She closed her eyes, trying to feel that her movements were part of the music. The next thing she knew, the applause was overwhelming, and Patrick had declared Shelley and Jim the winners.
They just stood there grinning at each other when the lights came up. They knew they had won, all right. And it had nothing to do with winning the photography competition or the waltz contest or the Athlete of the Year Award. It had to do with finding each other. That made them the biggest winners of all.
And right there, in front of everyone, Jim took Shelley in his arms and kissed her so tenderly that she thought she must be dreaming. But it was real—and Jim was real. And they had started a relationship that Shelley hoped would never end.
"You know," Jessica said to Amy, "if I were you, I wouldn't still be holding a grudge."
"Well, you aren't me," Amy snapped. It was Monday, and the two girls were in chemistry lab, trying to finish their experiment. "How am I ever going to pay my mom back for that stupid dress?" Amy demanded.
Jessica shrugged. "Got me. Maybe we can sell them to a couple of girls going to a costume party." She giggled. "As Tweedledum and Tweedledee."
"I don't think it's very funny," Amy said morosely. "I wish Patrick McLean had never showed up with those stupid dance lessons of his."
Mr. Russo suddenly appeared at Amy's elbow and frowned at the two girls. "You know, I'm going to have to ask you two to stay late today to catch up on this project. This talking in class isn't helping your grades, either." He cleared his throat. "I'm afraid that in your cases, the optional science trip to Anacapa Island next Sunday is not going to be an option."
Jessica raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean, you both need the extra-credit points pretty badly." Mr. Russo looked serious. "I'm going to give the whole class more details about the trip later. But I suggest you two consider it mandatory."
"Now look what you've done," Jessica whispered to Amy once Mr. Russo had stepped away to inspect someone else's project.
Amy made a face. "Maybe we can throw our dresses over the side of the boat," she whispered back. "That way we'll never have to see them again!"
Mr. Russo waited till five minutes before the bell to remind everyone that an optional science field trip would take place on Sunday. A group of students and teachers would take a boat out to Anacapa Island to study marine life and to do some ecological checks on water samples. "Any volunteers should sign up right after class," he added, looking meaningfully at Jessica and Amy.
Jessica groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was crawl around looking at fish on Anacapa Island. But thanks to Amy, it looked like she was stuck.
"I hope good people end up going," she said quietly to her friend.
Amy rolled her eyes. "Why would anyone worthwhile want to fool around with snails and fish eggs on a weekend? Forget it, Jess. I'm going to find some way to get out of this no matter what!"
Jessica just laughed. "Yeah, well, good luck, Amy!"
Who could tell? Maybe a field trip to Anacapa Island would end up being kind of fun—especially if someone interesting, someone male, would be on board to divert her from Mr. Russo and the fish!
Will the science field trip go according to Jessica's plans? Find out in Sweet Valley High #56, LOST AT SEA.
Perfect Shot (Sweet Valley High Book 55) Page 9
