Getting the Boot Read online

  She threw open her door and stomped into the common room, where Sheela and Minnie were poring over a thick Italian-history book.

  “Do you guys mind?” Kelly said. “It’s totally rude to blast music when people are trying to sleep.”

  “It’s past noon, Kelly,” Sheela said. “And we have a quiz to study for.”

  “Isn’t that what the library is for?”

  Sheela sighed. “You know, you weren’t so considerate last night when you woke me up by dropping your shoes on the floor at three A.M.”

  “I’ll take that over these horrible, ear-piercing shrieks anytime,” Kelly said.

  Minnie opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, then shut it. Her lip started its familiar quivering. “Fine. I’ll listen in my room.” Once again, Kelly stood in shock as Minnie’s door slammed in her face.

  “That went well.” Sheela sighed and stood up. “I’m going to get some lunch. Do you want to come?”

  “I don’t understand why you’re always taking their side.” Despite the scolding she was surely about to get, Kelly was thrilled to finally have Sheela to herself for a little while. Sheela was usually so busy studying with Minnie or Jarvis that seeing her alone was like getting an audience with the pope.

  “Siding with them? Please, I feel like I’m being paddled back and forth between the three of you like a Ping-Pong ball. I just don’t understand why you go so far out of your way to antagonize them.”

  This was too much. “Me! I’ve been patient as a saint with those two nightmares. What did I do?”

  “Well, none of us like that you bring Joe back to the room all the time. He’s noisy and he’s obnoxious. I can’t imagine why you’re so smitten with him.”

  Kelly shook her head. “You’re being unfair—he’s just joking around with you guys. And I don’t see how sitting in a public area with a friend makes me antagonistic.”

  “Okay, then how about the fact that you made Minnie cry again today?”

  “That’s totally not my fault. She was being a jerk blasting her music. All I did was ask her to turn it down.”

  Sheela sighed patiently. “Kelly, I’m sure your intentions were good, but last week you told her that her wardrobe stinks, and today you ripped into her beloved opera. You’ve been a little harsh, don’t you think?”

  Kelly shrugged. “Well, it’s true, isn’t it? What self-respecting seventeen-year-old listens to that crap and wears flowered shortie overalls? Besides, it takes absolutely nothing to make that girl cry. She’s screwed together way too tight.” Kelly stabbed little dotted lines into her melon slices with the tines of a fork. “Fine, I’m the devil incarnate where Minnie is concerned. But what about Lisa? Are you trying to suggest that the reason she hates me is because I bully her, too?”

  “I’m not saying you’re a bully at all. I’m just saying that if you want to get along with people who are different from you, you’re going to have to be a little more considerate. And a lot more tolerant.”

  Kelly didn’t know what Sheela was talking about. At home, she was friendly to everyone. Almost everyone. She at least tried to smile at the socially unfortunate students. You don’t get to be president of student council two years running by pissing off the people who voted for you.

  “I’m sorry, Sheela, but Lisa is the least tolerant person I’ve met in my whole life. If you don’t eat what she eats, think how she thinks, and do exactly what she says, you get a three-hour lecture.”

  Sheela laughed. “She is a strong dose. But you have to hand it to her, she’s incredibly dedicated to her causes.”

  Kelly snorted. “Yeah, all four hundred of them. I heard she’s organizing a rally in the Piazza del Popolo tomorrow—something about saving the exploited worker bees of the endangered Martian grasslands.”

  Sheela burst out laughing, a belly-busting, mouth-wide-open laugh. It was music to Kelly’s ears, and it sounded a whole lot better than opera.

  To: [email protected]

  From: [email protected]

  Subject: Suite mates . . . who needs ‘em?

  Dear Kelly,

  After everything you did to get to Italy, now you’re complaining? (If I could reach you right now, I’d strangle you!) Anywhere, and anything, has to be better than this stagnant social backwater! Believe me, you’ve so got the better end of the bargain. Your suite mates are just jealous of your divine fashion sense, that’s all. Blow them off, and have some fun!

  Love you,

  Tyff

  Kelly met Joe down in the lounge for movie night that evening. She neatly avoided Lisa and Minnie, who both glared at her, and settled down on a couch next to Joe. Scoping the room, she noticed that Sheela was sitting with Jarvis, deep in conversation.

  “Look at the lovebirds,” Joe cracked. “How sweet.”

  “It is, actually,” Kelly said. “He’s the perfect kind of guy to get Sheela out of her shell—you know, bookish, and not intimidating.”

  Joe smirked. “Translation: The guy’s lame.”

  “Whatever,” Kelly said. “If she’s happy, I’m happy.”

  The movie flickered onto the screen. It was hard to concentrate with Joe playing with her hair and whispering in her ear. Kelly looked up and caught Sheela glaring at them. Guiltily, she shushed Joe. Sheela and Joe were both important to Kelly, and she wanted them to get along. But she was starting to think that only a diplomat could make that happen.

  Kelly sat under a shady tree in the school courtyard Sunday morning, making a list in her notebook. She was tired of trying to break into the tight clique of day-schoolers in the cafeteria, and the nerdy program kids bored her. Joe didn’t “do” breakfast, and even if he did, Kelly knew it would take a crowbar to get him out of bed before 10 A.M. Recently, she had taken to bringing her yogurt and coffee outside every morning. Goth Girl was sitting on a bench nearby, and glanced up from her book to give Kelly a mock salute.

  It didn’t matter. In the two and a half weeks she’d been in Italy, this was the first time Kelly was truly excited about something. At dinner the night before, Dr. Wainwright had announced that whoever was interested could join him for a trip to the shore.

  “Lido di Ostia is not the prettiest beach in the world, but I love it for two reasons. First, it’s only a half hour away on the metro. Second, Ostia Antica was the major seaport of ancient Rome and its base of naval operations during the heyday of the empire. Where else in the world can you find a festive seaside resort sitting cheek by jowl with some pretty spectacular Roman ruins?

  “We’ll get in a little history and still have plenty of time to soak up some rays. And I promise I won’t wear my Speedo.” Dr. Wainwright had guffawed.

  Kelly had smiled over at Joe, who gave her a big wink and the “hang loose” sign.

  The group was leaving right after breakfast, so Kelly hustled down to her storage bin to grab the new black bikini she’d bought especially for this summer. With her mom’s voice echoing in her ears, she grabbed sunscreen and her straw hat. Then she bolted up the five flights to her room to grab a couple of her reading assignments and the fashion magazine Starr had just sent her.

  Lido di Ostia was a bit seedy and run-down, but there were loads of pizzerias, bars, and seafood restaurants scattered along the beach, along with some old-timey hotels that needed a paint job. The group staked out a patch of sand and spread out their towels. Kelly settled back to people-watch. Big Italian grandmas romped in the surf with toddlers beside young couples in skimpy bathing suits. Families laid out elaborate picnic lunches, complete with wine, on their beach blankets. One thing she could say for sure: Italians knew how to eat.

  Wonder of wonders, Sheela had actually come on the trip. She had been on the fence all morning, and it took serious coaxing from Kelly to get her on the metro. She was about as scantily dressed as Kelly had seen her in years—normal-length shorts and a properly fitting T-shirt, with a bathing suit peeking out underneath. Sheela had sexy, womanly curves that other girls would have loved t
o show off. But back home, while Kelly’s other friends casually strutted around the locker room in thongs, Sheela cringed if anyone caught even a glimpse of her bra. Kelly was glad to see her loosening up a little.

  Best of all, Sheela was sitting with Jarvis again. The two of them were talking up a storm, and the way Sheela was laughing and leaning forward was unmistakable—in her own quiet way, she was flirting! The little devil knew how to have fun, after all. Kelly felt strangely proud of her—she had learned from the master. Maybe Kelly would take her aside and give her a few extra pointers later.

  Kelly pulled out her sketch pad and scanned the beach for a subject. Andrea was walking toward her, a pair of to-die-for sandals on her pedicured feet. Kelly wondered where she’d bought them.

  “Hey, Kelly,” Andrea said. “I’m glad to see you brought your sketch pad. Does that mean you’re working on the assignment that was due Friday?”

  Kelly’s heart was hammering. How could she have forgotten? Andrea had asked the art-history students to choose a building or person of historical significance to Rome and do a rendering in charcoal. The class was only held Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Andrea wanted the kids to have as much time as possible to work on their drawings. So she’d given them until Friday afternoon to hand them in. Kelly had completely spaced out; she hadn’t even decided on a subject, let alone started sketching.

  Andrea leaned forward to look at the open page of Kelly’s drawing pad. A lone seagull, drawn in pencil, soared across the page.

  “That’s lovely,” Andrea said, “but not quite the historical subject I was looking for.”

  Kelly blushed. “Andrea, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. May I please have until tomorrow to get it to you?”

  Andrea looked at Kelly for a long moment, then sighed. “Tomorrow morning, eight A.M.”

  Kelly brightened. “Thank you so much! I’ll get started on it right away!”

  Andrea nodded. “I’ve heard you’ve been late to several classes recently. If you’re soaking up all of the wonderful opportunities that Italy has to offer, that’s great, but please keep in mind that you’re here to learn, too. You have too much talent to let it go to waste.”

  “I’ll try harder, Andrea,” Kelly said, flipping to a fresh page to begin her drawing assignment. “I promise.”

  Kelly watched Andrea head down the beach. Then she turned back to her sketch pad, thinking. She had some serious work to do, and not a whole lot of time.

  Later on, they were going to visit the ruins of Lido di Ostia’s forum. She’d definitely be able to start a drawing then, and snap some digital photos as well. She could put the finishing touches on it after dinner. She’d stay up as late as she needed to.

  “What up, Brandt?” The voice was right in her ear, and it scared her silly.

  She gave Joe a playful poke in the ribs. “Where did you sneak up from?”

  “Rod and I are chillin’ farther down the beach. This place blows, man. There’s not a wave to be caught.” Joe put his arm around Kelly’s shoulders. “If you weren’t here in that bikini, the trip would be a total waste.”

  Kelly finally had a chance to check out the tattoo on his arm—it was a band of bright blue waves, with foamy whitecaps on top. She noticed that Joe’s blue-green eyes looked a little glassy.

  “Are you high?”

  He laughed. “Maybe a little bit. Rod and I hooked up with a guy in Ostiense last night and scored some decent weed. We just fired one up. You want some? There’s a delightfully private alley just across the highway.”

  “Not for me, thanks. Anyway, I’m happy to watch the seagulls. God, have you ever seen such a bunch of stiffs in your life? I can’t believe Dr. W got them out of the library for a whole afternoon. I bet kids in Malibu aren’t allowed to be this pasty.”

  Joe didn’t seem to be listening to her. He looked around furtively. “Wanna see something?” He took her hand and slid a warm piece of metal into her palm.

  “Thrilling. A key.”

  “Not just any key, babe. This is the front-door key to the PIR. With this miraculous item in my possession, curfew means nothing to me.”

  “Where did you get this?”

  “I’m tricky that way. Let’s just say I’m real good at getting what I want.” He gazed at her meaningfully. “After dinner tonight, I’m going to take you dancing. How about it?”

  Kelly’s heart leaped, but then she hesitated. “I really shouldn’t. I have to finish an assignment for Andrea’s class. It’s already late.”

  Joe snorted. “It’s not due today, is it?”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “So finish it tomorrow morning.” He smiled at her. “You know you’re dying to check out the club scene here.”

  What could Kelly say? What Joe Leahy wanted, Joe Leahy got.

  “I’ll be there,” she said.

  Joe took her to Testaccio, the neighborhood right next to Aventino. It was a pretty grim-looking area, kind of industrial and blah. “Some of the hottest clubs in the city are here,” Joe told her. “Rod and I scouted out a whole bunch of ’em.”

  Dr. Wainwright had already taken them to Testaccio for an ancient-history class. Back in ancient times, it was the city dump. Later on, it became the part of town where all the city’s slaughterhouses were located. Kelly was relieved to know they were long gone.

  One of the highlights of the neighborhood was a pyramid where some big-shot politician was buried a couple thousand years ago. Kelly was kind of shocked to see a pyramid in the middle of Rome, but it turned out that the ancient Romans were totally crazy for Egyptian stuff.

  The area was hopping with young people heading out to eat or party. Joe obviously knew exactly where he was going, and grabbing her hand, he led her into a nondescript old warehouse building. Inside, strobes popped like crazy and techno pulsed so loudly she could feel it in her gut. Kelly’s heart pounded with excitement. Why on earth hadn’t she had a real date with Joe sooner?

  “C’mon, let’s get a drink.” They worked their way toward the bar.

  One of her parents’ conditions for Kelly attending the PIR was that she sign a contract specifically geared toward Rome. Kelly went through its conditions in her mind.

  I, Kelly Rebecca Brandt, agree to obey the following terms for the duration of my time in Italy. I understand that failure to comply with these rules will result in immediate removal from the program:1. No alcohol except wine, and only at supervised school functions.

  2. No drugs other than medication prescribed by a doctor to treat a specific illness.

  3. No piercings or tattoos!

  4. I will not ride scooters, Vespas, or motorcycles, either as a driver or a passenger.

  5. I will finish all daily schoolwork before pursuing leisure activities.

  6. I will not go out by myself at night.

  7. I will call or e-mail home at least once a week.

  No alcohol except wine, and only at supervised school functions. There was no way to get around that one, so she decided that bending the rules halfway was her best bet.

  “I’ll just have a glass of wine.”

  Joe waved his hand dismissively. “Nah, you’re in Rome, babe! You’ve gotta try something really Italian tonight.” He waved over the bartender and shouted in his ear. “Due Campari soda, per favore.” He handed her a glass of what looked like a Shirley Temple. “Drink up, Brandt. We have serious dancing to do.”

  Kelly put the glass to her lips and nearly gagged. “You’re joking, right? This stuff is utterly foul!”

  Joe laughed. “Tastes like cough medicine, right? But Italians love it. They’re really into the bitter taste. Drink up—the farther down you get, the more you’ll like it.”

  They were out on the dance floor for hours, having a blast. Kelly did feel a twinge of guilt about lying to Sheela; Kelly had told her that she was hanging out in Joe and Rodney’s room and wouldn’t be back until late.

  Right now Sheela was probably in the library with Jarvis, grinding
away at her Latin. Kelly probably should have been there, too, working on her art assignment. She’d get up early tomorrow to finish it, but drawing bleary-eyed seemed like a bad way to try to get back into Andrea’s good graces. She’d just have to work harder on her next project.

  “You still have that key, right?” Kelly shouted over the music.

  Joe pulled a string out from under his shirt and dangled the key in front of her face. “No worries at all, babe. Dr. Wainwright locks the door at one A.M., but he never does a room check. We can stay out as long as we want. Just relax and have fun. You seem like you need it.” He leaned in and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

  Kelly shut her eyes and smiled. The music washed over her like the turquoise waves of the Mediterranean Sea.

  Kelly giggled as she struggled to open the door to her suite. Joe was leaning against the door, blocking the keyhole and laughing loudly.

  “Come on, Joe. Let me go to bed,” she said for about the fourth time. “It’s three, and I can’t be late for class tomorrow.”

  Joe laughed even louder, a sloppy grin spreading across his face. “Why break your perfect record? If you showed up on time, people would freak.”

  Kelly gave him a playful shove. Joe had sucked down about three too many Camparis at the club, leaving Kelly to track down a taxi while he dozed on the curb. When they finally got back to the dorm, she almost had to carry him upstairs. If she’d had more than one drink herself, they might still be in Testaccio.

  Joe nuzzled her neck. “Let’s go down to the lounge and crash on the couch for a while.”

  “Yeah, right.” Kelly rolled her eyes. This had been fun for about the first five minutes, but now it was getting ridiculous. All Kelly wanted to do was go to sleep. “Just because they don’t do room checks doesn’t mean that we won’t wake everybody with all the noise we’re making. My roommates would love to see me get busted.” She ducked under his arm and triumphantly turned the key in the lock. “Say good night, Joe,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek as she squeezed through her half-open door.