“I guess.” The redhead got to her feet. “Let’s go, Kelly. This is boring.”

Phoebe glanced at Dan. This had been his idea, and it was a disaster. But instead of looking repentant, he seemed distinctly pleased with himself.

“It sure has been nice to meet you girls. Now y’all have a good time today, y’hear?”

The girls looked at him as if he were a Martian and began to move down the slope toward a group of boys coming along the path.

“You didn’t exactly wow them,” she pointed out.

He slipped his sunglasses in his T-shirt pocket. “Just you wait, honey lamb. I’ve been impressing females all my life, and I know what I’m doing.”

Molly’s face was crimson with embarrassment, and she looked as if she were ready to break into tears. “I told you I didn’t want to come! I hate this! And I hate you!” She started to rush away, but before she could leave, Dan shot out his arm and pulled her to his side.

“Not so fast, Miz Molly. We’re just getting to the good part.”

Phoebe immediately saw the cause of Molly’s increasing distress. Approaching the group of girls was a gang of four boys, their baseball hats turned backward, oversized T-shirts hanging nearly to the bottoms of their shorts, tongues flapping on big black sneakers.

“Dan, let her go. You’ve embarrassed her enough.”

“I’ve got half a mind to leave the two of you to your own pitiful devices, except I’m not that cruel.”

The girls were calling out the boys’ names, and at the same time trying to look aloof. The boys jabbed each other in the ribs. One of them gave a loud belch that was obviously intended to impress.

And then they saw Dan.

Their mouths dropped, and for several moments they seemed to have lost the power of movement. The girls, chattering and tossing their hair, had surrounded them, but the boys paid no attention. Their eyes were riveted on the Stars’ coach.

And Dan’s eyes were riveted on Molly. He grinned at her and chucked her chin. “Now smile, Miz Molly, and act like you don’t have a care in the world.”

Molly saw what was happening. She swallowed hard as the boys all turned her way.

“Do you know any of them?” Dan asked quietly, keeping his eyes on her.

“The one with the long hair has the locker next to mine.”

Phoebe remembered Molly’s reference to the cute boy who made guitar noises.

“All right, now. You just lift your hand and give him a little wave.”

Molly looked panicked. “I can’t do that.”

“Right now he’s a lot more nervous than you are. Do what I say.”