Hey, everybody, it's a nightmare, and welcome back to another chapter of Angelica's sensation. Before we start with today's chapter, thank you for the fantastic support this series is getting. I thought it wasn't a good enough series, but I was wrong anyway. Without further ado, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 4 vendetta

It was Friday morning at the Pickles' house, and everyone was busy with their usual routines downstairs. Tommy and Dil were getting ready for school as their parents instructed them. Meanwhile, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Kimi were waiting for the two boys in the living room. The group continued their conversation, and Phil again brought up the Halloween dance. He questioned his twin sister, Lil, about it as they walked to Tommy and Dil's house, discussing it on their way.'So, anybody else excited about next month's Halloween dance on the 30th, says Phil. He looked at the others to reply to his Question.

"Most definitely," Chuckie replied, his voice laced with sarcasm. "The last thing we need is another embarrassment after last year's Halloween dance."

His step-sister Kimi turned to face him, looking confused. "Are you overreacting about last year's incident? Chuckie, previous Halloween dances weren't bad enough for the other students who have already cheated, especially since the rules clearly state that anyone caught sneaking into the dance without purchasing a ticket during fifth-period lunch isn't welcome. It's not a big deal," she said.

"Besides, we were given a second chance to compete in the contest after the cheaters and those involved were sent home early. After what happened at last year's Halloween dance, which was a complete success, I overheard that this year's costume contest will take place on the night of the dance but in a different location. Also, the grand prize is better than you can imagine," Kimi added enthusiastically as she wrapped up her thoughts.

Chuckie turned to his step-sister and replied, "Yes, I'm overreacting about last year's incident. It's frustrating enough for someone who could've gone on a date with Nicole Boscarelli. Still, I have no excuses and no full explanation for why I didn't take the opportunity to ask her out. And what do you mean by the grand prize being better than we could imagine? How much do you know, and who told you?" he questioned Kimi.

"Could've," Chuckie replied to Kimi. "We assumed you had already decided to take Nicole to the Halloween dance, so we didn't consider whether or not you had the chance to ask her out."

Kimi added, "Let me see if I understand this correctly: You're saying that after waiting three months out of the twelve, with only two months remaining in 2014, you still don't have a natural explanation for that cause? Chuckie, come on, you have plenty of time to decide. As you mentioned, Phil, who chimed in, Kimi makes a good point here. But yeah, Chuckie's right. How could this year's Halloween dance be better than last year's?" Phil questioned Kimi, waiting for her response.

Kimi continued, "Yesterday after school, I spoke with the members of the Halloween crew who organized last year's dance. Fortunately, they shared valuable information about the upcoming Halloween event. After last year's dance was a massive success, I ran into one of the crew members during fifth-period lunch. They were discussing different locations for the event, but since non-member students can't talk about certain topics, I decided to be a bit nosy. I seized the opportunity to ask about it, and it turns out that the school has finally reached its fundraising goal, along with the money it earned from last year's dance. The next event will be held at the new party rental building near the Bowling, Alie," Kimi said excitedly. "This year's grand prize winners will receive unique prizes unless they come in first place," she added.

Kimi's sudden popularity surprised Phil, Lil, and Chuckie. They couldn't believe she had learned so much information in just a few minutes, primarily since Kimi hadn't been known for being popular. Lil broke the silence, her voice filled with disbelief as she looked at Kimi. "Wait, what? Are you telling us that you've withheld information about this year's new location all this time? Why didn't you mention this sooner, Kimi? I thought we were friends!"

"Whoa, take it easy now," Kimi replied, trying to keep her calm. "Jazz, I haven't spoken about this news because I wanted it to be a surprise during the morning announcements." She paused momentarily before continuing, "Plus, I was planning to share, but everyone was too busy with other important things, so don't get mad at me for reaching out." Kimi added as she finished explaining herself.

Chuckie was a bit confused at first, but then he realized what his sister meant by "important matters." "Oh yeah, never mind," he said. Lil noticed this behavior from Chuckie and recognized that he had completely forgotten about last year's conversation regarding the Thanksgiving drama with Angelcia.

"Look, dude," Lil said, facing Chuckie. "We understand where you're coming from, which was unexpected. But consider it this way: if you can't find a date by the time the Halloween dance comes around, I'd be happy to go with you. How does that sound?"

She waited for his reply. "Also, please try to remember," Lil whispered. "We don't want Timmy and Dil's parents to catch us talking about our drama because the last thing we want is another argument."

Chuckie said, "I'll accept your offer if I can't convince Nicole to attend the Halloween dance." "I promise I'll remember this time," he replied. As the others continued their conversation, Tommy and Dil walked downstairs, carrying their book bags and a sweater. They noticed the commotion from the others when they entered the living room and spotted the others by saying, 'Hey, everyone, sorry for the hold-up. Dil and I thought we had everything we needed before our afternoon classes. Anyway, you all ready to go asked Tommy while looking at the others.

"About time you and Dil showed up," said Phil. "We talked about the upcoming Halloween dance, just a few weeks away. Kimi also spoke with the crew members responsible for last year's Halloween dance."

"What did they say?" Dil asked.

Phil continued, "Well, Kimi managed to use her popularity to gather information from them. It turns out that this year's Halloween dance will be held at the new party rental building near the bowling alley. The grand prize winners will receive unique prizes unless we secure first place, which would come with a special prize that's even better than last year's."

"Awesome," Tommy commented. "I think it's worth the risk to enter that contest since we finally have a chance of winning this year's competition. Hopefully, we can succeed. But we must go now; the bus is almost here, and we don't want to be late for school."

Just before they were about to leave the house, their mother, Didi, walked in from the kitchen and stopped them. "Hold on, kids, before you go. Tommy and Dil, your cousin Angelica will stay with us for Thanksgiving dinner and winter break. Phil, Lil, Kimi, and Chuckie, your parents have already confirmed that you'll be coming back to our house after school, right?" she asked them.

Phil, Lil, Kimi, and Chuckie nodded in agreement, confirming that their parents had already informed them. Tommy and Dil also nodded.

"Wonderful. I hope you all have a great time at school and stay safe," she added, watching them walk out the door and onto the bus. Later in the afternoon, Tommy and Phil played basketball with their classmates in Jim's class while Mr. Pangborn monitored all the students during the basketball routines.

Tommy joined the other students and said, "It's clear that you and the others, including Dil, understand why you're all staying over." Phil replied, "Yeah, we've been wondering what happened between you and Angelica since the drama started and escalated. We tried asking around, but that didn't get us anywhere. To answer your earlier question, Chuckie mentioned that he had difficulty asking Nicole to do the Halloween dance. We thought he would have already asked her by now, but we were wrong; he should have everything under control." Tommy nodded in agreement, and the two boys continued their conversation as they made their way to Jim's class after it ended.

Later on, at the Pickles' house, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Kimi were upstairs in Tommy and Dil's bedroom discussing the Thanksgiving incident with their cousin Angelica.

Tommy peeked outside the bedroom door to make sure no one was listening. "What's going on with Angelica avoiding half the students at school?" Kimi asked Tommy. "I'm starting to suspect that Angelica is either hiding something or overwhelmed by anxiety," Kimi added, looking expectantly at Tommy and Dil as she sat on Dil's bed, with Lil next to her on the left.

Dil replied, "The reason Angelica avoids so many people at school is completely unknown to us. Asking around didn't help much. However, she's avoiding Tommy and me because she doesn't think we have the right to truly understand what she's dealing with at home and school."

"Whatever that means," Dil added.

"Have you and Tommy asked around the school if anyone has any leads or information? What about her friend Kimi? Have you questioned her?"Tommy and Dil looked at each other and back at each other as Tommy walked back to the bed by saying . 'we tried asking around the school, including her friends, Tommy stated. Nobody, not even her teachers, was willing to give us information on Angelcia's odd behavior. This all started around the 15 of November 2014, one week before Thanksgiving.

Flashback one week after Thanksgiving.

On November 15, Tommy and Dil returned home after a long day at school. They could hear their parents discussing Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen as they entered. "Hi, Mom and Dad! We're home from school," Tommy called out, following his younger brother, Dil.

"Hi, kids! How was school today?" their father asked, reading the newspaper at the table.

"School was all right," replied Tommy. "It's too bad we didn't win the Halloween contest, but there's always next year," he added. "Yeah, hopefully, next year will be better than the last few," their father said, putting the newspaper down. "By the way, your mother and I have something important to tell you, boys."

Tommy and Dil wondered what their parents were about to tell them. Their mother turned to face them and replied, "Your cousin Angelica will be staying over for Thanksgiving dinner. We know you boys don't get along with her, but please promise not to start any problems."

"That's the issue," Tommy said to his mom. "She's always blaming us for things that aren't our fault. She's been taking her frustrations out on us for the past couple of weeks."

"Yeah, we understand we don't get along with her, but it's hard to manage this situation, especially when talking doesn't seem to help," Dil added, expressing their side of the story.

"Look," their father interjected, "sometimes it's normal for family and friends to disagree. It's part of life. However, you mentioned that she's been taking her irritations out on you, which is unhealthy. Sooner or later, you, Dil, and Angelica will need to discuss it when the time is right," he said.

"Dad's right," Tommy said. "A conversation with her is needed whenever possible."

"Exactly," Dil agreed. "We'll have to figure it out together."

Tommy nodded in agreement with Del about having a good exchange with Angelica. After the boys conversed with their parents, Tommy and Dil headed upside down toward their bedroom. Meanwhile, while the boys were upstairs in their bedroom, Angelica's mother had dropped her off at her house as punishment for the next few weeks.

Angelica and her mother exited the car parked on the right-hand side of the house. She grabbed her blue and purple duffel bag from the front set while she closed the door behind her. It doesn't matter since I have to spend Thanksgiving weekend with those two always get on my nerves. It's a good thing that I spend so much time updating and expanding the map layout of the house itself, located inside my duffel bag hidden within my clothes underneath; she whispered while walking towards the house and knocking on the door.

Before Grandpa could sit on the couch chair in the leveling room, he knocked on the door overhead and wondered how he could be at the door. I'll answer it said, Grandpa Lou, getting up from the chair, walking towards the door, and opening it to see Angelica and her mother. Hello, Grandpa says, Angelica, walking inside the house. Hello, Angelica. It's been a while since I last saw you grow more mature since you were a child, he said.

She smiled at her grandpa, knowing he was the only person who understood. It doesn't seem that I've grown more mature enough, but hearing about how much I've grown is wholesome enough that I might be going places. She comments. Well, kiddo, you earned the right to get compliments for your hard work, he said, rubbing her head with his right hand. Anyway, you run along up and start with your belongings. Tommy and Dil should be upstairs. Don't forget to say hello to them before heading towards the guest room, replay Grandpa.

Angelica nodded, only to turn around while closing her eyes. Taking a deep breath and slowly released from her nose, knowing she was about to be a more paranoid haven to deal with her cousins. She started healing upstairs while carrying her duffel bag on her right shoulder. While she was heading upstairs, Tommy and Dil could hear Angelica walking toward their bedroom. She noted that her cousins talked about other things that didn't interest her while she passed the bedroom.

After a few minutes, she entered the guest bedroom on the left side of the house. "It's been a while since I've seen this room. Surprisingly, I have yet to learn that I have a complete house layout, including the bottom and top floors," she said, putting her duffel bag on top of the bed and opening it only to reach inside to grab the house layout.

I can't believe I upgraded the map fitting for most of the areas where the changes were needed for my escape tonight. She said, opening up the map and looking over the details of her escape. If memory serves me correctly, the only changes that were made were the guest bedroom leaving from the window was risky enough for having the right amount of blinds where I'm at right now, my uncle and aunt's bedroom is behind difficult if not done correctly and as for Tommy and dil there simply enough with come ease she says moving her eyes down to the lower map of the house.

That leaves the front door and the backyard; it would be easier to leave through the front door if it wasn't so noisy that's out the window, so my only possibility of escape is through the backyard, leaving me with no other option she said before putting the map layout back into her Duffel bag.

While Angelica was putting her map layout of the house away inside her duffel bag, her cousins Tommy and Dil decided to head toward the guest bedroom where she was located. You understand that we have to talk about how you just walked past our room without saying something, and what is the problem with, said Tommy, standing near the doorway with Dil. Why would you two bother me to ask such a question when I don't have to answer your annoying, stupid question, especially if the situation is none of your business? It's always a good idea to annoy Angelica or dig into my problems when everyone is constantly questioning me, making a nuisance out of myself. Nobody appreciates anything. I worked hard to blame Angelica's comments before the three of them started whispering and arguing with each other.

After the argument that the three had, Angelica started crying over the argument she just had. I am trying to understand why I have so many problems with them. It is a never-ending cycle of getting blamed for unnecessary drama involving not working hard enough around the house and always coming back and forth between home and work. I'm exhausted from this unhealthy situation; my mother doesn't seem to understand that I'm sick and tired of her being an ungrateful mother. We argue with each other and can't get along, she said while letting her frustration out.

A few hours later, around nighttime, Angelica's phone started vibrating from a text message from Susie saying she and her sister were a few minutes away from the house and should arrive in less than two minutes. She started grabbing her phone, which was located on the nightstand on the right side of the window, including her contract ticket along with her sweatshirts for her and Susie, which she bought online from the concert website. Before leaving the guest bedroom, Angelica fixed the bedsheets and pillows. She took one of the pillows from the middle of the bed and placed both the pillows on top of each other, making it look like she never left the room.

Angelica walked out of the guest bedroom into the hallway while putting on her sneakers. Once She finished putting on her sneakers ahead of her aunt and uncle's bedroom, carefully sneaking past their bedroom along with her cousins; after making it halfway through the house now downstairs, she quickly turned her head right to face the empty kitchen with nobody else in plain sight just before she thought it was clear to proceed, Grandpa could be spotted entering the house from the backyard door. Angelica continued strolling until both Grandpa and Angelica spotted each other.

Angelica said, Grandpa, what are you doing up this time of night he said, whipping with a curious look on his face, waiting for her reply. Angelica took a deep breath and replied. ' the truth is Grandpa. 'I'm currently sneaking out of the house for a concert that I'd been planning on taking Susie for her birthday today, but mother and I started disagreeing with each other after she had allowed me to buy concert tickets but randomly changed her mind and said that I couldn't go after working hours at work grounded me for arguing with her she comments. Please, Grandpa, I've been waiting for this particular event, she pleads.

Grandpa sighed in relief, knowing her mother was in the wrong. The good news is that you are honest and told the truth about your mother not allowing you to attend this concert. It is fitting that you're technically grounded for arguing with her, and I understand that your dealing with problems with your Mother is unhealthy. Still, just between the two, you're free to go with Susie, have fun, and be safe. Please remember to be careful when you enter the house through the backyard. Grandpa whipped before heading upstairs and allowing Angelica through.

Thanks, Grandpa. You're the best, and I promise, Angelica replied. Don't worry, she whispered with a smile. She left the house through the background, closing the door slowly. Then, she took off and headed to the Ice London concert with Susie and her older sister, Alyssa.

End of flashback.

After Tommy and Dil shared their side of the story, Phil, Lil, Kimi, and Chuckie were dumbfounded by what they learned about Angelica.

Kimi spoke up first, saying, "Let me get this straight. She's been taking her irritation out on you and Dil for the past couple of weeks. It might as well be all of us," Kimi exclaimed. "I'm frustrated that nobody else is doing anything to stop this."

Lil then chimed in, adding, "More importantly, I have a feeling she's either hiding something from us or someone is keeping information from coming out." She wore a curious expression. "I'm going with both of Phil's claims. Angelica is hiding something from us and preventing information from being revealed."

"Yeah, I agree with your dad," Lil continued. "Eventually, this situation must be addressed, and Susie will likely question us before long."

"What do you mean by 'might as well be all of us'?" Tommy asked Kimi, raising an eyebrow.

"What she means is that Angelica has been dealing with the same problems we've been facing, but worse," Lil explained. "It's been happening since the beginning of my sophomore year. One minute, she's friendly, and the next, she's acting like we're destroying her life or mental state over things we barely control," Lil added.

"Since the beginning of my sophomore year," Tommy echoed. "We will have to have a long conversation with Angelica and Susie, and I'm not ready."

"Don't blame the guy," Phil said. "Anyway, we should get ready for bed. But let's say that Angelica hid information that could complicate this situation. Who could be intelligent enough to manipulate things like this?" Phil questioned.

"Well said, Lil. I believe a few suspects are involved in this situation that Kimi and I may have identified from a conversation we overheard. We can discuss that later," she replied to her brother.

After the conversation, the whole gang started getting ready for bed. Once everyone else settled down, Tommy turned off the lights and found sleeping difficult.

End of chapter. Four

Hello, my fantastic reader's nightmare. I hope you all are doing great during the holiday season. I'm sorry for publishing the chapter sooner or later; I've been busy lately, and it's the holiday season. Anyway, thank you for your patience. I appreciate it. Without further ado, see you all in chapter five, the Halloween Dance part 1. See you guys then.