A/N: All I can say is that I am thoroughly disappointed in myself. I've going a chapter a day since I started this. Now, technically I'm making that, but I generally have them up in the morning. Yesterday was just too hectic. I didn't have an extra minute to write. Since it's Friday, I have plenty of time. Okay, that's definitely enough of my rambling. Oh yes, icklebitodd, this one's for you.
Headliner
Chapter 9
I signed off with Greg and hugged my knees against my chest. I ran my tongue along the rough spot in my cheek. I'd bitten it several times tonight. I wasn't sure if it was out of nerves or just plain stupidity.
I was confused by my mother's actions. Here the prospect of being a family was staring her in the face and she was hesitating. I wondered if Nick's words had stung her as bad as they did me.
"We may not love each other, but we love Lexi."
The words washed over me like ice. One would think that after six years, seizing the opportunity for their friendship to bud into something more would be simple. Of course, my mother never took the simple way out of anything, did she?
I've lived with a crime scene investigator for most of my life. Sometimes my mom says I could probably do the job better than her. This is what I was counting on. I've read all the books and I've watched all the shows. Now's the time for me to start examining the evidence. I know that a person is not supposed to manipulate the evidence to suit their purpose, but I'm not dealing with an actual case, am I? I can make the evidence say whatever I want. I'm excited by the freedom. The sides of my mouth curl upwards.
I need to talk to someone. I need to explain to someone else what I'm about to do. I can't tell Greg. He works with my parents and is their close friend. There are too many chances to spill. No, I need someone closer to my age to share this with. My next thought was Courtney. She's my best friend, so surely she'd understand my goal. There is, however, one problem. She doesn't really know these people at all. Yes, she calls my mother her second mom, but she was locked in the same lie as me. No, I need a person who's been through it all. I need someone who knows exactly what buttons to push on each person. I may need to use the others at the lab in this plot. The name my mind uncovers in Lindsey Willows. For the past two years she's been my greatest source of knowledge. If anyone knows how to take a situation and make it roll their way, it's her.
I sat thinking for a few more minutes and then retired to bed. I pulled the covers up to my neck and snapped my eyes shut. In the back of my mind, I was seriously doubting I'd get much sleep tonight. Thank heavens for summer vacation. I was going to need it.
The sun rose over the Sidle apartment. I awoke to the smell of sweet cinnamon rolls. My mother only made those for special occasions. What was so special about today? I ran a brush through my hair. Light poured in through the living room windows. I felt a sudden fit of giggling coming on. Nick was dancing around the kitchen in his boxer shorts. He was singing into a wooden spoon. The last lines of "Somebody to Love" fell off his lips as he saw me doubled over in the corner of his eye. I was trying to control my laughter, I really was, but it was no use. He arched an eyebrow. "Sorry, sorry, I'm okay now. Really, I'm okay," I said between breaths.
"Did I wake you?" he asked.
"Nope. This is my normal waking hour. Where's mom?"
"Still asleep, I think. We were up kind of late last night."
"I know." I clapped my hands over my mouth. The words had just slipped out.
"Were you eaves dropping, Alexis Sidle?"
I could feel my cheeks turning red. "What would give you that assumption?"
"Alright, kiddo, how much did you hear?"
"Everything." Since I was caught, I figured I might as well be honest.
"And?"
"And what?"
"What did you think?"
"Well, since my mother is sleeping and it couldn't possibly get me into trouble, I'd just like to say that I agree with you completely."
"Good to know. Now pour some orange juice; breakfast is almost ready."
I was dismayed to find that my mother did everything in her power to avoid Nick the entire day. She used all the excuses from needing to shop to needing a nap in order to be well-rested for the night's shift. I knew it was a load of baloney and I had a feeling Nick did too. If she kept up this attitude, she was going to throw a wrench in my plan…once I came up with one. I made a mental note to call Lindsey as soon as I had the house to myself. Maybe she could come up with something creative. I figured it was going to take something extraordinary to tip the board my direction.
I was surprised twelve hours later when she suggested just the opposite.
"Are you crazy? My mom will see right through it."
"Maybe so," she said, "but it'll still get under her skin. She'll know exactly what you're doing, and yet she can't ignore it. She'll have to give in eventually."
"Has it ever worked for you?"
"Are you kidding? Of course it has. My mom does just about anything I ask of her. She really doesn't like to argue with me."
"Well, my mom doesn't have that problem. She might fight me to the death over this."
"What's she going to say? 'No more spending time with your father.' I don't think that would be the safest way for her to play. There's no way you would go for that, and Nick certainly wouldn't."
I smiled as I hung up the phone. For being just thirteen, Lindsey sure had a good brain. She also had an amazing knack for manipulation. It was my turn to get to that level. I, Alexis Nicole Sidle, had a plan, and I was almost certain it was going to work.
A/N2: Well, there it is. I'm still sorry it's way later than usual. I hope this makes up for it at least a little. Let me know what you thought.
