Sugar Secrets…& Freedom

by Mel Sparke

  Things had been better at home since the big bust-up on Wednesday and there was no mention again of Maya giving up the club. But she hadn’t wanted to rock the boat by asking them to come to the gallery today.

  So who told them? she wondered as the gallery spokesperson began her introductory speech.

  “…and a brilliant selection of portraits…” she heard as her mind raced between the amazing notion that her parents had made the effort to support her, and the awkwardness she felt realising that Billy was still standing at her side.

  “…hard to make a selection from all this talent…”

  What was he thinking?

  Does he think he blew it with me on Wednesday? Or is he so thick-skinned he didn’t twig that the headache was just an excuse to get away? she wondered, finding herself clapping as the third prize winner was announced.

  Her eyes travelled from the newly revealed photo of a smiling old lady to the young teenage boy who went up to shake hands and accept his prize, without taking either of them in.

  Sonja was right – I over-reacted, Maya thought, sneaking a sideways glance at Billy. He may have been a bit clumsy in what he was saying, and he might not even be my type in the long run, but I didn’t really give him much of a chance…

  Suddenly, she realised that Billy was staring at her with his pale blue eyes and a grin a mile wide. Her stomach did a backward somersault.

  Did he just read my mind? she panicked, before hearing the words coming out of his mouth.

  “Go on! Go up!” Billy laughed, pushing her gently on the back with his hand.

  “What?” she asked him, dimly aware of a screech of cheering and whooping coming from somewhere at the back of the hall.

  “You won second prize, Maya!”

  She stared at him for a split second, before being propelled on to the stage by everyone in her club, and finding a shiny new camera case (heavy enough to know it contained a camera) in her hands.

  “Well done!” said the woman from the gallery above the noise of clapping. Maya managed a cursory glance at the portrait she’d taken of her friends before she was back by Billy’s side, shaking and stunned by the surprise and the unexpected flash of a bulb, courtesy of the local paper’s photographer.

  At least I’ll be able to give Joe his dad’s camera back, she managed to reason, her practical side showing through, despite how unsettled she felt.

  “…and by sheer coincidence, the first prize…” Maya caught the woman saying as Alex congratulated her and a wave of gasps and clapping erupted all around.

  “Woah! Yes!! Well done, Billy!” Alex erupted into a yell, his arm still around Maya.

  She watched as Billy went forward and collected a camera and tripod as first prize winner. There were more flashes as the local paper went to work again, illuminating Billy and the portrait he had taken.

  Of me… Maya spotted, her heart lurching in shock.

  It was Maya all right – looking bewildered but beautiful in profile as she contemplated two old men, who were staring back at her open-mouthed, as if they were beholding the rarest, most exotic lotus blossom.

  “Maya!” shouted Billy, motioning her to join him. Once again, Maya felt her fellow club mates propel her on to the stage.

  “That’s me,” she found herself saying stupidly to him. “At the fair, trying to talk to those farmers.”

  “Yep,” grinned Billy as the paper’s photographer yelled for them both to look towards him.

  Maya felt Billy’s lips on her cheek as the white light of the flash blinded her again.

  “Well. Brigid told us that her niece was entering a photo of Ravi playing with piglets, so we had to come,” said her father, smiling warmly at his daughter. “We’ll have to find him – I think all your other school friends took him off to look for it.”

  Sonja – who’d stayed behind with Maya as she stood by her winning entry, being congratulated by and shaking the hands of people she didn’t know – gave her an unseen isn’t-this-brilliant? squeeze around the waist.

  “But, of course, we’re very proud of you too, for getting second prize,” added her mother as people milled around the gallery, at last having the chance to look at all the entries dotted around the walls. “Aren’t we, Sunny?”

  “Yes, Mummy!” Sunita purred sweetly at her mother, before giving her sister an insincere smile.

  “Thanks, Mum,” said Maya, pleased, but also aware that the winning part had a lot to do with her parents’ new-found approval of her hobby. And that Sunny’s appearance today had more to do with curiosity than any desire to show Maya her support.

  Still, she thought to herself, who’s complaining?

  “And what about that portrait of Maya winning, Mrs Joshi?” asked Sonja, keen to milk her friend’s success for all it was worth in front of her parents.

  “Yes – in fact we’re just off to have a closer look at it, aren’t we, Sanjay?” Nina Joshi said to her husband, looking over at the stand which held the winning entry. Hovering beside it, surrounded by friends and family, was Billy, who gave Maya a shy smile and a wave.

  “What’s going on there?” Maya heard Sonja hiss.

  “I don’t know – it’s too early to say,” Maya hissed back, thinking she was referring to Billy. Instead, she found Sonja staring intently at Maya’s black and white photo.

  “It’s all looking suspiciously lovey-dovey in this – well, apart from yours truly, I’m sad to say. And Joey, of course.”

  “What are you on about?” asked Maya, leaning in towards the photo.

  “From that loved-up look on her face, Kerry is obviously waving at her knight in shining apron, who’s out of shot somewhere,” Sonja pointed. “But here’s something more interesting – notice the way Catrina and Matt are staring all gooey-eyed at each other? It’s not starting all over again, is it?”

  Maya had to admit, on closer inspection, that the sidelong look her two friends were giving each other did seem full of longing.

  But that look wasn’t what concerned Maya most: now that she was taking a second look, she realised that Joe wasn’t paying attention to Sonja at all, as she’d assumed when she’d first printed the picture. He seemed to be staring past her, with the soulful, sad look of unrequited love at… Kerry.

  Well, they do say the camera never lies, thought Maya, aware that she’d stumbled on one of Joe’s deep, dark secrets. And it wasn’t just the fact that she knew he hated being called ‘Joey’…

  Sugar SECRETS …

  …& Lust

  Sonja had decided a while ago that it was about time she had a boyfriend. She hadn’t had any serious love interest for months. Most people who knew Sonja considered her to be a ten out of ten on the babe-o-meter. Easily. She had long blonde hair, penetrating blue eyes, perfect bone structure, a figure to die for and great dress sense. She literally turned heads in the street.

  When she thought about it, Sonja realised that she probably was too fussy. But rightly so. She had no intention of going out with just anyone. Most of the guys who came into contact with her and who fancied their chances were given the knock back. Politely, of course.

  But Sonja was no wilting wallflower either. If she saw someone she fancied, she had no qualms about going straight over and chatting them up. Not in a full-on way like Catrina, but subtly, sussing out whether they had a brain behind the good looks. She was quite measured in her approach to guys – they had to be good-looking, but if there wasn’t a spark in the conversation as well, forget it. She didn’t have the time to waste on pretty – but vacant – faces.

  The dilemma with Kyle was that they’d never actually met. Somehow she was going to have to find a way to chat him up in the shop or in the street. Even super-assured Sonja found that prospect daunting. Hence the need for a plan, which she was now ready to put into action.

  Pulling her bright red paddle brush through her hair, Sonja glanced at herself in the full-length mirror in the hallway and gave herself a quick once-over. Straight-cut pants, s
trappy low-heeled sandals, a bright blue T-shirt, lightly bronzed skin and no make-up other than a touch of lip gloss was as much effort as Sonja felt she needed to make. It was as much effort as she ever made, not being into the caked-on make-up look (hence the disagreement with Cat on Saturday night) nor the tarty clothes scene.

  “You’ll do,” she muttered to herself as she grabbed her bag from the sideboard and headed for the front door.

  The stroll through town to the centre of Winstead on such a fabulously hot day was uplifting. She almost forgot her reason for going as she breathed in the heat and listened to the gentle breeze rustling the trees. Being a Sunday, the roads were quieter than normal, and what traffic did pass by seemed to be moving at a much slower pace, in keeping with the laid-back feel of the day.

  When Sonja got to the Plaza, Winstead’s shopping centre, she went inside and wandered towards the new sports shop, looking in casually as she passed. Unable to see Kyle, she sauntered on to the little café at the centre of the mall and ordered a coffee. Then she sat down and spent the next twenty minutes watching the world go by.

  Just as she decided it was time to head back and go right into the shop this time, Sonja saw Kyle wander right past her. Wow! He looked tastier than ever. And, even better, he seemed to be on his own. Perfect! Time to put her plan into action.

  Before he was able to get too far away from her, Sonja leapt up from her seat and chased after him.

  “Ben! Ben! Wait up!” she called as she sped towards his rapidly disappearing (and very cute) rear.

  Not surprisingly, he didn’t turn round. Directly behind him now, Sonja reached up and tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Ben?” she said again. He stopped and turned to her, a confused look on his face.

  “Oh! I’m sorry!” said Sonja, smiling sweetly, then looking at the ground in a show of embarrassment. Returning her gaze to his, she added, “I thought you were someone else.”

  Kyle looked moderately taken aback but pleased at the same time as he took in the vision standing in front of him.

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” he grinned, blushing. “I could change my name if that’s any help…”

  Sonja smiled back and thought so far so good. “That’s okay – and it’s not a disappointment.”

  Anyone else would have cringed at such a line, but not Sonja. She was confident enough to carry it off and make it sound like the most sincere thing she had ever said. And Kyle certainly seemed to appreciate it. His grin just got broader, his face got redder with embarrassment and his eyes popped even further out of his head as he so obviously thought Wow, what a babe!

  “So, uh… were you supposed to be meeting this Ben here, then?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

  “Ooh, no, I came into town on my own,” answered Sonja pointedly. “Ben’s the boyfriend of a friend of mine and you just looked like him from the back.”

  “Oh, right.” They stopped talking and looked at each other for a moment, then Kyle picked up the conversation again. “Uh, it’s my lunchbreak… I was actually just heading off for a coffee. D’you fancy one?”

  “Mmm, that’d be great.” replied Sonja, thinking Yeesss, I’m in here!”

  SOME SECRETS ARE JUST TOO GOOD TO KEEP TO YOURSELF!

  Sugar Secrets…

  1 … & Revenge

  2 … & Rivals

  3 … & Lies

  4 … & Freedom

  5 … & Lust

  6 … & Mistakes

  7 … & Choices

  8 … & Ambition

  COULD YOU MAKE THE FIRST MOVE?

  Looks like Sonja’s about to get the lad of her choice, but what about you? You might like a boy, but doing something about it takes guts. Have you got what it takes?

  When it comes to getting to know each other, do you leave it to the lad to make the first move?

  a) Yes, I’d be far too embarrassed to approach him!

  b) Not necessarily – but I don’t know if I could do it, to be honest.

  c) ’Course not! It’s only fair to take a turn.

  Have you ever chatted someone up?

  a) Me? No way!

  b) Me? No, but I’ve wanted to!

  c) Yes! Haven’t you?

  For you, making the first move would mean…

  a) Looking in his direction, then looking shyly away.

  b) Looking in his direction, then smiling.

  c) Looking in his direction, then finding an excuse to get on over there, pronto.

  You hear from a friend of a friend that a boy really likes you. That gives you…

  a) Hope that something might happen between the two of you.

  b) The confidence to talk to him.

  c) An excuse to start some full-on flirting.

  You’ve seen a lad you like, but he’s given you no indication that he likes you back. You think:

  a) Oh well, that’s that, then.

  b) He might notice me at some point, you never know.

  c) I’ll try chatting him up anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

  What would your girl mates think if you made the first move?

  a) They’d be amazed.

  b) They’d be impressed.

  c) They’re used to it – they know that’s my style!

  What do you think lads make of girls who take the initiative?

  a) They’d think they were coming on too strong.

  b) They’d probably be flattered and flustered at the same time.

  c) They’re well chuffed, in my experience!

  You’ve heard that someone’s a bit of a bad lad. Would you that put you off making a move?

  a) Definitely

  b) Yes; at least, I’d wait and find out a lot more about him.

  c) No. I’ve got to find things out for myself haven’t I?

  If you got knocked back, how would that make you feel?

  a) Devastated – that’s why I never make the first move!

  b) Pretty lousy, but at least I’d know I tried.

  c) A bit put out – but you can’t win ‘em all.

  You think being subtle when you fancy someone is…

  a) The only way I could operate when it comes to lads

  b) A nice way of letting someone know you like them, without making a fool of yourself.

  c) A waste of time – life’s too short!

  NOW CHECK OUT HOW YOU SCORED…

  SCORES

  Mostly a

  You’re shy and unsure when it comes to boys, and that could mean you’re in danger of letting chances slip through your fingers. Your approach is so subtle that the lads you like probably think you have zero interest, so never bother trying to get to know you better! Maybe you could take a leaf out of Sonja’s book and try to be a little more encouraging. OK, so you don’t have the confidence to make the first move, but you should at least let him know that you’d be happy if he did!

  Mostly b

  It takes a lot of courage to make the first move, but you think you might be up for it if the right person came along. And that’s the key: if you take your time and make sure that the lad you like is right for you (and you’re pretty sure he likes you back) then it’s definitely worth being bold. After all, he might be as nervous as you, and someone’s got to take a step towards making something happen!

  Mostly c

  You’re practically fearless when it comes to letting someone know you like them. In loads of ways that’s great; it shows that you’re confident and happy with yourself, and you’re not afraid of taking chances and getting a “no” for an answer! On the other hand, it means that you can sometimes land yourself in trouble, by leaping into situations without stopping to think first! Take care – you might discover that your heart is a lot more fragile than you think…

  Copyright

  Published in Great Britain by Collins in 1999

  Collins is an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

  77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB

 
; The HarperCollins website address is www.fireandwater.com

  9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Creative consultant: Karen McCombie

  Copyright © Sugar 1999. Licensed withTLC.

  ISBN 0 00 675442 2

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  EPub Edition © OCTOBER 2010 ISBN: 978-0-007-40072-0

  About the Publisher

  Australia

  HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

  25 Ryde Road (PO Box 321)

  Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia

  http://www.harpercollinsebooks.com.au

  Canada

  HarperCollins Canada

  2 Bloor Street East – 20th Floor

  Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8, Canada

  http://www.harpercollinsebooks.ca

  New Zealand

  HarperCollinsPublishers (New Zealand) Limited

  P.O. Box 1

  Auckland, New Zealand

  http://www.harpercollinsebooks.co.nz

  United Kingdom

  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.