Against the Odds by Pascal Francine

Author:Pascal, Francine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

On Fridays the Sweet Valley High cafeteria was always a lot noisier than usual, with high-pitched preweekend excitement. Jeffrey was taking his chemistry test, so Elizabeth was having lunch with Enid and Olivia Davidson, the arts editor for The Oracle. They had gotten to the cafeteria late, and the only three seats together were at the end of a long table where Jessica was sitting with her friends. Elizabeth hoped she wouldn't have to listen to another discussion of Jessica's earrings. But it was hopeless. That was all Jessica could talk about.

"I hate to say this," Enid whispered to Elizabeth with a sly look, "but those earrings look ridiculous."

Elizabeth tried to suppress a giggle. Amy, Cara, and Lila were all wearing Jessica-designed earrings. "Come on, Enid. They're just trying to support Jessica," Olivia said sympathetically.

"Must be tough. I'm sure it's hard enough just supporting those earrings," Enid commented.

"Stop it!" Elizabeth said with a smile, stirring her yogurt with a spoon. Looking at Jessica's enthusiastic expression, her twin found it hard not to admire her. When she wanted something, Jessica went after it. And who knew? Maybe this time—just maybe—a business scheme of her sister's might work!

". . . then I figure maybe about ten of the faux pearl necklaces, just to appeal to the more conservative types," Jessica was saying. "That rounds out the collection!"

"I don't know, Jessica," Lila said. "Do you really think they're going to take that many?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't have to give Ms. Lussier all of them right away. First I'll just give her a few, let my reputation build. But at least I'll have the material handy when I want to make more." She sighed. "You just don't have a business sense, Lila."

Lila shrugged. "I guess not. But then, I don't need one, do I?"

Fingering her earrings, Amy remarked, "You think Jessica will still talk to us little people when she's rich and famous?"

"Sure." Jessica grinned at her friends. "But first you'll have to make an appointment with my assistant."

"Oh, please," Cara said, laughing.

"Seriously, though, I have an idea," Jessica went on. She looked at Elizabeth, Olivia, and Enid. "This goes for you guys, too. You want to help me make some of the jewelry? It's really easy. I figure I'll put all the stuff in the basement, and—"

"In the basement?" Elizabeth said. "How much did you order?"

"Well," Jessica said, "just a few cartons."

"Really? Why so many?"

"Liz, everyone knows that if you order volume, you save money."

Elizabeth nodded. "Right, Jess."

But you had to pay for them somehow, she wanted to say. That discussion would have to wait until later, when she wouldn't be putting her sister on the spot.

Just then Jessica looked up abruptly. A big smile crossed her face as she leaped up from her seat. "Ronnie!" she exclaimed.

Elizabeth turned to see Ronnie rushing toward them, his hair hanging in strands across his forehead. She did a double take when she saw the expression on his face. The old cockiness was gone.

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