"I had a great time tonight, Jess. It seems like we've hardly seen each
other lately."
"Yeah," Jessica said distracted.
"When does the new play start up?"
"Rehearsals start next week," Jessica said smiling.
"So, can I come in?" Ryan asked hopefully.
Now that was a loaded question. Jessica had enjoyed the Mexican
restraint they had eaten at. And Ryan was fun to be around, but Jessica wanted
to have some dessert...
"Ryan, I'm really tired. I'm sorry to do this again to you-"
"It's okay, Jess. Maybe you're coming down with something."
"Maybe," she agreed.
"Well, I'll see you then. I'll call you tomorrow after work."
"Okay, I'll probably just hang out with Lana or something."
Ryan smiled own at her. "What?" she asked.
"I just can't believe how lucky I am to be dating you Jessica. These
past two and a half years have been the best years of my life."
Jessica melted. "Ryan-" But he silenced her by kissing her. Then he
pulled away and drove off. She touched her tingling lips, confused. But
suddenly she felt a sudden desire to go see Jeremy.

"So, wasn't the movie great?" Todd asked Elizabeth that evening as they
walked from the movie theater.
"There were a little too many bombs in it for my liking. I forgot what
going to the movies with you was like," she said fondly.
Todd laughed, "Come on, Liz. Nothing beats a good action flick."
"Whatever you say!'
They started to walk to his house which was only a few minutes away
from the theater.
"I forgot to thank you for the flowers," Elizabeth said smiling. "It
was a nice surprise."
"Just call it a welcome back present."
"It was really nice. People haven't been bending over to me nice to me
since I came back. Besides you, the only people I actually can talk
to our my parents!"
"Just give it some time, they'll come around. By the way," Todd said
offhand. "When you left, weren't you seeing Conner?"
"Yes, I was," she said carefully.
"Whatever happened to you two?"
"It's kind of a long story."
"Enlighten me."
"He left town about two years ago. And I haven't heard from him since.
Actually it wasn't that long." Elizabeth said quietly.
"Wow, that sucks."
"Yeah, it does. But it was a long time ago." Elizabeth smiled up at him.
She felt so comfortable with Todd. Even though he didn't make her heart
skip like Conner did, Todd was easy to be with and he was home.
They walked up his driveway. "Wow, this is a big house," Elizabeth
admired.
"Yeah," Todd said smiling.
When they walked onto the porch he turned to Elizabeth. "I had a great
time tonight."
"I did too." Elizabeth said smiling. "We should go out again soon."
"Maybe," he said offhandedly.
"Thanks for making things easier Todd," Elizabeth said moving in. Even
though they had only been out twice, she wanted him to know that it was
okay to kiss her.
"Your welcome. I missed you."
"Me too," she said leaning closer. She noticed that Todd looked a
little uncomfortable, but it must have been because she hadn't seen him in a
while.
"Todd I-"
Suddenly the door flew open and Lila stood their. "Where the heck where
you?" She noticed Elizabeth. "What is she doing here?"
Elizabeth blushed and looked at Todd.
He cleared his throat. "Liz, this is Lila, my fiancée."

Jessica stood outside the hallway to Jeremy's apartment debating
whether or not to knock on the door. Knocking would mean that she was
willing to throw her relationship with Ryan away. Was he ready to do that?
Oh, but she wanted Jeremy so badly. But she and Ryan had been in love for
two years, wasn't that something?
Slowly Jessica started to walk away when Jeremy's door opened.
"Jessica?" he asked surprised. "I was getting the newspaper," he pointed
to the paper.
She walked over to him. He started at her bemused. "What?"
"I shouldn't be here," she breathed.
"But you are," he said laughing. "Do you want to come in?"
Jessica stood there for a minute debating. It had been easier to walk
away when she couldn't see him. She stared into Jeremy's warm brown
eyes. Then she grabbed his shoulders and kissed him.

How could I have been so stupid! He was just being polite! Elizabeth
told herself. She didn't even like him in a romantic way. She was just so
lonely and he was the only guy who was nice to her. She still felt
humiliated. He must have thought that she was totally come onto him! She
would have to call and let him know that it was okay, that she didn't want
to jump his bones. But the weirdest thing was that he was dating Lila!
Lila Fowler, little Miss Fancy Pants. Todd wasn't like her. Sure he was
rich but they were two totally different people. Either Lila had changed
or him. Yet another thing that had changed.
Elizabeth stared at her hands. It seemed like so much had changed. She
wasn't even sure that there was a place for her in Sweet Valley
anymore. She picked up the remote and turned on the television. She surfed
through the channels and stopped at MTV. A music video was playing. It was
rock and since she didn't really care for hard rock she began to
change the channel when she noticed the singer. He was a young male playing
a guitar while beautiful females danced in the background.
Suddenly she recalled the words to a song that she had heard a long
time ago.
She turned on TV, guess who she sees
skater boy rocking up MTV
As she stared into the singer's sparkling green eyes, she realized that
the man on television was none other than Conner McDermott.