"Really?" Elizabeth asked. "You're not just saying that to be nice?"
"Are you kidding?" Sean said. "Most people don't even try to stand up after six lessons, and here we are, already riding the same wave. It's incredible!"
Elizabeth smiled. "I must admit, I've really been enjoying these lessons. I even surprised myself with how much fun I've been having. I can't wait to surprise all my friends at the competition."
Sean shifted a little and looked down shyly at his feet. "Speaking of the big competition, Liz," he began, "I want you to know that I don't really care about this bet. I don't mind working weekends. I just don't want you to feel any pressure or anything."
"That's sweet of you, Sean," Elizabeth responded.
"But on the other hand, Liz," Sean continued, grinning slyly, "I fully expect that my expert teaching will have made you into a total surf goddess by then. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you walk away with a first-place trophy!"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Blake," Elizabeth teased. "But I must admit, I do feel lucky to have you as my teacher."
"Believe me, Liz," Sean responded, looking directly into Elizabeth's eyes, "I feel lucky, too. Hey, can I buy you a soda?"
"I should really go . . ." Elizabeth began.
"Relax a little. You had a tough workout today." He opened the clubhouse refrigerator and set a soda on the counter for Elizabeth. Sean sat down on a ragged old couch, and Elizabeth took the soda and sat down beside him.
"OK," Elizabeth said, "but just for a few minutes. I've got a ton of homework to do tonight."
"A few minutes is all I need," Sean remarked coyly.
"What do you mean?"
Just then, Sean reached into his canvas bag and pulled out a small, prettily wrapped white package. "I have something for you. In honor of your dedication to surfing."
"Oh, Sean! That's so nice of you," Elizabeth cried, carefully opening the present. "But you didn't have to."
"I know," Sean answered. "I wanted to."
Elizabeth lifted the lid of the box and pulled out a layer of cotton. Sitting in the bottom of the box was a tiny silver charm in the shape of a surfboard. "This is great," Elizabeth said. "I haven't gotten a new charm in a long time."
Before she knew what was happening, Sean wrapped his arms around her waist. Then he turned his face toward hers, as if he wanted to kiss her. She put her hand on his chest and gently, but firmly, pushed him away.
"Liz," Sean muttered, "I thought you—"
"You thought I what?" Elizabeth asked.
"I thought you liked me," Sean answered.
"I do like you, Sean," Elizabeth assured him gently. "But what about Laurie?"
Sean looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face. "Do you mean Laurie MacNeil? What about her?"
"I thought she was your girlfriend," Elizabeth replied.
"Laurie MacNeil?" Sean cried. "Oh, no. Laurie and I have been pals since we were little kids, there's definitely nothing romantic happening between us. I mean, we had a date a couple of weeks ago, but . . ."
"But what?" Elizabeth asked.
"But I've never really been interested in anyone like I am in you," he said, looking hopefully at Elizabeth.
"Sean, I have a serious boyfriend," Elizabeth began. "We've been together a long time."
"Oh," Sean said sadly.
"It wouldn't be fair to lead you on," she continued. "I know that we have a lot of fun together, and I know that our time is usually pretty intense, but there's nothing romantic in it for me."
"I feel like a jerk," Sean said.
"Don't feel like a jerk," Elizabeth said, "because I sure don't think you're one."
"I guess you'll probably want to stop coming to the lessons," Sean said. "Now that I've made a major league idiot out of myself."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not at all. I came here to learn how to surf, and you're the best one to teach me. And I definitely want us to stay friends."
Sean looked disappointed, but he also seemed to accept what Elizabeth was saying. Elizabeth picked up the little box and held it out to Sean. "Here," she quietly, "I don't know if I feel right about accepting this now."
"Please keep it, Liz," Sean responded, trying to smile. "It might bring you good luck in the competition."
''Are you sure?'' Elizabeth asked, still holding the box out to him.
"Of course I'm sure," Sean said quietly. "And maybe the charm will work for me, too."
"Sean," Elizabeth began, with a firmness in her voice, "I don't want you to hope that things will change between us. I really do love my boyfriend."
"You can't stop a guy from dreaming, can you?" Sean said, then laughed good-naturedly. "Don't worry, Liz. I know I just wiped out in a major way. I won't hassle you at all—except about the finer details of surfing. Promise."
Elizabeth nodded, grateful that Sean understood. "Thanks. See you Thursday?"
"Sure thing," Sean agreed. "Same time, same place."
Laurie MacNeil had been walking up to the clubhouse to visit Sean when she heard her name. She stopped and listened to the voices that were drifting out the clubhouse's open window.
"Laurie MacNeil!" Sean said. "There's definitely nothing romantic happening between us."
Laurie felt the hot tears filling her eyes. She had tried to keep them from falling, but then she heard Sean's voice continue: "But I've never really been interested in anyone like I am in you."
All of Laurie's worst fears were coming true. She had known that Sean would fall for Elizabeth Wakefield! And now her chances of winning Sean's heart were smaller than ever. She ran across the parking lot, got into her car, put her face in her hands, and cried.
Now, just as she was drying her eyes, she saw Elizabeth walk toward her red Fiat carrying a small white box. Sean has never given me anything, she thought, and the tears began again.
But by the time she had calmed down again, Laurie had made a decision. What did she need from Sean Blake, anyway? All he was doing was causing her a lot of pain. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind! she thought. She took a deep breath, got out of the car, and marched across the sandy lot to the clubhouse.
"Hello, Sean," she said as calmly as she could.
"Hi, Laurie," Sean said as he put a box of sun cream in the display case. His nose was covered with white zinc oxide, which made his green eyes sparkle. He glanced up and gave her a little smile. "How's work over at the ice cream parlor?" Sean asked.
"Fine," Laurie replied.
"Liz and I rode the same wave today," Sean continued, straightening the canisters of wax in the case. "She's getting to be a pretty good surfer. And the best thing is that she's so interested in surfing."
"Really?" Laurie asked.
"You know something?" Sean said. "You should try surfing."
"What makes you say that?" Laurie asked.
"You've always been a good athlete," Sean said. "Remember when we started up that neighborhood softball league in sixth grade? You were the star."
"Oh, yeah," Laurie said, smiling despite her resolve to stay angry with Sean. "That was fun."
"And remember last year when our class went canoeing and you were the only one who didn't turn over in the rapids?" Sean continued. "You could probably be an OK surfer. But I guess you're just not interested."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Laurie mumbled as she turned to leave. "See you soon, Sean." Outside, she ran across the parking lot and hopped into her car.
Somehow all of her anger had vanished. The only thing she wanted to do now was to go home, get her board, and practice surfing until the sun set!
"Are you ready for your crash course in boutique terrorism?" Jessica asked as she and Amy drove toward the Sweet Valley Mall. It was Amy's first trip to the Unique Boutique, and Jessica couldn't wait to show her friend how she was repaying Caroline for her treachery.
"There are special techniques that take many hours of practice to perfect," Jessica added.
Amy smiled. "What so
rt of special techniques are you talking about?"
"For instance, how to pretend you're being incredibly nice while you're actually being the biggest pain in the world, or how to try on every color of a certain shirt without buying it. . . ."
"Sounds great to me!" Amy exclaimed.
"But I've got something extra special planned for today's campaign," Jessica announced, quickly pulling the Fiat into a parking space. "Follow me!"
Once inside the mall, Jessica bought a soda at Casey's Ice Cream Parlor. Then she walked into the Unique Boutique, ignoring the sign on the door that warned: No Food or Drink Allowed.
Caroline Pearce threw a poisonous glance at Jessica, but Jessica ignored her. She and Amy made a big show of fumbling through piles of neatly stacked stone-washed jeans, but Caroline just watched them, standing behind the counter with her arms crossed. That was perfectly fine with Jessica. She knew that Caroline would have to clean up the mess anyway. After a few minutes, the whole jeans section was in total disarray.
Just then, the floor manager, a woman with a mean face, yelled, "Hey, Caroline, don't you see those two customers who need help? And when you're done, clean up this mess, too."
Jessica felt a twinge of guilt—ever so small—about how miserable she was making Caroline's life. Not only did Caroline have to suffer through her attacks, but she also had to put up with that terrible manager. But the twinge of guilt didn't last long when she remembered how humiliated she felt whenever someone at school called her Magenta Galaxy. In fact, she thought, watching Caroline storm toward her, Caroline Pearce deserves whatever she gets.
"I'm sorry, miss," Caroline said, pointing at the cup of soda in Jessica's hand. "Drinks are not allowed in the store."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jessica responded sweetly. "Maybe you could throw it away for me."
But as Caroline reached for the cup, Jessica knocked it against Caroline's hand, and the drink spilled on the sleeve of Caroline's white blouse.
Jessica gasped. "I'm so sorry, Caroline!"
Amy began to laugh and covered her mouth with her hand.
"I've had just about enough of you, miss!" Caroline yelled, her face turning almost as red as her hair. And then she added, "Oh, I think I remember your name. Isn't it Magenta Galaxy?"
At that, Jessica's face suddenly went as red as Caroline's. "No, it's not," Jessica said, loud enough for the manager to hear, "and I'd appreciate getting some service in this store that isn't rude!"
"Is there a problem here?" the manager asked, approaching the girls quickly.
"Your salesgirl is calling me names," Jessica said.
"She is? I'm very sorry, miss," the manager said, turning to Caroline. "When you're finished stacking these clothes, Caroline, I'd like to have a word with you in my office."
Caroline tried to say something, but she was speechless with rage.
"And why are you wearing that shirt with a stain on the sleeve?" the manager added. "Is that any way to impress our customers?"
"No, ma'am," Jessica heard Caroline mumble as she and Amy walked out into the mall.
Outside the store, the two girls collapsed in utter hysterics.
"Did you see the look on Caroline's face?" Jessica roared with laughter.
"Even I was surprised when you spilled the drink," Amy cried. "I would never have had the guts to do that."
"It was a little bit mean, wasn't it?" Jessica said.
"Let's put it this way," Amy said. "If someone did that to me, I'd be plotting something big to return the favor!"
Jessica shook her head. "Caroline wouldn't dare. She knows she can't cross me again."
"Jess, you sound like someone in an old Western movie!" Amy joked.
"Come on, let's do some real shopping," Jessica said. "Speaking of Western, maybe I'll get a pair of cowboy boots!"
Seven
"Hello?" Elizabeth said as she picked up the phone on Thursday afternoon.
"Hi, Liz."
"Oh—hi, Sean, I think I know why you're calling."
"Yeah, this rain is a real bummer, isn't it?" Sean responded glumly. "I can't remember the last time it rained like this around here."
"Usually I love storms," Elizabeth said. "But not this one. There's only one week left to practice."
"I feel like a caged animal, sitting in this clubhouse with nobody around," Sean said. "If I knew any Indian rain dances, I'd do them backward to stop the rain."
"But can't we go surfing anyway?" Elizabeth asked. "I mean, we're going to get wet in the ocean, so why does it matter if it's raining?"
"Forget it, Liz," Sean said. "That huge storm last night made the ocean rough. And when the ocean gets rough, you get some serious riptides at Moon Beach. I might go out and surf in those waves, but I doubt you're ready for them."
Elizabeth sighed. "You're probably right."
"Let's just hope the rain stops soon," Sean said, a note of sadness in his voice. "But you could come to the clubhouse anyway, if you wanted. Just to keep me company."
"Thanks, Sean," Elizabeth responded, "but I think I'll use this free time to catch up on some things I've been neglecting."
"OK. Maybe I'll see you on Saturday, then. Pray for sun."
"Bye, Sean," Elizabeth said.
As soon as Sean hung up the phone, Elizabeth dialed Todd's number.
"Liz?" Todd said. "It's a surprise to hear from you."
"This storm has stopped work up at Moon Beach," Elizabeth explained, "and I was wondering if you'd like to come over for a rainy-day game of Scrabble."
"I don't know, Liz, I'm right in the middle of my homework," Todd began tentatively.
Since when can't Todd spare an hour from his homework to see me? Elizabeth wondered. Maybe he's angrier than I thought.
"But it's so nice to play games on rainy afternoons," Elizabeth added. "And I could make some hot chocolate while you're on your way."
"Well . . . OK," Todd said, his voice becoming a little cheerier. "I guess I could come over for a game or two."
"Great!" Elizabeth cried. "I can't wait to see you."
Elizabeth hung up, glad she had a chance to spend some time with Todd. Still, she wished she didn't have to miss a lesson. There was so little time left to practice before the big competition!
Elizabeth was already ahead by a hundred points in Scrabble. She and Todd were sitting on the carpet in the den, their mugs of hot chocolate half-finished beside them, while outside, the rain had begun to come down even harder.
It was Elizabeth's turn, and she put down the word surfing. She wanted to laugh and finally tell Todd what she was up to, but she couldn't—not yet.
"Not a bad word," Todd said. "But you've got to give me a chance—you're killing me!"
"I've just been lucky, Todd," Elizabeth responded.
"I think it helps that you're a writer, though," Todd added, laying his letters on the board. Then he pointed to the word he had just put down and laughed. "I mean, the best I can come up with is jar. How pathetic!"
''Yeah," Elizabeth answered vaguely.
She was thinking about the competition next Saturday and about all the surfing techniques Sean had taught her, and her mind wasn't really on the game at all. She was surprised she was winning when she was so distracted.
"I hear Jessica is giving Caroline a hard time over at the Unique Boutique," Todd said, a touch of impatience in his voice.
"Really," Elizabeth answered.
"I guess she's still angry about the story Caroline spread."
"Yeah," Elizabeth said flatly.
"Sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for Caroline, don't you?" Todd asked, tapping his fingers on the carpet.
"Yeah," Elizabeth said, placing her letters one by one on the board. Her word was riptide, and it landed on a triple word score.
Todd threw up his arms in frustration.
"I give up, Liz!" he cried.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked, looking up and noticing the anger in Todd's face.
"I feel like you're a
million miles away, that's what's wrong. I came over here to be with you, and you're hardly even here yourself."
Elizabeth sighed and looked sadly at Todd.
"We haven't been seeing each other enough to begin with," Todd continued, "and then when we are together, you're thinking about who knows what—your stupid marine biology project or something."
"I'm sorry, Todd," Elizabeth said, "I guess I am concerned about my project."
"Well, I hope it's worth all this time and energy," Todd said shortly, getting up to leave.
"Hey, I've got an idea," Elizabeth cried, trying to salvage the afternoon. "Let's go to the Dairi Burger. I know I'll feel better after some fries and a malt."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be alone to think?" Todd asked angrily.
"Don't be silly!" Elizabeth stood up and grabbed Todd's hand. "I want to be with you."
"Well . . ." Todd said, his deep brown eyes softening a little. "Maybe just for a little while."
"Great!" Elizabeth said. She grabbed an umbrella and ran with Todd out through the pouring rain to his car.
Jessica and Lila entered the Unique Boutique, struggling with a huge load of fancy shopping bags. Caroline Pearce sent Jessica a withering look, but Jessica just smiled and nodded in return. She knew nothing would make Caroline angrier than a phony smile.
The girls' fancy bags were filled with dirty laundry, schoolbooks, and other things from home, but nobody had to know that.
"Now, you're sure you don't mind buying it?" Jessica quietly asked Lila as they walked toward the racks of expensive dresses.
"Not at all," Lila answered. "I think it's a great dress. Maybe a little bit expensive, but I can afford it."
"And it's all for a good cause," Jessica responded, winking at Lila.
Just then, the manager approached the girls.
"Good afternoon, ladies," she said. "May I help you?"
"Yes. I think my friend would like to buy this dress," Jessica answered, pointing to a sleek black linen sundress. She glanced over at Caroline and noticed that she was watching them distrustfully.
"Yes, I've had my eye on it for a long time," Lila remarked, "and I finally decided to buy it. A size six, please."
The New Elizabeth (Sweet Valley High Book 63) Page 5
