"Jess, I would rather stuff my head in the toilet then sit with Melissa
and her b***h patrol," Conner growled as Jessica pulled him over to the
table where Melissa, Will, Cherie, Lila and a dozen or so others who
were football players and cheerleaders were sitting. A loud laugh went up
and Will and Josh began an intricate high five routine.
"Correction, I would rather watch an all day Barney marathon."
"Come on," Jessica said exasperated. "You're my boyfriend so they will
all love you." She noticed Conner flinch at the word boyfriend. But
he was. Her boyfriend, that is. He kissed like was and he wrote that
song for her. Jessica smiled at the memory.
"Hey Jessica," Melissa said smiling as they sat down. "We were all
talking about Gina's party this weekend after the game."
"My parents are going to Oregon to see my boring aunt. I'm so glad I
can use the game as an excuse to stay home," Gina explained.
"Sounds great!" Jessica chimed in. She grabbed Conner's arm. "We are
there."
"Better make it a victory party though," Melissa said slyly. "With
Will as quarterback we're going to dominate!"
"No offense to the players," Jessica laughed. "But I don't think
anyone is going to be able to take their eyes off the cheerleaders."
"Especially Conner," Lila snickered.
Conner fumed and jammed a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"Big Mesa is toast," Will declared.
"They don't stand a chance," Josh agreed. "Especially with that loser
Aames as captain."
"I don't know about his football skills but I bet he gets an 'A' for
love skills," Cherie giggled.
"Really?" Jessica asked. "I've never met him."
"Oh, yeah," Lila grinned. "We're talking total hottie. It's such a
waste of man. You know, he works with Elizabeth after all.
"What?" Conner said all of a sudden. "He works with Liz?"
"Yeah," Jessica said. "I think she mentioned him. Jeremy. But you know
Liz," Jessica said waving her hand. "She could be working along side
Justin Timberlake and she wouldn't even notice."
"I just can't believe you guys are twin sisters," Lila said shaking her
head.
"Yeah, I mean she's so...uncool," Cherie said with disdain in her
voice.
"She's cooler than she was last year although that's not saying much,"
Lila gestured to where Liz was sitting by herself and reading a book.
"You're so lucky you're parents go out of town," Amy complained,
changing the subject. "Mine never go anywhere."
Jessica jumped into the conversation and didn't notice Conner's scowl.

"Sweet Valley is number one!" Jessica said shouting as she looped her
arm around Conner's shoulder.
"That was the best game ever!" Melissa said who was wrapped around
Will.
"Yeah, that catch at the end was spectacular," Lila said beaming at
Josh.
"Yeah, but that was some throw, Simmons," Josh said grinning at Will.
"All in a days work," Will said kissing Melissa lightly on the lips.
"Welcome to the party that never ends," Gina shouted as she bounded
into the hallway.
"I'm going to grab something to drink," Conner told Jessica.
A couple of hours later Jessica stumbled into the kitchen. Conner was a
fantastic dancer and she was glad that he was finally loosening up. She
grabbed a Sprite and downed it.
"What a girl," a guy with spiky black hair said laughing.
"What?" Jessica asked defensively.
"I've never seen a girl chug before," the guy said coming forward.
Jessica felt her knees go weak. This guy was probably the best looking guy
she had ever seen. Next to Conner, of course.
"Girls don't know that guys find male behavior in girls to be total
turn on."
Jessica let out a small burp and grinned at the guy.
He broke into a smile and Jessica blushed. His brown eyes were full of
laughter and...kindness.
"Are you trying to make me go mad?" he said his eyes dancing. "But a
girl like you probably drives all the guys crazy."
"Sometimes," Jessica said shrugging.
"More like all the time, I bet. Let me guess, you're a cheerleader."
"Right," Jessica said surprised. She shoved her hands into her jean
pockets and shifted.
"Then you must be Jessica Wakefield herself."
"How, how did you know?" Jessica said.
"I work with your twin sister."
"You must be Jeremy Aames then. But what are you doing at a SVH
victory party?"
"My friend Trent is dating a girl from El Carro," Jeremy explained
grabbing a bottled water. "This party hasn't been much fun...until now,"
Jeremy said softly.
Jessica looked away. "Listen, I have a boyfriend."
"That guy who played at the House of Java? Yeah, I know," Jeremy said
looking down.
"Yeah, Conner. And I really like him."
"Okay, I get it," Jeremy said smiling softly although his eyes had a
hint of sadness in them. "But if you were my girl I would never leave
your side."
"I went to get a drink," Jessica said defensively. The guy may be hot
but he was also irritating. "In fact he's probably waiting for me and
you're distracting me so, good bye." Jessica whirled away and went back
into the crowd. She scanned it but she didn't see Conner.
"Hey, Li!" she called out over the pulse pounding music. "Have you seen
Conner?" Lila shook her head and continued to dance with Josh. Jessica
would have to ask her about that later.
Jessica went down to the basement. It was dim and there were lip locked
couples everywhere. She saw Melissa and Will and to her surprise,
Gina and Todd Wilkins. Wait until I tell Liz Jessica thought snickering.
She went back upstairs and outside to the street. There was an empty
space where the Mustang had been parked.
"Bummer," Jeremy's voice said behind her.
Jessica turned around. "Why did you follow me?"
Jeremy opened his mouth but Jessica cut him off. " Why don't you just
leave me alone?" she cried out and ran back to the house.
Conner had better have a good reason for leaving her. No one left
Jessica Wakefield.

Elizabeth walked into the dark kitchen. It was only 11:30 but her
parents were both asleep and Jessica and Conner were still out. She had
tried reading but she was restless. She couldn't concentrate on anything
except what Jessica and Conner might be doing. And how close she had come
to kissing him. She had finally given up on her book when she had
realized that she had read the same page ten times.
She poured herself a glass of milk and stood in front of the sink
sipping it slowly. She heard a car pull in and a engine turn off.
Great she thought. Jessica and Conner were the last people she wanted
to see.
The door flew open and Conner stalked in. Elizabeth hoped he would go
upstairs but no such luck. He came into the kitchen and opened the
refrigerator. He pulled out a Mountain Dew and he finally noticed her
standing there. He looked into her eyes then his gaze traveled downwards.
Elizabeth blushed and pulled won on her nightgown. It was light pink and
lacy and very short and flimsy and practically see through.
"Where's Jessica?" she asked.
"Gina's. The party was lame so I left," he said shrugging.
Elizabeth felt a small smile play on her lips. It sound if Conner had
bailed on Jessica.
"Beats spending Saturday nights watching repeats of The District with
your parents."
Conner gave a low laugh that sent chills down her spine. Kiss me she
pleaded silently. But how could she even think about kissing her
sister's boyfriend? She had to control herself and wait for this silly crush
to run its course. But with Conner standing there twirling his keys on
his finger it was hard not to feel something.
"Well I'm going to head up," Conner said after a moment. But as he was
twirling his keys, they slipped off his finger and fell on the floor.
"I'll get it," they both said at the same time. They both crouched down
on the cool linoleum and their hands reached for the keys at the same
instant. When their fingers touched Elizabeth felt her entire body heat
up. Conner's eyes were staring into hers, full of lust. He laced his
fingers through hers and brought their hands to his mouth. He lightly
kissed each of her fingers causing Elizabeth to melt. His other hand was
gently caressing the side of her face. Elizabeth couldn't stand it
anymore. She pressed her body to his and kissed him.
Conner responded hungrily.
Elizabeth reveled in the feel of Conner's lips on hers. And the way
their bodies fit together so perfectly. Elizabeth ran her fingers through
his hair. She moaned softly. She could feel the hard muscles of his
chest through her thin nightgown.
He pulled away and flashed her a smile. "Love the nightgown, Wakefield.
But the towel was even better." Then he winked at her and got up and
Elizabeth could hear him climbing up the stairs.
Elizabeth sat on the floor breathing heavily. With him gone she felt
so...alone. She gently touched her lips. They were puffy from where
Conner had gently sucked on them. Suddenly the door flew open, startling
Elizabeth. Jessica stomped up the stairs and Elizabeth heard a door slam.
What have I done? Elizabeth thought. The only thing she knew was that
this couldn't happen again. She needed to stay away fro Conner.
Great, now she had to convince her parents why she needed to go to
boarding school in France.