A/N: Okay, here's chapter 12. I don't really know how much longer I'm going to make this, but for right now, at least to the JV/Varsity showdown. Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Backfired

That Saturday, after Adam left, Chris showed up to see how I was doing. He told me Rick had to go to the hospital to get stitches. Chris also said Rick told Mom and Dad everything, about me and Adam, about slapping me, about all the pranks.

"Oh, no!" I looked shocked as I began to tear up (again). "What did they say?"

"Well," Chris began, sliding onto the bed. "Mom about killed him because he quote-unquote beat her baby girl. But Dad was more concerned with the fact that you are dating a Duck. He said you're probably out of the inheritance." Chris sadly smiled.

I put my head in my hands. "NO, no, no, no! It wasn't supposed to go like this." I wiped some tears off my face.

"Uh? What are you talking about, Lil?" Chris looked at me quizzically.

"I have got to tell someone." I collapsed into a sitting position on the floor. I told my twin about the plan to get Rick's attention back from the Ducks and how it had backfired.

"That's why you've been so distant!" Chris said, enlightenment written all over his features. "But how did it backfire?"

"I actually fell for him, Chris. I couldn't help it!" I said the last bit defensively, because he looked at me like I was insane. My voice softened. "He's just so sweet. And smart. He really cares about me." I sighed heavily.

"Hon, I'm sorry to burden you, but you've really got to give him up. Rick's hurt now, and Dad's on the warpath. He knows who Adam is, you know. He'll just cause problems probably worse than our idiot big brother." Then Chris looked into my eyes. "Honestly, Lil, I think you should tell Mom and Dad about the whole plan. But if you don't, then I will."

"No, Chris!" I shook my head in shock. "You can't! If Daddy tells Rickie, then Rickie will rub it in Adam's face. He'll never forgive me!"

"Maybe that's what has to happen." Chris shrugged.

"No! I don't want to lose him yet! Please." I got down on my knees in front of my twin's sitting body, begging him. "Please, Chris, don't tell anyone. Promise me you won't."

"Well, I don't know, Lil." He looked at my tear-streaked face, and slowly his determination left his features. "Fine," he said after an eternity. "I won't tell." He gave me a serious look. "But you have to break it off soon, or I will. Okay?"

I nodded silently. Then I walked Chris to the door. He gave me a quick hug and left the room. I barely had the willpower to not slam the door.

I leaned back against the door and burst into tears. I couldn't believe that a plan that was meant to help my family just went and made it worse. That I actually picked a boy over blood.

*****

Sunday thru Tuesday went by in a daze. The tests, the homework, the projects all seemed to just barely register. Myranda ended up doing half my work for me, with Nick's help, of course, simply because I was too depressed to do it myself.

On top of that, the Varsity team had 'disowned' Adam because he'd beaten up Captain Creep. And said creep wouldn't even look at me.

Wednesday morning was the breaking point. Myranda shook me awake as usual and pulled out my clothes for the day.

"You know," she said, while waiting for me to change. "I'm getting pretty sick and tired of being your mommy this week."

I came out of the half-bath and looked at her sadly. I sighed. "I know, but I didn't ask you to." I slid my shoes on.

"Lilly! You can't start getting bad grades now. You have to go to school! I had to help you."

"No, you didn't. You just don't want to admit to people that something's wrong with me." I turned to face her and put on a fake smile. "Yippee, everybody! Lilly Riley has gone loco! Let's have a party." I quit shouting and looked at Myranda's dismayed face. "I'm sorry, Randa, but I can't do it anymore. I'm tired of putting up appearances. I'll see you after school."

Before she could stop me, I grabbed my jacket and headed out the door. I walked off campus and just kept going. I didn't care where, I just let my brain keep telling my feet to move.

At about noon, I reached the locks. They were so beautiful, letting water in and out. I leaned against the railing and sighed.

The locks are a lot like my eyes, I thought. They only let a little water in and out.

"Hey!" I heard a boy's voice say behind me.

I turned around to see Charlie Conway skating up to me. I smiled faintly at him and returned my attention back to the locks.

Charlie stopped right beside me and smiled. "Lilly, right?"

"Yeah," I responded, not shifting my gaze at the blue liquid below me.

"Isn't it a school day?" I nodded at him and he continued. "Then why aren't you in school?"

I turned to face him. "I could ask you the same question."

"Well, it's a long story." Charlie glanced out at the locks.

"I've got some time." I gestured at a nearby bench and we sat down. "Spill."

"Well, you probably know about the game the other morning, since your brother and Adam are on Varsity." I nodded and Charlie sighed. "Well, then, after Varsity left, Orion told us to 'take those Ducks' jerseys off.' I lost it and left. I haven't been at school since. Fulton quit with me, but he went back today." Charlie looked hurt. "I don't think I've ever felt this alone before." He turned to me. "Well, that's my sob fest. Your turn."

"Okay," I began, looking at my hands. "Adam came to my dorm after your fight. He felt so down. I let him hang around for a while. After he cheered up, he asked me to go steady. I said yes. We were, um, 'celebrating' I guess, when my brother showed up." The tears started to well up in my eyes. "I, uh, I had Adam hide in the half-bath. Rick came in and started ranting and raving. 'Where is he? I know he's here.' That kind of thing." I sighed, my breath quivering slightly. "I told him to knock it off and to leave me alone. I said I loved Adam. Rickie told me to take it back. When I didn't, he slapped me." The tears began to fall faster. "Adam burst out of the bathroom and they began to fight. Adam got a broken nose; Rickie got stitches."

"Whoa," Charlie whispered.

"It gets worse," I announced. "Rickie told my parents all about it; rather he told them his side of what happened. My dad's on the warpath to destroy he who destroyed his family. It blows!" I sank downward.

"I'm so sorry." Charlie shook his head. "Sounds like if I hadn't fought Adam, your problem wouldn't have happened."

I shook my head. "Don't blame yourself."

"Why? It is my fault." He looked like he was mentally kicking himself.

"No, it's mine." I don't know what made me do it, but I told Charlie the whole story, about Rickie's lack of attention and the plan. Everything. It just came out, like when Chris was in my dorm.

"Oh, my God!" That's was Charlie said when I had finished. "It was all a scam?"

"Well, yes, it started out that way. But," I continued quickly, "I really like Adam now."

Charlie whistled. "You've got to tell him."

"What?! Are you serious?" I looked at him like he had gone nuts.

"Yes, I'm completely serious. Stop looking at me like that." He shook his head and was silent for a moment. "Look," he finally said, looking right into my eyes, "Adam needs to hear this. From you. I wouldn't trust your twin if I were you. Think about what Rick did when you said you loved Adam."

"You've got a point, but Adam will never forgive me." I glanced at him, no doubt looking as terrified as I felt.

"I think you underestimate him. He's pretty understanding." Charlie half-smiled. "Give him a chance to understand your side of the story before Rick finds out and spills the beans for you."

"Okay." Then I thought for a minute. "Hey! If he's so understanding, why don't you just apologize to him about the whole fighting thing?"

Charlie stood up. "Are you kidding? It's a lost cause."

"I won't unless you do!" I stood up and put my arms across my chest in defiance.

"Fine!" Charlie stuck out his hand and I shook it with mine.

"Fine." I smiled at the dark-haired boy. "See you around, Conway."

"Yeah, Riley. Seeya!"

Charlie skated off in one direction while I started walking off in the other. I looked at the locks. I knew Charlie had no intention of telling Adam. And deep down, I think he knew I wouldn't either.

A/N: How was that? R/R ~Nellie~