Love Letters (Sweet Valley High Book 17) Read online

  LOVE LETTERS

  Written by

  Kate William

  Created by

  FRANCINE PASCAL

  Copyright © 2015, Francine Pascal

  LOVE LETTERS

  "I'm going up to visit Adam this weekend," Caroline told Jessica and Lila.

  "Good." Lila smiled. "That leaves the next weekend free for him to come here. We're going to throw a party for him."

  Caroline gasped. "You don't have to do that, Lila."

  "It would be our pleasure," Lila insisted.

  Caroline hesitated. "Adam's kind of shy. I don't think he'd like the idea of a party."

  "He hardly seems shy in all those letters you've read to us," Jessica said. "And I can't believe you'd turn down the chance to star at your own party."

  "I know," Caroline said miserably.

  "Great. So it's all set. Tell him in your next letter."

  Caroline watched in agony as Jessica and Lila sauntered away. I've really made a mess of things, she told herself unhappily. And as far as she could see, there was no way out this time.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  One

  Caroline Pearce sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes sleepily. Late morning sunlight streamed through the blinds on her windows as she stretched lazily, savoring the peace and quiet of Sunday morning. The night before, she thought, had been one of the nicest evenings of her life. And she wanted to stay in bed just a little bit longer, remembering every detail.

  The party the Patmans had given the previous night at the exclusive Sweet Valley Country Club was a first for Caroline. It was the first time she felt part of a group, the first time people were friendly to her, the first time, it seemed, that anyone had noticed her at all. But this was only the beginning, she reminded herself, swinging her legs over the side of her bed and running her fingers through her tousled red hair. Maybe I'll never be as popular as the Wakefield twins or Lila Fowler, but I'm not going to be an outcast anymore. All that has changed now with Adam. Thanks to Adam, people are actually beginning to pay some attention to me.

  It was funny, Caroline thought as she jumped out of bed and hurried over to her dresser. All it seemed to take to get in with the right people was a boyfriend. And an invented boyfriend seemed to work as well as the real thing!

  For as long as she could remember, Caroline had wanted to make real friends at Sweet Valley High. She knew as many people as anyone else did—more, in fact. And she made it a point to know what everyone was up to, and who he or she was up to it with. According to her older sister, Anita, this made Caroline a gossip. "Telling you a secret is like running an ad in The Sweet Valley News," Anita had complained on more than one occasion.

  But Caroline didn't think that was one bit fair. "I only try to get in on what's going on because I feel left out," she always defended herself.

  "But don't you understand that telling stories about people is the surest way to stay left out?" Anita always replied.

  It was easy enough for Anita to take that point of view. Anita had everything—looks, boyfriends, good grades. She was doing extremely well in her first year at Sweet Valley College. I wish she lived on campus instead of at home, Caroline thought, opening one of her dresser drawers and taking out her bathing suit. It was hard having her at home. Although it was better than the previous year, Caroline reflected. Then, they had both been at Sweet Valley High. I thought she'd drive me crazy.

  Yes, Caroline continued, slipping on the navy-blue tank suit and looking at herself critically in the mirror, it's all so easy for Anita. She'd probably laugh herself sick if I told her how many times I used to cry myself to sleep when everyone else—including her—was out on dates. Or else she'd say something stupid like 'it doesn't matter,' when it obviously does. She'd tell me I should just be myself, and everything will turn out fine.

  Well, Caroline had tried to be herself, and as far as she was concerned, it hadn't worked. Not one little bit. For some reason, boys weren't interested in her.

  Even worse, none of the girls in her class seemed very interested in Caroline's company either—at least, not before Adam came along. Now that she had Adam everything had changed. Caroline's face lit up as she remembered the attentive faces the previous night when she'd shown Adam's latest letter to Lila Fowler and Cara Walker at the country club.

  She had described Adam with such painstaking precision to everyone at school that she could almost see him before her now. About six feet two, she'd said, with dark brown hair and warm, laughing eyes. She had told everyone that he lived in Cold Springs, a town about two hours' drive from Sweet Valley. He played baseball, and everybody liked him. But what Adam liked best in the whole world was Caroline. That was what his latest letter said, anyway. Caroline had read that letter to so many people she almost believed it had come from a real boyfriend. Almost.

  It wasn't her fault, she thought desperately, pulling a hairbrush through her straight red hair. She was sick and tired of being a misfit. And if all it took to be popular was a boyfriend—well, she'd have a boyfriend.

  "I do have a boyfriend," she whispered aloud, ignoring the hint of sadness she saw in her reflection. "His name is Adam, and he lives in Cold Springs. And he loves me very much."

  That's all I've got to remember, she told herself, putting on a white oxford-cloth shirt and buttoning her shorts. One slip-up now, Caroline Pearce, and you're really in trouble.

  But at this point, it was a risk Caroline was all too willing to take.

  Anita was reading The Sweet Valley News in the breakfast room when Caroline went downstairs. Sweet Valley College was less than five miles from the Pearces' home, and Anita was commuting.

  "Do you want a waffle?" Caroline asked cheerfully, popping a frozen one into the toaster for herself and holding the box out to her sister.

  "No thanks." Anita yawned. "I'm watching my weight," she added pointedly. Caroline blushed. Anita was model-thin, and Caroline could tell from the insinuating tone in her voice that she was really giving her little sister a hint.

  Whenever Caroline complained that Anita was picking on her appearance, her sister looked wide-eyed and innocent. "I'm only trying to help," she'd say. But I don't have a weight problem, Caroline reminded herself, fighting to keep her self-control. And even if I lived on melon and ice water, like Anita does, things wouldn't be any better. I'd be weak and miserable, instead of just miserable. No, Adam is the only hope I've got. And not even Anita is going to wreck how good I'm feeling now that I've got him.

  "You should have seen the club last night," Caroline told her sister, putting her waffle on a plate and joining her at the kitchen table. "It was amazing. The Patmans had centerpieces at every table, big glass bowls filled with water and little candles floating in them, and flowers everywhere! It was gorgeous." She sighed, closing her eyes and remembering.

  "It sounds nice," Anita murmured, her eyes glued to the paper.

  It was all probably run-of-the-mill to Anita, Caroline thought, sighing. Flowers and candles and country club dances didn't even rate a raised eyebrow. For once I'd like to tell her something that would really surprise her!

  "Mrs. Patman was wearing the fanciest diamond necklace I've ever seen," Caroline added, smearing her waffle with butter.

  Anita low
ered her newspaper and glared at the butter as if it were cyanide. "No kidding," she muttered. "Who else was there?"

  "Oh, you know," Caroline said vaguely, taking a big bite of waffle. "Everybody. Bruce Patman was with some girl I didn't know, who was wearing the most amazing dress. It was practically see-through!"

  Anita went back to her paper.

  "And Lila Fowler was wearing a dress from The Designer Shop," Caroline added dreamily. "Cara Walker said it cost over two hundred dollars. She was with a real nerd, though," she added, swallowing a bite of waffle.

  "Really?" Anita said dryly, putting the paper down and narrowing her almond-shaped eyes at her younger sister. "And what about you, Caroline? Did you dance with anyone?"

  "No," Caroline admitted, her face falling. But it didn't matter, she assured herself quickly. Everyone had believed that Adam couldn't make it because he had a baseball game. They hadn't expected her to dance with anyone else.

  "Oh, well," Anita said lightly. "There'll be other dances."

  I hate it when she's so condescending, Caroline thought furiously. Just wait till I tell her about Adam. She won't feel sorry for me then!

  "Gosh, I didn't realize it was so late," Caroline said suddenly, catching sight of the clock over the stove. "I'm supposed to meet a bunch of people at the beach."

  "Meet who at the beach?" Mrs. Pearce asked, coming into the kitchen and pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Did you have a nice time last night, dear?"

  Caroline sighed. Somehow Anita had taken all the joy out of describing the Patmans' party. "It was OK," she mumbled, ignoring the eager expression on her mother's face.

  "If you're going to the beach, you can take the car," her mother added helpfully.

  "That's OK," Caroline told her. "I'm getting a ride with the Wakefields."

  "You are?" Anita's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  Caroline had known that that would interest her sister. Anita thought the Wakefields were the nicest girls in Caroline's class. She was always pushing Caroline to get to know the twins better.

  "Sure," Caroline said airily. "We set the whole thing up last night." Actually Caroline had overheard Cara offering Jessica a ride. And only her newfound confidence, now that Jessica knew about Adam, had prompted Caroline to ask if she could go along. Jessica had looked noncommittal, but Caroline thought she'd walk over to the Wakefields' anyway to see what the twins were up to. Things are different now, she reminded herself stubbornly. Everyone thinks I have a boyfriend, and that's all I need to fit in.

  If only there really were someone named Adam, Caroline thought wistfully, hurrying upstairs to get her beach things. Someone who really looked forward to seeing her, who wrote her letters and called her on the phone—someone she could talk to, when she was worried about things at school or at home. . . .

  For just a minute, stepping inside her bedroom, Caroline's eyes blurred with tears. She brushed them away impatiently, but not before she'd had time to think that she had other reasons for wanting a boyfriend besides just impressing people.

  The truth of the matter was that Caroline Pearce was lonely.

  "You get it, Liz," Jessica Wakefield begged, hearing the door bell peal below. "It's Caroline Pearce," she hissed, her sun-streaked blond hair streaming as she flew unobserved from her perch at Elizabeth's window.

  Elizabeth sighed, putting down the pad of paper she'd been writing on. "Jess, I'm busy," she complained, sensing defeat even as she spoke. It never failed to amaze Elizabeth how good her twin sister was at giving her all the dirty work.

  Sixteen years old, blond-haired, with blue-green eyes, the twins were identical, down to the gold lavalieres they wore around their necks—birthday presents from their parents. They were both five feet six, with model-slim, size-six figures. But there the resemblance ended. Jessica was as tempestuous as Elizabeth was calm. Jessica threw herself with astounding energy into every new plan or relationship, more often than not getting herself into scrapes. And Elizabeth, whose rational side usually kept her out of trouble, was often obliged to come to her rescue.

  "Come on," Jessica prompted now, her blue-green eyes sparkling. "You're so much more diplomatic than I am."

  "I think it's mean," Elizabeth declared, striding across the room as the door bell rang again. "If you're going to the beach, why can't you let her come along?"

  "Cara and I have private things to discuss," Jessica said. "Come on, Liz. You know what a pain Caroline is."

  "What am I supposed to tell her?" Elizabeth demanded from the top of the short stairway in their split-level house.

  "You're the one who's so creative," Jessica reminded her. "Just use your imagination. And hurry—Cara's picking me up any second."

  Elizabeth shook her head, quickening her steps as the door bell rang again. Her parents were both working that day—unusual for a Sunday—but Ned Wakefield was busy with a case that would be in court the next week, and Alice Wakefield was showing a design to a client who could come to town only that day. And I thought I'd have peace and quiet this morning to work on my play, Elizabeth thought.

  "Hi, Caroline," Elizabeth said, opening the front door and giving the redhead a smile. "How are you?"

  "I was wondering if you and Jessica were going to the beach," Caroline asked shyly, her pale skin turning pink under the spatter of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

  Elizabeth looked ruefully at the cloudless sky and shook her head. "I can't," she said. "I've got some work to do."

  "Oh, come on," Caroline said, looking more confident. "It's too nice outside to work. Besides, you always get straight A's."

  Elizabeth flushed. "This isn't schoolwork," she told her. "I'm working on a one-act play for the Junior Playwriting Contest. And I don't have much time to get it all researched and written."

  "I'm sure you'll win, no matter what," Caroline assured her. "I'll bet no one else will even enter."

  Elizabeth glanced quizzically at her, her brow wrinkling. There's a left-handed compliment! she thought to herself. "Actually," she said, "Bill Chase is submitting a play, too. He's gotten really interested in drama ever since Mr. Gordon discovered him, and his play is supposed to be really good." Mr. Gordon was an influential talent agent, and the father of Bill's girlfriend, DeeDee.

  "I'm sure it isn't," Caroline insisted. She blushed, staring down at the ground. "I mean, I'm sure yours is better."

  Elizabeth smiled at her, not certain what to say. It seemed -that Caroline was trying to be nice, but somehow things kept coming out wrong.

  "Todd will be there, won't he?" Caroline continued, a wheedling note coming into her voice.

  Elizabeth was beginning to get irritated. She didn't know whether or not Todd was going to the beach, but she didn't like the way Caroline made it sound. Caroline seemed to assume she'd leap at the chance to go along if Todd would be around. Elizabeth and Todd Wilkins had been a couple for a long time, but they didn't need to spend every minute together. Todd knew her well enough to know how much this competition meant to her. Elizabeth had worked on The Oracle, Sweet Valley High's newspaper, for two years now. She was an experienced writer, but this play was her first creative piece to be judged by others.

  "I really can't come, Caroline," she repeated firmly. "But thanks for asking."

  "What about Jessica?" Caroline asked, looking past Elizabeth into the Wakefields' foyer.

  "Jessica—" Elizabeth thought for a minute. "Jessica's sleeping," she said at last. "She probably won't be up for ages."

  "Oh," Caroline said, her face falling. "Maybe I could come inside and wait for her," she suggested hopefully.

  For just a minute Elizabeth toyed with the idea of inviting Caroline in and trapping her twin upstairs. But despite her irritation with Caroline, Elizabeth felt genuinely sorry for her. There was no point in giving her false hope. And Jessica would probably climb out the window if Caroline came inside, anyway.

  "I don't think that's a good idea," Elizabeth told her. "You know Jess. She's probably going to
be in bed till about one o'clock. Why don't you go on ahead? Jessica will follow eventually."

  "OK," Caroline said slowly, twisting nervously at her hair. "I guess I'll just take the bus, then."

  "Have a good time," Elizabeth said as she closed the door.

  Caroline headed listlessly down the walk. I will have a good time, Caroline thought. There's bound to be a few people around to talk to. And I'm not going to let the Wakefields spoil my mood. She stopped at the end of the walk to retie the laces on her tennis shoes.

  A neighborhood dog had knocked the lid off the trash can the Wakefields had set out neatly by the side of the road, and Caroline picked the lid up, leaning over to fit it back in place. As she did so, a sheet of paper caught her eye. It was a dark photocopy of a letter addressed to a company in San Francisco, and it was signed by Alice Wakefield.

  Caroline hesitated to read the letter, but curiosity had always been one of her strongest traits. She read the photocopy quickly as she walked to the bus stop, becoming more and more amazed with each successive line. "I don't believe this," she muttered to herself at last, folding the letter neatly and tucking it into her bag. She smiled. I don't look for gossip, it looks for me. And this latest piece of news was the most explosive to have found Caroline yet.

  Two

  "I still can't believe this," Lila Fowler muttered, tossing her copy of Ingenue magazine into the sand. "I can't for the life of me imagine what that modeling agency saw in Regina Morrow. I think she looks kind of cross-eyed," she added, studying the cover from a new angle.

  Jessica snorted, turning over and letting the sun bake the backs of her slender legs. "That's not a trace of envy I notice, is it?" she asked. Jessica couldn't resist teasing Lila about Regina. Before Regina had moved to Sweet Valley, Lila had been the richest girl in town. It was bad enough that Regina was also rich, but she was friendly, outgoing, and devastatingly beautiful, which hadn't made Lila feel very friendly toward her.

  "I'm not the slightest bit jealous of Regina Morrow!" Lila burst out indignantly. "I think modeling is vulgar," she added after a moment. She was glad nobody knew she had gone to the modeling agency hoping to persuade the head of the agency to use her on the cover of the magazine. It was bad enough as it was, Lila thought glumly. Regina was getting so much attention it was sickening.