"Oh, Robin, I'm not laughing at you. I'm telling you, Bruce will take you. All you have to do is ask him."

"I'll swim to Hawaii first!"

The phone went dead.

Elizabeth didn't see Robin again until Monday at school, when she spotted her nervously ducking into the biology lab in an obvious attempt to avoid any questions. Elizabeth was about to follow Robin when she noticed Bruce. He was swaggering along toward the cafeteria, and Elizabeth quickly caught up with him.

"Did she ask you yet?"

"Naw. Is this whole thing a gag, Liz?"

"No. She'll ask you today."

"You got that story written?"

Elizabeth patted her tote bag. "It's right here."

It wasn't until after school on Tuesday that the Great Explosion happened. Liz was in the newspaper office typing her "Eyes and Ears" column when the door opened and in burst Robin Wilson.

"Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth looked up at Robin, and she got scared. Robin was clutching the back of a chair for balance, her face was as red as a boiled lobster, and she seemed to be gasping for breath.

"Robin, are you OK?"

"Elizabeth!"

And then Elizabeth knew. Smiling broadly, she jumped up from her typewriter.

"Omigod! He said yes!"

Elizabeth threw her hands up in the air, and Robin immediately began hugging her wildly. Elizabeth almost felt smothered as Robin, laughing and crying at the same time, danced her around the news office.

"He said yes! He said yes! He said yessss! Bruce Patman is taking me to the dance!"

And before Elizabeth could say another word, Robin was gone, flying out the door and down the hall on wings of bliss.

From Tuesday until Saturday, the phone rang constantly for Elizabeth. It was always Robin, pouring out her gratitude and happiness. "They'll all accept me now, Liz. A date with Bruce Patman! I love you for making me do it." It was clear Robin felt her world was finally in its proper orbit.

And Elizabeth began to worry again. Walking into the Discomarathon on the arm of Bruce Patman would not be Robin's passport to popularity. Elizabeth was sure of that. But Robin couldn't stop fantasizing about it. Hoping for the best, Elizabeth decided to tackle one problem at a time. Besides, right now she wanted the satisfaction of seeing Jessica's stunned expression.

"Guess who called?" Elizabeth smiled at her sister. "Robin. Our new pledge-who, by the way, is going to the dance with Bruce Patman tonight."

"Oh, Liz, will you please shut up about it!"

"So, you know that our Pi Beta pledge has landed such a coveted date?"

"Oh, my head is going to burst into at least five hundred and thirty-seven pieces!" Jessica raged. "How could such an incredible thing happen? It's like science fiction!"

"Maybe you can figure it out while you're doing the laundry for me. You won't forget the ironing, will you?"

Jessica stormed out of the room.

That Saturday night in the Sweet Valley High gym, Elizabeth thought everything seemed too perfect as she danced dreamily in Todd's arms. Feeling his strong, athletic body so close to her always made her feel warm, excited, and utterly in love. When he began to rub her back as they danced, Elizabeth could barely remember where she was.

Suddenly she heard a few people near the entrance giggling. When she looked up, she saw Robin coming in with Bruce Patman. Robin's face was absolutely radiant with happiness.

She swept in grandly, wearing a prettier tent dress than usual, passing the stony faces of the three conspirators. Jessica, Lila, and Cara had all stopped dancing and were glowering with rage and disbelief. Elizabeth found herself relieved that it was over at last. Now all she had to do was turn in the feature story about Bruce Patman's prowess on the tennis court to her editor at The Oracle, and the bargain would be complete. Finally, she'd have more time for herself and Todd.

Bruce led Robin onto the floor, and, as though in a movie, the other couples made way for them. A little circle opened in the center of the floor.

And then it happened. There was a momentary lull in the music, and Bruce's voice could be heard clearly as he stepped away from Robin, leaving her alone in the center of the floor.

"OK, that's it. I brought you to the dance, Tubby. I've got better things to do now. Hey! Anybody want to steer the Queen Mary around the floor tonight? She's all yours!"

And Bruce walked out.

Five.

Robin stood there, alone, still, for what seemed like an eternity. Waves of humiliation washed over her. Omigod, she thought, this can't be happening. Not tonight. Not after everything she'd gone through in the past few weeks. She heard neither the embarrassed laughter nor the murmurs of pity from the surrounding crowd. Robin had only one thought in her mind now. And it was an overpowering one.

Snapping out of her shock, she frantically pushed through the crowd and headed for the entrance to the gym. Like an animal momentarily paralyzed by a bright light, once recovered, all she could think about was escape.

Elizabeth reached her just before she opened the door.

"Robin!"

"Leave me alone, Liz! I've got to get out of here!"

"Wait, Robin, come with me first." Firmly Elizabeth grabbed her hand and pulled the protesting Robin down a hall to the girls' room. Elizabeth didn't know who she was maddest at-Bruce Patman for being totally disgusting; Jessica, Lila, and Cara for thinking up the stunt; herself for bribing Bruce into going; or Robin for wanting to get into PBA so desperately in the first place.

Just as they reached the door of the girls' room, Enid Rollins, Elizabeth's best friend, caught up with them.

"Robin-Liz-is there anything I can do?" Good old Enid, Elizabeth thought. She could always be counted on.

"There sure is, Enid. Stand outside and guard this door. Don't let anyone in, especially not my sister and the other two witches."

Once inside, Robin broke down completely.

"Oh, Liz, I'm so ashamed!" she wailed. "I'll never be able to face anybody again. Never! My entire life is ruined!"

Elizabeth grabbed some paper towels from the wall dispenser and ran cold water into one of the sinks.

"Here, put some water on your face. And stop talking like that. You didn't do anything to be ashamed of. If anybody should be ashamed, it's Bruce Patman-that rotten, egotistical creep!"

"Liz, it is my fault. How could I have been so totally stupid? Why would somebody who looks like Bruce Patman go out with somebody like me!" A fresh wave of tears ran down her cheeks.

"Just stop it right now, Robin Wilson!" Elizabeth snapped, hoping a tougher approach might work. "If you'd stop crying and feeling sorry for yourself for a minute, you might learn something."

"What could I possibly learn?"

"First of all, the only thing Bruce has going for him really is his looks. You happen to be lucky enough to have that and more."

"Liz, you must be out of your-"

"Look in the mirror," Elizabeth plowed on, determined to speak her mind. "Your eyes are kind of red and puffy now, but you've got a pretty face. A very pretty face."

"Look in the mirror?" Robin gasped, her shoulders still shaking with sobs.

"Yes, look," Elizabeth practically commanded, examining Robin more closely now. She had complimented Robin in order to cheer her up, but she saw now that it was true. Maybe it was the makeup and the care she'd taken with her hair. Whatever it was, Robin's face was lovely.

"Look in the mirror?" Robin repeated, fury edging into her voice. She turned to face Elizabeth. "I spend most of my life not looking in mirrors! I don't need a mirror to know what I look like. I'm fat and ugly. I may just be the fattest and ugliest girl in California!"

"Robin!"

"Don't 'Robin' me, Liz. You look in the mirror, and you see beauty. I look, and I see the beast."

"Robin, that's just not true."

"It is true, Liz. Sad but true." She grabbed her purse. "I'm getting out of here and going home right now!"

"Terrific, Robin. That will really impress Jessica."

"You think I could go back in there after what happened?" Robin demanded.

"Robin, I think you should do whatever you want to do. I'm just suggesting that running away isn't going to solve anything."

"And I'm telling you that staying certainly isn't going to solve anything!"

The door opened, and Enid stuck her head in.

"Hey, you two. I can't hold them off much longer. There's more dancing in the girls' room line than on the dance floor. I think they need to use something besides the mirror."

"We're coming, Enid. Thanks."

"I hear Todd's offered to rearrange Bruce Patman's face," Enid added, laughing.

"Omigod, look at the trouble I'm causing," Robin cried. "I can't go back to the dance! I can't even go back to school. I'm quitting! I should have done it before. I'll never come back to this school again!"

"Robin!"

Before Elizabeth could stop her, Robin squeezed by and ran out of the girls' room. Frantically she pushed her way down the crowded hall toward the front door.

"Liz, what's going on?"

"Not now, Enid. Not now."

Elizabeth had to dodge groups of people as she chased after Robin. Preoccupied with the problem of what she would say once she caught her friend, Elizabeth crashed into someone.

"Ouch!"

She looked up, and up. She had nearly knocked over the tallest, the smartest, and perhaps the shyest boy at Sweet Valley High. Allen Walters's one extracurricular activity was taking pictures for The Oracle. Other than that, he kept to himself.

"Allen, I'm sorry."

"No, Liz, it's probably my fault. I shouldn't have been in the way."

Inspiration struck Elizabeth. "Allen, you have to do something for me-right now. It's crucial!"

"Me? Now?"

"I don't have time to explain. I've got to stop Todd, and you have to stop Robin Wilson. She ran out the door. She's totally upset, and I'm worried about what she'll do!"

"Liz, I can't-"

"You have to, Allen! Trust me, it's important!" She gave him a shove in the direction of the front door, then hurried over to where Todd and Bruce were standing, glaring at each other, eyeball to eyeball. Discomarathon had become Discodisaster.

Robin was halfway across the parking lot before she realized someone was running after her.

"Robin! Hey, Robin, wait up!"

Frightened, Robin turned around. It was Allen Walters running toward her. Wasn't the evening bad enough without this?

"Why are you chasing me?" she demanded.

The harsh glare of the parking lot's neon lights revealed a belligerent Robin, standing with hands on hips. Allen stood before her, panting.

Surprised at his own brazen behavior, he muttered, "I guess I was chasing you, wasn't I?"

"Why?"

"Why?"