"Is that all you can say?" Jessica muttered. "Did you get yours back yet?"

  Lila hesitated. "Of course," she admitted finally. "We all got them back today, Jess. You know that."

  "And how'd you do on it?" Jessica demanded.

  "OK," Lila said noncommittally. "Come on, Jess—I'm really in a hurry. Can't we talk about this later?"

  "No," Jessica fumed, "we can't. Just how good is 'OK'?"

  "I got a B-minus," Lila admitted. "But I still can't see why you're making such a fuss, Jessica. I tried my hardest. I just—"

  "If you tried your hardest and got a D on my paper, how'd you manage to get a B-minus on your own?" Jessica demanded.

  Lila shrugged, her eyes wide with innocence. "I guess I was just tired," she said apologetically. "You know how it is, Jess. I did mine first, and by the time I got around to yours—"

  "That's great, Lila," Jessica snapped. "Really great. Do you realize that term paper could keep me from passing history?"

  Lila shrugged. "It won't, will it?" she asked sweetly.

  Jessica stared at her. "It won't, if I do OK on the final, but—"

  "Good," Lila said firmly. "Then it's all right."

  Jessica didn't look convinced.

  "Who cares about history, anyway?" Lila said airily. "Guess where I'm going right now?" she asked, dropping her voice.

  "Where?" Jessica asked. As if I care, she thought moodily. Jessica didn't share Lila's nonchalance about her term paper. She'd had a harrowing talk wtih Mr. Fellows about it, and now she'd have to work extra hard on the final exam or she'd fail for sure.

  "I'm going over to my father's building to see if Jack is around," Lila told her. "I'm almost positive he'll ask me out this time," she added.

  "Maybe he'll ask you to help him write a term paper," Jessica suggested, irritated by Lila's smugness. Jessica just wasn't in the mood for Lila. Aside from the rotten grade she'd gotten on her paper, she was depressed because she'd gotten a letter from Donald the day before, apologizing for not getting in touch with her before the carnival. He hadn't wanted to lead her on, the letter said. Lead me on! Jessica thought sadly. I'm all washed up. Sixteen years old and over the hill.

  "Jess, I'm telling you, he's fabulous," Lila said.

  Jessica stared at her, the sparkle coming back to her blue-green eyes. "Tell me more about him," she said impulsively.

  Her face brightening, Lila leaned forward, launching into a lengthy description of Jack's charms.

  And Jessica listened avidly. It had just occurred to her that Lila might need a dose of her own medicine. And maybe—if Jessica could get to know this Jack character herself—she just might be able to get that smirk off Lila's face for good!

  Fifteen minutes later, Lila parked her car in front of her father's new building. Frantically checking her appearance in the rearview mirror, Lila bounded out of the car and strolled casually over to the fence closing in the construction site.

  "Jack!" she called, waving at the group of men moving iron girders with heavy machinery. A minute later Jack separated himself from the group and sauntered over to the fence.

  "Lila Fowler," he said lazily, grinning down at her with his green-flecked eyes. "What brings you back to this territory?"

  "Oh, I don't know," she said coyly, shrugging her shoulders and looking up at him with her most flirtatious smile. "I was just thinking about my plans for the summer. I wanted to talk to Daddy about going to Europe," she lied.

  "Really?" Jack said, folding his arms on top of the fence and putting his chin on his arms. "Where in Europe?"

  "Oh, I don't know," Lila said, thinking quickly. "Maybe the Riviera."

  Jack smiled. "I used to go sailing off the south of France," he told her.

  Lila's breath caught in her throat. That absolutely settled it as far as she was concerned. Whoever this Jack was, he wasn't really a construction worker. He was far too sophisticated, too refined.

  "Do you have a boat? It's been so hot," she added softly. "I'll bet it feels just terrific out on the water."

  "It sure does," Jack agreed, half-closing his eyes. "I do have a boat," he told her. "And I wouldn't mind being out on her right this minute," he added.

  Why aren't you? Lila wanted to ask him. What are you doing here, dragging these heavy pieces of lumber around on such a beautiful day? But she controlled herself. First things first. Once Jack had fallen in love with her, he'd reveal his real identity to her. Then maybe he'd whisk her away to the south of France and introduce her to his family. Lila was convinced by now that he was only working here as a disguise. His real family was probably filthy rich.

  But first she had to get him to ask her out. And he didn't seem to be jumping at the bait for some reason. "They say the weather's supposed to be perfect for sailing tomorrow," Lila said, trying again.

  "That's good news," Jack said, smiling that mysterious, slow smile.

  Lila thought quickly. Jack didn't seem to be taking a hint, so she'd have to try the direct approach. "You know," she said suddenly, "a bunch of us have been planning a swimming party at my place on Sunday. You wouldn't want to drop by, would you?"

  "Sure," Jack said. "That sounds nice."

  Lila flushed. She felt strangely insecure with Jack, though she couldn't tell why. He couldn't possibly know that she had just decided to have a party right then, but something in his eyes made her feel that he was looking right through her. His smile had a slightly ironic look that made Lila's heart beat faster.

  "Here," she said quickly. "Let me give you directions to my house. Can you come by around two o'clock?" she asked, taking a piece of paper from her purse and frantically writing on it.

  "I'll be looking forward to it," Jack said, grinning as he took the piece of paper Lila handed him through the fence.

  "Happy sailing!" Lila called after him. Jack wriggled his fingers in a backward wave, not turning around. What a stupid thing to say, Lila thought. He's going to think I'm too dumb to talk about anything but boats.

  Whirling around, Lila almost bumped smack into Marcia Forbes, her father's secretary. "Marcia!" she exclaimed, trying to retain her composure.

  "How are you, Lila?" Ms. Forbes asked, looking at Lila a little strangely. "Did you want to see your father?"

  Lila nodded, too surprised to speak.

  "He's upstairs," Ms. Forbes said. "I have to run an errand, but I'm sure you two won't need me. "

  Lila knew that she had no choice now; she would have to stop in at her father's office. I wonder if she saw me talking to Jack, Lila thought, hurrying toward the office. Not that it would matter if she did. It won't be long now before the whole world knows!

  Lila felt as if she were floating as she opened the door to her father's office. She had no idea what excuse she could give for visiting him. All she knew was that she was falling head over heels in love and that she had to wait until Sunday before she got to see her mysterious prince again.

  Will Jack destroy Lila and Jessica's friendship? Find out in Sweet Valley High #19, SHOWDOWN.

  A LETTER TO THE READER

  Dear Friend,

  Ever since I created the series, SWEET VALLEY HIGH, I've been thinking about a love trilogy, a miniseries revolving around one very special girl, a character similar in some ways to Jessica Wakefield, but even more devastating—more beautiful, more charming, and much more devious.

  Her name is Caitlin Ryan, and with her long black hair, her magnificent blue eyes and ivory complexion, she's the most popular girl at the exclusive boarding school she attends in Virginia. On the surface her life seems perfect. She has it all: great wealth, talent, intelligence, and the dazzle to charm every boy in the school. But deep inside there's a secret need that haunts her life.

  Caitlin's mother died in childbirth, and her father abandoned her immediately after she was born. At least that's the lie she has been told by her enormously rich grandmother, the cold and powerful matriarch who has raised Caitlin and given her everything money can buy. But not love.

  Caitlin dances from boy to boy, never staying long, often breaking hearts, yet she's so sparkling and delightful that everyone forgives her. No one can resist her.

  No one that is, but Jed Michaels. He's the new boy in school—tall, wonderfully handsome, and very, very nice. And Caitlin means to have him.

  But somehow the old tricks don't work; she can't seem to manipulate him. Impossible! There has never been anyone that the beautiful and terrible Caitlin couldn't have. And now she wants Jed Michaels—no matter who gets hurt or what she has to do to get him.

  So many of you follow my SWEET VALLEY HIGH series that I know you'll find it fascinating to read what happens when love comes into the life of this spoiled and selfish beauty—the indomitable Caitlin Ryan.

  Thanks for being there, and keep reading,

  A special preview of the exciting opening chapter of the first book in the fabulous new trilogy:

  CAITLIN

  BOOK ONE

  LOVING

  by Francine Pascal,

  creator of the best-selling

  SWEET VALLEY HIGH series

  "That's not a bad idea, Tenny," Caitlin said as she reached for a book from her locker. "Actually, it's pretty good."

  "You really like it?" Tenny Sears hung on every word the beautiful Caitlin Ryan said. It was the petite freshman's dream to be accepted into the elite group the tall, dark-haired junior led at Highgate Academy. She was ready to do anything to belong.

  Caitlin looked around and noticed the group of five girls who had begun to walk their way, and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Let me think it over, and I'll get back to you later. Meanwhile let's just keep it between us, okay?"

  "Absolutely." Tenny struggled to keep her excitement down to a whisper. The most important girl in the whole school liked her idea. "Cross my heart," she promised. "I won't breathe a word to anyone."

  Tenny would have loved to continue the conversation, but at just that moment Caitlin remembered she'd left her gold pen in French class. Tenny was only too happy to race to fetch it.

  The minute the younger girl was out of sight, Caitlin gathered the other girls around her.

  "Hey, you guys, I just had a great idea for this year's benefit night. Want to hear it?"

  Of course they wanted to hear what she had to say about the benefit, the profits of which would go to the scholarship fund for miners' children. Everyone was always interested in anything Caitlin Ryan had to say. She waited until all eyes were on her, then hesitated for an instant, increasing the dramatic impact of her words.

  "How about a male beauty contest?"

  "A what?" Morgan Conway exclaimed.

  "A male beauty contest," Caitlin answered, completely unruffled. "With all the guys dressing up in crazy outfits. It'd be a sellout!"

  Most of the girls looked at Caitlin as if she'd suddenly gone crazy, but Dorothy Raite, a sleek, blond newcomer to Highgate, stepped closer to Caitlin's locker. "I think it's a great idea!"

  "Thanks, Dorothy," Caitlin said, smiling modestly.

  "I don't know." Morgan was doubtful. "How are you going to get the guys to go along with this? I can't quite picture Roger Wake parading around on stage in a swimsuit."

  "He'll be the first contestant to sign up when I get done talking to him." Caitlin's tone was slyly smug.

  "And all the other guys?"

  "They'll follow along." Caitlin placed the last of her books in her knapsack, zipped it shut, then gracefully slung it over her shoulder. "Everybody who's anybody in this school will just shrivel up and die if they can't be part of it. Believe me, I wouldn't let the student council down. After all, I've got my new presidency to live up to."

  Morgan frowned. "I suppose." She took a chocolate bar out of her brown leather shoulder bag and began to unwrap it.

  Just at that moment, Tenny came back, empty-handed and full of apologies. "Sorry, Caitlin, I asked all over, but nobody's seen it."

  "That's okay. I think I left it in my room, anyway."

  "Did you lose something?" Kim Verdi asked, but Caitlin dismissed the subject, saying it wasn't important.

  For an instant Tenny was confused until Dorothy Raite asked her if she'd heard Caitlin's fabulous new idea for a male beauty contest. Then everything fell into place. Caitlin had sent her away in order to take credit for the idea.

  It didn't even take three seconds for Tenny to make up her mind about what to do. "Sounds terrific," she said. Tenny Sears was determined to belong to this group, no matter what.

  Dorothy leaned over and whispered to Caitlin. "Speaking of beauties, look who's walking over here."

  Casually Caitlin glanced up at the approaching Highgate soccer star. Roger Wake's handsome face broke into a smile when he saw her. Caitlin knew he was interested in her, and up until then she'd offhandedly played with that interest—when she was in the mood.

  "And look who's with him!" Dorothy's elbow nearly poked a hole in Caitlin's ribs. "Jed Michaels. Oh, my God, I've been absolutely dying to meet this guy."

  Caitlin nodded, her eyes narrowing. She'd been anxious to meet Jed, too, but she didn't tell Dorothy that. Ever since his arrival as a transfer student at Highgate, Caitlin had been studying him, waiting for precisely the right moment to be introduced and to make an unforgettable impression on him. It seemed that the opportunity had just been handed to her.

  "Hey, Caitlin. How're you doing?" Roger called out, completely ignoring the other girls in the group.

  "Great, Roger. How about you?" Caitlin's smile couldn't have been wider. "Thought you'd be on the soccer field by now."

  "I'm on my way. The coach pushed back practice half an hour today, anyway. Speaking of which, I don't remember seeing you at the last scrimmage." There was a hint of teasing in his voice.

  Caitlin looked puzzled and touched her fingertips to her lips. "I was there, I'm sure—"

  "We were late, Caitlin, remember?" Tenny spoke up eagerly. "I was with you at drama club, and it ran over."

  "Now, how could I have forgotten? You see, Roger"—Caitlin sent him a sly, laughing look—"we never let the team down. Jenny should know—she's one of your biggest fans."

  "Tenny," the girl corrected meekly. But she was glowing from having been singled out for attention by Caitlin.

  "Oh, right, Tenny. Sorry, but I'm really bad with names sometimes." Caitlin smiled at the girl with seeming sincerity, but her attention returned quickly to the two boys standing nearby.

  "Caitlin," Dorothy burst in, "do you want to tell him—"

  "Shhh," Caitlin put her finger to her lips. "Not yet. We haven't made all our plans."

  "Tell me what?" Roger asked eagerly.

  "Oh, just a little idea we have for the council fundraiser, but it's too soon to talk about it."

  "Come on." Roger was becoming intrigued. "You're not being fair, Caitlin."

  She paused. "Well, since you're our star soccer player, I can tell you it's going to be the hottest happening at Highgate this fall."

  "Oh, yeah? What, a party?"

  "No."

  "A concert?"

  She shook her head, her black-lashed, blue eyes twinkling. "I'm not going to stand here and play Twenty Questions with you, Roger. But when we decide to make our plans public, you'll be the first to know. I promise."

  "Guess I'll have to settle for that."

  "Anyway, Roger, I promise not to let any of this other stuff interfere with my supporting the team from now on."

  At her look, Roger seemed ready to melt into his Nikes.

  Just at that moment Jed Michaels stepped forward. It was a casual move on his part, as though he were just leaning in a little more closely to hear the conversation. His gaze rested on Caitlin.

  Although she'd deliberately given the impression of being impervious to Jed, Caitlin was acutely aware of every move he made. She'd studied him enough from a distance to know that she liked what she saw.

  Six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a trim body used to exercise, Jed Michaels was the type of boy made for a girl like Caitlin. He had wavy, light brown hair, ruggedly even features, and an endearing, crooked smile. Dressed casually in a striped cotton shirt, tight cords, and western boots, Jed didn't look like the typical preppy Highgate student, and Caitlin had the feeling it was a deliberate choice. He looked like his own person.

  Caitlin had been impressed before, but now that she saw him close at hand, she felt electrified. For that brief instant when his incredible green eyes had looked directly into hers, she'd felt a tingle go up her spine.

  Suddenly realizing the need for an introduction, Roger put his hand on Jed's shoulder. "By the way, do you girls know Jed Michaels? He just transferred here from Montana. We've already got him signed up for the soccer team."

  Immediately the girls called out a chorus of enthusiastic greetings, which Jed acknowledged with a friendly smile and a nod of his head. "Nice to meet you." Dorothy's call had been the loudest, and Jed's gaze went toward the pretty blonde.

  Dorothy smiled at him warmly, and Jed grinned back. But before another word could be spoken, Caitlin riveted Jed with her most magnetic look.

  "I've seen you in the halls, Jed, and hoped you'd been made welcome." The intense fire of her deep blue eyes emphasized her words.

  He looked from Dorothy to Caitlin. "Sure have."

  "And how do you like Highgate?" Caitlin pressed on quickly, keeping the attention on herself.

  "So far, so good." His voice was deep and soft and just slightly tinged with a western drawl.

  "I'm glad." The enticing smile never left Caitlin's lips. "What school did you transfer from?"

  "A small one back in Montana. You wouldn't have heard of it."

  "Way out in cattle country?"

  His eyes glimmered. "You've been to Montana?"

  "Once. Years ago with my grandmother. It's really beautiful. All those mountains . . . "

  "Yeah. Our ranch borders the Rockies."

  "Ranch, huh? I'll bet you ride, then."