Chapter Sixteen - The Plan

"I have an excellent idea."

I turned to a smirking Shawn and couldn't help but return the gesture. He slid in next to me, his eyes sparkling with mischief; which wasn't anything new. I put my head into my hand and rested my elbow on the table.

"Last time I agreed to one of your excellent ideas, look where that landed us."

"But this time it won't land us in a cop car and threaten our friendship." He smirked again. "Pleaaaase. Just hear me out on this one out."

I sighed and then let out a small giggle. "Alright, what is it?" He was such a big kid with the way he practically pleaded and put on the puppy dog eyes. It was almost adorable.

Kara walked up to our table, chewing her stick of gum like she always did and pulled her pencil from behind her ear and tapped it against the small notebook she carried. "What'll it be this time, sweets?" I loved the way she talked. The best way to describe her was to picture on of the 50 styles type waitresses , but with a New York accent and better clothes and hair.

I smiled at her warmly. "A strawberry milkshake and a small basket of your saltiest fries, please." I told her. She quickly scribbled it down. "And whatever he wants." I finished. Shawn looked at me and frowned.

"It's okay. I don't want-" The glare I gave him must have worked because he quickly changed his tune but didn't hide the sulk that followed. "I'll have the regular Chubby burger with a side of fries and a root beer, please." He mumbled.

Kara scribbled it down as well and winked at us. "Back in a flash, kiddos." And at that, she happily trotted off, got another customers order and then disappeared behind the front counter where the register sat dimmed but proudly. I really did love that place. My attention turned back to him and he was slumped beside me, his eyes refusing to meet mine.

"I really hate that you do that."

"Do what? Buy a friend food? As if I'm going to eat in front of you. You've bought me food before so shut up before I hit that look off your face." I retorted. I knew it was because he felt like he wasn't even good enough to buy himself something as necessary as food all the time but in all honesty, I enjoyed doing it. Not even for just him; for anyone really. Being spontaneously kind was something I tried to do as often as possible. "Now, what is your excellent idea?"

He almost instantly perked up. I wasn't sure if it was because he knew that no amount of sulking and complaining was going to change my mind or if it was because his plan was about to unfold and come to life. Either way, I was happy that his mood was back to normal. "Okay, so, you know how Harley pulled that stunt on you a few weeks back and embarrassed you in front of everyone?"

It was like we switched moods. I slumped into the seat like he had done seconds before and crossed my arms. "How could I forget?" I grumbled. "I still smell like that disgusting muck. Thank you for the reminder."

Shawn grinned and gave me a playful elbow. "This is where it gets excellent." He said. I looked up at him and waited for him to continue. "We all know he wanted to go out with you, right? And that's partly why he did it?" He asked. I nodded in response. "I was thinking, what if you trick him into thinking you're interested in him? Lure him into the middle of nowhere and get him close to him. It can be dark and just as you're about to kiss, Sally Gillman can switch places with you and I can snap a picture of the two of them. Do you have any idea how badly that will destroy his bad guy image?"

Shawn really was an evil genius. Sally wasn't hideous but she wasn't exactly a super model either. She was your typical, stereotypical nerd. A little on the chubbier side, frizzy red hair and braces that were blinding if they caught a glimpse of the sun. And not to mention glasses that would put Harry Potter's to shame. But from what I had seen, she was a really sweet girl regardless of being picked on all the time and having hardly any friends. I wished I had as much courage and compassion as she seemed to have. I suddenly felt bad for not really ever taking interest in becoming her friend. I felt like an awful person because of it. I loved the idea except for a few minor details. Revenge was always great, as long as no one was seriously hurt. Harley's feelings meant nothing to me but Sally's did. She was better than being used for such gain on my part.

"I don't think I could use Sally like that though, Shawn. It is an excellent idea, don't get me wrong but maybe there is a better way to do it." I told him.

The glimmer never left his eyes. "But that's the golden part, Sarah." He said. I stopped slumping over and straightened my back a little. What could he have meant by that? "I've already talked to Sally about all of it. She's the one that suggested it. Last year, he pulled the meanest prank a person could ever pull on anyone. He made her think Frankie was interested in her and during the middle of break, he convinced her to meet up with him by his locker, only for her to have a bucket of worms dumped on her and her pants were pulled down for the world to see. That's why no one will even look at her without laughing. He really hurt her. And she wants nothing more but to do the same back. Harley was only suspended for two days because of it." He explained. "Please, please tell me you're on board."

I looked around and spotted her sitting in a corner alone, stuffing fries into her mouth and reading an unrecognizable comic. I turned to Shawn and then nodded. "Call me Captain. Let's get this boat moving."

Shawn rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "You're such a dork."

"That's why you love me though." I teased. He chuckled again and shook his head. Kara came over with our food and set it down accordingly. I beamed up to her and handed her a ten plus a good tip. "Thank you."

"Anytime babes. Thanks for the tip! Enjoy your grub." And at that, she was on her way once more. I took another glance at Sally and then climbed over Shawn, food at hand. Confused, he quickly did the same.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

My eyes didn't leave her. "To get to know our new friend better. Come on." I told him, more than asked. Shawn didn't argue nor ask any questions. He simply followed and before another word was spoken, I sat beside her happily and Shawn sat across from us. Surprised, she stared at us for a second. I smiled warmly at her. "Do you mind if we join you?"

Sally blinked a few times and snuck Shawn a shy glance before shaking her head slowly. "Not at all."

I liked her already and she had barely spoken. And what I liked most of all, was the mutual dislike and vendetta we owed Kiener. One thing was for sure; Harley was going down and he was going down hard. I had never looked forward to something in my life as much as I did right at that moment. It was going to be beautiful.