Common sentences used by native speakers

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 : " Jeannie, may I use your bathroom ? "
Jeannie : Go ahead, but make it snappy, okay ?
( to tell someone that you want them to do something
immediately and to do it quickly )


You should have heard the fuss my mom
kicked up

!

And 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
, Mom yells the most at the students she thinks are the best.

I guess I'm grinning because Jeannie didn't
holler
very much for a change.

Hugh MacKendrick is a real
slave driver
.


He's so cute that
it's a shame
he's not nicer.

even though Hugh is obviously
out of my league
.
( to be too good or too expensive for you )
The
championship doesn't have to be

Oh, Shona. You are such a
party pooper
.

( someone who spoils other people's enjoyment by disapproving
of or not taking part in a particular activity )

You could if you
pu
t
your mind
to
it.

I saw them going into that pizza parlor on Austin Street.
Are they dating
?

hoping she didn't sound too
breathless
.

I thought it might
brighten up
my practices.

Well, we're just
starting out
, so we foul up sometimes.

Don't you need a jacket or anything ? It's
freezing out
.

Hugh : And here you are spending your coffee break with another Highland dancer.
Shona : But that's by choice.

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

this year,

But 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
Friday night, OK ?

You'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.

You should come
jam
with us sometime.

Bye, Mom don't
wait up.


This girl definitely has
taste
. It's not fair, MacKendrick. You always hog all quality women.

This round's
on
me. You can get the next one if you want.

Myles seemed to be
a big hit
with all the girls.

Last 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 Hugh'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 ?

I understand you have a pretty
good

shot
at that second runner-up again.

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


Hugh let out a
whoop
of laughter.

It's a lot of hard work
and

everything
, but I really love it.

You can't risk it, not
with
the championships so close.

Finally they nodded their heads
in unison.


I wish you two wouldn't
holler at
me like that. It's awfully embarassing when I'm with a guy.

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

Have you got your hooks
into
John Powell yet ?

Mom, you weren't supposed to
let on
, I wanted to surprise her.

You're really starting to show a lot of
poise
,

Pair that with poise, and in my opinion you've
got
Aynsley
beat
.

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

You'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
.

Will you please stop
channel
-
hopping


In answer to
her parents' worried questions, she confessed that she and Hugh had broken up.

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


I bet she's planning on
making a big play for
him tonight at Cathy Davidson's very exclusively
party.

Now that Hugh'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 )

you should have seen him tripping all over his feet. He simply couldn't keep time
with
the
music.

Afterward 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.

Vandals is a new teen club that just
opened up.


You're not much of a
talker
, are you ?

Kim : I thought he'd be a refreshing change from you-know-who.
Shona : ' Refreshing ' is hardly the word for it.

Can'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.

Her legs felt
rubbery

( weak )
as she climbed the stairs, as if

You're not still
moping about
Hugh, are you ?

He's bound to be there, whether he wants to come or not. Jeannie and Christina wouldn't let him
wimp out.
( to decide not to do something because you are too frightened )


Ok that's enough
play
-
by
-
play

( A detailed commentary of an event as it unfolds )
, I don't want to know
what happens next !

Are you two
up to
joining me ?

Aynsley was
talking a blue streak
( to talk quickly and without stopping )

, but Hugh 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
.

Your 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

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.

You'll need to be well
rested
for the competition tomorrow.

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

You absolutely
sparkled up
there onstage.

Oh 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 Highland 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.

Mark was definitely
up to
no good.

Spare
me the details, please.

He may be poetry
in motion
on the basketball court,

You actually
laid
bets

on whether or not Collete would go out with Gary ?

No, I refuse to have anything to do with this
tacky
scheme of yours.

Beth : If he asked one of you to the prom, would you go ?
Audrey : Hmmmm. That's a tough call.
( a difficult decision to make )


He had a short attention
span
, and it didn't take much to distract him.

Mark said you could get me
in shape

for the prom.

Gary just needs some pointers
on
how to get his girl.

Unfortunately, my brother was wise
to
my tactics.

I am going to drag you into my family
squabbles
.

I don't know exactly what
weakened
my resolve.

In a world full of guys all trying to act super cool, Gary's total lack of
pretension
was a
refreshing change.

Gary had never struck me as any kind of a genius, but since I was barely
squeaking by

with C'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 Gary to make his move.

Yes, lately it seems as if we've been
having weather
every day.

Mark'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.

You'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. How do you know you're not setting him up for a
bigger disappointment later on.

Guys just aren't sensitive
about
that sort of thing.

Until I paid him
off
, I'd have to continue with Gary's tutoring.

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

My nervousness grew
with
every passing minute.

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

.

Colette's already gotten her hooks
into
him.

If Gary 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 experience
bossing
guys around.

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

I was quiet 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.

Gary is
prime
-
time
in love with her.

I couldn't
hold

it

in
any longer.

I'll
pay off
your debt
to
Mark, and you can make the rest of the payments to me.

Beth, 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.

Colette is
his
for the asking.

All my fighting spirit
faded away

at the sight of her.

He's probably just
bashful
. Gary's still not used to being the center of attention.

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

I hate disappoint you, but I am
claiming
all of Gary's slow dances.

Eddie's thinking of asking your friend Jan to the prom, and he wants to know if you'd
put in
a
good word for him.

Now a new fear
gripped

me.

I was just about to give up
in
despair,

As 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
.

B J was the jealous
type
.

Scott :

There's my ride
. I've got to go. Nice meeting you, Scott.
Tralain : Same here. Guess I will be seeing you around.

B J's jealousy was also pretty
hard to take.


I'm just tired. Dad
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 B J and he'll be here
in a flash.


I blew a loud blast
on
my whistle

Mind 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.

During the rest of that week at Camp Merrywood, I didn't feel nearly as
hassled
.

We 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.

You'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 square
,

Tyson. Admit it !

Besides, 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.


Can 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.

You're as
hooked on
Tyson as he is on drugs.

Where 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 ? Can't you see how cruel
that is ?

I'd been bored with B J 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.

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

Tralain : After the way you beat me at tennis Monday 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

Are you still hungry, Tralain ? Those sandwiches are pretty
skimpy
.

Get off my case
, will you, Dad, ? 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.

We 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.

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

My mind was
reeling
as I straightened up.

Lunch 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.


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

a simply phone call might
clear up

the whole mess

You 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.

Let'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
.

You're still
dripping wet.

maybe he has to stop to
gas up
his car.

I
went limp
with relief.

since Bren 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 )


but Dad 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.

We 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 expected.

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
.


Brian has a nice voice, deep and
resonant
.

There was nothing
pressing
she had to do at home,

Brian's unexpected friendliness had really
thrown
her,

Every muscle in my body
aches
,

Trisha's
reasoning
was beginning to sound interesting

Julie 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 exams that shook up the whole
school.

She hurried
out
the door.

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

she'd signed up for it, she certainly was no
quitter
.

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


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

You have to have some kind of
focus
, Julie.

opening her notebook and
uncapping
her pen.

Surely the students have some
input
into the selection process.

She quickly walked out of the library feeling excited 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
. You'll have to revise it.

I just don't have the
hang
of these new routines yet.

Her column would never
see the light of day


He is just
plain mean
!

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

One thing was sure. Brian Fredrickson wasn't worth crying
over
, neither

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

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

You really are just like your father he never lets anything
get him down
.


You'd better keep the dessert in the front seat, Harvey 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
Brian, the more she liked him.

He didn't ask you out
to
a movie or anything ?

His face lit up
in

a smile.

I didn't know you two were
seeing
each other.

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

Don't get so
defensive
.

They'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.

Do you think the girls' athletic programs get a
fair shake

( fair treatment )
?

a good reporter should
put
her subject
at ease.


Librarian : Are you going to
quote
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.

What 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.

Julie didn't
buy
that, but she let it pass.

Just what are you
getting at
?

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

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

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

You look like you could use some
cheering up
.

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
next week.

I edited some piece that were really
in bad shape.



Julie : Are you still mad at him about what he did to your column.
Trisha : Oh, I am over that.

Brian drove to the twenty-four-hour diner on the
edge

of town.

he doesn't want it to look like he's
playing favorites.



Julie : You haven't eaten much of your dinner.
Trisha : I had a big lunch today.

All I know about cars is where to
put
the gas.

Spending time with you isn't exactly a
chore
.

This should hold us
over
for a while.

Kevin's at
swim practice
, and Tom has a piano lesson.

Once they come home, it'll be a
mad house.

Brian : I don't remember it.
Trisha : That's because you didn't read the opinion column.
Brian : I could read it now, then take another angle.

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

By the time Julie got home, she was soaked
to
the skin.

You always tell me to stand up for myself, and now you want me to let some stupid boy walk
all
over me ? Well, I won't stand for it.

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

If I
turn it

in
like this, I just know Brian will tear it apart.

Trust me, you can't make it
any
worse.

Well, it's kind of flat. There's no color
to
it.

Maybe you could
reword
it a little.

But reporters are supposed to be
concise
.

How 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 Brian 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.

All this
indecision
was making her heart pound.

I tried to talk to you, but you didn't
take my calls.


The tight knot in Julie's stomach began to
unwind
.

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


So you are

nuts about

Brad Lewis, huh ?

I heard his question but it didn't really
register
.

so I'd have to ask Mom to
come by

for me.

But 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 Lauren'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.


Was Brad Lewis really asking me
for
a date ?

I gave him a
dirty look.


We're giving this place
a touch of class.


I
stubbed

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


You'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.

Do you think you will be
seeing
more of him.

He was
dripping

wet
and looked so pathetic

Will 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.


Caitlin : Want me to
fix
you
up
?
Kyle : No way. Bubblebrains don't turn me on.

Mom and Dad won't let me
be
out late on a school night.

it was wrong
of

Mom and Dad 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 ?

Have 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 ),
Kyle was dying of curiosity.

Kyle slowed the car to a
crawl
.

the game might be
rained out

( be rained off British English be rained out American English 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.

When I got home, I realized 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.

When 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.

Caitlin : no matter what happens, let's not lose each other.
Kyle : We won't, not if I can help it

Does that give you some claim
on
her ?

Kyle felt sorry for me because I was so
bummed about
not being able to go to the game with
you,

But keeping the peace was a real
strain
,

Kyle 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.

Kyle and Brad 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 Brad and refuse to leave.

How
do you think you'd feel if he did start dating someone.

I bought a new
outfit
to wear to school on Monday.

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

The Grandville Giants had
made the play
-
offs

for the first time in history

but after two weeks of baseball morning, noon and night. Deciding that
turnabout
was fair

play when Brad asked what I'd like to do Friday evening.

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

Any hopes I had that the game would be called off were
dashed


I am about ready to leave. Want to
hitch
a ride with me ?

Don'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.

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 High Bears.

Don't let Lewis hear you say that, or he'll
blow a fuse.


Sorry about that, Caitlin, 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 Kyle
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 next dance was a slow one.

Hey,
desperate situations
call for
desperate measures.


Why are you offering this anyway, We 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.

Furious at being tricked, Brad
let loose

a stream of abuse at Kyle and me

Kyle and Brad 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.

From now on I'd try to
steer clear

of
him,

Maybe some exercise will
clear the cobwebs

out of my head.
( blow/brush/clear the
cobwebs away to do something, especially go outside, in order to help yourself to think more clearly and have more

energy )


Can't we forget about it and pick up where we
left off
?


Kyle : You're telling me we are through ?
Caitlin : That's about the size of it.

Throwing 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 Kyle so
flustered
.

Kyle, will you let me
get a
word in edgewise

( get a word in edgeways also edgewise to get a chance to

speak )
. Please don't move away and forget me


twinning
my arms around his neck.

Unless Sally ruins my hair, in which case I will
call off
my date with Scott

A smile tugged
at
his mouth.

Then, I am
off the hook
?

Hank walked over to the cashier to make his
purchases
.

My eyes occasionally
stray
. No harm in looking, you know.

Darrin was good-looking, well-mannered, and he treated her
as an equal

I was going to fix the plug on D.C's heat lamp. The wires are starting to
fray
.

Marty finally
made good on
her threat

Eight weeks is plenty of time to make some
headway


Hank 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

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.


Hank : If you're going to keep seeing this guy, well then, maybe I'll start looking around too.
Marty : 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.


Hank : Are you any good at puzzles.
Marty : I am not too bad.

Hank stared at her
with
mock awe.

My fingers work faster
to
music.

Lila's the one who gives me
grief
.

why the
swift change
in him.

Confused, she tried to
sort out
her feelings.

But somehow, the
emotional tug
was no longer there.


Sally : But you two fight like cats and dogs.
Marty : Yeah, well, It's all a front,
( to be used for hiding a secret or illegal activity

)

for me at least.

saying whatever
popped into
her head.

Marty was the one left out
in the cold.


She is going to be
shorthanded
if you don't go.

Nothing, exactly. Except Orin started acting
possessive
, and I'm just not into that.

he heartbeat quickened and her palms
grew damp
.


I am not sure I know enough
to be much help
.


You look like a
desperado

.

It was raining
in sheets.

( a sheet of rain or fire is a very large moving mass of it )


The night
smelled
fresh and clean.

There's absolutely no future
in
it.

We can compromise, can't we. If you insist on finishing
up
here, I'll go home.

Tell her to give my check to Brenda, she'll
get it to
me.

Life could sure be a
bummer
sometimes.

Maybe I should
run an ad

in the paper.

I wouldn't want him to do me any
favors
,

He'd only used her to make Lila jealous and now he was using DC to get back
into the good
graces
( to be liked and approved by someone at a particular time )
of that stuck-up blond !

But I thought you and Hank were
pals
.

Well, I've told you now.
Not that
it makes any difference.

I've got him, Marty. Quick, let's
beat it.


Marty
rubbed the sleep
from her eyes

but she'd never had to worry whether anyone would ask her to dance or who she'd talk to
when everyone paired off.

( to come together or bring two people together to have a romantic relationship )


Alone with her jitters, Marty
paced
back and forth

Each second seemed like
an
eternity.

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


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


What did I do to
rate
such a terrific best friend ?

It was so soft from many
washings
and so faded

Lila was the biggest question
of all.

Brenda's eyes twinkled as he
started away.


So he's
under
the impression I asked him out

He must think I have
tons of nerve.


Let's find out seats before they
dim the lights.


This was all Brenda'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
.

Lila can't
compete

with
you.

You made me feel good
about
myself.

Katie Jean O'Connor
dashed up
the front steps of her house with her arms full of books and her