Once Upon a Time Read online

  ONCE UPON A TIME

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  To Chris Moustakis

  Visit the Official Sweet Valley Web Site on the Internet at:

  http://www.sweetvalley.com

  "So the prince and Isadora had a passionate affair," Jacques said, continuing the legend of Le Château d'Amour Inconnu. "And all summer she sang as she worked, a pure and beautiful sound that made even the doves sit still and listen."

  Jessica held her breath. She felt herself transported to another world, a magical place of romance and passion.

  "But one day Prince Frédéric was to be wed to a young marquise," Jacques said. "Torn between his love and his duty, Frédéric agonized day and night. But the preparations proceeded as planned. On the day of the wedding Isadora ran into the forest. And Frédéric ran into the woods after her."

  "And so they lived happily ever after!" Jessica finished.

  "Ah, no!" Jacques said, his face darkening. "This is a tragedy. Frédéric searched the woods, but the belle Isadora was nowhere to be seen. And so the marriage went on. But when Frédéric took his vows, a white dove appeared. It sang a sad song, and then it flew away. And it is said that on summer nights, the sweet and sorrowful sound of a dove can be heard."

  "That's beautiful." Jessica sighed. "Maybe I'll hear the dove when I'm there."

  Jacques winked. "Maybe you will have a mysterious love affair."

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 1

  "Shampoo, conditioner, soap," sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Wakefield muttered to herself on Friday evening, throwing the last of her toiletries into her pink floral travel case.

  She and her twin sister, Jessica, were leaving in the morning for the South of France, where they were spending the summer as au pairs for a royal European family. Jessica's best friend, Lila Fowler, was throwing a big going-away bash for the twins that evening, so they had to be ready to go before they left for the party.

  Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and surveyed her bedroom. A large blue suitcase was packed and standing by the door, and her backpack was full to bursting. Her cream-colored room was neat and orderly. She had put away all her schoolbooks, and she had left a new message on her answering machine with her summer phone number. Everything seemed to be in order.

  Elizabeth quickly performed a mental list, ticking off items in her mind. Passport. Plane ticket. Traveler's checks. Journal. Apparently she was all set to go. But still a nagging thought was bothering her. She felt as if she were forgetting something. What was it?

  Then it hit her. Todd. She walked over to her dresser and tenderly picked up the framed photograph of her longtime boyfriend, Todd Wilkins.

  Elizabeth gazed at the portrait of her handsome boyfriend. He was wearing his red Gladiators basketball jersey and a navy blue visor pulled low over his forehead. A few dark brown curls peeked out from underneath the cap, and his deep, coffee-colored brown eyes smiled at her warmly from the photo.

  Elizabeth's heart fluttered as she read the words scrawled at the bottom. To my good luck charm, Todd had written. Elizabeth remembered exactly when she had taken the picture. It was the night of the championship basketball game in the fall, when Todd had scored the winning basket. "I couldn't have done it without you," he had whispered in her ear after the game. "You were my inspiration."

  A sharp pang of regret hit Elizabeth. The thought of leaving Todd for so long was heartbreaking. They were going to be separated for a whole month, and it would be too expensive to make phone calls. And impossible to make weekend visits.

  Elizabeth's chest tightened as she thought of her upcoming separation from her boyfriend. She wondered if she'd have even a moment alone with Todd at Fowler Crest, Lila's father's mansion. She and Todd were sure to be surrounded by their friends all night.

  Well, I'll just have to take him away from all that, Elizabeth decided as she slipped Todd's picture into the inside pocket of her shoulder bag. She resolved to leave Lila's party early and whisk Todd away to Miller's Point for a more private farewell. Miller's Point was a popular parking spot overlooking Sweet Valley, and it was Elizabeth and Todd's favorite place to go when they wanted to be alone.

  Elizabeth sank down onto her bed. Tonight would be the last night that they would get to enjoy the beautiful view together. "It's going to be a long summer," she whispered wistfully.

  Suddenly the door to the bathroom adjoining the twins' rooms flew open, and Jessica breezed in. Elizabeth looked up, startled.

  Jessica bounded into the room, her whole body bursting with energy. She looked glamorous and sexy in a long, deep red cotton skirt with a cream-colored Lycra T-shirt. Her golden blond hair was swept up on her head, one long lock twisted into a curl over her forehead. Her blue-green eyes sparkled dramatically, and her cheeks were flushed pink with excitement.

  Jessica put her hands on her hips. "Aren't you ready yet?" she demanded. "Lila said to come over around seven-thirty."

  Elizabeth smiled wryly. Jessica was perpetually late, a quality that she tended to justify on the grounds that the party didn't start until she got there. "Since when are you concerned about the time?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Since I'm the guest of honor—along with you, of course," Jessica replied. She picked up a compact disk from Elizabeth's bookshelf and spun it around on her index finger. "And if you don't hurry up, we're going to miss all the fun." The CD spun off Jessica's finger and sailed across the room. It hit the far wall and fell onto the bed.

  "Jes-si-ca!" Elizabeth moaned, retrieving the CD and quickly putting it back in its case.

  Now Jessica was rummaging around in Elizabeth's backpack. She pulled out a pair of rose-tinted sunglasses and pushed them up on her forehead. Then she began dancing around the room in an imitation of a waltz, singing an Edith Piaf song. Ever since Jessica had learned they were going to France, she had started to listen to French music obsessively even though she didn't understand the words.

  "Quand il me prend dans ses bras, il me par-le tous has, je vois la vie en ro-se," she crooned.

  Elizabeth couldn't help laughing. "Hey, Jess, why don't you take some of that energy and use it to transport your hundred suitcases down the steps?"

  "My bags! That's right!" Jessica ripped off the sunglasses and threw them back in Elizabeth's bag. Then she sped out the door.

  Elizabeth shook her head as her hyperactive twin exited. Sometimes she couldn't believe she and Jessica were even related. Despite their identical appearance, from their sun-streaked blond hair to their aquamarine eyes to their slim, athletic figures, the girls couldn't be more different in character.

  Jessica was thrilled to get away for the summer. There was nothing she liked better than change. Jessica went through boyfriends even faster than she went through social trends and clothing styles. If she sensed a moment of calm in Sweet Valley, Jessica was sure to stir things up. The cocaptain of the cheerleading squad and an active member of Pi Beta Alpha, the most exclusive sorority at Sweet Valley High, Jessica's energy was infectious. Whether on the sidelines of the football field, in the middle of the beach disco, or in the thick of the mall, Jessica always drew a crowd.

  While Elizabeth had just as much energy as her sister, she directed it toward more internal pursuits. A staff writer for the Oracle and a straight-A student, Elizabeth had high aspiration
s to be a famous journalist one day. In her spare time she preferred quieter activities: taking a moonlight walk on the beach with Todd, going to a movie with her best friends, Enid Rollins and Maria Slater, or just sitting alone in the park, writing in her journal.

  Unlike Jessica, Elizabeth hated it when her world was rocked. She had been looking forward to a peaceful, productive summer in which she could work on her writing and spend some quality time with Todd.

  Elizabeth took one last look at the picture in her hand and her eyes narrowed in a scowl. "I can't believe I let Jessica talk me into taking this job," she grumbled to herself.

  Recently their father had done some legal work for Children of the World, an international employment agency that specialized in educational and child care positions. One evening he had casually mentioned that an opening for an au pair position to the prince and princess de Sainte-Marie had suddenly become available. The royal family of a European principality was looking for somebody to take care of their children at their summer Château on an island in the Mediterranean.

  Jessica had nearly jumped out of her seat at the possibility of living with royalty, even though she didn't even know at the time what an au pair was.

  "It's a fancy term for a live-in baby-sitter," Elizabeth had explained.

  Her twin had remained undaunted. She had immediately put a plan into action with typical Jessica Wakefield energy and stubbornness. With lightning quick speed, she had gathered together an impressive portfolio, complete with a résumé, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation. A short time later she had been hired for the job. However, there had been one stipulation. Because Jessica was younger and less experienced than the family desired, the agency had to find a second girl to share the duties.

  That's when Jessica began working on Elizabeth—begging, cajoling, and threatening to drive Elizabeth insane if she didn't agree to join her. "It'll be an adventure," Jessica had said. "We'll get to live in the South of France." "We'll be able to practice our French." "We'll learn all about a foreign culture."

  After two weeks of nonstop pressure Elizabeth had finally given in. I should have put my foot down from the start, she told herself as she hugged Todd's photo to her chest. Not only would she be away from Todd and her friends for months, she would also be giving up a chance to work at Flair magazine over the summer. She had recently served as the assistant to the managing editor of the famous fashion magazine as part of a two-week internship program. The editorial board had been so impressed with her work that they had offered her a summer position.

  Elizabeth heaved a sigh as she zipped her shoulder bag shut. Instead of working in the editorial department for a renowned magazine, she was going to spend the summer baby-sitting on some deserted island in a foreign country. Why can't I ever say no to my twin? she thought in disgust.

  Frowning, Elizabeth hoisted her backpack over her shoulders and picked up her suitcase. After nudging open her bedroom door, she lugged her bag down the hall and carried it downstairs to the foyer.

  Jessica was standing by the front door, jingling the keys to the Jeep. "It's about time!" she exclaimed.

  Elizabeth stumbled over a duffel bag on the floor and quickly steadied herself. Her mouth dropped open as she took in Jessica's bags, which were stacked by the door. Jessica had filled up a five-piece floral set of luggage, plus a dress bag and an oversize backpack.

  "You planning to move to France permanently?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Sorry, no time for small talk," Jessica responded cheerfully, nudging the door open with her foot. "The party is about to begin!"

  Elizabeth shook her head as Jessica took her firmly by the shoulders and steered her through the door.

  "You and Liz certainly can draw a crowd," Amy Sutton remarked to Jessica at Fowler Crest later that evening. It was 10 P.M., and the party was in full motion. The Droids, a popular rock group from Sweet Valley High, were playing on a raised dais on the back patio. Everyone was dancing, laughing, eating, and obviously having a great time.

  Jessica laughed. "That's nice of you to say, but I think we should give Lila credit for this fab turnout."

  Lila had really outdone herself this time. Jessica's best friend was famous for throwing lavish parties, and this one was no exception. But then, any event at Fowler Crest was always magnificent. The white, Spanish-style mansion was surrounded by plush, sculptured lawns with Olympic-size tennis courts and a sparkling fountain. The back patio, with its red clay tiles, hanging baskets of plants, and tall lemon trees, was the perfect example of California beauty.

  But tonight Fowler Crest was even more extravagant than usual. The patio was decorated with fresh flowers, tropical plants, and citronella lanterns. An elegant buffet table was set up, and black-tailed waiters were walking around with platters of hors d'oeuvres. A big banner reading Bon Voyage, Jessica and Elizabeth! hung over the patio.

  It looks like everybody in the junior class showed up! Jessica thought with satisfaction. Ronnie Edwards and Aaron Dallas were trying to throw Sandra Bacon and Jean West into the pool, and the girls were shouting with laughter. Maria Slater and Olivia Davidson were surrounded by a group of admiring guys by the refreshment table. And Penny Ayala, Enid Rollins, and Ken Matthews were doing a crazy line dance across the dance floor, which was drawing lots of laughs.

  From the moment she had arrived, Jessica had barely been able to take a breath. Every time she turned, it seemed like somebody else wanted to wish her well.

  Usually Jessica was thrilled with this kind of attention, but for some reason the party tonight left her flat. She shifted impatiently, wishing she were already on the plane to France.

  "Ah! Jessica! Zere you are!" a familiar voice from behind her called.

  Jessica turned to see Winston Egbert approaching.

  "Oh, boy," Amy said with a groan. "Get a load of Winston."

  Affectionately known as the class clown, Winston was looking particularly ridiculous that evening. He was wearing a French-cut tuxedo jacket with sleeves that were too short, revealing his knobby wrists. A black French beret was pulled low over Winston's left eye, and a baguette was tucked under his arm.

  Winston made a low, sweeping bow when he reached them. "Bonsoir, mesdemoiselles," he greeted them in French.

  Amy giggled. "Bonsoir, Winston."

  "Monsieur Eg-berrrt, eef you pleez," Winston corrected her.

  Jessica couldn't help laughing at Winston's exaggerated French accent. "Winston, you are such a geek," she said.

  "I eve brought you end your lovely seester a pre-sent," Winston said. "Where eez your ozer alf?"

  My other half? Jessica pondered. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen her twin for a while. She had noticed Elizabeth and Todd slip away from the crowd about an hour ago, and they hadn't reappeared since. "I think she and Todd snuck off together."

  "Ahh, too bad!" Winston exclaimed. "Pleez give Leez my best weeshes." He held out a small white box with a big red bow wrapped around it.

  Jessica untied the bow and lifted off the lid. A tiny pin with a little green frog on it was nestled in a bed of tissue paper. She shook her head with a smile, holding up the pin for Amy to see. "Winston, you are too much."

  "It eez a French frog," Winston explained in mock seriousness.

  Jessica nodded. "Yeah, I got it," she said. "Thanks, Winston, it's lovely."

  Just then Dana Larson, the lead singer of the Droids, spoke into the microphone. "Hey, everybody, I'd like to introduce a brand-new song. It's called 'Solid Ice.' We hope you like it!" The band broke into a funky blues beat, and the crowd roared enthusiastically.

  "Hey, let's dance!" Winston exclaimed.

  "You go ahead," Jessica said, waving him away.

  Jessica watched pensively as Winston joined the crowd on the dance floor. She had been thrilled about this party, and it had turned out to be even better than she had imagined. But still, she felt somehow disappointed. She couldn't quite put her finger on the reason for it. After all, she was l
ucky. She had really great friends, and they had all turned out to say good-bye.

  Jessica bit her lip. Obviously I'm ready for a change, she thought.

  Elizabeth stood in Todd's arms on the Spanish-style veranda, gazing into the Fowlers' pool. The pool was filled with dozens of floating candles, which cast a melancholy yellow glow along the surface of the water. The tiny flickering lights seemed to reflect her somber mood.

  Elizabeth leaned back against Todd's chest and pulled his arms tighter around her. "We won't get to spend much time at Baywater this summer," she said sadly. Baywater was a deserted strand of beach that had become Elizabeth and Todd's private haven. They often went there on summer nights for moonlight picnics.

  "I know," Todd responded. "It's weird. In just twenty-four hours you're going to be staring out at the Mediterranean Sea."

  Elizabeth sighed. The thought didn't excite her at all. Her chest felt tight, and she was on the verge of tears. She didn't know what had come over her, but ever since the au pair job had become a reality, all she could think about was Todd. Maybe it takes a separation to make you realize how much you appreciate someone, she thought.

  "I wish I weren't going," Elizabeth declared.

  Todd murmured in agreement.

  Elizabeth turned and took both of Todd's hands in hers. She looked up into his familiar deep brown eyes, which gleamed warmly in the light of the candles, and her heart skipped a beat. "I love you, Todd," Elizabeth whispered in a throaty voice.

  "I love you too," Todd said quickly.

  "And I promise to write every single day," Elizabeth continued, feeling a tear come to her eye. "Maybe we can call each other a few times too."

  Todd nodded, but his eyes darted away from her.

  Elizabeth frowned and blinked back her tears. Todd seemed distinctly uncomfortable. In fact, he had been acting odd all evening. "Todd? Is something wrong?" she asked.

  Todd coughed, but he shook his head quickly.

  "OK, you don't have to write every day," Elizabeth joked. "You can write every other day." She laughed nervously, waiting for Todd to join in. But his expression remained serious.