Playing With Fire by Francine Pascal Page A

“It’s simple.” He smiled confidently. “I know where Russo keeps his tests.”
    Jessica threw her arms around Bruce’s neck. “And you’ll get them for me!”
    Bruce pulled back abruptly, willing to play the hero only to a point. “No way. My days of messing with that man are over. But I’ll tell you how to get them without being caught.”
    Jessica bit her lower lip. She would have preferred it if Bruce simply handed her the tests, but she was in no position to argue. “Sure, Bruce. Tell me where they are.”
    â€œLater,” he whispered, moving closer. “First we’ve got to take care of business.” Bruce wrapped his arms around Jessica, and together they fell onto the soft grass, exchanging kisses with a frantic urgency.
    *   *   *
    On the other side of the campus, Elizabeth carried her lunch tray to the outdoor eating area, scanning the rows of tables for an empty seat. She found one next to Winston, who sat staring down at a book, though he looked as if he hadn’t the faintest idea what he was reading. “Uh, mind if I take a seat?” Elizabeth asked.
    Taking a quick glance at her, Winston smiled ecstatically, not daring to believe that his fantasy had come true. The smile faded quickly, however, when he realized which Wakefield twin it was. “Oh, hi, Liz,” he said glumly. “The seat’s yours if you want it.”
    â€œThat’s not the friendliest offer I’ve had all day, but I’ll take it.” She placed her tray on the table. “What are you reading?”
    Winston put down the book. “You’ve got me. Something to do with economics.” He shrugged. “I didn’t mean to sound unfriendly, Liz. I was just thinking. I’d probably be better off if I gave it all up—school, girls, my car—and joined the nearest monastery.”
    Elizabeth put an arm around his shoulder. “I never thought of you as the type to get the calling. You sure about this?”
    â€œNah,” he admitted, “but it would make life a lot simpler.”
    â€œWhy do I have the feeling this has to do with girls? Say one girl in particular?”
    Winston looked at her sadly. “Am I that transparent?”
    Elizabeth smiled. “Not at all, Win,” she lied gently. “I just happen to be her sister. You want to talk?”
    Winston drummed his fingers on the table for a second or two, then let out a deep sigh. “You’re right. It’s Jessica.”
    â€œI know you’re upset about the way she’s been treating you. You have every right to be, as far as I’m concerned.”
    â€œThat’s not all that’s bothering me, Liz. I know Jessica doesn’t care for me as much as I’d like, and I can live with that for now. What’s getting to me is that she’s wasting her time and affection on that jerk Patman.”
    Elizabeth nodded. “I’ve been trying to tell her the same thing for days. Until now we’ve always been able to talk out our differences, but for the first time in our lives, she’s shut me out completely. I mean, I have to admit I have been pretty critical of their relationship, but Bruce is like a god to her, and I can’t stand it! She considers it a cardinal sin if I say anything critical about him. All I have to do is say one negative word about him, and she walks away in a huff.”
    â€œIt sounds like she’s really fallen for him hard.”
    â€œThat’s putting it mildly, Win. You wouldn’t believe the change in her. In one week she’s turned into a new person—Bruce’s slave. Yesterday, for instance, she skipped cheerleading practice to take Bruce’s tennis outfits to the dry cleaners. Then she went to the Record House to buy some cassettes Bruce wanted—with her own money, no less. Can you imagine the old Jessica doing that?”
    Winston sighed. “We