LILIA'S POV

I finished taking down the laundry and stuffed everything into the basket. Then I went inside and told Mom I'd finished with the last of my chores. I'd pretty much cramped everything into the space of two hours.

I wanted to get my room ready for Darla when she arrived. She'd texted me at noon to say that she was going to arrive at 7:15. I was really hoping that Roger wouldn't arrive at Spiny's at the same time.

I was especially hoping that Darla and Roger wouldn't bump into each other on the way. Or that Larry would do something to ruin our plans. He's the kind of guy who would do that. I don't know him that well, but what from Spiny tells me, he has unusual ways of finding time to waste in.

I was mulling in these thoughts when my older sister Rebecca snapped her fingers in front of me. "Hello? Are you there? What's wrong with you?"

I blinked my eyes and shook my head. "Huh? What?"

"Lilia, what's the matter with you? You look like you're in a trance."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that if you could help me with my make-up because Craig is picking me up at 5:30."

"Oh, sure. Isn't that a little early? Don't you have homework?" She was in summer school since she'd failed in a few subjects.

"Sure, but I'm not going to let that stop me from having fun."

"Oh, it won't huh?" my dad's voice boomed from behind her.

You should've seen the way she jumped. She was like when you sneak up behind a puppy and they jump and yelp and go flying into the wall.

Her face was flustered and her tone of voice changed completely. "Oh, hi daddy!"

I covered my face mostly to hide the laughter that was on the verge of erupting. Not to be mean, but it was kind of fun watching my siblings get in trouble since they were all in high school and all. (Advantages of being the baby of the house.)

"You were saying, Rebecca H. Woods?" Dad still had a furrow in his eyebrows and a huge opposite of a smile. Plus, his arms were crossed which is never a good thing.

"Um…um…I, uh…was saying to Lilia that I was going to start my homework early to have time to get ready for my date and enjoy it fully." She looked at me. "Isn't that right?"

I tried my best to suppress the laugh, but a small chortle escaped. "Maybe."

Dad raised his left eyebrow and stared at the both of us for a good long while. "Hmm. You have an hour to do your homework. If you haven't finished, I'm taking your cell phone away and no dates until summer school ends."

I heard Rebecca gasp quietly then gulp. "Yes, Dad. I'll do it right now."

She whispered to me, "Knock my door in an hour." She smiled at Dad for a last time then ran up to her room. Then Dad looked at me and softened his expression ever so slightly. "What were you about to do?"

"Oh, nothing. I just finished my chores and I'm getting my room for when Darla comes."

He nodded. "This wouldn't happen to be some sort of plan you and Spiny came up with, right?"

Now it was my turn to be flustered. "Oh, Daddy! Why would you think that?"

"Oh, I just heard through the grapevine that you two were trying to set up two unfortunate souls together."

Oh…great! Who was the big blabbermouth who had gone and….I had two suspects immediately. Elijah or Micah Woods. They were not the best secret-keepers in the world. The day I first met Spiny and fell in love with him, Elijah and Micah went blabbing it to their friends. And when school started two days later, it became the hottest gossip at school and remained so for the next 5,600 years until now when Spiny and I became an official couple.

Well, that wasn't my main concern now. "Well…"

"Tell me the truth, Lilia," my dad said. That always hit me. I had NEVER lied to my father in my life and I wasn't about to life. He was the first one I'd told of my feelings of Spiny that day when we finished moving in.

Anyways, I wasn't about to lie so I said, "Okay. Spiny and I are trying to get Darla and Roger together."

"I thought you said Spiny hated matchmaking."

Yeah, but not when one of them nearly kills the other who also comes later to interrupt the most wonderful date of your life.

"Well, yeah…but, Spiny and I just want them to be happy."

"Hmm. I just hope you know how to do these things. You know, even if you have good intentions, things could really get out of hand. Before you know it, you won't be able to stop it."

I know Dad was trying to help me, but I was pretty sure of what I was doing.

At least, I hope I knew. But that's just me. I'm a little stubborn, I have to admit.

"Don't worry, Dad! I know what I'm doing. Well…we know what we're doing."

He shrugged. "Well, okay. I know you'll make good decisions." After that he left to go work in his…I don't know. I guess you could call it his hobby-shop.

Anyways, I went up to help Rebecca with her make-up then after her boyfriend Craig (who is really cute but not as much as Spiny despite being older) picked her up, I went up to shower and changed into a good sleepover outfit.

I decided to wear some Jakeado pajama pants. That's an Amarkian-based company that makes clothes for teens and young adults. It's sort of our Hollister. I also decided to wear a plain light pink tank top.

I knew what Darla was going to wear: torn jeans, a plain white shirt with a jean coat, baseball cap, and boots. Well, she might not wear the boots to bed. Or would she? Well, there are tomboys and there are tomboys. And she is REALLY a tomboy from heart.

I was tempted to ask Spiny for suggestions, since he knew Darla better than I do. I mean, I know her too, but only since we became friends "by accident" in the 4th grade. She and Spiny have been friends since kindergarten.

At first I was a little hesitant. But then I saw a red 2016 Mazda driving up into our driveway I went into panic mode and texted Spiny.

"I need help!"

After a few seconds, he responded. "What's up?"

"She's here! Wht do I do? How does a tomboy act?"

"Don't worry! U'll do gr8!"

"Sure?"

"Sure. U're the best! :*. Lov U!"

I blushed and quietly squealed from delight and jumped around a little. I love him SO much! I was lost deep in dreamy thoughts so when the doorbell rang I…well, I squealed but from fright.

Who was at the door? Oh, right. Darla. The sleepover. The Plan. I put my phone on the table next to the sofa and went to answer the door. "Hey, Darla."

"Yo, Lil, what's up?" She was in a dark red leather jacket, black leather jeans, and yes, you guessed it; backwards baseball cap and boots.

I ignored the previous and smiled at my friend. "I'm fine. Won't you come in?"

"Sure. Thanks." She stepped inside in the foyer and brought in her bookbag and duffel bag. "Well, I sure appreciate it that you invited me to come over to spend the night."

"Of course. You're one of my best friends, right?"

She smiled warmly. "Of course." I led her up to my room. Just before going in, Micah came by from working out back. "Hey, Darla. How's it going, dude?"

I cringed at that. Hello! She is a girl!

But of course she didn't mind. She smiled back and they bumped fists. "Doing just cool. How's it going, man?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed in frustration. This is just like Pygmalion. Or like My Fair Lady. Would this work on a tomboy? Well, it worked on pigs! Actually…that wasn't that funny.

Micah finally left and went downstairs probably to gorge himself on Mom's homemade cranberry pie. This happened to be one of Spiny's favorites. Anyways, he left and I motioned for Darla to get in my room.

I was putting her stuff beside my bed. When I stood up, I saw Darla holding her PSP-E1000 playing some game. I have no idea what it was, but from the sounds of explosions I could tell it wasn't a racing game.

Playing a battle game….well, I sure hope Spiny is doing better than me.