"Sounds very impressive and ambitious. I hope you can succeed here," Jeff said, his eyes seeming to burn now with something more than friendly interest. Vickie rose from the sofa, avoiding the amused stare from his dark eyes.

"Say, you can help Vickie," Shari said to Jeff. "She doesn't know a soul around here, do you? Come on, I don't have to know your life history to figure that one out."

Vickie felt close to fainting from shame. No, she didn't know anyone around campus, and she certainly didn't know her way around Los Angeles all that well. Her mother had practically kept her a recluse for eighteen years. The sexual revolution had passed by the Williams' house unannounced. She would have welcomed being shown around campus by anyone… anyone except Jeff Zimlak.

"Well, I don't know. I have a lot of things to do and…"

"It's no problem for me," Jeff interrupted, putting his foot down and standing spread-legged in front of her.

"Well, I guess it'd be all right. I've got to get back to my dorm room early, though, to get ready for tomorrow. First day of classes."

"No problem. I've got a place in Westwood just outside the main gate over on Gayley Avenue. Maybe you'll wanna take a look at it later and get an idea of what else you can live in out here," Jeff said easily.

Vickie made a silent vow not to wind up in his apartment. She could only guess at what would go on there.

"Good, you're all friends. I've got to move around here and see if anyone else needs help," Shari said.

After Shari left, Vickie excused herself and walked to the bathroom. Her composure snapped as soon as she was in the tiny room. She had to get away from that ironic voice, those subtle hints, that look that made her shiver and feel weak aft over.