Jessica stared at her boyfriend, Ryan's face trying to figure out what
he was thinking. She had hoped that Ryan would have found out a
different way. Finally she said, "Ryan, I can explain."
"What? That's there's some weird clone of you walking around? Or that
you just didn't tell me something. I'm thinking it's the second."
Jessica took a deep breath. Okay. He was mad. She could understand why.
It's not everyday your estranged twin sister shows up on your front
step. Jessica felt horrible for not telling him sooner. The thing was she
really cared for Ryan Johnson.
They had met during their junior year at college. Jessica had just
gotten a new job as a waitress at the local pizza parlor. On her second day
at work, some little kid had tripped her and she went flying. The problem
was she was also carrying a pitcher of coke. Ryan had helped her clean
up the mess and it turned out he had been working there for a while.
They went out for coffee and one thing had led to another. She had even
broken up with her boyfriend so she could be with him. Once they had
graduated she had moved to LA to try to become an actress and he came with
her and had gotten a job as a writer for a magazine.
Even though they had just graduated, Jessica was hoping that Ryan would
propose to her soon. She was anxious for him to move in and to start a
family.
But now having Elizabeth back changed things. Jessica hadn't heard from
her sister during college. Her parents had told her what Elizabeth had
been up to, but Jessica hadn't really cared. Jessica loved the freedom
that college allowed her and it also helped not having a super
responsible sister telling her what to do. Together with Lila, Jessica had
joined a sorority even becoming the president her senior year. She had also
moved from boyfriend to boyfriend until she had met Ryan. There was
Michael McAllery who she had been married to for a short time, Nick Fox
the cop who had stolen her heart, and even Todd Wilkins, her sister's
e-boyfriend. They had hooked up for one night. If Elizabeth ever found out
she would probably hop on the first plane out of here, Jessica thought
wryly.
But everything had changed when Ryan came into her life. Suddenly she
found herself more than willing to make a commitment to a guy.
"Elizabeth," she said slowly. "Is my twin sister."
"No kidding," he said rolling his eyes. "I just want to know why you
didn't tell me. This is big Jessica. This isn't like you telling me that
you failed a math test in seventh grade."
"I know. It's just that Elizabeth hasn't been part of my life in so
long, that I don't even consider her a part of my life anymore."
"But you didn't even mention her, Jess. I asked you who your siblings
were and you didn't even mention her."
"I didn't think she was going to come back. We had a huge fight before
I left for college and I haven't heard from her in four years."
"Why? She's your sister, isn't she?"
"That's what made it so hard, Ryan," Jessica said softly. "We shared
everything since we were little. She was my best friend. But we got into
this huge fight when I told a lie about her and then ruined her
relationship with her boyfriend. We had this huge fight before she left and we
said some horrible things to each other. When she left it felt like
part of me was being ripped from my body. It took a long time before I was
able to go one day without thinking about her."
"But couldn't you guys have made up?" Ryan asked looking at her.
"It was beyond that," Jessica said firmly. "Even though I was
miserable, Elizabeth's leaving also made me stronger and more confident about
who I am."
"You still should have told me," he grumbled sinking into an armchair.
Jessica smiled softly. "You're right. I should have. But my whole life
it's been 'Liz this' and 'Liz that'. I just wanted you to like me for
Jessica Wakefield only."
"Jess, I would have liked you anyway. You're not your sister. You're
Jessica."
She smiled and sat down on his lap, "Still love me?" she said kissing
his face.
Ryan looked at her carefully, "Yes, but I have to go, think about some
things."
Jessica stood up confused, "Why?"
"Because it's a lot of information to process. And plus how do I know
you're not keeping anything else from me?"
"Don't you trust me?" she said angrily.
"Chill, Jess. I was just joking. Really, I'm not mad at you. Listen,
I'll see you tomorrow."
Jessica nodded.
"Also, Jess? Do yourself a favor, talk to your sister." Ryan turned and
walked out the door, leaving Jessica standing there.

Elizabeth walked out of the bathroom toweling her hair. She sat down on
her bed and stared up at the ceiling. The hotel room was small but
Elizabeth didn't have anywhere else to stay. Since she hadn't kept in
contact with her friends from Sweet Valley, she didn't know anyone who she
could have stayed with.
She had known that Jessica would have been angry. But the fact that
Jessica seemed indifferent hurt. Jessica seemed to have her life together
and didn't want her sister a part of it. And she seemed to have found a
guy she cared about and who she might be willing to settle down with.
Elizabeth thought that was what she had with Conner. But she couldn't
have been more wrong.
When she and Conner had arrived in Boston, things had been great. They
both had a lot of friends and Conner had been playing at a lot of
clubs. And they seemed to grow more in love everyday.
Then one winter day during their junior year Conner had been over in
her apartment. They had been making out on her couch and Elizabeth had
planned on loosing her virginity to Conner that night. The details were
all so clear:
"God, Liz. I love you so much," Conner whispered, running his hands
through her hair. "God, I love you so much."
Elizabeth felt tingles shoot through her as she snuggled closer and
knocked him back on the bed and sat on top of him.
Conner grinned at her and pulled her arms out from under her, so that
she falls on his chest. He rolled her over, so that he's on top. He
started to unbutton her shirt and when he was halfway done so that her black
bra was reveled, his cell phone went off.
He grabbed for it, but Liz pulled his arm to her chest but Conner
leaned over and answered the phone. "Hello?" Conner listened and after a few
minutes he pushed the off button and stood up and started to tuck his
shirt in and put his shoes on.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked concerned.
"Something's...up," he answered quietly.
Elizabeth got up and stood in front of him. "You're not going to leave
now, are you?" Elizabeth asked in a small voice.
Conner ran a hand through his hair. "I have to Liz," he started across
the room but then turned to her and caught her lips in a searing kiss.
Then he ran out the room.
"Conner!" she screamed and ran out of the room and down the stairs
after him. She dashed out the building trying to catch up with him, but he
was gone. Tears started to fall down her cheek as she made her way back
to the building. Several guys were in front of the door and started
pointing at her and laughing. Elizabeth looked down and saw that her shirt
was still hanging open.
"Hey, you looking for a good time?" one of the guys leered at her.
Another grabbed her and pressed her against his body. She tried to fight
back but they were too strong. They ran their hands over her body.
Suddenly a strong hand pulled her away and punched one of the guys in
the face. She stared into the green eyes but then he was gone and she
rushed inside the apartment sobbing.
Elizabeth wiped away a tear. That was the last night she saw or heard
from him. The next day she learned from his roommate that Conner had
called for this things but had left no messages.
Eventually the pain went away, but she never forgot him. First she had
lost her sister, then her boyfriend. Then her sister again. Nothing was
going her way.