Two-Boy Weekend (Sweet Valley High Book 54)

by Francine Pascal

  She swallowed and gave her twin an agonized look. "Hi, Christopher. What's up?"

  Elizabeth's eyes grew wide with anxiety. She stopped tearing lettuce and stood watching Jessica.

  "I was thinking about what we're going to do tomorrow night," Christopher said. He sounded pleased and excited. "I can't wait to see you again."

  "Oh, well—me, too," Jessica lied. Twisting the phone cord around one finger, she added, "I guess I changed my mind about us. I can't wait to see you."

  "Really? That's great. I thought we could go somewhere for dinner, and then see a movie—or maybe go dancing. What do you want to do?"

  Jessica resisted the urge to tell him just what she wanted to do—never see or hear from him again. But she couldn't. In order to stop him telling A.J. her secret, she had to keep him happy. But she had no intention of going out with him on Saturday night. At the last minute she would find a way to get out of their date. And until then, she had to go along with him.

  "Dancing—I love dancing," she told him truthfully.

  Christopher laughed. "All right. That's what we'll do. I'll—"

  "Christopher, my mother's calling me," Jessica broke in. "I have to go now, OK?" Her eyes met Elizabeth's. "Call me tomorrow."

  "I will. Bye."

  Jessica hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. "Oh, man. This is nuts."

  "You aren't really . . ." Elizabeth's voice trailed off.

  "Are you kidding?" Jessica shook her head and started getting out plates and glasses. "I wouldn't go out with that creep in a million years. But I have to keep stalling him."

  "You haven't told A.J. yet, have you?"

  Jessica lifted her chin stubbornly. "No. I told you, I'll tell him after tomorrow night."

  "But, Jess, the longer you wait, the worse it's going to be," Elizabeth pointed out. Her voice was strained. "Don't you see? When A.J. finds out you waited two weeks to tell him, he'll be even more hurt."

  Privately Jessica had to agree. She knew what she was doing to A.J. was wrong. It was unfair, and she didn't need Elizabeth to point that out for her. But at the same time she kept seeing herself as queen of the Citizens' Day Ball. It was only a little more than twenty-four hours away. There was no way she was going to jeopardize her chance to be in the limelight.

  Besides, she added to herself, telling A.J. before the dance would spoil the whole evening for him. It was a big honor for him to be the king of the dance, and it wouldn't be fair to ruin his moment of triumph. He wasn't the kind of boy who could simply shrug off something like that. It would hurt him deeply, Jessica realized. For that reason, as much as any other, she knew she couldn't tell him yet.

  "Jess? Are you going to—"

  From the other side of the door, Jessica heard footsteps approaching. "Shh," she hissed. "Mom's coming."

  Elizabeth clamped her mouth shut but looked like she wanted to say something more. She turned away as Alice Wakefield entered the kitchen.

  "I'll start the steaks," their mother announced. Arching her eyebrows, she regarded the unfinished salad and the plates and utensils still sitting on the counter. Because she worked full-time, Mrs. Wakefield had made it the twins' responsibility to help get dinner ready every day. But at the moment she didn't say anything.

  Seeing her mother's expression, Jessica hurriedly picked up the plates and carried them into the dining room. She felt that her whole life was teetering on the brink of chaos and that one slipup would turn into a disaster. But she wasn't going to make a mistake. Tomorrow evening she was going to be accepting the crown from A.J., and she wasn't going to let anything or anyone get in her way.

  "Stop pacing, Jess. You're making me nervous now." Elizabeth looked up from the book she was trying to read and glared at her sister.

  Jessica flung her hands up and grimaced. "Well, I'm sorry, OK? It's hard to stay cool when a psycho's after you."

  "He's not a psycho, Jess." Sighing, Elizabeth got up from her bed and went to the bathroom door. It was late Saturday afternoon, almost time to get ready for the big dance. "I'm taking a shower."

  "Fine. Just fine. What am I supposed to say to him when he calls?" Jessica demanded. "Aren't you even going to stay here and give me some moral support?"

  Elizabeth leaned her forehead against the doorframe. Sometimes Jessica's histrionics were too much to take. "I thought you had a story all figured out," she said wearily.

  "I do," Jessica said. "But what if he doesn't call?"

  "He will. He calls every day," Elizabeth pointed out. Jessica didn't answer, and Elizabeth went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Through the rush of water she heard the telephone ring.

  Right on time, she thought.

  Leaning over, she turned the faucets off again and slipped back into her bedroom. Jessica was just picking up the phone.

  "Hello?" Jessica's voice was strained and weak.

  Elizabeth watched and listened, wondering how her twin was going to get out of her date with Christopher.

  "Oh, Christopher," Jessica whispered. "No—my voice? Well—I—"

  Jessica paused to listen, then nodded. "They think it could be strep throat," she croaked. "I have a fever, it hurts to swallow, and I feel sick to my stomach. . . . No—but we can still go. . . ."

  What an actress, Elizabeth observed to herself and shook her head.

  "Well, maybe you're—maybe you're right," Jessica said with an artistically placed gasp of pain. "I'm really sorry—you understand? Really?"

  Jessica listened for a few more minutes and then threw Elizabeth a triumphant grin. Her voice was still feeble, though, when she said, "Well, thanks for calling. Maybe I'll feel better soon. Bye."

  When she hung up the phone, Jessica raised two fingers in the air. "Yes!" she whooped, springing off the bed. She pranced toward Elizabeth and took a bow. "And the master does it again, thank you very much!"

  "He believed you?"

  "Why shouldn't he?" Jessica demanded. She stood in front of the mirror and piled her hair on top of her head. "Should I wear it like this tonight?"

  Elizabeth shook her head. It didn't seem possible that Christopher would relent so easily. From everything Jessica had told her about him—his obsessiveness, his persistence—Elizabeth just couldn't believe it was all over and done with after a one-minute phone call.

  "It seems strange he would let it go after he's called you so many times," she mused. She glanced anxiously at her twin. "Are you sure he believed you?"

  Jessica whirled around. "Stop being so paranoid, Liz! Sure he did. Come on."

  "OK," Elizabeth replied in a guarded tone. She knew she was being suspicious, but she couldn't help it. Jessica was as happy as could be, and looking forward to her big moment. She had already forgotten how nervous and frightened she had been. And that worried Elizabeth more than she let on.

  "Listen, are you taking a shower or what?" Jessica said excitedly. She was flinging shoes out of Elizabeth's closet over her shoulder. "Can I wear your blue sandals?"

  Elizabeth nodded. "Sure." With a last doubtful glance at the telephone, she stepped back into the bathroom to take a shower.

  Just forget about it, she told herself sternly. She made a serious effort to shake off her misgivings. Stop worrying, and have a good time.

  When she was combing the tangles out of her wet hair a few minutes later, she could hear Jessica gabbing away on the telephone—to Lila, from the sound of the conversation. After a shriek of excited laughter, Jessica hung up and came into the bathroom.

  "This is going to be so great," she said with a huge grin. "I can't wait for tonight."

  Elizabeth met her sister's eyes in the mirror and managed a warm smile in return. Jessica had been looking forward to the dance for weeks, and Elizabeth realized she shouldn't try to put a damper on her twin's enthusiasm. She hugged her sister impulsively.

  "Me either," she replied. "I'll be cheering the loudest."

  Shortly after seven-thirty A.J. arrived to pick up Jessica, and as they were leav
ing, Jeffrey drove up to get Elizabeth. Within minutes they were heading up the driveway of the Sweet Valley Country Club, where the Citizens' Day Ball was always held. The clubhouse was ablaze with lights, and colorful Chinese lanterns lit the way from the parking lot. Already couples were dancing outside on the terrace.

  Inside, the main room was decorated with red, white, and blue banners, and a dance band was playing on the podium at the far end. The crowd was a mixture of Sweet Valley High students and their parents, important citizens, and local celebrities. Elizabeth recognized the mayor; Lila Fowler's millionaire father; and talk-show host Jeremy Frank all within the first few moments, and she saw that the president of the Samaritans was shaking hands as he worked the crowd. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield were already there, talking with Skye and Kurt Morrow. Camera flashes kept blazing like lightning. The whole place was dazzling, exciting blur of elegant dresses, tinkling punch glasses, and happy conversation.

  "The coronation is around eight," Jessica whispered when Elizabeth found her. Her eyes were huge with excitement. "Get close to the front if you can."

  Elizabeth grinned. "I will. Good luck."

  "Luck?" Jessica looked amazed. "What do I need good luck for? It's in the bag."

  Giggling, Elizabeth nodded. "You're right. See you later."

  "Let's go outside and dance," Jeffrey suggested. He looked handsome and sophisticated in a blue blazer and tan pants. He took Elizabeth's arm and twirled her around once. "Under the stars. How does that sound?"

  "Perfect," Elizabeth answered, smiling up into his face.

  Hand in hand, they wove through the milling crowd and escaped onto the lantern-lit terrace. Elizabeth inhaled the cool night air, and a feeling of calm washed over her. It was a romantic, dreamy night. She smiled as Jeffrey took her in his arms and they began dancing. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and let the music carry her away.

  "Excuse me."

  She looked up, startled, as Jeffrey stopped. Beside her, a boy was cutting in.

  Christopher.

  At the same moment Elizabeth realized who he was, she knew he had mistaken her for Jessica. He had come to find her twin, and if he did, the truth would come out. Jessica would miss the moment of glory she had been anticipating for so long.

  As Jeffrey shrugged and reluctantly walked away, Elizabeth took Christopher's hand and tried to think.

  "I guess you recovered," he said, his eyes shadowed. "You must be feeling a lot better."

  "I—I am," Elizabeth faltered. The only way to stop Christopher from discovering her identity was to pretend to be Jessica, she realized. There had been other times when Elizabeth had impersonated her twin. But none of them had been so important.

  She tipped her head to one side and gave him a coy, flirtatious smile. "You're not mad at me, are you?" she asked in Jessica's manner. "I just didn't want to miss this party."

  Christopher looked down at her thoughtfully for a moment, and then he smiled. "I guess not," he said. The hand that gripped hers was tight and rigid, and he held her close to him in an ironlike embrace. "That's why I came, Jessica. I knew you'd be here."

  "You're pretty smart," Elizabeth shot back She swayed in his arms and gazed at him seductively while she pitched her voice low. "I'm glad you're here."

  "Me, too."

  Over her shoulder, Elizabeth saw Jeffrey looking at them impatiently. He took a step toward them, and Elizabeth knew he was going to cut in again. She caught his eye and shook her head minutely. Frowning, he hesitated but stopped. Fortunately he trusted her, and Elizabeth was confident he wouldn't cut in if he knew she didn't want him to. There would be time to explain later. But at the moment, she had to keep Christopher away from Jessica.

  "Who's that guy you were with? You looked pretty friendly."

  "Who, Jeffrey?" Elizabeth let out a silvery laugh and shook her head. "He's my best friend's boyfriend. That's all."

  "That's good," Christopher drawled. "Remember I told you once I get pretty jealous."

  Elizabeth kept her expression from betraying her inner feelings. She felt a strange mixture of nervousness and suspense. There was no telling what Christopher's next move would be.

  "Do you know what time it is?" she asked him.

  He twisted his wrist slightly to check his watch without letting go of her hand. "Almost eight," he replied. "Why?"

  "No reason," Elizabeth said breezily. "Just wondering, that's all." If the coronation was scheduled for eight o'clock, she had only a few more minutes to go.

  Christopher smiled mysteriously and tightened his arm around her. "Let's take a walk. There are too many people around, if you know what I mean."

  "Sure," she whispered. Her heart gave an uncomfortable lurch, but she forced herself to smile. If Christopher wanted privacy for a little romance, she would have to find a way to deal with that. There were plenty of things she was willing to do for her sister, but kissing a stranger was not one of them.

  As he turned to lead her down the steps, Elizabeth looked back at Jeffrey and tried to signal with her eyes. "It's OK," she mouthed. Jeffrey looked pained, but he nodded and headed back inside.

  Elizabeth looked at the brightly lit building. Through the terrace windows she could see people dancing and laughing and talking. All Jessica needed was a few more minutes, Elizabeth told herself resignedly. That was all.

  Then Christopher tugged her hand, and she let him pull her away into the darkness.

  Ten

  Jessica kept her feet moving automatically while her eyes swept the room. So much nervous excitement had built up inside her that if she hadn't been dancing with A.J., she would have been jumping up and down with anticipation. It wouldn't be much longer, she told herself happily. Then the spotlight would be shining directly on her. Her blue-green eyes shone like brilliant stars as she looked out over the crowd again.

  "You look beautiful, you really do."

  A.J.'s voice broke into her thoughts, and Jessica looked up in surprise. She had almost forgotten his role in her moment of triumph.

  "Oh, thanks," she said offhandedly. She bit her lower lip and glanced around again. "When are they going to get started, anyway?"

  A.J. grimaced. "I don't know—I have to read my essay, you know that? I hate getting up in front of a lot of people."

  Privately Jessica thought there was nothing she liked more. But she just smiled and nodded. At that moment the man she had anxiously been keeping tabs on began to head for the podium.

  "There goes Mr. McKormick," she whispered. She grabbed A.J.'s hand and stopped him.

  Paul McKormick, president of the Samaritans and the evening's master of ceremonies, shook one last person's hand and climbed the steps to the microphone. The band broke off with a drumroll flourish, and the roomful of dancing couples settled down into an expectant hush.

  "Hello, everybody," Mr. McKormick announced with a broad smile. He beamed and nodded. "And welcome to the Seventeenth Annual Citizens' Day Ball."

  A round of enthusiastic applause interrupted him. He fussed self-consciously with his tie and grinned. Then he held his hands up for silence. "Thank you. Thank you all very much. The Samaritans are proud and honored to sponsor this event every year, and I personally am thrilled to see many folks here tonight that have been with us from the beginning."

  Jessica suppressed a sigh of boredom. In her opinion speeches were a waste of time. Everyone always said the same thing over and over again. Rolling her eyes, she folded her arms and waited. She looked around at the crowd again as the host continued speaking.

  "Of course, some of you are here for the first time," Mr. McKormick went on. "And I see we have a big group of young people this year, too. So I'd like to recap what the Samaritans are all about, because Citizens' Day means something very special to us."

  "How long is this going to last?" Jessica whispered. She caught A.J.'s eyes and wrinkled her nose. He just grinned and winked.

  "The Samaritans are professional men and women dedicated to the service of
our community, promoting fairness in business and civic opportunities," McKormick went on. "And every year we honor those members of the community who we think are outstanding citizens." Applause greeted his last statement again.

  Next to Jessica, A.J. pulled his folded essay out of his breast pocket and smoothed it out. It crackled slightly, and Jessica could see a faint blush of nervousnesss creep into A.J.'s cheeks. He noticed her looking at him and smiled shyly. Mr. McKormick went on and on, thanking members of the Samaritans and citing community service projects in the past year.

  Come on, get on with it! Jessica wanted to scream. She clenched and unclenched her fists, then twisted a lock of her hair. She drew a deep breath letting it out through her nose. During another round of applause, somebody stepped up beside her and gently touched her arm.

  "Jess?"

  She turned, startled, to see Jeffrey. She raised her eyebrows a fraction, keeping half her attention on the podium so she wouldn't miss her cue.

  "Have you seen Liz?" Jeffrey whispered. His voice was anxious.

  Shaking her head, Jessica said, "I don't know where she is. She was dancing with you the last time I saw her."

  "Right. But then this guy cut in, and she went somewhere with him. That was about five minutes ago. I thought she'd be back by now."

  A cold shiver of uneasiness crawled up Jessica's spine. She stared apprehensively at Jeffrey. "What guy?" she whispered.

  "I never saw him before, but she seemed to know him," Jeffrey replied in a worried tone. He kept searching the crowd with his eyes. "He's about my height, dark hair—"

  "Curly hair? And green eyes?"

  Jeffrey turned back to her, a frown creasing his forehead. "Yeah. Who is he?"

  "Oh, I—"

  Feeling sick, Jessica bit her lip and shot a quick, nervous glance at A.J. He was reviewing his essay and didn't seem to be paying any attention to her and Jeffrey.

  She swallowed hard, her mind racing. If Elizabeth had gone somewhere with Christopher, that meant Christopher had come looking for her and had found her twin instead. And it also meant Elizabeth was going along with the charade so that Jessica could still be crowned queen. But if Christopher was unbalanced, if he was actually dangerous . . .