A few days had passed since Trixie and Veronica had seen Timmy in the mall with his mystery red-head. Neither of them had seen them since that day, so Trixie decided to put the next part of her plan into action and pick up Veronica at her house.
Trixie took out her phone and dialed Veronica's number.
"Hello?" a very tired sounding Veronica answered the phone.
"Veronica? Were you sleeping?" Trixie asked in a way that suggested that sleeping was some sort of crime.
"Well... yeah, human beings do need sleep on occasion..."
"But it's seven in the morning! How can you be sleeping?!"
"Because it's summer vacation? There's no need for me to get up... Why are you calling anyway?"
"Because I found out some information about this mystery girl and you're going to help me."
"But I'm tired... can't you come back later...?"
"Veronica! Get dressed and down here right now!"
Veronica winced as Trixie yelled at her through the phone. "Fine. I'll be down in a few minutes..."
"Make it snappy!"
Veronica heard the dial tone that indicated that Trixie had hung up on her. "Bitch." Veronica may have been afraid of what Trixie could do to her, but that didn't mean she didn't occasionally let her thoughts slip out as words, though she mostly only did this in private. After getting dressed, she made her way downstairs and out of her house to find that Trixie had decided to show up in a limousine.
Getting in, Veronica looked at Trixie, who was sipping juice as though it were alcohol, occasionally swishing the cup around. "Really?"
"What?"
"I feel like I'm meeting some movie villain, that's all."
"Huh?" Trixie looked at Veronica with genuine confusion on her face.
"The limo, the fake booze... all you need is a pure white Persian cat on your lap and you'd look like an evil villain in one of those old movies..."
"Whatever, I found out who the girl is."
"Really? Who?"
"It's his -and try not to gag- Babysitter!" Trixie acted like it was some sort of salacious piece of gossip.
"Okay?"
"That's it? What do you mean 'Okay'?! He's dating his babysitter!"
"I don't see-"
"She's been babysitting him since he was eight! She's probably some kind of predator! This is so wrong! But so juicy!" Trixie giggled with glee.
"Trixie, do you even know how long they've been together? I thought Timmy said they had only been together for a couple months? That doesn't necessarily make this girl a sexual predator..."
"Well whatever this..." Trixie looked at a piece of paper she had. "Vicky girl is, she's getting all of Timmy's affections, which I can't allow."
"Trixie... it's just one boy... and they both seem happy... Can't you just let it go?"
"No I can not!" Trixie yelled. "He doesn't get to just fawn over me for all those years and then quit because of some... some hussy!"
"Trixie, that isn't fair, you don't even want to date him, you just want things to go back to the way they were, when you constantly rebuffed his affections-"
"My reasons are my own! Now, unless you want all of your dirty little secrets laid bare for all to see, I suggest you pipe down!"
Veronica reluctantly quieted herself and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Good. Now, this girl's name is Vicky, she used to babysit Timmy and apparently a lot of the unpopular kids in school a few years back, but was going to retire up until recently. I don't particularly care what her reasons were for not quitting, but I bet it has something to do with Timmy."
"...So?" Veronica spoke exasperatedly.
"So... we need to find out more about her. This is all I could get, I don't even know her family's last name, that info has been 'redacted' in all the files I found of them online."
"And you propose we do... what, exactly? Break into her house and get more information?"
"Yes, exactly! I knew you weren't really a dumb blonde!"
Veronica's eye twitched in annoyance, but Trixie didn't seem to notice. "Let me see if I'm understanding you correctly. You want to break into Timmy's girlfriend's house to find information that will hopefully lead to you being able to break them up?"
"Yep!"
"You do realize that entering someone's house without their permission is illegal, right?"
"Oh Veronica, when will you learn? When you have money, you don't have to worry about the legality of your actions, you just need to pay off the right people!"
"Trixie... this seems like a really bad idea..."
"Well you've heard it, so you're a part of it, no backing out now... or else." while Trixie's voice carried a sweet tone, the look in her eyes, coupled with the wink she shot Veronica, indicated she was threatening her.
Veronica grumbled something unintelligible, but nodded her head in the affirmative. She didn't know what secrets Trixie was threatening to unearth, but she knew the saying 'Money Talks' was true, so it could be anything, even a lie. But because Trixie was Trixie, self-proclaimed princess of their high school, chances were that most people would believe her because of her status.
"Great! Now then, to Vicky's house!" Trixie knocked on the window to the front seat and they were soon off.
"What are we even gonna look for when we get there?"
"I dunno, something we can use to break those two up, maybe an old boyfriend, or some secrets that this girl has, anything we can twist to use in our favor."
Veronica chose to watch the passing scenery rather than continue the conversation with Trixie. She obviously wasn't going to be able to talk her out of it. "I'm getting in too deep..." Following Trixie unquestioningly was beginning to show signs of having serious ramifications. If they got caught, Trixie would more than likely throw her under the bus without a second thought and with her money and reputation, people would side with her instantly. So, while Veronica was worried about keeping Trixie from ruining the relationship between Timmy and this 'Vicky' girl, she also had to make sure to go along with the plan to avoid inciting Trixie's wrath.
"Why me?" Veronica whined pathetically.
"Huh?"
"Nothing..."
They arrived at Vicky's house and got out of the limo. "Max? Keep the engine running."
"Of course Ms. Tang."
"Don't you think that seems kind of suspicious?" Veronica asked.
"No. Why?"
"Limos don't come through here very often, and to have one parked outside while we search the house? Might set off some red flags, don't ya think?"
"Hm... I suppose so... Max! On second thought-" Trixie handed the driver some money. "Go get yourself something to eat, we may be here a while, I'll call when we're ready to leave."
"Of course Ms. Tang, Ms. Star. I'll see you when next you need me." 'Max' backed out of the driveway and drove away.
"Happy?"
"I wouldn't go that far... We are about to break into someone's house so you can find a way to break up a happy relationship..."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of us not being inside this house!"
"Well then look for a key!"
"You look for it! What do I pay you for?!"
"You don't pay me."
"I pay you by gracing you with my presence and don't you forget it!"
Veronica huffed but began searching around the front porch for a good hiding spot for a key. First the welcome mat, then any false rocks, then under the porch itself, getting her clothes dirty in the process.
She then noticed Trixie still standing on the porch, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Why aren't you helping?"
"Look at yourself, you're filthy. I'm not gonna risk being seen in dirty clothes!"
"Of course..." Veronica rolled her eyes. "I can't find a key."
"What?! Well... look harder! Poor people always leave an extra key around so they can get in their houses after a night of drunken partying brought on by how depressed they are because of how poor they are!"
"Well I guess Vicky must be the exception to your rule."
"Grr... Fuck!"
"Wow. Trixie never curses."
"Hm... Oh! Idea! You open it!"
"How? I just told you I couldn't find a key!"
"Maybe not, but I happen to know that you know how to pick a lock! So get to work!"
"How do you-?"
"Because money talks. Now open it!"
"I... need a bobby pin... and something thin and sharp, a knife... screwdriver... something..." Veronica knew how to pick locks because her mother taught her back when they were poor. In case they ever found a 'big score'. Which was exactly how they became rich and moved to Dimmsdale, by breaking into some wealthy guy's house and stealing his stuff. Her mother told her that it was Veronica's father who taught her originally.
"Paper clip okay?"
Veronica groaned at the shoddy piece of metal. She could make it work... she just preferred a bobby pin. "I guess so... but I still need-"
"Here." Trixie handed her a nail file. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, some peace and quiet while I work..."
"Did you just tell me to be quiet? I thought I told you-"
"Do you wanna get in here or not?! Watch my back."
Trixie opened her mouth to give Veronica a piece of her mind, but in a surprising show of submissiveness, didn't give a nasty retort. She instead stood in front of Veronica, to block anyone's view of her, though her crossed arms and scrunched up face indicated she wasn't happy.
Veronica fiddled with the lock, occasionally cursing under her breath as she did.
"Are you almost done? I'm bored."
"Picking locks is an art form, like painting, or picking pockets... Give me a minute... There!" the lock clicked and Veronica turned the knob, opening the door. She was immediately hit with a feeling of unease.
"Alright, nice job. Let's see what there is to see..." Trixie pushed past Veronica and into the house.
"Does it feel... strange in here?"
"Strange how? Don't tell me a thief like you is suddenly getting cold feet."
"I'm not a thief anymore, stop bringing that up!"
"I'll talk about whatever I want, now get in here and help me look!" Trixie moved into the kitchen and began opening drawers and cabinets.
"Trixie? Remember to put everything back the way you found it. We don't need Vicky or her parents to think we were here..."
"You would know best, being the thief." Trixie called from the kitchen.
"Shut up..." Veronica muttered under her breath.
"There's nothing here! Try upstairs!"
"Fine." Veronica ascended the stairs and opened the first door she came to, then looked around. "Huh. Empty room." the room only had faint marks where Veronica guessed furniture once sat. Flipping the light switch caused the walls to flip open, revealing empty weapon racks, in addition to turning on the light. The room itself felt altogether foreboding and uninviting, she felt like someone or something didn't want her in the room.
Veronica left and headed to the adjacent room. Opening the door revealed that this room was also empty, similar to the last. Flipping the switch only caused the light to turn on. The room felt more inviting than the last, despite the lack of furniture, but there wasn't anything to indicate who the previous occupant was. "Hm..."
She left the room and headed for the door across the hall. Opening this one revealed that it was still lived in, a bed, dresser, wardrobe, and TV occupied this room. On the dresser sat a picture frame. The picture within showed what appeared to be a happy family. A woman with black hair, a man with red hair and stubble, and between them, a little girl with black hair and glasses. "Hm?" A closer look made Veronica realize she knew the girl. It was Timmy's friend. "...Tootie? Yeah... where's Vicky? I thought Trixie said she lived here..."
Veronica returned downstairs to find Trixie sitting at the table drinking a can of soda. "What are you doing?"
"I was thirsty! Find anything?"
"No. Vicky doesn't even live here. This is Tootie's house."
"Who?"
"The black haired girl with glasses that Timmy and his friends hang out with. This is her house! We broke into the wrong house!"
"No way. I know for a fact that Vicky lives here."
"Well... the two bedrooms upstairs are empty... maybe Vicky moved out? Hm... doesn't explain Tootie's room though... only their parents room is furnished... she must've moved out too... but why?"
"Who cares? Poor people are too difficult to understand." Trixie stood up and tossed her can in the trash. "C'mon, we've got one more stop to make."
"No way. We'll probably just end up breaking into the wrong house again. I'm done." Veronica moved to leave, but was caught by the wrist by Trixie.
"No you aren't. I still hold all the cards here, if I say we're making a stop, then we- as in, you and me -are making a stop!"
"Let go..." Veronica yanked her hand away from Trixie and rubbed at her wrist.
"Fine. Go. I'll tell everyone about how you're a thief, how you steal, how-"
"You wouldn't!"
"Yeah I would."
"...Fine... where are we going?"
"Need to go to Tommy's house. Maybe there will be something we can use there."
"Who's Tommy?"
"The pink hat wearing kid? The whole reason we're doing this?"
"You mean Timmy?"
"Yeah! Him! We're gonna see what he's hiding at his house!"
"Seriously?! We- we don't need to- to go there..."
"Oh? You sound nervous... I wonder why?"
"N-no reason! I just don't want to get in trouble!"
"You'll be in much worse trouble if you try to ditch me now!"
Veronica followed Trixie out of the house, shutting and locking the door behind her and found her already on the phone.
"Max? Need a pickup... yeah where you dropped us off... good, see you in five." Trixie pocketed her phone and looked at Veronica. "You're a mess..."
"Huh?" Veronica looked herself over. She was still covered in dirt and leaf litter from looking under the porch. "Well I did have to crawl under a porch to look for a key..."
"Here." Trixie held out her hand, which contained a white handkerchief.
"...Thanks..." Veronica took it and wiped off her face.
Trixie was too difficult to figure out, she'd spend most of her time putting people down, boasting about how much money she had, and thinking of ways to make others look bad while making herself look good; then out of nowhere do something that was oddly kind. It made no sense.
While Veronica was lost in thought over her 'friend's' contradictory actions, Max pulled into the driveway. "Ms. Tang, Ms. Star."
Trixie got into the limo, followed hesitantly by Veronica. "Here." Veronica returned the handkerchief.
"Mm-hm. Max? To the Turner residence, it's already in the GPS."
"Of course Ms. Tang."
"Don't think that giving me your handkerchief is gonna make us squared. It's still your fault I got dirty in the first place, not even mentioning that you've been threatening me all day..."
"This again? You need to learn to let things go." Trixie shrugged her shoulders indifferently.
"I could say the same about you! You won't forget the fact that I used to be poor, that I used to have to steal to survive! I told you that in confidence and all you do lately is threaten to tell everyone about it!"
"It's called leverage."
"It's called blackmail."
"Hmph. Whatever, I just need something to make sure you don flake on me."
After several minutes of very uncomfortable silence, they arrived at Timmy's house. "Same as before Max, go preoccupy yourself, I'll call when we're ready to go."
"Of course." Once again Max pulled out of the driveway, and once again Trixie gestured at the front door.
"I doubt we'll have much luck searching for a key, so you might as well get to work picking the lock."
Veronica rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Just watch my back..." She fiddled with the lock for several minutes this time as Trixie watched for nosy people.
"What's taking so long?!"
"I'm out of practice. It's not like there's much need to pick locks when you're rich..."
"Well hurry up! I have other things to do today!"
"Hey... how come neither Timmy's family nor Vicky's have been home?"
"They all went on some vacation to Tibecuador. We should be in the clear from them coming back, but I bet their neighbors are nosy as all Hell, so the sooner we get in here, the better!" Trixie turned around to scowl at Veronica, only to find that she had unlocked the door and was now waiting for her to go in.
"Ladies first..."
"You're a lady too."
"Yes, but since you're so keen on saying I'm a thief, I think you, as the princess of our high school, should go in first."
"Huh... I never thought about it like that! You're right Veronica! Hey, maybe that blonde head isn't as empty as I thought!" Trixie giggled as she walked by, not noticing the scornful look Veronica was sending her way.
Trixie entered and looked around. "Alright, same as before. I'll look around down here, you head upstairs."
"Fine." Veronica went up the stairs and opened the first door she came to. "Empty too?" there were signs that someone lived in the room up until recently, she assumed Timmy, judging by the barely noticeable scent in the air. "What am I doing?" she could feel emotions welling up in her. Guilt for breaking into his house; longing for Timmy himself. Wiping her eyes of any signs of dampness, she left the room and checked the door across the hall.
This room, much like in Vicky's house, appeared to be Timmy's parents' room. It was furnished similarly, though there were more pictures on the wall, most didn't show Timmy however. Many of the pictures just showed his parents happily smiling, no Timmy to be found. "Hm... first no pictures of Vicky at her house, then no pictures of Timmy in his house... weird..."
"Veronica! You find anything?"
"No! I don't know what you hoped to find... but there's nothing here!"
She heard Trixie coming upstairs, then saw her enter the room. "There has to be! I spent too much of my time finding this information just to leave empty handed!" She began opening drawers, looking for anything she could use.
"Maybe-"
"Help me look!"
"Trixie, I don't think-"
"Wait! Did you find Timmy's room?"
"Yeah, but it was empty, just like Vicky's and... Tootie's... You think?"
"You read my mind! They must've moved out together! But they're too young to live on their own!"
"I don't think there are really any laws against-"
"Not now! I need to think!"
"So we're gonna be here a while?" Veronica smirked at Trixie, who ignored her comment.
"Hm... they must've moved out with Vicky. But where?"
"Well... Timmy's friends live in Dimmsdale, so I doubt he'd move out of town..."
"Ugh... you're no help at all!"
"Yes, let's ignore the fact that I picked the locks on two different houses for you."
"Fine. You're useful."
"Gee, thanks."
"I need to do more digging, there's nothing here... C'mon, let's go."
"So we came here for nothing?!"
"Looks that way. But at least you got to practice your favorite pastime. Silver linings."
Trixie left the house and Veronica followed, shutting and locking the door as she did.
"Well Trixie, as much as I'd like to say it's been fun... Goodbye." Veronica began to walk toward where she and the other upper class kids lived.
"You aren't going to wait for Max?"
"Nope. Wanna be by myself for a while..."
Trixie watched Veronica leave, then shook her head. "Weirdo. Why walk when someone can drive you?"