordan when her husband arrived.

   "Well, the police are gone.  I expect they'll be back.  They both drove
the teacher to the station.  Mrs.  Shepherd and Mr.  McRoberts left as
well, so that leaves just Mary, Carly, Carly's dad and the lawyer."

   "The lawyer?" asked Dale in surprise.

   "Carly's dad brought his attorney," explained Mr.  Jordan.  "He's just
trying to help.  Based on what is been discussed, I expect we'll need good
legal advice before all is said and done."

   "We can't pay for that," said Dale, a look of concern on her face.

   "That's what I told him," said her father.  "But Mr.  Griffin says it
will all mostly be covered by his retainer."

   "I hope so," said Dale.

   "I know a girl needs her mother most of all at a time like this, honey,"
said her father.  "But we were both so shocked and worried.  We both love
you.  May I give you a hug as well?"

   Dale nodded and began crying anew as she went to her father and sought
comfort in his arms, resting her forehead on his chest.

   "I'm so sorry, dad," she said.

   "Sorry?" asked her father in surprise.

   "You were so proud of me," said Dale.  "And now I've let you down.  Now
you know how naughty I -(TM)ve been."

   Nate saw surprise and bewilderment on Mr.  Jordan's face.

   "Honey, Dale has been talking some nonsense.  She thinks we might want
to disown her because of some of the pictures we have seen." said her
mother.  "The pictures of her bungee jumping and the one of her running
through the park."

   "Don't be silly, dear," said her father.  "There are quite a few parents
in Prospect who have every reason to be disappointed in their girls -(TM)
behavior today . . .  Alexa's parents, for example.  I'm sure the police
have paid them a most unpleasant visit."

   "I expect so, "said Dale nodding and hugging her father.  "I hadn't
thought about that, but I'm sure you're right."

   Nate stood by quietly as Dale hugged her father, repeating much of what
she had discussed with her mother earlier.

   "What did Mrs.  Shepherd and Mr.  McRoberts talk about?" asked Dale.

   "They were mostly in shock as well.  They were doing their best to
comfort us," said her mother.

   "But that Mr.  McRoberts!" said her dad angrily.  "I gave serious
thought to punching the man."

   "That certainly would have been a bad idea with the police present,"
said Mrs.  Jordan.

   "I know, I know," he continued.  "But to think that he is actually
thinking that Dale deserves to be suspended after what happened today.  If
that doesn't just take the cake!"

   "He did say he'd punish Alexa and I similarly . . .  if something more
were to happen," said Dale.

   "And that very well may be why Alexa decided on such a bold course of
action," interjected Nate.

   "I sure wish I would've known about that," said Mr.  Jordan.

   "I'm sorry, dad," said Dale sincerely.  "I guess I should've told you
and mom about things, but I was mostly trying to keep my problems from you.
Not that I didn't want you to know.  I really just wanted my problems to go
away."

   "I expect I should've told you, as well," added Nate.

   "You probably should have, Nate," agreed Mr.  Jordan, looking somewhat
stern.

   "I know that now, Sir.  I'm sorry," said Nate, realizing full well that
the course of events had likely had an impact on how Dale -(TM)s parents
viewed him.

   "Don't worry about it, son," said Mr.  Jordan "you were there for Dale
when she needed someone.  We weren -(TM)t.  I'm sure I owe you a debt of
gratitude, for all you've done for her today.  Thank you for whisking her
away . . .  a bit unconventional how that went down, I understand; however,
you were the man on the spot.  It's easy to question a person's actions
with the advantage of time and distance.  Thank you for taking care of her.
-�

   Nate nodded, trying not to allow his facial expression to betray his
feelings of guilt.  Here were both of Dale's parents, thanking him for 
-~taking care -(TM) of their daughter, and all he could think about was how
he had indeed  -~taken care -(TM) of her . . .  he had deflowered her.  She
had been well  -~taken care -(TM) of!

   "And Mrs.  Shepherd?" asked Dale.  "What did she have to say?"

   "Oh, let me see," said Mrs.  Jordan.  "Mostly she thinks that you won't
be able to return to Prospect High after what happened.  She thinks that
Riverside High might be a good choice for you to finish out your senior
year."

   "Riverside?" said Dale, acting startled.  "That's like twenty miles
away."

   "I know," said her mother.  "We -(TM)d have to get you a car."

   I don't want to transfer," said Dale adamantly.  "Whatever happens, I'm
absolutely not going to a different school than Nate."

   "Well, that might be unavoidable, but Mrs.  Shepherd says that she's
talked to your gymnastics coach, Mr.  Ramsey.  He of course doesn't want to
lose you, but he says that Riverside has a good coach and a good gymnastics
program."

   "But I wouldn't be a cheerleader! -�

   "Well, I'm not sure you will be if you stay at Prospect, dear" said her
mother.

   "That's another reason why I felt like punching Mr.  McRoberts," said
her dad.

   Dale went to Nate.  Burying her face in his chest, she sobbed, "It's so
unfair!"

   "It'll work out, honey, "said her mother, placing a comforting hand on
her back.  "I sense that you are in the driver -(TM)s seat.  I sense that
Mr.  McRoberts -(TM) job is on the line.  Decide what you want, and fight
for it!"

   "I don't want to fight anymore, mom," said Dale.  "I just want to go to
school . . .  quietly.  I want to walk down the hall unnoticed, from class
to class.  I want to do my homework, and take my tests, and finish out the
year."

    -�And cheer, and gymnastics?" asked her mother.

    -�Of course!  Absolutely cheer and gymnastics," said Dale.  "But I
don't want to have to argue with Mr.  McRoberts anymore.  And I don -(TM)t
want to talk to the police."

   "Not even the police?" asked her mother.  "But they need your testimony.
They know Alexa was the ringleader, but they want the others."

   "Mom, besides Alexa, I don't know who was in the mat room.  And that's
my story.  And I'm sticking to it, -� said Dale.

   "They think that a number of varsity cheerleaders helped Alexa," said
Mrs.  Jordan.

   "Well, good for them," said Dale.  "They didn't hear it from me."

   "I'm not sure the police will be happy with that response," said her
mother.

   "Dale is pretty adamant about this, Mrs.  Jordan," said Nate.  "It was
dark, they put a pillowcase over her head.  They didn't talk.  She has some
guesses about who else might have been there, but they are just that . . .
guesses.  She doesn't want to name names.  I'm not sure that it is the
right thing to do, but it is her call.  I support her fully.  I think we
all need to."

   "Well, Nate," said Dale's mom.  "I guess I have to agree.  Dale -(TM)s
smart and she's mature, well beyond her years.  It should be her call."

   "Thanks, mom," said Dale.  "And thank you, Nate."

    -�So you want to continue attending Prospect High . . .  are you sure?"
asked her mother.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 358: Michelle

   "It's not going to be easy.  I'll never be able to forget what everyone
saw today," said Dale.  "But like I said, I have a need to feel in control
of my life.  I know I want to finish high school at Prospect."

   "You sound able and willing to fight for yourself," remarked her mother.

   "But I don't want to mom.  I just want to go to class," said Dale.

   "Well, in that case, I'm ready to fight for you," said her mother.  "You
go to class, and I -(TM)ll fight for you.  I'll see to it that Mr. 
McRoberts leaves you alone."

   Turning to her father, Dale asked, "Dad?"

   "Don't look at me," he said.  "I'm on the same page.  I'd be more than
happy to help, but like I said, I might end up punching the man.  Your
mother is the woman for this job.  Mr.  McRoberts won't know what hit him!"

   "You'll probably have to talk to the police, dear," said her mother.

   "Probably, but I don't want to," said Dale.

   "Understand, they have your interests at heart.  I spent quite a bit of
time talking to Officer Kudrow this afternoon.  That man chose his
profession for all the right reasons.  He wants these girls -- It was just
girls, right?" Dale nodded.  "He wants these girls dealt with so that no
other girl is subjected to what you went through today.  He adamantly
believes that they should not get away with this.  Any help that you give
them is in everyone's interest."

   "That's not quite how I see it, mom," said Dale.

   "Really?" said her mother in surprise.  "Well, give it some thought. 
But tomorrow morning, unless you want to take the weekend off, we can both
go to school.  You go to class, and I will march into Mr.  McRoberts office
and tell him how things are going to be."

   Nate almost had to chuckle.  Mrs.  Jordan was so much like Dale.  He
could picture Dale doing exactly that for their kids, someday far in the
future.

   "I don't need any time off, mom," said Dale.  "We have a football game
to win.  The guys need to know that I am behind them one hundred percent.
I'm apparently hated at Prospect High, but I'm loved, as well.  The
football team needs me . . .  and I . . .  I probably need them. -� She
again broke into tears realizing that what she had just said was probably
very true . . .  she did need her friends.

   "She's right, you know," said Nate.  "Dale is loved at school.  It
-(TM)s just a small number of girls who see themselves in competition with
her.  Without them, Dale would be loved unanimously."

   "Well, it was certainly more than enough girls today," said Dale
sighing.

   Just then the phone rang.  After answering it, Nate handed it to Dale's
mother saying, "It -(TM)s Aunt Mary."

   Mrs.  Jordan talked to her for a minute, walking into the kitchen.  Once
she had completed the call, she returned saying, "I guess Officer Kudrow
and his younger partner or getting quite impatient.  They really want to
take you down to the station for questioning.  Mary has been keeping them
at bay, but she says she has exhausted all her delaying tactics."

   "I don't want to go down to the police station, mom," said Dale.  "I'm
not going to say much.  It's going to be so awkward."

   "Well, you'll have to talk to them at some point, dear," said her
mother.

   "Well, at least not today," pleaded Dale.  "It's been a hell of a day."

   "Oh, I know that," said her mother, pausing to think.  "Okay, here's
what we'll do.  You focus on school.  You focus on going to class, and I
-(TM)ll run interference.  Like I said, I'll fight for you.  Come on, Todd,
let's go home.  Let's go send the police away.  This doesn't all have to
happen today.  You two stay here.  Nate, my daughter still needs a lot of
hugs.  It's your turn again. -�

   "Thanks, mom.  Thanks, dad," said Dale, giving them both another hug. 
Nate opened the door for them, and they left.  He and Dale sat down on the
couch, and she snuggled against him.  Nate did his best to comfort her
while they sat quietly, mentally processing all that the day had thrown at
them.

    -�Do you know what I have been thinking about, Lover? -� said Dale,
looking deeply into his eyes after they had been sitting quietly for a few
minutes.

    -�I -(TM)d like to, -� said Nate with a tender smile.

    -�I was thinking about our afternoon, but specifically about making
love, -� she said.

    -�Share your thoughts, Lover, -� he said.

    -�Well, on one level I was thinking about how fun it was to have this,
-� she reached over and placed a hand lovingly on his dick,  -�inside of me
here, -� she said taking the hand that she was holding and placing it on
her own jeans covered crotch.

    -�You liked that? -� he asked.

    -�It was fun, -� she said nodding, still looking deeply into his eyes.
-�It was more fun than I had expected it might be. -�

    -�I liked it too . . .  a lot, -� said Nate.   -�Are you glad we
waited? -�

   She shook her head.

    -�You aren -(TM)t glad that we waited? -� asked Nate in surprise.

    -�Well, it -(TM)s okay that we did, but think of all the fun we could
have been having, -� said Dale.

    -�We -(TM)ve been having fun, -� said Nate.

    -�I know, -� said Dale.   -�I -(TM)ve had a lot of fun, but today on
the rooftop was especially fun. -�

    -�It was, -� agreed Nate.   -�You said  -~on one level. -(TM) How many
levels are there? -�

    -�Probably a lot, -� she said.   -�However, what I was going to say,
was that on another level it was so very meaningful.  I mean, completely
separate from the pleasurable physical aspects.  I don -(TM)t think that
there is anything more special.  That has to be the ultimate level of
intimacy that two people can share.  I felt so close to you . . .  while
you were inside of me . . .  and afterwards. -�

    -�Losing our virginity together was indeed meaningful, -� agreed Nate.
-�Too bad it can be done just the once. -�

    -�You know what Nate.  I think it will be meaningful every time, -�
said Dale.   -�I mean this first time, of course, has the most
significance, but I imagine that I will feel so very close to you each and
every time this (she squeezed him) enters me here (she pressed his hand
into her pussy).  I might want to do it a lot.  I hope that hearing that
doesn -(TM)t scare you. -�

   Nate chuckled, but he knew she was entirely serious.   -�We -(TM)ll both
want to do it a lot! -� he said, his other hand caressing her cheek as he
looked into her eyes.

   They exchanged  -�I love yous -� and meaningful kisses, holding each
other and continuing to talk affectionately about how devoted they were to
one another.  The memory of the trauma experienced at the abortive assembly
was temporarily forgotten.

   About fifteen minutes after Dale's parents had left, the phone rang. 
Nate answered the call.   -�It -(TM)s your mom, -� he said, handing the
phone to Dale.

    -�Hi, mom, -� he heard Dale say.   -�Really?  I -(TM)ll be right over,
-� she added excitedly before hanging up.  To his surprise, Dale didn
-(TM)t move.  Instead, she sat there, seemingly deep in thought.

    -�So, we -(TM)re going next door? -� he asked.

   Hopping up but then leaning back down, Dale kissed his forehead.   -�No,
something I need to do alone, -� she said before rushing out the door.

   Nate sat there in a state of confusion.  Dale had been adamant about
wanting him to remain by her side.  Now suddenly she didn -(TM)t?  He tried
to let her have her space, but after a couple of minutes, curiosity got the
best of him.  He walked to the front window and peeked out.  There was a
late model silver SUV in front of the Jordan house, right where the police
car had been.  As he watched, he saw Dale climb into the passenger seat and
Michelle on the other side, get in the driver -(TM)s door.

   Nate -(TM)s heart rate doubled as he leapt to his front door.  He went
down his front steps in a single bound.  As he reached the sidewalk, he
turned and raced along the sidewalk.  Through the rear window he saw the
two girls -(TM) silhouettes merge in the center of the car.  He couldn
-(TM)t be sure, but it looked as if they had kissed.  At the very least,
they had hugged.

   He sprinted to Dale -(TM)s door, but just as he reached for the handle,
he saw Dale -(TM)s hand come up and lock it.  He yanked on the handle just
in case, but it was indeed locked.

    -�Dale, what in the heck? -� he shouted.   -�Think!  Please!  This is
far from safe. -�

   Dale cracked the window saying,  -�Nate . . .  I -(TM)m with Michelle.
-�

    -�I can see that, but it -(TM)s not wise, -� he pleaded.

   Turning to Michelle, Dale said,  -�Drive! -�

   As Michelle put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb, Nate ran
alongside shouting,  -�Dale, think!  She -(TM)s Alexa -(TM)s girlfriend. 
Alexa -(TM)s still at large.  Have you forgotten what they are capable of?
-� He tried to look into Michelle -(TM)s back seat.  It occurred to him
that Alexa might even be in the car already.

   As the car accelerated, Nate stopped, looking after them in disbelief.
After a split second to consider his options, he dashed back to his own car
to give pursuit.  However, by the time he was rolling, Michelle -(TM)s car
was out of sight.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 359: Susie

   On the chance that Michelle might have headed home, Nate made a beeline
for the Thompson house.  He passed by slowly, scanning carefully.  Michelle
had obviously not gone there.  He did a similar drive by of Alexa -(TM)s
house.  They were also not there.  No one seemed to be home at either
house.

   He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket indicating a text message.  He
had ignored so many that day, but given what had just happened, he pulled
it out to see what it was.

   It was from Dale.  It read,  -�I have my phone back!  How great is that!
Michelle brought me everything they took from me this morning. -�

    -�Isn -(TM)t she nice! -� replied Nate, wondering if Dale would sense
that his comment was dripping with sarcasm.

   He received a smiley face in reply.

   He immediately tried to call her.  The call went straight to voice mail,
indicating that she had probably declined it.

   He got another text.  It read,  -�I need a little space.  Please
understand. -�

   Shaking his head in exasperation, Nate replied,  -�What I understand is
that you don -(TM)t think straight when it comes to Michelle. -�

    -�I love you, but I need my space.  Please don -(TM)t worry.  Turning
off my phone now, -� was her reply.

   Nate tried immediately to call, but again the call went straight to
voice mail.  In disgust he tossed his phone over onto the passenger seat.
Pounding his fists against the steering wheel, he indulged in a few choice
words yelled almost at the top of his lungs.

    -�I love you, but I need my space.  Please don -(TM)t worry, -� he said
aloud, quoting Dale word for word while continuing to beat up on his
steering wheel.  He took a deep breath.  Full of aggravation, he leaned his
head back against the headrest, and tried to think of something
constructive to focus on.  He tried to think of where they might have gone.

   Just then his phone rang.   -~Probably a ransom demand, -(TM) he thought
as he reached for it.  The screen read,  -~Tink. -(TM) Her name had been
among those that he had noticed in his missed call log earlier.

    -�Hi, Tink, -� he said, trying not to sound too upset.

    -�Oh, Nate, finally, -� she answered.   -�If you -(TM)re busy, that
-(TM)s fine.  I -(TM)m just so worried about Dale.  How is she doing? -�

    -�I -(TM)m worried about her, too, Goddam it! -� he vented.  Realizing
that he was just a few blocks from her house, he asked,  -�Are you home? 
Can I come by? -�

    -�Sure, -� said Susie.   -�But, what -(TM)s wrong? -�

    -�I -(TM)ll tell you when I get there, -� said Nate, placing his phone
back down on the seat to drive.

   Barely a minute later he pulled up in front of Susie -(TM)s house as she
came out the front door to greet him.  Nate climbed out of the car, meeting
her on the sidewalk.  They fell into a natural, tight embrace, both
obviously in need of the comfort that only a close friend can provide.

    -�I can -(TM)t believe what they did to Dale, -� said Susie.   -�Even
worse than rape, as far as I -(TM)m concerned . . .  or at least as bad.  I
couldn -(TM)t help myself.  I threw up in a school restroom. -�

    -�You did? -� asked Nate in surprise.

    -�That can be our secret, -� said Susie.   -�So where -(TM)s Dale? -�

    -�I wish I knew, -� said Nate.

    -�You don -(TM)t know? -�

    -�She took off . . .  with Nutjob, -� said Nate, his expression full of
anxiety.

    -�Oh, Nate . . .  Michelle?  Really? -� she asked.

    -�I -(TM)m so worried, -� he added.

   Sensing Nate -(TM)s level of anguish, Susie held him reassuringly.

    -�Why would she ever go off with her? -� asked Susie.

    -�Right! -� said Nate in agreement.   -�It makes no sense to me.  She
-(TM)s just drawn to her.  And that only seems to get worse.  The meaner
Michelle is to her, the more Dale seems to seek her out.  Like a moth to
the flame. -�

    -�Oh, Nate, now I -(TM)m really worried, -� said Susie.   -�The two of
them . . .  alone? -�

    -�As far as I know . . .  but by now I expect they -(TM)ve met up with
Alexa, -� said Nate, shaking his head.

    -�She has to be in jail, -� said Susie.

    -�As I understand it, the police are still looking for her, -� said
Nate.   -�When you called me, I was driving around looking for them . . .
looking for Michelle -(TM)s silver SUV.  Dale climbed in, and they drove
off. -�

    -�Let -(TM)s go! -� said Susie.   -�Let me get my purse.  I -(TM)ll
come with you! -�

    -�I -(TM)d like that, -� said Nate.   -�I don -(TM)t want to be alone,
and besides, two pair of eyes is better than one. -�

    -�I -(TM)ll be right back, -� said Susie, turning and dashing into her
house.

   A minute later they were driving through town, brainstorming about where
they should search.  They again drove by Michelle -(TM)s and Alexa -(TM)s
houses, and then Jodie -(TM)s house for good measure.

   After driving around Prospect haphazardly for a while, Nate decided to
stop and knock on the Thompson front door.  It seemed like there might be a
possibility that the silver SUV was in the garage; however, it didn -(TM)t
look as if anyone was home.

   To his surprise, Mrs.  Thompson answered the door.  She spoke
courteously with him, but claimed to have no idea where Michelle was.

   When he got back to the car, Susie asked what Michelle -(TM)s mother had
said.  Nate hadn -(TM)t told her that Michelle had helped Alexa strip Dale
in the mat room.  He had thought about doing so, but it hadn -(TM)t really
been necessary as Susie knew all about Dale -(TM)s relationship with
Michelle.  The slap at the Sadie Hawkins dance was just one of the misdeeds
that she was aware of.

    -�Well, she doesn -(TM)t know where Michelle is, but she was delighted
to hear that she was with Dale.   -~It -(TM)s about time! -(TM) Those were
her words, -� he said, shaking his head.   -�I didn -(TM)t tell her how
worried I was.  I guess it -(TM)s hard to tell a woman that her daughter
-(TM)s a bully. -�

    -�But you should have, Nate, -� said Susie.

    -�You -(TM)re probably right, Tink, -� he said.   -�But that doesn
-(TM)t find Dale. -�

   They continued driving around.  Every once in a while Nate would stop
and knock on a door to ask a friend if he might have seen either Dale or
Michelle.  That ended up being a time consuming activity as everyone seemed
to be so concerned about what had happened to Dale at the assembly that it
proved to be difficult to have short conversations.

   He was of course keeping an eye peeled for Alexa.  It had occurred to
him how neat it would be if he himself were the one to deliver her to the
police station.  He found himself wishing that he had his handcuffs with
him for that very purpose.  He made a mental note to put them in his glove
compartment, next chance he got.

   In addition to his efforts, Susie was making calls asking if anyone had
seen Dale or Michelle.  It was really strange that no one had seen them. 
Prospect was not that big of a town.  All Nate could think of was that
Michelle and Alexa had taken Dale and left town altogether.  That was his
biggest concern.  On the face of it, that seemed unlikely as it would be
straight up kidnapping.  However, Dale had gotten into Michelle -(TM)s care
willingly and she did have her phone.

   Nate and Susie had run out of places to look.  Since they were hungry,
they decided to stop for pizza.  The pizzeria they all frequented also sold
pizza by the slice, so it worked as a quick place to eat if time was an
issue.  They had a great number of people who would call them if they
happened to see either Dale or Michelle.  For that reason, they decided
that they could spare the time it would take to eat.

   Nate hadn -(TM)t told Susie, but he had decided to go to the police
after they had eaten, if at that point, no one had seen them and he had
still not had another call or text from Dale.

   They had barely started eating when Nate -(TM)s phone rang.  His screen
indicated that it was Dale.

    -�Dale? -� he asked.

    -�So, you haven -(TM)t forgotten me, -� she replied laughing.

    -�Very funny.  Where are you? -� he asked.

    -�Don -(TM)t sound so worried, -� she said.

    -�I have been worried . . .  for obvious reasons.  Now where are you?
-� he asked impatiently.

    -�Calm down, Nate, -� said Dale.   -�I have a surprise or two for you.
-�

    -�I don -(TM)t need any more surprises today, Lover, -� he said.

    -�I see your point . . .  and you might not like these surprises, -�
she added.

    -�I might not, -� agreed Nate.   -�I just want to be positive that you
-(TM)re safe.  Whatever happened to,  -~we stay together -(TM)? -�

   He heard what sounded like Dale talking to someone with her hand over
the microphone.

    -�I told you not to worry, and I am safe, -� insisted Dale.   -�Can you
meet us at our park . . .  by the swings, at eight o -(TM)clock? -� asked
Dale.

    -�Sure, -� said Nate.

    -�That should give you enough time to finish your pizza and take your
date home, -� said Dale laughing.

   Nate spun around in his seat, scanning the pizzeria.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 360: Dale's Surprises

    -�What is it? -� asked Susie, but he was too busy searching the
pizzeria with his eyes to answer.

    -�Okay, eight o -(TM)clock, -� said Nate.

    -�I disappear for a few hours, and already you -(TM)re seeing other
women, -� said Dale, again laughing.

    -�Who -(TM)s seeing other women? -� asked Nate.

    -�Touch�(C)! -� said Dale.   -�See you at eight, and try and not have a
heart attack. -�

   The phone went dead.  He immediately got up and raced out to the parking
lot.  When he didn -(TM)t see them anywhere, he returned to Susie.

    -�What was that all about? -� asked Susie as he again took his seat,
checking the time.

    -�Dale has obviously seen us, -� he replied.   -�She joked about me
being out on a date with you. -�

    -�She did? -� said Susie looking all around.

    -�That -(TM)s why I checked the parking lot, -� said Nate.   -�I -(TM)m
supposed to meet them at Madison Park at eight o -(TM)clock.  She made it
eight so we -(TM)d have time to finish our pizza and so that I -(TM)d have
enough time to drop off  -~my date. -(TM) -�

   Susie laughed.   -�Well, I guess she -(TM)s okay.  We might as well
relax and enjoy our  -~date, -(TM) -� said Susie.

    -�I don -(TM)t mind at all the idea of being on a date with you, Tink,
but I -(TM)m not going to be able to relax.  She says she has surprises for
me . . .  surprises, plural.  She told me to try and not have a heart
attack.  There is only one thing that I can think of that she might
surprise me with. -�

    -�And that would be? -� asked Susie when he didn -(TM)t continue.

    -�I don -(TM)t want to think about it, -� said Nate.   -�Suffice it to
say, she -(TM)s still in love with  -~her Nutshell. -(TM) -�

    -�She -(TM)s not going to dump you for Nutshell, -� said Susie.

    -�Well, it must be something like that . . .  at least that is all that
I can think of, -� said Nate.   -�She -(TM)s irrationally drawn to her,
like I said. -�

    -�But Dale -(TM)s hetero, -� said Susie.

    -�Says the girl who nearly freaked out when she started sucking on her
nipple, -� said Nate.

   Nate saw Susie -(TM)s mouth open as if she was about to say something,
but no words came out.  Instead she took another bite of pizza.

   They continued eating in silence, both of them deep in thought.

    -�It will be all right, -� said Susie a minute or so later.   -�I know
it will be.  Dale is so deeply in love with you. -�

    -�Maybe I -(TM)ll just have to share her, right? -� he said, forcing a
laugh.

    -�It will be all right.  I -(TM)m sure of it, -� she said, reaching
across the table and placing her hand on his to reassure him.

   Half an hour later, Nate was waiting alone at the swings.  He had gotten
there early, and with nothing else to do, he had started swinging.

   Right at eight, he saw a car pull up and park near where Alexa and
Michelle had parked the night that Dale had been photographed taking her 
-~boots outfit -(TM) out for its maiden voyage.

   He watched the two girls walking toward him.  It was dark, but even in
the limited light, he knew which girl was which.  Michelle was the tall
pole vaulter; she strode confidently along.

   Dale, on the other hand, was shorter and more petite.  She seemed to be
skipping along playfully, first on one side of Michelle, then on the other.
As they neared, he saw that Dale was holding Michelle -(TM)s hand.  He was
reminded of how Dale had said that the two of them had held hands back when
they were best friends in middle school.  He tried to decide if it looked
like romantic hand holding.  In the end he decided that it looked as if
Dale were leading Michelle, pulling her forward . . .  as if she were
excited for their meeting.

   Nate had all but stopped swinging as they came near.  His jaw dropped.

    -�Surprise! -� announced Dale gleefully, spinning in place.

    -�What in the heck? -� said Nate.

    -�Do you like it? -� asked Dale enthusiastically.

    -�Didn -(TM)t your mother warn you about drastic decisions? -� asked
Nate.

    -�You don -(TM)t like it? -� she asked, her excitement rapidly
dissipating.

    -�I guess it -(TM)s cute, -� said Nate.   -�I -(TM)m just shocked. -�

    -�Michelle cut it for me.  We picked out one of Natalie Portman -(TM)s
pixie hair styles and patterned it after that. -�

    -�I -(TM)m sure it -(TM)s cuter on you than on her, -� said Nate.

    -�Oh, that -(TM)s sweet, -� said Dale, feeling her hair with the hand
that wasn -(TM)t holding Michelle -(TM)s hand.   -�It -(TM)s really short,
isn -(TM)t it? -�

    -�It is, -� agreed Nate.   -�I can see your ears, like, all of your
ears! -�

    -�I decided to go really short so I could donate to Locks of Love, -�
said Dale.   -�I -(TM)ve always wanted to do that.  I doubt I mentioned it,
but that -(TM)s why I haven -(TM)t had my hair trimmed all fall.  I was
growing it out to donate.  Ten inches is the minimum.  So, I was planning
to get my hair cut, just not this soon. -�

    -�Well, that -(TM)s comforting to know . . .  that this wasn -(TM)t a
spur of the moment thing, -� said Nate.

    -�Oh, but it was, -� said Dale.

    -�I know that.  I was just kidding, -� said Nate.   -�I suppose this is
your disguise.  No one at school will recognize you now.  No one will
connect you with Lady Godiva. -�

    -�Yeah, she had long hair, -� said Dale laughing.   -�Everyone will
think I -(TM)m a guy, right? -�

    -�Good luck with that, -� said Nate.  The whole time they were talking,
he was very conscious that Dale was holding hands with Michelle.  Deciding
that he needed to get it over with, that he needed to just rip off the
bandaid, he continued,  -�On the phone you said  -~surprises -(TM), plural.
Do I dare ask what the other surprise or surprises are? -�

    -�I don -(TM)t know, Nate, -� she said cocking her head to the side.  
-�Do you? -�

    -�Sure, go ahead and tell me, -� he replied.

    -�Do you want to tell him, Nutshell?  Or should I? -� asked Dale
addressing Michelle.   -�It is kind of a joint announcement. -�

   Oh, my God, thought Nate, bracing himself.

    -�I think we should torture the poor lad a bit first, -� said Michelle
with an impish smile.

    -�Let -(TM)s just get it over with, -� said Nate.   -�I love surprises!
I can -(TM)t wait to hear whatever it is. -�

    -�If you -(TM)re sure, -� said Dale, laughing as if she too were in the
mood for torturing him.

    -�Oh, I -(TM)m sure, -� said Nate, doing his best to appear confident
and unconcerned.

    -�We -(TM)re putting the relay back together, Nate! -� announced Dale
enthusiastically, grinning ear to ear.

    -�The relay? -� asked Nate.

    -�Michelle thinks we -(TM)ll set a new state record! -� said Dale
beaming.

    -�I know we -(TM)ll break the state record . . .  two of them! -� said
Michelle, her excitement somewhat subdued in comparison with Dale -(TM)s. 
-�We -(TM)ll beat the current 4x100 mark by a full second, easy.  And the
4x200 mark by at least two seconds. -�

    -�What a wonderful surprise, -� said Nate sarcastically, while trying
to conceal that he was breathing a sigh of relief.

    -�Can -(TM)t you try and be a little excited for me, Nate? -� said
Dale, obviously disappointed by his reaction.

    -�I just don -(TM)t know what to think, Dale, -� said Nate honestly.  
-�It was already quite a day, and then you go and run off with Michelle . .
.  enemy number two.  Next you show back up without your hair . . . 
talking about track. -�

    -�Without my hair?  Enemy number two? -� asked Dale, obviously taken
aback.   -�I still have hair.  And Michelle . . .  she -(TM)s always been
my friend.  I -(TM)m hoping the two of you will become friends. -�

    -�After what she did to you this morning? -� asked Nate.   -�Look at
your wrists if you -(TM)ve forgotten. -�

    -�You don -(TM)t know anything about that, Nate.  I want you to promise
me you won -(TM)t mention Michelle -(TM)s name to anyone in connection with
what happened at school, -� said Dale.

    -�So now I -(TM)m supposed to be an accessory after the fact? -� said
Nate, eyeing Michelle suspiciously.

    -�You weren -(TM)t in the mat room.  They aren -(TM)t going to ask you
who assisted Alexa.  Besides, everything you think you know is hearsay.  It
-(TM)s like gossip . . .  inadmissible, -� said Dale.

    -�And I expect you are planning to lie to protect,  -~your Nutshell,
-(TM) -� said Nate.

    -�That -(TM)s exactly what I -(TM)m planning to do, -� said Dale
boldly.  -�I -(TM)m not going to turn anyone in.  Alexa knew I wouldn
-(TM)t.  She was right. -�



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 361: Yet Another Surprise

    -�With all due respect, Dale, Michelle probably knows where Alexa is
right now.  In addition to everything else, she -(TM)s probably guilty of
harboring a fugitive. -�

    -�I -(TM)m right here, Nate, -� said Michelle.   -�You can talk to me.
You don -(TM)t have to talk about me.  And I don -(TM)t know where Alexa
is. I -(TM)m not harboring anybody. -�

    -�Whatever you say, -� said Nate.

    -�Nate . . .  please! -� pleaded Dale.   -�This is important to me. 
Michelle is important to me.  We -(TM)ve been having a nice time together
this evening.  Don -(TM)t you see, she -(TM)s finally decided to let
bygones be bygones.  She -(TM)s again the wonderful friend I used to have.
Please . . .  don -(TM)t try and take this from me.  Let -(TM)s start over.
Let me introduce you to one another.  Here . . .  Nate, this is Mich -- -�

   Nate interrupted her,  -�Dale, you aren -(TM)t at all suspicious about
the timing of this supposed reconciliation?  I know exactly what is going
on here.  Michelle is using you.  Suddenly she needs you.  Don -(TM)t you
see?  You turn her in, she goes to jail with Alexa.  You pretend she wasn
-(TM)t in the mat room, she goes free.  She -(TM)s not your friend.  Use
your head, for God sakes. -�

    -�Use your heart, DJ, -� interjected Michelle.   -�I know you too well.
You -(TM)re not easily fooled.  I wouldn -(TM)t be able to fool you.  You
know that. -�

   Dale looked torn.  She wanted to believe Michelle, but the circumstances
were as Nate said.

    -�I think she could fool you, Dale.  With all due respect, I do, -�
said Nate.   -�Remember the dance.  You thought she was going to dance. 
You had your guard down and she decked you.  Right now, you want to believe
that she is ready to be your friend.  Today has been rough on you.  I know
that.  Keep that in mind.  You want to believe that she is ready to be your
friend, but you -(TM)re not able to consider the timing of her friendliness
objectively. -�

    -�I told you he wouldn -(TM)t like me, -� said Michelle.

    -�Nate, this is my chance.  I -(TM)m taking it, -� said Dale
obstinately.  "You know me well enough to know by now that I have a history
of trusting people who don't always deserve to be trusted.  That -(TM)s who
I am.  I -(TM)m proud to be someone who trusts people.  You, for example.
Remember the circumstances when I first told you I loved you . . .  at the
top of my lungs down a certain hallway."

   "And I suppose you told Michelle everything," said Nate.  "All of our
secrets."

   "I have not," said Dale.  "That's all she has heard about that.  Just
that, just now.  You have to trust me, just as I trusted you that night."

   "Dale, I feel like walking away.  This conversation is going nowhere. 
However, I love you too much to walk away and leave you with Michelle,"
said Nate.  "I'll never walk away . . .  from you . . .  never.  But this
is so frustrating for me.  You are putting yourself at risk.  You -(TM)re
putting us at risk."

   Turning to Michelle, Dale said, "Nutshell, will you give me a few
minutes of privacy with Nate.  Please, just wait by the car.  I'll be there
shortly."

   "Sure," said Michelle, turning to walk away.  Pausing she added, "I am
sorry for what I've done, Nate.  I can tell you're bitter.  At one time you
wanted to be my friend.  At least you said you did.  Now I am ready to be
your friend . . .  please consider giving me a chance."

   After she was out of earshot, Nate said, "I don't know, Dale.  Sometimes
you're so easily taken in."

   "I have to be open-minded," said Dale.  "I confessed to you some time
ago that Michelle is still in my heart.  I'm going to spend my life with
you, but I love her.  I -(TM)m just being honest.  I love you on an
entirely different plane, but I love her as well.  I can't help it.  From
my standpoint it is simply the context in which I live my life."

   "And you are planning to leave  -~Our Park -(TM) with her," said Nate.

   "I am," said Dale.

   "And I expect you're going to have a sleepover with her . . .  for old
time -(TM)s sake," said Nate.

   "That would be fun.  If it were not a school night, I just might," said
Dale.  "However, tomorrow is a school day.  It's probably going to be the
toughest day of my life.  But I'm a Brocho-Busting gal.  I'm getting right
back in the saddle.  I'm taking my life back."

   "Not this again," said Nate shaking his head.  "Not Fight Song, part
two."

   "What?" said Dale in surprise.  But figuring out what he meant she
continued, "Oh, no, not that.  I'm still your Nudity Slave.  I have to be.
I'm just going to go to school tomorrow and hold my head high.  At least
that's what I'm going to try to do . . .  and I need you by my side,
holding my hand.  I think I can do this . . .  if you -(TM)re right there
with me."

   "You don't want to do it holding Michelle's hand?" asked Nate.

   "Stop torturing yourself!" said Dale.  "Nothing has changed.  I'm
sleeping in my own bed tonight, and you're sleeping with me.  By the way,
how many condoms do you have?"

   "Why?" asked Nate.

   "I'm not playing games," said Dale.  "I just want to know what we have
to work with."

   "Well, I bought a box of a dozen, so there would be eleven left," said
Nate.

   "Bring them tonight, every last one of them," said Dale.

   "We won't need anywhere near eleven," said Nate.

   "Hey, I told you I'm taking my life back!" said Dale.  "If I ask you to
bring all eleven condoms, are you going to bring them?"

   "Your hair is really cute, especially when you're in a bossy mood.  It
-(TM)s actually movie star cute.  It -(TM)s short, but it doesn -(TM)t look
chapped off," said Nate.

   "It -(TM)s not  -~chopped off. -(TM) It -(TM)s styled! -� she said.  
-�But Nate -- don -(TM)t try to change the subject. -�

   "Okay, I'll bring them . . .  all eleven, -� said Nate.

   "That's better," said Dale.  "Now kiss your lover goodbye, and I'll see
you in an hour or two."

   "If you need a ride, just let me know," said Nate.  "I'd be more than
happy to come and get you."

   "Thank you, that -(TM)s nice, but I think that Michelle will be able to
drop me off," said Dale.

   Nate gave her a goodbye kiss, and then watched as she walked away.  She
climbed into the car with Michelle.  He heard the car start and he watched
as the taillights disappeared into the night.

   Nate returned to swinging.  Before he knew it he had spent another hour
there, processing and reprocessing everything he had seen and heard that
day.  Once he realized how late it had gotten, he headed home.  The idea
that Dale wanted him to sleep with her and bring condoms was especially
nice.  All the more so because he had been worrying that he might be losing
her to Michelle.  He knew he'd do about anything she asked.  But he also
knew that he -(TM)d continue trying to talk some sense into her.

   Quite a bit later Nate did indeed find himself in Dale's bedroom.  They
had brushed their teeth and had said goodnight to Dale's parents.  That had
taken quite some time to accomplish, especially taking into account Dale's
surprises; her drastically different hairstyle as well as her decision to
go out for track that spring, to say nothing of her renewed friendship with
Michelle.  She was excited about everything.

   Once Dale's bedroom door was closed, Dale said, "I trust you brought
condoms."

   "I did," said Nate.  "Eleven to be exact."

   "Let's see them," said Dale with a randy smile, holding out her hand.

   As Nate handed her the pocket full of condoms, he said, "Time to strip
down to nothing, Slave Girl."

   "I thought you'd never ask," said Dale, placing the condoms on her
nightstand and taking Carly's shirt off over her head in one fluid move. 
There was no bra as there had never been an opportunity to put one on since
they had returned from the clubhouse.

   "Lots of people saw you naked today, Lover," he reminded her.

   "They did, didn't they," she said, unsnapping Carly's pants.  As they
slid down her legs, Nate's eye was drawn to her beautiful pussy.  There
were no panties blocking the view.

   "That was quick," he remarked.  She had gone from clothed to nude in a
matter of seconds.

   "Nate, remember our trip to Eatonville," said Dale.  "Why did I throw
the condoms away?"

   "Because you're a psycho girlfriend," said Nate.

   "Well, that wasn't the reply I had in mind, but I guess for my purposes,
one reason is as good as another," she said, scooping up the condoms and
tossing them into her wastebasket.

   "Well, I didn't see that coming," said Nate trying not to look shocked
or disappointed.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door 362: Another Surprise continued

   "Well, back when you declared me your Nudity Slave, you said I could be
in charge of the sex," said Dale.

   "And today you reconnected with your lesbian side, hence the short
hair," said Nate.

   "I was just waiting for that to come up," said Dale.

   Nate just shrugged.

   "Well, I have a present for you," said Dale, taking a small carefully
wrapped package out of a drawer and placing it on the bed.

   "A present?" asked Nate.

   "Go on, open it," said Dale encouragingly.

   "Can I open it tomorrow?" asked Nate.   -�I don -(TM)t think my poor
heart can take any more surprises. -�

   Dale laughed.  "You can wait until Christmas if you -(TM)d like, but you
don't really want to.  You want to open it now, don't you?" said Dale with
an impish grin.

   "I guess," said Nate, picking up the small package and examining it.

   Dale pushed him down into a seated position on her bed.  She sat next to
him, but turned so that her trim athletic legs went up and over his lap. 
Leaning close and caressing his neck with an arm behind his back, she
encouraged him sweetly,  -�Go on.  I haven't given you many presents. 
Indulge me, Lover."

   Reaching across with his right hand and stroking the underside of a
titty affectionately with the back of his fingers, he said,  -�Since you
put it like that, I don't mind if I do." While continuing to fondle that
one pretty little titty, he kissed her lovingly, nibbling on her lower lip
a little with his lips.

   Breaking off the kiss, Dale said,  -�The present, Nate.  It -(TM)s your
third surprise of the evening.  Maybe you -(TM)ll like this one more than
the others. -�

    -�I -(TM)m hoping I will, -� he said with a wink.  He made quick work
of the ribbon and wrapping paper.

   "Three presents?" asked Nate, looking at the contents.  He again got
distracted, kissing her again.

   "Come on, Nate.  Plenty of time for kissing.  Open the top one," she
said attempting to redirect him.

   "This is a pill pack, isn't it?" said Nate, peeking inside the plastic
lid.

   "Smart boy," said Dale, her face right next to his.  Kissing his cheek
tenderly and speaking softly into his ear, she continued, "Look carefully.
Tell me what you see?"

   Nate counted, "Nine pills missing.  Where are they?"

   "How many guesses do you need?" asked Dale.

   "You took them?  Are they in there? -� he asked placing an index finger
on her belly and pressing softly, making a small indentation.

   Looking into his eyes, she nodded pensively, "I'm on the pill."
Suddenly, a broad smile spread across her face.   -�I mean, I'm on the
pill!" she announced excitedly, throwing her hands up over her head and
bouncing up and down on the bed on just her butt, her legs still across his
lap.

   Nate watched her titties bounce up and down as her words started to
register.

   "You and I, we don't need condoms!" she added throwing her arms around
him.

   "We don't?" asked Nate, looking deeply into her twinkling eyes.

   "Let it sink in, Lover!" she whispered.  "We didn't even need one today
. . .  on top of the clubhouse.  I had you use one as I couldn -(TM)t
remember for sure how many days they say it takes to be fully protected. 
It depends on where you are in your cycle, and I hadn -(TM)t been planning
to hold the lottery today."

   "We don't need condoms?" said Nate, looking at Dale's wastebasket.

   "Nope.  I made an appointment and went to Planned Parenthood.  I put on
my big girl panties and I walked in there all by myself . . .  because I
wanted to surprise you.  Are you surprised? -� she asked.

    -�Is it healthy? -� asked Nate.   -�I mean, no long term health risks?
-�

    -�You would ask that, -� she said smiling.   -�Other guys would just
say,  -~Yippee!  Let -(TM)s screw! -(TM) But yes, I did a lot of research.
The bottom line seems to be . . .  birth control pills are a safe long-term
contraceptive method for non-smokers. -�

   Nate looked again at the condoms in the wastebasket.   -�You were
messing with me.  I mean, I -(TM)ve had one hell of a day, too, -� he said.
 -�There were certainly a few high points, the lottery to name one, but
then you go and disappear with Michelle, and then you go and throw the
condoms away like that . . .  a clearly symbolic gesture. -�

    -�Just trying to make it fun, -� she said.   -�Are you mad?  I didn
-(TM)t plan for it to work out that way with Michelle.  Once she and I were
together I was just focused on talking through all the issues with her.  I
mean, I had many of the same concerns that you do.  She has been really
hard on me.  She -(TM)s been mean to me; you weren -(TM)t the only one
seeing that.  I had lots of questions.  It -(TM)s not like I just abandoned
you to go have fun and cut hair.  I -(TM)m sorry you were worried. -�

    -�I was very worried, -� said Nate.

    -�I tried to reassure you, -� she said.

    -�You did?  How? -� he asked.

    -�I sent you texts so you would know that I loved you and that you didn
-(TM)t need to worry because I was with Michelle, -� said Dale.

    -�With all due respect, Lover, your texts didn -(TM)t help much, -�
said Nate.   -�But about the condoms in the wastebasket.  Admit it . . . 
you were messing with me. -�

    -�Okay, I was messing with you, -� said Dale with a coy smile.   -�Of
course I was messing with you!  I was trying to make you think that I was
not planning to ever have sex with you EVER again, so that seeing the birth
control pills would be especially sweet.  Did it work? -�

    -�I guess I -(TM)ll have to admit that it worked, -� said Nate.  
-�Maybe I should get you back by throwing away the birth control pills and
disappearing with a homosexual guy. -�

    -�That wouldn -(TM)t be nice, -� said Dale sticking out her lower lip.
-�You wouldn -(TM)t do that to me, would you? -�

    -�Well, maybe now you know how I felt, -� said Nate.

    -�I -(TM)m sorry lover, but can -(TM)t we let bygones be bygones and
enjoy our new happy reality, the freedom to have carefree sex.  It is a
school night.  We don -(TM)t exactly have all the time in the world, -� she
said kissing him.

    -�I guess you -(TM)re speaking my language, -� said Nate.

   She scooted back onto the bed.  Lifting one of her feet up and over Nate
-(TM)s head, she slowly spread her legs wide, with him right in between. 
She loved showing her charms, and she had a keen understanding of her
ability to hypnotize Nate using nothing more than her little naked pussy.
She rested like that, raised up on her elbows, watching him intently.

    -�See anything you -(TM)d like a go at? -� she asked seductively.

   Nate nodded, staring into her pussy, moist and inviting.

    -�Well then, it -(TM)s your turn to be on top, -� she said.   -�Take
care of those clothes and the lights.  Leave the nightlight on if you
prefer.  This day -(TM)s not over.  Alexa -(TM)s got nothing on me.  I
-(TM)m totally taking the day back! -�

    -�Dale? -� said Nate, sliding out from under the one leg that was still
across his lap and standing up to start undressing.

    -�Yes, Lover? -�

    -�You -(TM)re still a psycho girlfriend, but right now I wouldn -(TM)t
have it any other way, -� he said.

    -�Shut up and get naked! -� she said winking at him.   -�It -(TM)s
finally time to see how much pounding this little girl bed can take. -�



   The Exhibitionist Next Door 363: Sleeplessness

   Dale didn -(TM)t sleep well, her mind and emotions on fire.  The sex had
gotten her heart racing, but while Nate had nodded off quickly, she had
remained wide awake, initially glowing from the after effects of being so
deeply in love, physical love and emotional love.  As her sleeplessness had
persisted, her emotions jumped all over the map  -" from euphoria to
depression to rage to joy to fear to grief to remorse to loathing to
serenity and then back to some new flavor of euphoria restarting the cycle.

   Each thought seemed to invite swings between optimism and pessimism,
entirely without moderation; optimism about what hopefully lay ahead, but
pessimism about what just might unfortunately lie ahead.  At Alexa -(TM)s
hands, she had experienced an attack of extremes  -" extreme helplessness,
extreme dread, extreme exposure  -" the list of extremes went on and on. 
The only saving grace that she could think of was that the banner had not
gone up revealing her having orgasms on the Maverick -(TM)s back.  Once
away from the school she had survived the day by focusing on similarly
extreme remedies . . .  the more radical the better.

   She hadn -(TM)t done so consciously, but as she lay there
self-diagnosing, thinking about her reactions and over reactions, that is
what she realized that she had done.  At the time she had considered it 
-~taking back the day -(TM), but in retrospect she realized that it had
been something different.  She had been forcing painful thoughts out by
shoving other similarly extreme yet more palatable thoughts in on top of
them.

   Losing her virginity had been just such a construct.  She had been
willing to let Nate take her any time, at his initiative, but he had
preferred to allow her to be in charge of the timing via the lottery.  That
had been fine with her but had involved a lot of trepidation because it had
put her back in charge.  Going to Planned Parenthood had been difficult
enough, but actually pulling the trigger on intercourse had been difficult
for her.  Once she had latched onto the idea of finally doing so after the
pep rally assault, the healing effects had been stunning.  The idea of
finally having sex was scary, but it completely forced all thoughts about
how she had been exposed on the Maverick completely out of her mind.

   Returning home and talking to Miss Whitaker and then her parents had
caused all the ugly memories of the attack to come rushing back. 
Similarly, even though she had not been conscious of it at the time,
running off with Michelle had been quite therapeutic as well; it had
allowed her to mentally escape back to her happy middle school life.  And
as that had worn off, the idea of having her hair cut had been so extreme
that it had again forced all painful thoughts out of her head.  Even the
idea of throwing away the condoms and surprising Nate by telling him that
she was on the pill had occupied her brain such that little bandwidth had
been left over to allow thoughts of the pep rally associated trauma to
creep back in.

   She had experienced a number of bouts of sobbing during the night,
whenever she had allowed herself to think about the motivations of Alexa
and crew and how industriously they had sought to destroy her life.

   She did her best to keep her blubbering from waking Nate, which was
difficult given the fact that the bed was small and that she was not
willing to separate from him.  The thing that helped her the most as she
mentally confronted all the issues was being in contact with Nate -(TM)s
warm skin, and listening to his steady breathing.

   Among other things, she wondered how she would be treated.  She wondered
what people would say, if they would be able to look her in the eye.  She
wondered what they would think of her hair.  She wondered if she should
mention Michelle, and yet she knew she would.  More than anything she
intended to proudly declare her renewed association with Michelle.  She
wanted everyone to know that things had finally gone full circle . . . 
that she and Michelle were once again best buddies!

   She hadn -(TM)t told Nate, but among the reasons she -(TM)d let Michelle
cut her hair was that she had viewed her haircut as a sort of friendship
bracelet, a symbol of something that had real meaning to her.  She wanted
everyone to know that it was Michelle who had cut her hair.  She knew that
she -(TM)d be happy every time she looked in the mirror because the girl
staring back at her would be Michelle -(TM)s friend!

   She also spent a lot of time thinking through everything that Michelle
had told her, much of it dealing with Alexa.  That had given her so much
new information, so much insight into Alexa, so much to think about.  She
had wanted to tell Nate, and yet she knew she should wait.  She wanted him
to hear it directly from Michelle.  She realized that there were several
advantages to doing it that way.  Nate might gain an appreciation of
Michelle, and he would be able to ask questions that she had not thought to
ask.  Another advantage would be that she would be able to hear it for a
second time, as well as hear the answers to any questions that Nate might
ask.  She knew he was smart, and she was certain he -(TM)d grill Michelle a
little . . .  hopefully politely . . .  which would add to what they both
knew.

   About having been stripped, gagged, tied up, displayed naked on the
Maverick -(TM)s back . . .  she couldn -(TM)t even begin to imagine how
that might come up in conversation.  She didn -(TM)t imagine that she would
bring it up, and she didn -(TM)t think that others would bring it up . . .
at least not directly.  But she knew that it would come up, somehow, and
she had no idea how she would respond.  She was typically well spoken and
good under pressure, so she was sure that she -(TM)d manage.  Whatever she
said, it would be appropriate.  Overall, she was planning to say as little
as possible.  She was not going to answer any questions about who had been
involved, and she was not going to recount what had happened in the mat
room . . .  not for the police, not for Mr.  McRoberts, not for anyone. 
Nate maybe, if he wanted to hear about how she had been stripped and tied,
but later.  He was the only one that she might tell the story to, but that
could wait.

   The victory dance came to mind a time or two as well.  All the varsity
cheerleaders had committed to it, to incentivize the football team.  But
where did it stand now?  The cheerleaders who had helped Alexa had clearly
thrown any incentive gains away.  She worried about the football players
and what they must be thinking.  How in the world would they be able to
play their best given how it seemed as if some of the cheerleaders had
sought to yank the rug out from under them.  She tried to focus on ideas
for helping them win the game.  She thought of ideas for rallying the
troops at the noise parade and from the game sidelines.

   She thought of the special cheer that everyone had selected as the
rallying cry that meant victory dance because it powerfully communicated
with cheerleader tits pounding up and down to a steadily increasing tempo,
To the  -�G -�, to the  -�O -�, Yell  -�Go!  Go! -� She knew that if she
could get the other cheerleaders to work that cheer during the game, that
it would send the signal that the dance was still on and that bare
cheerleader tits were still on offer as the reward for victory.  But while
that was an encouraging thought, she wondered if the girls were really
still  -~all in -(TM), and she questioned her ability to suggest to Jodie,
or any of them for the matter, using that cheer to rally the troops.

   She started to think more depressing thoughts about how the game would
probably be lost, and that would end up being because of her.  Not that she
had caused the distraction that had resulted in failure, not directly
anyway.  At the very least she was a central part of the distraction.  And
as time went on, people would associate the loss with the nude
exhibitionist on the Maverick --those who put her there would gradually be
forgotten . . .  but that she liked being nude . . .  that would be
remembered.  Those thoughts started the tears flowing anew.

   Other thoughts that kept her awake involved a realization of how she had
treated Nate, how he must have felt at several points during the evening.
She kicked herself recognizing that she had been very self-centered. 
Indeed, she had been the one who had been stripped, so she had been
understandably focused on herself, her own survival.

   She had been so glad to have the opportunity to talk to Michelle that
she had momentarily forgotten about what it must have felt like to Nate. 
She had locked the car door to prevent him from  -~saving -(TM) her, which
would have denied her the opportunity to talk to Michelle, an opportunity
that she had been longing for since middle school.

   And Nate had been right to call her out about the little stunt with the
condoms.  She had been looking forward to telling him that she was on the
pill, and she had planned that all out in the context of a rooftop lottery.
The spontaneous occurrence of the lottery on a Thursday had resulted in a
separate pill announcement that had not gone off well.  She knew Nate had
probably forgiven her, but she still beat herself up over the way it had
gone down.

   The most depressing part of that was that she had so looked forward to
telling him that she was on The Pill.  She had imagined that it would be a
very special moment, that like losing ones virginity, the two of them could
experience just once.  And she had muffed it.  Throwing away the condoms
had not worked out at all like she had intended.  She was so angry at
herself.

   Several times she tried counting sheep to get to sleep, but that only
turned into adding up how many people had seen her naked which only served
to raise her level of concern, increasing her heart rate, keeping her
awake. In the end she did fall asleep, but even the sleep she managed was
far from restful.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 364: Returning to School

   When the alarm went off waking Nate, she was already up, showered and
dressed.  She was seated at her desk, writing in a book with just a small
light on.

    -�Do you keep a journal? -� asked Nate, rubbing the sand from his eyes.

    -�Yes, since 1977, -� she replied smiling.

    -�You weren -(TM)t even born in 1977, -� he replied.

    -�I guess you are awake, -� she replied, closing the book.

   She got up and climbed into bed on top of him.   -�Good morning, Buster,
-� she said kissing him on the nose.

    -�So, how long have you kept a journal? -� he asked.

    -�Not since 1977, but for almost as long as I can remember, -� she
said.  -�I started late in grade school.  I don -(TM)t write that
regularly. There are big gaps.  But I -(TM)ve written a lot this fall. 
There -(TM)s a lot in there about you, but it -(TM)s private. -�

    -�As it should be, -� said Nate.   -�Do you keep it locked?  I mean,
your parents? -�

    -�They -(TM)d never open my journal, -� said Dale.   -�But I hide it
carefully when Tess is home, far from my bedroom. -�

    -�She -(TM)s good at searching bedrooms, -� said Nate.

    -�I know, -� said Dale.

    -�Your eyes are red, -� he observed.   -�Have you been crying? -�

    -�During the night some, -� she admitted.   -�Lots to think about, lots
to worry about. -�

    -�I hear you, -� said Nate.   -�I hope you got some sleep. -�

    -�I got some, -� said Dale.   -�I hope it will be enough. -�

    -�I hope so, too, -� said Nate.   -�Big day ahead, right?  Are you
still planning to go to school? -�

    -�I -(TM)m going to school.  You -(TM)re going to school.  Even my mom
-(TM)s going to school.  Today I need you both . . .  more than you know,
-� she said, snuggling against him.

    -�I -(TM)ve come up with a plan for today, -� said Nate.

    -�As long as you stay by my side, holding my hand, I -(TM)m in favor of
your plan, -� she said.

    -�How did you know my plan?  But that -(TM)s it.  I -(TM)m going to
walk you from class to class.  We both need to go to our own classes, but I
-(TM)m going to leave my classes early to be standing outside of your
classes, waiting for you when the bell rings.  And then I -(TM)m going to
be tardy for all my classes, too.  I expect my teachers will understand. 
If not, I -(TM)ll serve some detention next week, proudly.  Do you think
you -(TM)ll be fine in your classes without me there with you? -� he asked.

    -�I -(TM)m sure I will be, -� she said.   -�I have to wear my big girl
panties today . . .  grannie panties . . .  figuratively speaking. -�

    -�I -(TM)ve already decided what bra and panty set you -(TM)ll be
wearing, Slave Girl.  So you need to change. -�

    -�Unless I -(TM)m already wearing the ones you have in mind, -� she
said.

    -�You won -(TM)t be, -� said Nate.   -�Today you -(TM)ll be wearing the
sexy little set the fraternity boys bought for you to wear on The Wheel. -�

    -�That -(TM)s my skimpiest set, -� commented Dale.

    -�Given what went down yesterday, I want you wearing a bra and panties.
I don -(TM)t want anyone to suspect that you might be braless.  We have
your reputation to consider.  That might be more important than ever.  But
the skimpy set because I want you to feel sexy.  More than anything, I want
you in undies that are just as cute and sexy as your new haircut, -� said
Nate.

    -�It -(TM)s okay? -� asked Dale, still concerned about what Nate
thought of it.  She reached up and touched her hair.  It felt so odd.  It
felt like a part of her was missing.

    -�Damn girl . . .  it -(TM)s hot!  And it -(TM)s so short that I expect
you -(TM)ll need to have it trimmed regularly to maintain the look.  We
-(TM)re both going to need to stay in Michelle -(TM)s good graces, -� said
Nate.

    -�Oh, Nate, -� said Dale, her eyes instantly getting moist.  She
wrapped her arms around his head.   -�You -(TM)ll like her.  I know you
will. -�

    -�I expect I will, -� agreed Nate.   -�I -(TM)m looking forward to
getting to know her.  If she -(TM)s all you say she is, then I -(TM)ll like
her.

    -�You -(TM)re wonderful! -� she said, holding him close and smothering
him with kisses.   -�And your timing is perfect.  We have a date tonight!
-�

    -�We do? -� said Nate in surprise.

    -�The three of us are going out!  Nutshell is going to make
reservations at a steak restaurant over in Fairview.  Hopefully by getting
out of town we can escape all the notoriety that I -(TM)ll probably have
locally . . .  until this blows over . . .  if it ever blows over, -� she
said.

    -�Awesome, -� said Nate, doing his best to disguise his real feelings.
The last thing that he wanted to do was go out as a threesome.  He took a
deep breath and let it out slowly, realizing that he would need to rise to
the challenge presented by the new relationship dynamics.

   A little while later, Nate, Dale, and her mother gathered in the high
school parking lot.  Mrs.  Jordan had driven separately for flexibility,
and they were early, intentionally so.  They had wanted to have a little
time to discuss their plans for the day, but mostly they had wanted to
avoid the last minute rush of students racing to their first period
classes.

   As they started walking toward the main entrance, Dale squeezed Nate
-(TM)s hand tightly,  -�Whatever you do, Nate, I -(TM)m counting on you to
keep a tight grip on this hand. -�

   Barely two car rows later, Dale let out a squeal.  Shaking her hand to
pull it free, she sprinted off to the right.

    -�I guess this hand holding thing is a one way street, -� remarked Nate
to Dale -(TM)s mom.

    -�I guess it is, -� she replied laughing and shaking her head.

   A minute later, Dale was back with Michelle in tow.

    -�Oh, Michelle, -� said Mrs.  Jordan, embracing her.   -�You -(TM)ve
made Todd and I just as happy as you -(TM)ve made our daughter.  After what
those mean girls did to her yesterday, I -(TM)m sure your friendship means
more to her than you might ever imagine. -�

   Nate smiled on the outside, but on the inside he was rolling his eyes
and shaking his head.  Dale -(TM)s mom did not know, nor was she destined
to find out, that Michelle was in fact one of those  -~mean girls. -(TM)

    -�By the way, I love her haircut! -� added Mrs.  Jordan.

    -�I had hoped that you -(TM)d welcome me back . . .  without too many
hard feelings, -� said Michelle.   -�I can -(TM)t honestly say that I
-(TM)ve missed Tess, but I -(TM)ve missed you and your husband a great
deal. You both were always so kind to me. -�

    -�You -(TM)re absolutely welcome back! -� said Dale -(TM)s mother
enthusiastically.

    -�Thank you.  Do you really like her haircut? -� asked Michelle,
scrutinizing how it looked that morning.

    -�I love it, so does Nate, -� she said.

    -�I -(TM)m glad to hear that, -� said Michelle, eyeing Nate
suspiciously.   -�As soon as the salon opens this morning, I -(TM)m going
to call and make an appointment.  Hopefully I can get in right after
school. I want Dale to come with me . . .  so our haircuts can match. -�

    -�Really? -� said Dale, grabbing her hand and beaming with an inner
happiness.

   Michelle looked into her eyes, nodding, as Nate watched skeptically.

    -�Have you ever had hair that short? -� asked Mrs.  Jordan.

    -�Same as DJ, -� replied Michelle.   -�Not since about second grade. 
But DJ inspires me.  She told me all about Locks of Love while I cut her
hair yesterday.  What a wonderful organization. -�

    -�So it -(TM)s not because you want to have the same haircut? -� asked
Mrs.  Jordan.

    -�It -(TM)s only because I want to have the same haircut! -� replied
Michelle.   -�The chance to help out a child is just the icing on the cake,
right DJ? -�

   Dale nodded, hugging Michelle tightly, tears of joy running down her
cheeks.

    -�Now look what you -(TM)ve done, Nutshell, -� said Dale.   -�Now you
are going to have to help me fix my makeup. -�

    -�In that case, we should get going, -� said Nate, glancing at the time
on his phone.

   They again headed toward the school, Dale beaming, walking between Nate
and Michelle, holding both of their hands.  To Nate it was more than a
little awkward, but he was glad that Dale looked so happy . . .  especially
after what she had been through just the day before.  She deserved to be
happy.

   He looked back at Dale -(TM)s mom, following them two paces behind.  She
shrugged, raising her eyebrows, an apologetic smile on her lips.

   Glancing over at Dale, he thought about how much she had enjoyed sex the
night before.  Things looked as if they might end up being a bit unusual
going forward, Michelle, an imposter in their midst.  However, there had
certainly been positive developments.  Dale had surprised him by taking the
initiative to visit Planned Parenthood.  She was on the pill, and she
seemed to love making love.  In all their discussions she had never seemed
to have an interest in having sex with Michelle . . .  above the waist,
maybe, but below the waist, probably not.  Of that he was still far from
certain.  If anything, he was glad to no longer have to worry whether or
not she might be able to enjoy sex with a man.

   As they walked together, approaching the front entrance, they stopped
short.  There were two police cars parked in the fire lane.  To their left,
they saw a TV news van from Riverside.  Prospect was too small to have a TV
news station of its own.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 365: School Begins

    -�It looks like you -(TM)re up, mom! -� said Dale.

    -�Side entrance? -� asked Nate.

    -�Yep, -� said Dale nodding.   -�Give  -~em hell, mom! -�

    -�And you, -� said her mom, giving her a quick hug.   -�Keep your chin
up . . .  and hang onto Nate -(TM)s hand. -�

   Nate looked over and saw her give him a little stealth wink.

   Mrs.  Jordan headed confidently for the main entrance, while Dale, Nate,
and Michelle skirted around the building to the right.

    -�First stop, the little girls -(TM) room, -� said Michelle hurrying. 
-�We should have enough time to freshen up your makeup, Dale. -�

   Nate waited outside the ladies room while the two girls were inside.  A
minute later, Nate was walking Dale to her first period class.  Michelle
had turned off and headed up a flight of stairs.  As they walked along, all
conversations would pause.  The other students seemed to notice them, yet
they all avoided actually looking at them.

   "This is strange.  What's going on?" whispered Dale.

   "I think we're not the only ones trying to come to terms with what
happened yesterday," said Nate quietly.

   "Do you think it's my hair?" asked Dale.

   "I expect that's part of it," said Nate.

   "What should I tell people when they ask about it?" asked Dale.

   "Whatever you like," said Nate smiling.  "It does look cute, so there
wouldn't be many questions, were it not for the timing.  What ARE you
thinking about telling people?"

   "I'm still thinking," said Dale continuing to whisper.  "Alexa  -~outed
me -(TM) . . .  so now everyone knows about me . . .  about my relationship
with nudity.  Maybe not everything, but they at least know that I am a girl
who will take her clothes off and run around outside.  So now . . . 
somehow . . .  I want to be the bold woman . . .  the woman with nothing to
hide . . .  the woman comfortable in her clothes . . .  comfortable in her
skin.  A woman now . . .  no longer a virgin . . .  not that anyone will
know that, but I AM thinking of telling everyone that I'm a NEW woman!  A
woman who is tired of hiding who she really is.  A woman who is through
with deceiving everyone around her.  A woman who is done with being a
victim.  A woman who is going to live her life deliberately and honestly .
. .  and this new haircut can symbolize the new me. -�

    -�You go girl! -� said Nate, overflowing with joy at Dale -(TM)s
take-charge positive attitude.  She seemed to be taking a most difficult
situation in stride, talking as if she wanted to use it as a springboard
into a future that she herself would tailor to fit her needs.

    -�I lost a lot of sleep last night, but in a way it -(TM)s good.  It
-(TM)s like I had a whole extra day to prepare.  I got some things sorted
out . . .  mentally.  I have a better handle on what happened and how to
capitalize on it, -� said Dale.   -�There -(TM)s plenty left to figure out,
but at least I made a start at defining the new me. -�

    -�So if the new you has nothing to hide, are you going to start going
nude everywhere? -� he asked.   -�I mean, there are probably those who
might expect that, even welcome it . . .  now that your secret is out. -�

    -�I don -(TM)t know, -� said Dale.   -�Am I?  It -(TM)s not my call, is
it? -�

    -�Just testing you, Slave Girl, -� he said, smiling and squeezing her
hand.

    -�I probably need to be your Nudity Slave now more than ever, -� said
Dale.   -�Without you to keep a lid on things, everything could get out of
hand real quick.  At least that -(TM)s my sense. -�

    -�We should continue this conversation later, -� said Nate.   -�Now
-(TM)s not the time or place. -�

   They had arrived at Dale -(TM)s class.  Nate gave her a quick kiss on
the forehead, promising to be right there waiting for her when the bell
rang.  He hurried off to calculus as she went in and took her seat.

   As his math class was about as far from Dale -(TM)s class as it could
be, he arrived several minutes late.  Everyone stopped what they were doing
and looked at him as he walked in.  He approached the teacher -(TM)s desk
and handed her a note that he had prepared earlier that morning.

   It read,  -�Due to the unusual circumstances, I am accompanying Dale
Jordan from class to class all day today.  I am expecting that this will
make me late for every class as well as require that I depart early.  My
apologies for any disruption that this may cause.  I beg your understanding
and forgiveness.  Sincerely, Nate Miller. -�

   After reading the note, Mrs.  Morrison nodded and handed it back.

    -~So far, so good, -(TM) thought Nate as he took his seat.

   He had only just pulled out his notebook when Miss Hastings, one of the
office administrators, appeared in the doorway.   -�Mrs.  Morrison, the
police are requesting that I escort Nate Miller back to the offices for
questioning, -� she said.

    -�See you Monday, Nate, -� said Mrs.  Morrison.   -�Good luck in the
game! -�

   He put his notebook back in his backpack and met Miss Hastings out in
the hallway.  Officer Kudrow was there as well.   -�This is what I did all
yesterday afternoon, -� Miss Hastings remarked.   -�But at least the number
of people still on the  -~to be questioned -(TM) list has dwindled
significantly. -�

   Nate walked with them back to the main office area where Officer Kudrow
ushered him into the faculty lounge, a good sized room with numerous
tables. The police had set up shop there and had been using it for
questioning various students and teachers, in particular those with known
association to Alexa.

    -�So, Mr.  Miller, I -(TM)m Detective Jacob Harms, -� said a lean sandy
haired man in a dark suit.   -�You -(TM)ve already met Officer Kudrow, and
this is Officer Adams.  You may call me, Jake. -� He held out his hand and
Nate shook it.

   Detective Harms explained a number of things, including that they would
be recording the proceedings, and then he began asking questions.  In the
end, the questioning took much less time than Nate had anticipated.  The
detective was primarily trying to figure out what Nate knew about what had
gone on in the mat room.  To his surprise, Mr.  Wheeler, Nate -(TM)s third
period history teacher had already been questioned.  That meant that the
detective knew that Nate had not left his third period class early, but
rather late.  The detective had all kinds of notes that related to how he
had stood up towards the end of class, startled by a text.  How he had
almost raced out of the room, still looking at his phone.

   He was asked many questions about who had sent him the texts and their
nature.  He thought that they would want to see them, but they didn -(TM)t.
They had him read them aloud for the recording, and they cautioned him
about erasing them.  The important thing that came out of all that, he
realized, is that it proved to the detective that he had not known anything
in advance.  And what was quite significant, was that he had almost gotten
the chance to change the course of events.  Had Susie only sent the first
text, then everything would have worked out very differently for Dale.

   He knew that they would shortly be talking to Susie, to hear her side of
why the texts had been sent.  From the questions, he knew that she was
among the  -~yet to be questioned. -(TM) He was cautioned about discussing
things with her, especially anything related to her texts.

   He tried to do his best to help them with their investigation, but it
shortly became obvious to both Nate as well as the detective that he had
little information that was really helpful.  Their primary aim was to
locate someone who had seen people come and go from the mat room.  He had
been too late to the scene to have any information of the sort.

   They did probe a little to get a sense about what he knew about certain
people: Alexa, Miss Whitaker and a few other seemingly random people such
as Ward.

   To Nate -(TM)s delight, they dismissed him in time to keep his
commitment to Dale.  As he had promised, he was waiting outside of her
classroom as she emerged.  She held his hand and they took their time,
walking slowly to Spanish.  It was just a short distance.

    -�They just questioned me, -� announced Nate.

    -�They did? -� asked Dale in surprise.

    -�Yep, in the faculty lounge, -� he said.

    -�What did they ask you? -� she asked.

    -�I -(TM)m not supposed to discuss what was said with you, -� he said.
-�I guess they don -(TM)t want my lack of helpful information to rub off on
you. -�

    -�You weren -(TM)t helpful? -� asked Dale.

    -�We -(TM)re not supposed to discuss this, -� said Nate.  Continuing in
a whisper he added,  -�but not only was I never in the mat room yesterday,
but I was also not an eye witness to what happened in there during third
period.  They actually asked me that even though Mr.  Wheeler told them
that I was in third period the entire time. -�

    -�Are you supposed to be telling me this, Nate? -� she asked.

    -�No, -� he replied.

    -�Better follow the rules, -� she replied.

    -�I know, -� said Nate.   -�First period go okay? -�

    -�Yes, -� said Dale.   -�No one spoke to me.  I -(TM)d sense people
looking at me, but when I -(TM)d glance over, they -(TM)d quickly look
away. -�

    -�I hope you know how proud I am of you, -� said Nate.   -�You are
unbelievably brave.  I doubt there is another girl in this school who could
do this after what you went through yesterday. -�

    -�I -(TM)m a woman now, Nate.  I can do amazing things, -� she said
holding her head up proudly.   -�But back when I was a virgin . . .  I
could do amazing things, too. -�

    -�Come to think of it, you do look different, -� remarked Nate quietly.
 -�I had thought that it was the hair, but maybe it -(TM)s a side effect of
losing your virginity. -�

    -�It -(TM)s the hair, silly, -� said Dale, elbowing him in the ribs. 
Leaning in real close and whispering softly in his ear she asked,  -�Can we
make love again tonight? -�

    -�You liked that? -� he asked.

   Stopping and looking up into his eyes, she nodded her head slowly up and
down, a most endearing solemn expression on her face.

    -�You -(TM)re a keeper, -� whispered Nate.

    -�You like screwing too, don -(TM)t you? -� asked Dale quietly.

   Nate looked into her eyes and mimicked her solemn nod.

    -�Good, -� she said, smiling and squeezing his hand.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 366: Kenny Comes Through

   As they neared the entrance of their Spanish class, they saw Kenny
standing in the hall, seemingly waiting for them.  Dale looked into his
eyes.  Unlike others, he did not look away.  As she studied his expression
attempting to gain a little insight into his thoughts, he raised his hands
and clapped loudly, once, twice, three times.

   On his third clap, a few people nearby clapped as well.  By the fifth
clap quite a number of people had joined in, matching Kenny -(TM)s original
slow tempo exactly.

   Dale saw some of her Spanish classmates coming out of Se�+/-ora Flores
-(TM) classroom to join in.  Turning she saw people flooding back into the
hall from other classrooms as well.  The number of people clapping was
growing with every clap, the sound echoing up and down the hall.

   Nate saw Dale -(TM)s face flush red with embarrassment and a moment
later she buried her face into his chest.   -�Why are they doing that,
Nate? -� he heard her ask.  He held her as the sound grew louder
reverberating through the school.  He imagined that there were students in
distant hallways clapping . . .  not knowing why they were clapping, but
clapping nonetheless.

    -�As a sign of respect, -� he said angling his head down so his chin
touched her head.   -�To show their support.  As an acknowledgement of your
courage. -�

   Turning his head, he saw that even those still in the classroom across
from Spanish were clapping, sincere, supportive expressions on their faces.
At first it seemed as if he and Dale might be the only ones in the entire
school not clapping, but then he started noticing a few exceptions.  In
that same classroom he saw a boy shaking his head as well as a girl with
her nose buried in a book.  Just down the hall a short distance he saw two
girls who were also not clapping.  He knew them by appearance, but not by
name.  They were looking at one another and scowling.  In the other
direction, he saw another girl, a freshman he thought.  She was just
standing there, a puzzled look on her face.  Apparently the acceptance of
Dale the exhibitionist was not universal, he realized.

   And yet the overwhelming majority were clapping, and the clapping went
on and on.  When Dale could take it no more, she turned, pulling Nate into
Se�+/-ora Flores -(TM) classroom.  With her departure, the clapping in the
hall gradually died down and came to an end.  Dale was glad that things
seemed to be returning to normal as she took her seat.

    -�Thanks, Kenny, -� she said as he sat down next to her.   -�But don
-(TM)t you dare do that again. -�

   Looking into her eyes, Kenny gave her a compassionate nod.   -�People
care about you, Dale.  They care a lot. -� Dale looked down in
embarrassment.  Kenny continued,  -�I care about you.  By the way, don
-(TM)t run off after class.  I have something for you. -�

    -�Not more photos, -� said Dale, rolling her eyes.

    -�You -(TM)ll see, -� said Kenny smiling.

   Nate had been interested to see how Se�+/-ora Flores might treat Dale.
He also wanted to watch other interactions during class.  It was his one
class with Dale, so it was his one chance to observe what Dale might have
to deal with in her other classes.

   To his surprise, Se�+/-ora Flores seemed to go to great effort to not
say or do anything out of the ordinary . . .  nothing at all.  He had
caught sight of her clapping before class, but that was the only outward
sign that he noticed that she even knew of Dale -(TM)s Maverick ride the
day before.  The rest of class was remarkable in how unremarkable it was.
He caught sight of a few of the guys looking at Dale, but that too was not
at all unusual.  She was hardly a wallflower.  She had always been
beautiful as well as a bona fide Prospect High celebrity.  Guys had been
stealing glances at her since the beginning of time, years before everyone
had gotten a good look at her shaved pussy.

    -�Dale, hang back for a moment, if you don -(TM)t mind, -� reminded
Kenny just after the bell had rung.  Nate and Dale both stayed where they
were while everyone else filed out.

    -�You are so goddam brave, -� said a girl Nate only knew of as  -~Em
-(TM) as she approached Dale on her way out.

    -�I -(TM)m trying, -� said Dale with a genuine smile, looking into the
girl -(TM)s eyes.  Dale held out her hand and the girl grasped it and
nodded as she went on by.

   Once the class had emptied out, Dale asked,  -�So, you have something
for me, Kenny? -�

    -�I do, -� said Kenny, speaking softly so that Se�+/-ora Flores,
working at her desk, would not overhear.   -�Unzip your backpack. -�

   Dale reached down and did as instructed.  Kenny transferred a box from
his own backpack to Dale -(TM)s as stealthily as he could.  He then zipped
her backpack closed.

    -�Now you can -(TM)t say that I have never done you a favor, -� he
said.

    -�What did you put in there? -� she asked.

    -�That -(TM)s what the police are searching high and low for . . . 
they were asking everyone what happened to it.  But it doesn -(TM)t belong
to the police. -�

    -�Who does it belong to? -� asked Dale.

    -�I guess it was Alexa -(TM)s.  Now it -(TM)s yours, -� said Kenny.  
-�That -(TM)s the camera that was supplying the live feed to the big screen
. . .  internal memory and memory stick intact.  Not a copy anywhere.  I
didn -(TM)t make a copy, and I spent the time necessary to verify that
nothing had been rigged up to capture a copy remotely. -�

   Nate felt like slapping Kenny on the back and thanking him, but he knew
better.  This was between Kenny and Dale.  The expression of gratitude in
Dale -(TM)s eyes as she looked into Kenny -(TM)s eyes would be much more
meaningful to Kenny than anything he might say or do.

   As he watched, Dale took one of Kenny -(TM)s hands in both of hers. 
Pulling it to her face, she kissed his knuckles saying quietly,  -�I love
you, Kenny. -� Her hazel eyes were deep pools of extreme emotion.

   Nate looked at the emotion on Kenny -(TM)s face.  Dale had an amazing
power.  He knew that Kenny would never forget that moment.  This was the
same guy who had told him to never wash his shoulder after Dale had punched
him on the first day of school.

    -�Where would I be without you and Nate? -� asked Dale, breaking the
silence.

    -�While everyone else was following you and Nate out of the gym or
watching Carly give Alexa the business, I was thinking of you Dale.  You
can give that to the police if you want, but I don -(TM)t see why you
would. They have more than enough witnesses, more than enough photos.  They
don -(TM)t need what -(TM)s in that camera. -�

    -�I was so worried about that finding its way onto the Internet, Kenny.
You don -(TM)t know how much this means to me, -� she said.

    -�There will be pictures on the Internet, -� said Kenny.   -�But what
-(TM)s in that camera is high resolution, and it was clamped to a railing.
It -(TM)s steady, unlike all the hand held phone stuff. -�

    -�I know, -� said Dale.   -�You -(TM)re a lifesaver.  I can -(TM)t
thank you enough. -�

    -�Anything for you, Dale, -� said Kenny.

    -�Now we -(TM)re going to all be late for third period, -� said Dale,
hugging Kenny and standing on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. 
Turning to head out into the hall, Dale said,  -�find me another restroom,
guys.  How many times am I going to have to fix my makeup today? -�

    -�Dale needs friends . . .  now more than ever.  Way to come through
for her, buddy! -� said Nate quietly, slapping Kenny on the back once they
were in the hall.  He added in a whisper,  -�And if I were you I -(TM)d
never again wash that hand . . .  or that cheek. -�

   The break between third and fourth period was also eventful.  Susie came
up to Dale, giving her a compassionate, clingy hug.  Her expression made it
obvious that she was hurting inside and that she empathized with Dale a
great deal.  After a long time spent saying how sorry she was about what
had happened, she added,  -�And it wasn -(TM)t a date!  Nate and I were
just regrouping . . .  trying to decide what to do next.  We had spoken to
a lot of people.  We were hoping one of them would call in a Dale/Michelle
sighting. -�

    -�Regrouping, huh? -� said Dale teasingly while looking at Nate out of
the corner of her eye.   -�So that -(TM)s the new euphemism for going out
with someone else -(TM)s boyfriend! -�

    -�You know nothing was going on, -� said Nate, shaking his head.

    -�Where were you anyway? -� asked Susie.

    -�Michelle -(TM)s grandmother -(TM)s house, -� said Dale.   -�We went
there to talk . . .  and to cut hair.  Michelle -(TM)s grandmother is a
retired beautician.  She has a mini hair salon in her basement. -�

    -�Is that who cut your hair? -� asked Susie.   -�It -(TM)s adorable! -�

    -�No, she was there, but Parkinson -(TM)s Disease forced her
retirement. Michelle cut my hair while her grandmother talked her through
it.  Michelle -(TM)s gotten quite good under her grandmother -(TM)s
tutelage.  She -(TM)s been cutting her grandmother -(TM)s hair, her parents
hair, her brother -(TM)s hair . . .  even trimming Alexa -(TM)s hair, so I
-(TM)ve learned.

    -�Lovely, -� said Susie sarcastically, bristling at the mention of
Alexa.   -�But she did a wonderful job on your hair . . .  it -(TM)s really
cute.  I love it! -�

    -�Thanks, Tink, -� said Dale, accepting another hug.

    -�Rumor has it that your mom is down in the offices giving Mr. 
McRoberts hell, -� said Susie.   -�Have you guys heard the other rumors
going around?

    -�Probably not, -� said Dale.  Nate and I have been living in our own
little bubble.  Lots of people looking at us, but hardly anyone actually
talking to us. -�

    -�Well, the other thing that people are saying is that you are refusing
to talk to the police.  That you aren -(TM)t going to turn in Alexa -(TM)s
accomplices. -�

    -�Tink, they put a pillowcase over my head before they turned on the
lights.  No one spoke . . .  no one other than Alexa, -� lied Dale.

    -�But you know who helped her, don -(TM)t you, -� said Susie.

    -�Even if I did, what purpose would it serve? -� asked Dale.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 367: Susie and Jodie

    -�Well, for what it -(TM)s worth, I support you.  Even though I don
-(TM)t think that anyone should get away with doing that to anybody, I
support you.  You -(TM)re smart and you -(TM)re brave, -� said Susie.  
-�But I hear there is a young police officer who is quite angry . . . 
going head to head with your mother.  The other rumor is that Mr. 
McRoberts is going to be fired, and that your mother is going to take his
place. -�

    -�Really? -� said Dale in surprise.

    -�No.  I actually did hear that, but it was a joke, not a rumor.  But
it would be so cool.  I like your mom, -� said Susie.   -�The real rumor is
that Mr.  McRoberts is talking about giving all varsity cheerleaders a
three day suspension if you don -(TM)t come forward and turn in the guilty
girls . . .  or if they don -(TM)t come forward and turn themselves in. 
Some of the other cheerleaders have already been grilled.  I -(TM)m just
waiting my turn.  All the focus seems to be on just us varsity cheerleaders
. . .  but I guess that makes sense . . .  we were supposedly the only ones
who were let out of our third period classes early.  But I -(TM)ll bet
drill team girls were involved.  Other than Jodie, all of Alexa -(TM)s best
friends seem to be on the drill team. -�

    -�That -(TM)s true, -� said Dale thoughtfully.

    -�Maybe I -(TM)ll try and ask about that when it is my turn to answer
questions.  I -(TM)m sure to be grilled, unless of course they think I
-(TM)m too harmless to be a suspect.  I kind of want to be a suspect, -�
said Susie.

    -�Were you in the mat room? -� asked Dale.

    -�Of course not, don -(TM)t be silly, -� said Susie.   -�But I like the
idea of being a suspect.  I just don -(TM)t want them to dismiss me without
talking to me.  I guess it would seem a little insulting if they think I
-(TM)m too much of a chicken shit to ever do anything bad. -�

    -�But you are, -� said Dale.

    -�So are you! -� said Susie.

   Nate couldn -(TM)t help but laugh.   -�Tink, you should just get a
barbed wire tattoo, and have your nipples pierced . . .  if you really want
to be taken seriously, -� he said winking at Dale.

   Susie scowled at him.   -�Ouch! -� she said covering her boobs
protectively with the palms of her hands.   -�You stay away from me! -�

    -�Is Mr.  McRoberts really considering suspending all of us? -� asked
Dale.

    -�I don -(TM)t know about you, but the rest of us . . .  at least that
is what I -(TM)ve heard.  Ask your mom, I -(TM)m sure she knows.  I just
walked past the offices.  She -(TM)s right in the thick of things.  Pretty
exciting up there today.  Police, reporters, even members of the school
board, -� said Susie.   -�You should go check it out . . .  just for fun.
-�

    -�We -(TM)re avoiding that part of the school entirely, -� said Dale. 
-�I made a deal with my mom.  I get to go to class.  She gets to deal with
the mess. -�

    -�Sounds like a good deal to me, -� said Susie.

    -�I forgot about the reporters.  We saw a TV van on our way in, -� said
Dale.

    -�Yep, reporters . . .  both TV and newspaper.  Mr.  McRoberts won
-(TM)t them come in, -� said Susie.   -�So they are hanging around outside
the entrance, interviewing anyone who will talk to them. -�

   They were all tardy to their fourth period classes.  Nate expected that
Dale would be forgiven, and he had his note that seemed to be working, but
he expected that Susie would not be able to get it excused.

   True to his commitment, Nate was waiting for Dale outside of her
classroom when the bell rang signaling the end of fourth period, the start
of lunch.  The two of them stopped by their lockers to get their sack
lunches then made their way, hand in hand towards the lunchroom.

   As they turned the corner at the end of a row of lockers, they suddenly
came face-to-face with Jodie.  Nate saw a spark of alarm in her eyes.  For
a long moment, no one moved, no one blinked, as if they were each waiting
for the other to establish the tone for the unsought encounter.

   Dale spoke first, wading into the murky waters.  "Hi Jodie," she said as
if she were only doing so to buy time.

   "Hi?" replied Jodie guardedly, almost as if it was the last thing in the
world she had expected to hear.

   "Excited about the game?" asked Dale and an even tone.

   Nate looked over at her disbelievingly.   -~Really? -(TM) he thought, 
-(TM)That's it?  Excited about the game? -(TM)

   "Umm . . .  yeah, -� said Jodie, her look of astonishment transitioning
into a smug expression hinting at returning confidence.  "It's going to be
a great game."

   "I know we are the underdogs, but I think we can win," said Dale.  "Are
there any plans . . .  you know . . .  things I can help with?  Aren't we
going to make  -~Go Mavericks -(TM) banners for the team to run through?"

   "All taken care of," said Jodie.  "But in case you haven't heard, the
noise parade has been moved to tomorrow.  We meet here in the parking lot
at two o'clock, white uniforms with sweaters."

   "Okay, 2 pm, white uniforms, -� replied Dale.

   Glancing suspiciously at Nate, Jodie continued off in the direction she
had been going saying, "See you there."

   After she had gone, Dale resumed walking toward the lunchroom.  Nate
didn't budge from where he was standing in a state of shock.

   "Dale, what the f**k? -� he called after her.

   Dale turned and looked back at him.  For a long moment she just stared
into his eyes.  Glancing down she said, "What do you want from me, Nate? 
Was I supposed to fight her?" she asked.  "I'd only lose.  I always lose
when I go up against these girls."

   "Not that, but come on Dale," he urged.  "This is ridiculous."

   "I know you think I'm a joke, but trying to get along is all I know,"
she said starting to cry.  "I'm sorry I let you down, and now I'm letting
you down again by crying."

   Sobbing, she walked back to him, leaning up against him as if she hoped
that he would hold her.  He did.  He enveloped her in his arms.

   "No, I guess I let you down, -� said Nate.  "I should've been the one
confronting her."

   "Please don't," said Dale, looking up into his eyes.  "You told me I
wouldn't have these problems if Alexa were gone from the mix.  Can't we
just test out that theory?"

   "Right now I'm thinking it might have been a lame theory," said Nate. 
"Jodie and I got along so well when we were working on the Victory Dance
together.  Now I'm thinking I was fooled . . .  that I was a fool."

   "It's a tough day, Nate, -� she said.  "Let -(TM)s not beat ourselves
up. Let's just go have lunch.  Hopefully things will get easier."

   After another attempt at fixing her eye makeup, Nate and Dale found
themselves all alone at a table in the lunchroom.  Initially they ate in
silence.  While many people seemed to study them out of the corners of
their eyes, no one ventured to join them.

    -�So, the noise parade has been rescheduled for tomorrow, for game day,
-� said Dale.

    -�I guess that -(TM)s better, -� said Nate.   -�Too bad we don -(TM)t
have another week until the game.  Everything seems so rushed. -�

    -�I know.  One of the main reasons that I wanted to come to school
today, -� said Dale.   -�Was to try and help get school spirit back on the
front burner.  This game is so important, but I -(TM)m at a loss as to how
I might contribute spirit-wise today . . .  without an assembly or a noise
parade.  And to make matters worse, it -(TM)s almost like I -(TM)m a leper.
No one will even sit with us.  I -(TM)m probably negatively impacting the
football team -(TM)s chances just by being here. -�

    -�Don -(TM)t say that.  It -(TM)s absolutely not true.  But your right,
this is ridiculous, -� he said getting up and heading off across the
cafeteria.

   A minute later he was back with more than half of the defensive team in
tow, Cody, Gage, Felipe and Blake among them.  Their table filled up, so
some of them had to sit at an adjoining table.

    -�Thanks guys, -� said Dale tearing up as she made eye contact with
each of them in turn.   -�I -(TM)m really not a leper.  I -(TM)m the same
girl I was before. -�

    -�Dale, -� said Nate cautioning her.   -�Don -(TM)t start that again.
You -(TM)ve fixed your makeup enough today. -�

    -�I know.  I can -(TM)t help it, -� said Dale, laughing and wiping a
tear from an eye with a finger.

    -�We -(TM)re all so sorry about yesterday, Dale, -� said Cody.  Other
players echoed the sentiment.

    -�Thanks, guys, -� she said.

    -�We weren -(TM)t avoiding you.  You -(TM)re not a leper, -� said Cody.
 -�I'm just in a state of shock . . .  still shaken up.  That -(TM)s the
kind of thing you see on the news.  Things like that don't happen here in
Prospect, and frankly the situation is a little awkward -- -�

    -�A LITTLE awkward? -� said Gage with a nervous laugh.

    -�I mean a LOT awkward, -� said Cody.

    -�For me too, -� said Dale.   -�But like I said, I -(TM)m the same girl
I was before.  Even if all my secrets are out. -�

   "It's just hard to know what to say.  Hard to know where to look . . .
where not to look.  But Nate's absolutely right, avoiding you is not the
right thing to do." said Cody.

   "Thanks," said Dale smiling.   -�I appreciate that. -�

   An awkward silence ensued and everyone went back to eating their
lunches.

   Nate broke the silence saying,  -�Let -(TM)s talk football, guys. -�

    -�Yes, please, -� said Dale encouragingly.   -�What happened yesterday
needs to be quickly forgotten.  The Mighty Mavericks need to win one more
game, a big game.  That won -(TM)t happen without focus.  What are you
going to focus on in the game tomorrow, Cody? -�

    -�You are so awesome, Dale.  I hope you know how much we love you, -�
said Cody.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 368: Ward

    -�Enough about me, -� said Dale sternly, pointing a finger between his
eyes and staring at him threateningly, a cute thin smile on her lips.  
-�Nate tells me that the primary defensive play is called the I.U.D.  He
-(TM)s kidding me, right? -� She knew he wasn -(TM)t, but it seemed to be a
fun topic to use as an ice breaker.

    -�He -(TM)s not! -� said Blake and another player or two talking
simultaneously.

    -�All of our defensive plays are named for methods of birth control, -�
explained Cody.   -�It -(TM)s an old Prospect High tradition.  Last year,
Coach Maynard liked  -~Sterilization -(TM) and  -~The Pill -(TM) a lot. 
This year it seems to be I.U.D.  all the way.  We have a tiny fraction of
the number of plays that the offense has.  The different plays just
represent minor differences in how we line up . . .  and of course our
assignments.  Most of what the defense does involves reacting to what we
observe, before and after the ball is hiked. -�

    -�Well, why is I.U.D.  better than Sterilization or The Pill?  By the
way, does Sterilization mean Vasectomy? -� she asked.

    -�Oh, ouch, -� said Cody acting as if he had been kicked in the balls.
-�No!  Of course not.  I think it might be short for  -~Tubal
Sterilization. -(TM) -�

    -�I should have known, -� said Dale laughing.

    -�You should have, -� agreed Cody smiling and nodding.   -�This game is
all about keeping  -~balls -(TM) from  -~scoring -(TM) in the  -~end zone.
-(TM) -�

    -�Okay, -� said Dale laughing.   -�But why I.U.D.?  On the face of it,
-~Sterilization -(TM) would seem to be the most effective.  It worked for
the family cat. -�

    -�Did you guys see how she said that with a straight face? -� asked
Cody.

    -�I hear abstinence works quite well, too, -� remarked Dale with a
sultry smile.

    -�Rumor has it that it -(TM)s your favorite, -� said Ward, walking up
behind her, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders.

    -�Especially when you -(TM)re around, -� she said scowling and twisting
to pull her shoulders free of his touch.

   Everyone started laughing.

    -�Ouch! -� said Ward, dropping his hands to his sides.   -�I was just
hoping we might hook up. -�

    -�Not that it would make any difference if I wasn -(TM)t, -� said Dale.
 -�But I -(TM)m taken. -�

    -�Goddam it, so am I, -� admitted Ward.   -�But I -(TM)ve just learned
that Alexa -(TM)s in custody, so -- -�

    -�She is? -� rang out a chorus of voices.

    -�Yep, -� said Ward nodding.   -�I -(TM)m back on manual override for
the time being. -�

    -�Are they coming for you next? -� asked one of the players.

    -�Oh, I was f**king grilled, you better believe it, -� he said.  
-�Alexa -(TM)s a lot of things, but dumb ain -(TM)t one of them.  She
-(TM)s smart enough to know not to tell me shit.  She probably thought that
I -(TM)d warn you, Dale.  And I would have . . .  or I would have gone
straight to the police. -�

    -�Thank you, Ward, -� said Dale.

    -�So, bottom line, I -(TM)m available, -� he said.

    -�But you -(TM)re waiting for Alexa, right? -� said Dale.

    -�F**k, no!  I mean, no, -� said Ward remembering too late that Dale
didn -(TM)t like the swearing.   -�Cute hair, by the way. -�

    -�Yeah, cute hair, -� echoed a few more of the guys.

    -�So, Dale, there -(TM)s a rumor going around that your mother is
keeping the police from asking you questions, -� said Cody.   -�Why not
talk to the police?  I mean, these girls shouldn -(TM)t get away with this.
It -(TM)s not like I want them to have prison sentences, or anything, but
community service at the very least . . .  and of course the embarrassment
of having their names in the newspaper.  They DO need to pay.  What they
did to you was just plain wrong.   -�

   Dale didn -(TM)t respond, so Gage added,  -�Yeah, Dale.  Why not talk to
the police? -�

    -�Okay, guys, -� said Dale taking a deep breath.   -�It -(TM)s like
this.  As everyone now knows, I have gone places naked.  Places where girls
are not supposed to go without their clothes.  It -(TM)s fun . . .  for me.
You don -(TM)t know how liberating it feels to finally be able to admit
that.  The bungee thing, that wasn -(TM)t a big deal.  I mean, that was a
sanctioned  -~free if you go naked -(TM) thing.  But other times and other
places . . .  well, I -(TM)ve been a bad girl.  And when running around
without my clothes, I -(TM)m always on the lookout for the police.  I guess
I -(TM)ve just conditioned myself to think of them as the enemy.  This is
different, I know.  They -(TM)re just doing their job.  I don -(TM)t have
any information for them, but I -(TM)ll talk to them.  I -(TM)m just a
little apprehensive about it. -�

    -�I guess that makes sense, -� said Cody.

    -�I know they -(TM)re not after me, -� said Dale.   -�But when I see
them, my feet just want to run.  I can -(TM)t help it. -�

    -�So, Dale, -� interjected Ward.   -�I -(TM)ll ask the question
everyone wants to ask . . .  but is afraid to.  Why, for God -(TM)s sake,
do you have clothes on? -�

    -�Leave her alone, Ward, -� said Cody.   -�Hasn -(TM)t she been through
enough? -�

    -�Who wants Dale to strip? -� asked Ward.   -�Raise your hands. -�

   As hands went up around the table, Nate intervened,  -�Not a democracy,
guys, put your hands down. -�

    -�Stop hassling her, Ward! -� said Cody more forcefully.

    -�Hey, -� said Ward.   -�I -(TM)m not hassling her.  I care about her
as much as anyone, but she likes to be naked.  She looks great naked.  I
think she should be naked. -� Turning to Dale he asked again,  -�So, why
aren -(TM)t you naked? -�

   Nate was trying to decide if he should shut things down, but one look at
Dale told him that he didn -(TM)t need to.

    -�Ward, that -(TM)s quite enough, -� said Cody.   -�Move along. -�

    -�I don -(TM)t mind talking about this, Cody, -� said Dale.  Turning to
Ward, she continued,  -�So you didn -(TM)t get enough yesterday, huh? -�

    -�I could never get enough of you.  You have such a sweet ass!  The
things I could do to that ass, -� said Ward.   -�But you didn -(TM)t get
enough yesterday either, did you? -�

    -�I got plenty yesterday, -� she said.   -� --but I -(TM)ll be naked
again.  Hopefully not at all like it happened yesterday.  One thing I am
completely through with is being the victim.  I can take my clothes off. 
Nate can take my clothes off.  No one else takes my clothes off!  No one
else even touches them!  Got that?  Spread the word! -�

   Upon hearing Dale say that Nate could take her clothes off, Gage reached
his fist toward Nate saying,  -�Dude! -� Nate accepted the offered fist
bump to a few cheers.

    -�So when and where will you next be getting naked? -� asked Ward.  
-�Here?  Today? -�

    -�Well, it -(TM)s like this, -� explained Dale remembering how Nate had
introduced the Nudity Slave agreement.   -�It -(TM)s like the weather.  You
can -(TM)t influence it.  Some days I think the forecast is for a chance of
naked, and it doesn -(TM)t happen.  Other days, it happens . . . 
surprising me . . .  like getting caught in the rain without a coat or
umbrella. -�

    -�So . . .  we won -(TM)t know when it will happen? -� asked Ward.

    -�You won -(TM)t.  But it will happen . . .  I -(TM)m pretty sure . . .
eventually, -� she said looking at Nate.   -�You won -(TM)t be able to
predict when or where . . .  or have any influence. -�

    -�That -(TM)s f**king awesome, -� said Ward.   -�A reason to live! -�

    -�And a reason to pay attention to the weather forecast, -� joked
Blake.

    -�But we won -(TM)t be able to predict it? -� asked Ward, obviously
trying to decipher what she had said.

    -�Only Nate seems to be able to predict with any certainty, -� she
said. She wanted to wink at Nate, but she knew that everyone would see. 
They were all studying her so carefully, hanging on every word.

    -�That -(TM)s interesting, -� said Ward.   -�I -(TM)ll keep that in
mind.  Any predictions about today, Nate? -�

    -�I don -(TM)t think there -(TM)s any nudity in the forecast for today,
-� said Nate glaring at Dale.  He was going to have to talk to her, maybe
spank her.  She seemed willing to let others know about the Nudity Slave
agreement; something he was dead set against.  Bad Dale seemed to be
showing her head a little bit.  She was dressed, but she was surrounded by
guys and the subject of discussion was nudity . . .  her nudity.

    -�But Nate -(TM)s not perfect, -� said Dale.   -�The weather caught him
by surprise yesterday.  Otherwise, he would have rescued me.  He didn
-(TM)t rescue me . . .  only after it was too late . . .  that doesn't
count. -�

   Nate closed his eyes.  Angling his head down, he took a deep breath. 
She was right.  He hadn -(TM)t been there for her, and she seemed to be
rubbing his nose in it . . .  In front of everyone.

   When he opened his eyes, Dale was staring across the table at him.   -�I
-(TM)m sorry, -� she said softly.

    -�No, I -(TM)m sorry, -� he replied.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 369: Cheer My Heart Out

   As he watched, he saw the smile return to her face.  For some reason he
started to feel as if he were watching her from a dreamlike state.  She
turned her attention away from him, to the rest of the team seated at the
table.

    -�So, guys, -� she said, raising her eyebrows.   -�How do we beat the
Bisons tomorrow?  Figuring that out is job one!  I know what I -(TM)m going
to do.  I -(TM)ll be right there on the sidelines.  I -(TM)m going to be
cheering my heart out . . .  cheering like I -(TM)ve never cheered before .
. .  because that is what I can do . . .  all that I can do.  At the end of
the game, I won -(TM)t have my voice.  They -(TM)ll probably have to take
me home on a stretcher.  Absolutely everything I -(TM)ve got for you guys .
. .  for our school . . .  for this game.  Let -(TM)s go around the table.
I want to hear everyone -(TM)s level of commitment.  I say we win or we go
home in body bags! -�

   A few of the guys cheered and clapped, as they engaged her in turn. 
Everyone tried to match her level of commitment, but nothing about what was
said sounded forced or insincere.  It was a truly inspirational moment,
electricity filled the air.

   Nate tuned in and out as he watched Dale work her magic.  He was so
proud of her.  She had them completely captivated.  She knew each of them
so well.  Her approach was individually tailored to each guy, to their
specific positions on the field as well as to their personalities.  He felt
the excitement level of the team climbing as she orchestrated the miniature
pep rally.  And the beauty of it was not that she was giving a pep talk to
them, but rather that they were giving it to themselves.  She was
transforming them into winners because they were already winners . . . 
they just needed to discover it within themselves.

   Dale -(TM)s spell over the group was shattered when Danielle, the
cheerleader that Cody had been dating since the Sadie Hawkins dance walked
up behind him, placing her hands on Cody's shoulders.

    -�Why, look who -(TM)s popular today, -� she said.   -�Twenty guys, one
girl. -�

    -�Shh -- -� said Cody, reaching up and patting one of her hands.   -�We
-(TM)re talking some serious football here. -�

    -�That -(TM)s not what I see, -� said Danielle.   -�I see a group of
teen males surrounding the lovely Dale Jordan . . .  the queen bee.  Hard
to resist the naked star of yesterday -(TM)s assembly, I can tell.  Instant
popularity, just remove clothes. -�

    -�Don -(TM)t be silly, Danielle, -� said Cody.   -�Dale was always
popular.  Nothing about that changed yesterday. -�

    -�I -(TM)m not so sure, -� she continued.   -�How many times have you
ever seen a girl with twenty bees buzzing around her in this lunchroom?  I
think it -(TM)s because you all got a good look at her honeypot.  Now you
just can -(TM)t manage to tear yourselves away. -�

    -�I think Danielle -(TM)s on to something, guys, -� interjected Ward. 
-�This hypothesis should be tested.  You have a honeypot, Danielle.  Let
-(TM)s have a look at it.  Strip down!  If you -(TM)re right, the bees will
be swarming around you in no time . . .  and the phenomenon should continue
even after you put your clothes back on, right? -�

   Danielle scowled at him but didn -(TM)t say a word, so Ward continued, 
-�Come on!  I know I -(TM)m itching to see what you look like without your
clothes.  What do you say, guys?  Should Danielle show us her honeypot?  Is
it shaved, groomed, or wild? -�

   There were a few cheers and a little subdued clapping.

    -�Come on, Cody.  Let -(TM)s go, -� said Danielle in disgust.

    -�I -(TM)m good, -� said Cody.   -�We WERE talking football. -�

    -�Sure you were, -� said Danielle, stomping off.

    -�That was mean guys, -� said Dale chuckling.

    -�She deserved it, -� said Nate.

    -�Yeah, the very idea that we like you just because we got to see your
. . .  honeypot.  Her term, not mine, -� said Blake.

    -�Don -(TM)t make me blush guys, -� said Dale.   -�Even I know what the
term  -~honeypot -(TM) means.  I -(TM)m not that naïve.  But back to the
game.  Felipe, you -(TM)ve been quiet.  Tell me what the game looks like
from the position of left tackle.  If Cody calls,  -~I.U.D. -(TM) what is
your assignment?  Rush, or shut down the run up the middle? -�

    -�Depends, -� said Felipe.

    -�Depends on what? -� she said.   -�Teach me.  Inspire me!  The game
can be won from the position of left tackle.  We all know that, right guys?
-� A chorus of agreement went up.  Dale continued,  -�I want to know what
Felipe Fuentes is going to do tomorrow to bring the state title to Prospect
High.  I want it in our trophy case . . .  for generations to come. 
Felipe? -�

   Before Felipe could answer, everyone was distracted by a commotion near
the entrance to the lunchroom.  Two uniformed officers had entered and were
searching the room with their eyes.  Dale -(TM)s mother was with them. 
Suddenly it was apparent that they had seen who they were looking for.  One
of them was striding toward the table where Dale was sitting, her mother
scurrying along behind.  Nate recognized both officers.  Officer Adams was
headed toward them while Officer Kudrow waited respectfully by the
entrance.

   Once it was completely obvious that the officer was coming for Dale,
everyone at her table started booing.  Dale stood up, saying,  -�Shh, guys.
It -(TM)s all right.  They -(TM)re only doing their job. -�

   Officer Adams marched right up to Dale and said in an emotion-free
voice,  -�Miss Jordan, we need you to come with us. -�

   His military like brusque attitude incited another round of boos that
rippled across the lunchroom.

    -�Shh -- Everybody shh --, -� said Dale.  Holding up her hands, palms
facing down, she made the customary patting sign to indicate that she
wanted everyone to be quiet.  Nate noticed that the booing died down
quickly in deference to Dale -(TM)s wishes.

    -�Okay, let -(TM)s go, -� said Dale boldly leading the way, squeezing
Nate -(TM)s hand, taking him along with her.

    -�He doesn -(TM)t need to accompany us, -� said the young officer
resolutely.

   Shooting him a poison look, she said,  -�If I -(TM)m coming, he -(TM)s
coming!  He -(TM)s not leaving my side! -� She walked bravely through the
cafeteria, head up proudly, a death grip on Nate -(TM)s hand.  Nate matched
her stride for stride.  She needed him, and he intended to be there for
her.

   Once out in the relative privacy of the hall, Dale -(TM)s mother took
her arm opposite Nate saying,  -�Dale, I -(TM)m sorry.  I put this off as
long as I could, but they have a legitimate need for information.  They
have agreed to try and limit their questions to the remainder of lunch
hour, so you can get back to class.  And just so you are prepared for the
possibility -- -� she said pausing.   -�I have yet to talk Mr.  McRoberts
out of suspending you.  Sorry to hit you with that with little or no
warning, but at least he is only talking about a three day suspension, one
that wouldn -(TM)t go on your permanent record.  However, I -(TM)m still
hoping the school board members will override him. -�

    -�You -(TM)re kidding, -� said Dale plainly startled.   -�How can that
be fair? -�

    -�I know, -� said her mother, as they continued walking down the hall
toward the offices.   -�I agree with you.  The idea is ridiculous.  He
keeps coming back to this crazy theory of his that you and Alexa were
engaged in some sort of a high-stakes game. -�

    -�He said that before, -� replied Dale.   -�He -(TM)s crazy.  I didn
-(TM)t do anything! -�

    -�I know, -� replied her mother.

    -�I -(TM)ve thought of an analogy for Mr.  McRoberts -(TM) theory, -�
said Dale.   -�It -(TM)s something we talked about years ago.  The notion
of hunters as  -~Sportsmen -(TM).  The idea that the little deer eating
peacefully in the distance somehow has a chance against the man in camo
with the high-powered rifle.  Just like that deer, I was Alexa -(TM)s prey.
The stakes may have been high, but there was no game. -�

    -�I know, honey, -� said her mother, shaking her head.  "At the moment
I'm still trying to work with the man.  Getting him fired and replaced is
another option.  I think that it is doable, but it would take time.  But
just so that you are aware, he's even been wondering aloud about forfeiting
the football game."

   "What?" said Nate.

   "Oh, mom, don't let that happen," pleaded Dale.  "It would be so
terrible . . .  for the school . . .  for the town . . .  anything but
that."

   "I know," said her mom.  "You wouldn -(TM)t be blamed, but you'd forever
be associated with it.  I don't want you to have to carry that burden.  I
told Mr.  McRoberts that he'd have to leave town in the dead of night . . .
like tonight . . .  if he were to do that.  It's such a bad idea.  It
punishes thousands for the acts of just a handful."

   "Does he even have the authority to do that?" asked Nate.

   "I doubt it, but he seems to think he does," said Mrs.  Jordan.  "But
forfeiting the game is not his only crazy idea.  Right now we -(TM)re going
to see him first.  He's waiting in his office.  This should be quick.  Then
we'll talk to the police."

   "What are we talking to Mr.  McRoberts about?" asked Dale.  "Suspending
me?"

   "No, not that, don't even bring that up," said her mother.  "But I
promised him I wouldn't tell you in advance.  So you don't know anything.
I'm pretty sure I know how you'll react, but just give him your honest
opinion of his proposal."

   A minute later Dale, Nate, and Mrs.  Jordan were all seated in Mr. 
McRoberts -(TM) office.  Mr.  McRoberts had spent a good amount of time
telling Dale how sorry he was for what she had been subjected to "on his
watch".  He didn't admit fault on any level, except to the extent that he
had "failed to grasp the risks present in the situation. -� To Nate and
Dale that seemed evasive at best.



   The Exhibitionist Next Door - 370: Mr.  McRoberts

   "Is there a specific reason you wanted to see me?" asked Dale, hoping to
cut to the chase.  Mr.  McRoberts was long-winded.  His empathy seemed
genuine enough, but she didn't want to hear him restate it over and over.

   "Yes, there is," he admitted.  "I've come to realize that you are not
the only victim here."

   "I'm not?" said Dale in surprise.

   "I guess that came out wrong," he said backtracking.  "What I'm trying
to get at is that everyone in the gym yesterday is struggling to come to
terms with what they witnessed.  Essentially, they saw one of their own
commit a horrendous act, while another one of their own suffered as a
direct result."

   "Go on," encouraged Mrs.  Jordan.  She knew what was coming and wanted
him to get his idea out on the table.

   "Well, I had a summer session on grief counseling a few years back,"
said Mr.  McRoberts.  "It was designed specifically around a situation in
which a high school suffers multiple student casualties due to a bad car
accident . . .  something that sadly does happen.  That was the example
presented there, but the principles were intended to be broadly
applicable."

   "Mr.  McRoberts, as you know we don't have all day," said Mrs.  Jordan.

   "Right, well what I'd like to do is call an impromptu assembly for later
this afternoon . . .  instead of sixth period," he said.

    -�Grief counseling?" asked Dale.

   "Sort of, but not really," he continued.  "The point would be to show
the students that you are all right.  Teachers and students are telling me
how concerned they are about you Dale . . .  concerned for your well-being.
So I thought I would talk to everyone, and then you could as well.  You
could show everyone that you are fine.  I think it would go a long way
towards helping everyone heal, helping everyone put this behind them."

   "I'm fine?" asked Dale.

   "Well, I know that you aren't completely unscathed, but look at you," he
said.  "You're going to school.  You're putting on a brave face.  You
-(TM)re getting on with your life."

   "So . . .  I'm fine?" asked Dale indignantly, raising her voice
slightly.

   "Well, aren't you?" He asked.  "I mean, come on, Dale.  Who are we
kidding?  We both know you're an exhibitionist.  Nobody saw any skin
yesterday that you wouldn't have willingly shown them."

   "So, what were all the compassionate remarks just as we entered?  You
actually sounded as if you were sorry about what happened," said Dale.

   "Are you saying you're not an exhibitionist?" asked Mr.  McRoberts. 
Dale didn't respond so he continued, "Please, let's just discuss this
assembly idea.  I think it would be very good for the Prospect High
community as a whole.  I know how much the school, the student body means
to you.  I told your mother today how I told you recently that I consider
you the de facto Student Body President."

   "He did," said her mother, leaning toward her, pride in her eyes.

   "You just don't get it, do you, Mr.  McRoberts?" said Dale.  "You think
that this was no big deal for me because I happen to have a comfort level
with my body . . .  unlike that of other girls.  You really don't get it!"
After taking a deep breath, she continued, her voice raised due to her
heightened excitement, "I mean, I like kissing my boyfriend, Nate.  So,
since I like kissing, I shouldn't be bothered if another man forcibly
kisses me, right?  Do you need to hear the rape analogy?"

   "No, I don't, -� said Mr.  McRoberts.

   "Well, I think you need to," said Dale.  "Because you still don't get
it. If a woman loves her husband and enjoys sex with him --"

   "I get it! -� said Mr.  McRoberts, attempting to keep her from
continuing.

   "Listen to me," she insisted.  " --since she enjoys sex, should she be
okay with another man forcibly having sex with her . . .  raping her?"

   "You've made your point, Dale," he said.  "I guess you're not ready to
talk to the student body and tell them that you're all right."

   "Because I'm not all right, God dammit!  Look at my wrists, Mr. 
McRoberts.  See this!" she insisted, holding up her bruised arms.  "Have
you ever been deprived of your freedom by someone with ill intent?  You
better believe I was scared.  I had everything short of my life taken from
me . . .  taken from me in front of everyone I know . . .  my clothes . . .
my privacy . . .  my ability to talk, to yell for help . . .  my ability to
move.  It was a life-changing experience.  It's a feeling I'll never
forget. I'm sure the nightmares will come.  Just because I'm tough and
putting on a brave face, don't think for a moment that I'm fine."

    -�Okay, okay, -� said Mr.  McRoberts.

    -�Don -(TM)t  -~okay, okay -(TM) me! -� said Dale.   -�You got me
started, so now you need to hear me out.  My bruises are nothing, but they
are what I can show.  They -(TM)ll heal, they -(TM)ll be gone, but all the
rest won -(TM)t . . .  it won -(TM)t ever be gone.  This all-out assault
was designed to destroy me completely.  Alexa tried to brutally rip away my
future, not only my future here at Prospect High, but my entire future. 
The stigma of what happened yesterday will be with me for the rest of my
life.  She wanted to extinguish my spirit to live . . .  teens have killed
themselves for far less.  In one fell swoop she sought to take my social
standing, my ability to attend this school and to live in this town, all my
relationships, and all my education and job prospects.

    -�Even if I -(TM)m,  -~putting on a brave face and getting on with my
life, -(TM) as you say, I face a lot of challenges.  These photos will
always be out there, tagged with my essentially unique name.  Dale Jordan
is hardly Emily Smith.  Things aren -(TM)t like they used to be back when
you were my age.  I -(TM)ll never have a coworker, employer, or
acquaintance who has not seen me tied spread eagle on a horse.  My children
will see these photos.  And you think I can stand up in front of my
classmates and tell everyone that I -(TM)m  -~All Right -(TM)? -� asked
Dale trying to calm down.   -�I am a tough cookie.  I -(TM)m not suicidal.
I -(TM)ve got family.  I -(TM)ve got Nate.  I -(TM)ll come back from this,
but it won -(TM)t be easy. -�

   "Well, no assembly then," said Mr.  McRoberts.  "Without you there is no
point.  I could talk, but there's nothing I could say that would be
meaningful . . .  especially in light of all that you have just said."

   "What did I tell you?" said Mrs.  Jordan.

   "Well, you did tell me she wouldn't be ready to talk about this to a
large group," said Mr.  McRoberts.  "But you weren't nearly as convincing
as your daughter."

   "Maybe that's because she wasn't stripped, gagged, bound and put on
display? -� interjected Dale.

   "She's right, you know," said her mother, looking over sympathetically
at her daughter.  "The rest of us can only try and imagine what that must
have been like."

   There was a knock on the door and Miss Hastings, an administrative
assistant, stuck her head in.  "Sorry to interrupt," she said.  "But
Officer Kudrow would like a word with you, Mr.  McRoberts.  He says it's
important."

   While Mr.  McRoberts was out, Dale's mother kneeled next to Dale and
hugged her.  "I'm so sorry about what you went through.  My heart breaks
hearing you talk about it like that, but I am so proud of you.  You've got
a lot of spunk.  I know what you went through was awful . . .  beyond awful
. . .  and you -(TM)ll face many challenges . . .  but I'm glad to see that
it didn't break you."

   "She is amazing," said Nate.  "But she gets it from you, Mrs.  Jordan.
What a pair!"

   "Thanks, Nate," said Mrs.  Jordan, obviously appreciating being compared
to her daughter.

   After Mr.  McRoberts had again taken his seat, he started laughing.

   "I presume you're going to tell us what's so funny," said Dale's mother.

   "Well, you have all heard that Alexa is now in custody," he said. 
Seeing that they were all nodding, he continued, "Well, Officer Kudrow
tells me that she is being questioned as we speak.  She has named her
accomplices . . .  all of them," he said.

   "She has?" said Dale in surprise.

   "That's what he tells me," said Mr.  McRoberts.  "Does that worry you,
Dale?"

   "It just surprises me," she replied.

   "Thought you had an agreement, did you? -� he asked.

   "What?" said Dale.

   "Alexa has told them that just the two of you did this . . .  all by
yourselves," he said.  "I was thinking that it must have taken a large
number to strip you and tie you down against your will.  However, Alexa
WOULD have been able to manage everything all by herself if YOU stripped
yourself and climbed up on the Maverick to assist her."

   Dale's jaw fell open and she stared at Mr.  McRoberts in disbelief.  Of
course that is what Alexa would claim, she realized.  She couldn -(TM)t
believe that she hadn -(TM)t anticipated that.

   "That's not at all what happened," said Dale.  "Mom, tell him," she
added, turning to her mother for support.

   "You know Alexa's lying, Mr.  McRoberts," said Dale's mother firmly.

   "I don't know what to believe anymore, Beth," he said shaking his head.
"But this would explain a lot.  One girl could obviously tie another if she
were not resisting."

   "That's not at all what happened, and you know it," said Dale.

   "Well, Dale," said Mr.  McRoberts.  "If Alexa's lying, then maybe this
is a lesson for you.  A lesson about what can happen if you avoid talking
to the police.  They've only heard one side of the story, and need I remind
you how persuasive Alexa can be?  If you don't start telling your side of
the story soon, she'll end up being the victim and you'll be the one doing
time."

   "You're out of line," said Mrs.  Jordan raising her voice.

   "Calm down, Beth," he said.  "I never said I believed what Alexa is
allegedly telling the police.  I now realize that she'd of course say that.
She's out to get Dale.  We all know that.  And what better way would there
be to protect her accomplices than to say that there were none, I mean . .
. other than Dale?  I guess it just goes to show that you can't let your
guard down when Alexa is gunning for you." He stood up.  "The police are
ready to hear your side of the story, Dale.  I suggest you tell it to them,
including naming those involved."