Wes hightailed it out of the den area, putting as much space between him and a raving Maddie. He must say that that was the most practical use for sugar he could think of. Most amusing too, he thought as he looked back at the kitchen where Maddie still stood with a look of shock on her face as powdered sugar continued to cascade off her hair and clothes with every slight movement.

"It's not so blue now!" He shouted back to her, "Consider it a favor! You are looking a bit pale though."

"Yeah, that's right. You better run you wuss." Maddie retorted. "Wes the Wuss, running from a girl."

Wes was too distracted to think of a comeback. She called me Wes...Not Tyler, Wes...She knows my name!...

I watched mutinously as the wuss ran from view. I needed to get him back for this.

I was finishing up my breakfast trying to think up a suitable punishment. But so far I haven't had any luck. I was distracted out of my premeditated state by an ominous sight of the guys sneaking off into the wooded area behind the house. Haha, they had a lot to learn about stealth. Their mannerisms were completely unnatural, and their hunched backs were a total giveaway.

I guess I had to settle for eavesdropping for the time being. Which was why I was now silently trailing behind them in nothing but my fuzzy blue bathrobe and blue hair to match (which didn't do much for my camouflage). Five minutes later they stopped in an obscured clearing surrounded by thick trees. I stopped outside their line of vision, which unfortunately meant I was out of hearing range as well.

It seemed that my only option to get close enough to hear anything, and still be out of view would be to scale a nearby tree. Being the tomboy I am, I eagerly approached the nearest climbable tree that could potentially take me within range and carefully stepped onto the lowest branch.

Halfway up and one tree closer I could now hear the louder parts of the conversation below me. I'd have heard more if not for the persistent screeching of a cockatoo in a neighboring tree. What did it think I was, its mate or something?

Reluctantly, I proceeded closer still, carefully placing my foot onto another branch. But when I shifted my weight onto it, it gave out beneath me. I swore under my breath. At the same time, the now cursed parrot took flight at the snapping of branches.

The conversation far below me broke off for a moment as two faces peered up through the canopy trying to see the source of the commotion. But after a minute they resumed their conversation blaming the talkative parrot for the noise. Thank you annoying, cursed parrot.

I adjusted my position so I was wedged safely between a fork in the branches and tuned in to the voices below me. This was better than a soap opera. All I needed was some potato chips and a more comfortable chair.

I have to admit that after another ten minutes of eavesdropping the novelty was wearing off. Not to mention the literal pain in my...well you know. I hadn't even heard anything useful yet, except that Tyler was lovesick over some poor girl who wouldn't give him the time of day. Serves him right. I only wish that I had arrived in time to hear her name. Now that's something I could blackmail him with. Not to mention, I could help her out. It was odd that she was ignoring him though. Most gals were pinning at his feet once they saw his chiseled abs.

I continued to listen, hoping they would mention her name again.

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