Playing For Keeps Read online

  PLAYING FOR KEEPS

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  PLAYING FOR KEEPS

  The only person in the whole group at the Dairi Burger who didn't know the real Jessica was A.J. Morgan. And every time she looked at him she felt a surge of conflicting emotions: panic, confusion, frustration, and head-over-heels love. She couldn't do anything to jeopardize the good opinion he had of her. He liked the quiet, concerned type, so she had to be the quiet, concerned type.

  "You're looking pretty serious." A.J.'s voice broke gently into her reverie. He was smiling at her in a way that made her heart race.

  She blushed. "Oh, I was thinking about—about nuclear war," she fibbed lamely. "You know—how terrible it would be if there was one and everything."

  The smile vanished from his face. Nodding slowly, he picked up his soda, then took a long swallow. "You're right," he agreed softly, his eyes clouding over.

  As Jessica turned to talk to Lila, she felt a twinge of anxiety. Hadn't A.J. looked surprised, maybe even confused?

  She hoped she hadn't said something wrong. Or stupid. She didn't want to do anything that would ruin her chances with A.J. He was too important to her.

  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

  Chapter Thirteen

  One

  Elizabeth Wakefield wrapped her arms around her knees and let out a blissful sigh. A few yards away from her, the gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean lapped at the sand, leaving a line of foam along the beach as they receded. It was a sunny Friday afternoon, and a big crowd from Sweet Valley High had gathered at their favorite spot on the beach.

  She watched her boyfriend, Jeffrey French, surface from a wave and shake the water from his blond hair. Sending her a gleaming smile, he strode toward her through the knee-deep water.

  "Boy, was I dumb," Elizabeth said to her best friend, Enid Rollins, who was sitting next to her on the beach blanket.

  Enid looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

  "You know—that slam book mess. I can't believe I took it so seriously when Jeffrey's name kept appearing with Olivia's. I really acted like a dope."

  Enid rolled her green eyes and shook her head, and Elizabeth turned to Jeffrey just as he sat down at her other side.

  While he toweled himself off, Elizabeth studied him from under her lashes. For the last few weeks, Sweet Valley High had been in the grip of slam book fever. Nearly every girl at school had the same marbleized-cover notebook. Each page was headed by a category, such as Class Clown, Biggest Flirt, or Biggest Jock. There was even a section for predictions called the Crystal Ball. When the books were passed around, girls entered their choices anonymously. At first Elizabeth thought it was just a lot of harmless fun.

  But then people began writing Jeffrey's name under Couples of the Future—with Olivia Davidson's. The first few times she saw it, Elizabeth shrugged it off. Olivia was a pretty good friend of hers, and besides, Olivia had been dating Roger Patman steadily for several months.

  Soon things got out of control, especially when Elizabeth's name began to appear in the same Couples of the Future category with a new junior from Atlanta named A.J. Morgan. No matter who tried making excuses and explanations, tempers flared up, and feelings were hurt. Fortunately, though, Elizabeth and Jeffrey sorted out the groundless rumors before disaster struck.

  As though sensing her intense scrutiny, Jeffrey looked up and met her eyes, and Elizabeth felt a surge of emotion. They had worked out their problems and resolved their differences, and now she and Jeffrey were as much in love as ever.

  "Hey, Most Popular," he teased, referring to one of the slam book categories in which Elizabeth's name had appeared frequently.

  She grinned and stuck out her tongue. "Only tied for first place, don't forget."

  "Well, I don't know if that really counts," Enid said. "I mean, two people who look exactly alike and talk alike and everything else—that's not really sharing first place. You're most popular as a unit."

  Jeffrey laughed. "Hey, that's true," he agreed.

  Suppressing a grin, Elizabeth shot a look over her shoulder at a nearby trio of girls. Sitting between her two best friends was Elizabeth's identical twin sister, Jessica. Only the people who knew them well could tell them apart at a glance. They had the same sun-streaked blond hair, the same twinkling blue-green eyes, and the same beautiful heart-shaped faces. Each of them had a perfect size-six figure: five feet six inches of California girl. Growing up in the perpetual sunshine of Sweet Valley had given them a healthy glow that anyone would envy. Right down to the dimples in their left cheeks, Elizabeth and Jessica were mirror images of each other.

  But the similarity stopped there, as everyone who met them discovered after approximately seven seconds! The older twin by four minutes, Elizabeth was more mature and practical than her headstrong sister. She liked books and music, writing poetry, and sharing ideas and dreams with her closest friends, Jeffrey and Enid. One of her dreams was to be a professional writer, and she was practicing by writing articles and a weekly column for The Oracle, Sweet Valley High's school newspaper. She had a reputation for being dependable, honest, and fair-minded, and everyone at Sweet Valley liked and admired her for that.

  Of course, nearly everyone at Sweet Valley liked and admired Jessica, too, but for completely different reasons. Her attitude toward life was positively regal. She liked to believe that everything revolved around her. She was willful and impetuous and constantly got herself into scrapes and predicaments by acting first, then thinking about the consequences later. Frequently her escapades caused her to teeter on the brink of disaster, but someone always bailed her out. More often than not it was her reliable twin who came to her rescue. Jessica breezed through life with a nonchalant confidence that most people couldn't help being impressed by.

  So it was no surprise that the Wakefield twins had tied for Most Popular. Between them they represented every exciting and lovable quality a sixteen-year-old could have.

  "Speaking of slam books, there's our future high school coach," Enid said with a giggle, arching her eyebrows significantly as she looked toward Ken Matthews.

  The tall blond football star was organizing a game of volleyball. Ken's name had appeared in the Crystal Ball section of the slam books under Most Likely to Be a High School Coach, and everyone agreed it was one of the most perfect choices.

  Elizabeth grinned. "Can't you just see him? Maybe we should get him a whistle."

  "And then we have the Girl with the Most of Everything, and Most Likely to Appear on the Cover of Time," Enid went on in a singsong tone, pointing with her chin toward wealthy Lila Fowler and ambitious Amy Sutton, two of Jessica's good friends. "And don't forget—"

  "Biggest Flirt," Elizabeth cut in with a laugh. She looked back affectionately at her twin. That was Jessica Wakefield all the way.

  "So then he goes, 'You look so hot, Amy. We should get together sometime.'" Amy Sutton smiled archly as she rubbed suntan lotion on her arms.

  Jessica caught Lila Fowler's gaze and crossed her eyes. Instantly Lila sputtered with laughter and buried her face in a towel.

  "What?" Amy demanded indignantly. Her gray eyes narrowed as she frowned at Jessica. "What did you say?"

  "Nothing. I didn't say anything, did I, Li?" Angelic and innocent as a baby, Jessica shook her head and shrugged. "Honest. Go on. So then what did he say, Amy?"

  Still suspicious, Amy continued her monologue about the "gorgeous hunk" she had met at the Beach Disco the night before. Jessica kept her interested smile plastered on her face, but secretly she was bored. There was really only one person whose life kept her constantly fascinated, and that was her own. Of course, Amy was a good friend, but sometimes she droned on much too long.

  "So did he ask for your phone number or what?" Lila interrupted.

  Shrugging nonchalantly, Amy shook her head. "No, but I gave it to him anyway."

  Jessica snorted, then opened her mouth to make one of her typically snide retorts. But as she raised her head, her eyes became fixed on the tall, redheaded boy striding across the beach in her direction. She snapped her mouth shut, feeling a blush color her cheeks. It was A.J. Morgan.

  Before A.J. had appeared on the scene, Jessica's habit had always been to flit from one boy to another. A full-time commitment, like the one her twin had with Jeffrey, had never made any sense to her. After all, why be stuck with just one boy when she could go out with so many? She had had her share of serious crushes, too. But luckily they never lasted very long!

  But when A.J. Morgan came to Sweet Valley High, Jessica knew she was in love from the first time she saw him. Really in love. This wasn't just an infatuation, physical attraction, or her usual crush. This was the real thing. And A.J. seemed to like Jessica, too. There was just one hitch, though: the Jessica he liked was one who acted more like Elizabeth than Jessica.

  It was such a stupid, idiotic mix-up. Just being around A.J. had thrown Jessica into such an emotional tailspin that she had been quiet and reserved, rather than vivacious and outgoing.

  And then, in addition to Jessi
ca's personality switch, Elizabeth had suddenly changed into a Jessica clone. Because of the rumors about Jeffrey and Olivia in the slam books, Elizabeth had decided to come on super-strong and seductive toward A.J.—whom she didn't know her sister liked—in order to make Jeffrey jealous. When that happened, A.J. was more than a little taken aback. He had even confessed that that kind of hurricane approach—Jessica's usual approach—was too overwhelming for him! So he came to the conclusion that Jessica, being the quieter, more easygoing twin, was the one he liked better! It was all totally backward.

  Under any other circumstances Jessica would have straightened him out in two seconds. But the thought that he wouldn't care about her anymore if he knew what she was really like was enough to make her heart stop beating completely.

  What am I going to do? she asked herself frantically. I don't want to lose him!

  For the time being, all she could do was keep up the act. She had to keep playing it quiet and serious, sweet and sincere. She sent up a silent vote of thanks for having decided to wear a conservative blue tank suit to the beach instead of one of her sexy string bikinis. She scrambled to her feet as A.J. approached, then waited in tongue-tied silence for him to speak first.

  "Hi, Jessica," he called out, his red hair falling into his eyes.

  Her fingers itched to brush his hair away, but she didn't dare do anything so brash and personal. Instead, she gave him a sweet, demure smile and then dropped her eyes. "Hi, A.J.," she breathed. Her heart raced just having him near her.

  From one corner of her eye, she saw Lila and Amy looking at her with undisguised skepticism. Giving a mental shrug, she moved away from her friends and smiled again at A.J. He followed her willingly.

  "So, how's it going?" He sat down to empty sand from his worn boat shoes and nodded invitingly toward the space next to him.

  Her heart fluttering, Jessica sank down beside him and stared out across the gently lapping waves. She couldn't think of a thing to say, something that had never happened to her before she met A.J.

  "I thought you might be here," he began as he leaned back and propped himself up on one elbow. He grinned at her, and his warm brown eyes sparkled as he squinted against the glare.

  "Oh, I-I'm always at the beach," Jessica stammered. "I just love being outside—and—and the fresh air and everything." That was the kind of Girl Scout attitude he was attracted to, she thought. And she prayed she could keep up her act convincingly.

  "Yeah, me, too."

  Her mind raced as she desperately tried to think of what her twin would talk about. She drew a deep breath. "Isn't it amazing how those same waves came all the way from Japan? Or is it China? Or—I mean, it makes you realize how close but—but how far away, I mean . . ." She let her words trail off, unsure of exactly what she was trying to say. In agony she gave him a hopeful smile.

  He looked thoughtful. "Yeah, I guess I know what you mean. I guess that means surfers are kind of like diplomats, right?" he teased.

  Letting out a peal of polite laughter, Jessica shook her head. "I don't know about that."

  A.J. breathed a contented sigh as he leaned his head back, eyes closed, to soak up the sunshine. It took all of Jessica's self-control not to turn on her full seductive power and simply pounce. But if she did, she was afraid he'd bolt like a racehorse. Instead, she quickly looked away and tucked her knees up to her chin. She swore she was going to make this relationship work, even if she had to turn her whole personality inside out to guarantee it.

  Lila rolled over on her stomach and rested her chin on her fists. Jessica and A.J. were in her line of sight, and she knew her friend well enough to realize that something very peculiar was going on. Every movement Jessica made seemed out of character. She usually had no trouble showing off her perfect figure once she was at the beach. Now there she was, sitting all curled up in a tight little ball. It didn't make any sense, Lila thought. Jessica had told her that she was crazy about A.J.

  "Have you noticed how bizarre Jessica has been acting lately?" Lila asked, her brown eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  Amy flipped through a few more glossy pages of Ingenue before she answered. "Well, now that you mention it, I guess you're right. But only when he's around, it seems," she pointed out, nodding her head toward A.J. "Wow, look at this dress."

  "Let me see." Impatiently Lila reached for the magazine, ran her eyes over the low-cut, clingy dress, and tossed it back. "Yeah, that's a Nadine original. They have it at Lisette's. I'm thinking of buying it. But listen, Amy, I'm serious."

  Amy assumed an intent, listening expression. "OK, Lila. You're serious."

  "I mean it," Lila insisted, scowling. She turned her eyes back to Jessica and A.J. and shook her head. "I think we should say something to her. She's acting like a completely different person."

  "Hmmm . . ." Amy's mocking look faded as she followed Lila's gaze. "Actually, that's probably a good idea. 'Cause if this is some weird way of getting A.J. I have a feeling it isn't going to work."

  Two

  "A.J.?"

  "Mmm?"

  He looked at her with a sleepy smile that made Jessica melt inside.

  "I was thinking," she continued, digging her fingers into the sand and trying to sound earnest. "I know it's a really nice day, but maybe we could go to the library. I need to get my homework done, and that really has to come first. Do you want to go with me?"

  A slightly surprised look came into A.J.'s gold-flecked eyes. But he shrugged good-naturedly and gave her a grin. "Sure. I guess so, Jessica. If that's what you want to do, that's OK with me."

  "Oh, great," she breathed. A feeling of relief flooded through her. It had been a smart move after all, it seemed. He couldn't help being impressed by her dedication and sense of purpose. After pulling on her shorts and shirt, scooping up her things, and saying goodbye to her friends, she walked with A.J. toward his car, talking soberly the whole way.

  "I have a report to do for English, and I really want it to be good," she explained, an intent expression on her face. "I mean, I know a lot of kids our age think grades and stuff don't matter, or that it isn't cool to care, but I know how important they are."

  She snuck a look up at his profile, trying to gauge his reaction. One of the most attractive things about A.J. was his vaguely mysterious air. Most of the time he was open and candid, but there were also times when it was impossible to tell what was going through his mind. At the moment she wasn't sure what he was thinking, so she decided just to keep going to play it safe.

  "And I know you'll think this sounds weird, but nothing makes me feel better than showing my parents a good report card," she confessed modestly.

  As he loped along beside her, A.J. looked at her with a smile of appreciation. "That's amazing, Jessica. Most people just think grades are one big drag."

  "Not me," she insisted. Her voice was grave.

  They reached his car, and he held the door open as he gave her a gallant little salute. "After you."

  She smiled sweetly up into his eyes. "Thank you."

  "To the library?" he prompted, a slightly doubtful look on his face.

  "To the library," Jessica repeated with a firm nod.

  Jessica leaned across the table and whispered throatily, "A.J.? Can I read you something?"

  Looking up from his book, A.J. gave her a quick nod and leaned back in his chair. "Sure. What is it?"

  "One of my favorite poems," she replied, meeting his eyes with a luminous smile.

  It had been one of her favorites since she found it the night before. Poetry wasn't exactly something she dipped into on a regular basis, but serious, sincere people like Elizabeth loved poetry, so Jessica decided she had better like it, too. Besides, she knew A.J. really liked poetry. Just the week before, they had gone to a party to celebrate Sweet Valley High's new literary magazine, and A.J. had been very interested in it. Since it was Jessica's plan to show him how much they had in common, she had scoured Elizabeth's poetry books until she found what she considered the deepest, most soulful poems. They were guaranteed to tell A.J. what she was like on the inside.

  While her heart flip-flopped with nervous anticipation, she pulled a slim volume of poetry from her book bag and opened it up to a marked page. Then she cleared her throat and drew a deep breath. "This is a poem by Emily Dickinson," she said.