Party Weekend!

  PARTY WEEKEND!

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  To Pilar Paris

  The angry group was turning into a raging mob as more and more people stormed the stage. Tempers were quickly reaching the boiling point.

  "We have to stop it now!" Josh declared.

  Jessica felt a deep pang of dread. "My sister is out there on that stage!" Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered Christian's violent death. "What if it's Elizabeth who dies this time?"

  "Don't worry, Jessica. We'll think of something. We have to!" Josh said emphatically.

  Jessica desperately tried to come up with an idea to stop the horror unfolding on the stage, but the situation seemed hopeless.

  Glenn snarled at Ken. "Why don't you take your ugly girlfriend and her loser team back to Sweet Valley?" he said with a nasty laugh.

  Ken shoved him hard. "Watch your mouth, Cassidy!"

  Fear slashed through Jessica like a knife. Christian, where are you when I need you? she silently cried.

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

  http://www.sweetvalley.com

  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

  Sunlight shone brightly through Elizabeth Wakefield's bedroom window as she opened her eyes Saturday morning. It promised to be a typically gorgeous day in Sweet Valley, California, with perfect weather, clear skies, and gentle ocean breezes.

  "I can't stand it!" Elizabeth grumbled, pulling the covers over her face. She squeezed her eyes shut again and tried not to remember the horrible yesterday she'd had. I never imagined I'd feel this miserable the morning after my junior prom, she thought.

  Suddenly the door to the adjoining bathroom, which connected her bedroom to her twin sister's, was flung open. "Jessica, go away!" Elizabeth groaned.

  Undaunted, Jessica marched over to Elizabeth's dresser and began rifling through the top drawer. "Where's your silver chain-link belt?" Jessica asked.

  Elizabeth tucked her head under the pillow, hoping to muffle the sound of her sister's voice. Jessica Wakefield was like a whirling volcano—totally uncontrollable and unstoppable—and very different from Elizabeth.

  Although the twins were identical, with sunny blond, shoulder-length hair, smooth tan skin, and clear blue-green eyes, the similarities ended at the surface. Inside, they were complete opposites. Older by four minutes, Elizabeth was the steady, calm twin. She worked hard in school and enjoyed reading literature or watching old movies in her free time. Elizabeth planned to be a professional writer or journalist someday. She was already practicing her craft as a staff writer for the Oracle, Sweet Valley High's student newspaper. Unlike her sister, Elizabeth took life seriously and played by the rules—usually.

  I have been breaking a lot of them lately, Elizabeth thought, feeling terribly guilty. She couldn't believe how badly she had treated her longtime boyfriend, Todd Wilkins. But when Devon Whitelaw had come to town, she'd felt an irresistible attraction to him. Then Todd had found out and tried to make her jealous by dating Courtney Kane, a wealthy snob from exclusive Lovett Academy, whom he'd dated in the past.

  Elizabeth had accepted Devon's invitation to the junior prom, but because of a mix-up in their plans she'd wound up going with Todd. Jessica had tried to cover for her by pulling their old twin-switch trick, going to the prom with Devon as Elizabeth. When the truth came out, both Todd and Devon were badly hurt.

  Elizabeth uttered a deep moan. She felt a throbbing headache coming on, no doubt caused by her own guilty conscience.

  "Is it in your closet?" Jessica demanded.

  Elizabeth let out a shriek of frustration and threw her pillow at Jessica. "I said, go away!"

  Jessica caught the pillow and threw it back. "I've always hated your perky-in-the-morning routine, but this is not the day to start changing your annoying habits, Liz!"

  "It's not a good day for you to give up your morning beauty sleep either!" Elizabeth retorted. "What are you doing up this early on a Saturday anyway? It's not even noon yet!"

  Jessica plunked herself down on the edge of the bed. "We're going to Lila's brunch party, and we need to gear up for battle!"

  Elizabeth's stomach sank. Lila Fowler, Jessica's so-called best friend, had conspired with Courtney Kane to get the twins out of the way at the prom. Lila had lured Jessica and Elizabeth to a golf cart storage garage at the Sweet Valley Country Club where their prom had been held. Then Courtney locked them inside, along with Elizabeth's friends Enid Rollins and Maria Slater.

  The dance was over by the time Enid and Maria's prom dates finally came to the rescue. Elizabeth and the others rushed to the country club's private marina for the late night prom cruise, but they reached the dock just as the yacht was pulling out to sea.

  Elizabeth would never forget the sight of Lila and Devon standing by themselves away from the crowd on the ship's deck. Lila's dark hair and expensive black dress shimmered in the moonlight. She and Devon had been leaning toward each other, their heads almost touching, as if they were sharing secrets.

  "I'm not sure I even want to get out of bed today, let alone confront Lila," Elizabeth protested.

  "We have to," Jessica pointed out firmly. "I'm sure Lila wanted to get rid of us so she could steal Devon for herself. Some friend! How dare she team up with Courtney Kane against me?"

  "Courtney Kane," Elizabeth echoed disdainfully. "I hope they lock that girl away for a long time!"

  During the cruise Courtney had pushed Todd overboard to get revenge for his using her to make Elizabeth jealous. He would've drowned if the twins and the others hadn't followed the yacht in a speedboat.

  When they'd found him struggling in the dark, churning water, Elizabeth had dived in after him without a moment's hesitation. But right after he thanked her, Todd said he never wanted to see her again. His words came back, haunting her. I won't play the fool anymore, Liz.

  "I don't think Todd will ever forgive me for trying to be his prom date and Devon's at the same time." Elizabeth swallowed against the thickening lump in her throat.

  "You can worry about Todd later," Jessica insisted. "Right after we finish with Lila."

  Elizabeth caught her bottom lip between her teeth. "I don't think Devon will ever forgive me either. He was so angry . . . and hurt."

  "And dear Lila was right there to cheer him up," Jessica said, her voice dripping with disgust.

  Elizabeth sniffed. Last night, after she'd helped Todd into the yacht's rescue boat, she and Jessica had huddled together in their rented speedboat, waiting to be taken aboard. Suddenly another speedboat had pulled away from the yacht—with Devon in the back and Lila cradled against his chest.

  Elizabeth shook her head woefully. "It was all such a terrible, bizarre disaster. Todd was nearly killed; Devon ran off with Lila. . . . I'm afraid to find out what happens next."

  "Don't worry," Jessica said, grinning. "By the time we're done with Lila, she's going to be very sorry for ruining our prom night!"

  "Jess, I'm just thankful I survived our prom night." Elizabeth rubbed her eyes and pushed back her hair. "Now I want to put the whole thing behind me."

  Jessica clenched her fists. "It's not over yet!"

  "I want it to be over," Elizabeth said.

  A spark of fury flashed in Jessica's eyes. "Listen, Elizabeth—you and I are going to that brunch, and we're going to give Lila exactly what she deserves!" She jumped off the bed. "So hurry up and get ready! This is one party I don't want to be late for."

  Several cars were already parked along the wide, circular driveway when Jessica and Elizabeth pulled up to Fowler Crest in their mother's station wagon. Lila's family was one of the richest in Sweet Valley, and their home was a showcase for their wealth. The white, Spanish-style twenty-room mansion was surrounded by acres of manicured lawns and formal gardens.

  "It's so embarrassing to show up in such a lame car," Jessica complained as she turned off the engine.

  Until recently she and her twin had shared an absolutely awesome black Jeep Wrangler. But Todd Wilkins had managed to drive it off a cliff one evening after another fight with Devon Whitelaw.

  Jessica had always considered Todd to be one of the most boring guys at SVH. But I guess even the boring ones flip out every now and then, she thought wryly. I just wish he hadn't killed my Jeep in the process!

  "If you're so embarrassed about Mom's car, let's go home," Elizabeth responded.

  Jessica pushed open the door and gave Elizabeth a stern look. "Nice try, Liz. But we're not going anywhere until this is over!" She stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut.

  She could hear the sounds of kids laughing and splashing in the backyard pool. Fowler Crest was more like a luxury resort than a home, with a tennis court, hot tub, sauna, and miles of tree-lined walking paths.

  Jessica had always loved Fowler Crest. She and Lila had been best friends for a long time—but they were also rivals. And this time Lila has gone too far! Jessica thought angrily. Not only did that conniving back stabber ruin the junior prom for me; she tried to move in on Devon!

  It had been Jessica's idea to go to the
prom with Devon, masquerading as her twin. Elizabeth is all wrong for him, Jessica reasoned. He needs a girl who's fun and adventurous like me.

  When her twin made no move to get out of the car, Jessica walked around to the passenger side and yanked opened the door. She noticed Elizabeth's face was pale, her lips trembling.

  "Come on, Liz," Jessica urged. "You look like we're headed to our own execution."

  Elizabeth gave her a weak smile. "I wish I could've stayed in bed."

  Jessica let out an exasperated sigh. "Quit being such a wimp!"

  "I'm not a wimp!" Elizabeth protested. Then she ducked her head. "Well, maybe I am, sort of. I just don't know how I'm going to face Devon and Todd after last night."

  "Lila is the one I'm interested in right now," Jessica shot back. "After we're done with her, we can leave."

  "And go home?" Elizabeth asked.

  "And go to the interschool fair!" Jessica replied. Several high schools in the area, including Sweet Valley, had organized a fair that was being held in nearby Palisades that weekend.

  The festivities included the traditional Battle of the Junior Classes, a friendly competition to get all the juniors psyched for their senior year. But so far no one knew the details of the contest, only that the winning team would receive a huge trophy and cash donation for a charity of their choice.

  Elizabeth groaned. "I'd forgotten about the fair."

  "Well, you can't skip out on the fair," Jessica said, although it looked as if her sister was planning to do just that. She quickly came up with an argument to change Elizabeth's mind. "Olivia would feel terribly hurt if you didn't go," Jessica reminded her, knowing how loyal her twin was to her friends—even though most of them were nerdy, boring, and just plain weird, in Jessica's opinion.

  "You're right," Elizabeth conceded. "Olivia's been working so hard on the fair committee. . . ."

  "Of course I'm right. I usually am." Chuckling, Jessica stared at her sister. "Now, are you coming with me, or do I have to drag you?"

  Suddenly the front door of the mansion opened and Lila came bounding toward them, her arms outstretched. "I'm so glad you two are OK!" she cried.

  Jessica leaned back against the station wagon's front bumper and folded her arms, striking a cool stance. "I'll bet you are," she spat.

  "Of course I am!" Lila said. "I tried calling you as soon as I got home last night, but your father told me you'd already gone to bed." She threw her arms around Jessica. "I was so worried about you," Lila gushed.

  Jessica shrugged her away. "Sure, Lila—you've always been such a sweet, concerned friend," she replied. "I suppose that's why you tricked us into a filthy golf shed full of spiders and mice?"

  Lila stepped back, her eyes wide with a look of remorse. "I'm so sorry about all that. I didn't realize how far Courtney would go to hurt you guys or that she was actually planning to kill Todd!" Lila sniffed and glanced at Elizabeth hopefully. "You have to believe me."

  Jessica was pleased to see the stern expression on her twin's face as she climbed out of the car. Sometimes Elizabeth was too quick to forgive. But not this time—thank goodness! Jessica thought.

  "Forget it, Lila," Jessica said. "We don't care about your excuses. You totally humiliated us, and you ruined our junior prom!"

  "Not to mention Todd's," Elizabeth added.

  Lila nervously pushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "It was all Courtney's idea," she said.

  "You didn't have to go along with her, did you?" Jessica demanded. "And what were you doing trying to steal Devon? My Devon," she added.

  "Your Devon?" Elizabeth glared at Jessica. "Where do you get off calling him yours?"

  Jessica reeled back, stung. Elizabeth was supposed to be on her side! Doesn't anyone around here believe in loyalty anymore? she wondered. "Well, he isn't yours!" Jessica shot back. "You picked Todd, remember?"

  Elizabeth planted her fists on her hips. "Jessica, you know I was planning to go to the prom with Devon—and I would've if I'd gotten the message to meet him at Palomar House for dinner."

  "OK, so I forgot to pass along his message," Jessica admitted. "You don't have to keep throwing it in my face. I already told you I was sorry."

  Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. "Are you? I mean, it seems awfully convenient that you just happened to mess up my date with a guy you wanted for yourself!"

  "How can you say that?" Jessica asked, her voice trembling with resentment. She and Elizabeth were supposed to be fighting with Lila, not each other!

  "It's not hard, considering you've pulled stunts just like it in the past," Elizabeth said. "You're self-centered enough to believe you should get whatever—and whomever—you want, no matter who gets hurt in the process!"

  "At least I know what I want!" Jessica shot back. "I don't have to twist myself up into a million knots to make up my mind like you."

  "I like to think before I jump, and I don't like to hurt people," Elizabeth replied.

  Jessica snorted at her sister's disgusting, self-righteous attitude. "Sure, Liz. And for all your thinking, you managed to hurt Todd, Devon, and me!"

  "Devon was never interested in you," Elizabeth pointed out.

  Jessica winced. That was a low blow! she thought. "Devon would've been interested in me if you hadn't gotten in my way!"

  "That is so typical!" Lila interjected. "You two act if there's some law that says the Wakefield twins have first dibs on every halfway decent guy in Sweet Valley."

  Jessica glared at her. "Maybe if you weren't such a conceited, spoiled brat, you wouldn't have had to stoop so low as to steal my prom date!"

  "Devon wasn't yours!" Elizabeth protested, sounding fed up.

  "Well, he wasn't yours either!" Jessica shouted, her blood boiling. "In case you don't remember, Todd was hanging all over you like a ratty coat."

  Elizabeth cast her a nasty look. "You mean just like you were hanging all over Devon?"

  "What makes you two think Devon is interested in either of you?" Lila asked. "If I were him, I'd hate you both!"

  Jessica scowled. "You listen, Lila Fowler—"

  A shrill whistle cut through the shouting. Startled, Jessica looked over her shoulder and almost gasped aloud. Devon stood behind them, shaking his head. Jessica stared at him, her heart pounding. He's so beautiful! she thought.

  Tall and muscular, with brown wavy hair and deep slate blue eyes, he was the hottest guy to show up in Sweet Valley in ages. His parents had died recently, leaving him more or less on his own. He lived with a legal guardian, an elderly woman who'd once been his childhood nanny.

  Jessica didn't know all the details of Devon Whitelaw's past, but she could tell that he'd lived through a lot. There was a hardness about him, but she could also see the deep, simmering passion in his eyes. She was utterly fascinated by him.

  She heard Elizabeth breathe his name. Sorry, sis—he's mine! Jessica vowed as she flashed Devon a sexy grin.

  Lila put on a sickeningly sweet smile. "Hi, Devon. I'm so glad you could make it to my party."

  Jessica shot her a dirty look.

  "If this is a party, I'd hate to see what happens at your riots!" he said. "So before you all kill each other, let's get the facts straight."

  "OK, let's do that," Jessica said. "You and I were having a pretty nice time last night—until Lila decided to snag you for herself."

  "That's not how it happened!" Lila countered.

  "Wasn't it?" Elizabeth chimed in. "It seems to me—"

  "Would you three shut up for five seconds?" Devon shouted. The girls fell silent. "I don't know where you're getting your ideas," Devon began in a calmer voice. "But this is exactly what happened between Lila and me last night. We talked while Jessica—masquerading as Elizabeth—went to get some punch. And then later, on the yacht, she and I found Courtney trying to throw Todd overboard. Then she told me you two were locked in a golf shed at the country club, so we took a speedboat back to shore to come rescue you. But you were already out. Period. End of story."

  Jessica's anger cooled . . . slightly. She was relieved Lila hadn't gotten anywhere with Devon, but it didn't excuse all the other rotten, back-stabbing things she'd done. "Isn't Lila the one who told you I wasn't Liz?" she asked him.

  "No, Courtney let me in on the big secret," Devon answered. "But you should've told me yourself, Jessica. I don't appreciate being lied to."