Fabulous Five 026 - Laura's Secret

by Betsy Haynes

  There was a moment of silence.

  "And, of course, you know that's not true," Funny concluded in a little voice. "Tammy was out in the living room the whole time. She couldn't possibly have seen down the hall and into your room."

  "She just made up the story," Melissa said.

  Laura gulped. "But why?"

  Melissa looked Laura straight in the eyes. "Because she really likes you, Laura. She would do almost anything for you. Even lie."

  There was another awkward silence.

  "Well, I still don't see why Tammy would do that," said Laura.

  "Don't you get it?" Funny asked in astonishment. "People are more likely to believe your story if it's two people against one. Tammy did it so that everyone would believe that Alexis is lying."

  Laura's stomach felt tied in knots. It was obvious that Funny and Melissa still didn't believe her.

  "Maybe you'll give some thought to Alexis and this whole situation over the weekend," Funny suggested hopefully.

  Laura's eyes narrowed. "And why would I want to waste a perfectly good weekend thinking about Alexis? She accused me in public of lying!"

  "Alexis has a very good reputation," Funny said gently. "Everybody likes her."

  "Just what are you trying to say?" asked Laura, her voice rising in anger.

  "Just that—" Funny stammered a little, "just that I like her, too."

  "And you believe her and not me?" Laura demanded, her teeth clenched tightly and her eyes blazing.

  "I didn't say that," Funny replied. "I just like her."

  "So do I," Melissa offered.

  "More than you like The Fantastic Foursome?" asked Laura. "If The Fantastic Foursome means anything to you, you'd better be careful! You'd better choose sides very carefully, do you hear me?"

  Funny gazed at Laura calmly. "I don't think I want to choose sides. I think I'd like to have lots of friends." Turning to Melissa, she added, "I think we'd better go now."

  "Good idea," said Melissa.

  Laura's mouth dropped open. Never had the other girls in The Fantastic Foursome doubted her, never had any of them walked away from her when she was angry. And Funny and Melissa looked so calm! They were practically breaking up The Fantastic Foursome, and they didn't even look upset!

  "We'll be at the mall tomorrow," Funny told her. "If you feel like coming, we'll see you there."

  The two girls disappeared through the door. Laura stood stiffly in the middle of the living room and listened to their footsteps disappear down the hall.

  She felt completely and utterly alone.

  CHAPTER 10

  The mall was crowded with Saturday shoppers by the time Laura arrived the next morning. She hadn't slept well during the night, but the adrenaline rushing through her kept her alert as she thought about meeting The Fantastic Foursome.

  Tammy, Funny, and Melissa. What was happening with them? Would they get through this and remain friends? Laura had never felt so out of control. Any moment her group might break up.

  Tammy at least was loyal. She would do anything for Laura. And wasn't that the way friendship should be? Maybe only Tammy would remain her friend. Was it possible to have a group of only two? Well, it wouldn't have to be just two. Practically every girl in seventh grade was dying to get into The Fantastic Foursome. Her clique! After all, Laura McCall was somebody at Wakeman.

  But the thought of a new clique without Funny and Melissa was awful. Would two of her very best friends become her enemies? Would they talk about her behind her back, and start hanging around with The Fabulous Five? Funny was already good friends with Jana Morgan.

  That was too much even to think about. Laura willed herself to think about other things.

  Laura headed for Taco Plenty, the usual meeting spot for The Fantastic Foursome. She spotted Melissa, Funny, and Tammy already sitting together in their favorite spot along the edge of the eating area. Funny always said it was a perfect place to see "the action." What she meant was it was a perfect place to watch the boys go by. Her friends were leaning over their sodas and talking. They didn't see her coming.

  I'm going to be really up, Laura decided. Funny and Melissa will think that what they said last night didn't faze me a bit!

  "Hi, everybody," she called, as she approached the girls' table. She planted a friendly smile on her face.

  "Hi," Tammy said brightly. "Sit down."

  Laura sat down, still careful to keep the smile firmly in place, and glanced at Funny and Melissa. They were watching her carefully, probably curious about how she would act after the scene last night.

  "Any kids around?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

  "Shane was over by the mall entrance when we came in," reported Funny with her usual giggle. "We've been keeping an eye on him for you."

  Instinctively Laura spun around and looked over her shoulder. "I didn't see him," she said. "Maybe he'll come by here in a few minutes."

  "Beth Barry and Jana Morgan and Melanie Edwards are sitting over there." Melissa nodded across the courtyard.

  "Great," Laura said sarcastically. "Who else?"

  "Some eighth-graders are getting burritos," replied Melissa. "More kids should get here pretty soon."

  "Oh, there's Sara Sawyer," said Funny, looking up from her soda. "She's with Lisa Snow."

  Laura's stomach flipped over. Sara and Lisa were Alexis's best friends. That meant Alexis would probably show up, too.

  Laura wanted to avoid Sara and Lisa.

  "Want to do some shopping at Juniors' Jungle?" she asked.

  "Sure," Tammy piped up.

  "Yeah, I'll come, too," said Funny. "I heard there's a sale on jeans."

  "What're we waiting for?" asked Melissa.

  The girls got up and trooped down the mall corridor.

  "Hi, Laura. Hi, everybody!"

  The voice belonged to Shane Arrington. He was leaning up against a support pillar in the corridor, with a big grin on his face. Laura felt her heart flutter. He was so cute. She would die if he turned against her. So what if he was dating Melanie Edwards? That couldn't last forever.

  "Hi, Shane," called Laura. Then a new thought occurred to her. He must believe me instead of Alexis. Otherwise he wouldn't be so friendly.

  The girls clustered around him.

  "So what's goin' on?" He was asking everyone, but he was looking at Laura.

  Her heart fluttered faster. "Not too much," she replied.

  "Hey, what's all this stuff about Alexis?" he asked. "I can't believe she'd steal anything, but I guess you never know."

  A sudden burst of giggles from Funny jolted Laura to attention. She threw a warning look at Funny, who shrank back in embarrassment. Funny and her stupid giggling, Laura thought angrily, and her rotten sense of timing. Laura forced a smile as she turned back to Shane. "What did you say?" she asked sweetly.

  "I was talking about Alexis," Shane said, "and how hard it is to imagine her stealing, but I guess you never know about anybody."

  Laura shrugged. "I guess not," she said. Feeling Funny's and Melissa's eyes boring into her, she decided to change the subject. "How's Igor, Shane?"

  Igor was Shane's pet iguana. If you asked Shane about Igor, you instantly became his friend.

  Shane grinned. "Terrific, how else? He made the whole family pancakes for breakfast this morning. What a cook! He didn't even use a cookbook."

  The girls giggled, and Laura was relieved to see that Funny and Melissa seemed to have forgotten Alexis.

  "Igor gets smarter every day," remarked Funny. "Last week you said he repaired your mom's washing machine."

  "Yup," said Shane. A wide smile broke across his face. "He got straight A's in technical school."

  Funny giggled. "I can just see him picking up his diploma at graduation."

  "Hey, he looked totally handsome in his cap and flowing red gown." Shane's tone was perfectly serious.

  "Red?" asked Melissa.

  "The technical school's colors," Shane explained. "Red and white."


  Laura laughed, feeling the release of tension in her group.

  "We're on our way to Juniors' Jungle," Funny told him. "Want to come along?"

  Shane rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right, and sit around while you girls try on clothes." He grinned. "Not my idea of a great time."

  The girls said good-bye and started to move away.

  "Oh, and Laura—" he called after them.

  Laura turned around.

  "Hang in there," Shane said, giving her a thumbs-up sign.

  Laura felt a rush of relief. Shane was on her side. "Thanks," she said.

  Melissa snorted and shook her head.

  "What's the matter?" Tammy asked Melissa, loud enough for Laura to hear.

  "Never mind," Melissa mumbled. "Just never mind."

  Laura glanced at Melissa and felt the worry creep into the pit of her stomach again. She was losing Melissa and Funny, even though she seemed to be gaining the confidence of some of the other kids.

  Laura felt a hand on her arm. "There's Alexis," Tammy whispered.

  Alexis was standing with Sara Sawyer and Lisa Snow. Laura blinked and then frowned. Alexis looked awful! She had dark circles under her eyes, her hair was stringy, her shoulders were stooped, and she looked exhausted.

  "I wonder what's the matter with her," said Tammy.

  "Maybe she's feeling as if no one likes her anymore," Funny responded, looking daggers at Laura.

  "That's ridiculous," snapped Laura. "She's one of the most popular girls in school."

  "Maybe she used to be," Melissa replied, looking directly at Tammy. "Before rumors about her being a thief started to fly around."

  Laura was silent. But inside her head, questions screamed out to be answered. What am I going to do? How can I possibly get out of this mess?

  "I don't want to see Alexis," said Funny. "Let's get out of here."

  "Good idea," agreed Melissa.

  "Let's look in here," Tammy suggested, heading into a store.

  "It's for guys!" Laura said, pointing to the display in the window.

  But it was too late to stop her friends. Funny, Melissa, and Tammy had already gone into the store and were disappearing behind racks of men's suits.

  "Laura," came a voice from behind her.

  Laura whirled around to see Alexis, Lisa, and Sara.

  "Hi." Laura felt her heart suddenly beating wildly.

  "Laura, I need to talk to you," said Alexis.

  Laura knew she was trapped. "Okay."

  Alexis motioned to Lisa and Sara to leave them alone. Then she led Laura to a bench in the middle of the mall.

  Alexis turned around to face Laura, and Laura could see the defeat in her eyes.

  "Well, I give up, Laura," Alexis said. Her voice was lifeless.

  "What?" Laura asked incredulously.

  "Just what I said. I give up."

  "I don't know what you mean," Laura replied.

  "You set out to get me," said Alexis. "You told everyone I'm a thief just to cover up your own lies, and now you and Tammy have everybody believing you."

  Laura could feel the heat climbing up her neck. She didn't speak.

  "I just wanted you to know that I'm not going to fight you anymore," Alexis continued. "You win."

  "I win?" Laura whispered.

  "That's right. You win. I won't protest anymore. You can say whatever you want and get Tammy to back you up. I'm tired of fighting you."

  Laura opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She closed it again.

  "I'm tired of trying to prove myself to kids at school. My real friends know the truth—that I'm innocent—but I can't prove to everybody else that you made up that story. And guess what? I don't even want to try anymore. You win. Congratulations."

  There was no sarcasm in Alexis's voice. Only defeat. And sadness.

  Alexis turned and walked away toward the mall's exit.

  Laura stood there for a long time, watching as Alexis's form got smaller and smaller.

  She felt a strange emptiness inside.

  CHAPTER 11

  "So what did Alexis want?" Tammy asked over the telephone. "You left the mall so fast, we didn't get a chance to ask you."

  "Yeah, um well—"

  "We saw Alexis come up and say she wanted to talk to you," Tammy interrupted.

  "Right," Laura confirmed, sinking onto her bed. A phone conversation with Tammy Lucero was the last thing in the world she wanted right now. "She . . . she just wanted to talk."

  "What did she say?" Tammy persisted.

  "Well, she—I guess she isn't going to fight anymore," Laura said.

  "Good!" exclaimed Tammy. "Now maybe people will believe you."

  "Believe me?" Laura echoed, her mind still whirling from Alexis's surprise announcement at the mall and the miserable look on her face when she made it.

  "About your maid," Tammy said. "Alexis made it sound as if you were the one who was lying."

  "Oh. Yeah, I know," Laura murmured, but somehow Tammy's words didn't make her feel any better.

  "Hey, how come you disappeared so fast from the mall?" asked Tammy. "Funny, Melissa, and I looked all over for you."

  "Uh, I just didn't feel well," Laura mumbled. "I'm sorry I didn't say good-bye."

  "Oh, well—that's okay. We just wondered where you'd gone. We thought maybe Alexis had said something that made you want to leave."

  "Oh, no," Laura protested. "I . . . I got a stomachache."

  "Gosh, that's too bad. Feeling better?"

  "Yeah," answered Laura.

  "Great," Tammy said. "Well . . . see you at school on Monday."

  "Right." Laura hung up the phone and lay back on her bed.

  Why does life have to be so complicated? she wondered. She thought back to the day she had invented the story about having a maid. It seemed like a million years ago. What had The Fantastic Foursome been talking about, anyway?

  Oh, yes, she remembered. Melissa had made some comment about what she was wearing. Her clothes looked old and wrinkled, or something like that. So Laura had started that harmless little lie. And that one teensy lie had snowballed and snowballed until it turned into a total disaster. If only Melissa hadn't made that nasty remark about her shirt.

  That's right, Laura thought, sitting up again. Melissa had started the whole thing. If she hadn't been so critical of Laura, this mess would never have happened. Laura frowned as she thought about Melissa. If The Fantastic Foursome split up, maybe it wouldn't be so bad not to have Melissa-the-Perfect around always criticizing!

  "But Melissa didn't start the lie," whispered a little voice-in her mind. "You did."

  Laura sighed. She felt sad, tired, and fed up with people. She had done all she could to keep everything under control. Melissa's pickiness and Tammy's big mouth were a lot to put up with.

  Laura thought about Alexis. Poor Alexis. She had looked so awful at the mall. So disappointed in everything. And so hurt.

  A rush of guilt washed over Laura. She really liked Alexis. It made her feel terrible to think she had hurt her.

  Well, Laura corrected herself indignantly, I really wasn't the one who hurt Alexis. It was Tammy who spread the rumors about her. If Tammy had minded her own business and kept her mouth shut the way I told her to, Alexis wouldn't be so hurt, The Fantastic Foursome wouldn't be about to break up, and I wouldn't be so miserable.

  "But Tammy wasn't the one who lied," whispered the little voice.

  I can't blame it on anyone but myself, she thought.

  Laura rolled over on her stomach. She had to figure out a way to get out of this horrible mess. But most important, she knew she had to make things right again.

  It had all started with the maid. That stupid, rotten maid—

  An idea flashed in Laura's mind. She stretched out on the bed and let her mind play with the thought and develop it.

  That's it! she thought excitedly when she had it worked out just right. The maid had started this whole thing. And now the maid would get her out of it!


  All the kids at school greeted Laura with friendly smiles and waves on Monday morning. Tammy must have spread the word about Alexis, she realized. They're all on my side now.

  Laura thought about letting go of the whole incident and not going through her with plan. It was tempting. Even the best plans could backfire, and if hers backfired, everyone would know she had lied.

  Laura went into the empty bathroom before lunch and into one of the stalls. A minute later she heard the bathroom door open and feet shuffle in.

  "It's so hard to believe," a voice said. Laura recognized it as Beth Barry's.

  "I know," replied her friend Jana Morgan. "Alexis has always been such a great person. How could she possibly have done something awful like steal?"

  Laura peeked at the girls through the crack in the door. Jana and Beth were brushing their hair in front of the mirror.

  "I can't believe it, either," Beth said. "But when you've got the word of two people—even when those two people happen to be Laura McCall and Tammy Lucero—against one person, you have to wonder a little."

  Laura gritted her teeth at the mention of her name.

  "I always thought Alexis was almost perfect," Jana commented. "She gets good grades, she's nice to people, she has lots of friends—"

  "Not so many now," Beth interrupted. "I heard that Sally and Jennifer had planned to invite her to their party, but now they've decided not to. They say they're not going to hang around with her until it's proven one way or the other if she's a thief."

  "They're afraid Alexis might steal from them?" asked Jana.

  "Right," said Beth.

  "Wow," exclaimed Jana. "I thought in this country we're supposed to be innocent until proven guilty."

  "But have you seen Alexis today?" asked Beth. "She looks like something the cat dragged in! She's acting weird, too, keeping to herself, walking along the hall as close to the lockers as she can get."

  "I don't know what to think," said Jana. "I'm going to be nice to her, but I'm going to be careful, too. It's just so sad.''

  The girls filed out of the bathroom.

  As soon as they were gone, Laura opened the stall door and moved to the mirror. She took out some blush from her backpack and brushed it on, all the while thinking about Alexis.