"Studying"

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We didn't really find anything interesting in the study so we moved on to the bedroom. After a few minutes I found what I was looking for. In an envelope, in the bottom drawer of one of the bedside tables, I found…

…something shocking. Just what I needed. I could hardly believe my luck. The envelope contained a newspaper clipping and a wedding ring. The clipping was a wedding announcement, for W. Johnson and L. Montez. My mom. Lisa Montez. And the ring was significant too. Because my mother's wedding ring (she still wore it) was the female version of the one in the envelope.

I called Troy over and he was flabbergasted. We just couldn't believe it. Then we had to decide what to do with the evidence we found. Take it? That would be stealing. Leave it? Then how would it be useful to us? Take a picture of it? No camera. We decided we would bring a camera along the next day when we came to feed and walk Oreo.

With that, we turned off all the lights, locked up the house, and started walking home. It was around 6:00, almost supper time. Troy volunteered to walk me home, and I gratefully accepted his offer.

"Gabi, what I don't get is why I had to volunteer to walk his dog. Why not you?"

"Maybe it's because I wanted you to do all the work," I replied teasingly. Troy frowned.

"I was joking, Troy! The thing is, I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I think that if Mr. Johnson gets to know me better, he will realize that I'm his daughter. And I want to keep this between the two of us until I decide what I want to do. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I guess so. That makes a lot of sense. So, what do you think you want to do next?"

"Well, for now I'd like to have supper. Yum, I can smell it! Lasagna…my favorite. Want to stay for supper? My mom always makes extra for other meals, so there should be plenty."

"I'd love to! I just need to call my mom."

"Ok, you can use the line in my room," I offered as we walked in the door. Troy ran upstairs and I went to make sure it was ok with my mom if Troy ate with us. She was thrilled he was staying. Mom loved Troy. She thought he was a good influence on me, helping me expand my horizons.

After supper Troy and I went to my room to study. Well, I told my mom we were going to study. But really we were going to plan our next step.

"Troy! Gabriella!" My mom called up. "I'm going to a meeting! I'll be back around 11. I expect Troy will have gone home by then…behave, both of you!" I sighed.

"Yes, mom! Good-bye!" And with that she was out the door.

"Troy! This is the perfect opportunity! My mom's not home! We can search her room now."

We raced down the hallway, and into her room.

"I'll take her dresser, you take the bedside table," I exclaimed.

I started shuffling through her dresser. I found some fancy lingerie, pajamas, clothing, etc…but nothing interesting.

"Gabriella!" Troy said in a low voice, "Come here, quick!"

"What is it, Troy?" I walked over to him. Wordlessly, he handed me a pile of envelopes, held together by a rubber band. They were all addressed to my mom. From a W. Johnson. And they were unopened.

"I don't think we should open them just yet, Troy. My mom might notice if they're open," I explained.

"Ok. What do you want to do then?"

"Well, we can do a little research to find out the best way to open and reseal envelopes inconspicuously."

"Ok!"

We went to my room, where the computer was, and closed the door, in case my mom came home early. I was just logging on when the phone rang. Troy answered.

"Hello? Er…just a minute. Troy handed the phone to me.

"It's Taylor!" he whispered.

"Hi Taylor!"

"Hi Gabi! Um…why did Troy answer the phone?"

"Because he's over here?"

"Why is he in your room? I know your phone line rings in your room only."

"We were…um…studying."

"Really. What were you studying for?"

"The math test we have next week."

"Gabi, I'm in your math class. We don't have a test next week."

"Oh right. Well…um…"

"If you and Troy were doing it, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone. Oh, that's so exciting! What was it like?"

"No Taylor! Troy and I were not having sex, ok?"

Troy gave me a funny look.

"And Gabi, what was that in homeroom this morning? You said something about Mr. J being your dad? What's up with that?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time."

So I explained. Taylor agreed with me and couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it herself. Then we hung up. Troy and I had to get back to our research.

I clicked on the Internet Explorer icon, and then went to Google. I typed in "resealing envelopes," and came up with a bunch of kid's spy tips websites. I looked over at Troy.

He was staring at me with a funny look on his face.

"What is it?"

"You look so adorable when you're concentrating.

I got up to give him a hug, but it turned into a kiss. A long one too. We sat down on my bed and started making out. I was running my fingers through his hair. It was really soft. After a little while, I pulled away and sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. I looked over at the clock. 10:00 already!

"Troy, you should probably go home now."

"Yeah, you're right. See you tomorrow!"

"Yeah." I gave him one last kiss on the top of the head.

"Oh no! Gabriella! Tomorrow is Meet the Teacher night! Is your mom planning on going?" I gasped.

"She is! What are we going to do?"

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Another one! I sure love those cliffies! And thanks to all my reviewers. I got a record number of reviewers last chapter (well for this story at least) but lets try to beat that record! So review! Please! Now!