Chapter 4: Lost Days, Spiteful Nights

"A-G-L-E-T . . . Don't forget it!" I mumbled under my breath, the song stuck in my head, as I left the bathroom clad in my pajamas and unaware that Candace had been passing by at that very moment.

"HOW do you know that song?"

"If I recall, Candace, it was broadcast all around the world,"

"Then how come no one seems to know that word or even that day anymore?"

"Well, no one who was in the Tri-State Area, anyway. I bet if you called up Stacy's cousins in Tokyo, they'd remember."

"But why no one in the Tri-State Area?"

"Remember how suddenly everyone, including your brothers, couldn't figure why they were giving a concert? Do you remember anything else?"

"Well, other than a blinding flash of light, no."

"What if I were to tell you that the blinding light had something to do with it?"

"What, like an amnesia ray?" She replied sarcastically.

"Sort of." I replied, ignoring her sarcasm. "It's hard to explain. But the point is that it only reached the people in the Tri-State Area who actually knew the word aglet. No one else was affected."

"Oh," Candace replied, unable to say more.

I turned and began walking toward the guest room. Then I stopped and peered over my shoulder to look eye-to-eye with a misunderstood teenager that I loved and appreciated, and in many ways, understood. "I admire your dedication, Candace, but if you ever need some unwind time, I'm here." I said, leaving her to her thoughts…and me to mine.

(((((())))))

I was reading an old romance novel Linda had let me borrow when my phone buzzed. Laanrah. I picked it up and flipped it open.

"What is it, La-an?" I asked, slightly irritated.

"Se-ra, weren't you supposed to be home an hour ago?"

"What's it to you? I know you know how to take care of yourself, you're eleven."

"Just 'cus Mom and Dad are outta town doesn't mean you can hang out at Annalise's or wherever you are all night and not tell me."

"I'm not at Ana's and I'm fine."

"Then where are you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Se-ra?"

"You wouldn't believe me."

"Tell me where you are or I'm coming to get you."

"La-an, it's ten at night here!"

"Really? It's only five here, but you're avoiding the question. One more chance or I'm driving over in the morning."

"You don't even know where I am."

"I rigged your phone with a tracking device." He blurted.

"You did WHAT?" I yelled incredulously.

"I rigged your phone with a tracking device," he said again, really fast. "but that's not the point." He slowed down. "I'm going to come bring you home if you won't do it yourself."

"You don't even have a way to get here, La-an." I replied spitefully, still refusing to tell him.

"I modified the car so I can drive it by remote."

"Well, I guess you always were one to follow in their footsteps," I said with a sigh, defeated.

"Whose footsteps?"

"Phineas and Ferb's." I said, knowing where this was going.

La-an laughed at me. He thought I was crazy for watching the show anymore, and he considered himself too mature for that.

"Whatever." I continued. "Come and get me in the morning if you must, but I'm not leaving."

"Fine, I will." He replied spitefully.

"Fine, then you'll see the truth." I replied sweetly, laced with pure distaste. Then we'll see who's crazy.