Free Playing With Fire by Francine Pascal

the subject.
    But there was no way she could let that remark slip by. “Just what do you mean by that, Todd?” she demanded. He remained silent, but Elizabeth was persistent. “You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?” She pulled away from him and directed her piercing stare at him.
    Todd gave in under her gaze. “I didn’t want to tell you,” he began, “but your sister is getting quite a reputation around school. Bruce has been making it very clear that he’s getting everything he wants out of her. And whenever he wants it, too.”
    Elizabeth put her hands to her ears. “I don’t believe it, Todd. Jessica would never be like that!”
    Todd considered this. “Bruce could be exaggerating,” he said after a pause. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”
    â€œYes, that’s it,” Elizabeth agreed eagerly. “He must be exaggerating. That’s so rotten! Jessica would die if she knew she was being talked about like that.”
    â€œI don’t know, Liz. She’s so starry-eyed over him, I don’t think she’d care.”
    â€œOh, that Bruce Patman. If I didn’t hate him before, I certainly do now. He’s turned her into a completely different person. I mean, when she’s not out with him, she’s practically a hermit. Whenever I ask her to come someplace with me, she says she has to stay home in case Bruce calls. ‘What if I miss him?’ she asked me the other night. Do you believe that? Can you imagine my sister waiting for a boy to call?”
    â€œNot the Jessica I know and hate.”
    Elizabeth ignored his last remark. “And then finally he did call—just to tell her he’d see her tonight. Todd, you should have seen the look on her face. It was as if someone had just crowned her Miss America. She looked so—so satisfied. And for what? A lousy phone call!”
    â€œWell, wait a second, Liz. She really cares about the guy. Of course she’s going to be happy to see him. Not everything Jessica does or feels for him is horrible!” Todd fondly cupped Elizabeth’s chin in his hand. “Don’t you feel good when I call?”
    Gently Elizabeth gave Todd a soft kiss then thoughtfully responded, “Of course I do, and you’re right. I should try to be more understanding. It’s just that she’s getting so carried away.”
    â€œYes, well, she’s got it bad for him.”
    Elizabeth leaned back in her seat dejectedly. “I tell you, Todd, he’s like an evil wizard, out to twist her into anything he wants. And the worst part is, she’s letting him. I wish there were something I could do to stop her.”
    â€œYou’ve already tried—and look where it’s gotten you.”
    â€œI know.” She sighed. “But you don’t know how awful it is to watch your sister go through all this and not be able to do a thing about it. She’s heading for a disaster. I can feel it, and if I don’t find a way to show her what’s really happening, I’m afraid I’ll lose the real Jessica altogether!”

Eight
    EYES AND EARS
    The halls are buzzing with the news of a hot and heavy thing going on between Lila F. and a certain blond football player. Chalk up one more for Lila.… Three cheers for Lois W.! John P. showed up at her party. Guess sometimes dreams do come true.… Bill C.’s found another surf bunny.… Enid R.’s packing up her suitcases for another weekend visit with G.W.—fourth in a row, but who’s counting? … Cara W. has her eye on a basketball-playing senior. Maybe she can get him interested in something besides dribbling!… Danger: Toni J.’s now on the roads. Pedestrians beware.…
    Elizabeth sighed with despair after giving her latest column for The Oracle a final read. It seemed to her that it lacked its usual punch. Had her writing gone stale? she