I decided to post this in honor of the release of Sweet Valley Confidential. However, it was one very long chapter that I just wasn't finishing. I just decided to split it in two. Also, I just realized I gave one of the Unicorns the same name as Liz's future sister-in-law. I think you should be able to tell which is which otherwise let me know and I'll think of a new name for the Unicorn.

Elizabeth stretched her legs as she woke up Saturday morning. Liz snuggled down into the covers on the futon in Jessica's suite. She thought back over the last day. The group had met up in the SVH parking lot. Roger had shown her the many options on the SUV. Jenny and Sarah had hopped into the back. Liz had imagined a fun filled ride of singing along to the radio and giggling over boys. Instead, the two girls had whispered to each other over a magazine.

Elizabeth's spirits had revived with the pizza buffet at the Theta house. The girls had settled down to a movie and manicures. Afterwards, Liz was able to skip camping on the floor and stayed in Jessica's room. The twins had spent some time catching up.

"Are you up yet? If you aren't up pretty soon, you won't get any pancakes before school." Jessica walked into the room giving a perfect rendition of Liz before most mornings in high school.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, "Wow, that's scary. Should I apologize to you?"

"Nah, payback is the best. Hurry up though. Really the girls will eat everything." Jessica picked a studded belt to buckle over her turquoise tunic shirt over her skinny blue jeans and brown leather knee high boots.

Elizabeth tossed off the blankets and grabbed her shower bag. "Okay. How about this? Pick out something for me to wear while I'm gone."

Jessica grabbed her sister's favorite moccasins, blue jeans, and the orange v-neck t-shirt that tonight's party guests would receive. The Unicorns would be surprised to find out that even though they wouldn't be staying for the party, Lila had ordered some shirts for them. Jessica placed the items on the bed and headed to the dining room. After filling her plate, she sat down and enjoyed the chatter between her girls and Lila's girls.

"Liz!" Meghan Sanbourne squealed and jumped up to hug her. Jessica smiled as she tried to duck the flying elbows.

"Meghan! It's so good to see you. What have you been doing lately?" Liz replied as she tried to enter the room.

"Planning this party. I'll be so glad when this is over, and the new members are introduced to the campus. I've barely spoken to Todd or Conner in weeks, but they'll both be here tonight."

"Both will be here tonight? It will be good to see them." Elizabeth replied. She glanced down at her engagement ring. She loved Max. She could enjoy catching up with both guys without any awkwardness. So she had kissed both, she was sure Max ran into women had had kissed or more. She trusted him and knew he trusted her. They had survived being apart for most of two years. Besides she was truly happy for Todd and Meghan. They were the couple she had long ago thought she and Todd would be before life had interfered.

"Attention, everyone," Meghan stood up and tapped her juice glass. The room turned to look over at the front table. "Under your centerpiece, you should find a shopping list or task. Your table will be responsible to complete the task today. I'd like us all to be done by four o'clock. This will give us enough time to come back, eat, and make ourselves gorgeous. As we introduce our new sisters tonight, we want everyone to know that the Thetas are the stars that shine brightest at SVU!"

Elizabeth turned to her tablemates: Meghan, Jessica, and Lila. "What do you want me to do?"

"Can you be the photographer? Make sure you get a variety of photos of everyone." Meghan asked.

Lila spoke up, "I think Laura brought her camera. You could borrow it and return it before we leave. I'll make sure the pictures get back to you by tomorrow morning. I know you'll be too busy tonight and not feel up to it tomorrow."

"Sounds good. I do want to be on the road early tomorrow," Liz agreed. She knew her limit and didn't care for Lila's inference that she'd be hung over in the morning.

Elizabeth walked over to Laura and Robyn's table, "Good Morning. What is your job? Laura, can I ask a favor of you?"

Robyn replied, "We're to buy leis, decorate name tags, and arrange them on the welcome table."

Laura waited to ask, "What favor? Hey, we chose the same color nail polish!"

"Great minds think alike! Could I borrow your camera to play photographer for the Unicorns and Thetas?"

"As long as I'm in a few, you can use it." Laura handed Elizabeth the camera.

"Okay, why don't I start with a picture of this table?" All the girls posed. "Thanks!" Elizabeth moved away and started snapping pictures as she saw fit. The camera was a nice one. It reminded Liz of Regina Morrow's that she had been given. It had been destroyed in the earthquake. Elizabeth sighed. She felt old compared to the Unicorns and even the younger Thetas. Life certainly was different then she had expected. Shaking off the feeling, Elizabeth smiled and raised the camera. Jessica was in her element telling one group of girls how to hang the lights in the backyard, while she helped another group sort out the flowers the girls would wear tonight. She followed the group outside.

As she crossed the threshold, Liz stopped to take it all in. A porch ran around all four sides of the white frame house. A parking lot occupied the left side of the house, and the Sigma house was on the right. The backyard was rather narrow, but it was lined with palm trees that ran down to the beach. Leave it to Jessica to find a sorority that was adjacent to a beach. Some girls were hanging lights, setting up the band platform, and all the other things needed to make the party a success. Elizabeth worked her way around the groups, joking and taking pictures. She didn't realize how much time had passed until she heard a screech at the front of the house.

Elizabeth hurried around the porch, as it sounded young enough to be a Unicorn.

"You dope! Those aren't leis. Those are Mardi Gras beads." Sarah looked inside the bag.

"Don't call me a dope!" Robyn replied, "I know they aren't, but that's all Party Central had in stock."

"What are we going to do? Will this ruin the party?" Laura asked a nearby sophomore, Tasha.

Lila shooting a meaningful look at Jessica, "Of course, it won't. We will just twist a few together for a similar affect. No one will really care."

Elizabeth went into the house to find Jessica. "Do you mind if I take a break for a couple minutes and use your computer? I want to check to see if Professor McNeil replied to my email about switching my student teaching."

"No problem. I think I have things under control. How many pictures have you taken?"

"About seventy. Hopefully, you and Lila will be able to use them." Elizabeth went up the stairs to the suite. She signed into her email and clicked on the professor's email.

"Ms. Wakefield:

I hope you realize how highly irregular it is for a student to change assignments once a term has begun. However, I am approving this change since it is within your home district. I received a phone call from a Roger Collins. He stressed to me how much your help was needed at the high school. I do hope you live up to his trust and perform impeccably. I will approve this since it was after only two day. I will monitor the assignment through the principal, Mr. Cooper. Please feel free to call or email me, if you have any questions.

Good Luck,

Dr. Kevin McNeil"

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure what she would have done if the change hadn't been approved. As she skimmed through the rest of her email, she realized she could copy the photos she'd already taken to Jessica's computer. As the computer started on those photos, Liz opened the email from Max.

Liz,

I guess only girls can think that a shopping spree can solve their problems. I've been busy helping my father work on his latest campaign. I won't bore you with the details. Sorority party? What do those entail? I've seen movies, and I'm not sure a countess would attend one. I guess things are different in America. Have you received the latest package I sent to you? How did your Dad like you taking his car to SVU? Call me when you arrive home.

Love,

Max

Max,

Retail therapy is a tried and true method for women. I'm always interested in the details about your life; please tell me about the campaign. Life is not like the movies. It should be a fun party. Conner McDermott is playing. His next CD should really make his career. I did receive the package. All the girls thought the first edition of 'Pride and Prejudice' was so romantic. Remind me to thank you the next time I see you. The blouse doesn't quite fit correctly, but Lila knows a tailor that should be able to fix it this week. I guess I forgot to tell you that Mr. Collins' is loaning me his old Escape for awhile. I can call you from the car without using my hands. I can call you while I'm driving home tomorrow..

Love you,

Liz

Liz sent the message wondering if she should have mentioned to Max that Conner was an old boyfriend of hers but decided it was ancient history. She had loved the book Max sent, but she wondered about the blouse. It was pale blue with ruffles running up and down the entire front. The puffed sleeves made it look like it was something a 'Pride and Prejudice' character would wear. Liz was taking Lila's advice and having the sleeves and part of the back removed. The end result would be a halter top that could be worn under a jacket and give a needed kick to the sweet shirt. She signed onto Facebook to change her settings. A few of the girls had mentioned wanting to tag her in photos and friend her as well.

Jessica came in the room, "The girls are looking for you to say goodbye before they leave. When you come back, be ready to put yourself in our hands to get ready."

"Okay, what do you mean 'our hands', is this something I should worry about?"

Jessica simply smiled.

Elizabeth went down the stairs to say a somewhat distracted goodbye to Lila and the Unicorns. Jessica didn't understand all the pressure she felt about her engagement. Max was a "Somebody" in England. The press was always eager to watch them slip up or rather the slip-ups of their American fiancée. She grabbed and apple as she headed back up the stairs. She hadn't had time for lunch and dinner would be at the party.