Free SVH09-Racing Hearts by Francine Pascal Page A

"What do you say we go to Guido's? It's close by, and then afterward I'll walk you to your car," he said, leading her toward the elevator.
    Normally Jessica left before Dennis and had the night guard see her to her car. "Oh, I was hoping you'd give me a ride home, Dennis. I didn't bring my car today. My sister begged me
    to lend it to her, and I couldn't bear to turn her down."
    Elizabeth resented being used as a convenient excuse for her twin. The only reason she herself had the car that night was because their mother had needed it during the day and had turned down Jessica's request for it. The twins were allowed to use the little red Fiat only when their mother didn't need it for her job as an interior designer. Elizabeth knew their parents would be furious if they discovered the real reason Jessica had been begging them to lend her the car the previous week. Jessica had convinced them that the buses ran so infrequently that she needed the car if she was going to stay late at the office to do her homework. Fortunately for Jessica, Alice Wakefield's design business was going through a slow period, so she hadn't needed the car as much as usual, and she had been very pleased that her normally flighty daughter was becoming so serious and responsible.
    Dennis, of course, was unaware of Jessica's lies as he brushed his lips against her forehead. "What timing," he declared. "I'm having a lot of trouble with my car, and it's in the shop. I've got to take the bus home. Sorry, Jess."
    She didn't seem to mind. "That's OK. We'll wait at the bus stop together then," she said as the elevator arrived.
    The imitation wood elevator doors opened,
    and Roger Barrett, dressed in his institutional green janitorial uniform, stepped out with his bucket and mop. A shock of recognition registered on his face and on Jessica's, but neither one said anything as their paths crossed. Elizabeth felt her stomach churn in pity for the boy. By tomorrow morning his secret would be common knowledge around school, and once again he'd be the laughingstock of Sweet Valley.
    Unless Elizabeth acted--and acted quickly. Sneaking back down the stairs, she waited until Jessica and Dennis had signed out. Then she, too, signed out and hurried down the street in the opposite direction from Jessica and Dennis. Jumping into the Fiat, which she had parked on a side street, she quickly put the key in the ignition. She wanted to be home well before Jessica.
    Roger knew he was in trouble. He needed some advice, and as soon as he got home that evening, he reached for the phone and dialed Olivia's number.
    "I've got problems, Liv," he confessed to her.
    Olivia was surprised to hear Roger's voice. She'd gone out of her way to avoid him ever since he'd won the race trials and, apparently, Lila Fowler's heart as well. The sight of the two of them together was a painful reminder of
    how much she was missing out on and how much she truly cared for Roger.
    "What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.
    "First off, there's something I've got to explain to you. You know how I've told you I spend most of my time studying? I lied, Liv. My family's a lot poorer than I've led you to believe, and I've got to work to help pay the rent. Every day after school I'm a janitor in an office building."
    For a few seconds the line was quiet as Olivia absorbed the news.
    "Go on, say it," Roger continued. "It embarrasses you to realize you're friends with a cleaning boy. If you don't want to be my friend anymore, I'll understand, so just--"
    "Roger Barrett, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Olivia cut him off. "I don't find anything wrong with your being a janitor-- except that I wish you'd told me sooner. I have a feeling you're the one who's ashamed. You have no reason to be, you realize."
    "Oh, no? It's bad enough I've had to spend my life having people laugh behind my back about my clothes. The last thing I need is for the whole school to find out I clean other people's bathrooms."
    "So