Cutler 01 - Dawn

rumors."
    I studied him for a moment. Was he saying these things just to win my confidence or did he really mean it? I couldn't imagine Jimmy speaking so hatefully about me.
    "What grade are you in?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
    "Eleventh. I got my driver's license this year and my own car. How would you like to go for a ride with me after school?" he asked quickly.
    "A ride?"
    "Sure. I'll show you the sights," he added, winking.
    "Thank you," I said. "But I can't."
    "Why not? I'm a good driver," he pursued.
    "I . . . have to meet my father after school."
    "Well, maybe tomorrow, then. Hey," he said when I hesitated, searching for another excuse, "I'm perfectly harmless, no matter what you've heard."
    "I haven't—" I broke off in confusion and felt my cheeks start to burn.
    He laughed.
    "You take everything so serious. Your parents gave you the right name. You're definitely as fresh as the birth of a new day," he said. I blushed even harder and looked down at my sandwich.
    "So, do you stay in the dorms or live nearby?" he asked.
    "I live on Ashland Street."
    "Ashland? Don't know it. I'm not from Richmond, though. I'm from Virginia Beach."
    "Oh, I've heard of it, but I've never been there. I heard it's very pretty there," I said and bit into my sandwich.
    "It is. My family owns a hotel there: the Cutler's Cove Hotel, in Cutler's Cove, which is just a few miles south of Virginia Beach," he said sitting back proudly.
    "You have a whole place named after your family?" I asked. No wonder Clara Sue was so swollen with her own importance, I thought.
    "Yep. We've been there ever since the Indians gave it up. Or so my grandmother says."
    "Your grandmother lives with you?" I asked enviously.
    "She and my grandfather used to run the hotel. He died, but she still runs it with my parents. What does your father do, Dawn?"
    "He works here," I said and thought, here I go again.
    "Here? He's a teacher? And you let me say all those things about Mrs. Turnkey and”"
    "No, no. He's a maintenance supervisor," I said quickly.
    "Oh." Philip smiled and released a sigh of relief. "I'm glad of that," he said.
    "You are?" I couldn't help sounding surprised.
    "Yes. The two girls I know here whose fathers are teachers are the biggest snobs—Rebecca Clare Long-street and Stephanie Kay Sumpter. Ignore them at all costs," he advised.
    Just then I saw Jimmy come in. He was walking all by himself. He stopped in the doorway and gazed around. When he saw me, he flashed a look of surprise at the sight of Philip as well. Then he headed quickly to my table. He slapped his bag on top and flopped into a seat.
    "Hi," Philip said. "How's it going?"
    "Stinks," Jimmy said. "Just got bawled out for putting my feet on the rung of the seat ahead of me. I thought she would keep me there right through lunch."
    "Gotta watch that around here. If Mrs. Turnbell comes by and sees a student doing something like that, she bawls out the teacher first, and that makes the teacher get even madder," Philip explained.
    "This is Philip Cutler," said Dawn. "Philip, my brother, Jimmy."
    "Hi," Philip said, extending his hand. Jimmy looked at it suspiciously a moment and then shook quickly.
    "What do they think this place is, gold?" Jimmy said, getting back to his problem.
    "Did you make any friends yet, Jimmy?" I asked hopefully.
    He shook his head.
    "I gotta get my milk." He got up quickly and went to the lunch line. The boys in front of him looked nervous when he approached.
    "Jimmy's not overjoyed about being here, I gather," Philip said, looking his way.
    "No, he's not. Maybe he's right," I added. Philip smiled.
    "You've got the clearest, prettiest eyes I've ever seen. The only one whose eyes come close is my mother."
    I felt myself blush from my neck to my feet. I was absolutely beguiled by his flattering words, by the admiring look in his eyes. For a moment I couldn't speak. I had to shift my eyes away while I took another bite of my sandwich. I chewed quickly and swallowed, then turned back to him.
    Some boys passing by said hello to him and then looked at me curiously. Finally two of his friends flopped down beside him.
    "Aren't you going to introduce us to your famous new friend, Philip?" asked a tall thin boy with peach-colored hair and brown eyes. He had a crooked smile that brought the corner of his mouth up.
    "Not if I can help it," Philip said.
    "Aw, come on. Philip likes to keep everything to himself," the tall boy told me. "Very selfish guy."
    "My name's