Power Play, chapter 2

Jessica looked around the room at the members of PBA-chatting, checking their faces in compact mirrors, brushing their hair, and, in general, not paying attention to her. If there was one thing Jessica couldn't bear, it was people not paying attention to her.

In her best snap-to-it-or-else voice, she said, "The meeting will now come to order!"

Noting that her sister wasn't there yet, Jessica decided to have the shortest meeting in PBA history and avoid the problem of Robin Wilson.

"I know there isn't any old business, and nobody took minutes at the last meeting, so there isn't anything to be read. And everybody knows we have thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents in the treasury, so there's no need for a treasurer's report. So, if no one has any new business, we can-"

"Did I hear someone mention new business?" interrupted a slightly out of breath Elizabeth, coming into the room. "Sorry to be late. I got hung up at the newspaper office."

Everyone but Jessica was surprised to see Elizabeth at a meeting. It had been ages. The other members knew that PBA wasn't crucial to Elizabeth, but most of them didn't resent her. She was smart, a big deal on the paper, and generally good for the PBA image. She was also, of course, the president's twin sister.

And speaking of the president, she seemed very anxious to end the meeting.

"Liz, you are very late, and we are almost ready to adjourn," Jessica began stiffly.

“But didn't I just hear you call for new business?" Elizabeth said sweetly, shooting her twin a warning look that clearly said, Don't even try it.

Jessica got the message. "Well, if you have something totally and absolutely important to bring up, I guess you can," she said reluctantly.

Elizabeth turned to the group. "I do have something important to bring up. I would like to nominate someone for membership in Pi Beta Alpha, someone who is a friend of mine and a good friend of my sister's-Robin Wilson."

Total silence greeted Elizabeth's announcement. And then-pandemonium.

"Robin Wilson-one of us?"

"She's that pudgy one, isn't she?"

"Liz put her name up, so she must think it's OK."

"You sure she's not kidding?"

Tight-lipped and stormy-eyed, Jessica let the stream of chatter go on for a few more minutes, then called the meeting to order again.

"Is there anyone who objects to Robin Wilson being nominated for Pi Beta Alpha?" she asked. The answer was a foregone conclusion. No one dared to object to a friend of the Wakefield twins. And Jessica didn't dare say how she really felt. For one thing, Elizabeth would blast her. And if Robin ever found out, that would mark the end of her days as Jessica's handmaiden.

After the meeting broke up, Jessica, sparks flying from her blue-green eyes, walked over to her sister. "Are you proud of yourself now, Little Miss Do-a-Good-Deed-Every-Day?"

Elizabeth cringed at the anger in her sister's voice.

"Look, Jess, it's not the end of the world. She'll be a terrific addition to PBA!"

"Prove it!" Jessica snapped.

"Robin is nice, she's sweet, and she's very smart."

"And she's surrounded by two tons of fat!"

"Two tons, Jess?" Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself. "Really, how could a girl as nice as Robin possibly hurt the grand and glorious image of PBA?"

Jessica's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You're being sarcastic, aren't you? It's really a very unattractive trait, Elizabeth. And if I were you, I wouldn't get too smug too soon."

This time it was Elizabeth's turn to be suspicious. "Just what is that crack supposed to mean, Jessica?"

"Oh, nothing at all, sister dear," said Jessica airily. "You do remember, don't you, that Pi Beta Alpha pledges have to perform certain-uh, tasks before they can be voted on for full membership?"

"Jessica Wakefield, I'm warning you."

"Liz, I'm truly hurt that you would think I would do anything sneaky. You really must put a leash on that suspicious mind of yours. I just meant that I'll do everything I can to make sure Robin has a fair chance to prove herself worthy of Pi Beta Alpha. Sooooo-Lila Fowler, Cara Walker, and I will guide Robin through her pledge period."

"Lucky Robin," Elizabeth muttered.

"Somebody has to give Robin the good news. The three of us are going over to see her now. Do you want to come?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "I have to meet Todd in a few minutes. Too bad, I'd love to be there when she gets the official word. She's going to do cartwheels!"

"Fat chance." Jessica sneered. Then, seeing the look of disapproval on Elizabeth's face she quickly added, "I won't hurt her feelings. You know it's not in my nature to be nasty-even to a wimp like Robin."

"Yes, Jess, you're famous for that. You're the world's heavyweight champ of kindness."

"Heavyweight-how appropriate!" Jessica retorted, breezing past Elizabeth and out the door.

A half-hour later the three girls were ringing the Wilson doorbell.

"I don't think anyone's home, Jess."

"Don't be silly, Cara," Jessica snapped. "Where else would she be?"

Just then Robin opened the door, practically ripping it off its hinges in her excitement. "Jessica! And Lila and Cara-what a surprise!"

Jessica was full of the dignity of her office. "May we come in, Robin? We have something totally serious and vital to tell you."

"Sure, sure, Jessica, come on in. This is so terrific-having you here and all.... Can I get you something? A soda maybe-or I could fix chocolate shakes? We've got some really great eclairs. Or how about some ice cream sandwiches?" Robin's steady stream of nervous chatter visibly annoyed Jessica and made Cara and Lila yawn.

What's the matter with me? thought Robin, finally slowing down enough to notice their reactions. Why do I always say the wrong things around people I want to impress?

"Oh, gee, I'm sorry," she said aloud. "You don't have time to listen to me babble on and on about food."

Assuming her best president-of-the-sorority pose, Jessica announced, "Robin, you are fortunate enough to have had your name put up for membership in Pi Beta Alpha. You are now officially a pledge."

The smile of pure happiness on Robin's face was so heartbreakingly sincere and grateful that it almost made Jessica change her plans. Almost, but not quite.

"Oh, Jessica, thank you! And you, too, Lila and Cara! This is so super I can hardly believe it's happening to me! When do I start? What do I do?"

Frowning, Jessica tried to hose down Robin's burning enthusiasm. "You know, Robin, being a member of PBA isn't just wearing a special jacket and spending time with all the best people in school, or even being in on all the really important things that happen in Sweet Valley."

A slightly subdued Robin vigorously nodded understanding.

"As a pledge," Jessica continued, "you have to do certain things-things that prove you are worthy of being a Pi Beta. You have to prove your loyalty to us."

"I'll always be loyal to Pi Beta Alpha," Robin swore. "All my life!"

"That's easy to say, Robin," Cara interjected disdainfully.

"She's right, Robin," said Jessica. "Some of the things you will be asked to do may be a little difficult for you."

"Nothing would be too hard, Jessica, nothing in the whole world. No matter what it is, I'll do it," Robin vowed.

It was like taking candy from a baby. Jessica plunged on.

"OK. Tomorrow. Right after school. Girls' gym. Don't be late!"

As the three sorority girls got up to leave, Lila whispered to Jessica, "What a drab little existence. Let's get out of here before she offers us another eclair!"

An ecstatic Robin closed the door and headed straight for the kitchen. Pulling a whole cherry cheesecake from the refrigerator, she began eating to calm her nerves. At last! She, Robin Wilson, was actually going to be a Pi Beta Alpha. She was going to be popular. All she had to do was get through pledging. How hard could that be?

"Tell me everything, Jess. How did Robin take the news?" Elizabeth dropped her books on a table and descended on her sister. Jessica was wearing leotards and exercising with Jane Fonda via video cassette.

"Do you think my thighs look all right, Liz?" Jessica asked worriedly, flipping the TV off and throwing a towel around her neck. She decided to do fifty extra leg lifts, just in case.

"You thighs are not important right now. What happened with Robin?"

"Thighs are always important. Anyway, Robin took the news with disgusting offers of food and undying loyalty. I really think that girl wants us all to be as fat as she is."

"Jessica!"

"OK, OK. The wimp is happy. Does that make you happy? Do you mind if I finish exercising?"

"Not at all." Elizabeth peered at her sister. "Where did you get all that gold, Jess?"

"Gold? What gold?" Jessica wiped her face off with the towel.

"Those earrings you're wearing-they cost ten times more than your allowance, which I know you just spent on albums."

Jessica placed protective fingers over the small, delicate earrings. "These? Don't be silly. I didn't buy them. Lila's aunt sent them to her, and she didn't really like them, soooo-they're mine. Aren't they great?"

"Yeah, great." Elizabeth started up the stairs, then paused. "Don't you think it's kind of odd for Lila to be so generous all of a sudden?"

"Don't get all upset, sister dear. There's nothing wrong in accepting a few gifts from a good friend."

"Maybe not. Well, I have a history paper to finish." She started up the stairs again.

"By the way, Liz," Jessica said casually, "something rather interesting is going to happen tomorrow."

"What are you up to now, Jess?"

"Nothing-nothing at all, but I suggest you be at the track right after school."

Elizabeth dashed up to her locker the next afternoon just as Todd Wilkins, her boyfriend, strolled up to his.

"Hurry, Todd. I don't want to be late."

"Hurry? Late? School's out. Time to relax." He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his arms. "And I have the perfect way to relax you."

Elizabeth melted against him, happily allowing his lips to caress hers.

"Liz," Todd murmured, "let's go for a walk right now. I want to be alone with you."

"Oh, Todd, I can't," she said, remembering Jessica's comment about "something interesting" happening. "I think I've got trouble. Big trouble."

Slipping a finger under her chin, Todd lifted Elizabeth's face to his and saw that there was worry in her eyes. She needed cheering up, he decided.

"Don't tell me. Let me gaze into zee future." He curved his. hands around an imaginary crystal ball. "Ziss beeg trouble starts with a J and look almost as bee-yoo-tiful as you."

"Be serious, you idiot. And don't start in on my sister. Jessica is only part of the problem." A long sigh. "OK, Jessica is the problem. I don't have time to explain, but we've got to get over to the track-now! She tugged him along the hall and through the big center doors out onto the lawn.

"Just give me a clue!" Todd panted, running to keep up with her. "What's Jessica up to that has you so worried?"

"I don't know. That's what has me so worried. Hurry, Todd!"

"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying! Hey, what's all that noise coming from the track?"

They broke into a sprint, reaching the track just in time to see a sweating, gasping Robin Wilson stumble past.

"What in the world-?" Elizabeth gasped.

The stands were partly filled with students, some cheering, but most just curiously watching Robin lumber her way around the track.

"Way to go, Robin!"

"Don't fall down, Wilson. You'll dent the track!"

Elizabeth whirled around at this remark, intending to shut up the jerk who'd made it-and spotted Bruce Patman lounging against his black Porsche, a sneer on his good-looking face.

"Be quiet!" she snapped. She turned back to Todd. "I am just about ready to commit murder!" she said. Then she made her way over to Lila and Cara. "How could you two do this to Robin-to anyone?"

"Hi, Liz, welcome to the Olympics for chubbos!" a familiar voice shouted from behind.

This sent Lila, Cara, Bruce, and others who were close enough to hear into fits of wild laughter.

"Jessica Wakefield, this is unbelievable!" Elizabeth fumed. Jessica was sitting off to the side, busily ignoring Bruce's presence, for she had recently broken up with him. Bruce's incredible egotism had almost turned Jessica into his servant. When she'd caught him with another girl, Jessica had unleashed her matchless fury.

She didn't answer Elizabeth.

"Don't you think dear Robin looks tres chic in her gray sweat shorts and tank top?" Lila contributed. "So perfect for that round body, n'est-ce pas?" The group laughed again.

Elizabeth was furious. "You three are-are-well, you know what you are!" She stomped off toward the totally exhausted Robin, who was leaning against a fence.

Elizabeth had gone only a few steps when Jessica's voice reached her. "Maybe if she ran around the track about a hundred and thirty-seven times a day for the next five years, she might lose some of that fat!"

Elizabeth reached Robin just as PBA's newest pledge was almost able to breathe again.

"Robin, are you all right? You look terrible!"

"I've never looked good in shorts, Liz."

"No, no, Robin, I just meant that you look so tired. Why in the world did you do it?"

Astonishment was written all over Robin's sweaty, round face, "Why? Elizabeth, it's one of the things a pledge has to do to prove her loyalty to Pi Beta Alpha. You certainly should understand that. Besides, it isn't that bad. I only have to jog around the track five times a day for just one week."

“Robin, you don't have to do this. Joining PBA, or any sorority, isn't that important, believe me."

"Not that important?" Robin drew herself up to her full height. "It's everything to me, Liz. And I can do it. I will do anything to be a Pi Beta!"

Elizabeth was waiting in the girls' locker room as Robin came in from her last day of jogging.

"Robin, you are a real inspiration," Elizabeth admitted. "I think you're just terrific!"

"Thanks," Robin said dully.

Thanks? Where was the happy smile? The sense of purpose? The cheery enthusiasm?

"You should be really happy, Robin. What could be harder than what you went through this week?"

"Saturday."

"Saturday?"

Big, brown, tearful eyes looked up at Elizabeth. "Jogging was hard, Liz, but I did it. I don't know if I can handle Saturday."

Elizabeth was almost too afraid to ask. "What's happening Saturday, Robin?"

The tears were spilling over by this time.

"Robin, please tell me."

Through sobs, Robin got out, "I have to go to the beach!"

"The beach? You're worried about the beach, Robin? Why? You're a good swimmer-I've seen you. It'll be easy!" Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a minute. I thought maybe you had to climb Mount Everest."

"I could have done that, Liz. I just don't know how I can show up at the beach on Saturday in-in a bikini! And play volleyball!"

Oh, boy, Elizabeth thought, we have a problem.

"Do you have a bikini, Robin?" she asked gently.

"Kind of."

"A kind of bikini?"

Turning away in embarrassment, Robin muttered, "Well, it's a two-piece suit that's too small, so it looks like a bikini, kind of."

Elizabeth looked down at the tiled floor thoughtfully, then made a quick decision. "You know something, Robin? Todd and I and Enid and her boyfriend, George, are going to the beach on Saturday. We always play volleyball. You can be on our team, OK?"

"Really?" The look of thanks on Robin's tearstained face was almost too much for Elizabeth to bear.

"Really. We'll pick you up."

"Maybe it'll rain."

"It won't rain, Robin. We'll have a good time." And, thought Elizabeth, so will three witches I know.

Saturday was sunny and beautiful, as it almost always was in Sweet Valley. Elizabeth knew it was going to be a difficult day for Robin-and for her.

When Todd arrived, she greeted him with a special smile and a hug. It was wonderful to be able to spend her free days with him. Quickly she jumped into the car and explained the circumstances.

"You'll help?" Elizabeth asked, already knowing the answer.

"I'll help. Did you ever doubt it?" Todd kissed her nose lightly, then started the car.

Robin, self-conscious and red-faced, took off her terry tent robe, revealing a very tight two-piece suit to the amused looks of the usual Saturday beach crowd.

Robin hung in through the almost endless day, bolstered by Elizabeth, Todd, Enid, and George. Whenever possible, they encouraged her to laugh and always accompanied her into the water.

The volleyball game proved to be the toughest part of Robin's day. Bruce Patman, egged on by Lila and Cara, took obvious delight in shooting one ball after another right at Robin. Jessica didn't join in in encouraging Bruce, but she did send a few impossible shots in Robin's direction.

"Way to go, Wilson," Bruce jeered. "Anyone into blubber would call your moves awesome."

Somehow though, with a little help, Robin made it through the day. "You were right, Liz!" she said when most of the crowd had gone home. "I can do it!"

"I knew you could, Robin." Elizabeth looked around. "Well, all packed up. I guess we'll drop you off first, Robin."

"Oh, I don't need a ride home, Liz. Thanks anyway, but Jessica and Lila offered me a ride."

Wonderful, Elizabeth thought. Just what you need.

"I'm really impressed with you, Robin. We all are."

Praise from Jessica Wakefield? Robin was speechless.

"You've done everything we asked you to do. You've done-pretty well."

"Pretty well" from Jessica was like a standing ovation from anybody else. Robin was ecstatic. She jumped up and tried to hug Jessica.

"Wait, Robin," Jessica said, stepping out of range. "There's just one more thing you have to do to prove your loyalty to PBA."

"Anything, Jessica. Anything!"

"You have to get Bruce Patman to take you to the Discomarathon next Saturday night."