Chapter 2

There are four more days until Christmas and Jeanette was pacing her room, arguing with herself about what she did yesterday. She had no idea how she was supposed to do this. She had no idea why she did it. That was a lie. She did know why she did it. She did it because she likes Theodore and she thought this was the only way she could get him to like her back. She thought by pretending she was Mandy, Theodore would start to like her quite a bit and at the end, she would reveal that it was really her.

She suddenly stopped. "What if he wants to see her?" she asked herself.

"See who?" someone asked from the door.

Jeanette screamed and quickly turned around to see Eleanor standing at the door. She put her hand over her heart and tried to catch her breath. "Oh, hi, Ellie. How's it going?" she asked.

Eleanor walked in the room. "What's gotten into you, Jeanette? You've been acting weird since we got home yesterday. What? You don't want us to know you have a massive crush on Theodore?" she asked, sitting on Jeanette's bed.

Jeanette's eyes widened. "What? Me? Like Theodore? You're crazy," she said, shifting her eyes.

Eleanor smiled. "No, you're crazy if you thought we didn't notice. It's more than obvious," she said.

"I don't like Theodore!" Jeanette snapped. Eleanor jumped and stared at her. Jeanette looked down. "Sorry," she apologized.

Eleanor just nodded. Then she asked, "Who were you talking about when I walked in?"

"Uh, a girl I know that Theodore wants to get to know. She likes him and she wants to get to know him, too," Jeanette said.

"Oh," Eleanor said, thinking that Jeanette was really disappointed. "Well, uh, why did you sound so nervous when you said Theodore wanted to meet her?" she asked.

"He doesn't want to meet her yet, but I'm sure he will," Jeanette said. Then, suddenly, she ran and shut her door. Then she walked back over to Eleanor and sat down beside her. "Ok, Ellie, I going to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone," she said.

"Ok," Eleanor said.

Jeanette let out a breath. "Ok, so yesterday, Theodore was asking me all these questions that would end with me telling him that I liked him," Eleanor smiled knowingly, "so I told there was a girl from our rivalry school named Mandy that liked him," she explained.

Eleanor's eyes widened. "You did what? Why did you that? Why didn't you just tell him you liked him?" she asked.

Jeanette shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I thought it would be too weird if he knew I liked him. Anyway, I told him that she wanted to get to know him and he said he wanted to get to know him, too, so now they're meeting on Christmas," she said.

Eleanor shook her head. "There's no Mandy, is there?" Jeanette shook her head and she sighed.

"But it's not all bad," Jeanette assured her.

"It's not?"

"No. All the while Theodore is gonna think he's talking to Mandy, but he's really going to be talking to me. I'm going to pretend to be Mandy and on Christmas, I'm going to show up and tell him the truth," Jeanette explained.

Eleanor arched an eye brow. "You really thought this through, didn't you?"

Jeanette shook her head. "No, actually, I just thought of this," she said.

Eleanor chuckled and shook her head. "Well, have you thought about how he might react when you tell him the truth?" she asked.

Jeanette sighed and bit her lip. "No…I really hope he won't be mad that I lied to him," she said.

Eleanor nodded and stood up. "Well, I have a date with Alvin, so I'll see you later." Before she walked out, she looked at Jeanette and said, "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." Then she walked out and closed the door.

Jeanette sighed and laid back on her bed. "I hope this works out," she said to herself.

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Theodore skipped around the house whistling a tune that neither of his brothers knew. They eyed him while he ate his sandwich, humming. In the middle of chewing, Theodore looked up and noticed they were staring at him. He shifted his eyes. "What?" he asked, his mouth full.

"Why are you so happy?" Alvin asked. Theodore shrugged and kept eating.

Simon rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Theo, what's up with you?" he asked.

Theodore looked at them again. "If you must know, I have a date on Christmas," he said.

"With Jeanette?" Alvin asked.

Theodore furrowed his eye brows. "No, with a…Jeanette?" he asked.

Simon shrugged. "Well, we just thought since you like her and all," he said.

Theodore stared at him. "I like her?" he asked.

"Well, yeah," Alvin said.

Theodore shook his head. "Guys, I'm not interested in Jeanette. I think I might be interested in her friend, Mandy," he said, a smile spreading on his face.

"Mandy?" Alvin and Simon asked simultaneously as they looked at each other.

Theodore nodded. "Yeah, Jeanette said that Mandy wanted to get to know me and the way Jeanette described her, she sounded pretty cool, so I told her I wanted to get to know her, too. We're gonna meet on Christmas," Theodore explained.

"You're going on a blind date," Simon said and Theodore nodded. Simon sighed and started walking away. "Hope you have a good time," he said and left.

Theodore stared after him. Then he shrugged and took another bite of his sandwich. Then he looked up to see Alvin still staring at him. "What?" he asked, now getting annoyed.

"Why are you going on a blind date when you know you like Jeanette?" Alvin asked.

Theodore rolled his eyes. "I don't like Jeanette. She's just a really good friend. That's all," he said. Alvin didn't give up. In fact, he started staring Theodore down. Theodore shifted in his seat and shifted his eyes. Then he said, "That makes me uncomfortable."

"Because it's working," Alvin said and kept staring.

Theodore looked at him like he was crazy. Finally, he couldn't take anymore and he got up and quickly walked out of the kitchen, leaving his sandwich on the table. Alvin stared after him. Then he shrugged and picked up his sandwich. He took a bite and nodded in approval. "He makes good sandwiches. He should start a business," he said to himself and took another bite.

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Jeanette found herself standing on the Seville doorstep. Theodore had called her and asked her to come over so they could talk and she quickly accepted. She knocked on the door and waited patiently. Just then, the door opened and Theodore was revealed. He smiled and let her in. Jeanette walked in and went to sit on the couch. Theodore shut the door and went and sat next to her.

Jeanette looked at him. "So, what's going on? What did you want to talk about?" she asked.

Theodore was about to answer until he noticed Alvin and Simon duck behind the corner when he looked up. He smirked and said, "I wanted to talk about us."

Jeanette's eyes widened. "What?" she asked. Theodore motioned toward the corner and Jeanette looked up to see Alvin and Simon duck down. She smiled and looked at Theodore. "Oh, well, what about us?" she asked, playing along.

Theodore smiled and grabbed her hand. "Jeanette, I like you a lot and I want us to be more than friends," he said loud enough for them to hear.

Jeanette tried not to laugh. "Really? Well, what about Mandy?" she asked.

"Mandy-smandy," Theodore said and Jeanette had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Theodore smiled and continued. "All I want for Christmas is you," he said.

Jeanette placed her hand over her heart. "Oh, Teddy," she said like she was madly in love.

Theodore copied her actions. "Oh, Netta," he said the same way. Then an idea popped in his head. Suddenly, he kissed her and Jeanette was in complete shock. She closed her eyes as Theodore pushed her back on the couch. Once he was sure they couldn't see them anymore, Theodore pulled away and started laughing quietly.

Jeanette opened her eyes and smiled. Then she started laughing along with him.

"You're crazy," she whispered.

"Well, I'm about to get crazier," he said. Then he groaned and rolled them over, causing both of them to hit the floor with a thud. He mouthed 'moan' to Jeanette and she did, loudly.

Alvin and Simon looked at each other, both of them smiling. They crept over to the couch. They peeked over and their smiles immediately faded. They saw Theodore and Jeanette laughing on the floor. They looked up at them and started laughing harder.

They stood up and tried to calm down. Alvin and Simon stood there, dumbstruck. Theodore calmed down first. "You guys actually fell for it," he said, wiping away a tear.

Jeanette nodded. "Yeah, that's what you get for eavesdropping," she added.

Then Theodore grabbed her hand and said, "Come on, Jeanette. Let's go somewhere more private." He and Jeanette started laughing again as he led her upstairs.

Finally, Alvin and Simon got their voices back. Alvin shook his head. "I can't believe they tricked us like that," he said.

Simon nodded. "I can't believe I fell for it. I think you're starting to rub off on me," he said and walked away.

Alvin nodded. Then he finally realized what Simon had said. He gasped. "Hey!" he yelled after him. When Simon didn't answer, he just nodded. "I'ma let you have that one. You're lucky I have a date," he said and walked out of the house.

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Theodore opened the door of his room and let Jeanette go in first. Then he went in behind her and shut the door. Jeanette took off her jacket and sat on his bed. Theodore walked over and laid behind her on the bed. Jeanette turned around and faced him. She smiled. "That was fun," she said.

Theodore chuckled. "The looks on their faces were priceless," he said.

Jeanette nodded. "So, why did you really call me over here?" she asked.

"What makes you think that wasn't it?" Theodore asked. Jeanette arched an eye brow at him. Then he nodded. "Yeah, you're right," he said and laid on his back and looked at the ceiling.

Jeanette wished that he really called her over for that, but she knew it was just a joke to him. She sighed and laid beside him in the same position. "What's the real reason?" she asked.

Theodore sighed. "Today, Alvin and Simon kept insisting that I liked you. You know, as more than a friend," he said.

Jeanette looked at him. "Oh," she said. "Ellie did the same thing."

Theodore looked at her. "Really? That's strange. Why do you think they think that?" he asked, looking back up at the ceiling.

'Because it's true,' Jeanette thought. She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it's because we're so close," she said, even though she knew the truth. Theodore nodded. Jeanette smirked. "It's all your fault, you know?" she asked.

Theodore looked at her and smirked as well. "How do you figure?" he asked.

"You're always flirting with me. Jeez, back off, will ya?" Jeanette joked.

Theodore laughed. "If anyone's flirting, it's you. Hugging me and calling me Teddy and such," he said. Then he and Jeanette started laughing. Once he calmed down, he looked at her again. "Honestly, I could see it," he said.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I could, but also, I think it would be a little weird if we started dating. Sure, I love you and all, but you're like a sister to me. A sister I've never had. I think if we went out, it would ruin that bond we have and I really don't want to risk that," he explained.

Jeanette nodded, but remained silent. Now, she knew how Theodore felt about her. She had no choice but to be okay with it. It was his feelings and you can't help how you feel. She just wished he loved her beyond friendship. She smiled, knowing that he cared enough about her and their friendship by not jeopardizing it in any way, even if she thought nothing could ruin their friendship.

"So, have you talked to Mandy?" Theodore asked after a moment, drawing her from her thoughts.

Let the lying begin.

Jeanette nodded. "Uh, yeah, I talked to her earlier today. I told her about yesterday and she said she couldn't wait to meet you," she said.

"Cool," Theodore said. Then he looked at her. "Can I see her?" he asked.

Jeanette's eyes widened. "You want to see her?"

Theodore nodded. "Yeah. I just want to make sure I'm not being set up with a sea monster," he joked. Looks really didn't matter to him. It was all about personality.

Jeanette chuckled nervously. "Well, uh, don't you trust me?" she asked.

Theodore thought about it. Finally, he shook his head. "No," he said, again joking.

Jeanette thought of an excuse. "Well, I, uh, don't have any pictures of her in my phone," she said.

"You have her number, don't you? Call or text her and tell her to send you some," Theodore said.

'Damn it!' she thought. She let out a breath. "Okay," she said and sat up. She took out her phone and quickly text Eleanor.

Eleanor, still on her date with Alvin, felt her pocket vibrate. "Ah!" she exclaimed as she jumped. Alvin looked at her and she smiled. "Sorry. My phone," she said and took it out. She noticed that she had a text from Jeanette. She groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Who is it?" Alvin asked.

Eleanor looked up at him. "Jeanette. She wants me to…," she trailed off, knowing she wasn't supposed to tell anyone.

Alvin tried to look at the screen. "She wants you to what?" he asked.

Eleanor put the phone against her chest. "Nothing. I'll be right back," she said and stood up. "Sorry," she said and quickly walked away from the table.

Alvin huffed and slouched in his chair. He shook his head. "Girls. They always stick together."

Eleanor went to the bathroom. She read the text again.

Ellie, take a pic of a pretty girl that looks like she could be a cheerleader & send it 2 me.

"Now, why does she want me to do that?" Eleanor asked herself. She text her back.

Why?

Jeanette sat impatiently as she waited for Eleanor to text back. Theodore sat up and looked at her. "Is it taking her that long to take a few pictures of herself?" he asked.

Jeanette smiled and chuckled nervously. "Yeah, well, she is a cheerleader," she said. Just then, her phone started vibrating. She opened her phone and read the text.

Theodore read over her shoulder. "She doesn't seem very willing," he said.

Jeanette gasped and put the phone against her chest. She looked at him and smirked. "Do you mind?"

Theodore shook his head. "No," he said.

Jeanette stood up. "Excuse me for one moment," she said. Then she left the room and went to the bathroom. She text Eleanor back.

Theo wants to c a pic of Mandy.

Eleanor's phone vibrated and she read the text. She sighed and said, "Okay." Then she walked out of the bathroom and went back to her seat. Alvin was doing some kind of kung fu moves with his fork. She smiled and sat down. "I'm back. Sorry about that," she said.

Alvin quickly put down his fork and cleared his throat. "It's okay," he said. "What did Jeanette want?" he asked. Eleanor wasn't even paying attention anymore. She was looking around as if she was looking for someone. Alvin stared at her. "What are you doing?"

Eleanor quickly looked up at him. "Huh? Oh, I was, um, just looking around. This place is really pretty," she said.

Alvin shifted his eyes. "It's a diner," he said.

Eleanor shifted her eyes, too. "A very pretty diner," she said, smiling nervously. Just then, a teenage girl walked in the diner wearing a cheer uniform. Eleanor noticed her walk in and chuckled. "Wow," she said.

Alvin looked at her. "What?"

Eleanor stood up again. "I'll be right back," she said and walked toward the girl. Alvin huffed again and started playing with his fork again.

Eleanor slowly approached the girl. Once she reached her, she let took a deep breath and let it out. "Jeanette so owes me one," she said. Then she smiled and tapped her on the shoulder.

The girl looked at her. "Hi," she said.

Eleanor sat down beside her. "Hi, I'm Eleanor," she said.

The girl nodded. "Um, do I know you?" she asked.

Eleanor pretended like she was shocked. "Oh my gosh, you don't remember me?" she asked.

The girl shifted her eyes. "Um, no."

Eleanor examined the girl. She looked like a Cassie to her, so she tried her luck. "You're Cassie, right?" she asked.

She slowly nodded. "Yeah," she said.

'Wow,' Eleanor thought. She smiled again. "I go to your school," she said, trying to sound excited.

The girl furrowed her eye brows. Then she gasped. "Are you the girl in science that's really quiet and sits in the very back of the class?" she asked.

Eleanor shifted her eyes. Then she nodded. "Yes," she agreed.

Cassie smiled. "Oh, ok. Well, what can I do for you?" she asked.

Eleanor took out her phone. "Smile and look pretty," she said.

"What?" Cassie asked.

Eleanor raised her phone. "Smile!" she exclaimed. Cassie jumped. Then she smiled. Eleanor took five pictures of her. Then she smiled. "Great! Seeya," she said. She got up and went back to her seat. Cassie stared after her clearly confused. Then she shook her head and went back to what she was doing.

Eleanor sat down and Alvin was blowing bubbles in his drink threw his straw. She cleared her throat and said, "I'm back."

Alvin stopped and looked up her. "For the last time, I hope," he said.

Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Yes, for the last time." Then she started sending the pictures to Jeanette.

Jeanette looked at her watch as she waited for Eleanor to reply. Just then, someone knocked on the door and she jumped. "Jeanette, are you okay? You still alive?" Theodore asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute," she said. Just then, her phone vibrated. She opened it and looked at the pictures. "Wow, Eleanor, I didn't think you'll actually find a cheerleader," she said to herself. Then she walked out the bathroom and went back to Theodore's room.

He looked at her. "Hey, what took you so long?" he asked.

Jeanette held up her phone. "I got the pictures," she said and handed him the phone. Theodore scrolled through the pictures, and after each one, Jeanette noticed his smile gradually getting bigger. She sighed and sat down beside him. "So, what do you think?" she asked.

Theodore handed her the phone back. "I think I was smart in agreeing to this," he said. Then he nudged her. "Thanks, Netta," he said.

Jeanette smiled sadly and looked down. She couldn't believe he actually liked her, even though this was all made up. She knew that he thought this was real and that's what really hurt her. She just made a huge mistake and she knew it. "You're welcome, Teddy," she mumbled.