A/N: Here I am again with another ANT Farm story. This one is not a Folive story. It is a friendship story about Lexi and Paisley with a unique twist. This is a "what if" story. It is a look at what would happen if Lexi stopped being mean and if Paisley was only pretending to be dumb. It is a different way of viewing things, so I know some of you might see this as OOC, but I hope you can keep an open mind. So for the brave and the bold, venture with me into the world of possibilities…and enjoy!

I do not own ANT Farm. That belongs to Disney.

Chapter 1: Forgiveness

Dr. Sandy Roland, Child Psychologist, was sitting at her desk, going over some notes on her next patient. She had only been seeing this girl for a few weeks now, but she was seeing definite improvement. On the sheet in front of her she had written, "I believe that Lexi has created the 'Mean Girl' persona as a defense mechanism to avoid letting anyone get too close to her emotionally. She is plagued by trust issues stemming from past abuse. She covers up deep seeded self esteem issues with feigned narcissism. However, our sessions seem to be helping. She has shown genuine guilt over how she treats others, especially her best friend Paisley. (See patient file: Paisley Houndstooth)"

Paisley had also been Dr. Roland's patient for years; a fact that Lexi had no idea about, which was how Paisley wanted it. As Dr. Roland looked through Lexi's file she started to make a note at the bottom of one page.

"I wonder if Lexi even realizes...," she started to write, but then changed her mind and erased it.

It was a thought that she had often, but patient confidentiality prevented her from bringing it up to Lexi. She became lost in her thoughts until a knock on her door snapped her out of it.

"Come in," Dr. Roland said.

The door opened and in walked a young blonde girl in a Giants baseball cap and comically large sunglasses.

"Lexi, I keep telling you that you don't have to come in disguise. I adhere to strict confidentiality," Dr. Roland said in frustration.

"Yeah, well I'm not taking the chance of being seen. I don't want word going around school that I'm seeing a shrink!" Lexi replied as she sat down and removed the disguise.

"Your secret is safe with me, and by the way, most of us don't like being called shrinks," Dr. Roland said with a smile.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Is that a new hat?"

"Yeah, Daddy bought it for me at the Giants game. I took your advice and spent time with him that didn't involve shopping," Lexi responded with a warm smile.

"How did it go?"

"It was nice. It made me realize that we hadn't done something like that in years. Not since before...," Lexi started to say, but broke off apprehensively.

"It's okay Lexi, we don't have to talk about that now if you don't want to."

Lexi didn't respond; she just smiled and leaned forward with her hands wrapped around her knees.

"So, how has school been since we last spoke?" Dr. Roland continued.

"Okay I guess. I broke up with Dave."

"So soon? Why?"

"I don't know. It seems like with all my dating relationships I just get bored with the guy after awhile, so I just move on," Lexi replied a little embarrassingly.

"Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know. I just haven't found the right person I guess," Lexi said without any conviction.

Dr. Roland stopped to make a note in Lexi's file at this point. Apparently something Lexi had said had caught her attention.

"How has your relationship with Paisley been?" Dr. Roland continued.

"Better I guess. I've been trying to be nicer, but she frustrates me!"

"How so?"

"She still insists on acting dumb. I know she isn't dumb and I don't know why she always acts that way. When we were kids she used to make better grades than me. The only reason she was held back a grade is because she's dyslexic! This whole dumb act started a few years ago, but any time I try to bring it up, she acts like she doesn't know what I'm talking about. But that's not the worst part!" Lexi said, hanging her head in shame.

"What is the worst part?"

"I take advantage of her!" Lexi said and then began to cry. "I know she isn't dumb, yet I treat her like she is! I tear her down to make myself look better! I'm worried that it's my fault she acts the way she does, but I'm so caught up in being popular that I keep doing it!"

Lexi reached for a box of tissues in an attempt to regain her composure before continuing.

"I always tell her in private that I don't mean those mean things, but that doesn't make it okay! Sometimes I wonder why she even wants to be my friend!" Lexi said through her tears as her body began to shake with sobs. "What's wrong with me!? It's like I'm becoming a monster!"

"You're not a monster Lexi. You're a sweet girl. You've shown me that over the last few weeks. How you act at school isn't the real you. What you've shown me is the real you. I think it's time the world saw the real Lexi Reed again," Dr. Roland said soothingly.

"The real Lexi is weak," Lexi said without looking up.

"You're not weak Lexi."

"It isn't as simple as flipping a switch. I've spent years convincing everyone that I'm little miss perfect! I've lived this lie for so long that I don't even know who I am anymore! I treat people poorly because I'm afraid if they get too close they will see what a phony I am! I'm not perfect. I'm not better than everyone else. I'm not even the prettiest! Paisley is so much prettier than I am, yet I don't think I've ever told her that!" Lexi cried and then broke into uncontrollable sobs.

"I never said it would be simple, but there are steps you can take in the right direction," Dr. Roland said gently.

"Like what?"

"The next time you see Paisley I want you to tell her what you just told me. Let her know what she really means to you."

"Okay...I will. What are the other steps?"

"In order to end this lie you've been living you need to make amends with those you've hurt."

"All of them!?" Lexi asked in fear.

"As many as you can, but don't be discouraged if not all of them are accepting. Also remember to make amends with yourself. Learn to forgive yourself for what you have done and you will begin to heal."

The whole drive home Lexi contemplated Dr. Roland's words. How could she forgive herself when most of the time she hated herself? Also, how would she make amends with people who hated her? She couldn't come up with a definitive answer, but she knew she had to at least make amends with Paisley as soon as possible.

When she got home her mom greeted her with a hug and a smile.

"How did it go sweety?" her mom asked.

"It went well Mom."

"Do you think these sessions are helping?"

"Yeah Mom, they really are," Lexi said with the best smile she could muster.

"Your Father and I are worried about you. That's why we sent you to Dr. Roland. We love you very much," her mom replied lovingly.

"I know Mom and I love you and Dad too. I'm glad you sent me to her."

Her mom stepped back and gave her such a motherly look of concern that Lexi almost started crying again

"Mom, can Paisley spend the night tonight?" Lexi asked for a change of subject.

"Sure honey, as long as it's okay with her parents."

"Thanks Mom," Lexi said as she headed upstairs to call Paisley.

When she called Paisley's cell it went straight to voicemail, causing Lexi to sigh in frustration.

"Hi! This is...Paisley! I'm not here right now. I mean I'm here NOW, but I won't be here then...when you call. So leave a message after the beepy thingy!" her voicemail message said.

"Paisley! This is Lexi. Did you forget to charge your phone again? Call me when you get this. I want you to spend the night tonight," Lexi said, trying not to laugh at her message.

Lexi only had to wait thirty minutes for her to call back, but it seemed like forever.

"Sorry, I couldn't find my charger," Paisley said when she called.

"Was it plugged into the wall?" Lexi asked.

"Yeah! How did you know?" Paisley asked in astonishment.

"Lucky guess. Now are you coming over?"

"Of course! I'm getting ready right now!" Paisley said excitedly.

"Cool, and Paisley..."

"Yeah?"

"I...um...," Lexi started to say, but the words caught in her throat.

"Are you okay Lexi?" Paisley asked concernedly.

"Yeah, I just can't wait for you to get here. That's all."

"Aww, I can't wait either!"

Paisley arrived twenty minutes later with a suitcase in one hand, a makeup case in the other, and a wide smile.

"I brought nail polish so we could do each others nails!" Paisley said as she walked in.

"Sounds fun. Lets go up to my room," Lexi replied nervously.

When they arrived Paisley began to unpack her stuff with an air of excitement. Lexi didn't want to ruin her mood, but if she put off what she had to do she would lose her nerve.

"Wait Paisley, we need to talk. Please," Lexi said.

"What's wrong Lexi?" Paisley asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Lexi tried to speak, but the words were failing her. She opened and closed her mouth multiple times while Paisley looked worried. Finally Lexi fell to her knees in front of her and started crying.

"I'm so sorry Paisley!" Lexi cried.

"For what?"

"For everything! For how I've been treating you! I don't know why I've become so mean! I'm sorry for calling you dumb, because I know you're not dumb and I don't understand why you act that way! If it's because of me then I'm so sorry I made you feel that way. I don't deserve your friendship. You are a better and more beautiful person than I could ever be! Can you ever forgive me?"

Paisley bounded off the bed and wrapped her arms around Lexi as she began to cry as well.

"Of course I forgive you! And you do deserve my friendship! I always knew you never meant those mean things. You were just trying to protect your reputation, so I went along with it! I know how much being popular means to you, so I did anything I could to help you...even if it meant dumbing myself down so the focus was on you," Paisley cried.

"What!? Why!? You don't have to tear yourself down to build me up! Why would you do that!?"

"When we were little I watched you go through a really dark time. I was worried I was losing you. When you finally came out of it you were different. You were determined to be popular. I was so afraid of losing you to the darkness again that I decided to do whatever I could to help you. Besides, everyone already treated me like a dumb blonde because of my dyslexia, so why not give them what they want?" Paisley said in shame.

Lexi was stunned for a moment. She saw Paisley in a whole new light and she felt even more horrible.

"My god! What have I done!? I'm so sorry I ever made you feel dumb! What good is saving me from darkness if you lose yourself in the process!? I'm not worth it!" Lexi exclaimed.

"Stop that! You are too worth it!" Paisley yelled, catching Lexi off guard. "Oh Lexi, what happened to you when we were younger? What caused that darkness to begin with?"

"I...wish I could tell you, but I'm not ready. I promise I will tell you when I am," Lexi replied.

"And I promise you that I will stop acting dumb," Paisley said and then hugged Lexi.

"Thank you. I don't care if I'm popular if it means you have to be someone you're not. It was too much work anyway," Lexi said with a laugh.

The two of them held each other for awhile and just cried. It felt good to Lexi, as if a huge weight had finally lifted.

"If you can change, then so can I. From here on out I'm going to stop being so mean," Lexi said and Paisley's face lit up.

"You mean it Lexi?"

"Of course! And B-T Dubs, you had everyone fooled into thinking you were dumb for years. Your acting skills are so good you could be an ANT!"

"Do you really think so?" Paisley asked in surprise.

"I know so, and next time there's a play, you're going for lead," Lexi replied.

"But you usually go for lead!"

"It's your turn to be the popular one Paisley. You've sacrificed so much for me. Now I see some fingernails that need painting," Lexi said as she stood and helped Paisley to her feet.