native english

8/16/2019 Native English

1/97

The sentences below are commonly used by native speakers, so non-native speakers of

English can make full use of their speeches in their daily English conversation.

I just have to stop off ( to visit or stay at a place briefly when you are going somewhere else ) in the

bathroom.

Shona ! "eannie, may I use your bathroom # !

"eannie $o ahead, but make it snappy, okay # ( to tell someone that you want them to do somethingimmediately and to do it quickly )

%ou should have heard the fuss my mom kicked up &

'nd could I have a long-sleeved jacket this time # The short-sleeved ones are so babyish.

Sorry, I am terrible with names &

If it's any consolation, (om yell the most at the students she thinks are the best.

I guess I)m grinning because "eannie didn)t holler very much for a change.

*ugh (ac+endrick is a real slave driver.

*e)s so cute that it's a shame he)s not nicer.

... even though *ugh is obviously out of my league.( to be too good or too expensive for you ) The

championship doesn)t have to be ....

h, Shona. %ou are such a party pooper. ( someone who spoils other people's enjoyment bydisapproving of or not taking part in a particular activity )

%ou could if you put your mind to it.

I saw them going into that pia parlor on 'ustin Street. Are they dating #

..... hoping she didn)t sound too breathless.

I thought it might brighten up my practices.

ell, we)re just starting out, so we foul up sometimes.

/on)t you need a jacket or anything # It)s freezing out.


2/97

*ugh 'nd here you are spending your coffee break with another *ighland dancer.

Shona 0ut that)s by choice.

If you keep working on it hard, I think you have a real shot at it this year, ...

0ut I haven)t been very up front about - somebody else.

..... maybe he just wants more people to fill out the audience, but I am dying to go.

I)ll call you later about 1riday night, + #

%ou)d think I was planning to pull an all-nighter or something.

..... she was speechless with delight.

I don)t want to gush or anything, -- but well, you are great.

%ou should come jam with us sometime.

0ye, (om don)t wait up.

This girl definitely has taste. It)s not fair, (ac+endrick. %ou always hog all 2uality women.

This round)s on me. %ou can get the ne3t one if you want.

(yles seemed to be a big hit with all the girls.

4ast Sunday I wanted to kiss you too, but I was afraid that if I did, you)d think I was being

fresh. ( being too confident and showing a lack of respect, or showing by your actions or words that you want to have sex with someone )

.... savoring ( to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to appreciate it as much as possible ) the

memory of *ugh)s kisses ......

I was a total wreck ( A person who is physically or mentally broken down or worn out ) that day.

I thought maybe you had an ulterior motive.

So you saw through my diabolical plot, uh #


3/97

I understand you have a pretty good shot at that second runner-up again.

Shona has an even better shot at winning first place, 'ynsley, so you)d better be on your toes.

*ugh let out a whoop of laughter.

It)s a lot of hard work and everything, but I really love it.

%ou can)t risk it, not with the championships so close.

1inally they nodded their heads in un

ison.

I wish you two wouldn)t holler at me like that. It)s awfully embarassing when I)m with a guy.

%ou better win that championship just to make up for all this neglect.

*ave you got your hooks into "ohn 5owell yet #

(om, you weren)t supposed to let on, I wanted to surprise her.

%ou)re really starting to show a lot of poise, .......

5air that with poise, and in my opinion you)ve got 'ynsley beat.

She)s still on my case for coming home late the last couple of times we went out.

%ou)ll have a whole week to rest up for it.

I fell on the way home, I didn)t damage anything vital, but I feel kind of achy.

ill you please stop channel-hopping .......

In answer to her parents) worried 2uestions, she confessed that she and *ugh had broken up.

I)m just picking up a pair of panty hose. would you believe every pair I own has a run. ( along vertical hole in tights and stockings )

I bet she)s planning on making a big play for him tonight at 6athy /avidson)s very

e3clusively party.

7ow that *ugh)s available, she)ll probably be all over him, trying to catch him on the

rebound.

I don)t like any of these dresses, they)re really tacky. ( of cheap quality or in bad style )


4/97

.... you should have seen him tripping all over his feet. *e simply couldn)t keep time with the

music.

'fterward she ran some errands for her mother, then spent the rest of the day working on an

English paper, doing household chores, and listening for the phone.

8andals is a new teen club that just opened up.

%ou)re not much of a talker, are you #

+im I thought he)d be a refreshing change from you-know-who.

Shona ) 9efreshing ) is hardly the word for it.

6an)t you put a smile on your face and make the best of it for tonight #

I was feeling kind of lonely and mixed up.

*er legs felt rubbery ( weak ) as she climbed the stairs, as if .....

%ou)re not still moping about *ugh, are you #

*e)s bound to be there, whether he wants to come or not. "eannie and 6hristina wouldn)t lethim wimp out. ( to decide not to do something because you are too frightened )

k that)s enough play-by-play ( A detailed commentary of an event as it unfolds ), I don)t want to

know what happens ne3t &

're you two up to joining me #

'ynsley was talking a blue streak ( to talk quickly and without stopping ) , but *ugh didn)t seem

to be paying much attention.

I can)t believe she actually got him up on his feet.

I think I just saw him heading for the refreshment stand.

%our father just threw his back out ( to injure one's back in some way ) on the dancer floor.

I told you I was a rotten dancer.

Shona raced to the kitchen on tiptoe .......


5/97

I know I should have called you, but I guess my pride got in the way.

I was so wrapped up in how important the championship is to me that I didn)t spare a

thought for how important your gig was to you.

%ou)ll need to be well rested for the competition tomorrow.

I)m just beginning to recuperate from an overdose of it.

%ou absolutely sparkled up there onstage.

h please, you)re going to give me a swelled head.

She knew she stood a better chance of winning the championship since her chief competitor

wasn)t in top form.

Today)s competition would determine whether she was a champion *ighland dncer or just an

also-ran. ( someone in a competition who is unlikely to do well or who has failed )

If you don)t want me to coach you for the nationals, I won)t.



(ark was definitely up to no good.

pare me the details, please.

*e may be poetry in motion on the basketball court, ........

%ou actually laid bets on whether or not 6ollete would go out with $ary #

7o, I refuse to have anything to do with this tacky scheme of yours.

0eth If he asked one of you to the prom, would you go #

'udrey *mmmm. That)s a tough call. ( a difficult decision to make )

*e had a short attention span, and it didn)t take much to distract him.

(ark said you could get me in shape for the prom.


6/97

$ary just needs some pointers on how to get his girl.

:nfortunately, my brother was wise to my tactics.

I am going to drag you into my family s!uabbles.

I don)t know e3actly what weakened my resolve.

In a world full of guys all trying to act super cool, $ary)s total lack of pretension was a

refreshing change.

$ary had never struck me as any kind of a genius, but since I was barely s!ueaking by with

6)s, I couldn)t afford to be choosy.

...... I put the car in reverse instead of forward ......

The only trouble is, she)s so beautiful that I get all choked up and can)t think of anything to

say.

...... those guys usually had other attributes that made up for their shortcomings, like style or

charisma.

..... when she drew up even with me, I nodded for $ary to make his move.

%es, lately it seems as if we)ve been having weather every day.

(ark)s bed was unmade, .............

I think I am beginning to catch on.

.... your room is a health hazard .........

..... they were made for durability, not style.

%ou)re in for the surprise of your life.

I am terrible at algebra.

I)ll keep him in mind, if I ever get desperate.

It might be best to level with him right away. *ow do you know you)re not setting him up for

a bigger disappointment later on.

$uys just aren)t sensitive about that sort of thing.


7/97

:ntil I paid him off , I)d have to continue with $ary)s tutoring.

I look 2uickly away, confused by my reaction to his nearness.

(y nervousness grew with every passing minute.

henever there is work to be done, my brother has a habit of disappearing.

6olette)s already gotten her hooks into him.

If $ary was willing to shell out that kind of money for a trial run, he must have high hopes

for prom night.

I can tell you)ve a lot of e3perience bossing guys around.

The rest of the evening seemed sort of anti-climatic after all we)d been through.

I was 2uiet during the drive home, ..........

.... you both handled the situation with a lot of maturity.

..... to tell you the truth, this wasn)t my first brush with the law.

$ary is prime-time in love with her.

I couldn)t hold it in any longer.

I)ll pay off your debt to (ark, and you can make the rest of the payments to me.

0eth, do you mind if we have another look at that sale rack . I just had a sudden urge to buy a

party dress.

She)s away for the weekend.

6olette is his for the asking.

'll my fighting spirit faded away at the sight of her.

*e)s probably just bashful. $ary)s still not used to being the center of attention.

$ary looked just as good up close as he had from a distance.

I hate disappoint you, but I am claiming all of $ary)s slow dances.


8/97

Eddie)s thinking of asking your friend "an to the prom, and he wants to know if you)d put in

a good word for him.

The sentences below are commonly used by native speakers, so non-native speakers ofEnglish can make full use of their speeches in their daily English conversation.

7ow a new fear gripped me.

I was just about to give up in despair, .......

's she hurried off to do so, .........

I pasted on a smile and tried to exude a confidence I didn)t really feel.

I felt myself blushing.

I was scared half to death.

I bet you wear contacts.

0 " was the jealous type.

Scott "here's my ride. I)ve got to go. 7ice meeting you, Scott.

Tralain Same here. $uess I will be seeing you around.

0 ")s jealousy was also pretty hard to take.

I)m just tired. /ad ran me ragged ( make them do a lot of work ) today.

Since I had everything worked out in my mind, it didn)t take long to make my list.

I never laid eyes on Scott until today.

If I were you, I)d steer clear of ( to try to avoid someone or something unpleasant or difficult ) Scott

Tyson.

I)ll call 0 " and he)ll be here in a flash.

I blew a loud blast on my whistle .........


9/97

(ind if I volunteer #

I didn)t mean to upstage ( to do something that takes people's attention away from someone else who is

more important ) you. I just thought you could use a little help.

/uring the rest of that week at 6amp (errywood, I didn)t feel nearly as hassled.

e never went anywhere fancy, ...........

That)s an ugly rumor.

I am afraid he)ll be really crushed, if I don)t come to his party.

In that case, my first suggestion still stands.

.... so I left a message with his mother.

%ou)d better hustle downstairs. Tralain, I will be along in a minute.

....... the former owners were tennis freaks who played day and night, what do you say #

I don)t know how much competition I)ll be able to give you.

I beat you fair and s!uare# Tyson. 'dmit it &

0esides, I couldn)t really bring myself to believe it.

.... you already have a boyfriend. so I figured either you)d turn me down or he)d beat me up.

6an I see you again # I have some time off on Saturday.

I threw on a robe over my shortie pyjamas .........

I think it)s pretty low-down of you ( dishonest, unkind ) to make up that story

...... you could go out with Scott behind my back.

%ou)re as hooked on Tyson as he is on drugs.

$here do you get off ,( to tell someone that they are asking you for too much or are behaving in a way you

will not accept ) bad mouthing Scott when all you have to go on is gossip # 6an)t you see how

cruel that is #


10/97

I)d been bored with 0 " for a long time, but hadn)t had the courage to break up with him until

he forced the issue.

...... the thought of spending an entire day with him gave me a lift all through the rest of the

week.

.... we both sang along with the music for a while.

(y legs are kind of cramped from sitting in the van for so long.

Tralain 'fter the way you beat me at tennis (onday night, I thought you were in great

shape.

Scott I am, but I never said I run marathons &

Tralain I am kind of winded too. ......... although he didn)t seem to be breathing hard.

I am just going to show Tralain around, and then we're off.

The place smelled strongly of fish ..............

're you still hungry, Tralain # Those sandwiches are pretty skimpy.

%et off my case, will you, /ad, # I am seventeen years old, not seven.

Scott had certainly overreacted to his father)s obvious concern, ......

Scott stopped the van at the day-use area of the sprawling state park.

I took out my camera and focused it for a close-up shot.

Scott and his friends caught up on old times.

e were all wrecked when he moved away.

.... a lot of the kids in our crowd just coun)t keep up with him. It)s like he)s on speed ( on

drugs ) or something.

'fter Scott had drunk his fill, he reached for my hand.

(y mind was reeling as I straightened up.


11/97

4unch was a long time ago and those snacks we ate at the beach don)t stick with you

Tralain, you look like you could use some cheering up.

'll things considered, I think he)s keeping a pretty low profile.

.... a simply phone call might clear up the whole mess .........

%ou have to be more subtle than that and you have to lead up to it gradually in casual

conversation.

if everyone whispers behind Scott)s back, or treats him like an outcast or something ...

I could only force down a few mouthfuls.

I must have stared at the phone for ten minutes, before I got up the nerve to dial.

If looks could kill, the one I gave Trish would have finished her off on the spot.

4et)s wait until some of the others clear out.

... a wonderful, warm smile that made me go weak in the knees.

I made a huge effort not to burst into sobs.

%ou)re still dripping wet.

.... maybe he has to stop to gas up his car.

I went limp with relief.

.... since 0ren is my best friend, she should be in on it too.

...... he replied all in one breath.

I was so emotionally drained that I could hardly summon up the energy to creep out of the

car.

...... keeping busy helped to keep me from sinking into total despair.

I could see her pacing back and forth, her face white and strained.

I felt a surge of apprehension as I followed him outside, and my hands felt suddenly clammy.( feeling wet, cold, and sticky in a way that is unpleasant )


12/97

...... but /ad still fusses over ( to pay a lot of or too much attention to someone, especially to show that

you are pleased with them or like them ) me, and it drives me nuts.

The sentences below are commonly used by native speakers, so non-native speakers ofEnglish can make full use of their speeches in their daily English conversation.

e can check on the way to geometry and see if we made it, if you)ll stop stalling. ( to make someone wait or stop something from happening until you are ready )

.... she wasn)t too thrilled about signing up for any of the competitive after-school activities.

Trisha wasn)t the vain snob ( someone who is vain is very proud of their good looks, abilities, or

position ) she)d e3pected.

Still, she couldn)t resist studying him out of the corner of her eye.

.... his radiant smile would immediately turn any girl)s brain to jelly.

0rian has a nice voice, deep and resonant.

There was nothing pressing she had to do at home, ..........

0rian)s une3pected friendliness had really thrown her, .....

Every muscle in my body aches, .....

Trisha)s reasoning was beginning to sound interesting ........

"ulie was beginning to see the endless possibilities. ..... kind of like investigative reporting #

Suddenly, she was brimming with idea for her column.

I remember writing a scathing editorial about cheating on e3ams that shook up the wholeschool.

She hurried out the door.

's soon as she got outside she dismissed her mother)s concern.

.... she)d signed up for it, she certainly was no !uitter.

5lease plan to meet with one of us as soon as possible, so you can make the deadline.


13/97

hat kind of piece were you thinking of doing on the school library.

%ou have to have some kind of focus, "ulie.

.... opening her notebook and uncapping her pen.

Surely the students have some input into the selection process.

She 2uickly walked out of the library feeling e3cited that she)d hit upon something.

..... in her haste she had forgotten to run the spell check, ........

True or not, this column is too strongly worded. %ou)ll have to revise it.

I just don)t have the hang of these new routines yet.

*er column would never see the light of day .......

*e is just plain mean &

She struggled to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.

ne thing was sure. 0rian 1redrickson wasn)t worth crying over, neither ....

It was hard to imagine her 2uiet friend getting up on a stage.

... it seemed that she and Trisha were beginning to form a special bond.

%ou really are just like your father --- he never lets anything get him down.

%ou)d better keep the dessert in the front seat, *arvey can)t resist sweets.

I am sorry I blew up at you the other day.

.... the thought of trigonometry makes my head ache.

The more she saw of 0rian, the more she liked him.

*e didn)t ask you out to a movie or anything #

*is face lit up in a smile.

I didn)t know you two were seeing each other.


14/97

I was interested in him for a while, but that)s all in the past.

/on)t get so defensive.

"hey're a lot of fun

It)s just that you seem more thoughtful than the rest of them.

I don)t think anyone has ever done a piece on that subject ........

The boys are a lot rougher on their stuff than we are.

Every other time they bused us back the same night.

/o you think the girls) athletic programs get a fair shake ( fair treatment )#

.... a good reporter should put her subject at ease.

4ibrarian 're you going to !uote me #

Trisha I write an opinion column, so there)s really no need to use names, .....

I got my information from an ) informed source ).

I get enough flak ( strong criticism ) as it is.

I was hoping you could fill in a few blanks for me.

hat I really want is a breakdown ( [countable] a written statement explaining the details of something

such as a bill or the cost of a plan ) by sport.

"ulie didn)t buy that, but she let it pass.

"ust what are you getting at #

Instead of toning down the strong language, he)d simply chopped it out.

"ulie set her glass down very carefully and helped herself to some chips.

It)s beautiful Trisha, but it looks so sophisticated.

%ou look like you could use some cheering up.


15/97

I know you will give it some thought before you do.

I)m better off going, even if I have a miserable time.

I have been pretty busy. I have any English paper due ne3t week.

I edited some piece that were really in bad shape.

"ulie 're you still mad at him about what he did to your column.

Trisha h, I am over that.

0rian drove to the twenty-four-hour diner on the edge of town.

..... he doesn)t want it to look like he)s playing favorites.

"ulie %ou haven)t eaten much of your dinner.

Trisha I had a big lunch today.

'll I know about cars is where to put the gas.

Spending time with you isn)t e3actly a chore.

This should hold us over for a while.

+evin)s at swim practice, and Tom has a piano lesson.

nce they come home, it)ll be a mad house.

0rian I don)t remember it.

Trisha That)s because you didn)t read the opinion column.

0rian I could read it now, then take another angle.

She picked up a handful of chips and munched on them, stalling for time.


16/97

0y the time "ulie got home, she was soaked to the skin.

%ou always tell me to stand up for myself, and now you want me to let some stupid boy walk

all over me # ell, I won)t stand for it.

hat about that game of checkers, now. It might take your mind off the troubles.

If I turn it in like this, I just know 0rian will tear it apart.

Trust me, you can)t make it any worse.

ell, it)s kind of flat. There)s no color to it.

(aybe you could reword it a little.

0ut reporters are supposed to be concise.

*ow could she have been so thoughtless.

I)m going to take your advice and see if I can liven it up a little.

Sorry, I wasn)t more tactful about it.

If 0rian doesn)t like the changes you make in your article, you can blame it on me.

.... they might have worked out some kind of compromise.

I gave the whole thing a lot of thought today.

It)s a definite possibility.

'll this indecision was making her heart pound.

I tried to talk to you, but you didn)t take my calls.

The tight knot in "ulie)s stomach began to unwind.



I knew a lot of boys who were good-looking ..... but 0rad put them in the shade.

So you are nuts about 0rad 4ewis, huh #


17/97

I heard his 2uestion but it didn)t really register.

... so I)d have to ask (om to come by for me.

0ut I didn)t want him to know I)d been angling for a ride.

.... let me give you a hand with these.

I thought you disapproved of beauty contest on general principle, ....

.... he always said hi and gave me a special smile that turned my knees to jelly.

.... a girl could be friends with a guy without any romantic stuff messing things up.

.... one of 4auren)s shoes slipped off my foot, and I walked right out of it.

.... I had blown whatever chance I might have had to make the final cut.

as 0rad 4ewis really asking me for a date #

I gave him a dirty look.

e)re giving this place a touch of class.

I stubbed my toe. ( to hurt your toe by hitting it against something )

%ou)ll never make any money that way.

..... to steer the conversation away from myself.

I)ll call you over the weekend.

The door opened a crack , and my mother stuck her head in.

/o you think you will be seeing more of him.

*e was dripping wet and looked so pathetic ..........

ill you two please pipe down #

I put in a couple of applications just in case I get turned down.

I)ll split the money with you fifty-fifty.


18/97

6aitlin ant me to fix you up #

+yle 7o way. 0ubblebrains don)t turn me on.

(om and /ad won)t let me be out late on a school night.

.... it was wrong of (om and /ad to be so unreasonable.

I stewed over the problem all afternoon, .......

.... if I tell you something really important, will you promise to keep it a secret #

*ave I ever broken a promise to you #

I could tell that in spite of himself ( if you do something in spite of yourself, you do it although you did

not expect or intend to do it ) , +yle was dying of curiosity.

+yle slowed the car to a crawl.

.... the game might be rained out ( be rained off ritish !nglish be rained out American !nglish if an

event or activity is rained off or rained out, it has to stop because there is too much rain" ) anyway .......

... this game)s a really big deal to me.

hen I got home, I realied that I had a lot of time on my hands and nothing interesting to

do with it.

I)m sworn to secrecy, so I can)t reveal the caller)s identity.

Then I composed myself and walked slowly to the door.

hen I stood up, it gave out on me.

I)m not going to tell you her name, if that)s what you)re leading up to.

6aitlin ... no matter what happens, let)s not lose each other.

+yle e won)t, not if I can help it

/oes that give you some claim on her #


19/97

+yle felt sorry for me because I was so bummed about not being able to go to the game

with you, ...

0ut keeping the peace was a real strain, ..........

+yle didn)t seem in any hurry to depart.

If you need any help unscrambling ( to change a television signal or a message that has been sent in

code (#a deliberately confusing way) so that it can be seen or read ) those notes, just let me know.

+yle and 0rad were each trying to force the other to leave first, and neither would give an

inch.

.... he was wearing cutoffs.

It wasn)t enough for you to come budging in on my date with 0rad and refuse to leave.

&ow do you think you)d feel if he did start dating someone.

I bought a new outfit to wear to school on (onday.

.... but considering how he)d probably react, I took the coward's way out.

The $randville $iants had made the play-offs for the first time in history ...

..... but after two weeks of baseball morning, noon and night. /eciding that turnabout was

fair play when 0rad asked what I)d like to do 1riday evening.

I walked slowly back to my room with a feeling of resignation.

'ny hopes I had that the game would be called off were dashed .......

I am about ready to leave. ant to hitch a ride with me #

/on)t you ever get tired of all the giving while does all the taking.

.... he was in the sunniest of moods.

... there were dark circles under my eyes.

The big ape treats you like dirt ..... I thought you had more self-respect than that.

It)s just going to take a little time to work out the kinks in our relationship.


20/97

I guess old habits die hard. ( used to say that it takes a long time to change to a new way of doing something )

The warm sunshine felt wonderful to me after three days of being housebound.

It)ll be an away game (an away game or match is played at your opponent's field or sports hall ) , against

the Standard *igh 0ears.

/on)t let 4ewis hear you say that, or he)ll blow a fuse.

Sorry about that, 6aitlin, you were a good sport to stick it out.

It)s probably just heartburn.

......... in all the years we)d known each other, I had never seen +yle in formal attire.

I never guess that they were an item ( if two people are an item, they have a sexual relationship ), did

you #

As luck would have it, the ne3t dance was a slow one.

*ey, desperate situations call for desperate measures.

hy are you offering this anyway, e haven)t been on the best of terms ( be on good/bad terms

to have a friendly relationship or bad relationship with someone ), y)know.

1urious at being tricked, 0rad let loose a stream of abuse at +yle and me ......

+yle and 0rad were both too winded to speak, ......

I am afraid he)s been drinking --- he)s in no condition to drive.

I cried myself to sleep that night.

1rom now on I)d try to steer clear of him, .......

(aybe some e3ercise will clear the cobwebs out of my head. ( blow$brush$clearthe cobwebs away to do something, especially go outside, in order to help yourself to think more clearly and

have more energy )

6an)t we forget about it and pick up where we left off #


21/97

+yle %ou)re telling me we are through #

6aitlin "hat's about the size of it.

"hrowing caution to the winds ( throw$fling$cast caution to the winds to start to take more risks in what

you do or say ) , I ran down the porch steps and raced across the street.

...... he was a far cry from a hero of last night)s adventure.

I had never seen +yle so flustered.

+yle, will you let me get a word in edgewise ( get a word in edgeways also edgewise to get a chance

to speak ). 5lease don)t move away and forget me

...... twinning my arms around his neck.



:nless Sally ruins my hair, in which case I will call off my date with Scott ...

' smile tugged at his mouth.

Then, I am off the hook #

*ank walked over to the cashier to make his purchases.

(y eyes occasionally stray. 7o harm in looking, you know.

/arrin was good-looking, well-mannered, and he treated her as an e!ual ...

I was going to fi3 the plug on /.6)s heat lamp. The wires are starting to fray.

(arty finally made good on her threat .........

Eight weeks is plenty of time to make some headway .....

*ank looks tough, but on the inside, he)s a real softie.

The drone of an engine drowned out their laughter.

They are hard to spot because they blend in with the woods and snow


22/97

It won)t open from the inside.

The film was a spy thriller.

..... the car picked up speed again and drove off before they could catch up to it.

It)s got to be more than the money.

*ank If you)re going to keep seeing this guy, well then, maybe I)ll start looking around too.

(arty Suit yourself. There)s already too much of that going around.

.... it was up to her to smooth things over.

..... the flow of customers slowed to a trickle, then stopped altogether.

*ank 're you any good at pules.

(arty I am not too bad.

*ank stared at her with mock awe.

(y fingers work faster to music.

4ila)s the one who gives me grief .

.... why the swift change in him.

6onfused, she tried to sort out her feelings.

0ut somehow, the emotional tug was no longer there.

Sally 0ut you two fight like cats and dogs.

(arty %eah, well, It)s all a front#( to be used for hiding a secret or illegal activity )

for me at least.


23/97


24/97

relationship )

'lone with her jitters, (arty paced back and forth ...

Each second seemed like an eternity.

..... when he smiled and took (arty in his arms, it almost seemed like old times.

The traffic)s bound to be awful, especially when the concert lets out.

hat did I do to rate such a terrific best friend #

It was so soft from many washings and so faded ........

4ila was the biggest 2uestion of all.

0renda)s eyes twinkled as he started away.

So he)s under the impression I asked him out ......

*e must think I have tons of nerve.

4et)s find out seats before they dim the lights.

This was all 0renda)s doing, wasn)t it #

I)ll pay you for it.

.... when it came right down to it, we weren)t right for each other.

I was just trying to help you out.

4ila can)t compete with you.

%ou made me feel good about myself.



+atie "ean )6onnor dashed up the front steps of her house with her arms full of books and

her head full of dreams .....

+atie shook her head in mock despair. ( despair that you pretend to feel )


25/97

I)ve spent most of the day slaving at my computer in the nice, cool den, and I)m beat.

(y car is parked in the driveway.

+atie stalked away, hoping she appeared cool and calm in spite of the fact that she wasseething inside.

%ou know that we leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

I)ll call just as soon as we get settled in our new house.

... her parents went through a kind of messy divorce, ......

illie idolied his father and brother, and in his eyes they could do no wrong.

...... so he could become tough in mind and body.

Somehow I can)t picture you as a lawyer.

on)t that get you home rather late.

.... she had asked her mother why she was so strict with her.

illie and I can clear the table tonight. hy don)t you go get ready for your date.

I)ll be home around twelve or so.

' friend of mine, a very terrific friend, is moving here in a few days.

.... maybe we could set her up with your friend 9ick ....

ccasionally, +atie did a brief spot covering the latest fads and fashions ....

e stopped at "oe)s for a hamburger after the party and it was mobbed.

If you)re drifting around somewhere on (loud ine, we don)t stand a chance of beating those

"6 girls.

This is just like old times.

9emember how we used to pig out in 0erlin before we went out searching for .....

This ugly duckling became a swan because ....... who couldn)t stand the sight of her, so shemade some changes.


26/97

.......but I was pretty awful there for a while.

(r. *adley was a real dreamboat, remember +atie #

ow, wait til the kids at school take a load of that.

h, I was going with a 1rench boy in 5aris for a while, but I ditched him when I found out he

was seeing somebody else on the side.

Think you could update me on the garbage I missed while I was away.

That 1riday evening, +atie and Scott double-dated with (elissa and 9ick.

I)ve heard a lot about you, (elissa, but nothing I)ve heard does you justice.

.... he)d be very happy if I took over his practice some day

%ou looked so pretty in that white western outfit.

It doesn)t mean a thing. /on)t be paranoid.

ver the ne3t two weeks, +atie saw very little of (elissa ..........

+atie decided to find out why (elissa had dropped 9ick like a hot potato.

..... his family belongs to a really posh country club.

hat are you doing home tonight #

(onday)s ! Teen Scene ! taping went off without a hitch.

I wonder what poor sap she)ll hit on ne3t #

.... (elissa likes to play the field, but that doesn)t make her a bad person.

h, Scott I hope you are not coming down with something. There is a lot of stomach flu

going around.

..... you should give me some pointers about what to say so he doesn)t take it the wrong

way.

..... there must be girls hanging all over him afterward.


27/97

This is the exact same thing.

..... she felt guilty about keeping the news from him, but she couldn't bring herself to

mention it.

I guess creative talent must run in )6onnor family.

..... congratulated her on landing the leading role in the musical.

're you free the weekend of 7ovember ) #

I am sort of shy, and I)m not much of a talker, but if you poke me I)ll probably rustle up a

sentence or two

0en I guess maybe you)re as nervous about talking to me as I am about talking to you.

+atie "hat's about the size of it ( that's about the size of it spoken used to agree that what someonehas said about a situation is a good or correct way of describing it )

0en I)ll be sure to poke you a couple of times to get you going.

+atie kay. 0ut not in the ribs. I am real ticklish.

..... but if we run into traffic, it could take longer .......

..... every time I come I feel kind of a glow.

1or a while, I even thought about becoming a cadet, but I decided against it.

/o you want to freshen up or anything before we leave.

I bet 0en 'nderson will flip out ( to feel very excited and like something very much ) when he sees

you.

+atie gave him a mock scowl. ) 're you telling me I am getting fat # )

+atie *e seems very cute.


28/97

(elissa 7o romantic sparks #

ith or without false eyelashes on your nose, I like your looks.

+atie)s heart went out to him. ) oh, I am not angry, in fact I am flattered ) %ou just took me by

surprise, that)s all.

+atie did a lot of heavy thinking on the plane ride back home that Sunday afternoon,

+atie)s feeling of unease grew.

.... they saw Scott and (elissa making out in Scott)s car.

.... she said it was e3actly the other way around.

%ou and Scott are all wrong for each other .......

.... between sobs +atie poured out the whole ugly story.

I never trusted that boy. bviously, I was right about him all along.

They treated her with tender concern .......

%ou never can tell where something like this can lead.

I wouldn)t make any demands on you or anything

.... all the problems that had plagued them the night befor emagically disappeared.

%ou and "ohnnie were always pretty tight ......

I am doing pretty well, all things considered.

.... when you do know, let me in on it.

It)s been snowing like cray up here.

.... the sunlight on all that snow is almost blinding



Speaking in public was difficult enough without heckling < to interrupt a speaker at a public

meeting = from the audience.


29/97

In fact, they thrive on the darkness and dampness.

I)m getting hives < a skin disease in which a person)s skin becomes red and painful = just

thinking about it.

' meeting # I searched my memory but drew a blank. < to be unsuccessful, especially when

you have been trying to find information or the answer to a problem =

That girl gives me a sharp pain.

..... she thought she was an authority on everything.

I guess it was juvenile to poke fun at 9egina, but it felt good,

I)ve come up with some wonderful ideas for our camp-out.

I just know that everything you)ve thought of will be super.

I couldn)t make waves and risk 9egina)s wrath. She loved to tell people. I don)t get mad, I get

even.

I hated it when she put me on the spot like that.

hy was I so in awe of her #

"ake, wait up, I want to talk to you.

0ut if you don)t give a report, you)ll flunk the course.

1or many years after /ad died, things had been pretty grim at our house.

It)s a favourite hangout for high school kinds in the area .......

%ou)re always so color-co-ordinated.

e were as different as night and day .........

I am the organied type, and I was more than ready for the cave camp-out.

(other ... let me fi3 you something hot to eat.

/aughter I am big girl, remember. %ou dont) have to baby me anymore.


30/97

I believe in e2uality of the se3es.

...... but now my sense of guilt returned in force.

%ou have a strange gleam in your eye.

' vision of "ake immediately popped into my mind.

I bet there)s a story behind it.

Sometimes being short comes in handy.

..... but somehow our feet got all tangled up, knocking us both off balance.

(ine)s a pretty sturdy one that can take a lot of abuse.

7o, I don)t think it is even sprained but I)d better take my weigh off it for a while.

She just packed up one day and took off.

"ake said in his tough-guy manner.

I don)t know why you always act so tough, .......

I didn)t mean to dump on < to tell someone all your problems = you.

... when I am nervous or uptight about something, I can)t talk right, I)m a stutterer < an

inability to speak normally because you stutter =, 4issa.

In the total darkness, nothing seemed impossible no matter how farfetched it was

I guess it sounds pretty shallow to you.

Sorry -- I didn)t mean to get your hopes up.

To my dismay, a flashlight beam hit me full in the face.

%ou have some e3plaining to do.

hen 9egina and 8icki went to their tent and discovered you were missing, we were frantic.

I couldn)t betray his confidence, so I said.

I was so keyed up < worried or e3cited = that I thought maybe taking a little walk would rela3


31/97

me.

.... slowing my pace so that we lagged behind the others.

"ake I wanted to, but .....

9egina 0ut, you wimped out.

She wasn)t just surprised, she was flabbergasted.

Though on the surface "ake and I seemed to be total opposites, deep down we had so much in

common.

'lthough 5ershing was disappointed, he was a good sport < a helpful cheerful person who

lets you enjoy yourself and never complains when there is trouble = about it.

4issa, you)d better hustle.

%ou are just going to school, dear, not to a formal ball.

I was going to make pancakes for breakfast, but $lenda sidetracked me ..

I thought maybe you could use a lift to school.

/ad wants me to get fitted for a tu3 -- he and 6arol have moved up their wedding date.

It always helps to get everything out in the open ......

I was walking on air as we entered the building.

I didn)t mean to bug you.

I didn)t mean to bite your head off.

..... he was never far from my thoughts.

$uys sure are hard to figure out sometimes.

Is there a second to this perfectly idiotic motion.

I told you it was a lame idea.

I could hardly keep from laughing.


32/97

I hope you)re not going to run after that loser.

"ake probably thought I was a spineless wimp.

It was only after I hung up that I began to worry in earnest.

I wandered around the house, getting more and more impatient.

I am afraid you)d be steamed about yesterday.

%ou came to that meeting for my sake, it was a total disaster.

%ou can tell her for me that her timing)s rotten.

..... he had gained so much confidence and social poise lately .......

"ake I hope you don)t mind if I step on your toes sometimes tonight. I am not much of a

dancer.

9egina If worse comes to worst, I can always dance with 5ershing.



'ren)t you being a bit melodramatic ( behaving or talking in an excited way with strong emotion ),

Tess #

This great deal just fell in our laps.

(y whole life is just wrecked.

I hope they feel guilty as anything *

She was in !uite a state herself, finishing her current novel, trying .....

I liked looking at pretty scenery on vacation, but I had no desire to live out in the sticks. % (out) in the sticks very far from a town or city &

I loved being so close to 6hicago. ... a world of movers and shakers. I doubted there was

any moving and shaking going on in 0lossom 6reek.

0ut all that evening, I had a sinking feeling.

'ren)t you going to get over this funk ( in a (blue) funk very unhappy, worried, or afraid about


33/97

something ) you)re in #

I managed a feeble smile.

... it did have a few signs of civilisation .....

(om was holed up in her upstairs study, typing away on her computer at frenied pace.

I)m sorry if I)m trespassing.

1rom the way you talk, I can tell you are not from around here.

There)s no problem with this stuff --- it)s just the usual red tape.

These locks are pretty old, and sometimes they get fouled up.

4ooks like it)s stuck .

I yanked again, but it still wouldn)t budge.

+on't mind him, 4uke has a grudge against the world.

*e was tall and very well built, ............

... when she caught my eye, she motioned for me to join them.

*e)s so stuck on himself, it)s sickening.

! h, lay off , 6arter, ! , there is nothing wrong with 4uke.

hen I turned back to the table, I saw /awn regarding me with a wistful e3pression.

I)d just love it if 6arter showed some interest in me.

The Stoddards have always been hard up, and now with 4uke)s father gone it)s even worse.

*e)s got an awful lot on his mind, and he works real hard.

I am sorry I tripped you this morning.

I)m sorry I was so rude and all.

*e was giving me such an unmistakably flirtatious look that I felt myself blushing.


34/97

... as (r. 6assin accompanied me on the piano, I sang ......

I think she looks a little green, don)t you #

ho was that grim-looking character ( a person of a particular kind ), Tess #

... he)s always been serious, like he)s got all the worries of the world on his shoulders.

I began to read and soon got caught up in the story.

,n the off chance that somebody might hear, I started yelling ....

It tickles Sammy & 6ut it out.

*e helped me to my feet --- actually my foot.

... he was wearing sweats and running shoes ..........

It)s a bad sprain, but nothing appears to be broken.

"ust to be on the safe side, though, I)m going to take an >-ray in case she or I missed

something.

She took his death pretty hard.

It caused 2uite an uproar.

I would have to stay off that foot for a few days.

ell then, what did happen # 'n old football injury act up #

1olks around here know, she has more than a few screws loose.

That was more than twenty five years ago, she ought to be over it by now.

/on)t get all riled up, Tess. %ou don)t have to fly into a passion about it

0ut if you do get into a passion, why don)t you get into one with me, not at me #

:sually when a guy says a girl is nice, he means she)s boring, or a goody-goody.

h, 4uke just made this crack and it broke me up.

's for 6arly, she continued to give me dirty looks in chorus, so I kept out of her way as


35/97

much as possible.

%ou can)t eat it raw because it)s sour as anything.

%ou know, that first day I met you, you give me !uite a start being up in 0illy)s old treehouse.

6arter had made a major effort to get on my good side again ......

6)mon, you)ve never ridden my wheels before.

That was really juvenile, 6arter & I said in disgust.

ell, it would)ve been a nice gesture.

's I pulled up to the station ........

*e)d probably appreciate having someone to help him catch up on things.

That would be real neighborly of you.

I am just irked at my brother for not ..... telling me.

It is real nice of you to go to this trouble and all.

(y little sister got sick and (om couldn)t take off work.

Sorry I forgot to give 4uke your message.

I don)t want to pressure you or anything.

4uke Stoddard certainly was full of surprises, not to mention talent.

(om and /ad were instantly on the alert and began the usual parental in!uisition. ( a series of questions that someone asks you in a threatening or unpleasant way )

'fter a while they let up on me.

hat if our voices didn)t blend well #

4uke)s old pickup truck pulled up into the drive. ( the area or road between your house and the street )

(y throat)s starting to get a little scratchy.


36/97

4uke)s lips were just a breath away from mine.

I completely lost track of time. I guess we)d better start back.

hat a rotten end to what had been such a promising afternoon.

Tess The Stoddard boy)s !uite the musician.

4uke She is right & The kid is a chip off the old block. ( to be very similar to your mother or father in appearance or character )

I regarded him in frustration.

6arter, on the other hand, was obviously trying to heat things up.

... her friends would think it was unsophisticated and definitely uncool.

I pitied whoever would have to clean up after the party.

This is my party and I don)t want you fouling it up.

(arter *ere, buddy --- you get to drive. Tess and I will take the backseat.

uke I wasn)t too pleased with this setup, either.

.... put the truck in reverse and backed out of the parking space ......

There was a tense, awkward silence as we rode along.

I was having a rotten time, too.

(arter Sorry Tess, I have been talking your ear off.

"ess I don)t mind. It is about time you let it all out.

I figured they would wise up sooner or later.


37/97

I)ve just got a bad case of the jitters.

She doesn)t look one bit jittery.

4uke and I waited while one act after another took the stage.

The minute we began to sing, I lost my stage fright.

I)d hang on to him if I was you.

Then he kissed very sweetly on the lips.



I looped (illicent)s reins around one of the rails and scrambled over the fence.

... we became instant best friends.

7ow we were si3teen, and our friendship never wavered.

.... the rest of the year we kept in touch with long letters and even longer phone calls.

o sense getting him all upset .......

*e was well-mannered, and real polite.

I sure didn)t see that side of him.

I)d meet her at the pool over an hour ago& I)d better make tracks.

(aybe he didn)t mean to be rude. (aybe what he said just came out that way.

(y wet hair was hanging in my eyes ..........

... we aren)t even remotely related.

9ight then and there I should have set him straight and cleared up the

misunderstanding, ........

I simply can)t understand how my two best friends could have gotten off on the wrong foot like this.


38/97

*e)s not stuck-up at all ......... considering who his father is.

I thought they only did that back in the olden days.

%ou really ought to dress up more often, 4e3ie.

Samantha ould you like me to make you up #

4e3ie 7o, I)ll do it myself.

(s. Tucker. 're you holding up the wall, or doesn)t anybody here come up to your highstandards #

6an)t a guy even have a conversation with you without having his head bitten off # ( toanswer someone or speak to them very angrily, when there is no good reason for doing this )

4ike I said before, this isn)t really my scene.

I feel it)s my duty to enlighten you.

This is probably the dumbest thing I)ve ever done.

I was so freaked that I didn)t stop to find out.

(a3 isn)t sure how to act around you, and he gets flustered and ends up doing something

stupid or clumsy.

I can)t disappoint him by backing out.

/id I hear about my name being taken in vain # ( to talk about someone, while they are not there,

especially in a way that shows a lack of respect for them )

(a3 Thomas wants to talk to you.

Samantha $hat about #

hat mischief are you up to today #

6an you blame him after you)ve been so nasty #


39/97

+eep down inside, I bet you)d like to get along with him.

The face is familiar but I can)t place the name.

I can have one of the boys saddle up a horse for you in a jiffy. ( very soon )

I can pay double your usual hourly rate.

e have tents and air mattresses, all the comforts of home.

The last thing I need is another run-in ( an argument or disagreement, especially with someone in an

official position ) with (a3.

It was too good an offer to pass up.

5lease don)t let on I work here, okay #

1unny, he doesn)t strike me as that type.

...... tucked it into my shirt pocket .........

'round one o)clock, I found a clearing in the woods that looked perfect for a picnic.

(a3 tied the horses to some trees.

ell, you haven)t said a civil word to me since we met, and you avoid me like I)ve got the

plague or something.

%ou)ve never taken the time to find out.

4et)s not go any further with this, okay. e)ll just get into another argument.

y my calculations, we would reach out campsite by five o)clock.

This is all your fault. hy didn)t you say something.

/on)t worry about a thing.

It)s clouding over. 4ooks like it might rain.

I strained my eyes and ears, trying to catch a glimpse of the creek or hear the sound of

running water


40/97

Even though it was still very early, the heavy clouds made it seem like midnight.

*oping to raise their spirits, I said brightly ..........

hen I awoke the ne3t morning, the boys and girls are still sound asleep.

I thought the kids ought to have something hot in their stomachs to start the day.

' day ago I would have bristled at his 2uestion, thinking he was doubting my competence.

(a3 followed me out of the office.

%ou might just sweep him off his feet"( sweep sb off their feet to make someone feel suddenly and strongly attracted to you in a romantic way )

*is business takes him all over, so we)re never in any one place for long.

(y responses sounded awfully lame to me, but (a3 didn)t seem to notice anything amiss.

'll that moving around must be tough for you.

ill you please stop being so negative # ;uit overanalying everything.

%ou can sleep over at my cabin afterward, there's plenty of room.

/id I really want to chance it and set myself up for heartbreak #

It never could have worked out for (a3 and me.

e made a date to go riding together at one o)clock.

Sam got into the other bed, and turned out the light.

This whole thing was getting more complicated by the minute.

I have to get back by two-thirty.

There was no way I)d be able to avoid him, and unless I could brazen it out, ( to deal with a

situation that is difficult or embarrassing for you by appearing to be confident rather than ashamed ) he)d

blow my cover for sure.

ell, you)ve been acting kind of weird all of a sudden.

I forced another fake laugh.


41/97

I blinked in disbelief.

%ou)ve lucked out so far, but (a3 is bound to learn the truth sooner or later.

ell, I must be off now. I e3pect we)ll be seeing 2uite a bit of each other, Samantha.

They)re two of a kind, the perfect couple.

... I am not rich and I work with my hands.

I've known all along.

... she has a serious boyfriend over in England.



+ate had been working nonstop on this project for a year and a half.

hen the music started to play, +ate eased down the volume.

.... two)s company and three)s a crowd.

.... I just wanted to find out what I was up against. < to have to deal with a difficult situation

or fight an opponent =

.... This is no time for socialiing.

Sorry (r. 5erry, we)re just taking a breather.

Everything will be in working order by tomorrow morning.

*ave you been waiting long #

0ut ne3t week the station would be up and running. < if a new system or process is up and

running, it is working properly =

... the e3citement in the room was at fever pitch.

... we)ll rotate in order to give shifts to as many of you as possible.

1lushed with embarrassment at her dismal performance, .....


42/97

%ou stumbled a little, but I could tell how nervous you were.

They had laid a trap, and she had fallen right into it.

%ou two sure look pretty coy.

Eric didn)t look as if he was in any hurry to leave.

+ate Is (r. 5erry here, by any chance #

Eric *e)s at lunch.

'lmost before +ate knew it, her hour was up.

'fter school, still tingling from the thrill of her success .....

+ate *ow soon do you think we could get the phone.

Eric 7e3t week, with any luck. I)ll check with the principal first thing tomorrow morning.

I thought I was going to have to hitchhike home.

7o, I probably wouldn)t have the nerve.

Those are beyond sappy. They)d make me lose my lunch if I)d eaten any.

4ooks like you)ve got your work cut out for you.

I)m not really into that mushy stuff.

I)m sorry, I snapped at you.

0etween the two of us, we)ll have this mess straightened out in no time.

+ate r are you so cynical because you)ve been dumped.Eric 0ite your tongue. hat girl in her right mind would dump lovable old me.

I really want to know where you learned all that stuff.

+ate)s mind suddenly clicked into high gear.

... she hoped she could talk him into pulling some strings and getting her into +?95.

here are you off to in such a hurry #


43/97

I)m going to catch a ride home with 6heri .....

I didn)t think football was your thing.

I)ve modeled my deejay style on his.

That would be really great, if you can set it up ..........

I have an appointment with him for two o)clock.

/id "ake sound a little bit patroniing # < someone who is patroniing talks to you as if they

think you are less intelligent or important than them =

I)m gonna grab a cup of coffee, want anything #

$otta start cranking out the tunes.

That)s not even close to being /adlike, ......

... you know as well as I do that nothing will come of it, ....

7ow I guess you want me to set you up on a date with him.

I wonder if I)ll ever be able to figure him out.

/on)t these guys have any pride #

't first, I thought there was something familiar about his voice, but I can)t put together with a

face .........

*e)s always making goo-goo eyes < a silly look that shows you love someone = at you in

class.

*e)s just probably holding off because he knows you)ll be climbing the walls wondering whohe is

Then as we eliminate each of them, we)ll strike his name off the list.

'ndy is short for 'ndrew.

're you still on that kick #

kay, okay & %our sad story wrings my heart. here do you live #


44/97


45/97

/on)t be so hard on yourself.

I)m really surprised I even made the team & ( be chosen for a team )

4ani)s teammates are all warm and friendly.

Thanks, but my game)s pretty tame ( boring or unexciting and disappointing ) compared to yours.

I admire the way you charge the net, it sure keeps me on my toes.

Try not to be so hypersensitive to criticism.

So far, no guy had ever measured up to 4ani)s high standards, ..

I wanted to find out how things were done at 'ina *au before I took the plunge. ( to decide finally to do something, especially after delaying it or worrying about it for a long time )

%ou sound as though you)re signing up for a life partnership

I hate going into any situation unprepared.

... try to put it in the wash as soon as you get home.

I admit I)m curious about the guy, but only because you)ve given him such a big buildup.

... a little black cloud had suddenly blotted out ( to cover or hide something completely ) the sun.

They certainly look pretty chummy. ( friendly )

4ani 2uickly got her thoughts together and gave her opinion.

elcome aboard, 4ani &

... he had given them a pep talk , urging the debaters to do their best

'round noon, the brilliant blue sky suddenly clouded over, and within moments rain began

pouring down.

4ani)s father wouldn)t be able to come by for her until at least five o clock.

6ould you come pick me up at three #

I live in (anoa, I hope that)s not far out of your way.


46/97

*ow much farther is your house #

I don)t take criticism very well, I)m afraid.

... do you think you could give me a few pointers #

... the very idea of reciting the pieces from memory gave her the chills.

/o I detect a note of skepticism there #

.. are you in the phone book under (arshall or under $orgeous #

... he went off on this tangent about turning the homeless into chefs ...

Sam)s such a flake.

... but sometimes I wish I)d lighten up and have some fun for a change.

It)s about time you made a move on him, 4ani.

... many couples are lounging on ( to stand or sit in a lay way ) the grass, enjoying the beautiful

day and each other)s company.

Sometimes you have to go out on a limb ( take a risk ) and hammer a point home.

.. there)s no reason you and 'my can)t win at affirmative.

I)ll be happy to work with you again whenever you like, just say the word.

*as he asked you on a date yet #

.... if he doesn)t care about me, I)d absolutely die of embarrassment.

I)ll be hitching a ride with ( to ask for a free ride from the drivers of passing cars by putting your hand

out with your thumb raised ) you guys ....

4ani was spooning up her 1rench chocolate ice cream with .....

6hase never took cheap shots (#an unnecessarily rude remark) at the opposing team or the

judges.

I)ve been bending your ear ( to talk to someone, especially about something that is worrying you ) about

the tournament ever since we got here.


47/97

I do have other interests.

Everybody says you are e3cellent on the soccer field.

That)s what I had in mind. Think you can stand it.

I laughed so hard, I almost fell out of my seat.

e)re good friends, that's all.

.... he seemed unsure of himself, almost at a loss for words ......

(r. crowell told 4ani at great length about growing up on his family)s sugar plantation.

*e can be pretty long-winded sometimes.

ighten up, 6hase. %ou may be my debate team captain, but you are not my tennis coach,

you know.

.... my /ad)s birthday is next month ......

I have to get some stuff for my sisters, and I could use some feminine input.

Then maybe we could grab a bite to eat and take in a movie or something.

4isten, /arce. /o you think I)m fickle.

.... you are thinking about ditching him for that nutcase #

Sometimes I feel like I)ll never be able to measure up to his e3pectations.

.... if you decide to give up on 6hase, I'm next in line.

It wasn)t just her surroundings that were different.

(ealani and I need to make some adjustments on our negative case.

I understand you and 'my really cut them down to size ( to make someone realie that they are not

as important, successful etc as they think they are ) this morning

:nless you)re otherwise occupied, want to go have a pan pia with the enemy.

'll our tables are oceanfront, sir &


48/97

... she always likes to go there early and set up.

I)m an old hand at this sort of thing. In fact, I kind of like the last-minute approach.

.... if this tournament is to proceed on schedule, it is essential that everyone show up on time.

e were all totally stressed out --- we thought something awful must have happened to you.

(rs. 7akamoto was worried sick, and 6hase is practically a basket case. ( someone who is sonervous or anxious that they cannot deal with simple situations )

4ani was on automatic pilot most of the time,

/on)t you ever pull another stunt like that, you almost gave me heart failure.

She never should have let herself caught up in Sam)s comedy routine ....

ant to play some tennis this evening # ........ I really could use a workout.

I haven)t been to one of those in a long time.

... we are about the same sie.

0y the time they returned to 4ani)s house, the sun had set.

... he)s getting all intense and serious again.

.... she was seething with irritation inside.

I wouldn)t have beaten you so badly, though, if you)d been in top form.

Then he started picking my game apart shot by shot, and pretty soon I was so rattled that I

couldn)t do anything right.

..... the following week were agonizing for 4ani.

... she and 6hase were polite but distant to each other.

0ut even if I made a play for ( to make an attempt to gain something ) him , it probably wouldn)t

do any good. In my opinion, he is still hung up on you

If he thinks she)s so perfect and I'm such a mess, then all I can say is, she)s welcome to him.

6hase was the boy of her dreams, that their relationship would only grow and deepen with

time.


49/97

I)m glad you are not the kind of girl who holds a grudge.

I can tell from the look on your face that you don)t approve of my philosophy.

The first one was dismal, but I)m pretty sure we aced the second one.

I struck out ( failed ) twice in a row.

.... they all know I have my on days and off days.

It was a gutsy move on your part to change your case at the last minute, ...

I)m the one who was cray for acting the way I did, ...

These past couple of months have been the worst of my whole life.



7o use being subtle.

... nothing short of an earth2uake could shake them loose from the kitchen.

... instead of cooking it on the stove, you bake it in the oven.

I)d never understood their fascination with cooking.

They don)t let you bring recipe cards to the finals.

I didn)t make the finals because I)d been overconfident.

I stifled a bored groan as Tonya went on.

She probably camped out all night to be sure she)d be one of the first in line.

's if he sensed my stare, the guy suddenly looked in my direction.

I felt all shivery and sizzling at the same time.

That was some pretty fancy footwork .

I don)t plan on making a career out of basketball.


50/97

... from the way he looked at me as he said it, I got the impression he had something more

intimate in mind.

I guess she was right along, ....

There)s difference between deafeating a guy in a basketball game and beating him to a

bloody pulp.

'll the time I thought I was daling him with my cool moves, I was actually driving him

away.

%ou)ve probably seen my name in the paper.

It)s been his dream ever since I've known him.

There is nothing wrong with a guy using his brains instead of his muscles.

I will help you come up with something that won)t bring disgrace on the 9ichardson name.

! Sportsmanship !. "hat's what it)s all about.

.... he looked every bit as hot as he had yesterday in shorts.

're you heading to 9oom Thirteen now #

... as a guard informed me when I got off at the third floor.

I was getting more nervous by the minute and it didn)t help any ( at all ) to discover that ....

I stood behind it with a pasted-on smile.

... punch him right in the nose.

*e)d apparently decided I was a pathetic wimp ( someone who has a weak character and is afraid todo something difficult or unpleasant ) who was so unglued ( extremely upset or angry about something )

by a little criticism that I just gave up.

I)ve got plenty of better things to do with my time.

I guess that means we)re out of the running. ( no hope of winning a race or competition )

It felt great, just as good as winning a basketball trophy, and a lot less sweaty.

She really acted like a bubble-brain.


51/97

She tied up the phone for hours with one of her friends ....

She spends an eternity in the bathroom gluing on fake nails covered with gold glitter ....

I was filled with mi3ed emotions.

She seemed totally absorbed in what he was saying.

*is tone was icy, but 7ate didn)t take the hint.

I tried to pull away, but he held on tight .....

e)ll work things out somehow.

... he)d rushed to comfort her the minute she turned on the tears.

That ought to make those judges sit up and take notice.

but then I came to my senses, and pulled away.

"ust leave it out for a while, it)ll soften up in no time.

I was always goofing off with my friends instead of doing homework or chores.

... from the way you and she were acting at Scardilli)s, you sure looked lovey-dovey.

Stephanie was always criticiing my cooking, and it got under my skin. ( they annoy you,especially by the way they behave )

I was up very late last night working on my cake, and I am really beat this morning.

7ate)s such a terrific guy in so many ways.

I just can)t believe he turned out to be a male chauvinist. ( someone, especially a man, who believesthat their own sex is better and more important than the other sex )

7ate)s not a chauvinist in the usual sense.

I)m actually eager to see how it measures up ( to be good enough to do a particular job or to reach a

particular standard ) in the competition today.

' romance between two of the contestants sure would spice up ( to add interest or excitement to

something ) my article.

... my feet seem to be stuck to the floor.


52/97

*e)s bound to give her higher marks &

She was talented enough to win on her own merits.

.. she could be stripped of her title.

I thought we)d go off somewhere together for a heart-to-heart talk

6an)t Stephanie spare you for a few minutes.

If you want to get back together with her, okay, but at least be honest about it.

... a line of people waiting to board a ride# .........

hy are you so stuck on 7ate. Sure he)s cute, but you)re completely opposites.

0ut if honesty is hereditary, then to follow your logic, dishonesty is hereditary too.

... the appearance of any dish could help set the mood and add to the festivity.

.. hoping he)d come rushing up to me with some logical e3planation of why he had been

delayed.

I felt the heat rush to my face.

I believe you)ve committed a personal foul.

.. he)d score her so low in every event that she wouldn)t have a prayer of winning the

championship.

... once she had his words on tape, ...

.. I wanted to get things straightened out between us.

I was within sight of the semifinals too.

... if both my girls wanted to follow in my footsteps.

I never really thought I)d get this far.

Try to understand --- by myself I)m sure I can win

/eep down I)d never e3pected to make it to the finals.


53/97

I get that way after a big defeat, but I always get over it sooner or later.

I was confident of my ability to get through this demonstration.

.. you)ve obviously inherited the family talent ....

I tried to get you out of the house ... . but you wouldn)t budge.

I didn)t win today. I came in fifth.



4et me take a guess.

It is a worthy cause, ........

(ichael, is Sam over there by any chance. ( used to ask politely whether something is true )

Then I)ll just have to sell them on it, won)t I #

This time Sam)s bear hug almost knocked the wind out of him. (#hit someone in the stomach so

that they cannot breathe for a moment)

/on)t tell me all twelve pairs of jeans are in the wash.

%ou can)t always wrap him around your little finger, you know # ( to be able to persuade someone to do anything that you want )

If I don)t keep my grades up, I promise I)ll 2uit.

The dress was fitted, nipping in sharply at the waist, and she thought it was very becoming

( clothes that are becoming make you look attractive ) to her petite figure.

0ut I still wish I had some of your height.

Startled, Sam gaped at him.

're you sure I can)t interest you in some juice # ( used as a polite way of offering someone something )

Sam)s cheeks grew hot.


54/97

*ere)s your magaine cart. Each patient is allowed to take up to three.

$ive me a couple and I)ll pass them along.

*e pitched a fit because he wanted a chocolate milk shake instead.

.... everybody griped about the magaine. *ow did they go over on the fourth floor #

I)ll know all there is to know, including his name ....

I)ve got tons of homework.

... but today promised even greater thrills.

... she is pretty and everything ( and so on ) but the only thing she can talk about is math,0oring &

.... so it seemed the logical way to go.

It is for a worthy cause, please (ike &

I)ll ride up with you and put these on your cart.

(rs. 8ogel will have my hide ( to punish someone severely ) if I fall behind schedule.

"ake your pick , I)m sure there is something here you)d like.

That)s none of your concern. "ust keep handing out those magaines.

Sam stopped in her tracks. ( to suddenly stop )

The Tower area is not included in your rounds.

I usually send one of the aides down but we)re shorthanded today.

This boy sounds like 2uite a handful. ( child, who is difficult to control )

/on)t let him take advantage of your good nature, or you might very well wind up in trouble.

It sounds to me as if you were getting a little too involved.

As of today, 9oom ABB' has been added to you rounds.

See what you can do to keep him off my back and everybody else)s, all right #


55/97

Suannah (orrison wondered if she was e!ual to the task.

*e)s really a nice guy - kind of diamond in the rough.

That)s not the way I meant it at all.

... he didn)t say anything more about his father. (aybe they didn)t get along.

.. he)s got you waiting on him hand and foot.

... if she could get 0ill out of his rotten mood ....

e)re not at all alike. She)s musical I)m not.

I can)t figure out what makes him tick .

I can)t think of any guy who fits that description.

I am pretty sure he)s got his heart set on someone else.

I used to help /ad tinker with his old 1ord....

(ike cupped a hand to his ear.

I brought along some of my mom)s super-duper chocolate-peanut-butter fudge just in case the

lunch didn)t fill me up.

I have to cater to his special re2uests, but that)s part of my job.

... you e3pect me to believe he)s just another worthy cause #

(ike got all bent out of shape because I wouldn)t take his advice about something.

Sam you are a very generous and giving person, and your mother and I both admire you for

it.

I can)t understand why (ike gets so upset about it.

They)re professionals in short supply ( if something is in short supply, there is very little of it available

and it is difficult to get ), if you don)t clean up your act, (oss (emorial won)t have any left.

I wouldn)t have taken him for the rose type.


56/97

%our friend has to show some consideration for other patients on the floor.

(r. Smith music is upsetting everyone within earshot.

%ou don)t care about anybody but yourself .

It)s high time you showed some concern for others.

%ou are absolutely impossible.

native english

Documents