Read SVH08-Heartbreaker for Free Online Page A

thought so. I haven't seen you look this upset since the last time you two almost broke--" She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Liz., it's not that, is it? You and Todd haven't broken up!"
    Elizabeth shook her head. "No. Not yet, anyway. It's just that I have this awful feeling...."
    Enid's wide green eyes took on a sudden sharp gleam. "This feeling of yours wouldn't happen to be about five feet nine with red hair and a gorgeous body, would it?"
    "How did you know?"
    "I'm not your best friend for nothing, remember? I knew you were upset that day at the beach, even though you tried to shrug it off."
    Elizabeth sighed. "Was I that obvious?"
    "Let's just put it this way. If an old girlfriend of George's suddenly popped up looking like a clone of Bo Derek, I'd be worried, too. No, I take that back. I'd be climbing the walls!"
    Elizabeth managed a watery smile. "I'm glad . you understand."
    Enid always did. She was sensitive to other people's problems, but she was never quick to judge. It was one of the reasons Elizabeth loved her.
    "Look," Enid said, taking her by the elbow
    and steering her off into the corner by the drink-' ing fountain where they could talk without being overheard. "I said I know how you feel, but | that doesn't necessarily mean it's true that Todd's interested in Patsy. He really loves you, Liz. It ! would take a lot to change that."
    "Do you really think so?"
    "You're probably blowing this whole thing out of proportion."
    Elizabeth stared down at her feet. "Maybe I am. I don't know."
    "Has he actually said anything to you about Patsy?"
    "No--not exactly." She told Enid about the play.
    "Todd did say she was a friend," Enid pointed out: "And friends look out for each other, right? Sounds to me like he was just doing her a favor."
    "I hope you're right." Elizabeth didn't feel very convinced, though.
    "This whole thing is crazy, anyhow. You should be talking to Todd about it, not me. How's he supposed to know what's on your mind unless you tell him?"
    "I guess I'm just afraid." Elizabeth grimaced. "It's sort of like when I was a kid and I'd cover my eyes when I knew a scary part was coming up in a movie. What if I ask Todd how he feels about Patsy and he tells me he wants to break up?"
    "Come on, Liz. Do you really think that will happen? Just because Todd recommended her for some dumb job as a costume designer?"
    Elizabeth thought for a long moment. Finally she shook her head. "I don't know, Enid. I just don't know."
    "What's the matter, Bill?" Todd asked. "You look kind of down. Nervous about the play?"
    Bill had been lost in thought, but he looked up as his friend dropped down beside him on the locker room bench. The rest of the class had headed out to the gym already, but Bill was in no hurry to join them.
    "Sure, I'm a little nervous," he admitted, bending to tie his shoelace. "I wasn't thinking about the play, though."
    Todd gave him a sympathetic look. "Jessica, right?" he said softly. "Look, I don't mean to butt in or anything--you haven't asked my advice, so I should probably keep my big mouth shut--but I hate to see you like this."
    Bill reddened. "That transparent, huh?"
    "Well, let's put it like this--the way you've been falling all over yourself to get her attention, you should probably take out accident insurance." Todd slung an arm around Bill's hunched shoulders. "Just don't let her take advantage of you, OK?"
    "I--I like doing things for Jessica," Bill stammered.
    "Not as much as she likes it," Todd said. "Look, I know love is blind, but don't be too blind."
    "You're in love with Liz, and she's Jessica's twin," Bill defended weakly.
    "Jessica's not Liz," Todd said. "They may look alike, but that's where the similarity ends. Don't make the same mistake I made in the beginning."
    "What mistake?"
    "For a little while Jessica had me thinking she was the one I should be going after when all along it was Liz I really liked."
    "How did you know Liz was the one?" Bill asked shyly.
    "Well, for one