Rock Star's Girl Read online

  We asked him about the first song on his new album, "Little Girl." Was there a special woman in his life?

  We could tell the question disturbed him. Jamie Peters is famous for keeping his personal life under wraps. All we were able to glean from him were the most basic facts. He married his childhood sweetheart, a beautiful singer named Karen Ross, with whom he cut an album the year they were married. Twelve years ago Karen was killed when her private jet crashed in the Adirondacks. Since then, Jamie Peters has been a different man. When we asked, all he'd say was that yes, there's a "special girl" in his life. And all Rock and Roll magazine can say is, whoever she is, she sure is lucky!

  "You can say that again." Lila sighed.

  "I don't believe it," Jessica moaned. "Why do all the really gorgeous guys have girlfriends already?"

  Amy shook her head. "I can't believe you two! What do you think, if he happens to be free, you could just call him up and ask him out? You guys need to get your heads out of the ozone!"

  "Imagine being Jamie Peters's girlfriend," Lila mused, ignoring Amy's comment completely. "I bet she goes around the world with him on tour."

  "Yeah, and he writes her special songs all the time." Jessica's eyes were bright with excitement. "Can you imagine what it must feel like, driving your car somewhere, turning on the radio, hearing a song like 'Doing It All for You,' and knowing Jamie Peters wrote it for you?"

  "You guys aren't very realistic about the way songs get written," Amy put in. "How do you know he even wrote those lyrics? Maybe he collaborated with someone else."

  Lila glared at her. "Since when do you know so much about music, Amy? You don't know the first thing about it!"

  Amy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, tell me you do."

  Lila looked really angry now. "I happen to know a lot more about it than you. Especially now that I've decided I'm going to be a professional musician."

  Jessica and Amy stared at each other, then at Lila.

  "A what?" Amy demanded.

  "You heard me." Lila brushed her hair back from her face. "You two probably think you know everything about me, but you don't. The fact is, Daddy and I have been talking about this for a while, and he thinks my becoming a musician is a really good idea. It'll help me to become more well-rounded."

  Jessica stifled a grin. "This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that you didn't win the chance to be on Eric Parker's talk show last month, does it?"

  When Eric Parker had held auditions for the coveted spot on a special edition of his talk show, both Jessica and Lila had tried out. With a lot of hard work on her part, and more than a little behind-the-scenes strategizing, Jessica had managed to convince Eric Parker that she was much more well-rounded than Lila. After all, Lila was the only daughter of one of the richest men in the whole state. She had been given everything in the world she ever wanted and was, at least from Jessica's perspective, more than a little spoiled. Lila's hobbies up to this point had leaned toward shopping, suntanning, and boys.

  Lila Fowler a musician? It seemed a little hard to believe!

  "What instrument are you planning to play?" Amy asked, concealing a smile. "The tuba?"

  "Go ahead and laugh now," Lila said indifferently. "I don't care. You'll both be sorry when I become a big star. You'll be begging me to introduce you to my famous friends and I won't even stop to say hello."

  Jessica giggled. "When's all this going to happen, Li?"

  Lila looked furious. "I happen to have a lot of musical talent. In fact, my music teacher says it's only a matter of time before we decide which instrument will be my specialty."

  Amy started to giggle. "You mean, you haven't even chosen an instrument yet? How can you have a music teacher when you don't know what instrument you're going to be playing?"

  "Because that's how Max Sharpe happens to work," Lila said coldly. "He's one of the best music instructors in the country. And he doesn't believe in inhibiting the natural talent of his students. We spend time together listening to different pieces, and he watches my reaction. This week I'm going over to his studio to try out some different sounds on his synthesizer. Then we're going to choose the instrument he thinks I'm best suited for."

  Jessica couldn't contain her laughter anymore. "How about the xylophone?" she gasped, wiping a tear from her eye.

  Amy fell back on one of the pillows, giggling loudly. "I think you ought to make up your own instrument, Lila. Why 'inhibit your natural talent' by choosing an instrument that already exists?"

  "You're both just jealous!" Lila pronounced. "Take your disc and leave. Your attitude only shows how backward you both are about real music."

  Jessica scooped up the disc. Her giggles faded a little as she inspected the cover for the dozenth time. Even the quickest glance at Jamie Peters's image made her melt.

  Lila could waste all the time she wanted pretending to study music with Max Sharpe. All Jessica wanted to do was listen to Jamie Peters's Pride over and over again!

  On Friday evening after dinner, Todd came over to watch a movie with Elizabeth on the Wakefields' VCR. Or at least that was what they had planned to do before Jessica barged in with a bag of microwave popcorn and announced that there was a Jamie Peters special on MTV.

  "We've got to watch it! He's doing an exclusive interview," Jessica cried, sitting down on the floor in front of the television and switching the channel before either Elizabeth or Todd could protest.

  "Jess, we were about to watch a movie," Elizabeth complained.

  "Come on, Liz. You can watch a movie anytime, but this is a chance in a million. Jamie Peters almost never does live interviews!"

  Elizabeth shook her head and squeezed Todd's hand. "Sorry," she whispered. "I think our movie just got put on hold for a while."

  Jessica was already glued to the screen. A young woman dressed completely in black was interviewing Jamie Peters.

  "Tell us about your decision to move into films," she asked.

  Jamie Peters pushed back his long blond hair, and Elizabeth exchanged a private smile with Todd. She liked Jamie Peters all right, but she thought this kind of hype was a little unnecessary.

  "You know, the music business just wreaks havoc on your personal life. I hope that moving into movies will allow me a little more control over my schedule. And a little more time at home."

  "I knew it!" Jessica gasped. "I bet you anything he's going to get married again. I wish they'd just come out and tell us who his girlfriend is!"

  "What makes you think he's getting married again? Maybe he's just sick of being on the road," Elizabeth said.

  Jessica flashed her twin an expression of utter impatience. "It's so obvious, Liz. You just haven't been following the whole story."

  "—and besides, I like movies. I like new challenges, and I think it will be good for my work to try a different medium for a while," Jamie continued.

  "That's what they all say," Todd remarked.

  Jessica looked stricken. "What do you mean, 'they'? Jamie Peters isn't just another rock star, Todd. Don't lump him together with everybody else."

  "I wasn't," Todd said mildly. "It's just—"

  But Jessica had already turned back to the interview.

  "We've been hearing rumors that there's a special girl in your life. Anything more you can tell us about her?" the interviewer continued.

  Jessica was so intent on Jamie's answer, she looked as if she wanted to crawl inside the TV set.

  "I like to keep my private life private," Jamie answered, smiling. "But," he added softly, "she is incredibly special. I'd do anything for her."

  "Wow!" Jessica breathed, her eyes wide. "Can you imagine what it must feel like being that girl?"

  Elizabeth and Todd exchanged amused glances. So much for their TV date. As long as Jamie Peters was on the air, Jessica obviously was not budging!

  Three

  On Saturday morning, Elizabeth and Enid spread their beach towels on the sand and kept a lookout for Andrea as they smoothed on suntan lotion
. It was a beautiful day. The sun was absolutely dazzling over the water and the beach was not yet crowded.

  "There she is!" Enid exclaimed, pointing way down the beach to where Andrea had just appeared, laden with a big red beachbag. Both Elizabeth and Enid got up and hailed her over.

  "Hi!" Andrea said as she approached. "I didn't think I'd find you guys. I don't think my beach geography is very good yet." She grinned. "I'm more used to crowded intersections than expansive beaches."

  In minutes Andrea had spread out her towel and slipped out of her shorts and T-shirt. She looked ruefully at herself in her navy and white swimsuit.

  "I really stand out." She sighed. "I could lie in the sun for years and never get as tanned as you are!"

  "Are you kidding? In this sun, ten minutes should do the trick," Enid said.

  "Yeah, you'd better use some of this." Elizabeth passed her some sunblock. "We don't want to ruin your first day at the beach with a bad sunburn!"

  Andrea settled back and surveyed the scene around her with a mixture of curiosity and enthusiasm. "Beach culture." She laughed. "Tell me all about this stuff. What are those guys doing over there, for instance?"

  "It's a Sweet Valley version of volleyball," Enid replied. "Volleyball and Frisbee are very popular. So is paddleball. In fact, so is anything you can play while catching some rays!"

  Andrea brushed her hair back with one hand. "The most challenging sport in New York City is dodging crazy cab drivers while hanging on to your handbag so that no one swipes it. It's kind of different."

  She was teasing, but Elizabeth picked up on a serious undertone in her voice.

  "It must not be very easy, living in a big place like Manhattan."

  Andrea was emphatic. "Oh, it was the worst! For me, anyway. Daddy and I lived in a big apartment building with about eight different elevators. You could never really tell what the weather was like. It felt as if we were factory sealed or something. We didn't have a yard, or grass or trees, and I hated my school. It was a private school and the kids were really stuck up."

  "Sweet Valley must seem so different to you," Enid noted.

  "I adore it here," Andrea declared. "I've never seen any place I like so much, and believe me, I've seen a lot of places! I've moved about ten times since I was a little kid. We've lived everywhere." She ticked off places on her fingers. "New York. Boston, before that. Dallas, Miami, Detroit—you name it! But never, ever in a place like Sweet Valley." Her eyes were bright. "I don't ever want to leave!"

  Elizabeth looked at her curiously. "Why has your family moved so often?"

  "My dad's business," Andrea explained. "He gets transferred a lot."

  "Really?" Enid said. "What kind of business?"

  Andrea shrugged. "Just—business."

  "Your mom must hate having to move so often," Elizabeth said sympathetically.

  A shadow crossed Andrea's face. "My mom died when I was really little. So it's just my father and me. But you're right, it's terrible having to move so much. I never felt that I had a real home. Especially since my father . . . well, he's fantastic, but he's kind of a workaholic."

  Elizabeth was impressed by how candid Andrea was. She wasn't complaining or feeling sorry for herself, just being very honest.

  "It's going to be different now, though," Andrea added. "Now that we're here."

  "Will your dad have less work to do?" Enid asked her.

  "Who knows?" she said. "You know fathers. They love to make promises." She paused for a minute, as if she were going to say something more. Instead she changed the subject. "Come on, you two. I'm not going to pass my class on Beach Culture unless you can explain to me what that girl is doing over there with that big piece of aluminum foil."

  Enid giggled. "She's using it as a reflector, trying to get more sun on her face."

  Within seconds Elizabeth, Enid, and Andrea were dissolved in laughter as they traded observations about the people around them. Elizabeth liked Andrea more than ever as she listened to her witty comments. And she seemed open and comfortable with Enid and Elizabeth, as if she genuinely liked their companionship.

  Elizabeth hoped Andrea was right, that this time she and her father would be staying put!

  Later that day, Elizabeth and Enid walked Andrea to the parking lot. "This is mine," Andrea said, pointing to a small white Honda. "Do either of you need a ride?"

  "I drove," Elizabeth said, "but thanks, Andrea. Listen, my boyfriend Todd and a couple of his friends and Enid and I are all going to meet at the Dairi Burger tonight. Want to join us?"

  "Oh, you should," Enid added when Andrea seemed to hesitate. "It's a perfect place to watch oddball behavior."

  "It's got wonderful burgers, and lots of us from school hang out there. Come on," Elizabeth urged. "It'll be fun!"

  "OK. OK, sure," Andrea said, smiling. "You guys are really terrific to show me all the hot spots."

  "Great!" Elizabeth continued. "Todd's picking me up at seven o'clock. Why don't we come over and get you after Enid? Or Enid, then you?" She hesitated. "Where do you live, anyway?"

  "That sounds like too much trouble." Andrea paused. "How about if you just tell me where it is, and I'll meet you there," she murmured as she bent her head and rummaged through her beachbag.

  "No, it's not a problem, Andrea. Todd's got a big car, and it'll be more fun to go together."

  "No, really. It'll be easier for me to meet you there." Andrea pulled a pad of paper and pen out of her bag. "Just give me directions, and I'll be there at seven-thirty."

  Elizabeth was about to insist again, but she reconsidered. If Andrea felt more comfortable coming on her own, she did not want to pressure her. After Enid gave her directions, Andrea hopped into her Honda, promising to meet them that evening.

  "That was weird," Enid said, getting into Elizabeth's car. "What's going on with her? You don't think that her father's involved in something illegal?"

  Elizabeth laughed. "Why, just because she didn't want us to come over?"

  "Well, she wouldn't even tell us where she lives," Enid pointed out. "And what's the big deal about letting us pick her up? She's new here, she shouldn't be driving around at night by herself. She could get lost."

  "She seems pretty capable to me," Elizabeth commented. "Besides, maybe she's embarrassed about her home," she added. "Remember what she said yesterday, that their house was still a mess? That's probably it, Enid. Maybe they haven't unpacked anything or their house is really small. It's obvious she really cares a lot about having a home."

  Enid nodded. "You're probably right. Although I think it's still kind of strange to be so secretive."

  Elizabeth shrugged. She liked Andrea, but Enid was right about one thing—their new friend was definitely hiding something.

  "Anyone home?" Elizabeth called, as she entered the kitchen.

  The Wakefields' house seemed to echo. No one was in the kitchen or dining room. Through the sliding glass doors leading to the patio, she spotted Jessica sitting by the pool.

  Elizabeth opened the door and went outside. Prince Albert, who had been lying beside Jessica's chair, bounded up to greet Elizabeth. Jessica, however, remained totally engrossed in reading Rock and Roll magazine.

  "Jess, aren't you even going to say hello?" Elizabeth asked.

  "Oh, hello," Jessica said, not lifting her eyes from the page.

  "I don't have a sister anymore. I have a groupie." Elizabeth moaned.

  Reluctantly, Jessica set the magazine down. "Did you want to say something to me?"

  "Yes! I wanted to tell you about the new girl. Enid and I just spent the day at the beach with her." Elizabeth sat down on the chaise lounge closest to her sister. "Have you met Andrea Slade yet? She's from New York."

  Jessica narrowed her eyes. "What does she look like?"

  "Blond curly hair, pretty," Elizabeth said. "She's really tall and she has wonderful clothes. Kind of funky cotton things—very New York."

  "Oh, yeah, I remember seeing her around. She does have great
clothes," Jessica agreed vaguely.

  "But have you met her?" Elizabeth pressed.

  "Nope." Jessica looked longingly at her magazine. "Why?"

  "She's a lot of fun, that's why." Elizabeth launched into a description of Andrea. "I think you'd like her a lot."

  Jessica shrugged. "Lila says she's kind of weird, sort of mysterious and shy. She's probably not my type. You know you and I never like the same people, Liz. Look at Enid."

  Elizabeth frowned. She hated it when Jessica criticized Enid. "Enid is the world's most loyal and sensitive girl. Compared to Amy or Lila . . ." She broke off, and Jessica laughed.

  "See? My point exactly. You hang out with people like Enid, and I prefer people like Amy and Lila. But I'm sure Andrea is perfectly nice," she added, picking up her magazine again. Only Jessica could make nice sound like a dirty word.

  "Why don't you come to the Dairi Burger with a bunch of us tonight and find out for yourself." Elizabeth offered.

  Jessica yawned. "No, thanks. I'm going over to Lila's house. Her dad's on a business trip, and I think she's kind of lonely. The housekeeper goes to sleep really early, and Lila hates feeling like she's all by herself in that big house."

  Elizabeth paused. "You could bring Lila, too."

  "No. We're just going to hang out. You know, listen to some music, that kind of thing."

  "I bet I know whose music," Elizabeth said wryly.

  Jessica laughed. "I think I've practically memorized the whole first side of Pride. If Jamie Peters ever gives a concert here, I'll be able to sing the words to every song he plays!"

  "Well, have fun. And if you change your mind, come join us at the Dairi Burger."

  Elizabeth couldn't see how Jessica could possibly prefer a whole evening cooped up with Lila to a lively night with a group of friends. Well, Jessica could listen to Jamie Peters's album and drool over Rock and Roll magazine all she wanted. Elizabeth was much happier living in the real world. And if Jessica did not feel like being friendly to Andrea Slade, then Elizabeth certainly was not going to force her.