Double Love

by Francine Pascal

“Jessica,” her mother interrupted, “I’m sorry, honey, but Liz will have to drive.”

  “What?” Jessica’s anguished wail filled the entire kitchen of the Wakefield’s split-level home.

  “Jessica, you know very well that you can’t drive for three weeks. And you can stop looking at me that way. You’re the one who had the accident.”

  “That’s not fair!” Jessica whined. “I’m not going to school to be humiliated like a kindergarten child! Oh, forget it, Mom, just forget it. I know Liz is your favorite, and I’m just an afterthought!”

  “Come on, Jess, let’s get going,” Elizabeth said patiently. “You know you’re not going to miss today for the world. What’s Pi Beta Alpha going to do without you? Let’s just go, or we’ll be late for school.”

  * * *

  “Accident!” Jessica muttered after they had climbed into the car and were driving through Sweet Valley, the little green jewel of a California town where they lived.

  “It was just a tiny dent in the fender. She makes it sound like a six-car pileup on the L.A. freeway!”

  “That tiny dent cost two hundred dollars to fix,” Elizabeth said dryly, wishing her sister would stop complaining and let her enjoy the drive through the valley. As she did very often, Elizabeth thought how lucky she and Jessica were to live in Sweet Valley. Everything about it was terrific—the gently rolling hills, the quaint downtown area, and the fantastic white sand beach only fifteen minutes away. She and Jessica were even luckier now, with a new in-ground pool in the backyard.

  “Don’t you wish we lived up here on the hill like the Patmans and the Fowlers?”

  “You can’t be serious, Jess,” Elizabeth admonished. But she knew perfectly well that her twin was totally serious about wanting to live on the hill where Sweet Valley’s very rich lived in sprawling, imposing mansions. “Dad does all right,” Elizabeth went on. “He certainly works hard enough. He’s out late practically every night these days.”

  “Lizzie, I’ve been wondering about that. Does that seem funny?”

  “What?”

  “Dad out every night. And one night I called his office, and that new woman lawyer answered.”

  “You mean Ms. West?”

  “Yes. But you heard what Dad called her this morning—Marianna!”

  “Well, that’s her name, silly,” said Elizabeth, trying to sound more unconcerned than she really was. She had wondered about her father and Marianna, too.

  “Well, I don’t know, Liz. She sounded pretty seductive on the phone.”

  “Jessica, really! Sometimes I think you’re wacko!”

  “OK, OK, don’t get so shook, Liz.” Jessica glanced out at the spacious homes and heaved a great sigh. “Anyway, I’m not saying I don’t like our house, Liz. But having a lot of money, like Bruce Patman and Lila Fowler, can’t be all bad.”

  “And what about what goes with it?” asked Elizabeth.

  “You mean all those cars and servants?”

  “C’mon, Jess, you know what I’m talking about. This crazy feud—the Patmans want every rock in Sweet Valley to stay exactly where it’s been for fifty years, and the Fowlers want to build over everything in sight. Who needs that?”

  Jessica changed the subject with her usual abruptness as the school came into view. “Oh, Liz, please stop and let me drive into the parking lot,” she pleaded.

  “Jess, you heard what Mom said.”

  Jessica sank into her seat. “You heard what Mom said,” she mimicked nastily. “Sometimes I wonder how anybody so wimpy can be my sister.”

  Elizabeth slid the Fiat into an empty space in the student parking lot. “Come on, Jess, what difference does it make?”

  “None, of course, Aunt Fanny!”

  Elizabeth sighed. She knew that tone all too well. It meant a storm was brewing, one that could turn into Hurricane Jessica.

  “I’m sure you’ll be allowed to drive again soon,” she said encouragingly.

  But Jessica wasn’t listening to a word. She was out of the car in a flash, slamming the door so hard that Elizabeth winced. How did it always turn out this way? She just did what her mother said, and somehow she was always wrong. Even worse, she felt guilty.

  “Jess, please!” Elizabeth said, scrambling out of the car and facing her stormy-eyed twin. Jessica just stood there smoldering, refusing to relent.

  “Look, I’ll talk to Mom for you,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll ask her to let you drive tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow!” Jessica sneered. “You may be a tomorrow person. I am a today person. Don’t do me any favors.”

  Jessica wasn’t going to let up. She kept turning away, refusing to look at Elizabeth. Jessica could hold a grudge the way the Patmans held on to their money—forever!

  Just as Elizabeth was deciding this was a lost cause, she saw Enid Rollins, her best friend, coming across the lawn, waving to her. Something was cooking with Enid. She had sounded excited when she called Elizabeth the night before and said she had something “vital” to tell her. Elizabeth was dying to find out, but Jessica was still pouting.

  “Jess, I have to talk to Enid.”

  “How can you be best friends with somebody as blah as Eeny Rollins? I don’t want you to go over there. Somebody might think it was me talking to her.”

  “Enid is a wonderful person. Why don’t you like her?”

  “Eeny is a nerd. And there’s something weird about her.”

  Just then Jessica glanced over her shoulder. Apparently something she saw swept away her anger in a flash. She threw her arms around Elizabeth and gave her a swift, powerful hug, almost lifting her off the ground.

  “I’ve decided to forgive you,” she announced, beaming. “Go on, talk to Enid. I’ll see you at noon.”

  Surprised, but not unaccustomed to Jessica’s swift changes of mood, Elizabeth hugged her back and ran to catch up with Enid.

  “So what’s the big news?” Elizabeth asked as she fell in step with her friend.

  “Shhhhhhhhh! Not so loud, Liz,” Enid Rollins said, looking around and blushing, as though the entire student body were eavesdropping.

  Elizabeth smiled. “Don’t be silly. There’s nobody near us.”

  When Enid didn’t smile back, Elizabeth knew her friend had something serious to discuss. Elizabeth and Enid had become best friends when they had taken a creative writing class together the year before. Enid was a terrific person, Elizabeth thought, and absolutely not a nerd, no matter what Jessica said. With her shoulder-length brown hair and large green eyes, she was really pretty. And in her quiet way, she was very smart—and very funny. Jessica figured anyone who was quiet was dull, but Enid Rollins was anything but dull. There was something almost mysterious about her, as though she knew things that other people didn’t, or had a secret she wanted to keep.

  They were nearing the school door when Elizabeth saw handsome, spoiled Bruce Patman sliding his black Porsche into a parking spot. Enid tugged on her friend’s arm.

  “Let’s sit a second,” she said.

  Elizabeth quickly sat down beside her on the grass, eager for the news. “Well?”

  Enid blushed even redder than before. Then she smiled so radiantly that for a moment she became a brand-new person.

  “Who is he?” Elizabeth asked.

  “What?” Enid looked shocked.

  “You heard me. Who is he?”

  Enid shook her head in amazement. “How can you see into people like that, Liz? You could be a detective—or even a mystery writer.”

  Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to blush. Enid knew her secret dream—to be a writer. Not just a reporter, the way she was on The Oracle, but a serious writer. Someday she wanted to write poems or plays or even novels. She was sharpening her skills, too, right now at the school newspaper. Elizabeth wrote the “Eyes and Ears” column for The Oracle, but no one knew who the writer of the column was—and Elizabeth couldn’t even tell her best friend about it. Many times she ached to tell Enid or Jessica or somebody—but she didn’t. Onl
y Mr. Collins, the faculty adviser for the paper, knew.

  It was a tradition at Sweet Valley that if the identity of the writer of the “Eyes and Ears” column was discovered before the end of the term, the students threw that person fully clothed into the swimming pool. Elizabeth Wakefield had no intention of being unmasked.

  Now Elizabeth searched Enid’s flushed face, wondering if Enid had figured out her big secret. But, no—Enid’s mind was occupied with something entirely different.

  “Guess who called me?” she finally blurted out.

  “Who? Tell me!”

  “Ronnie Edwards, the new guy in Miss Markey’s class. I noticed him looking at me in the cafeteria the other day,” Enid said dreamily.

  “But he’s so quiet. He never says a word!”

  “You have to get to know him,” Enid explained. “Some people need more time to open up, you know.”

  “Oh, yes, I know.” Enid could have been describing herself, Elizabeth thought. It had taken a long time to really get to know Enid, but it was worth it.

  “So—what did he call about?”

  “He asked me to the Phi Epsilon dance!”

  “Oh, Enid, that’s wonderful!”

  “Isn’t it great! I’m so happy!” Enid said. Then she asked quietly, “Who are you going with?”

  “Well, I don’t know.”

  “Don’t worry. He’ll ask you,” Enid said.

  “Who will?”

  “You know.”

  That’s why Enid Rollins was such a good friend. She knew exactly how to say something without really saying it. Enid was aware of Elizabeth’s crush on Todd, but she was too nice to mention him by name when things were not settled yet.

  Elizabeth was getting ready to dig for more news about Ronnie and Enid when Enid’s eyes went wild and she pulled Elizabeth back.

  “Look out! That maniac!” Enid screamed as she and Elizabeth tumbled over on the grass.

  Elizabeth looked up in confusion, trying to figure out what was happening. She saw a red blur zip past them up the long school driveway. Then a little red car screeched to a rather spectacular stop next to Bruce Patman’s black Porsche.

  Jessica!

  Elizabeth gave a quick look at the parking spot where she had left the Fiat. She didn’t see it. Then she shoved her hand into her pocket to feel the car keys. They were gone! And then she remembered Jessica’s sudden hug—that was when she had filched the keys.

  “I’ll see you at noon, Enid,” Elizabeth said angrily. “I’ve got to talk to my darling little sister!”

  “OK. But don’t tell anybody about—”

  “Don’t worry.”

  Elizabeth marched toward the black Porsche and the red Fiat. There sat tall, handsome, dark-haired Bruce Patman, lounging arrogantly behind the wheel of his flashy sports car. And there stood Jessica, acting as if absolutely nothing had happened.

  This time I’m really going to let her have it, Elizabeth fumed to herself as she ran toward her sister. She was so angry that she didn’t even notice somebody running alongside her.

  “Hey, what’s the hurry?” It was Todd Wilkins, and he was smiling. “I was hoping to talk to you.”

  Elizabeth was in total shock. There he was—Todd Wilkins—the man of her dreams, standing two inches away from her.

  “Oh—uh, well,” she stammered. “What about?” She could have kicked herself. Why did she turn into a complete idiot the minute Todd was near her?

  “Said like an ace reporter.” Todd laughed. “Right to the point. Lois Lane had better watch out for you.”

  They were both laughing now. Then Todd said, “I was wondering if—”

  Just then the bell rang, and students started swarming toward the building.

  Todd frowned. “We’ll be late,” he muttered. “Listen, will you be around after basketball practice?”

  “Sure,” Elizabeth said, her heart beating faster. “I have to stay late at The Oracle. How about under the clock—around five-fifteen?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Elizabeth watched starry-eyed as Todd loped gracefully across the lawn. Suddenly she remembered Jessica! She whirled around and spotted the black Porsche and the red Fiat. Jessica was gone.

  * * *

  Between classes, the halls of Sweet Valley High resembled the battle scene from Star Wars, with bodies hurtling in all directions accompanied by collisions and dropped books. It was while Elizabeth was picking up hers that Jessica raced by, wearing a smile brighter than California sunshine in July.

  “I have the most sensational news, Liz!”

  Down on her hands and knees, Elizabeth looked up. Why, she wondered, didn’t Jessica ever get caught in such ungraceful situations? Because she was Jessica. If a book of hers ever fell, there was always a handy male eager to pick it up.

  “What news, Jess?”

  “You won’t believe it.”

  “Is it about the dance?”

  “You’ll see.” And she darted off, pausing to look back. “Lizzie, dear, do get up off the floor. I would positively die if anyone thought it was me grubbing around like that.”

  Bite your tongue, Elizabeth warned herself. Don’t say what you’re thinking. Murder’s still illegal in California!

  She gathered her books and stood up. It wasn’t until she was halfway down the hall that she realized she’d been so angry at Jessica’s remark that she had forgotten to ask for the car keys!

  * * *

  At noon, just as the president of Pi Beta Alpha was about to announce the list of new sorority members, Jessica leaned over to Elizabeth and whispered, “I think Todd’s going to ask me to the Phi Epsilon dance.”

  Elizabeth felt as if a balloon had just burst inside her. Tears welled up in her eyes.

  “Elizabeth Wakefield, congratulations!” the president shouted. “Elizabeth, where are you? Come up here and join your sisters.”

  Heads turned to look at her. Everyone thought she was crying with happiness. Somehow she made herself stand up, but she couldn’t make herself look at Jessica. She would never tell Jessica now how she felt about Todd. And she would never, ever stand in Jessica’s way—but she couldn’t look at her sister just then.

  Jessica was tugging on her sleeve, trying to stop her as she was about to make her way to the front of the room.

  “What about me?” Jessica hissed. “Why haven’t they called my name?”

  The president called out, “Cara Walker, congratulations!” Jessica applauded reluctantly for her friend.

  Elizabeth stood beside Jessica’s seat. She wouldn’t go up there and accept membership until Jessica’s name was called. After all, the only reason she had decided to pledge Pi Beta was so she and Jessica would be together.

  Lila Fowler, another friend of Jessica’s, was called. Even Enid Rollins got in, and she’d pledged Pi Beta mainly to keep Elizabeth company. Elizabeth applauded loudly for her best friend. But still Jessica’s name was not called. Could it be that her sister might have been blackballed? Jessica, co-captain of the cheerleaders, beautiful, popular Jessica?

  With a pleased smile, the president announced, “Last but absolutely not least—Jessica Wakefield, congratulations!”

  Elizabeth and Jessica ran up to the front of the room. Even though her tears had dried, Elizabeth felt as if she were still sobbing on the inside.

  Jessica was ecstatic. “There’s so much I want to learn about Pi Beta Alpha,” she was gushing to one of the senior girls. “For instance, just how many votes do you need to become president?”

  * * *

  For Elizabeth, the rest of the day was spent playing catch-up, but she never quite did. She was late getting to the newspaper office, late getting the column finished, and late going over it with Mr. Collins. Didn’t it always happen that way when you had someplace special to go? she wondered. Todd was probably waiting for her under the clock right now. What did he want to talk about?

  Please don’t be angry with me for being late, she prayed silently. If o
nly Todd wanted to ask her to the dance, it would be all right. She would forgive Jessica for everything—even for swiping the car keys.

  Elizabeth ran down the last flight of stairs, tore through the lobby, and rushed toward the big Romanesque clock that was the pride of Sweet Valley High.

  At first she didn’t see Todd. But then, as she came outside, there he was—walking across the lawn to their little red Spider and climbing in beside Jessica!

  Elizabeth’s heart sank. She stood there, numb with shock, as the convertible backed up and spun merrily down the drive, carrying Jessica and Todd.

  Three

  “Hey, is anybody home?” The call brought Elizabeth to the top of the stairs.

  “Steven!”

  “You must be that ugly Wakefield twin I hear so much about. What’s the matter? No hello for your older and infinitely wiser brother?”

  Elizabeth hurtled down the stairs and into her brother’s outstretched arms.

  “Your repulsive face couldn’t have shown up at a better time,” she said with her first real laugh all day.

  Disentangling himself from his sister’s hug, Steven gave her a questioning look. “Yeah? What’s up?”

  “Oh, nothing,” she lied hastily. “I just have these spells when I get totally weird—and actually start missing you.”

  “Sure you do. I’m repulsive but lovable. So tell me, how many princes did you turn into toads this week?”

  Elizabeth pretended to think for a moment, then held up six fingers and shrugged. “Slow week. Seems fewer and fewer princes are passing through Sweet Valley these days. But I bet you have no trouble stopping clocks at State U. with that face of yours.”

  “You know it. When I get through with that place, no one will know what time it is.”

  Sister and brother stood smiling at each other, enjoying the special bond they shared. Elizabeth’s blond beauty came from their mother, while Steven’s dark good looks made him a younger version of Ned Wakefield. Slightly over six feet tall with beautiful brown eyes and a slim, athletic build, Steven had long been a target of crushes from Elizabeth and Jessica’s girlfriends.

  The two had started their “ugly” routine ages ago after spending a totally boring afternoon listening to a distant relative drone on and on about “how too, too adorable you children are. Just too, too!” They had invited Jessica to join in their game, but she was never bored when people discussed her beauty.