Author's Note: It's been I while. . .I think. I kinda lost track of time. . .again. It's summer vaca, though, so it tends to happen a lot. I hope I didn't take too long getting this updated for you guys. Anyway, here you go and enjoy!

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Part 15: I figured It Out

Amazing, Libby thought. Just great. She walked out of the hotel and looked about, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sheen somewhere. But he wasn't there. He wasn't any where. She just really, truly hoped he wasn't going back home.

With a sigh she continued forward. She had waited for Sheen like an idiot all day and now most of the day was spent. It was still pretty bright, though, but most of the day had already gone.

It wasn't suppose to be like this, she said to herself, but she couldn't blame Marcy, though. The girl just hadn't been thinking right. She reacted in the way any other person would have if they had just found out about something that surprising. It didn't even happen like that, Libby said. It wasn't at all like Cindy said in that stupid journal, like Marcy thought.

Her stomach grumbled. She was hungry. She hadn't really eaten anything, except for half of that breakfast that had been brought to her. Her mind had been on Sheen all day, she didn't have time to eat, but she was hungry now. She didn't think she could actually eat anything, anyway. But she went off in search for a place to eat.

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Becca continued her walk home, her friends at her side. She thought again about Jimmy and Cindy. It was hard to believe that either one of them could be lying, but someone had to be. Right?

"What's on your mind now?" Marie asked.

"Well," Becca began. "I can't help but wonder who is lying and who isn't."

"I say it's Cindy," Diana replied, knowing full well what Becca was referring to. "She must've done something."

"Now, Diana," Marie replied in a voice that reminded Rebecca of her mother. "Don't jump to conclusions."

Diana's mouth dropped. "A-are you-"

Marie shook her head. "I'm not saying it was Jimmy," she confirmed. "I'm just saying to think about it. Becca said that Cindy seemed genuine in her journal and Jimmy has never in Becca's life lied to her."

"So. . ." Billy said.

"It's uncertain," Marie said as she shrugged. "Maybe neither one of them are lying."

"I thought about that," Becca said. "But it wouldn't make any sense."

"Yeah," Diana said. "One of them has to be lying."

"It's the only thing that does make sense," Billy put in.

"Not necessarily," Marie replied.

Becca smiled. This was exactly why she loved talking to Marie. She was the one person she could really ask for help who'd turn any confusing situation into something simpler. She often wondered if Marie was ever confused about any situation.

"Okay," Marie began. "Becca, tell me what happened."

"I told you," Becca said. "Cindy caught Jimmy with Libby twice talking about things that sounded like they were secretly seeing each other."

"Ah!" Marie said. She smiled sweetly. "The key word being 'sounded'."

"So," Diana replied.

"That doesn't mean anything," Billy said.

"Sure it does," Marie said. "It implies that it was uncertain."

"That word again!" Diana said, exasperated. She soon after regretted it when Marie turned to look at her. There was no accusation in her face or any sign of disappointment or even warning.

Marie did that to people. Made them regret there words without any sign of threat or anything, just by looking. Simply looking.

"So then it's possible it wasn't exactly like Cindy heard it," Billy said.

"Exactly," Marie confirmed, turning to Billy.

"Wow," Diana and Billy said. "Amazing!"

Marie smiled. "Now the second time-"

"She caught them in Jimmy's bedroom, talking about telling her about them," Becca explained, wanting to know what else Marie could make more useful.

Marie thought for a moment. "Well," she said. "Hm. What exactly do you remember from that day?"

Becca was a little stunned, but she thought back to that day. Trying to remember the day Libby had come home with Jimmy and gone to his room with him, but there were so many times. "Well, Libby came over a lot."

Marie nodded.

"Most of the time Cindy was with them, though."

"Can you remember the occasions when Cindy was not with them?"

Becca thought for a moment. "There were maybe a handful of times."

"Okay, we're getting close," Marie said. "Now let's narrow it down."

"Is that even possible?" Diana asked. She looked to Billy, but he shrugged.

"Out of those handful of times, can you remember Jimmy and Libby specifically going to the room and later Cindy came by? She did catch them, right?"

Becca nodded to answer her last question and then she thought back again. There were at least three times when this had happened. Where Libby and Jimmy came home together and were later joined by Cindy. "I remember three-" But then it came to her. On one occasion she remembered Cindy coming by and not 5 minutes later did she come back down looking strange somehow. It had been the very last time she had ever come over. "I remember," Becca said. "I remember the day. I remember it!"

Marie smiled as Becca stopped, realization sinking in completely. Every memory from that day came by and she pieced every moment together up until the very moment Jimmy and Libby came down and talked to her. She looked up ahead and her smile fell away. "I-I know," she said. "I know what ha. . .I know how it all got out of hand. I know."

"How?" Diana asked. "How!"

"I can't explain," she said. "I have to get home. Now!"

Marie nodded with a soft smile.

Becca looked at her and felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and gratitude. "Thank you," she said, trying to swallow the lump she felt rising in her throat that brought the threat of tears.

"No need to thank me," Marie replied softly. "Your happiness is thanks enough." Becca smiled. "Now go on home. Tell them all. Make things right."

Becca nodded and soon she was racing home.

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Five years earlier. . .

Becca bounced in the back of her seat, excited about the time she'd be able to spend getting her skills up for this new hobby of hers; the tuba.

Her mother encouraged her as well as her father and Jimmy too. Though they made weird faces and quickly turned her offers down when she asked if they'd like to hear her play. She wasn't exactly the best player and she figured maybe that had something to do with it, but she loved to play. It was fun and time consuming. They seemed to enjoy it occasionally too.

This is way cooler than my last hobby, she thought, thinking back to lacrosse. She didn't see how people could have fun tossing a ball around with sticks that had pockets. It was dumb

The tuba seemed to have more of a purpose, so she thought.

She was the first one out of the car when it stopped. She ran to the trunk and tried to get the tuba out on her own.

"Hold on, Becca," Mrs. Neutron replied as she took her time getting to the back. She pulled it out and carried it inside for her daughter. "How on earth do you hold this?" she asked as she looked at Becca, curiously. She sounded slightly out of breath.

"With determination!" Becca exclaimed as she bounced, too excited about her self-taught tuba lessons. Her teacher had been more than happy to hear that she was practicing at home for a change, rather than at school. "You just take it home for as many days as you'd like," she had said, hurriedly rushing her out with the tuba in her arms.

"I see," her mother said.

"Hey, sugar booger!" Hugh greeted his wife. "Hey there, ducky!" he said to Becca.

"Mommy has my tuba!" she exclaimed.

Hugh looked at his wife, struggling to bring it in. "I can see that!" he said. "Oh, Becca, will you let me play it?"

Becca frowned. "It's for me," she said. "How about I play it for you?" She smiled.

"Heh," Hugh laughed nervously. "Um. . .you know, I think I have something to do."

"What! Becca said. "No you don't. Come here and listen to me play!" It was a demand not a request.

"Becca!" Mrs. Neutron warned as she put the tuba down. "Don't yell like that. Your father is a very sensitive man."

"Sorry," Becca apologized. "How about I play for you then?"

Judy smiled. "I. . .have dinner to cook."

Becca pouted as she crossed her hands over her chest. Fine, she thought.

For the next twenty minutes she practiced her tuba in the livingroom where everyone could hear. Goddard barked as she played. Becca took that and the barks from all the other dogs from the neighborhood as a huge compliment.

The door opened and she stopped when she heard it. Jimmy came through the door with Libby behind him. They were laughing about something. "Jimmy!" Becca exclaimed. She ran to him and jumped into his waiting arms. She loved jumping into his arms. He was never one to complain that she was getting to big or to old for it. She was only six and he didn't see a problem.

He put her back on her feet. "Hey, Libby," Becca greeted.

"What's up?"

"Nothin' much," Becca replied. "Just got my tuba home." Becca smiled. "Would you like a private concert." Becca nodded.

Libby became unsure. "Um. . .maybe later."

"Awesome!" Becca replied. "You and Jimmy have to hear me. I got so much better."

"Sounds about the same to me," Jimmy whispered.

"Huh?"

Libby elbowed Jimmy in the ribs. "Nothing, never mind."

Becca shrugged.

"Becca, listen," Jimmy began. "Libby and I will be upstairs, okay. Tell mom when you see her."

Becca nodded. "Okay." She watched them climb the stairs. She didn't think much of it. They were friends and friends hung out. Not 15 minutes after that did Cindy come by. "Coming!" she called, rushing to the door. "Cindy!" she exclaimed as she jumped into Cindy's arms. Cindy was another who didn't mind it when she jumped into her arms. It brought a big smile to Becca's face at the thought.

It always made her happy to see Cindy. Not only because she allowed her to jump in her arms, but also because it reminded her of her brother's happiness. Jimmy deserved someone great and Cindy was just that person.

When she was back on her feet she said, "Jimmy's upstairs with Libby."

For a moment Cindy stopped. She hesitated, but nodded. Becca didn't understand her hesitation, but said nothing about it. "I think he's waiting for you."

"Thanks," Cindy said with a smile. Becca skipped off as Cindy walked up to Jimmy's room. For a moment Becca wondered what Cindy's hesitation meant, but she didn't dwell on it for long.

In no time Cindy was walking down the stairs again, her face was a mixture of all sorts of emotions. Anger, hate, determination, and regret. Becca only became more confused.

"Cindy?"

"Uh, don't tell Jimmy I was here," she said.

This caused Becca to make a face. "Didn't he already see you?"

"Right," Cindy said. The sound of her voice was different now, though Becca couldn't explain it. "Just. . .don't mention me to him. O-or to Libby."

Becca shrugged. "O. . .okay."

"Great," Cindy said with a quick smile and she was out the door. Something hit Becca then. A strange feeling that she didn't recognize, but she shrugged it off.

About an hour later Libby and Jimmy came back down. "I think Jimmy needs to talk to you," Libby said. Becca pulled away from her tuba. She had been practicing while they were in the room (with breaks in between).

"Um, yeah," Jimmy said, looking a little regretful. He looked at Becca and sighed. "Would you consider Libby your best friend?"

"What?" Libby said.

"Well, yeah," Becca said.

"You do?" Libby asked as she turned away from Jimmy.

Becca nodded with a soft smile. "Of course," she said. "I've always thought of you as one of my best friends. Like Ben. Except you're not like Ben because you're you."

"Aw!" Libby said. "That is sweet!" She gave Becca a hug and wouldn't let go.

"See?" Jimmy said. "What did I tell you?"

"Oh, stop," Libby said, finally letting Becca go. "But that's not what Jimmy wanted to say."

"No?" Becca asked, turning to him.

"No," Jimmy said. "I. . .don't take this the wrong way, Rebecca, but-"

"Rebecca?" Becca asked. She laughed. It sounded weird to hear her brother call her by her first name. She had gotten so use to 'Becca' that 'Rebecca' didn't sound quite right anymore. "Are you trying to be serious or something?"

"Actually. . ."

Becca stopped. "You are?"

Jimmy nodded. He kneeled in front of her to keep his eyes at her level of view. "Um." He placed a hand on her shoulder and now she was becoming worried.

"What is it?" she asked. "Is something wrong?"

"Becca," he began.

"Tell me!"

"Ithinkyoushouldfindanotherhobby!" he said at light speed. She barely understood what he had said. All she was really able to piece together was "I think" and "hobby."

"What?" she asked.

Libby let out a deep, exasperated breath.

"I think. . ." Jimmy began, properly spacing his words apart, "that you should find yourself another hobby."

Becca stared at him. "Why?"

Jimmy looked down. "Because the tuba is. . .not. . .for. . .you."

"Why?"

"I just think you'd. . .be better suited with another instrument. Like a violin!" Jimmy suggested.

"Why?"

"Well, because it would be more for you."

"Why?"

"Because-"

"Oh, for the love of-" Libby began. "He doesn't think you can play the tuba!"

Becca looked at Libby and then at Jimmy. "What?"

"Libby!" Jimmy shouted.

"What!" she asked. "You weren't saying it!"

Jimmy looked to Becca again. He smiled weakly. "It's just that. . .you're no where near perfecting it. I don't mean to be mean!" He said quickly. "I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

Becca stared at him and she could see his uneasiness. "Did you think I would cry if you told me I sucked?"

Jimmy stared back at her and nodded slowly.

She shrugged. "I knew I wasn't any good," she said. "I just liked to play even if I didn't know what I was doing. I'll find another hobby."

Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief. A weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. "Yeah?" he asked, a smile spreading.

She smiled back, not feeling at all hurt. "Yeah," she said. "Will you help me pick another hobby. It doesn't have to be an instrument."

"Sure," he said.

"You too, Libby?"

Libby nodded. "So what happens to the Tuba?"

"I'll bring it back to school on Monday and tell Ms. Anderson that I don't want to play anymore." She shrugged again. "She'll understand. In fact. . ." Becca laughed. "She'll be happier than you two."

Libby and Jimmy laughed. "I'm sure," they said.

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"And that's it," Becca said. "That's what I remember." She looked at Carl. He was the only one she found. Jimmy wasn't home and she knew Ben had stayed after school for something. Even her parents were out and she didn't know how to get a hold of Libby or Cindy. She had apparently been out as well. And Sheen had just disappeared! Becca had called the hotel where he stayed, but they said he had left early in the morning and he didn't answer his cell phone at all. She had been lucky she found Carl. He was just about leaving his house when she rushed out the door, ready to go find someone, anyone out in the main street. Now she sat in Carl's livingroom, while his parents were out grocery shopping.

"So," he began. "You think that Cindy was completely mistaken?"

Becca nodded. "She probably heard something that she thought had been about her that sounded bad. She had completely missed the very beginning of the conversation and anyone could've just mistaken what they heard for something that it was not."

Carl nodded. "And I'm the only one you've told about this?"

"I couldn't find anyone else. Sheen won't answer his cell phone, Cindy isn't home, Ben isn't home, Jimmy isn't home, my parents aren't and I just don't know about Libby!"

"Have you tried her cell phone?"

"I don't know it by heart," Becca confessed. "I have her old one memorized, but not her new one."

"Me either," Carl said. "Sheen does and. . .Jimmy."

"Great," Becca commented. "Neither of which we can find."

"What about Jimmy's cell phone?"

Becca blushed. "I kinda. . .sorta let Goddard eat it."

"What?"

"I was mad at him!" Becca said. "It was some time after I found out Nick was back in Retroville." She shrugged. "He thinks he lost it. I never told him the truth."

Carl shook his head. He remained silent for a moment. Becca only grew more anxious.

"What are we going to do?" she asked. "They have to know that this whole time it's just been one big misunderstanding. One that got too out of control."

"Well," Carl said. "I know of one person we can call, but I'm not so sure-"

"I'll try anything!"

Carl sighed and got up. "Okay." He went to his phone and Becca followed close behind. He began to dial the numbers.

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The cell phone rang and it wouldn't stop. Nick went to it. He stood over it for a while, not wanting to answer it, but the number was one he didn't recognize. All the more reason not to answer, he thought. But he answered it anyway. Curiosity got the best of him.

"Hello?"

"Nick," came a familiar voice.

"Yeah?" Carl? He asked. How'd he get my number? "Who's calling?"

"Carl."

Nick nodded. "Why?"

"We need to get a hold of Cindy. She's not home and. . .I don't know her number. Her cell number."

"And you thought I'd give it to you," Nick said. "How'd you even get mine?"

"Um, well," Carl began. "A while ago when I got a hold of Cindy's manager's phone number through a co-worker who has a friend who has a cousin who went to a party and met a guy who works for the uncle of Cindy's manager, I called, of course. She gave me your number and then told me to stop calling."

"Okay," Nick replied. Carl sounded a bit winded, and Nick could honestly understand why.

"She also said that Cindy was with you and that I really shouldn't call unless I had a real reason to."

"Right."

"So?"

"Grab a pen," Nick said with a sigh.

"Thank you," Carl said.

"Whatever."

"And Nick," Carl said.

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

Nick paused. His heart began to pound. Sorry? He thought. "For what?"

"For Cindy. For the games she played with your heart. You fell victim too and I'm sorry that you got hurt while on her path of denial and spite."

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"So this is what Jimmy's house looks like on the inside, huh?"

Nick looked about, taking in every piece of furniture, every picture, every wall.

"I'm sorry," Becca said a little grudgingly. "About the other day at Cindy's. I was rude." She wasn't very sincere and she didn't try to hide it. "I'm Rebecca Neutron."

"Becca for short, right?" Nick asked, extending his hand.

Becca nodded, examining his hand as if it were some unknown creature. She looked at him. He took his hand away.

"Okay."

"Look, here, you," she said. "I only invited you in because I had no other choice. Carl wants to see you. And another thing. Just because you know my nickname, doesn't mean you can use it. Got it?" She didn't give him a chance to answer. "Good." She allowed him inside and slammed the door behind him, making him jump only slightly. She flashed a fake smile at him and led him into the kitchen, where Carl was making himself right at home with a plain sandwich. "Sit."

Nick sat himself down in one of the chairs as Rebecca climbed up on the counter. Nick looked at her.

"Can I ask you why you're mad at me?"

Becca turned to him. She narrowed her eyes at him. "I can understand that Cindy hurt you on her stupid path of vengeance or whatever, but just because of that I am not going to completely forgive you."

"What?"

"You were just as bad as Cindy was on that message she left Jimmy."

"What message?"

"Don't you dare play stupid with me!" Becca shouted. She jumped off the counter and approached him. "You were just as cruel! Like Cindy on that break-up message she left five years ago!" He didn't reply.

"Becca," Carl said softly.

"Oh, you don't remember that message?" she said, acting surprised.

"I do," Nick said, softly.

"Maybe we should go get it and play it over for you, so you can-"

"I do!" he shouted. "I remember it, okay!" He stood now. "It's not one of my proudest moments. It's not something I like to brag about. Not like in elementary school." He straightened his jacket.

Becca looked away.

"Um," Carl began, completely forgetting his sandwich. "I wanted you here because. . .well, I thought you deserved to know the truth too and I didn't think it would've been right over the phone. You too were a part of this."

Nick stared at Carl. "The truth?" he asked.

"The truth," Becca replied. "I figured it out. With help."

"I want to tell you what we think really happened," Carl said.

"And how it got so out of control," Becca added. "You should sit. It could take a while."

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How was that? Good enough? Okay! LoL!

Jess a.k.a. RedGem270