Elizabeth walked into the cafeteria the same day she had broken up with Conner. She didn't really feel like eating, but sulking in the library wasn't that hot of an alternative. She started to walk over to Tia's table. That was probably all she needed. A nice boy thrashing session with Tia. Tia was so good at it; she had practically turned it into a sport. But Tia was sitting with Andy. And Conner and Jessica whom she really didn't want to face. Elizabeth looked desperately around the cafeteria looking for someone to sit with. Last year she could have sat with almost anyone, but things had changed. People had gotten cliquey. She at last saw Jeffrey French. He had been nice to her the other day so she decided to sit with him. She approached his table, "Can I sit here?" she asked tentatively.
Jeffrey looked up and smiled, "Sure, Liz. You don't have to ask."
"Thanks," she said smiling. "I don't feel like sitting with my friends because Conner's with them."
"And that would be uncomfortable because?" Jeffrey asked grinning.
"Well, Mr. Know it All, I broke up with him this morning, so I don't think I'm on his list of top ten favorite people."
"You broke up with him?" Jeffrey asked incredulously.
"You don't have to act all surprised. What did you think I was going to do? Let him give me a kiss and make it all better?" she said giggling.
"That's not what I meant. But why aren't you sitting with Jessica. Last year whenever she broke up with somebody you two used to sit together plotting against the male population."
Elizabeth's smile disappeared. "I don't want to talk to Jessica. Conner told me that she pretended to be me and made up with him."
"What?!" Jeffrey asked. "Are you kidding? She pretended to be you? And made you make up with Conner?"
"Yeah. That's about it." Elizabeth sighed. "I don't know what to do. I mean, I love Jessica, but lately she's been pulling all these stunts trying to run my life. Anyone else I would have told them off, but this is Jessica. I can't do that."
"But she can't keep acting like that though. It's your life and she has no right to interfere." Jeffrey said firmly.
"You're right. And I have been thinking about it. Ever since that fight over me being friends with Melissa Fox."
"What have you decided?"
Elizabeth was silent for awhile then she said so quietly that Jeffrey could hardly hear her, "I'm going to Stanford."
"Stanford, the college?" Jeffrey asked confused. "Congratulations, but what does that have to do with Jessica?"
"Jessica has already told Sweet Valley University that she's coming. I hadn't yet because I wasn't sure where I was going. I mean did I want to go with Conner or not. But since Conner is no longer part of my life, I think going to Stanford would be good for me. Jessica and me need some time apart. We've been together since we were born. Except for the two months that I lived with Conner and his family," Elizabeth finished.
Jeffrey didn't reply. "Wow," Elizabeth turned around to see where the voice was coming from. She saw Melissa standing behind her.
"Hey," Elizabeth sighed and gestured to the seat across from her. Melissa sat down.
"Sorry," Melissa apologized. "I wasn't spying on you, but I heard what you said. I think you're making the right decision."
"Thanks." Elizabeth said quietly. "It's not final yet but I next to positive I'm going there. You're lucky to have Jeremy with you." Melissa smiled. Elizabeth remembered that Jeffrey was still sitting there and quickly introduced them. "Melissa this is Jeffrey French. Jeffrey this is Melissa Fox."
"You're in my math class, right? You date that football player?" Jeffrey asked.
"I'm in your class but I don't date Will anymore. I'm going out with this guy Jeremy from Big Mesa. Didn't you and Liz used to go out? I heard her mention you before." Melissa inquired.
Jeffrey shot Elizabeth a look of surprise which she ignored. "Yeah, for a while last year. We kind of stopped hanging out because when we were dating I hung around her friends and we broke up they kind of sided with her."
"That's not true," Elizabeth replied lamely even though she knew he was right. That was how she had felt today. Tia, Evan and Andy were more Conner's friends than her own.
"I understand. When me and Will broke up I kind of got shoved out of our group," Melissa said agreeing. "It's also nearly impossible to be friends with your ex."

Jeremy walked into the House of Java after school that afternoon. He didn't usually work on Monday's since that was the day Jessica worked. He and Jessica had hardly spoken since they broke up and he didn't want to create any tension while they were working. But Corey had asked for a trade and she would work the Friday night shift. Jeremy was surprised because on Friday there was a jazz band playing which meant more work and Corey hated work. But Jeremy was thrilled to have that night off. Working a five hour shift with Jessica would be a breeze compared to that. He grabbed his apron and joined Jessica at the counter who was refilling the coffee machines. She appeared to be absorbed in her work and he mumbled a high. At the sound of his voice she stiffened and turned around.
"Hello, Jeremy," she said awkwardly.
"Hey, Jess. How have you been?" he asked neutrally.
"Okay. I've been busy with cheerleading and college decisions."
"I thought cheerleading was over." Jeremy asked trying to keep the conversation going. He still liked Jessica even though he no longer loved her.
"It is. But I've been going to the Sweet Valley University training camps."
"You're going to SVU?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah. It's close to home and Elizabeth's going there." Jessica looked at him. "Are you going to college with Miss Witch?" Jessica blurted out and spun around and stomped off into the back. Jeremy wanted to follow her but had absolutely no idea what to say. Jessica was obviously hurting. And it was all his fault.