SVH01-Double Love (9 page)

Inside the office at last, Elizabeth sat at the typewriter and plunged into writing the story. It was like a doctor's prescription--it shut out all the pain and longing.

Write, she told herself. Keep on writing. Forget everything else.

Todd watched with a sense of loss as Elizabeth walked away. He'd had a precious moment when everything might have been set right, and he'd let it slip away.

Somebody was talking at him. It was Jessica Wakefield.

"Earth to Todd Wilkins," she was saying with a slight trace of irritation. He was such a hunk

and just about the nicest guy at Sweet Valley High, but sometimes he seemed so dense! "What did you say, Jessica?" They were strolling along back toward the school again, and Jessica kept the pace leisurely. She wanted Todd to herself this time. "Liz was sure in a hurry," he said. "Yes," Jessica said slowly. "She's upset these days."

"I guess she would be," Todd said. "Living down a stunt like that isn't easy."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Jessica began. "It's just terrible, what's happening. What kids are saying."

"But it's all true, Jessica! I'd give anything to find out it wasn't."

"Oh, Todd," Jessica whimpered, and she ran a few steps to a bench on the lawn and collapsed onto it. Todd was beside her in a minute. "What's the matter, Jessica?" Jessica was crying with abandon, holding her face in her hands and sobbing. Her shoulders shook. She wouldn't look at him. "Hey--Jess!"

Todd sat beside her and pulled her close, holding her against him as she cried. "Come on, now. It can't be that bad."

"Oh, Todd! I just can't stand it, what people are saying about Elizabeth. I love her more than

anything in the world. I can't let her be treated like this."

Jessica looked up into Todd's concerned face, into his wonderfully tender brown eyes, and her heart fluttered.

"Todd, it could have happened to anyone! It's not fair! Why, it could have happened to me."

"Come on, Jessica. It didn't just happen. She knew what she was doing."

Jessica took a deep breath. "Todd, I can't let this go on. Elizabeth is my sister. I love her! Todd--it wasn't Elizabeth at Kelly's."

"It wasn't?"

"No. Todd, it was me!"

"What?"

"Yes. Me. My sister is not going to be blamed for this thing. It's not fair."

Jessica was totally amazed at what happened next. Todd Wilkins stared deeply into her eyes for a long moment, then slowly shook his head as though in wonder.

"I've never heard anything so noble," he finally said.

"What?"

"You'd take the blame for your sister? Jessica, I don't think I've ever known how truly special you are until this moment."

"But, Todd--"

Todd pulled her close, holding her tightly in

his strong arms for what seemed an eternity. Then he gently kissed her. He didn't even hear the whistles and yells from the students who saw the whole thing, right in the center of the campus in the middle of the afternoon.

Jessica sat there, stunned. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that telling the truth could be so rewarding.

"Jessica, you're wonderful," Todd said.

"Todd, you're the greatest guy I've ever met, do you know that?"

"Listen! I'm taking you to the Phi Ep dance!"

"What?"

"That is, if you want to go with me."

"Want to? Oh, Todd!" And she was around his neck once more. "I want it more than anything in the world."

The first thing Elizabeth heard about as she left the Oracle office, was about the Big Love Scene between Todd and Jessica on the bench in the center of campus.

"Wow," Winston Egbert hooted, stopping Elizabeth as she came out of the school building. "The temperature went up about fifty degrees here a little while ago."

"What happened, Winston?"

"A certain beautiful cheerleader and a certain handsome basketball captain went into a clinch

right out in front of the world, and the mercury soared!"

"Oh," said Elizabeth. Her heart ached.

"I thought Todd was going after you, but now I see it's Jessica. Boy, talk about showing your feelings in public."

"Why are you so surprised, Winston? You of all people. You've been in love with Jessica since fifth grade. She's fantastic, and you know it."

"Oh, I know she is, but so are you!"

"Oh, well ..."

"Who are you going to the dance with?"

"Good question, Winston."

They walked down the steps. There, at the foot, Bruce Patman was gliding up to them in his black Porsche.

"Well, well, well," Bruce said to Elizabeth. "If it isn't Roadhouse Rhoda."

Elizabeth froze.

"Listen, I never thought you were such a fast number until now. But from what I hear, I've decided you're my type. I'd like to take you to the dance."

"Is that so?" Elizabeth snapped.

"Sure. I can't stand most of these wimpy girls. We can put in an appearance at the dance, then head for someplace where we can have some real fun."

All the pent-up fury suddenly burst from her.

All the anguish and the hurt and the pain caused by the snickering and whispering and innuendos spilled out.

"Bruce Patman, I'd rather stay home for the rest of my life than go anywhere with you! But, as a matter of fact, I have a date."

"Yeah? Who with?"

"Me!"

Elizabeth spun around.

There stood Winston Egbert, looking shocked at the sound of his own voice.

"You?" Bruce Patman laughed. "You, the joke of the school?"

"Yeah? Well, maybe I'm a joke, but you're an insult."

Bruce Patman started to climb out of the car, his face flushed and mean. "You stupid nothing, I'll fold you up and stuff you in the trash can!"

Elizabeth stepped between them. "Never mind, Bruce. It happens to be true. Win and I are going to the dance."

She linked her arm in Winston's and led him away, leaving Bruce Patman sitting in his car with his mouth open in astonishment.

"Listen, I'm sorry," Winston said when they were out of earshot from Bruce. "I just got so mad! I won't hold you to it."

"Wait a minute. What is this, Win? Are you standing me up?"

"Huh?"

"You asked me for a date, didn't you?"

"Well--I--aw, Liz, I just couldn't help it."

"Pick me up at seven-thirty, OK?" Winston Egbert stared at the beautiful, popular, intelligent Elizabeth Wakefield and almost fainted.

"OK!" he said, astounded, then turned and raced madly across campus, screaming like a deranged chimpanzee.

For the first time in ages, Elizabeth laughed long and hard. Then she turned her steps toward home. She would have fun with Winston at the dance, she really would. It was difficult not to laugh when he was around.

She felt a lot better now and walked along jauntily. She even began whistling. It wasn't until she reached her own street that her steps faltered and she wondered if she was whistling for some reason other than happiness. Maybe, just maybe, it kept her from hearing her own painful thoughts.

Eleven

Elizabeth dragged herself through the house and into the kitchen. She pulled a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and poured a glassful. As she drank, she chanted inwardly, I am happy for Jess ... I am happy for Jess. . . .But I'm so miserable I could die!

Just then the front door slammed shut, and Elizabeth heard Jessica shout, "Lizzie! Lizzie! Oh, Lizzie, you're not going to believe this!"

Jessica burst into the room, and it was the Fourth of July, Christmas morning, and Mardi Gras all rolled into one ecstatic, beautiful, blond sixteen-year-old.

"I told him, Liz, I told him everything. I told him that it was me with Rick Andover at Kelly's--and he still invited me to the dance!"

"You told him, Jess? He knows it wasn't me?"

"I told him everything, and he forgave me! He has got to be the most wonderful boy in a hundred and thirty-seven states!"

Elizabeth was sure that something inside her died just then. If Todd knew it was Jessica at Kelly's and still asked her to the dance--well, she knew, where that left her. Nowhere. She would go to the dance with Winston, have a wonderful time, get busy on her writing, and forget about Todd. How in the world are you going to do that? she asked herself.

"That's sensational, Jess. You're going to have a terrific time. I hear Todd is a great dancer."

"He's great at everything, I think!" Jessica was bubbling over. "Where's Mom? I can't wait to tell her all about this."

"She's going to be late. An appointment, I think."

"Again?" Jessica pouted. "That makes three nights in a row! I thought mothers were supposed to stay home and fix dinner once in a while!"

Elizabeth wondered how her sister could possibly descend from cloud nine with Todd Wilkins to the pits of depression so fast--and simply because she had to do a little thing like help fix dinner.

"Mom told us this morning that she was going to be late, Jess," Elizabeth said patiently, trying to hide her unhappiness and control her temper all at the same time.

"Well, it's not fair," Jessica complained, storming around the kitchen. "She has ruined my day, totally and absolutely!"

Elizabeth stared at her sister in amazement. Had Jessica flipped out? How could anyone ruin a day that included a dance invitation from Todd Wilkins? She imagined how she would feel if Todd had asked her. She would be so far off the ground she'd need a pilot's license. The thought of Todd's arms around her, the two of them dancing to slow, romantic music, made her knees so weak she had to clutch the counter with both hands to keep standing. Then she thought of how the evening would end--they'd be alone, totally alone ... his arms would hold her close to him . . . his lips--

"Liz! You haven't heard a word I've said," Jessica accused.

"What?" said Elizabeth, reluctantly coming out of her daydream.

"My very own sister is turning into an airhead right before my eyes. I was trying to find out what time Mom will be home. If she's coming home at all. She's practically never home anymore. Of course, if you're too busy to talk to me, just say so, Elizabeth." Jessica was working herself up to the rage of the century.

Elizabeth turned toward her sister. One look at Jessica's unhappy face was all it took.

"Oh, Jess, I'm sorry," she said, giving her a

quick hug. "This hasn't been a world-class day for me. You have every right to be happy. I want you to know that I'm really pleased for you." After all, she thought with just a trace of bitterness, somebody in this family should be happy.

"Liz! Stop it, Lizzie! You're doing it again."

"I'm listening, I'm listening. I swear it! Why is it so important to know when Mom's going to get home?"

"I want to tell her about this sensational day. And I absolutely have to talk her into getting me that perfect--oh, Lizzie, you should see it-- perfect dress at the mall." The sunshine was definitely back in Jessica's face and voice.

"Tell me all about it," Elizabeth said, then sighed, "while you're setting the table. Let me check out the freezer to see what I can toss into the microwave."

"Well, it's blue. It's slinky--"

"Don't forget the table, Jess."

Jessica glared at her sister's back for a moment but decided she'd better set the table if she expected Elizabeth to listen to her.

"Did I say blue--and slinky?" As Elizabeth nodded, Jessica continued. "It has a handkerchief hemline and--wait till you hear this, Lizzie-- spaghetti straps and a neckline so low Todd will be panting."

"Sounds like a case of overkill to me, Jess, and as a man, I feel sorry for the intended victim."

Both girls spun around in surprise. Steven was standing just inside the archway between the kitchen and dining room.

"Steve!" they chorused.

"I'm starved. Is there enough of whatever that's going to be for one more?" he asked, gesturing at the frozen food package Elizabeth was opening.

"Sure," she said. "It's just the three of us for dinner tonight. But I thought you--I mean, aren't you going out tonight?"

"No," he answered flatly.

The twins exchanged worried looks.

"It's probably a good thing Mom and Dad aren't here," he said bitterly. "I'm definitely not up to a repeat of last weekend's third degree!"

"I'm sure they don't mean to grill you, Steve, they're just concerned and--"

"For Pete's sake, Liz, not you, too! Why can't everyone in this house mind their own business!"

"This family has got to be the biggest bummer in five hundred and thirty-seven cities!" Jessica exploded. "Boring! Boring! Boring!" She stomped around the room, with the full attention of her brother and sister. Then she whirled, pointing a finger at Elizabeth.

"You," she sputtered, "act like you're a candidate for the funny farm. All you do is mope, mope, mope! And you!" She suddenly shifted to Steven. "What a ray of sunshine you are!

And on top of everything else, I was humiliated in front of every single person in school because my very own father is having an affair with that--that woman!"

Steven's head snapped up, and he glared at Jessica. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, Steve," she cried, "it's all over school, all over town. Dad has been with Marianna West almost every single night, and Mom acts like she doesn't care at all. They're headed for the divorce courts! What's going to happen to us?"

"Stop it, Jess," Elizabeth broke in. "Just because Bruce Patman shot off his mouth doesn't mean that any of it is true."

"Any of what?" Steven wanted to know. "Will one of you please tell me what's going on around here?"

"Well, Dad has been spending a lot of evenings with Ms. West," Elizabeth said, groping for the right words. "He says he's helping her with a case."

"He says," put in Jessica.

"But you two don't believe him?"

"No!" Jessica blurted out.

It took Elizabeth a few moments longer to speak. "I want to believe him, Steve, but things have been sort of strange around here lately, and--I just don't know."

"Does Mom seem worried or upset?" he asked.