She grabbed her book bag and raced out of The Oracle office. Elizabeth was determined to find her twin as soon as possible and tell Jessica that it was fine by her if she wanted to date Jayden. Maybe Elizabeth would even suggest the two of them make the dance a double date. Talking to Mr. Collins always made everything better!

It wasn’t fair, Jessica thought jealously, watching Lila drive off in her lime green Triumph with Jayden in the passenger seat. He had agreed to meet Lila in the parking lot of the school after the Pi Beta Alpha meeting that afternoon. Jessica was on the verge of throwing a temper tantrum right there in the parking lot, but instead she managed to compose herself. Now, her brain was working overtime to come up with a deliciously dastardly scheme to steal Jayden from right under Lila’s nose. She’d come up with so many before, so it shouldn’t be too hard, Jessica assured herself.

“Jessica! Jessica!” Elizabeth called, running across the parking lot. “I’ve just had a revelation, thanks to Mr. Collins.”

Jessica yawned. “Elizabeth, you know better than to use such big words around me.”

“Okay, okay,” Elizabeth said, setting her book bag down at Jessica’s feet and stopping to catch her breath. “What I mean to say is, Mr. Collins helped me figure something out.”

“Not now, Lizzie,” Jessica said distractedly, dismissing her twin with a wave of her hand. “I’m trying to scheme here.”

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips, slightly annoyed. It seemed she was always slightly annoyed with her twin, but, as usual, she was able to shake off the feeling. “You can scheme later,” she said. “This is important.”

“So is the plan I’m trying to form here,” Jessica said. “I’ve got to steal Jayden from Lila, and I’ve got to find a way to get into one of his films. I’ll be famous, Elizabeth.”

“I know, I know,” Elizabeth said wryly. “Whatever Jessica wants, Jessica gets.” She paused for effect. “Even if someone gets hurt.”

“Especially if someone gets hurt,” Jessica said. “That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Besides, no one in Sweet Valley ever truly gets hurt. Everything always works out fine in the end.”

Once again, Elizabeth had to hand it to her sister; Jessica’s schemes were rarely so bad that someone ended up hurt. Well, except for the Jungle Prom debacle. The Wakefield twins had been competing against each other for the title of prom queen, and Jessica had spiked Elizabeth’s drink in an attempt to humiliate her sister and make sure she took home the crown. Jessica had won the title, but her plan had backfired when Elizabeth left the dance with Jessica’s boyfriend, Sam Woodruff, killing him in a fiery car accident. So, yeah, one of Jessica’s plans has totally contributed to someone’s death, Elizabeth thought. But who’s counting?

“Anyway,” Jessica continued, interrupting Elizabeth’s thoughts, “I’ve just come up with a plan. And, as usual, I need your help.”

Elizabeth groaned. “What now, Jess?” She wasn’t sure she was up for one of Jessica’s schemes, but, as usual, she went along anyway. She just didn’t have the balls to stand up to her twin.

“You’ll see, Lizzie,” Jessica said, flashing her sister the smile that seemed to make everyone forget what a total bitch she was. “You’ll see.”

Elizabeth peered through the window of the Dairi Burger. “Yes, Jessica, they’re still in there,” she said.

“Good,” Jessica said, leaning against the corner of the building and examining her fingernails. “What are they doing now?”

“They’re still eating their burgers, Jessica,” Elizabeth said. “Exactly what they were doing two minutes ago when you last checked with me. And how come I have to keep sneaking peeks into the window? Why can’t you do it?”

Jessica looked up from her manicure, horrified. “And have Jayden think I’m a total stalker? I think not!”

Elizabeth sighed. “We’re identical twins, remember? He probably thinks I’m you, anyway.”

“Of course I remember,” Jessica snapped. “That’s an important part of my plan.”

“Well, let’s set this plan in motion, then,” Elizabeth said, checking her watch. “I have to finish up my English paper for Mr. Collins tonight.”

“Fine,” Jessica said, straightening her back, tossing her hair, and plastering her most winning smile on her face. “You ready?”

“I’m ready,” Elizabeth said, sighing. She couldn’t believe she kept letting her twin talk her into these ridiculous schemes.

Jessica opened the door of the Dairi Burger in a grand gesture and struck a pose in the doorway. As always, all eyes in the room turned to her. She made her way to the counter, Elizabeth following in her footsteps. Jessica felt an electric tingle run down her spine. She knew, without looking, that Jayden was staring at her – and she knew Lila was as well.

“Hi,” Jessica said to the unknown server behind the counter. He was a teenager, but was either a freshman or high school dropout, so Jessica didn’t give a shit about him. “Can I get a double cheeseburger, a large order of fries, and a giant Tab?” She turned to Elizabeth. “What do you want, Liz?”

“Just an ice water,” Elizabeth said, looking around nervously. “Oh, with a lemon wedge. A small lemon wedge.” She made a mental note to jot down the two calories from the lemon wedge in the notebook nestled between her breasts.

The sever rang up their orders, and Jessica leaned her back against the counter, surveying the scene. Almost everyone from Sweet Valley High was in the restaurant, chattering excitedly with one another. Jayden caught Jessica’s eye and gave her a sly smile. Lila, on the other hand, didn’t look pleased.

Elizabeth picked up their tray and followed Jessica to Jayden and Lila’s booth.

“Why, Lila, I didn’t notice you were here!” Jessica exclaimed, stopping just past the table. “Be a darling and scoot over so Liz can sit next to you.”

Lila shot Jessica an evil look, but obliged. After all, it was heresy to go against the wishes of one of the Wakefield twins.

“Thanks, Lila,” Elizabeth said, putting the tray down and slipping into the booth.

Jessica smiled sweetly at Jayden, who had practically set the vinyl seat on fire sliding over to make room for her. Jessica sat next to him, making sure to gently brush his thigh with hers. “So, how’s it going?” she asked Jayden, picking up her cheeseburger and taking a big bite.

“Pretty good,” Jayden answered. “Lila and I were just talking about some of my upcoming film projects.”

“I adore fine films,” Jessica gushed. “Did I tell you I’m very active in theater at Sweet Valley High?”

“No,” Jayden said, grinning. “But you’re just the type of girl I’m looking to cast.”

“Really?” Jessica asked, fascinated. She could feel Lila’s eyes burning into her.

“So you’re a twin,” Jayden said. “You know, I could really use twins for my next project.”

Elizabeth smiled weakly, sipping her water.

“Oh, Liz isn’t really actress material,” Jessica said. She dumped her fries out onto the tray. “Excuse me, Lila dear, could you pass the ketchup?”

Lila practically threw the bottle of ketchup at Jessica.

“Well, there’s not really much, uh, acting experience necessary for my films,” Jayden said. He played with the straw in his chocolate milkshake, stirring the thick, creamy concoction that made the Dairi Burger famous throughout Sweet Valley. “It’s more of a reality project.”

“That sounds so interesting,” Jessica said, dipping a fistful of greasy french fries into a pile of ketchup.

“Lila’s totally on board,” Jayden continued. “I’m hoping I can get you involved as well, Jessica.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes at Lila, careful to do it for only a split second so Jayden wouldn’t notice. “Well, I’m sure I can set aside some time to assist you with your project,” Jessica said. She reached down under the table and lightly brushed Jayden’s thigh with her hand. “Of course, I’ve been so busy lately, what with cheerleading, and helping Lila plan our seventeenth birthday party, and then there’s the Pi Beta Alpha dance I’m co-chairing…”

“It won’t take much time,” Jayden promised. “We’re taping Lila’s part later tonight.”

Lila shot Jessica a triumphant look. “Daddy’s out of town, so we have Fowler Crest all to ourselves,” Lila said. “Jayden, don’t you think the poolhouse would make an excellent setting?”

Jayden nodded enthusiastically. “Lila, that sounds exactly like what I had in mind,” he said.

“So are you still interested in taping the most terrific twins in Sweet Valley?” Jessica interrupted.

“You’re the only twins in Sweet Valley,” Lila shot back.

“I’m definitely interested in taping the most terrific – and most gorgeous – twins in Sweet Valley,” Jayden said, leaning in toward Jessica. She felt a delicious shiver go down her spine at his compliment.

“I’ll tell you what,” Jessica said. “I think we can work out a deal.”

“Oh?” Jayden said raising an eyebrow. “What kind of deal do you have in mind?”

Jessica tossed back her hair. “How about you go to the Pi Beta Alpha charity dance with me on Friday?”

Jayden nodded, considering Jessica’s offer. “It’s a deal,” he said.

Elizabeth gulped down the last of her water. The absolute last thing she wanted to do was star in a film, but if it was what made Jessica happy, well, then, she’d do it.

“Great,” Jessica said, standing up. “I’ll see you on Friday, then.”

Elizabeth collected Jessica’s trash onto the tray. “It was nice to meet you, Jayden,” she said.

“Oh yeah, nice to meet you as well,” Jayden returned, eyeing Elizabeth’s ample cleavage as she stood up. “Although you were so quiet, I barely even noticed you were here.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Yeah, I’m sort of the quiet one.”

Jayden laughed. “Nice and naughty, eh? This will definitely work for my film,” he said. “See you girls later.”

“Bye,” Jessica said, turning and sauntering away, swaying her hips for extra effect. “Hurry up and throw away that trash, Elizabeth,” Jessica said to her twin in a voice so low Jayden and Lila couldn’t hear her. “We’ve got to get home right away so I can use the restroom.”

“Jessica!” Elizabeth shushed her twin as she dumped the trash into the garbage can just inside the Dairi Burger door. She held the door open for her twin so Jessica could exit the Dairi Burger unimpeded.

“What?” Jessica complained. “I have a double cheeseburger and about a hundred and thirty seven fries just sitting in my stomach. I feel so gross.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t eat that much,” Elizabeth snapped.

“You know, Liz, I’m getting really tired of your attitude,” Jessica said as Elizabeth unlocked the passenger-side door of the Fiat and held the door open for her twin. “It’s really unbecoming.”

“Unbecoming?” Elizabeth fumed as she slid into the driver’s seat. “Can we just talk about the fact that now I’m going to be starring in a film that I don’t even want to be part of?”

“Elizabeth, if you ever talk back to me again, so help me God, I’ll totally kill Todd Wilkins and place the blame on you,” Jessica said, her blue-green eyes flashing.

Elizabeth gasped. “You wouldn’t!”

“I’ve framed you once before, and I’ll do it again,” Jessica said grimly.

“Fine, I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said, backing down as she always did. “Let’s just get home.”

“And step on it,” Jessica said, clutching her stomach. “I’m so totally going to throw up as soon as we get there.”

“You’re joking, right?” Elizabeth said, glancing in the rearview mirror as she backed out of the parking space.

“Well, normally it would be a joke, Liz,” Jessica lied. “But I think I might have to purge this Dairi Burger meal to maintain my figure. I hear the camera adds ten pounds, you know.” She blew up her cheeks. “I don’t want to end up looking like Robin Wilson, pre-diet.”

Robin was a Sweet Valley High student who had been huge. Morbidly obese, even. Like, size eight fat. So fat that even Elizabeth, who always gave everyone a chance, had entertained bad thoughts about her – thoughts like If you didn’t eat all those chocolate bars, maybe you wouldn’t be so fat and ugly and unpopular. But thanks to a starvation diet and compulsive exercise, Robin had lost the weight and joined the cheerleading squad as Jessica’s co-captain.

Elizabeth laughed at Jessica’s puffed up cheeks. “You look nothing like Robin Wilson, pre-diet,” she promised. “You’re much more attractive.”

Jessica exhaled, letting the air out of her cheeks. “I can’t wait until Friday,” she said. “I totally beat Lila to asking Jayden to the dance!”

Elizabeth knew Mr. Collins had said to give Jayden a chance and – although he hadn’t come out and said so explicitly – to trust Jessica’s judgment. But Elizabeth still couldn’t dismiss the uneasy feeling that had settled into the pit of her stomach. There was something about Jayden that set her on edge. She just hoped he wouldn’t let her twin down.

Three

Lila checked her makeup in the bathroom mirror. The bell for homeroom had just rang, and she was the only student in the bathroom. I can’t face anyone today, she thought to herself. I just can’t.

Her eyes were reddened from crying, but she was determined not to let anyone at Sweet Valley High see that she was so upset – especially Jessica Wakefield. If Jessica wanted Jayden Jacobs, the famous director, well, then, she could have him!

Lila applied more mascara and waited a few minutes. Her eyes were slowly beginning to return to normal. She would make it to French class next period, and she would act as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She would pretend she had had a great time with Jayden, she would pretend she was well on her way to being a famous movie star, and then she’d let Jessica fall right into Jayden’s trap. Lila shuddered, thinking about the night before. She’d never felt so violated in her whole life, not even when that douchebag John Pfeiffer had tried to date rape her!

“Okay,” Lila said out loud to her reflection, trying to calm her nerves. “It’s going to be okay.” She gave herself a shaky smile, but her heart wasn’t in it.

A little voice in her head told her she needed to warn Jessica, but then she thought better of it. All the times Jessica had screwed her over, all the times her so-called best friend had acted like a total bitch – well, it was payback time. The only thing that nagged at Lila was Elizabeth. Poor Elizabeth, Lila thought. So sweet. So trusting. She really doesn’t deserve what Jayden is about to dish out.

But it was too late now. Lila was determined to see Jessica get her comeuppance – at any cost.

“Hi, Lila,” Jessica said sweetly, waving at her friend from the back of the classroom.

Lila flashed Jessica a bright smile as she made her way to the desk beside Jessica’s. “How’s it going today, Jessica?”

“Great,” Jessica said through clenched teeth. “Did you and Jayden film your part for the movie last night?”

“We did,” Lila said, plastering a fake smile on her face. “We had such a fabulous time.”

Jessica leaned toward Lila, propping her chin on her hand. “Tell me all about it, Lila,” she said. “I’m just dying to know all the details.”

Just then, Ms. Dalton entered the room. Tall and pretty, Ms. Dalton was a favorite of most of the students at Sweet Valley High, although Lila had once spread some pretty nasty rumors about her. It all started when Ms. Dalton began dating Lila’s father. Lila had said Ms. Dalton was screwing Ken Matthews and, as a result, Ms. Dalton had nearly resigned from her job at Sweet Valley High. But that was all water under the bridge now.

“Bonjour, classe,” Ms. Dalton said, setting her lesson plans down on her desk.

“Bonjour, madame,” the students answered in unison.

“I’ll tell you all about it at lunch,” Lila whispered to Jessica. She smiled to herself. Jessica had no idea what she was in for – and Lila intended to keep it that way.

“So, I can’t wait to film my part in the movie,” Jessica said, narrowing her eyes at Lila across the table.

“You’ll have so much fun,” Lila said enthusiastically, sticking a straw into her carton of chocolate milk. “Jayden is so amazing.”

“That’s what I hear,” Jessica said. “You know ,you probably shouldn’t be drinking chocolate milk. It’s full of calories. I don’t want you to get fat before those big movie premieres!” She flashed Lila her most dazzling smile.

Lila pushed the carton away from her. “Anyway, Jayden said it’s going to be a while before the film is out on the market. He said it’s going straight to DVD, whatever that means.”

Jessica shrugged. “Maybe it’s some type of award. Or foreign film academy,” she said, her eyes shining.

Somehow, I doubt it! Lila thought.

Suddenly, the two of them noticed a loud ripple of conversation had seemed to wind its way through the crowd of students in the cafeteria. Jessica and Lila looked at each other, puzzled.

“I wonder what’s going on?” Lila asked, scanning the crowd.

“Here comes Cara,” Jessica said. “Maybe she can tell us what’s going on.” Jessica caught Cara by the arm. “What is everyone talking about?”

Cara gave the two of them a furtive glance. “Well,” she began, settling down next to Jessica, “I probably shouldn’t say anything, but what the hell.”

“Spit it out, Cara,” Lila said frostily. “We don’t have all day.”

“Okay, okay,” Cara said, tucking a stray lock of her dark hair behind her ear. “So your famous movie director has recruited half of Sweet Valley High’s girls for his upcoming project!”

Lila shuddered involuntarily, but luckily, neither Cara nor Jessica seemed to notice. Oh, no! she thought. I have to stop this before it goes too far! But is it too late?

“Half of Sweet Valley High’s girls?” Jessica screeched. “I was supposed to be the star!”

“You and Elizabeth,” Lila pointed out. And me, she thought glumly.

“Well, now we’re all going to be stars,” Cara said. “All the prettiest and most popular girls at Sweet Valley High are going to be famous!”