Louise whipped out her phone as soon as she felt it vibrate in her pocket.

Still stuck? R u ok?

Tina had finally responded, a little late—again. Louise replied:

Yeah. We fine.

Sent. To her surprise, Tina responded almost instantly.

Oh good :)

Found basement. Something you should see

"They found it!? Oh my god they found it!"

Louise ran downstairs, her two cronies following behind. The basement wasn't tricky to find, being located beneath the main staircase on her blueprints. Thoughts of the money raced through her brain. Would it be in cash? Like really old cash that's probably worth way more now? Or maybe even gold bars?

When she reached the last step, she could see her brother and sister looking down as she approached them. Gene gestured to the floor. There was a hole and some broken wood, clearly ripped up from the floorboards. A metal box sat beneath, already pried opened. Nothing left inside but a single note:

Too late, suckers! -Calvin was here.

"CallviiiIINNNNNN!" Louise cried.

Tina noticed the name. "Is that Mr. Fischoeder?"

Louise was still fixated on her loss. "Goddammit. A metal box in the floorboards? Really!? That's not even creative!"

"Sorry, Louise," Tina tried to console her.

"Wasn't it supposed to be in the walls?" Rudy noted.

"Floors are walls, depending on where you're standing," piped Gene.

"Maybe they just said it was in the walls to throw everyone off," said Millie.

"Whatever." Louise turned away, "That fortune's long gone now. Came all the way out here for nothing."

"At least now we know the legend was real." There was Rudy, looking on the bright side, as usual.

"Let's just go home," Louise huffed.

What a night. Louise supposed it made sense that someone would have found the fortune long before she'd ever have the chance. But still, she'd hoped there would be something left. Now she'd have to go home empty-handed with nothing to show for their expedition except a dead flashlight and the haunting memory of being trapped in that creepy hidden room. Which, actually, the more she thought about it, was pretty damn cool. Except for the part where she got a surprise kiss on the lips. That was freaky and definitely a part she'll be leaving out of the story.

Louise called shotgun again and the crew piled back into the Belcher family get-away car. Tina stayed focused on the road while Gene and Rudy were howling away to the tune on the radio. Still plagued by the kiss, Louise didn't have much to say. She noticed the absence of Millie's voice not singing with Gene and Rudy, which was odd considering how much Millie loved to sing karaoke style. Perhaps, she thought, because Millie had something else on her mind. Something she had done. Louise wasn't convinced at all that Millie had nothing to do with what happened in that secret room.

Louise's mind wandered back to a conversation she'd had with Rudy half a year ago. They were at his dad's place. Mr. Steiblitz had gone out on a consecutive date with a promising match, which Rudy had assured her meant he probably wouldn't be back until late in the night. He had the whole house to himself. She figured it would be a perfect opportunity for the three of them to try out some special gummies she'd snatched from her brother. The sweets started to work their magic just as they were in the middle of a game of Two Truths and a Lie.

"I've ridden a motorcycle, I have a tattoo, and three ear piercings." Louise leaned back against the pillows on the floor of Rudy's room.

Rudy answered first. "You've never ridden a motorcycle."

Louise's relaxed face remained unchanged. She shifted her gaze toward Millie.

"I have to pee," Millie blurted.

Louise chortled and looked at her quizzically, "It's not your turn yet."

"No I mean I really have to pee."

"Gimme your answer first."

"Oh I already know the answer," Millie smiled. " I've seen you without your hat so I know you have a third ear piercing, and I can believe you've ridden a motorcycle. But you definitely don't have a tattoo."

Louise steadied her poker face. "What makes you so sure?"

Millie bit her lip. "Well, we have gym class together. I've seen you change your clothes."

"Hey, no fair," Rudy muttered.

Louise tilted her head forward. "Nuh-uh, I always go in the stalls to change."

Millie just smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

Louise squinted at her. "You liar."

"You're the liar," Millie corrected her with a smirk. "I say it's the tattoo."

Louise eyed both of them. "Damn." She threw her head back. "Yeah it was the tattoo. I want one though."

"Ha! I knew it," Millie beamed. "You can't play this game with me."

"You got lucky," Louise shot back.

"Aw, you're so cute when you're angry," Millie teased.

Rudy giggled at Millie's observation.

Louise's face felt hot. "Shut up and go pee."

"I will, but after I take my turn." Millie sat up and closed her eyes. "I haven't had my first kiss yet, my eyes are blue, and someday, I want to be an actress."

"Hmm," Rudy began.

"What!" Louise interjected. "All that stuff is true."

Millie continued to smile.

Louise started counting on her fingers. "You're in drama, I know you want to act. You're eyes are blue... I think. And I know you've never kissed anyone."

"Rude. You don't know that," Millie scoffed at her remark. "Come on now, I'm not making this very hard."

"Uh, I'm pretty sure you would've told me if you ever kissed someone. So that one's true."

"I dunno, I think she might have." Rudy rubbed his chin. "I think that's the lie."

Louise crossed her arms. "Well I think she's cheating. None of those are lies."

"Is that your final answer?" Millie asked, eyes still closed.

"Wait!" Louise extended her hands out in front of her as she took a moment to mull it over. Were here eyes blue? They were blue-ish? She curled her right hand into a pointed finger and slowly looked up at Millie. "I remember!" Wagging her index finger, she spoke, "You're eyes… are green! Not blue."

Millie opened her eyes and smiled wide. "They are!" She gasped and clasped her hands together, bringing them to her cheek. "You know me so well."

"Yeah, yeah. I only remember 'cause I like green," she quickly defended herself. "Didn't you have to pee?" Louise reminded her.

"bathroom's down the hall, on the right," Rudy directed her.

Millie tip-toed over them and headed down the hall to the guest bathroom.

"Dang. I'm terrible at this game." Rudy rolled back on the floor with a groan. He tilted his head toward Louise. "So, tell me more about this time you've ridden a motorcycle."

"Another story for another day," Louise assured him.

"Was it someone you had a crush on?" Rudy wiggled his eyebrows.

"Pffft! Hell no," Louise laughed. "I haven't had a crush on anyone and no one has had a crush on me, thank god. And I am not complaining." She seemed quite pleased with herself.

Rudy turned his hazy gaze to the side and scratched his chin. "Mm, I wouldn't say no one."

"Whaddya mean?" Louise slurred.

"There's at least one person I know who likes you."

"Who cares," Louise exhaled and looked up at the ceiling for a moment before cocking her head back toward her friend. "Who is it?"

Rudy smirked.

"Oh wait, don't tell me." Louise leaned in. "Is it you?" She joked.

Rudy chuckled, "No, no, not me."

"Are you telling me I have a secret admirer? Oh Lord."

"I mean, they're not very subtle about it. Honestly, I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

Louise raised her right eyebrow and sat up. "Who the hell? Do I know this person?"

Rudy stared at Louise knowingly. She watched him as he moved his hand and pointed his index finger towards the door of his room. The gears in Louise's stoned mind turned slowly but surely. Her jaw dropped and she whispered, "MILLIE?! What? No way."

Rudy nodded his head in opposition.

"What the hell? Why would you say that?"

"Because she does! Come on. She just called you cute like two minutes ago."

Louise shook her head. "That's just Millie. Haven't you been around her long enough now to notice? She just likes to annoy me for her own amusement."

Rudy shrugged, "I dunno, looks more like flirting to me."

Louise shook her head again. "Listen, I've known that girl for a long time now and I'm telling you, it ain't like that."

"Didn't you tell me she used to stalk you?"

"Yeah," Louise choked. "But that was, like, when we were little kids," Louise brushed him off. "She's never been that good at making friends."

"And I don't wanna jump to conclusions," Rudy continued, "but, I think she's jealous of me."

Louise's face contorted. "Wait-what?"

"That's why she's shady towards me sometimes," Rudy said, with a matter-of-fact tone. "I don't hold it against her or anything—"

"Whoa." Louise's eyes bugged out as she held her head in her hands. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa… whoa." She mumbled to herself, "I am too high for this." She couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth right now. "Okay, but it's not like we're dating."

Rudy quickly corrected himself, "No, I know that. But I'm pretty sure that's not what she thinks."

Louise rubbed her temples. "Look, I know she can be a little… hard to deal with, but like…"

"Okay," Rudy leaned back, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"I mean, it's fine, I'm just trying to understand your thought process here."

Rudy looked down at the carpet for a moment, his left hand rubbing the gauge in his ear. "Alright. Consider all the stuff I just said," he looked at her straight. "Now imagine her as a boy."

Imagine Millie as a boy? Ha! Louise wasn't sure if she could. A demon maybe. Or a cat. Or like one of those soft, squeaky toys that dogs chew on. They're kind of cute and charming at first, but man can they get annoying. Besides, girl, boy, what difference did it make? If Millie were a boy, she'd still be just as occasionally obnoxious. If a boy followed her around, left notes in her locker, and called her cute…

"Oh... shit."

Damn Rudy for bringing this thought into her mind! Louise was usually a nosey one, but for the first time, she wasn't sure if she preferred knowing someone's secret over staying in blissful ignorance. And what's more, how could she not have seen it herself? God, it seemed so obvious now!

Back in the car, her thoughts echoed through her mind as she debated that kiss in the dark. Millie had gotten her first kiss now, hadn't she? The snake. And she just had to sit right behind the passenger's seat too, perfect for spying on the occupant through the side rear-view mirror. She forced herself not to look back at Millie. Oh, she was so sure that's exactly what the sick puppy wanted. Was Millie looking at her already? She had to look at her to know. She decided to take a peek.

Millie wasn't looking at her. Surprising. No, she was staring out her window with her hand on her chin, a solemn look on her face. The moonlight shone through her pale eyes. Her pale, green eyes. They were practically glowing. Before Louise could react, Those two glowing, green circles flicked forward to the side mirror. Shit. Louise swiftly averted her eyes.

Ever since that conversation with Rudy, Louise had been keeping an eye on her, watching her moves and motivations. But how the shit was she supposed to prove someone has feelings for her, or if they were just being overly friendly? She'd tried testing her before, leaning over Millie to reach the TV remote, saying stuff to her suggestively, leaving her with Rudy to see how she'd act, but none of that brought her any conclusive evidence. If she could just get something from Millie, a flustered response, or a flushed face, that'd be enough for her to know. Hell, she didn't even know if Millie was even capable of feeling shame.

Either way, Louise had to hand it to her, that girl was good. Millie was too much of a perfectionist control freak to let her facade slip. Louise had never been patient enough for this sneaky, long-con stuff. She was dying, itching, basically craving to flat out make the accusation. She wanted to uncover the truth so badly, it was almost as if she wanted it to be true. Did she…? No. Nope. It's just the truth, plain and simple. Truth she needed to discuss with Tina.

When they pulled into the alleyway, Tina made sure to shut the car lights off to keep them stealthy. Gene and Tina headed back inside as Louise said goodbye to Rudy. Tina latched eyes with Louise before heading up the fire escape. Louise nodded in response. She stood with her back to Millie who was waiting around for her goodbye. Louise pondered for a moment if she should even give her that. She collected herself and turned around to face her friend. Here we go.

"Hey. I wanna talk to you."

Millie looked left, then right as she feigned surprise. "Who me?"

Louise ignored her silly question. "Tonight was pretty crazy, huh?"

"Yeah, though it's a shame you didn't find what you were looking for."

"Yeah…" Louise stared at her. Millie stared back, but her eyes kept fidgeting. Louise could tell her silent stare was wearing on the girl. Was she regretting staying behind for that goodbye? Could she tell what was coming? This is it, Louise thought. She could blast her right then and there. The perfect opportunity. "You free Saturday?"

Millie perked up. "Hm, gee, I dunno. Lemme check my schedule..." Millie started thumbing through an imaginary agenda. "Hmmm, yes! I'm free!" She chirped.

Perhaps not now. No, Louise decided to spare her demise for another time. "Cool. Great. Let's do a sleepover. My place this time."

"Really?" Millie, as usual, was way too excited. She was busy rambling on about the scary games and movies she would bring.

"Yeah, sounds fun. Listen, I'll see you later, alright?" Louise turned away to head inside.

"Okay, yeah, see you later!" Millie sang off into the night.

Upstairs, Louise paced back and forth in Tina's room. She recounted the entire evening to her sister who listened patiently.

"So, you think she kissed you?" Tina asked.

"I KNOW she kissed me." Louise continued to pace.

"Aw, your first kiss, and you didn't even get to see it."

"Tina!" Louise stopped. "That is like, the LEAST of my issues right now." Louise turned away from her. "Also, it wasn't my first kiss."

Tina seemed surprised and a little hurt. "What! You had your first kiss and you never told me?"

Louise shrugged. "It never came up."

"Well, who was it?"

Louise breathed, then rushed through the explanation. "IkissedRudyonceonValentine'sdaybackinfourthgrade."

Tina's eyes widened. "AWWWW!"

"Anyway, Rudy thinks Millie likes me and after tonight, I'm starting to think he's right," Louise continued.

Tina was still smiling. "I always had a feeling you liked Rudy."

"Tina! Focus! We're not talking about me and Rudy right now."

"But you guys would be so cute together. How come you're not dating him? Wait. Are you guys dating?"

Louise groaned. She'd gone over this whole Rudy situation once before. Inside her head. And she didn't feel like digging it up and explaining it all over again to Tina. "No. We're not dating."

"Why not?" Boy, Tina was really interested in her love life.

"Because… we're just not. We're friends, and that's how I like it." She knew that explanation wasn't going to be good enough for Tina to drop it. "Look," she sighed, "I like the guy, but I just don't feel that way about him." She winced at the thought of having sexual feelings for someone as innocent and squeaky clean as Rudy. She couldn't even put the words "sex" and "Rudy" in the same sentence. "If I had feelings for Rudy like that, and if he had feelings for me, we would have been together by now. Trust me."

"Okay." Tina finally let it go.

"Now, can we please get back to this Millie situation?"

"So… you like Millie?" Tina asked

Louise stared at her sister, rethinking why she enlisted Tina to help her with this. Jesus, she might as well have been talking to Gene. "Tina. What? Hello. Have you been listening to me? Millie is the one who likes me ."

"I know. I got that," Tina confirmed. "So you're trying to get her to confess?"

"Yeah, I wanna wipe that dumb smile off her face when she finds out I know the truth!" Louise responded triumphantly.

"Right…" Tina seemed less convinced. "I'm confused. You want her to like you? Or you don't… ?"

Louise was growing tired of this. "Tina, please try to keep up."

"I'm trying… It's just, why does it matter if she likes you or not?" Tina pondered.

"You don't understand. This is Millie. She's playing games with my head. She wants me to think she's just my best buddy, but secretly, she wants to get in my pants!"

"But what if she doesn't want you to know?" Tina countered. "And she's trying to hide her feelings for the sake of her friendship with you?"

"Well that's just too damn bad!" Louise stammered. "She started this when she kissed me tonight! I didn't say she could kiss me. She crossed the line, and now she's gonna pay the toll!" Louise took a step back and stepped on something squishy.

"Ah! My foot!"

Louise heard a shriek behind her. Gene was standing there in the crack of the doorway. "Wait, Millie kissed you?" He whispered.

"Gene!" Louise hissed. She dragged him into the room and closed Tina's door. "What are you doing in here?"

"You pulled me in." He replied.

"I mean why were you listening?"

"You guys were having a secret meeting and I felt left out." He pouted.

"I was telling Tina about what happened tonight, and yeah, Millie kissed me. But she caught me by surprise."

Tina bounced off of Louise, "And I was going to say, I agree. She shouldn't have kissed Louise—if she did—without her consent. But then why doesn't Louise just talk to her and tell her how she feels about what happened?"

"To which I would have replied, it's not that simple, Tina." Louise retorted. "She won't just admit to it. I have to weasel it out of her. I have to get the upper hand. I have to win!" Louise slammed her fist into her other hand to punctuate her thoughts.

"What do you think Gene?" Tina asked.

Tina and Louise both directed their gaze at Gene. "Uhh… I think…." His eyes darted back and forth between them. "It's time for bed. I'm gonna go to bed." Gene turned around to exit. "Good luck with Millieeeee," his whisper trailed off.

The room fell quiet for a moment. Louise looked back to Tina. "I've got a plan. I'm inviting her over here Saturday for a sleepover. I'll have all night to get an answer from her then." Louise stated as she went for the door.

"Her answer? Or your answer?" Tina questioned.

Louise stared at her blankly. "Huh?"

"Never mind." Tina got under her covers. "Wow, you guys have a very strange friendship."