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Chapter One

THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME I'd been pulled out of bed for a crucial mission It was, however, the first ti

"Are you a virgin?"

"Huh?" I rubbed my sleepy eyes, just in case this was all soent phone call had draggeda little trouble adjusting

My history teacher, Ms Terwilliger, leaned closer and repeated the question in a stage whisper: "I said, are you a virgin?"

"Um, yes"

I was fully awake now and glanced uneasily aroundsure no one was around to witness this crazy exchange I didn't have to worry Aside fro desk attendant on the far side of the room, the lobby was empty, probably because no sane person would be up at this tier's call had woken me, she'd de interrogated about my personal life wasn't quite what I'd expected

She stepped back and sighed in relief "Yes, of course Of course you're a virgin"

I narrowed my eyes, unsure if I should be offended or not "Of course? What's that supposed toon?"

She immediately snapped back to attention and pushed her wire-rie of her nose They were always slipping down "No tirabbed hold of my arm, but I resisted and stayed where I was

"Ma'a!" And then, just so she'd understand the severity of the situation: "On a school night"

"Never mind that" She turned in the direction of the desk attendant and called across the rooue with me about the curfew tomorrow"

The attendant looked startled, but she was just soht She was no ly stature and birdlike face The real authority keeping girls in uard outside, but he sied irls she'd abducted in the ht

"I'm in my pajamas," I told her It was the last protest I could offer as we reached her car, which was parked in a fire lane She drove a red Volkswagen Beetle with flowers painted on the sides Somehow, this didn't surprise me in the least

"You'll be fine," she said, fishing car keys out of her massive velvet purse