The Parrot Predicament

Chapter 4

I don't know why I wanted to keep Noah a secret from Tiffany. Maybe once I knew Noah better, I'd tell her. But only Tiffany. My parents would freak out and my sister would make a big deal over it. And not the good kind of big deal. The bad kind, where she'd go on and on about how Noah could be some sort of stalker murderer killer. That girl reads too many horror stories.

Not only that, but Alice has been known to blackmail me. She'd probably tell our parents unless I do some outrageous favor for her.

After school, in the privacy of my room, I responded to Noah's message, and he responded back fairly quick. We hit it off real well. And the kicker? He only lived about ten minutes away. And was 19. I had just turned 17 the previous month. Only a two year age gap there, despite me being in 11th grade. That wasn't bad, right?

While in the middle of hinting to Noah that we should totally meet up somewhere very public, Alice walked in. I alt-tabbed to an essay I was supposed to be writing.

"I know what you're doing," she said ominously.

I swore internally. How did she find out about me and Noah so fast? I tried to think of excuses to any form of proof she had between us, and how she would've obtained such evidence. Was she snooping through my computer or phone? No, she didn't know the passwords to either. But how else could she know? I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I know what I'm doing too," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I'm writing an essay on the American Revolution."

Alice stuck her nose in the air. "Don't play dumb. I'm talking about the Gamefest contest. $2,000 grand prize. I overheard Lars and Lexy talking about it."

Oh yeah, I needed $2,000. In the excitement of Noah, it slipped my mind. "So what if I am?"

"You're good." Alice said. "Real good. You'll win this thing."

"Thanks for the encouragement," I said. "You're the best artist I know and if you ever enter an art contest, you'll win for sure."

"I want in."

I swiveled my chair to study her. The expression on her face was one of determination. Jaw set. Arms crossed. A spark of defiance in her eye. She wouldn't back down without a fight. "What?"

"I want half the money."

I shook my head. "Not happening. I need every dollar of it."

Alice flopped down on my bed. "What for?"

"It's personal," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Besides, why should I give you any of it?"

"Because if you don't, I'll tell Mom and Dad about those dating simulation games you play late at night. When you should be asleep." Alice arched her eyebrow. "You know? The M-rated ones. Uncensored."

Shit. How did she know about those?

"And I'll tell everyone at school too."

My heart skipped a beat. "You wouldn't."

"I won't as long as you give me half your prize money." Alice grinned deviously.

She had me. Mom and Dad would die if they knew about those games. And I'd die if everyone at school found out. I strummed my fingers on the desk. "I can't, I need the money too much."

"Why?"

"I just do."

"If you don't want me telling on you, then you have to either give me the money, or tell me why you can't give me the money."

The defiant spark had returned. She struck a tough bargain. "You have to promise me," I said. "Promise, not to tell a single person what I am about to tell you."