The Big Night Read online

  THE BIG NIGHT

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  To Keely Alexandra Schafer

  Todd turned to Elizabeth, and she cringed at the look of disbelief on his face. She'd never seen Todd so upset. "Why would you let Devon believe Jessica was you?"

  "You don't understand," Elizabeth choked out. "I didn't want to hurt—"

  "I'll tell you why," Devon snapped, his hands balling into fists. "Because sweet little Elizabeth wanted to lead us both on."

  A small crowd had formed, but Elizabeth ignored them, her heart aching as she struggled to find a way out of the mess she and Jessica had created. But Todd's face suddenly lost all its color, and he turned to her again, his expression totally heartbroken. His voice sounded hoarse when he spoke. "Liz, tell me it's not true. Please, tell me . . . it's not true."

  Elizabeth choked on a sob. She covered her mouth, her body trembling. How could she tell Todd the truth when she didn't know what it was anymore—when she was in love with both of them, but she'd hurt them both? She looked at Devon's angry, unforgiving face, then back at Todd's devastated expression, and she realized she didn't have the words. The tension raced between them, charged and thick, filled with anger and hurt and mistrust. And it was all because of her. She suddenly felt ill. Clutching her stomach, she burst into tears, then fled out the back door.

  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 13

  Chapter 1

  "Devon? What are you doing here?" Elizabeth Wakefield felt a shiver skitter down her spine as she stared at the cold, hard expression in Devon Whitelaw's slate blue eyes.

  "I should be asking you the same thing," Devon snapped. "I thought we were meeting for dinner."

  An unseasonably cool wind whipped the skirt of Elizabeth's white dress around her legs, and granules of sand pelted her ankles. She'd come to the beach to meet her ex-boyfriend, Todd Wilkins, and tell him it was over between them. Todd had sent her flowers and asked her to meet him here, but he hadn't bothered to show. Meanwhile Elizabeth had waited around like a fool, making herself late for the date she wanted to keep—her date with Devon. Elizabeth was cold and hungry, and she was already angry at Todd. She wasn't in the mood for Devon's accusatory remarks.

  She squared her shoulders and stared back at him. "Listen, Devon, Todd invited me—"

  "Todd didn't send you that invitation, I did!" Devon bellowed. "I wanted to see who you'd choose—me or your old boyfriend. And here you are, so I guess I found out!"

  "You did what?" Elizabeth staggered backward as if she'd been punched. Devon had deceived her?

  A cloud passed above, blocking out the moon, and Elizabeth shivered, suddenly feeling cold as the blackness enveloped her.

  "I sent you the invitation," Devon said, his voice echoing harshly across the empty beach. "I was all ready to ask you to go to the prom, but then I saw how you acted when you saw Todd with that girl Courtney." Devon ran his hand through his hair. "I had to know if you really wanted him, if you only agreed to have dinner with me because Todd was already taken." His voice dropped an octave, becoming more pained. "And it looks like I was right. I was just a consolation prize. Instead of meeting me, you ran back here to Todd. So it was him you wanted all along."

  Elizabeth felt a shocked sob rise up in her throat. She had been upset when Todd brought his ex-fling, Courtney Kane, to a Sweet Valley High prom committee meeting. But it hadn't been for the reasons Devon assumed. And now he was sending her fake invitations to find out the truth? Why couldn't he have just asked her what she was feeling?

  Elizabeth sucked in a shaky breath, blinking back tears. "I can't believe you tricked me like that, Devon. I did come here to see Todd, but I came to tell him we were through—that I was done with his game playing!" She glared at Devon's angular face, stunned she'd been so wrong about him. Her sweet, loving Devon had turned out to be a major waste! "But it looks like games are right up your alley. So now I'm through with you too!"

  Furious, she spun around and stalked toward her car. Just when she thought she'd found someone really special, someone she wanted to start a whole new life with, he turned out to be a snake.

  Devon grabbed her arm. "Wait a minute, Liz. There's no way I'm letting you go until you hear me out." He paused, and Elizabeth tensed, ready to bolt the minute he released her. Then he lowered his voice and loosened his hold, gently massaging the place where he'd grabbed her. "Elizabeth, I only did what I did because . . . because I love you so much."

  His voice broke on the last words, and Elizabeth closed her eyes for a second, feeling her heartbeat accelerate. Then she looked up, studying him and wondering if he was still playing with her. But his blue-gray eyes were filled with sincerity, the stony cold replaced by a sparkle that reminded her of the ocean at sunset. He spoke softly, his words filled with tenderness and regret. "I really am sorry, Liz. When I saw how you reacted when Todd showed up with Courtney, I freaked. I thought you didn't want me." He dropped his head and stared at the ground, and Elizabeth's heart clenched. "All my life it's been like that. No one really cared," Devon said quietly. "I just didn't want to be your consolation date."

  Elizabeth swallowed, remembering the things he'd told her about his family. He'd been a loner most of his life, staying with housekeepers and nannies while his parents traveled. Then his mother and father had died in an accident and he'd crossed the country, living with different relatives along the way. But none of them had really wanted him until he'd come to Sweet Valley and found Nan Johnstone, the one person who truly cared for him.

  "That's not what you would have been, Devon." She felt her shoulders slump. The constant war of emotions going on within her was draining. "I admit I was shocked when I saw Todd with Courtney. But that's because it was Courtney. You don't know her the way I do, Devon. She's pulled some nasty stunts in the past. She's dangerous."

  Devon glanced at his shoes, then back at her, remorse filling his eyes. "I didn't know."

  "But then I thought about the whole thing, about us, and I knew it was right. And I was glad Todd was moving on." She shrugged. "I thought the prom would be a way to start a new phase of my life . . . with you." She fidgeted with her hands, her breath catching.

  Devon's expression changed from apprehension to hopefulness to vulnerability in a matter of seconds. She thought she saw a tear in his eye, and her heart squeezed.

  "I was planning to tell Todd it was over between us. I came here to give him back this ring—to say good-bye to Todd forever." Elizabeth shook her head sadly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as tears seeped out and rolled down her cheeks. "I really wanted to go to the prom with you, Devon."

  Devon looked stunned, guilty, and ecstatic all at once. Suddenly he dropped to one knee and took Elizabeth's hand in his. "Liz, I'm sorry, really I am." Elizabeth's anger evaporated at the husky tone of his voice. "I know I was being stupid earlier. Please forgive me and say you'll go to the dance with me."

  The moon reemerged from the clouds, and Devon's face was bathed in its soft light. She could see the hope and sincerity glistening in his eyes. Maybe she should give him another chance.

  "Please, Liz," he said softly. "I promise, if you go with me, I'll never let you down again."

&nbsp
; He brushed his fingertips across her knuckles, and Elizabeth's heart melted into a puddle of longing. Smiling, she wrapped her fingers around Devon's, a tingle of excitement racing up her spine. Devon, a new beginning, the junior prom—maybe dreams do come true.

  "OK, Devon," Elizabeth said, pulling his hand to her mouth and planting a soft kiss on his fingers. "I'd love to go to the prom with you." She narrowed her eyes and gave him a warning look. "But no more games."

  Devon stood, then pulled her into his arms. Elizabeth felt his heart pounding as he pressed her against his chest in a tight embrace. "I promise, no more games, Liz. Not ever."

  Then he lowered his face and Elizabeth closed her eyes, absorbing the husky scent of his cologne. Just before their lips melded in a fiery kiss, he whispered, "I love you."

  Her heart purred in contentment. Her junior prom was going to be perfect.

  "Can you believe it, Li? We've been dreaming about prom night for years, and it's finally here!" Jessica Wakefield stretched her slender body into one of the lounge chairs beside the Wakefield pool and massaged a generous portion of sunscreen over her flawless skin.

  Her best friend, Lila Fowler, dropped down into a chair beside her and dumped a stack of the latest fashion magazines at her feet. "Yeah. I remember when we were in second grade, we used to play Prom Queen at recess. And now here we are—the two most exquisite girls at Sweet Valley High, getting ready to make an appearance on the big night." Lila fluffed her silky brown hair around her shoulders, arching her bikini-clad body into a perfect model's pose. "I feel like we should have reporters writing a feature story on us—you know, something like, 'Follow Lila Fowler and Jessica Wakefield, two of Sweet Valley's most chic teens, as they prepare for the gala of the century."

  Jessica batted her lashes. "Maybe they'll spot us as we step out of the limo tonight just like they do at the Grammy Awards. We might end up on the news after all."

  They both erupted into giggles. "Just think. That goody-goody twin of yours is in class right now," Lila said, rolling her eyes in disgust.

  Jessica shook her head morosely and made a clicking sound with her tongue. "Really. It's unbelievable the school only gave us a half day off to get ready for tonight. There's just so much to do!" She waved her hands dramatically. "Don't the teachers understand fashion at all? You can't achieve the right look with just five minutes; it takes time to cultivate true style. And we're it!"

  "I know." Lila turned over to lie on her stomach. "At least we were smart and took the entire day off. And if I'm going to live up to my fabulous image, I have to put the finishing touch on my tan. I couldn't possibly show up with strap lines on my back! Not wearing a Rafael Bartucci original."

  Jessica nodded, holding out one arm in front of her and examining her skin. "Exactly. There are priorities in life. I intend to look like a princess, not like the ghost of Sweet Valley High's prom."

  Lila's laughter filled the air as she peeled open a magazine to a section on makeup tips. "Maybe we'll find some ideas in here for tonight. I still haven't decided how to do my hair. And should I wear Sinfully Red lipstick or that Daring Plum?"

  "Why don't we do our hair together?" Jessica suggested.

  Lila examined her nails. "Are you kidding? I've got an appointment for the works at three." She pointed to a picture of a beautiful redhead wearing her hair in a sophisticated chignon and twisted her mouth in concentration. "That's classy looking. You know, I still don't understand how your sister will ever be ready on time. Even with my hairdresser, I'm going to be cutting it close."

  "You know Liz," Jessica said, rolling her eyes heavenward, "she'll run in and throw herself together. She probably won't even curl her hair. Simple and style free, that's my sister." Jessica dropped her face forward, letting her hair fall over one eye. "Of course, maybe that's for the best. There wouldn't be room for both of us to be stunning and elegant."

  Jessica and Lila giggled again, then Lila drew stars beside the eyeliners, lipsticks, and eye shadows she preferred. Jessica's thoughts strayed to her twin sister. Elizabeth was such a bore sometimes, she was probably actually concentrating on her classes right now instead of daydreaming about the prom.

  Although the twins looked exactly alike, with their slender athletic builds, shoulder-length blond hair, and blue-green eyes, inside they were polar opposites. They had different tastes in just about everything—especially clothes and guys. Jessica liked to wear flashy, colorful styles and all the latest trends, but Elizabeth always chose conservative, classic styles like polo shirts and khakis.

  Elizabeth was a serious student who wouldn't miss a day at school, not even for the prom. She even enjoyed homework, which Jessica considered a major nuisance to her busy social life. School was simply an avenue to meet boys, plan social events, and gather friends. While Elizabeth worked on the school newspaper, Jessica would rather be featured in the paper, preferably in a front-page story.

  Reliable Elizabeth. She'd been dating the same guy forever—boring-as-butter Todd Wilkins. Jessica saw the world as a palette to be painted with different experiences. And different, exciting, fun-loving guys were the colors. But lately Elizabeth had wised up and shown a different side—a wild side that shocked Jessica at times. She'd dumped Todd and had a fling with a brooding hunk, Devon Whitelaw, the sexiest guy ever to move to Sweet Valley.

  He'd driven in on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and had been kicking up dirt and raising the girls' eyebrows ever since. He and Todd had even fought over Elizabeth, and then Elizabeth had totally freaked and broken up with both of them. But her stint as a single woman hadn't lasted long. With the major event of the year coming up, Elizabeth had been forced to think about a date. And she'd chosen the hunk on the bike.

  Normally Jessica would have been cheering Elizabeth on, but unfortunately, Elizabeth had chosen to flirt with the one guy Jessica found totally irresistible. And perfect for her.

  "I can't wait to see my date in his tux," Lila said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Tall, dark, and handsome—just like in the movies."

  "Me too," Jessica agreed, hardly able to contain her excitement as she thought about her own dream date. "The guys at Sweet Valley High will be sorry they scorned Jessica Wakefield when they see me walk in, escorted by the most charming guy in southern California. And he doesn't go to SVH."

  Lila giggled. "Yeah, imagine the two of us not having the prize dates of the prom. Now that would go down in history."

  Jessica nodded, a secret smile playing on her lips, as she remembered the ad she and Lila had placed for dates in the local school newspapers. They'd received a mountain of responses and conducted interviews at the Fowler Crest mansion. Unfortunately both girls liked Jordan, the cream of the date crop. Rather than fight over him, Jessica and Lila had agreed that neither one of them would ask him to the prom. But fortunately Jessica had immediately decided he would be her date no matter what, and she'd devised a plan to snag him behind Lila's back.

  She'd told Lila she'd asked a guy named Davis, a gorgeous guy with green eyes and blond hair. Lila's date was a hunk named Trevor from El Carro High who wanted to go to Yale. Trevor was tall, dark, and handsome, if a little snobby for Jessica's taste.

  Jordan was by far the hottest guy they'd interviewed, and he was going to be an artist one day. A romantic plan formed in Jessica's mind, and she shivered with excitement. Maybe she'd let him paint her portrait in her slinky prom dress.

  She sneaked a peek at Lila and grinned devilishly. Going to the prom with Jordan was going to be almost as fun as watching her best friend turn a deep shade of envious green. She'd definitely outwitted Lila this time. Tonight, when she breezed into Lila's preprom party with Jordan, all the heads would turn, and Jessica would be in the limelight. Lila would be so jealous. And Devon would finally notice how desirable Jessica Wakefield was. Maybe he'd even realize he'd chosen the wrong twin.

  The portable phone rang, interrupting Jessica's whimsical fantasies. She picked it up and propped it underneath her ear, hol
ding out her fingernails to examine them. She'd definitely have to have a full manicure this afternoon. Her pinky had a huge chip in it.

  "Liz?"

  Jessica stiffened at the sound of Devon's husky voice, a familiar shot of anger surging through her. She still hadn't gotten over the sting of his rejection. When he'd first come to Sweet Valley High, she'd been determined to make him hers. She'd gone into major flirt mode and read up on motorcycles to impress him. But he'd shrugged her off and gone after Elizabeth.

  Jessica had even pretended to be Elizabeth one night and had fooled him for a while. But when she kissed him, he figured out the twin switch and became incensed. Jessica just didn't get it. Instead of choosing her boring sister, he should have been grateful to have the more exciting twin.

  "It's Jessica," she told Devon, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

  "Oh." Devon hesitated, sounding uncomfortable. "Listen, Jessica, school just ended and I was supposed to catch up with Liz, but we missed each other."

  "Yes?" Jessica tapped her fingernails on the chair.

  "I need you to give Liz a message. Tell her there's been a change of plans."

  'What? You're not taking her to the prom?" Jessica asked.

  "Of course I am," Devon replied sarcastically. "But I want Liz to meet me at Palomar House instead of Secca Lake."

  That's a relief! Jessica thought. A swanky restaurant like Palomar House would be so much better than a picnic by the lake. "Good choice, Devon. Of course I'll tell her." Jessica hung up, but the phone immediately rang again. She snatched it to her ear. What else did Devon want? "Hello."

  "Hi, Jessica. This is Jordan."

  Jessica shivered at the throaty sound of Jordan's voice. "Hey, you." She glanced at Lila guiltily, but her friend had her eyes closed, her hand tapping to the beat of the music pounding from the radio.

  "Listen, Jess," Jordan said. "There's been a change in plans."

  What is it with these guys today? Jessica thought. It's only a few hours until the prom, and everyone's changing their plans.