"Look, Todd," Jessica went on, "I'm sure you have nothing but the highest regard for my dear sister, but right now, I'd appreciate it if you would keep it to yourself. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going out for some air."
She turned abruptly and went down the hall. In the kitchen she pushed her way through the crowd that had gathered there, then went out the back door.
Angry and hurt, Jessica stormed into the night air. In the back part of the lawn was a small bathhouse, where people changed for the pool. Jessica headed for it. Normally, she didn't enjoy being alone. But given a choice between being by herself and listening to praise being heaped on her twin, she preferred being alone.
She got to the bathhouse and opened the door. It was dark inside. She decided not to turn on the light. That would just invite more people out there.
Jessica turned as she shut the door. The bathhouse was about the size of her room at home. In the moonlight she could see the dark wood floor and some wicker furniture.
"Well, I wasn't expecting company," said a soft male voice.
Jessica was startled. She jumped and scanned the dark room to see where the voice was coming from. In the corner she could make out a figure on the chaise longe.
Jessica turned back to the door. "Sorry, I didn't know there was anybody out here."
"There isn't. Just me." She could hear the creak of wicker as the boy sat up. "Come in and sit down. It's Jessica, isn't it?"
Jessica strained to see in the darkness. A small lamp next to the chaise snapped on to reveal Nicky Shepard smiling at her.
"I didn't know you were invited to the party." Jessica tried to conceal the excitement in her voice. She had been trying to figure out a way to get to know Nicky better, and here it had fallen into her lap.
"Oh, I came with Dana and Guy." Nicky continued to smile as he mentioned the names of two of The Droids, Sweet Valley High's premier rock band.
"They're friends of yours?"
"Sort of." Nicky motioned to a chair near his. "Sit down."
Jessica smiled and walked to the chair. She sat down and crossed her legs. "So, how come you're out here?"
"How come you're out here?"
"I asked you first."
Nicky smiled at her again, and Jessica felt a little chill run up her spine. He was so good-looking. His sun-blond hair was brushed back from his face, and his light blue eyes looked even more striking in the semi-darkness.
"That's right," he said, laughing. "OK. I don't do very well at parties."
"So you like to spend your time at them off by yourself?" Jessica decided to keep her distance for now. She was interested in Nicky, but she was still a little afraid of him.
"I like being a loner," he said in a low voice. "It makes me seem mysterious."
"It makes you seem sad," Jessica replied.
"Maybe I like being sad."
"How can you like being sad?" Jessica asked honestly.
"It's easier than being happy."
Jessica felt even more intrigued. She leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. "What makes you sad, Nicky?"
Nicky looked straight into her eyes. "You don't like me, do you?"
His question flustered her. "I never said that," she said hastily.
"You don't have to say it." He smiled. "I can tell. I'm not your kind."
"What kind is that?" Jessica asked defensively.
"Why don't we just drop it?"
"I don't want to drop it. What did you mean?"
"OK, what kind? The kind that everything goes right for."
Jessica was going to protest, but Nicky didn't give her a chance. He went right on talking. "The kind of guy who loves this whole high school thing. The kind who gets all the breaks, nice friends, parents who care. The kind who ends up with all the marbles at the end of the game."
Jessica couldn't have left now if she wanted to. "You think your parents don't care about you," she said. It was a statement, not a question.
Nicky pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. He tossed the match into an ashtray. "Oh, I suppose they would if they had the time." He leaned forward and stared at the wooden floor. The smoke from the cigarette curled up around his face, making a soft, yellow-gray haze around his head. "My dad . . . my dad. He's an American dream. He was poor when he was a kid, and he's worked all his life to get where he is now. The problem is, he's so busy making himself, I'm surprised he had the time to make me in the first place. And then, there's my mom," he went on. "She's busy, too. See, my younger brother, Danny, has a lot of health problems. Asthma and stuff. It doesn't give her much time for a healthy kid like me."
Jessica could see Nicky's pain, and she was touched by it. "Maybe you should talk to them about it."
Nicky laughed. "Why? I like it like this. I can do pretty much anything I want to. Nobody cares. Nobody bothers me. I'm free."
"I'm sure your parents care about you, even if they don't show it."
Nicky looked up at her. "Why?"
Jessica was puzzled. "Why, what?"
"Why are you sure?"
"Well"—Jessica fumbled for words—"everybody's parents care about them."
Nicky laughed again, this time a short, bitter laugh. "Oh, yeah? What television show have you been living in?"
"My life isn't so perfect, you know," Jessica replied defensively.
Nicky's eyebrows arched in mock concern. "Really? Why don't you tell me about it, Jessica?"
Jessica stood up and went to the door. "It's nothing I care to discuss with you."
Nicky laughed. "See? I was right."
Jessica turned. "About what?"
"You don't like me."
"I don't dislike you."
"You wouldn't feel so terrific about it if some of your friends came in right now and saw you talking to me, would you?"
"I don't care about what they think," Jessica lied.
"Don't give me that, Ms. Co-captain-of-the-cheerleading-squad." Nicky smiled. "You're so concerned with what you think you should be that you don't even know who you are."
"Oh, yeah?" Jessica's voice was a little less controlled. "Why don't you tell me who I am, if you know so much."
Nicky ground the cigarette out in an ashtray near the chaise. "OK. First of all, you're about the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. You're smart, too. Smarter than they all realize. You always know exactly what you want and exactly how to get it, and it doesn't matter a bit who gets in the way. You're not afraid of anything. Except me," he added slyly.
Jessica laughed nervously. "I'm not afraid of you."
"You're also a pretty good liar," Nicky said quietly. "But not good enough."
Jessica sat back down and tried to look amused. "Why would I be afraid of you?"
Nicky looked her straight in the eye and spoke in dead earnest. "Because you're so much like me."
It got very still in the bathhouse, and the silence hung in the air. Nicky leaned back in the chaise and crossed his arms over his chest. He slowly broke into a smile, a smile that was infectious, and before long, Jessica joined him in laughter.
"You know," Jessica said, flashing Nicky her brightest smile, "you're really a nice person."
Nicky returned the smile. "You know, so are you."
Nicky stared at her for a moment in silence. "Close your eyes." He sat up on the chaise.
Jessica eyed him suspiciously. "What for?"
"Just close your eyes. Come on. Trust me."
Jessica wasn't quite sure that was a good idea. She thought about it for a moment and then closed her eyes.
It seemed as if she had had them closed forever, although it must have been only a second or two. She heard the creak of wicker as Nicky got up from his seat, and then, even though she expected it, she jumped as his lips softly touched hers. It was just one kiss, but it was a beautiful one, warm and tender.
Nicky broke the kiss first, and when Jessica opened her eyes, he was seated on the chaise again.
"That was nice," she said so
ftly.
Nicky just smiled. Although she had been nervous around him at first, Jessica discovered that she was now feeling at ease. She felt very calm, and her company seemed to open him up. More and more, Jessica found the rumors about Nicky harder to believe.
"Want to go back in?" He stood and offered her his arm.
"I thought you didn't like parties?"
"I feel like dancing. How about you?"
Jessica smiled at him tenderly. She stood and took the arm he offered. "It would be a pleasure, sir."
He kissed her once again as they walked out of the little house and back to the party.
From the way she'd seen him move, Jessica thought Nicky might be a good dancer, but she wasn't prepared for how good he really was. They spent a solid hour on the dance floor, completely lost in each other and the music. Nicky was one of the best dancers Jessica had ever seen, and their movements together were smooth and natural.
The appearance of Jessica on the dance floor with Nicky caused a stir at the party. Nicky had always been so quiet and withdrawn that he didn't seem to be the kind of person Jessica Wakefield would be attracted to. Yet, as odd as it seemed, they danced every dance together and looked like much more than friends.
Elizabeth and Todd were sitting in the den, drinking punch and watching music videos, when Lila Fowler breezed into the room and flopped down on a chair across from them. She fanned her face and giggled quietly as she caught her breath.
"Well, someone's been pouring it on," Elizabeth said, laughing.
Lila wiped her brow with the edge of the purple scarf she was wearing around her neck. "You bet! This is the first chance I've had to sit down all evening."
Elizabeth checked her watch. "Well, it's getting kind of late. Things should start to cool off soon."
Lila smiled wickedly. "Not with the way Jessica is going."
Elizabeth looked at Lila quizzically. She hadn't seen her sister for quite a while and had no idea what Lila was talking about.
"What?" Elizabeth asked. "Are she and my brother giving dancing lessons?"
"Oh, she's dancing all right." Lila pulled out a small makeup mirror and checked her lipstick. "But not with Steve."
From the tone of Lila's voice, Elizabeth knew her twin was up to something. She excused herself and walked into the other room.
Well, this is something for "Eyes and Ears," Elizabeth decided, thinking about the gossip column she wrote for The Oracle. It was usually filled with items about the students at Sweet Valley High: who was running for what, who was dating whom, anything that could be considered newsworthy.
And Jessica Wakefield, looking more than a little romantic with Nicky Shepard, was definitely newsworthy.
When Elizabeth entered the room, a slow song was playing on the stereo, and Jessica was wrapped in a tight embrace with Nicky as they swayed to the music. Elizabeth didn't know much about Nicky Shepard. She had hardly ever talked to him. Of course, she had heard all the rumors, but Elizabeth had never put too much faith in rumors.
Still, it was strange. Jessica normally would never have been seen with someone like Nicky, someone who wasn't popular and well liked. And the group Nicky hung out with was definitely not well liked.
Jessica hadn't noticed her sister watching her. She was too caught up in the dance.
Nicky put his head closer to hers and whispered in her ear. "Want to take off?"
"Why?" Jessica whispered back. "Aren't you having a good time here?"
"Of course I am. I just thought it might be nice to be alone for a while."
Jessica looked up into Nicky's eyes. It sure would, she thought to herself.
Just then she caught sight of Elizabeth. "OK." She smiled at Nicky. "Just give me a second to tell Liz where I'm going."
She broke away from him and walked over to her twin. "Hi, Liz," she said brightly. "Having fun?"
"Well, I must say, Jessica, dear, you never fail to surprise me."
Jessica smiled innocently. "Oh? How's that?"
"You and Nicky Shepard."
"Isn't he beautiful?"
Elizabeth eyed her sister cautiously. "He is good-looking, Jess, but you really don't know much about him, do you?"
Jessica could have guessed that Elizabeth's question was coming. Once again, Elizabeth was acting as though she had to watch over her "little" sister. Well, thought Jessica, I may be four minutes younger, but I am fully capable of looking out for myself.
"I know enough," Jessica said coldly. "And I'm finding out more all the time."
Elizabeth recognized her sister's tone of voice. It meant that Jessica had said all she was going to say. She also heard an edge to Jessica's voice that she had been hearing a lot lately, an edge that sounded a lot like resentment.
"Jess, are you mad at me about something?" she asked.
"Don't be silly, Liz," Jessica said sarcastically. "Why would anyone be mad at you? You're perfect."
The twins stared at each other for a moment in uncomfortable silence. Finally, Elizabeth decided to try a different tactic.
"Look, the real reason I came over is to remind you that it's getting a little late. Steve might want to take off."
"Tell him to go ahead," Jessica replied. She had had enough of looking out for Steven that night. "Nicky and I are going out for something to eat. He'll drive me home."
"Jess," Elizabeth protested. "You hardly know Nicky. Do you think you should—"
"Liz." Jessica cut her twin off. "I'm old enough to take care of myself. You've got the rest of the world to watch out for. Don't worry so much about me."
Before Elizabeth could reply, Jessica walked back over to Nicky and grabbed his hand. "Come on," she said. "Let's go."
They had gotten halfway to Nicky's car when Jessica realized she'd forgotten her sweater in Cara's bedroom. She sent Nicky ahead and ran back into the house to get it. She grabbed the sweater and was out the front door again when Steven caught up with her.
"Hey, Jess," Steven said. Jessica stopped and turned to face him. "Liz tells me you're taking off."
"Yes," Jessica replied. "A friend is taking me out for something to eat. He'll give me a ride home."
"Hey, look, a bunch of us are going for pizza. Maybe you and your friend would like to join us."
Jessica eyed Steven suspiciously. "Whose idea was that? Elizabeth's?"
"Well, yeah, but . . . "
"I thought so."
"We just thought—" Steven was getting a little flustered. "Look, Jess, we're just worried about you."
"Well, don't be, OK? I mean, isn't that the way you wanted it? You don't meddle in my life, and I won't meddle in yours. OK?"
Both of them turned as they heard Nicky revving up his car, an old Mustang, racked up in the back.
"Look, I've got to go," Jessica said. She turned and ran to the car.
"Jess," Steven called after her, but it was no use. Jessica had already climbed into the car. A moment later she and Nicky disappeared down the driveway.
Four
Elizabeth looked across the brunch table at her parents. Steven hadn't come downstairs yet, and neither had Jessica, who hadn't gotten home until after one o'clock that morning.
Jessica's attitude the previous evening had stuck with Elizabeth for the rest of the night, and it bothered her. She had noticed for some time that Jessica had been withdrawing. At times Jessica seemed less lively than usual; other times she seemed more sensitive, almost touchy.
The resentment Elizabeth sensed from her twin disturbed her. She felt it was about time she got some advice on the subject, so she'd made it a point to get downstairs early enough to discuss it with her parents.
"The problem is," Elizabeth ended after describing the situation, "I don't think any of us really takes Jessica's moods seriously."
"I don't know," her mother said, helping herself to another pancake. "I agree that Jess isn't herself these days, but I think it's a change for the better. She seems more in control to me. No complaints, no arguments
—"
"That's just what I mean," Elizabeth interrupted. "It may be nice, but it just isn't Jessica."
"Oh, I'm sure it's just boy trouble," her father said. "That's what it usually is."
The talk ended when Jessica entered the kitchen. "Good morning," she said listlessly as she sat at her place. She speared two pancakes and covered them with butter and syrup.
"Late night," her father said to her.
Jessica began eating. "Um-hm," she agreed.
Her mother filled her glass with orange juice. "So, did you have a good time?"
"Oh, yeah," Jessica replied.
"How about Steve?" her father asked warily.
Elizabeth frowned. "No. I don't think Steve had a very good time," she answered.
Her father sighed. "Well, I thought he and I could spend some time together today. Maybe that will bring him out of it."
Jessica said nothing. She just sat, staring down at the table as she ate.
Elizabeth watched her twin. She was getting a little angry that her parents weren't more concerned about the change in Jessica.
Jessica looked up. "Has Steve been down yet?"
"No. Not yet," her mother answered.
Jessica turned to Elizabeth. "Liz, what are you doing today?"
"I was going to go over to Todd's."
"Are you taking the car?"
Elizabeth finished her breakfast and folded her napkin. "I had planned on it."
Jessica shrugged her shoulders. "OK."
This was just what Elizabeth had been talking about. She shot a glance at her parents. Normally Jessica would have pulled something if she wanted the car. It just wasn't natural for her to be so compliant.
"I can get Todd to give me a ride if you need the car," Elizabeth offered.
Jessica pushed her plate away. "No, it's OK."
"Really, Jess, it's no problem."
Jessica shook her head. "No. It's not important."
There was silence at the table for a second. Alice and Ned Wakefield exchanged a look that told Elizabeth they were beginning to see what she had been talking about.
Their mother put down her fork and turned to Jessica. "Jess, is something wrong?" she asked.
Jessica was quiet for a moment, then she looked up. "No. Nothing's wrong," she said brightly.
Runaway Page 3