SVJH #8: Cheating on Anna
Okay, I knew the Junior High books had the annoying journal snippets like in Senior Year, but I didn't realize the whole book was written in first person narrative. To add to my disorientation, the narrator shifts every chapter, so if I start to babble incoherently (more than usual), I blame the first person-ness.
The A Plot:
The book starts off with a very awkward phone conversation between Salvador and Anna. They've been best friends all their lives, but now there's a strange tension between them. Hmm, what could be the cause? Anna assumes it's just their relationship shifting, now that they're going out. She has other concerns on her mind, though; after all, she's still being angsty over her dead brother, writing poems about her angst, and trying to avoid her mother. (Pretty typical issues for kids her age, actually. I shouldn't be impressed by that, but I actually kinda am.) Anna's mom has gone kind of psycho lately. Apparently she went off the deep end when Tim (Anna's brother) died, all depressed and introverted, essentially leaving Anna to her own devices. Now Mom's snapped the other way, though, suddenly remembering that she still has one child left, and is working hard to smother Anna, as if being overly attentive will prevent Anna from meeting the same fate as Tim. It's actually really sad, and Anna kind of gets it, but it's still driving her nuts. She thinks about how lucky she is to have a boyfriend like Salvador and a friend like Elizabeth.
But this is a Sweet Valley book, and things just aren't that simple. Salvador feels guilty about leading Anna on, because it's Elizabeth he really wants. He has all along, the thing with Anna just happened by accident. Which, uh, doesn't actually make sense to me, but okay. Apparently she was crying over her brother, and Salvador kissed her. So now she thinks they're boyfriend/girlfriend, and Sal hasn't said anything because otherwise they wouldn't have a plot. I really don't get why kissing Anna means now they're dating, especially because he's kissed Liz at least twice before this. Whatever. Angst, angst, guilt, guilt. Now he feels like he's leading both of them on (which he is), and he's a terrible person. But he still can't actually tell Anna what's going on or anything.
Elizabeth is furious with Salvador over the whole thing. Neither of them are willing to tell Anna about the history between them, though, in an attempt to save her feelings. So they agree to pretend they're still friends in front of Anna, while secretly Liz is seething and Sal is writhing in guilt. Yeah, it's a good thing they're not trying to overcomplicate things here.
So Anna goes home after school, and her mom starts fussing over her, even deflecting a phone call from Salvador to allow Anna to study. Then her mom mentions that she thinks maybe Anna should see a counselor. Anna flips. She tells her mom she has no interest in talking to a total stranger, and that she's not the one who needs help; her mom is. Which, ok, might be true, but ouch. Fortunately for Anna, there's an showing of Romeo and Juliet that night; the kids attending get extra credit. So of course anyone who hangs out with Liz is automatically going, getting Anna out of the house and away from her mother for a couple of hours.
Once she gets home from school, Elizabeth starts freaking out about the day she's had, which essentially was just her trying to avoid talking to Salvador. Yeah, she's got it rough. Jessica manages to calm Elizabeth down, and Liz talks her twin into going to the extra credit movie (actually, Jess agrees to go if Liz will help her with math homework later), reflecting how Jess will always be her best friend, no matter what. Aww. How touching. I think I need to hork up a hairball.
Salvador goes to pick up Anna so they can go see the extra credit movie. If this is their idea of a date, these kids need some serious help. Sal is bewildered by Anna's bad mood, and even more confused when she's magically back to her usual sunny self as soon as they leave the house. He reflects that when they were just friends, he would have known how to handle her, but now that he's her awkwardly reluctant boyfriend, he hasn't a clue what to say. And he's irritated at the idea she might take her anger out on him, especially since he's doing her the huge favour of going out with her. Yeah, this guy is clearly a class act. At any rate, they spend all night fighting, just pointlessly sniping at each other. About halfway through the movie, the fighting comes to a head, and Anna breaks up with Salvador, who is relieved it's finally over. Finally? How long did this relationship last, about half a dozen chapters? Although when reality sinks in, he realizes he just may have lost one of his best friends forever.
Elizabeth, having sat several rows behind Salvador and Anna, saw the whole fight, and goes to the bathroom to find Anna. The two of them bond over what a jerk Sal is, although Liz feels guilty because she's mad at him for entirely different reasons than Anna is. They agree never to talk to him again, and go back out to watch the rest of the movie.
The next day at school, Liz and Anna hang out, going out of their way to avoid Salvador. Elizabeth is already regretting the promise she made with Anna in the bathroom, though. Also, she feels like a terrible friend because Anna still doesn't know the whole truth. They have a meeting for the Zone after school, which none of them are looking forward to. As Anna and Liz walk into the room, they overhear Brian commenting to Salvador that he must have the kiss of death, meaning every girl he kisses ends up not speaking to him. Brian teases Sal, saying he shouldn't kiss any more Zone staff members or there won't be a magazine left. Anna demands to know what he's talking about, but nobody answers. They don't have to, though; the looks on Elizabeth and Salvador's faces are enough. Predictably, Anna is hurt that neither of her friends bothered to tell her what was going on, and makes the assumption they were going around behind her back while she was supposedly dating Salvador. She quits the Zone and takes off, and everyone else stands around feeling bad. It's a good thing people in Sweet Valley are so pro-active when it comes to friendships.
Salvador and Elizabeth finally sit down and talk about everything. They don't hate each other, and they're both devastated at losing Anna's friendship. Also, they're devastated that the Zone might go under without Anna's help. It's hard to tell which they're more concerned about, which makes me hit my head on the desk. Isn't Elizabeth supposed to be the thoughtful, unselfish twin? Liz and Salvador decide it's best if they stay just friends, in spite of the mutual attraction, in light of everything that's happened. I'd like to see Liz decide they're better as friends because Salvador's proved himself to be the worst boyfriend ever, but maybe that's just me.
Later that night, Brian calls everyone about the Zone. Seems they did some major fundraising by selling advertisements, and they'd have to give all that money back if they don't publish the magazine. It's about five hundred dollars, and there's no way the kids have that. They spent most of the money on supplies and promotional material. (Um, what promo does the Zone need, really? It's essentially an alternative school newspaper...) But for some reason, they can't do it without Anna. I'm not sure how one person can make so much of a difference, especially since they supposedly were nearly ready for print, but both Liz and Sal try desperately to get ahold of her with no luck. They determine to talk to her the next day at school, but Anna is home sick. Desperate, they go over after school to make her listen to them, whether she wants to or not. It's a good thing Anna's friends are so sympathetic and supportive in her time of need.
At home, Anna has come to the conclusion that having stayed with her overbearing mother is even worse than being in school with backstabbing friends. However, two minutes after she thinks this, Salvador calls and she refuses to pick up, despite being able to hear him on the answering machine. She spends some time angsting over her brother, which kind of threw me for a loop. It just seemed like such a random time for the writer to stick the dead brother thing in there again. She decides to go visit his grave, and so when Elizabeth and Salvador show up at her house, she's not there. Now they're worried. Maybe she's really sick! Maybe she's so mad she'll never talk to them again! Maybe other randomly horrible things have happened to her! It is, after all, Sweet Valley. There's a rapist behind every bush.
Anna finds her visit to Tim's grave helps to clear her mind and give her closure. She decides maybe she will go to see a therapist, although she'll insist her parents go with her. Maybe someday they can all be a real family again. And at this point I have to wonder why Saint Elizabeth hasn't already fixed this up for them. She's known Anna for eight books now! Or does Liz only fix things for one-shot characters?
Elizabeth and Salvador finally give up at Anna's house and go to hang out and be depressed at the Wakefield's. The doorbell rings, and they're shocked to see Anna! Especially when Anna gives them each a big hug, greeting them with a grin. Suddenly everything is forgiven, and all three of them are back to being friends as if nothing had ever happened. They'll put out the 'zine together, and life will all be roses. The sudden turn-around makes me wonder what kind of grass they've put on Tim's grave. Seriously.
The B Plot:
Bethel's sister Renee is in town, visiting from university. Jessica thinks Renee is really cool, but Bethel is sullen and irritable. It seems Renee is the perfect one, and Bethel is constantly being compared. Renee did well in school, was a legend on the track, and I suspect she may be able to fly, as well. Bethel is tired of being compared to her perfect sister all the time, especially since she never seems to be able to measure up. Jessica thinks this whole scenario sounds rather familiar, but Bethel insists she just doesn't understand what it's like. She's acting weird enough that even Renee notices, and goes to ask Jess because she's concerned. Jessica doesn't tell her the full story, but promises to help Bethel in any way she can. Just talking to Renee makes Bethel mad at Jessica, and they spend most of the book with Jess trying to talk to Bethel, and Bethel avoiding her. Finally, at track meet, Jessica makes some comment about how her goal on the track is to chase Bethel. Since Bethel is the fastest runner, Jess focuses on her and finds it helps her to improve. This makes Bethel think that maybe she's spent her whole life chasing Renee in a similar manner, and has been better for it. She decides maybe her older sister isn't so bad after all, and that maybe sibling rivalry can be used as motivation rather than the proverbial millstone around the neck.
The A Plot:
The book starts off with a very awkward phone conversation between Salvador and Anna. They've been best friends all their lives, but now there's a strange tension between them. Hmm, what could be the cause? Anna assumes it's just their relationship shifting, now that they're going out. She has other concerns on her mind, though; after all, she's still being angsty over her dead brother, writing poems about her angst, and trying to avoid her mother. (Pretty typical issues for kids her age, actually. I shouldn't be impressed by that, but I actually kinda am.) Anna's mom has gone kind of psycho lately. Apparently she went off the deep end when Tim (Anna's brother) died, all depressed and introverted, essentially leaving Anna to her own devices. Now Mom's snapped the other way, though, suddenly remembering that she still has one child left, and is working hard to smother Anna, as if being overly attentive will prevent Anna from meeting the same fate as Tim. It's actually really sad, and Anna kind of gets it, but it's still driving her nuts. She thinks about how lucky she is to have a boyfriend like Salvador and a friend like Elizabeth.
But this is a Sweet Valley book, and things just aren't that simple. Salvador feels guilty about leading Anna on, because it's Elizabeth he really wants. He has all along, the thing with Anna just happened by accident. Which, uh, doesn't actually make sense to me, but okay. Apparently she was crying over her brother, and Salvador kissed her. So now she thinks they're boyfriend/girlfriend, and Sal hasn't said anything because otherwise they wouldn't have a plot. I really don't get why kissing Anna means now they're dating, especially because he's kissed Liz at least twice before this. Whatever. Angst, angst, guilt, guilt. Now he feels like he's leading both of them on (which he is), and he's a terrible person. But he still can't actually tell Anna what's going on or anything.
Elizabeth is furious with Salvador over the whole thing. Neither of them are willing to tell Anna about the history between them, though, in an attempt to save her feelings. So they agree to pretend they're still friends in front of Anna, while secretly Liz is seething and Sal is writhing in guilt. Yeah, it's a good thing they're not trying to overcomplicate things here.
So Anna goes home after school, and her mom starts fussing over her, even deflecting a phone call from Salvador to allow Anna to study. Then her mom mentions that she thinks maybe Anna should see a counselor. Anna flips. She tells her mom she has no interest in talking to a total stranger, and that she's not the one who needs help; her mom is. Which, ok, might be true, but ouch. Fortunately for Anna, there's an showing of Romeo and Juliet that night; the kids attending get extra credit. So of course anyone who hangs out with Liz is automatically going, getting Anna out of the house and away from her mother for a couple of hours.
Once she gets home from school, Elizabeth starts freaking out about the day she's had, which essentially was just her trying to avoid talking to Salvador. Yeah, she's got it rough. Jessica manages to calm Elizabeth down, and Liz talks her twin into going to the extra credit movie (actually, Jess agrees to go if Liz will help her with math homework later), reflecting how Jess will always be her best friend, no matter what. Aww. How touching. I think I need to hork up a hairball.
Salvador goes to pick up Anna so they can go see the extra credit movie. If this is their idea of a date, these kids need some serious help. Sal is bewildered by Anna's bad mood, and even more confused when she's magically back to her usual sunny self as soon as they leave the house. He reflects that when they were just friends, he would have known how to handle her, but now that he's her awkwardly reluctant boyfriend, he hasn't a clue what to say. And he's irritated at the idea she might take her anger out on him, especially since he's doing her the huge favour of going out with her. Yeah, this guy is clearly a class act. At any rate, they spend all night fighting, just pointlessly sniping at each other. About halfway through the movie, the fighting comes to a head, and Anna breaks up with Salvador, who is relieved it's finally over. Finally? How long did this relationship last, about half a dozen chapters? Although when reality sinks in, he realizes he just may have lost one of his best friends forever.
Elizabeth, having sat several rows behind Salvador and Anna, saw the whole fight, and goes to the bathroom to find Anna. The two of them bond over what a jerk Sal is, although Liz feels guilty because she's mad at him for entirely different reasons than Anna is. They agree never to talk to him again, and go back out to watch the rest of the movie.
The next day at school, Liz and Anna hang out, going out of their way to avoid Salvador. Elizabeth is already regretting the promise she made with Anna in the bathroom, though. Also, she feels like a terrible friend because Anna still doesn't know the whole truth. They have a meeting for the Zone after school, which none of them are looking forward to. As Anna and Liz walk into the room, they overhear Brian commenting to Salvador that he must have the kiss of death, meaning every girl he kisses ends up not speaking to him. Brian teases Sal, saying he shouldn't kiss any more Zone staff members or there won't be a magazine left. Anna demands to know what he's talking about, but nobody answers. They don't have to, though; the looks on Elizabeth and Salvador's faces are enough. Predictably, Anna is hurt that neither of her friends bothered to tell her what was going on, and makes the assumption they were going around behind her back while she was supposedly dating Salvador. She quits the Zone and takes off, and everyone else stands around feeling bad. It's a good thing people in Sweet Valley are so pro-active when it comes to friendships.
Salvador and Elizabeth finally sit down and talk about everything. They don't hate each other, and they're both devastated at losing Anna's friendship. Also, they're devastated that the Zone might go under without Anna's help. It's hard to tell which they're more concerned about, which makes me hit my head on the desk. Isn't Elizabeth supposed to be the thoughtful, unselfish twin? Liz and Salvador decide it's best if they stay just friends, in spite of the mutual attraction, in light of everything that's happened. I'd like to see Liz decide they're better as friends because Salvador's proved himself to be the worst boyfriend ever, but maybe that's just me.
Later that night, Brian calls everyone about the Zone. Seems they did some major fundraising by selling advertisements, and they'd have to give all that money back if they don't publish the magazine. It's about five hundred dollars, and there's no way the kids have that. They spent most of the money on supplies and promotional material. (Um, what promo does the Zone need, really? It's essentially an alternative school newspaper...) But for some reason, they can't do it without Anna. I'm not sure how one person can make so much of a difference, especially since they supposedly were nearly ready for print, but both Liz and Sal try desperately to get ahold of her with no luck. They determine to talk to her the next day at school, but Anna is home sick. Desperate, they go over after school to make her listen to them, whether she wants to or not. It's a good thing Anna's friends are so sympathetic and supportive in her time of need.
At home, Anna has come to the conclusion that having stayed with her overbearing mother is even worse than being in school with backstabbing friends. However, two minutes after she thinks this, Salvador calls and she refuses to pick up, despite being able to hear him on the answering machine. She spends some time angsting over her brother, which kind of threw me for a loop. It just seemed like such a random time for the writer to stick the dead brother thing in there again. She decides to go visit his grave, and so when Elizabeth and Salvador show up at her house, she's not there. Now they're worried. Maybe she's really sick! Maybe she's so mad she'll never talk to them again! Maybe other randomly horrible things have happened to her! It is, after all, Sweet Valley. There's a rapist behind every bush.
Anna finds her visit to Tim's grave helps to clear her mind and give her closure. She decides maybe she will go to see a therapist, although she'll insist her parents go with her. Maybe someday they can all be a real family again. And at this point I have to wonder why Saint Elizabeth hasn't already fixed this up for them. She's known Anna for eight books now! Or does Liz only fix things for one-shot characters?
Elizabeth and Salvador finally give up at Anna's house and go to hang out and be depressed at the Wakefield's. The doorbell rings, and they're shocked to see Anna! Especially when Anna gives them each a big hug, greeting them with a grin. Suddenly everything is forgiven, and all three of them are back to being friends as if nothing had ever happened. They'll put out the 'zine together, and life will all be roses. The sudden turn-around makes me wonder what kind of grass they've put on Tim's grave. Seriously.
The B Plot:
Bethel's sister Renee is in town, visiting from university. Jessica thinks Renee is really cool, but Bethel is sullen and irritable. It seems Renee is the perfect one, and Bethel is constantly being compared. Renee did well in school, was a legend on the track, and I suspect she may be able to fly, as well. Bethel is tired of being compared to her perfect sister all the time, especially since she never seems to be able to measure up. Jessica thinks this whole scenario sounds rather familiar, but Bethel insists she just doesn't understand what it's like. She's acting weird enough that even Renee notices, and goes to ask Jess because she's concerned. Jessica doesn't tell her the full story, but promises to help Bethel in any way she can. Just talking to Renee makes Bethel mad at Jessica, and they spend most of the book with Jess trying to talk to Bethel, and Bethel avoiding her. Finally, at track meet, Jessica makes some comment about how her goal on the track is to chase Bethel. Since Bethel is the fastest runner, Jess focuses on her and finds it helps her to improve. This makes Bethel think that maybe she's spent her whole life chasing Renee in a similar manner, and has been better for it. She decides maybe her older sister isn't so bad after all, and that maybe sibling rivalry can be used as motivation rather than the proverbial millstone around the neck.