SVH01-Double Love (15 page)

"What is that horrendous noise?"

"It's just Todd's car. He's having a little muffler trouble. Let's go. I don't want to keep him waiting."

The two girls dashed out to Todd. Jessica missed the conspiratorial wink Elizabeth and Todd exchanged because she was too busy complaining about being seen in such a gross car.

By the time they drove to school, parked the car, and walked over to where the crowd was gathered, Elizabeth was ready to put step four of her plan into action.

The Droids were entertaining the crowd before the football rally started, and Dana Larson was belting out a number in true Droid fashion.

"Excuse me a minute, you guys. I have to see Dana about an article on the Droids. I'm going to try and catch her at the end of this

number. Be right back." She hurried off into the crowd.

"I've got to go, too, Todd. I want to talk to Lila and Cara." She started off, but Todd grabbed her arm.

"Don't tell me you're deserting me, too, Jess. You can't leave me here all alone, friendless and unwanted," Todd teased with mock sadness. Then he gave Jessica his most charming grin.

"Oh, don't be silly, Todd. You know practically every single person here." She smiled up at him, the flirt in her unable to resist a good- looking guy's smile. She sighed. "You're a nut, Todd, but I'll stay until Liz gets back."

"Thanks, Jess. That will make Liz happy." I'll say it'll make her happy, he thought, smiling to himself.

Elizabeth made it over to the bandstand just as Dana finished her number and stepped down to the ground.

"Hey, Jess," Dana said, snapping her gum, "every time you wear that tuxedo outfit, you make the other fashion types around here look like they're wearing horse blankets."

"Thanks, Dana. It really is me, isn't it?" Elizabeth said, flashing a truly glorious Jessica Wakefield smile.

"Sure thing, Jess."

Elizabeth grinned to herself. It was working!

"Dana, I have the most sensational announcement

for you to make about the 'Eyes and Ears' column."

It was a tradition that, every year, if the "Eyes and Ears" author was unmasked, the guilty party was thrown, fully clothed, into the school pool. Elizabeth couldn't remember any previous columnist escaping the students' playful punishment. Somebody always leaked the secret, at just about this point in the semester. Elizabeth suspected it was Mr. Collins and that her time was almost up. Well, this year, somebody else was going to spill the beans.

"I know who writes the column," Elizabeth said, imitating Jessica perfectly.

"Terrific, Jess. We have time for a little dunking before the rally starts. Who is it?"

"My sister. Liz is the author."

"And you're turning her in? What's the matter, you two have a fight?"

"No, no. It's just that sometimes she seems a little too good, you know? A little dunking won't hurt her."

"You're right. Besides, she's a good sport. Where is she?"

"Where else? Over there with Todd Wilkins, where she always is."

"OK! Let's tell the world the news." Dana jumped back onto the bandstand, grabbed the mike, and held up her hand for attention.

"Listen up, you guys! Have I got news for

you! What do we do to the writer of the 'Eyes and Ears' column?"

"Dunk him!" the crowd roared.

"Well, go get her. It's Liz Wakefield--and she's standing right over there with Todd Wilkins!"

Everyone turned to look. Jessica stood rooted to the ground. "Oh, no, Todd, they think I'm Liz. Help me, Todd. Stop them!"

Smiling broadly, Todd stepped away from her.

"Rules are rules, Liz. She's all yours, guys."

Two linebackers got to her first. One took her arms, the other her legs. They headed for the pool, followed by a laughing crowd.

"No! No! No! I'm not Liz, you jerks! I'm Jessica!"

One of the guys laughed. "Give me a break, Liz. I saw your sexy sister talking to Dana at the bandstand. I think she's the one who turned you in."

"One! Two! Three!" Jessica was thrown screaming into the middle of the pool.

Elizabeth made it down to Todd's side at the pool in time to see a sputtering, incensed, and very wet Jessica surface.

Elizabeth grinned down at her sister triumphantly. "You were right, Jessie. You certainly did look like me today."

"You planned this!" she shrieked. "You planned this whole rotten, mean, contemptible

trick! I'll never forgive you, not if I live to be a hundred and thirty-seven years--"

"Bye, Jess." Elizabeth and Todd strolled off, arm in arm.

After the rally, Elizabeth and Todd finally said good night--a long good night filled with kisses and sweet words, and still more kisses.

Elizabeth watched Todd drive off, then went in, closed the door, and leaned against it, sighing happily.

The sharp ring of the doorbell announced Enid's arrival. Elizabeth had invited her friend to come over after dinner and spend the night. Elizabeth opened the door. There stood her friend, tears streaming down her face.

"Enid! What's wrong?"

"Liz, I don't know what to do. Something terrible has happened. I can't even tell you, it's so awful. But I know Ronnie is going to hate me, and I could just die! I'm afraid I'm going to lose everything."

What is the dark mystery in Enid's past, and how does Jessica use it to her own advantage? Find out in Sweet Valley High #2, SECRETS.

POWER PLAY #4

ALL NIGHT LONG #5

DANGEROUS LOVE #6

DEAR SISTER #7

HEARTBREAKER #8

RACING HEARTS #9

WRONG KIND OF GIRL #10

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE #11

WHEN LOVE DIES #12

KIDNAPPED #13

DECEPTIONS #14

PROMISES #15

RAGS TO RICHES #16

LOVE LETTERS #17

HEAD OVER HEELS #18

SHOWDOWN #19

CRASH LANDING! #20

Look Out!

A SUPER SWEET DREAMS® SURPRISE IS COMING YOUR WAY.

It's the romantic event of the year--the first ever SWEET DREAMS Special Edition. Get to know characters who are just like you and your friends ... Share the fun and excitement, heartache and love that make their lives special.

? MY SECRET LOVE: SWEET DREAMS Special Edition #1 is by popular SWEET DREAMS author Janet QuinHarkin. Laura Mitchell's mother has big plans for her as a belle of Texas high society. But Laura, prefers science fiction books and creative writing to country club events, and she falls in love with a boy from the poorest family in town. So far, she's managed to date Billy Jo secretly, but when he's falsely accused of a crime, Laura knows that only she can prove his innocence.

SWEET DREAMS Special You'll never want it to end.

You're going to love

ON OUR OWN®

Now starring in a brand-new SWEET DREAMS mini-series--Jill and Toni from Ten Boy Summer and The Great Boy Chase

Is there life after high school? Best friends Jill and Toni are about to find out--on their own.

Jill goes away to school and Toni stays home, but both soon learn that college isn't all fun and games. In their new adventures both must learn to handle new feelings about love and romance.

? #1 THE GRADUATES

#2: THE TROUBLE WITH TONI--On sale in June

#3: OUT OF LOVE--On sale in July

#4: OLD FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS--On sale in August

ON OUR OWN--The books that begin where SWEET DREAMS leaves off.

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