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  "Oh, well," Jessica said, sighing. "I guess I'll just have to wear Liz's pink one." Helping herself to whatever she found in her sister's closet was the way Jessica usually solved her clothing problems. Fortunately, Elizabeth was at the mall with her friend Enid, so she wouldn't be around to witness this particular theft.

  Jessica pulled the belt of her terry-cloth robe tightly around her and padded toward her sister's room. As she was about to enter, she overheard her mother speaking on the hall telephone. The words Alice Wakefield was saying made Jessica stop dead in her tracks.

  "A movie director! How exciting! How are you two related, Sharon?"

  Sharon, Jessica thought. The only friend her mother had by that name was Sharon Egbert, Winston's mother. Could nerdy Winston, the clown of Sweet Valley High, be related to a Hollywood director? Jessica stood by Elizabeth's door, listening.

  "Well, then it will be a reunion for you. I hope I'll get a chance to meet him," Mrs. Wakefield said.

  So do I, thought Jessica.

  "I can understand that," her mother responded after a pause. "If he's coming for rest and relaxation, he certainly wouldn't want people knowing who he is. I won't say a word. Oh, Sharon, one more thing about those lights you wanted . . ."

  Jessica slipped into Elizabeth's room and went to the drawer where she knew she'd find her sister's neatly folded bathing suits. The hot-pink, strapless one-piece lay on top. Jessica pulled it out, and dropping her robe, put the suit on in one quick motion. Not bad, she thought, glancing at her perfect size-six figure in the mirror.

  While Jessica finished getting ready to sunbathe, her mind was working at full speed. A movie director at the Egberts' was about the most exciting thing she could imagine! She couldn't wait to tell Lila and Cara. She was sure the three of them could learn his identity in no time at all.

  Jessica strolled to the patio and set up a yellow-and-white deck chair. As she began rubbing tanning lotion on her slender legs, another thought came to her mind. Why should she tell Cara and Lila about this? They would only try to worm their way into a movie themselves. Stretching like a cat, Jessica settled herself into the chair. If anyone in Sweet Valley deserved a film career, it was she. No partners, Jessica concluded silently. I'd better find out about this director myself.

  There was no question in Jessica's mind that she was going to meet him. It was merely a matter of how and when.

  Deep in thought, Jessica closed her eyes. Now let me see . . .

  "That's the best one so far, Liz," Enid Rollins said approvingly. "It really looks good on you."

  Elizabeth looked over her shoulder so she could get a better back view of the spaghetti-strap dress in The Designer Shop's three-way mirror. "I'm not sure I'm crazy about the length, but you're right. It's better than anything else I've tried on in the last two hours."

  Elizabeth started to change back into her blouse and jeans.

  "Are you going to take it?" Enid asked.

  "I guess so. I haven't bought a new dress for ages."

  "You don't sound very enthusiastic about it."

  "I'm not. If I hadn't agreed to be on the volleyball team, I'd probably pass on this whole affair." As Elizabeth spoke she ran a comb through her golden hair, then tied it back neatly with a navy ribbon. "It'll seem strange, being there without Todd."

  "I know, Liz. It took a long time for me to get over George. Sometimes I still don't know how to manage without him."

  Elizabeth felt a rush of sympathy for her friend. Enid and George Warren had been going together almost as long as she and Todd. Now George was dating Robin Wilson, and for a while Enid had felt as alone as Elizabeth.

  After Elizabeth made her purchase, the girls strolled through the attractive mall.

  "How about something to drink, Enid?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Sure, let's go get a soda."

  They wandered to the center of the mall and stopped at Howard's Delicatessen. A minute later, root beers in hand, Enid and Elizabeth seated themselves on a small wooden bench, where they had a good view of the Sunday shoppers.

  "So your day with Todd was nice?" asked Enid.

  Elizabeth smiled at the memory. "Terrific. I tagged along while he finished the business he came to town for, and then we had a terrific dinner together last night."

  "Did you take him to the airport this morning?"

  "No," Elizabeth said softly. "Neither of us wanted a public goodbye, so we decided Todd should go to the airport alone. It was easier that way."

  "It sounds like you two got some things settled."

  Elizabeth nodded. "We did. Although I still don't know if I'm going to try to find a date for the dance. What are you going to do, Enid?"

  "I'm not sure. I suppose . . . " Enid looked up from her soda and was startled by the strange expression on her friend's face. "Liz, you look like you've seen a ghost."

  Elizabeth stared back at her with troubled eyes. "Maybe I have. I could swear I just saw Todd coming out of that shoe store."

  Enid whirled around to look. "Todd? He must be somewhere over Iowa by now."

  Elizabeth grew more agitated. "Enid, it looked just like him."

  "Do you think he missed his plane?" Enid asked.

  "It's possible," Elizabeth said. "Maybe he went to my house, and they told him I was at the mall."

  Enid's large green eyes grew wider. "Liz, you've got Todd on the brain."

  "What are we sitting here for?" exclaimed Elizabeth, ignoring her friend's disbelief. "Let's go find him."

  Elizabeth pulled Enid to her feet. "I'm sure I saw him heading toward the fountain," she said.

  For the next half hour the girls searched the mall, darting in and out of shops, but they saw no one who even remotely resembled Todd. Finally Enid suggested that Elizabeth call home to see if Todd had stopped by.

  "Nope," Elizabeth said, hanging up the phone. "Mom says she's been home all day and no one has even rung the door bell. "C'mon, let's go home," she said flatly.

  Enid put her arm around her friend's shoulder as they walked down the parking lot toward the red Fiat Elizabeth and Jessica shared. "I'm sorry, Liz."

  "No, I'm sorry. I led you on a wild goose chase," Elizabeth said, shaking her head. "I'm not even sure of what I saw now."

  "Then you admit it wasn't Todd," Enid said sympathetically as she got into the car.

  "It couldn't have been," Elizabeth answered, turning on the ignition. "Just call it a figment of my imagination, I guess. There's only one Todd Wilkins, and unfortunately, he's on his way to Vermont."

  Three

  Monday mornings always brought a flurry of activity to the Wakefield house, and this one was no exception. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield had already dressed, eaten breakfast, and said their goodbyes. Jessica and Elizabeth were hurrying, trying to get ready for school. Steven, however, moved with uncharacteristic slowness. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts as he put his books and clothing into his duffel bag. Elizabeth had noticed Steven's mood, and when she passed Jessica in the hall, she gave her sister a worried look and nodded in Steven's direction. Jessica picked up the signal.

  "So, Mr. University, ready to hit the books?" Jessica said, stopping at his bedroom door.

  "Uh-huh," he grunted unenthusiastically.

  "What time is your first class?" she asked, trying to start a conversation.

  "Ten."

  Still in her nightshirt and robe, Elizabeth crowded into the doorway. "You didn't use up all the hot water, did you, Jess?" she asked brightly.

  "No, but I used all the shampoo," Jessica kidded. Steven didn't even smile. Instead he continued absently stuffing his gear into the duffel bag.

  "Steve," Elizabeth asked after a pause, "is something wrong?"

  Steven stopped packing long enough to answer, "No, I'm just in a hurry."

  "You don't look like you're in a hurry," Jessica commented bluntly. "And by the way, where were you yesterday? You were gone practically all day."

  "I was with Betsy," he answered, zipping the
duffel bag closed and dropping it to the floor.

  "Again?" wailed Jessica.

  "Let's drop it, Jess," Elizabeth said, sensing a storm brewing. "We've got to get going."

  "You're the one who isn't dressed," Jessica pointed out. She patted the collar of her over-sized shirt and began to roll up her sleeves. "I'm ready."

  "No you're not. That's my shirt, and I'd planned to wear it today. So you'd better go change while I shower." Elizabeth spoke firmly and then walked off.

  "Look, Jess," Steven said. "I don't want to talk anymore. I have to make a phone call before I leave."

  Jessica was not about to be put off so easily. "Well, I hope you're calling Cara to apologize. You must have embarrassed her to death, running out on her at the party."

  Steven flinched. He did feel guilty about that, but he was in no mood for a lecture from Jessica. "Cara wasn't my date. We talked for a while, that's all. It was no big deal."

  Steven looked so sad and tired as he spoke that Jessica didn't have the heart to antagonize him. "I just hope Cara felt the same way," she said simply. "Have a good week, Steve."

  As soon as Jessica left, Steven went down to the kitchen, picked up the phone, and dialed Betsy's number.

  "Hello?" Betsy answered.

  "Hi, Betsy."

  "Steve, haven't you left yet?"

  "I'm almost out the door. I just wanted to say goodbye and thank you."

  "For what?" she asked.

  "Oh, for digging out those old family photographs. And for that great drawing of Tricia you did. I'm taking it back to school with me." He looked down at his duffel bag.

  "Well, I knew you liked the portrait I did, but I wanted to do a smaller one that you could keep on your desk."

  "I'm going to get a frame for it. It's terrific."

  "I'm glad you like it," Betsy said sincerely. "Drawing it made me feel closer to Tricia again. So," she continued briskly, "are you coming home next weekend?"

  "I guess so. Liz keeps trying to get me to buy tickets to some charity volleyball game and dance on Friday. Do you and Jason want to go?"

  "Jason has to do something with his family. And I have a class that night."

  "Then I think I'll pass on it too, but we will get together sometime next weekend, won't we?" Steven asked anxiously.

  "Sure we will," Betsy agreed. "Call me when you get in."

  Steven hung up the phone and picked up his duffel bag. He hoped he'd be able to spend time with Betsy the following weekend. She was his strongest link to Tricia. As long as he was with her, the memory of Tricia would never die.

  The twins' red Fiat sped the few miles toward Sweet Valley High, a handsome columned building set on an expansive emerald-green lawn. Elizabeth was doing her best to get to school on time, but her job was made harder by Jessica, who kept trying to shift the rearview mirror so that she could check her makeup. As Jessica reached out for the mirror one more time, Elizabeth swatted her hand playfully.

  "I don't understand why you always get to drive," Jessica grumbled a moment later.

  "You drove on Friday; it's my turn now. I'd think you'd like the chauffeur service. Besides, if you were driving how could you work on your face?" She glanced at her twin, who had now shifted the side-view mirror and was busy smoothing her eyebrows.

  "Is Steve going to the dance this weekend?" Jessica asked, changing the subject.

  "He hasn't decided yet. Say," Elizabeth inquired, "you've been pretty quiet about your own plans. Who are you going with?"

  Jessica cleared her throat. "Actually, Liz, I'd rather not say."

  Elizabeth gave her a puzzled look. "Why not?"

  "Uh, he hasn't exactly asked me yet. But I can tell you it's a rather unusual choice."

  Now Elizabeth was curious. Her popular twin had made several choices she hadn't liked at all. "It's not somebody wild, is it?"

  "No," Jessica answered lightly. "This guy is just someone you wouldn't ordinarily think of me with."

  "Oh," said Elizabeth, relieved. "Well, whoever he is, I'm sure you won't have much trouble getting him to invite you."

  Of course I won't, thought Jessica. Winston Egbert had been crazy about her for ages. It was true that he hadn't paid her much attention lately, but Jessica was sure she could rekindle his interest in no time at all.

  Jessica had decided the day before that meeting Winston's illustrious relative would be very simple. All she had to do was get chummy with Winston, go with him to the dance, and then invite herself to his house.

  Once this Hollywood big shot saw her, the rest would be movie history.

  "Why so quiet?" Elizabeth teased. "Thinking about your dream date?"

  "Something like that," Jessica responded.

  "If this guy's so special, how come you didn't get a new dress for the dance?"

  Jessica shook her head. "I'm going to wear that sweater dress I bought at Foxy Mama's. It's not exactly perfect, but it will do."

  "Well, if this mysterious date should come through, you can wear my new dress if you want to," Elizabeth said offhandedly.

  Jessica sat up straight. "Really?"

  "Nobody special is going to see me in it," Elizabeth said as she drove the Fiat into the student parking lot. "It may as well be put to good use."

  Jessica considered her sister's offer. On one hand, it wouldn't really be fair to borrow Elizabeth's dress for a date with Winston. On the other hand, she didn't want to look shabby. Jessica decided a compromise was in order. "Thanks for the offer Liz. I'll tell you what—if I get the date, I'll wear the dress." She could already see herself looking fabulous in her sister's new dress.

  The noise level in Room 103 was high when Jessica walked into her English class later that day. Groups of kids were standing around, waiting for Mr. Collins's class to begin. Some of them were talking about Lila Fowler's party, while others were speculating about the volleyball match later in the week. Jessica put her books down on her desk and went over to Guy Chesney and Emily Mayer, two members of Sweet Valley High's popular band, The Droids.

  "Hi, you two," Jessica greeted them. "Gearing up for the dance?"

  Guy pretended to play his keyboards. "Yeah. It'll be great to play at the Caravan. The acoustics are really good there. "What about you?" Guy asked. "How's your serving arm?"

  "All ready." Jessica laughed, flexing her biceps. Then she noticed how wan and tired Emily looked. "Hey, Emily," she said, "you look like you've been staying up late. Practicing hard?"

  Emily gave a short, humorless laugh. "Hardly. How can I study or sleep when Karen is up all night, crying?"

  "Is your stepmother upset about something?" Jessica asked, confused.

  "Not that Karen," Guy put in. "Her new baby sister is named Karen, too."

  "Half-sister," Emily said sullenly.

  "Oh, that's right," Jessica said, remembering. "Your father and stepmother just had a baby."

  "Yeah, so now instead of one Karen messing up my life, I've got two," Emily complained.

  "Is it really that bad?" Jessica asked.

  "Worse," Emily answered. "I thought once the baby was born it would at least get Karen off my back. But now she has even more to complain about. She says I don't help enough. I never offer to baby-sit. It seems I can't do anything right."

  "Doesn't your dad stick up for you?" Jessica asked.

  "Why should he?" Emily replied bitterly. "He's got a new wife and a new baby. He's all set."

  "Take it easy," Guy said.

  "Gee, it sounds awful," Jessica commiserated. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Winston laughing in the corner with a couple of kids. The bell rang shrilly, and Mr. Collins came striding into the room. A handsome man resembling Robert Redford, he was the target of many crushes among Sweet Valley High's female population.

  "Good morning, scholars," he said with a grin as he took his seat behind the desk. "Before I start class, I want to get your choices for term projects. I hope you've all decided which American authors you'd like to study."
br />   Jessica looked around in a panic. She hadn't given it a moment's thought.

  "We'll go around the room," Mr. Collins continued. "If someone chooses your author, speak up. I'll assign you both to that subject, and you can work together."

  Lila, who was sitting at the front of the class, turned and looked at Jessica. "Hemingway," she mouthed.

  Highway? Jessica wondered what Lila meant by that.

  Three students gave Mr. Collins their choices. Then it was Winston Egbert's turn.

  "Are you going to do one of our American humorists?" Mr. Collins asked.

  Winston sat up. "No, Mr. Collins. I'd like F. Scott Fitzgerald."

  A moment later, Jessica raised her hand. "I wanted to do Fitzgerald, too," she said.

  Surprised eyes from all over the classroom turned in her direction, though no one looked as shocked as Winston. Only Mr. Collins acted as if there was nothing strange about Winston Egbert and Jessica Wakefield working together.

  When the bell sounded, Lila came up to Jessica as she was collecting her books. "Jessica, what's going on?" she asked. "What made you team up with the king of comedy?"

  "I don't know," Jessica answered breezily. "I'm just interested in Fitzgerald, I guess."

  "But I thought we would do Hemingway together." Lila pouted. "He's Mariel Hemingway's grandfather, you know."

  "I don't think that's the kind of information Mr. Collins is looking for," Jessica said as the two of them headed toward the door.

  "Uh, Jessica . . ."

  Jessica whirled around. Winston Egbert was standing a few feet behind her. Lila stood at the door, waiting.

  "I'll catch up with you in a minute, Lila," Jessica said. Then she gave Winston a big smile and moved toward him. "Yes, Winston?"

  "Guess we'll be working together," he said, looking a little dazed. It wasn't so long ago that Winston would have given anything to share an assignment with Jessica. Since then he'd had several girlfriends, but that didn't mean he was immune to Jessica's charms. Still, Winston was also a little wary of her. He had seen her in action with too many other guys.