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popular?"
    Oh, boy, Elizabeth thought. Popular doesn't say half of it. Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Whitman took any notice at all of her daughter's comings and goings. She appeared to be genuinely concerned about Annie, but she didn't seem to understand how important it was to make the time to pay attention to her. She was simply too wrapped up in her own doings.
    "I'm probably not the right person to ask, Mrs. Whitman," Elizabeth hedged, "but from what I've seen, I think Annie's popular."
    Mrs. Whitman let out her breath in relief. "I'm so glad to hear that. I worry about my baby. You see, my schedule keeps me so busy that I don't have much time for Annie."
    My mother's busy, too, Elizabeth wanted to say. But she always has time for Jessica and me.
    "And of course there's Johnny."
    Elizabeth shivered at the mention of his name.
    "I just wish Annie would bring more of her friends home," Mrs. Whitman continued. "She should have parties at home, like the other kids do. Don't you agree, Elizabeth?"
    "Well, I think that's up to Annie, Mrs. Whitman." Elizabeth knew that if she were Annie,
    she wouldn't want to invite her friends to this home.
    Annie burst through the door. "You'll never guess where I found her glasses this time! They were on the pantry shelf between the cat food and the plastic--" The smile left her face, and the light seemed to go out of her eyes as she looked from her mother to Elizabeth.
    "Mom," she said, "how long have you been home?"
    "Just a few minutes, baby," Mrs. Whitman said, getting to her feet. "I'll leave you two pretty girls to get on with your work. It was nice to see you again, Elizabeth," she said as she left the room.
    " 'Bye, Mrs. Whitman," Elizabeth called to the retreating back.
    Annie looked at Elizabeth nervously. "What was my mother saying to you?" she asked, a note of fear in her voice.
    Elizabeth crossed her fingers behind her back. "Oh, we were talking about school and things," she fibbed.
    But the study sessions had been worth it. Annie had sailed through a small quiz, and now she'd passed the really big test, the one that decided the grade for the marking period.
    "Annie, I'm so proud of you." Elizabeth was glowing. "This is even bigger news than the cheerleader tryouts."
    Annie grew sober, and she stared at Elizabeth. "Oh, Liz, don't even say that. Nothing else will count if I don't make the squad."
    Walking home that day, Elizabeth wondered why she had done it again. Why had she gotten involved in Annie Whitman's life when she knew perfectly well that Jessica hated the girl? Maybe that was the reason. Because poor Annie just didn't realize what a powerful enemy she had.
    Elizabeth sighed, resolving to forget about the whole problem and concentrate on the evening ahead. The round of tests that had kept everyone studying was now over. That meant a full house at the Beach Disco that night. Elizabeth couldn't wait to let loose with Todd on the dance floor.
    The crowd was already going strong by the time they arrived that night. The Surfers' Waves, a band from Northern California, were playing some hot new tunes, and everybody was having a terrific time. Jessica was there with Skip Harmon. She was wearing a black-and-red striped top and her shortest skirt. It had taken her almost two weeks to get Skip to ask her out, because Skip was a senior and had often told everyone he never looked at any of the junior girls.
    "He'll look at me," Jessica had told Elizabeth. "And what's more, he'll ask me out within a week."
    Elizabeth had laughed. "No way."
    "What do we bet?"
    "Who washes the Fiat next?"
    "You're on," Jessica said.
    Dancing with Todd, Elizabeth made a mental
    note never to bet against Jessica when it came to snagging a guy.
    "Want to help me wash the car Saturday?" she said in Todd's ear.
    "Sure," he answered. "I'll help you do anything." He drew her closer.
    She smiled. "Easy, caveman."
    Yes, it was shaping up as a wonderful, relaxing evening until Elizabeth happened to notice that