After stopping by the bathroom to clean my shirt, Lars and I finally got to work on our project. By the time 4:50 hit, we had finished the script, and planned to meet up again the next day to do the recording. I couldn't wait.

We headed off to the student union where students were still setting up their exhibits. I spotted Alice across the room, and she waved me over.

"Mom and Dad are outside right now," Alice said as we approached. "What's with the bird?"

"This is Molly." I ducked as Molly stretched out her wings, her talons on my shoulder tightening. "I get to take care of her for the night."

"I don't think Dad will like that." Alice tucked strands of her brown hair behind her ear, and worked on setting up an easel.

"Whatever." I picked up a stack of four various drawings taped onto thick, black matte board. The top drawing was of a fluffy, brown dog. It looked very realistic, and very familiar. "Is this Woofer?" Woofer had grown up with us, but died several years ago.

"Yes. Actually, hand me it. I'll put it on here."

I handed it over, and noticed the next drawing. A rather professional portrait drawing of a man's face. Black, straight hair ended at his chiseled jawline. I let out a guffaw that made Molly squawk. "Is this supposed to be Cameron Brook?" Cameron Brook being an actor nobody has heard of. Because he'd only been in three movies. Playing forgettable background characters.

Alice blushed furiously, and snatched the drawing from my hand.

"Who?" Lars asked.

"An actor Alice is in love with. You've probably never heard of him. No one has."

"Shut up," Alice grumbled.

"Shut up," Molly mimicked.

Just then, Tiffany walked by, and stopped to exchange hellos.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Providing refreshments," Tiffany said flatly. "I baked cupcakes and cookies for the show."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"I've been saying that all week. I even complained about it earlier- how I spent all last night cooking? Remember?"

"No."

Tiffany let out an exasperated sigh. "You're impossible."

"And your cooking is impossible to resist." I followed Tiffany over to the refreshments, passing by exhibits in different states of completion. "You have got to try one of Tiff's cupcakes," I said to Lars. "They are to die for."

"Sounds good."

Tiffany finally noticed Molly, who had yet to leave my shoulder. "Why do you have a parrot?"

"Long story," I said. "I'll tell you about it over cupcakes."

"Are you sure you should have a bird in here?" Tiffany asked as we arrived at a round table. Plates of cupcakes and cookies were on display, along with cups of fruit punch and water.

"She's well behaved," I said, reaching over to grab a bite-sized chocolate cupcake. "Man, these are small. Why didn't you bake the bigger ones?"

"Because bigger ones take longer," Tiffany said.

Lars took a bite out of a vanilla cupcake. "These are good!"

Molly decided right then and there to show how well behaved she was by fluttering off my shoulder and onto the table.

"Molly, get back here!" I would've snatched her immediately, but that would require dropping my precious cupcake. So I shoved it in my mouth first before reaching out for her. But Lars was quicker, and had her in his hands.

Molly bit Lars' finger. He swore, dropping Molly on the floor. She waddled away, and I dove down to grab her. But not in time to stop a foot from crushing down on her. "NO!"

The foot's owner jumped back. It turned out being an older man I didn't recognize. Possibly someone's father. "I'm sorry! Is it hurt?" The man bent down to inspect the bird, along with me, Lars, and Tiffany.

Molly appeared lifeless. Her wings were splayed out in awkward angles, and her eyes were closed. Since her body was red, it was hard to tell if she was bleeding. But she might've been. I poked her, but she didn't move. "I think she's dead." I looked up at the man, but he was gone. "Where'd he go?"

Lars and Tiffany glanced around while the grave seriousness of the situation struck me. A lump formed in my throat. "Oh no... Ms. Gold is going to kill me!"

"Ms. Gold?" Tiffany asked.

"Ms. Gold isn't going to kill you," Lars said, patting at my shoulder. Where Molly had perched mere moments ago. "She won't be able to kill you, because you'll already be dead by the time Lexy's done with you."

"Lexy?" Tiffany tilted her head. "Okay- can we start from the beginning?"

I took off my hoodie, and used it to bundle Molly up like a newborn baby. Except I covered her head as well. The three of us walked outside. "It'll be okay," I said aloud. "It'll all be okay. We just need to-"

A group of students pushed past us, and through the doors. Judging by the amount of people headed in our direction, it must be time for the show. I spotted Mr. Rondello not far behind, and jerked my head towards the back of the building. We'd be more secluded there. The last thing we needed were teachers poking their noses where they didn't belong.

But Lars didn't get the memo. Instead, he waved. "Hi Mr. Rondello!"

"What are you doing?" I hissed at him.

Lars shrugged. "I want to say hi."

Mr. Rondello waved back. I prayed to God for him to leave it at a greeting. To not stop for idle chit chat. And notice the bundled sweatshirt in my arms. And start asking why I was holding it all weird.

But God must've hated me, for Mr. Rondello stopped to exchange a few words. "I wasn't expecting to see you three here."

His tone was friendly with a dash of awkwardness. Nothing new there, but I couldn't help wondering if I should be offended by his words. I kept my mouth shut and stepped back to hide myself in the shadows. For a second, I debated on sneaking away from the group first chance.

Of course, Lars made that impossible. All with one simple sentence. "We're going to see Emma's sister's exhibit."

I winced. Please don't look at me.

Mr. Rondello looked at me. "I didn't know you had a sister."

"Yeah, she's a freshmen," I said, struggling to keep my voice even. I tightened my arms around my hoodie. Hopefully there weren't any feathers poking out. I didn't dare check. "Her name's Alice."

"I'll keep an eye out for her work."

"Yeah, you go do that. Like, right now." I smiled a forced smile.

"Can we read Macbeth when we're done with Animal Farm?" Lars asked, further continuing the conversation. "I've always wanted to read that one."

Tiffany furrowed her brow. "Why not read it on your own time?"

"Because I'm too stupid to understand it. I need that class discussion."

"Lars, don't say that about yourself," Mr. Rondello said. "You're perfectly capable of reading it on your own."

I tried not to roll my eyes at his optimism.

"And if you have any questions, you can always talk to me about it. In fact, I would love for you to discuss it with me. Or any book with me." Mr. Rondello let out a sigh and added under his breath, "Why doesn't anyone ever want to talk to me about books?" 

We all stared awkwardly at each other. I mentally urged Mr. Rondello to leave. And he looked ready to. But luck was not on my side, for an old man appeared near us. My Algebra 2 teacher.

"Hi Mr. Milburn," Lars called, waving at him.

And of course, Mr. Milburn approached our group. "Mr. Burke," he said to Lars in that slow, droning voice of his. For some reason, Mr. Milburn insisted on calling everyone by their last name. Something I found quite annoying. "Ms. Nguyen, and Ms. McKernal."

"You can just call me Emma," I said between gritted teeth. Please go away.

"And young Russell." Mr. Milburn clasped Mr. Rondello's shoulder. I guess teachers were exempt from his last name rule, oddly enough. "Lovely to see you all here, supporting young artists." Mr. Milburn adjusted his glasses and squinted at me, eyes darting down to my hoodie bundle. "Ms. McKernal, you look like you're hiding something."

I struggled to control my breathing, and let out an awkward laugh. "Really? Because I'm not."

"Whatever it is, we're probably happier not knowing," Mr. Rondello said in a joking tone of voice. "I've already heard the story about the duck in the pudding."

"Oh, I had forgotten about that. I believe it was a goose, but it sure was something." Mr. Milburn stroked his chin. "You know, she reminds me of my cousin sometimes. Always up to mischief. Why, I remember, back in 1978. It was a warm afternoon in June, and I had just gotten my teaching credential."

Oh God, not one of his never-ending stories. Molly's body would be decomposed by the time he'd finish.

Mr. Milburn glanced at us three, and lowered his voice. "But it's not an appropriate story for the children." Mr. Milburn patted Mr. Rondello's shoulder, directing him away from our group. "We were at a pet store, looking at parakeets..."

Me, Lars, and Tiffany watched the two teachers walk away, and through the school doors. Finally, the Lord was on my side. And he must've been on my side all along, because Mr. Milburn gave me an idea.

But I was still upset at Lars for almost getting me in trouble. One arm pressing Molly against my chest, I used my other arm to grab his shirt, and drag him behind the building. Tiffany followed.

"Way to go genius," I spat as I released my hold from him. "You almost got us caught!"

"Excuse me for wanting to talk to my two favorite teachers." Lars rubbed the wrinkles I left on his shirt sleeve. "It's not like you'll keep this from Ms. Gold anyway. She's gonna find out."

"I will, and she won't," I said. "I have an idea. Where's the nearest pet store?"

"Pet store?" Tiffany frowned.

Lars slapped his hand over his forehead. "Please don't tell me you're gonna do what I think you're gonna do."

"Macaws are popular birds," I said. "Every cartoon pet shop has one, after all. Or maybe we can find someone selling one online."

"Ms. Gold will be able to tell it's a different bird."

I waved my hand dismissively. "All macaws look the same. Ms. Gold will be gone awhile. She'll forget every little detail about Molly."

"I don't know," Lars said. "She's had Molly for a long time. I'm sure if we told her the truth-"

"I'm not telling her the truth!"

"I still don't know what's going on," Tiffany said, "but I have never heard of that idea working."

"Only because that idea has never been done by me. Just watch. We'll get away with it."

"Get away with what?" a voice asked. The three of us turned around. Lexy had found our hiding spot. I squeezed the bundle against my chest

Lars smiled, ruffling his hair. "Lexy... What are you doing here?"

"I finished dealing with the car mess earlier than I expected, so I had my parents drive me here to get Molly. I don't trust Emma with her."

"Hey!" I protested.

"Molly would be gone by the end of the night," Lexy said. "Either missing or dead. Or seriously ill from cupcakes. I had one of yours, Tiff, and it was as good as ever." She flashed Tiffany a smile. Tiffany ducked her head, blushing at the praise.

I frowned. 'Tiff' was my nickname for Tiffany. No one else's. I raised my chin high. "I'll have you know that Molly is doing great right now. Happy, healthy, and still with us."

"Where is she then?" Lexy asked. "And you never answered my first question. What were you talking about?"

"Cheating on my math test," I said quickly.

Lexy folded her arms across her chest. "Please. Even if you cheated, you'd still fail. What are you hiding in your sweatshirt?"

"Nothing!"

"If you are hiding Molly's dead body and were coming up with some scheme to replace her with an identical parrot so Ms. Gold won't find out, I swear."

Sheepishly, I uncovered Molly, and held her out. Lexy struck her palm against her chest, sucking in a breath. "Oh my God, you did not."

"It wasn't my fault."

"I left you alone with her for an hour, and you somehow managed to kill her!"

"It was an accident." Lars surprisingly came to my defense. "She bit my finger and fell to the floor and a man stepped on her."

"I still would like to know the whole story," Tiffany said, "as to why Emma had a parrot to begin with."

"I bet I can find someone selling a macaw online by the time Lars is finished filling Tiffany in on the whole story," I said, rolling Molly's corpse out of my hoodie and into the nearest bush.

Lexy and Lars explained the situation to Tiffany while I used my phone to search for macaws in our area. There were quite a few listings. My jaw dropped at the prices. I thought a parrot would cost $20. Not $2,000!

"Oh-kay," I said, as soon as Tiffany was filled in. "How much money do you all have?"

"I just got $50 for my birthday," Lars said. "But I spent 40 of it on cheese fries." We all stared at him. He shrugged his shoulders. "What?"

"I have $200 saved up from babysitting," Lexy said.

"Tiffany babysits too," I said, giving her a nudge.

Tiffany stared at me in confusion for a moment. "Do you mean tutoring?"

"Same thing. Didn't you say you had, like, $800 saved up?"

"That's going towards college," Tiffany said. "And I don't see why I'm getting dragged into this."

"Because you're my best friend, and that's what best friends do." I pulled her into a one armed hug. "Come on. I'll pay you back eventually."

Tiffany closed her eyes, letting out a sigh. "How much of it do you need?"

"All of it."

Tiffany's eyes shot open. "What!"

"And I'll need your $10." I pointed at Lars, then at Lexy. "And your $200. I only have $40."

"Wait, hold on." Lexy pinched the bridge of her nose. "How much is a macaw?"

"The cheapest one I found is $1,800," I said.

Everyone exchanged looks. "Yeah, I think we should just be honest with Ms. Gold," Lars said.

Lexy gaped at him. "Are you crazy? Ms. Gold will be furious if she knew I gave her prized pet to... her." She scrunched her nose as she gestured towards me. "She might even take me out of the play. And ban me from future plays. I could lose my chance at a scholarship to UCLA. We cannot tell her the truth!"

I never would've expected Lexy to side with me. But I wasn't complaining. "Two against one," I said. "We're gonna scrounge up a couple thousand smackaroos, and buy us a new parrot!"

"Who the hell says 'smackaroos?'" Lexy asked, but I ignored her.