Nikki answered the phone.

"Nick, what's up?" said a voice Nikki knew all too well.

"Madelyn Louise Fisher," said Nikki. "Nothing but the ceiling. What about you?"

"Ew!" said Maddie. "Don't call me Madelyn Louise! I hate that name! It sounds like some snobby rich girl from, like, Elysium Heights or somewhere." Elysium Heights was where all the preppy brats lived.

"So does Nikki Marie," said Nikki.

"Not really," said Maddie.

"Whatever," said Nikki. "Why are we talking about how much we hate our names?"

"I don't know," said Maddie. "Wanna go shopping later?"

"Okay," said Nikki. "When?"

"Does 4:00 work for you?" asked Maddie.

"Yeah," said Nikki. "See you in an hour."

"Okay," said Maddie. "School sucked today, didn't it?"

"Yeah," agreed Nikki. "Except it was so funny when you poured chocolate milk down Taylor Rosser's shirt! Stephanie thinks you overreacted because all she did was call you short, though."

"Stephy's a goody-goody," said Maddie. "But that's why we love her. How did your parents react to the week of lunch detention we both got?"

"They don't know! As if I'd tell them. You told yours?" said Nikki.

"No. Mom's picking up Alex from elementary school. I was gonna tell her when she gets home though. How else am I gonna get her to sign it?" said Maddie.

"Dad has this really cool computer program that analyzes signatures and copies them," answered Nikki.

"And you have full access to it?" asked Maddie, amazed.

"Not really," said Nikki honestly. "But he'll never know. I always use it to forge Mom's signature."

"You devious little genius," said Maddie.

"Little?" asked Nikki. "I'm not the one who's sixteen, 4'11", and weighs only 65 pounds."

Maddie groaned. "So can I use your forge machine?"

"Of course. Come over and then we'll go to the mall," said Nikki.

"Okay," said Maddie. "I'll be right over."

"Awesome," said Nikki. "Bye." She hung up.

"Nikki," said Kory.

"What, Mom?" asked Nikki.

"Uncle Victor called and said you need to baby-sit Jasmine," said Kory.

"What the fuck?" shouted Nikki.

"Nikki Marie Grayson, we do not use that kind of language in this house!" said Kory.

"Whatever," said Nikki. "Me and Maddie were supposed to go shopping! And now my day is ruined!"

"Why don't you bring Jasmine with you?" asked Kory.

"I can't be seen with Jasmine at the mall! I'll be branded dorkiest dork of the year!" shrieked Nikki.

"I did not realize popularity was so important to you," said Kory.

"Of course it is! And Maddie's gonna be over in a couple seconds," said Nikki.

"You and Maddie can baby-sit together," said Kory.

"Mom, you're ruining my life!" screamed Nikki. (Freaky Friday, don't sue me please!)

Richard walked in. "What's going on? Nikki, why are you yelling at your mother?"

"Daddy," said Nikki, hugging Richard. "Mom won't let me have fun. She wants me to baby-sit Jasmine."

"I do not want her to," said Kory. "Bee and Victor do."

"Can I hear the whole story?" asked Richard.

"Victor called me a few minutes ago on my cell and asked if Nikki could baby-sit Jasmine so he could take Bee out to a romantic dinner," began Kory.

"Dinner at three o'clock? What kind of idiot would do that?" interrupted Nikki.

Kory ignored her. "And Jasmine is only eleven, so she is too young to stay at home by herself. Besides, babysitting is more important than shopping."

Richard nodded. "Sounds reasonable. What about Nikki bringing Jasmine shopping?"

"She does not want to be seen as unpopular by hanging out with a fifth grader," explained Kory. "I do not know what to do. Nikki just seems to hate me. She was so sweet when she was younger…" Kory burst into tears and ran out.

"Nikki, your mother just wants what's best for you," said Richard.

"No she doesn't! She's plotting against me! Why are you on her side? Ever since that stupid little demon Ava came along, she's acted like my wants don't matter! And you're just a mindless robot going along with it!" cried Nikki.

"What does Ava have to do with this?" asked Richard.

"Mom liked me until Ava came along. Now Ava's her favorite, and I don't exist," said Nikki.

"Nikki, that's not true. Your mother loves both of you the same," said Richard.

"No she doesn't! She hates me! She loves Ryan! Whenever he comes over, she always spends five hours cleaning the house! And he doesn't even live with us! It's because of his stupid girlfriend! I'm tired of being the invisible one, the forgotten one! I just wanna be loved!"

"Nikki…" Richard tried to think of something to say to make Nikki happy. "Fine. I'll give you until Jasmine comes over to find an alternate babysitter. But I have to approve. And you have to say sorry to your mother."

Nikki looked way happier. "Thank you Daddy! I love you!

"Remember, the clock is ticking," said Richard.

The doorbell rang. Nikki smiled.

"Maddie!" said Nikki.

"Nikki!" said Maddie. They hugged.

"Hi, Mr. Grayson!" said Maddie.

"Hello, Maddie," said Richard. "I will see you teenagers later." He went upstairs.

"Okay, I have this really stupid babysitting job and we have to find someone else to cover for me," explained Nikki.

"How about Stephanie? She's good with kids," said Maddie.

Nikki dialed Stephanie's number. She picked up on the first ring.

"Hi, this is Stephanie," said Stephanie.

"Stephy, you sound like an answering machine," said Nikki. "Do you have any time to baby-sit an eleven year old?"

"No, my mom wants me to go with her to furniture shop. I really hate furniture shopping. Sorry," said Stephanie.

"That's okay. Do you know anyone else who could?" asked Nikki.

"Maybe Eric can," said Stephanie. "Hold on." Eric is Stephanie's brother. "Nikki? Eric says yes."

"Yay!" exclaimed Nikki. "Tell Eric he rocks!"

"Okay. I have to go now, okay?" said Stephanie.

"Okay. Bye!" said Nikki happily. "Woo-hoo!"

"She can?" asked Maddie.

"No, but her brother can! Yay!" exclaimed Nikki.

"Okay, where's your forge machine?" asked Maddie.

"Right this way," said Nikki.

They went to a regular looking computer with a scanner and printer. "Okay, do you have the detention slip?" asked Nikki.

"Yup," said Maddie. Nikki scanned it in.

"Do you have a piece of paper with your mom's signature?" asked Nikki.

"Yup," said Maddie. Nikki scanned it in.

"What color do you want her signature to be?" asked Nikki. "Blue, red, or black?"

"Blue," said Maddie. Nikki printed it out.

"Tada," said Nikki, handing it over.

It looked real. "Yay!" shrieked Maddie. "I love you!"

"I know," said Nikki. "Everyone does. Just kidding."

"Dad, I found someone," called Nikki.

"Richard walked over. "Who?"

"Stephanie's brother Eric," said Nikki.

"He's very safe, reliable, and good with kids," said Maddie, sounding like she was paid to say that.

"Fine," said Richard.

The doorbell rang. Nikki answered it.

Jasmine Stone was skinny, with dark skin and dark hair, closely resembling her mother. She wore an oversized T-shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap.

"Hi Nikki. Hi, whoever you are. Hi Uncle Rich," said Jasmine. She was chewing gum. She blew a bubble and then it popped. She continued to chew it.

"Guess where you're going today," said Nikki.

"Where?" asked Jasmine, blowing a bubble.

"Eric's house," said Maddie.

"Who's he?" asked Jasmine.

"Your babysitter," answered Nikki.

"Is he cute?" asked Jasmine.

Nikki and Maddie shared a look. Eric was pale, with zits and thick glasses and no fashion sense.

"Sure," said Nikki. "In his own unique way."

"Okay," said Jasmine. "Let's visit Eric!"

Poll:

Is Nikki too mean to Kory?

What did you hate/ like about this chapter?

What's gonna happen at the mall?

Review please! Sorry for the long wait. I couldn't decide what to write. Sorry.

Love ya,

Chels