SVH04-Power Play Read Online Free Page A

was almost able to breathe again.
    "Robin, are you all right? You look terrible!"
    "I've never looked good in shorts, Liz."
    "No, no, Robin, I just meant that you look so tired. Why in the world did you do it?"
    Astonishment was written all over Robin's sweaty, round face, "Why? Elizabeth, it's one of the things a pledge has to do to prove her loyalty to Pi Beta Alpha. You certainly should understand that. Besides, it isn't that bad. I only have to jog around the track five times a day for just one week."
    "A week? Robin, you don't have to do this. Joining PBA, or any sorority, isn't that important, believe me."
    "Not that important?" Robin drew herself up to her full height. "It's everything to me, Liz. And I can do it. I will do anything to be a Pi Beta!"
    Elizabeth was waiting in the girls' locker room as Robin came in from her last day of jogging.
    "Robin, you are a real inspiration," Elizabeth admitted. "I think you're just terrific!"
    "Thanks," Robin said dully.
    Thanks? Where was the happy smile? The sense of purpose? The cheery enthusiasm?
    "You should be really happy, Robin. What could be harder than what you went through this week?"
    "Saturday."
    "Saturday?"
    Big, brown, tearful eyes looked up at Elizabeth, jogging was hard, Liz, but I did it. I don't know if I can handle Saturday."
    Elizabeth was almost too afraid to ask. "What's happening Saturday, Robin?"
    The tears were spilling over by this time.
    "Robin, please tell me."
    Through sobs, Robin got out, "I have to go to the beach!"
    "The beach? You're worried about the beach, Robin? Why? You're a good swimmer--I've seen you. It'll be easy!" Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a minute. I thought maybe you had to climb Mount Everest."
    "I could have done that, Liz. I just don't know how I can show up at the beach on Saturday in--in a bikini! And play volleyball!"
    Oh, boy, Elizabeth thought, we have a problem.
    "Do you have a bikini, Robin?" she asked "gently.
    "Kind of."
    "A kind of bikini?"
    Turning away in embarrassment, Robin muttered,
    "Well, it's a two-piece suit that's too small, so it looks like a bikini, kind of."
    Elizabeth looked down at the tiled floor thoughtfully, then made a quick decision. "You know something, Robin? Todd and I and Enid and her boyfriend, George, are going to the beach on Saturday. We always play volleyball. You can be on our team, OK?"
    "Really?" The look of thanks on Robin's tear stained face was almost too much for Elizabeth to bear.
    "Really. We'll pick you up."
    "Maybe it'll rain."
    "It won't rain, Robin. We'll have a good time."
    And, thought Elizabeth, so will three witches I know.
    Saturday was sunny and beautiful, as it almost always was in Sweet Valley. Elizabeth knew it was going to be a difficult day for Robin--and for her.
    When Todd arrived, she greeted him with a special smile and a hug. It was wonderful to be able to spend her free days with him. Quickly she jumped into the car and explained the circumstances.
    "You'll help?" Elizabeth asked, already knowing the answer.
    "I'll help. Did you ever doubt it?" Todd kissed her nose lightly, then started the car.
    Robin, self-conscious and red-faced, took off her terry tent robe, revealing a very tight twopiece suit to the amused looks of the usual Saturday beach crowd.
    Robin hung in through the almost endless day, bolstered by Elizabeth, Todd, Enid, and George. Whenever possible, they encouraged her to laugh and always accompanied her into the water.
    The volleyball game proved to be the toughest part of Robin's day. Bruce Patman, egged on by Lila and Cara, took obvious delight in shooting one ball after another right at Robin. Jessica didn't join in in encouraging Bruce, but she did aim a few impossible shots in Robin's direction.
    "Way to go, Wilson," Bruce jeered. "Anyone into blubber would call your moves awesome."
    Somehow though, with a little help, Robin made it through the day. "You were right, Liz!" she said when most of the crowd had