Free Playing With Fire by Francine Pascal Page B

sound like downers, but the messages are uplifting. And of course there’s still the famous Droids beat that Sweet Valleyites know us for.”
    Tony Conover, The Droids’ new manager, plans to continue showcasing the group at clubs around the state. Next week the band returns to Sand Pines, where they made their impressive debut two weeks ago.
    â€œPretty good write-up, don’t you think?” Guy handed the paper to Max for his inspection.
    â€œIf you like fiction.” Max rolled up the paper and whacked Guy with it. “You’re beginning to believe your own notices. That’s bad, man.”
    â€œYeah, what about that standing ovation business?” Emily came down from behind her drums and joined the boys as they seated themselves around an old table. “The place was half empty, and Liz wasn’t even there, so she had to get the information from somebody. Wonder who?” She looked directly at Guy, who couldn’t meet her eyes.
    â€œIt’s not hurting us, right?” Guy defended his action. “What’s wrong with letting everyone in school think we’re really making it?”
    â€œNothing, except it’s not true,” Dan said.
    Max lit up a cigarette. “Yeah, two gigs in dives like those don’t qualify as success in my book. When’s Tony going to get us some real dates?”
    â€œI thought you didn’t care,” Emily said. Max just shrugged.
    â€œDid someone mention Tony?” Dana came running down the stairs and took a seat with the others. “Sorry I’m late, but I was on the phone with Tony for a long time. He’s in L.A. trying to line us up at more clubs.” She smiled. “He says he’s getting lots of positive feedback. Isn’t that great?”
    â€œFantastic!” Emily cried. “Where are we playing next?”
    â€œHe says he’ll get back to me in a day or two.” Dana looked at the others. “We ready to get started?”
    â€œYeah, sure.” Suddenly glum, Guy pulled back his chair and walked slowly to his synthesizer.
    The sudden change in mood was apparent to Emily. “Are you OK, Guy?” she asked, realizing he might be reading something hurtful into Dana’s conversation with Tony.
    He turned instead to Dana and asked, “Why did Tony call you? I thought we agreed that I was the one he’d be dealing with.”
    â€œMaybe your line was busy,” Max said sarcastically.
    â€œI don’t know why he called me,” Dana answered. “But it doesn’t really matter, does it, Guy?”
    The frizzy-haired musician switched on his instrument and didn’t say another word.

Nine
    Jessica arrived at school the following Friday wearing her cheerleading uniform. The football team was playing rival Dallas Heights High that evening, and the whole school was getting ready for the action. Although she’d missed practice for the past three weeks, Jessica was as up for the game as the rest of the squad and couldn’t wait for the morning’s special assembly to rally team spirit. There’d been some talk of kicking her off the squad for missing so many practices, but Jessica put her old charm to work and wheedled herself back into everybody’s good graces. With the entire school planning to attend the home game, this was one event she didn’t want to miss.
    She ran through the packed hallway to the locker area to find Bruce, who’d been unable to take her to school that morning because his Porsche was in the shop for repairs. Finding him rummaging through his open locker, she put her hands over his eyes and whispered, “Guess who?”
    â€œI’d know those beautiful hands anywhere. Must be my pretty little princess.”
    â€œI should have known I couldn’t fool you,” Jessica said, giggling.
    Bruce turned around, ready to give her a goodmorning hug. But he stopped when he saw what she was wearing.
    Jessica