She's Not What She Seems

  SHE'S NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  "Jessica, what's wrong?" Sam asked, catching up to her in the parking lot and putting a hand on her shoulder.

  "What are you doing here?" Jessica demanded, turning to face him. "I thought you had to study tonight!"

  "I did have to study. But I finished early and decided I'd drive down to the Dairi Burger to see you. You did tell me you'd be here, didn't you?"

  "Well, yes. But I didn't expect to get here and find you flirting with Paula behind my back!"

  "Flirting? Is that what you think? We were only talking, Jessica."

  Jessica hugged herself and stared into the darkness at the other end of the parking lot. "You never look at me that way when we're only talking."

  "Jessica, I don't know what's wrong with you lately. You seem to go off the deep end whenever Paula's involved. It's not like you to be so paranoid."

  "Sam," said Jessica, trying to stay calm, "I am not paranoid. Paula is trying to sabotage me somehow. You've got to believe me!"

  "Jessica, you're making me angry. I see what's going on. Your little protégé is ready to make her own friends, and you can't handle that."

  Sam stalked away, but halfway across the parking lot he turned around and yelled back at her, "What do you want, Jess? To control Paula? She's not your puppet, you know!"

  "No," whispered Jessica. "But I may be hers."

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  One

  "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it!" Jessica Wakefield's voice rose dramatically from behind her bedroom door.

  Her twin sister, Elizabeth, was standing in the bathroom that separated their rooms. Elizabeth stopped for a moment to listen. Then she pushed open the door. "I'm trying to study," she said. "Would you please keep it down in there?"

  Jessica whirled around to face her. "You could knock, you know."

  "I did knock—three times," said Elizabeth. "You were too busy plotting the king's murder to pay attention."

  "Well, it's a very important murder," said Jessica. "It's going to make me a star!"

  "Perhaps you could twinkle a little more quietly." Elizabeth said, a smile spreading across her face. She never could stay mad at Jessica for long.

  "I'm rehearsing Macbeth, and you want me to be quiet! I thought English was your favorite subject."

  "It is," Elizabeth answered. "But right now I'm trying to study French verbs, not English literature." Elizabeth turned to leave. As she did a pair of jeans became entwined around her ankle. As usual, most of her twin's large and trendy wardrobe was lying wrinkled on the floor.

  "How do you live in this mess?" Elizabeth asked, kicking her foot free.

  "What mess?" asked Jessica, her blue-green eyes wide.

  Elizabeth shook her head. Only Jessica could stand in the middle of such a disaster area and ask, "What mess?"

  The sixteen-year-old twins were identical in appearance, with turquoise eyes, a tiny dimple in their left cheek, and perfect southern California tans. They both had long, sun-streaked blond hair, but Elizabeth usually pulled hers back in a casual style, while Jessica preferred loose, sexy waves.

  Both twins wore a size six, but Elizabeth's taste in clothes was far more conservative than her sister's. Jessica, who loved being the center of attention, usually wore the newest, flashiest fashions. But she certainly wasn't dressed that way now, Elizabeth noted. Jessica wore a long, demure nightgown, and had her hair pinned up on top of her head.

  "Wait a minute," said Elizabeth. "That's my new nightgown you're wearing—the one you said you'd never be caught dead in!"

  "I know," said Jessica. "It is hideous. But you don't mind if I borrow it to practice being Lady Macbeth, do you? I need to get in the mood," she explained. "It's the longest, flowingest thing I could find—even if it does have zero sex appeal."

  "OK, OK," Elizabeth gave in. "On one condition: Promise to keep your voice down. I need to concentrate on my irregular verbs."

  "I don't know what the big deal is," said Jessica. "You don't need to study; you always get straight A's. And I have to be loud. A great actress has to project her voice so it can be heard to the back of the theatre."

  "Project it somewhere else!" said Elizabeth. "How about the garage? Besides, shouldn't you be studying for the French test, too?"

  "Are you crazy? This is only Sunday night," said Jessica. "The test isn't until Wednesday morning. I don't have to study until—'tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.' Or maybe I should say, 'Tuesday night, and Tuesday night, and Tuesday night'!"

  Elizabeth tried to look stern. "I know the teachers said they'd be lenient about schoolwork with cast members," she said. "But you aren't a cast member yet. Auditions don't even start until Tuesday. You shouldn't let your schoolwork slide completely."

  "Stop playing big sister with me," said Jessica. "Remember, you're four minutes older, not four years!"

  Elizabeth smiled wryly. She often did feel like the much older sister—the sensible twin. Jessica was the one who always chose having fun over being responsible.

  Despite their differences, both twins were among the most popular students in the junior class at Sweet Valley High. But they were popular among different groups. Elizabeth thought Jessica's friends, especially Lila Fowler and Amy Sutton, were silly and superficial. Elizabeth preferred her own best friend, Enid Rollins. Jessica thought that Enid was hopelessly dull. In fact, she thought that most of Elizabeth's friends were entirely too serious.

  Jessica was seldom serious about anything. She always said she didn't like being tied down by one activity. She thought Elizabeth was crazy to spend so much time writing for Sweet Valley High's student newspaper, The Oracle.

  Until recently, Jessica had even criticized her sister for her devotion to her steady boyfriend, Todd Wilkins. Jessica had never believed in being serious about one boy—until she had started dating Sam Woodruff, a senior at nearby Bridgewater High.

  But Elizabeth had to admit that Jessica did seem serious about this play. Jessica had been in school plays before, and both girls had recently acted in a television soap opera. But this was different. Jessica was absolutely determined to play Lady Macbeth. And Elizabeth knew her sister well enough to know that when Jessica made up her mind to do something, there was no standing in her way.

  Unfortunately, Jessica also seemed determined to keep her sister from having any peace tonight.

  "Help me, Liz. You're good at this stuff. The language doesn't make any sense. Like here—what does it mean when I say, 'Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear'?" She held out the book.

  "To look up clear means to look innocent. Lady Macbeth is telling her husband that if he has a guilty expression on his face, people will suspect something," Elizabeth explained. "But Jessica, I've heard you practicing, and you sound great. You don't need any help. You'll do fine in the audition."

  "No I won't. I really, really need you, Liz. I'll just die if I don't get this part. But I won't be able to impress a famous theatre director like David Goodman if I don't understand what I'm saying. Would you help me with some other lines tonight—please?"

  "Jessica, I told you, I need to study. I'm sorry, but schoolwork is more important."

  "Mo
re important?" cried Jessica. "Nothing is more important than this play. Where have you been, Mars? The posters have been plastered all over school for more than a week. And you were at the assembly Friday where Mr. Goodman explained the whole thing."

  "I know, I know," said Elizabeth. "He's picked Sweet Valley High this year for his annual student theatre production. He's casting the major roles this week, in three rounds of auditions. Then he'll hold tryouts next week for the minor parts. So?"

  "The kids who are in this production will be seen by theatre critics—and maybe even talent scouts!" Jessica said. "Liz, this is my big chance to be discovered as an actress. You've got to help me!"

  "All right," said Elizabeth with a sigh. "I give up. You've got me for one hour." She shoved aside a damp towel and sat on Jessica's unmade bed. "But then I'm going back to my French book, and you have to promise to rehearse more quietly." She took the script from Jessica. "Where do you want to start?"

  "Will the famous actress lower herself to talk to us?" Amy Sutton asked Lila Fowler as they stood near their lockers the next morning. She gestured toward Jessica, who was slowly walking down the hall toward them. Jessica carried an open book and moved her lips silently as she read.

  "Is Jessica Wakefield reading a book?" asked Lila in a loud voice. "Somebody take her temperature!"

  "You know, it could be Jessica," replied Amy. "But I'm not sure if I would recognize her. It seems like ages since I've seen her."

  Jessica looked up suddenly. "Oh, hi!" she said. "I didn't notice you two."

  "Well, that's only fair," said Lila, "seeing as how we didn't notice you yesterday at the mall."

  "The mall?" asked Jessica.

  "Remember the Valley Mall?" asked Lila. "Your home away from home? The place where you were supposed to meet Amy and me at one o'clock yesterday afternoon?"

  "Sorry, I didn't have time. I had to rehearse." Jessica held out her book, and Lila saw that it was a copy of Macbeth.

  "It figures," said Lila. "Lately it seems as though that book's been surgically attached to your hand."

  "Look across the hall," said Jessica suddenly. "There's that girl again—the one that's always staring at me lately."

  Lila turned to see a thin, mousy-looking girl. The girl looked away quickly.

  "I told you, I have no idea who she is," Lila said. "And from the looks of her, I'm sure I don't want to."

  The girl's dull brown hair was pulled back into a limp ponytail. She wore a shapeless tan cardigan over an outdated jumper that, in Lila's opinion, was much too long. "Some people have no fashion sense," Lila added.

  "Luckily," said Amy, "we've got more exciting things to talk about than her now that David Goodman is producing Macbeth here. Nothing interesting has happened in weeks—not since Dana Larson almost married Prince Arthur! Though I still can't believe a real prince would choose Dana with both of you falling all over him."

  "If I can't be a real princess," Jessica declared, "at least I can play a queen!"

  Lila turned to Amy. "How do you like that?" she asked. "Auditions don't even start until tomorrow, and Lady Wakefield is already behaving as though she has the lead all sewn up. If I were you, Jessica, I wouldn't bother memorizing too many of Lady Macbeth's lines—that is, unless you plan to understudy me. I'm going to get the role. And I'm sure Jessica can deal with her jealousy in a mature way."

  "This play is the most important thing that's ever happened here," Jessica said, ignoring Lila's last comment. "And nothing is going to stop me from playing Lady Macbeth."

  "Sam!" called Jessica, waving. "Over here!"

  Sam pulled his car to a stop outside Sweet Valley High that afternoon. Jessica slid in next to him and then leaned over to give her boyfriend a kiss.

  "How's my favorite actress?"

  "Not so happy, yet much happier," said Jessica.

  "Huh?" he asked, narrowing his gray eyes.

  "It's from Macbeth," Jessica explained. "I mean I'm so excited about this play that I can hardly stand it. The part of Lady Macbeth was written for me. I know it was! But I'm also so nervous that I don't see how I'm going to get through the audition tomorrow."

  "Just my luck," said Sam. "A date with the girl I love, and she can only think about some play."

  "Some play?" Jessica cried. "Do you think that's all this is?"

  "Come on, Jess," said Sam. "I was only teasing. I know how important this production is to you."

  "Sorry," said Jessica. "I guess I did overreact. But Sam, this isn't really a date. Remember, I only have time for a soda at the Dairi Burger. Then I've got to get home to practice. I have to be a perfect Lady Macbeth by tomorrow afternoon."

  "Don't worry," he reassured her. "You're going to be great. Nobody at Sweet Valley High could be a better Lady Macbeth than you. I just don't want you to forget your poor old boyfriend during your rapid rise to the top of the theatre world."

  "Never!" Jessica said, gazing fondly at Sam. "Hey, you should've seen Elizabeth's face when I told her she could have the Jeep for a change. I thought she'd faint! Actually, she asked me to thank you. She had to stay after school to help Penny."

  "Penny?" Sam asked.

  "Penny Ayala. You've met her," Jessica reminded him. "The editor of The Oracle. She's tall and kind of boring."

  A car horn sounded behind them, and Sam grinned. "Now, my queen," he said, "we'd better starteth the car and geteth out of the way. We blocketh traffic." He turned the key in the ignition and put the car in gear, then began to move into traffic.

  "Wait!" Jessica yelled.

  Sam slammed on the brakes. The car behind them honked again. "What is it, Jessica?"

  She smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to almost cause an accident. But I just saw that girl I told you about, the one who's been turning up everywhere I go." She pointed. "That's her standing near the doorway. She's the thin, mousy one with the messy hair."

  Sam shook his head and started the car moving again. "She doesn't look as sinister as you've made her out to be, Jessica."

  "I guess not," Jessica admitted. "It's just kind of creepy. She always seems to be watching me."

  "No doubt she has some fiendish plan to murder you in your sleep while pretending to be your loyal friend and subject. She's Macbeth to your King Duncan."

  "Very funny," said Jessica. "Now who can think of nothing but Macbeth?"

  "I'm thinking of trying out for the play," said Annie Whitman at lunch the next day.

  Jessica, Amy, and Lila were eating lunch in the crowded school cafeteria, and Annie pulled out a chair to join them.

  "I don't want to discourage you, Annie," said Jessica, "but you ought to be more realistic. You don't have a chance at playing Lady Macbeth. Not with me trying out."

  "And me!" said Lila.

  Like Jessica and Amy, Annie was on the Sweet Valley High cheerleading squad. With her graceful figure and dark hair, Annie was pretty enough to be an actress, Jessica supposed. But when it came to playing royalty, she would be no match for flashy Jessica Wakefield or even elegant Lila Fowler. Besides, Annie was only a sophomore.

  "Oh, I'd never dream of trying out for Lady Macbeth," said Annie, giggling. "Besides, you've got that in the bag, Jess."

  Jessica smiled modestly at Annie and then cast a triumphant glare at Lila.

  "I thought I'd try out for one of the smaller roles," Annie continued. "I've got a lot of time on my hands since Tony and I broke up." She blushed, but went on. "And my mother will be in New York on a modeling assignment for most of next month, so I would just end up sitting at home alone every night. The play will give me something to do with myself."

  Jessica had noticed that Annie seemed down recently—ever since Tony Esteban had dumped her for another girl. You'd never find me sitting at home alone because of some guy, Jessica thought.

  Amy's voice broke in on her thoughts. "Bill Chase is sure to get the part of Macbeth," she said. "He's the best actor at school. But won't that be uncomfortable for you, Jess?" She smile
d wickedly at Jessica, and then glanced apologetically at Lila. "I mean, if you get the part of Lady Macbeth."

  "She's right, Jessica," said Lila. "You were pretty rough on him when you both starred in Splendor in the Grass."

  "Can I help it if he had a crush on me?" said Jessica innocently. "I allowed him to wait on me hand and foot only because it made him so happy." She laughed. "Besides," she continued, "Bill is the best actor at school. I can't risk my big chance by co-starring with anyone else."

  "Jessica!" Elizabeth called out over the lunchtime din. She waved, and then jostled her way through the crowd to her sister's table. Todd was right behind her.

  "We can only stay a minute," began Elizabeth, out of breath. "But I've got the greatest news! Mr. Collins and Mr. Jaworski are the faculty advisors for the play, and you'll never believe who they just asked to be the student publicity director!"

  "Let me guess," said Jessica. "Could it be Mr. Collins's star English student, Elizabeth Wakefield?"

  "How did you know?" asked Elizabeth.

  "Who else would they pick?" said Jessica. "Every teacher in school knows you're the most responsible, best-organized person at Sweet Valley High."

  "You make responsible sound like a dirty word," said Todd.

  "Sorry," Jessica said to her sister. "But I didn't mean it in a bad way." She thought for a moment and then grinned. "Actually, Liz, this is fantastic! You can make sure my picture is on all the posters!"

  Todd rolled his eyes, and Elizabeth laughed. "Thanks for your selfless support," she said, hitting Jessica lightly on the head with her French textbook.

  Jessica turned to grab the book. As she did she noticed the same thin, mousy girl she had seen earlier. The girl was sitting alone at a nearby table and staring intently at Jessica and her friends.

  "There's that girl we saw in the hall yesterday," Jessica said in a loud whisper. "And yesterday afternoon she was outside school when Sam picked me up. Every time I turn around, she's there."

  "I've seen her, too," Elizabeth said. "I think she's a transfer sophomore."

  "That's right," said Annie. "She just started here a few weeks ago. Her name's Paula Perrine. She's in my English class, but she mostly keeps to herself."