Elizabeth ran a brush through her long silky blond hair. She
debated whether or not to put in a ponytail like she usually did.
Elizabeth usually dressed conservatively and today was no
exception. She was wearing jeans and a red tee shirt. Jessica
usually had enough flair for the both of them. Elizabeth smiled
wistfully. Sometimes she wished she were more like her carefree
sister. Jessica always seemed to be having more fun then she did!
It wasn't that she didn't like working for the Oracle, the school newspaper,
or hanging out with her best friend Enid or her boyfriend Todd. She did.
But sometimes she wanted a break from the routine. She had felt like
this before. She fondly remembered her dip into the surfing world trying
to prove she could be spontaneous like Jessica.
Suddenly Jessica burst through the room singing the latest Jamie Peters
song. She had just taken a shower and had a towel wrapped around her
slim body. "Morning Lizzie!" she chirped. "Listen, I hate to ask this but
can I please borrow something to wear?"
Elizabeth laughed. "You have a full room full of clothes, Jess. And I
thought you said I dressed like mom!"
"My clothes are all dirty or wrinkled." Jessica started to root through her
sister's closet. She pulled out a red tank dress. "When did you
buy this?" Jessica breathed. "It's not something you usually wear.
Are you planning to knock Todd's socks off?"
Elizabeth blushed. The dress had been an impulse purchase. Jessica
was right it wasn't her. But Elizabeth was tired of dressing like she always
did. But she didn't feel like explaining it to Jessica. "It was on sale, you
can wear it. It would probably look better on you anyway!"
"You're the best sister in the world!" Jessica said giving Elizabeth a quick
hug.
Elizabeth laughed. "Just promise me you'll make dinner tonight!"
"I promise," Jessica said quickly. "This dress is perfect! Jason is going
to die!"
"Jason Wilkinson?" Elizabeth asked confused. "Isn't he the new guy?"
"Yes," Jessica sighed with happiness. "He's a total babe. But Lila likes
him too."
Elizabeth shook her head. "You two manage to turn everything into
a competition."
"That's half the fun!" Jessica said her eyes sparkling. "But I know he'll
be mine. After all, what guy can resist me?"
"I don't know Jess. Lila's had almost as many boyfriends as you have."
Jessica scowled. "That's true. But I'm a lot more devious then her."
"I don't know," Elizabeth said laughing. "Lila's pulled some pretty bad
stunts before."
"Well," Jessica said tossing her hair. "I'm not going to give up."
"I know," Elizabeth said. "I'm sorry for not being supportive but what do
you really know about the guy?"
"He's a football player, he has the most gorgeous blue eyes…" Jessica said
but Elizabeth had tuned her out. Sometimes she couldn't believe how shallow
Jessica was but sometimes Elizabeth envied her sister's carefree spirit towards
guys. Jason was cute but Elizabeth knew that Todd wouldn't be happy if she
thought so. She loved Todd, but sometimes she felt that their relationship
was a little boring.

"Jason is so cute," Lila said as Jessica sat down at her lunch table.
"I know," Jessica gushed. "In math class he leaned over and asked to
borrow a pencil. When our fingers brushed I felt this tingle of electricity!"
Amy rolled her eyes. "Okay, he's cute. But what do you guys really know
about him?"
"You sound just like Liz," Jessica said rolling her eyes.
"I think he's going to ask me out," Lila said confidently.
"Yeah?" Jessica challenged. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, I overheard him telling Aaron that he likes Sugar Ray. Daddy just
happens to know their manager…" Lila said trailing off.
Jessica fumed. Sometimes she hated how Lila could afford everything that
Jessica couldn't. She tried to use it as an excuse why Lila attracted so much
attention but Jessica knew that Lila was one of the most attractive girls at
Sweet Valley High.
"Nice dress, Jess," Amy said trying to change the subject. "Where
did you get it?"
"It's Liz's," Jessica said.
Lila's eyebrows shot up. "That's not exactly Liz's style."
"I know," Jessica said. "But I think she bought it for me and I found it before
she could give it to me."
"You're probably right," Amy agreed. "Elizabeth wouldn't be caught dead in that."
"Now onto more important things…like Jason," Jessica said.

"I had a really nice time tonight," Todd said smiling down at Liz. They
were sitting in his BMW up at Miller's Point. They had gone to see a movie
and then had stopped to grab a bite to eat.
"Me too," she replied as Todd said kissing her lightly on the lips. "But I always
have a nice time when I'm with you."
Elizabeth stared at her window. She knew that Todd wanted to make out,
that was the whole point in coming here, but Elizabeth just wasn't in the mood.
"You're quiet tonight," Todd remarked as he pulled her closer.
"Hmmm," Elizabeth agreed.
Todd began kissing her neck.
"Todd, stop," she said pushing him away. "Not now."
Todd looked at her, hurt. "What wrong, Liz? You've been tense and
distant all night."
Elizabeth sighed. "I know…I'm…I'm sorry. I'm just a little down I guess."
"Is there something wrong with school? Jessica?" Todd prodded.
"No, everything's fine," Elizabeth forcing a smile.
"Oh," Todd said then leaned in and began kissing her neck. This time
Elizabeth didn't push him back but her face remained expressionless
and distant.