Jealous Lies Read online

  But who wouldn't want to go to a party with Jean? Sandra remembered how amused everyone had been when Jessica had suggested that Robin Wilson take Bruce Patman to a big school dance. Bruce was one of the richest, best-looking guys in the school, and at that time he was also the snobbiest.

  But Jean was hardly Robin Wilson. And no matter how hard Sandra tried to think of an impossible date for her, she kept drawing a blank.

  She hated to admit it, but she was beginning to be afraid she was going to have to give up.

  "Winston, what are you doing?" Elizabeth complained with an amused smile. Winston Egbert was the acknowledged clown of the junior class, and he viewed lunchtime as an opportunity to play pranks. That day he was making what he called "lovegrams," paper airplanes with secret messages in them, which he sailed across the cafeteria in the direction of the girl they were meant for.

  "This one's for Lila." Winston grinned and aimed the paper plane carefully, watching with satisfaction as it glided into her lap. Lila turned around with a grimace, mouthing something unintelligible at Winston.

  Sandra giggled. "You really ought to market some of your ideas, Winston. You're wasting your talent around this place."

  Winston smiled. "The world isn't ready for my ingenious devices," he said immodestly. "Want me to fly one of these babies to someone for you, Sandy?"

  Sandra shook her head. "No, thanks," she said. She was too busy worrying about Jean and Pi Beta Alpha to let herself be sidetracked.

  "Listen, you two," Elizabeth said. "I want to throw a surprise party for my brother next week. Do you think you can come?"

  "My calendar is empty," Winston said. "I'm all yours, Liz."

  Elizabeth smiled. "What about you, Sandy? And Jeanie, too, if she can make it. I was thinking of having it on Saturday, the fourteenth, 'cause we're having a big Friday the Thirteenth dance the night before in the gym."

  "That's right," Sandra said. "I completely forgot about that. It sounds fun, Liz. I'd love to come."

  "Where's Jeanie now?" Winston asked her. "I thought you two were inseparable."

  "She's making up a French test. We don't do everything together, Winston."

  Winston shrugged. "I don't even know Jeanie. She's kind of hard to get to know, isn't she?"

  Sandra frowned. However complex her own feelings were for her friend these days, she couldn't stand hearing Jean criticized. "What do you mean?" she said sharply. "Jeanie's the sweetest, friendliest girl in school."

  "I don't want to start an argument, but not everyone seems to feel that way," Winston said.

  Sandra stared at him. "What do you mean?"

  Winston shrugged. "Nothing important. I just ran into Tom McKay, looking kind of glum this morning, and he said he had tried to talk to Jeanie this morning and she really gave him the brush-off. He was good and mad, to tell you the truth."

  Sandra looked at Winston thoughtfully. Tom McKay. She had never thought about him before. He wouldn't be bad as a candidate for an impossible date, especially judging from what Winston had just said. She got to her feet, her eyes bright.

  "Hey, don't leave," Winston said, looking concerned. "I didn't mean to get you upset, Sandy."

  "It's OK, Winston," Sandra said. "I just remembered something I forgot to tell Lila and Jessica. I'll be back in a minute."

  With that she hurried acorss the crowded cafeteria, her heart hammering with excitement. I'm not finished yet, she thought jubilantly.

  There was still time to get Tom assigned to Jean. And not even Jean West was going to be able to pull this one off!

  "I don't know, Sandy," Lila said, frowning down at her pad of paper. "We really want Jeanie to get in. Don't you think Tom McKay's kind of a risk?"

  Sandra took a deep breath. The sorority meeting was about to begin, and she had only a minute or two left to convince Lila that Tom was a good candidate for Jean's first pledge task.

  "Come on," she said lightly. "Tom will jump at the chance to go out with Jeanie. Any guy would!"

  "Well, I agree with you about 'any guy,' " Lila said, wrinkling her brow. "But Tom? I just don't think it's a very good idea."

  Tom McKay was one of the best-looking boys in the junior class. Blond and clean-cut, he was on the tennis team. He was also a whiz at science and loved any kind of outdoor activity, biking, camping, boating. He was exactly the kind of guy most girls dreamed about, but he seldom dated. The last girl he'd gone with was Jessica Wakefield, and a few people joked that she had turned him off the female sex forever, having strung him along until someone better came along.

  Of all the guys Sandra could think of, Tom McKay was the least likely to be interested in Jean. For all her skill at sports, Jean wasn't an outdoorsy sort of girl. She loved dressing up and going dancing or seeing a movie and getting something to eat. And she liked slick, sophisticated guys, not the rugged, outdoor sort.

  And if Jean had snubbed Tom in some way, Sandra knew Tom well enough to suspect he wouldn't be big on the idea of giving her a second chance. He was easily hurt, and apparently Jean had hurt him.

  But Sandra didn't say any of this to Lila. What she said was that Jean would be able to wrap Tom around her little finger in seconds. "Besides," she added, chuckling, "Jeanie loves a challenge."

  "Well," Lila said, "you know her better than I do. If you say so—"

  "She'll get him to say yes. Don't worry," Sandra said cheerfully.

  "OK, we've got to get started," Lila said, turning to the crowd of sorority members who had filed into the lounge. "This is just going to take a couple of minutes, and I only need sponsors to stay. The rest of you can go. I just wanted to let you know that our first pledge party will be this Saturday night at Cara's apartment. The pledges will be assigned dates, and their first pledge task is to make sure their dates come—and stay." Everyone laughed.

  Sandra listened with immense relief as Lila read off the list of pledges and their assigned "dates." Everything was going to be all right after all, she thought happily.

  She knew Jean would be a little disappointed about Pi Beta, but she was sure it would wear off. As long as Jean never found out Sandra was the one who kept her from getting in . . .

  Sandra didn't feel guilty anymore about her plan. She was convinced it was the only way to preserve her friendship with Jean. Strange as it seemed, she had to do something hurtful to make sure Jean wouldn't just forget her. Yes, she had to keep Jean out of Pi Beta. With Tom McKay's help, she might just be able to do it.

  Three

  "Sandy!" Jean wailed, looking absolutely miserable. "I can't even get Tom McKay to say hello to me, let alone come as my date to Cara's party!"

  Sandra pretended to look surprised. "Why? I always thought Tom was really sweet. Don't you know him?"

  Jean shook her head, looking distressed. "He's—I don't know. He's just really hard to talk to. Couldn't you have chosen someone a little easier for me?"

  Sandra thought fast. The girls were sitting together on the grass in front of school, enjoying a few minutes of sun before the lunch hour ended. Sandra could see Lila in the distance, and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd have to talk to Jean alone. "Listen, Jeanie," she said, dropping her voice confidentially, "I'm a little afraid some of the other girls think I'm playing favorites with you as it is. I don't want them to think I'm trying to make the pledge period easy for you. It could get you in trouble if I did."

  Jean's eyes widened. "You think of everything, Sandy," she said gratefully. "You know, that never even occurred to me. Does anyone really think you're trying to give me special treatment?"

  Sandra looked thoughtful. "No one's said anything, but I've definitely been getting strange vibes. But promise not to say a word. I could be completely wrong."

  "Still," Jean said, watching Lila approach, "you're absolutely right to take precautions, Sandy. I don't want anything to mess up my chances of getting in!"

  "Hey, you two!" Lila called. A minute later she plopped down beside them on the grass and began fanning
herself with her notebook. I'm telling you, trying to organize pledge season is going to be the end of me."

  "You're not the only one." Jean giggled. "Lila, have you got any advice on how to tame Tom McKay? I'm convinced he hates me," she added reflectively. "He started talking to me about something just yesterday, and I was in the middle of doing something and couldn't answer. He looked like he was ready to kill me!"

  "Hmmm," Lila said. "Maybe he's just shy."

  "I don't think so," Jean said, sighing. "I think he really hates me."

  "I know what!" Lila cried, snapping her fingers. "I probably shouldn't be helping you," she added, looking around warily, "but since you do have kind of a tough assignment, I don't see anything really wrong with dropping a hint or two."

  "Come on," Jean begged. "I need all the help I can get."

  "Well," Lila said, her dark eyes twinkling, "I happen to know Tom's only playing in the first part of the match this afternoon. He's playing doubles with Bruce Patman, but his singles match has been canceled because the guy from Orion High is sick."

  Jean looked a bit discouraged. "I'm not sure I get it, Lila. Am I being really stupid?"

  "Well, let's say the three of us just happen to go watch the match," Lila said coyly. "When Tom finishes, you can sort of casually tell him how well he played and how much you adore tennis and how you've always wished you could get to know him a little better, but he's always in such a hurry—"

  "I get it now," Jean said. "Though I'm not sure it'll work half as well when I try it."

  "Oh, I think you'll do just fine. Don't you think so, Sandy?" Lila asked.

  Sandra forced a smile. "You'll do great," she mumbled. She wished Lila hadn't come over to sit with them. Just when everything seemed to be going so well . . .

  All she could do now was hope Jean and Lila's scheme backfired. Once Tom agreed to go to Cara's party, Jean would be as good as pledged to Pi Beta Alpha.

  "Cara, what's with you today? You're not even listening to me!" Jessica complained.

  "Sorry, Jess," she muttered. "What did you say?"

  "I said, if there's anything I can do to help you out on Saturday night, just let me know."

  Cara smiled. "You're sweet to volunteer, Jess. And I may take you up on it."

  "You don't sound very excited," Jessica observed. "Are you sorry we're not having Steve's party at your place?"

  Cara shook her head, her eyes lowered. "No . . . " she said slowly.

  "Well, what is it, then?"

  Cara reddened slightly. "Everything isn't OK," she admitted finally.

  Jessica looked triumphant. "Now we're getting somewhere!" she exclaimed. "Well?" she added. "Aren't you going to at least give me a hint?"

  Cara's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to talk about it."

  Jessica stared at her. She knew Cara had been through some difficult months following her parents' separation and divorce and her father's moving away. But she thought that was all in the past now. Since she had started seeing Steven, Cara had been much happier—more like her old self, but with a new sensitivity.

  "It isn't anything to do with Steve, is it?" Jessica asked. To her surprise, Cara burst into tears.

  "Y-yes," she said at last. "It is."

  "Is it another woman?" Jessica asked sympathetically.

  Cara shook her head. "I don't think so," she said. "I'm pretty sure he isn't interested in anyone but me."

  Jessica stared at her. "Then what's the trouble?" she demanded. The next minute her aqua eyes widened in horror. "You're not going to break his heart, are you? Have you met someone else?"

  Cara laughed, despite the tears still clinging to her dark lashes. "You're amazing, Jess. Hasn't it ever occurred to you that something else could go wrong?"

  "If you'd quit making me play guessing games, maybe I'd be enlightened," Jessica said. "Come on, Cara. What's up?"

  Cara sighed. "Jess, I really want to talk to you about it. But you're his sister, and he made me promise not to tell you."

  Jessica paled. "Is something wrong with him? Is he in some kind of trouble?"

  Cara sighed. "Well, yes and no. I guess I'd better tell you—but, Jessica Wakefield, you have to swear not to tell Liz or your parents. Do you swear?"

  "I swear," Jessica said promptly.

  "Well," Cara said, looking unhappy, "apparently Steve's roommate Bob's father owns an ocean liner, one of those ships used just for cruises. Every few months the ship goes from L.A. to the Far East and then on to Europe. Anyway, Bob's decided to leave school to work for his dad, and he's convinced Steve to quit college and go along!"

  "Wow," Jessica said, her eyes shining. "I think it sounds great, Cara. Ocean liners are so romantic. Maybe you can stow away and creep out on the upper deck when you're smack in the middle of the ocean, like on 'Love Boat,' "

  Cara looked annoyed. "Jess, this isn't TV. And I can't stow away! If Steve goes, I'll never see him again."

  "I see your point," Jessica said. "Boy, my parents aren't going to be one bit happy if Steve drops out of college. Does he seem like he's got his mind made up?"

  Cara nodded, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. "What am I going to do?" she wailed.

  Jessica shook her head. "I don't know," she said. She wished she hadn't promised to keep this quiet.

  She was going to go crazy until Steven came home on Friday and told everyone himself!

  "I can't believe how long it takes to play one lousy game of doubles," Jean grumbled. "I hope this works, you guys. Otherwise, we've all wasted a perfectly beautiful afternoon."

  "Shh," Lila warned. "They're done, Jeanie. Now we've just got to corner Tom."

  Sandra looked in the other direction, willing Tom to ignore Lila and Jean with all her might. To her dismay, he looked up wth a smile when Lila called his name. "Come keep us company," Lila sang out, patting the bench beside her.

  "I don't know," Tom said, shielding his eyes with his hand and squinting up at them. "I should probably sit with the team. Coach says—"

  "Please, Tom," Jean purred, flashing him her most winning smile. "You played so well," she added. "Only I don't really understand the finer points. Why don't you just sit with me and tell me a little about what's really going on. It would all be so much more fun that way."

  To Sandra's disbelief, Tom seemed to be thinking it over. "All right," he said finally. "Let me just tell the coach so he won't think I've defected."

  A few minutes later he bounded up the bleachers and sat next to Jean. A white towel hung casually around his neck. Sandra couldn't get over it. Granted, he seemed somewhat confused by Jean's friendliness. But little by little he warmed up, and by the time the first set was over, he, Jean, and Lila were joking and laughing like old friends.

  "I have to admit I'm kind of surprised to see you three here," he said sometime later. "Lila, I know you're a pro, but I didn't think you two were interested in tennis." He looked at Jean and Sandra as he said this.

  "Jeanie is," Lila said promptly. "She's been dying to take lessons. Haven't you, Jeanie?"

  Blushing, Jean stared at her. "Uh—yes, as a matter of fact, I have," she mumbled.

  Tom looked delighted. "Maybe I could give you a few pointers," he volunteered. "I've never actually given lessons, but I'm working at the Tennis Shop now, and I've taken enough lessons to have a pretty good idea how to teach a beginner."

  "I'd love that," Jean said shyly. Lila poked Sandra in the ribs with her elbow. "What about this weekend?" Jean added, getting bolder.

  Tom frowned. "Well, I work at the store all day Saturday. And Sunday isn't so good for me. But maybe . . ." He thought fast and seemed to reach a conclusion. "My parents have a floodlit court, so we could play Saturday night. Are you free then?"

  Jean shifted awkwardly on the hard bench. She knew this was her opportunity, but she felt bad somehow, having set up Tom this way and tricking him in front of Lila and Sandra. Still, a pledge task was a pledge task. If all the other girls had to do it . . .

&nbs
p; She took a deep breath. "As a matter of fact, I am busy this Saturday night," she said regretfully. "Cara Walker's having a party. Hey," she said, trying to make it sound as if the idea had just occurred to her, "if you're not doing anything, how would you like to come to Cara's with me?"

  Tom looked astounded. "With you?" he repeated blankly.

  Jean nodded. "I mean, if you're not doing anything. I just thought—"

  "Well," Tom said, smiling, "that doesn't do much to settle your tennis troubles, but sure, I'd like to come along. Why don't I give you a call later in the week and find out when it starts and everything?"

  Sandra looked away again as Jean and Tom exchanged telephone numbers. No doubt about it—her first scheme had backfired.

  Now she was going to have to come up with some way to make sure Tom ditched Jean at the last minute. Come to think of it, if Tom stood Jean up, she'd look even worse than if he had turned her down.

  And it couldn't be that hard to convince Tom that Jean was just using him. Actually, Sandra thought, all she really had to do was tell him the truth.

  Four

  "You know, I've got the weirdest feeling about the Pi Beta pledge period," Jean said dreamily. She was curled up on the couch in the Wests' living room, barely paying attention to the video she and Sandra had rented to watch that night.

  "What do you mean?" Sandra asked uneasily.

  Jean shrugged, flipping her silky hair off her shoulder. "It's hard to explain. You'll think I'm being silly if I tell you."

  Frowning, Sandra sat up straighter, "I will not," she protested. "Come on, Jeanie. What do you mean?"

  It was Friday evening, and the girls were dressed in bright-colored sweats, ready for one of their long, comfortable evenings in front of the TV set, gossiping about the events of the week behind them and the weekend to come. But Sandra just couldn't relax. All she could think about was the pledge party the next night at Cara's. Jean's anticipation was so vivid, and Sandra couldn't help feeling guilty. Friends were meant to share each other's happiness, not to get in happiness's way! she reminded herself. But Pi Beta was the only thing Sandra felt she had that was hers exclusively. Once Jean had that, too, she wouldn't need Sandra anymore. That was what was killing Sandra, what was making her feel prepared to go to any lengths to stop Jean from making it through the pledge period.