Everyone was on a break between groups at the haunted house. Claudia found a corner to relax and stretched out across three chairs. She was still wearing her glow-in-the-dark dotted clothes, but she removed the ski mask that went with it. Claudia sat with her head resting against her hand and commiserated about recent events. She became so engrossed in her thoughts that she almost didn't notice the odd sight rising on her right side.

Jack the donkey peered over the edge of the seats. His crossed eyes pointed at Claudia, and a deep voice said, "I don't mean to make an ass out of myself, but somebody looks like they need cheering up."

"Tam, you cursed," Claudia said.

"No, I used that word in its proper context," Tamara said, looking up to make her point before ducking down again. "Buck up, Buttercup. Things aren't so bad," Tamara continued in her comical voice.

"I got us in trouble again. That's twice. There's no way I'll pass the second vote."

"You'll be fine. I know what will raise your spirits. Want to hear a joke?"

"Sure."

"Knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"Interrupting cow."

"Interrupting..."

"MOO!"

"Did Sister Barb teach you that?"

"She might have," Tamara replied, sitting up again. Tamara rested her head on the edge of the seat and talked to Claudia. "Sister Hailey is pretty mad at me, too, but we must pick ourselves up, move on, and make up for it."

"Speaking of Sister Hailey, have you seen her today? She isn't here at the haunted house," Claudia replied, looking around to see if she had arrived.

"No, I haven't. Do you think she's okay?"

"She seemed pretty upset after the meeting with Bledsoe," Claudia said, seeming concerned.

***

Barb had the same concern because Hailey had missed all her classes that day. Since Barb had been away from the dorm since the morning, she didn't realize Hailey never left. Barb found her wearing her stress pants again. Hailey sat surrounded by pizza roll boxes and an empty plate. She stared blankly at them while chewing the last roll.

"Hailey, are you okay?" Barb asked.

"Everything is going to shit," Hailey murmured.

"No, it isn't. We're on probation. He didn't disband KMA or expel us."

"It isn't just that. There's also the Marla crap and Dan."

"Yeah, things are crappy, but we can get through this," Barb replied, sitting next to her and wrapping an arm around Hailey. Hailey leaned her head onto Barb's shoulder and cried. "I'll tell you what. You take the next two days off, and I'll handle your duties while you rest."

When Hailey heard this, she stared at Barb. "Wow, you must be concerned if you're voluntarily accepting responsibility."

"Hail, no offense, but you look like shit right now. I can tell you're on the brink. Take it easy, and let us worry about everything."

"Okay," Hailey said, giving Barb a weak smile.

Once they helped Hailey clean up the room, Barb led Keisha, Shawna, and Felicia into the hallway.

"We need to keep the next few days as drama-free as possible. That means avoiding Marla at all costs. Understand?" Barb asked.

"Got it," Keisha replied with a thumbs-up.

***

Unfortunately, the request was easier said than done for some. The next day, the sisters released their tensions by attending Tamara's play. What they didn't know was trouble struck behind the scenes.

Tamara frantically searched for her dress as the clock ticked toward start time. It wasn't where she left it, and a horrible feeling twisted Tamara's guts. She thought she knew where she would find it. Tamara confirmed those fears when she approached the wardrobe area. She found Marla sitting at her desk, with the dress on a table behind her. A rip ran down the side of the dress. It wasn't there before.

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"Marla, what happened?" Tamara asked.

"Don't ask me. I found it that way," Marla replied.

Marla remained focused on her work while Tamara glared at her. Tamara clenched her fists and bit her lip. It took all of her willpower not to scream or attack. She didn't want to worsen things, especially since Sister Hailey was stressed. Marla sensed this conflict and pounced on the opportunity to push Tamara's buttons.

"I know you had something to do with that phone call. It had to be someone in KMA, and who else could disguise their voice so well?" Marla asked, but Tamara remained silent because she didn't know how to answer. This response confirmed Marla's suspicions. "Looks like Kim will have to do the play tonight since you can't fit into her dress," Marla laughed. "I warned you not to mess with me."

Tamara seethed as she moved closer to Marla. She stood beside Marla, staring a hole into her, but Marla didn't flinch. "Marla, you bitch!" Tamara yelled, making Marla look up from her desk and gawk at her.

"Language, Tamara!" Marla said. "Don't you dare play the high and mighty card after what you pulled. This is comeuppance," she added, returning to her work.

Tamara released a loud groan before storming away, leaving Marla smirking. Meanwhile, the sisters watched in confusion as Kim appeared on stage instead of Tamara.

"Oh, this can't be good," Barb said.

***

Barb, Keisha, Felicia, and Shawna waited for Tamara outside of the theater. They knew what had happened once they saw her. Seeing them brought half a smile to Tamara's face, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"Do we even have to ask what happened?" Barb said.

"She found out it was me. Maybe I deserved it. We shouldn't have made that stupid phone call," Tamara replied.

"Don't say that. Yeah, you made a mistake, but Marla has done far worse," Keisha said, rubbing Tamara's back.

"Is she going to prevent you from doing the rest of the play?" Felicia asked.

"No, Molly would kill her. Marla made her point."

"Did they at least punish Marla?" Keisha asked.

"Marla is threatening to tell on me for that whole phone call thing if I snitch on her. Thankfully, Molly forbade Marla from working on my wardrobe anymore because she suspects her. But without proof, they won't do anything else."

"Want me to break Marla's legs?" Shawna asked, earning scowls from Barb and Keisha. "It was a joke," she quickly added, throwing her hands in the air.

"Thanks, Mistress Shawna, but I'm going to leave Marla alone from here on out. I've had enough of the drama. Night, guys," Tamara said, heading toward her dorm with her hands in her pockets and her head bowed.

The following morning, Dan found Tamara outside a classroom. The moment she clocked his expression, she knew why he was there.

"Tamara, I'm so sorry. This was all my fault. I never should have involved you in my scheme," Dan said.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I screwed up big time. I'll tell Marla the whole thing was my idea and accept whatever bullshit she pulls on me as a result."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. I deserve it."

"Stop! If you want to make it up to me, go talk to Hailey. She could use some help right now," Tamara said more forcefully than she intended. She almost laughed when she saw Dan jump. "Sorry, I'm just a little on edge," she explained.

"It's okay. We all are. And you're right. I'll go talk to Hailey if she'll speak to me."

***

Meanwhile, Hailey sat in bed, staring at the TV. She was watching a game show because it was the middle of the day, and little else was on.

"No, you idiot, you bid too high," Hailey muttered at the contestant on the television. The host later proved Hailey right when he revealed the price. Hailey chuckled and ate popcorn. As she did this, somebody knocked on her door. Hailey grumbled and dragged herself out of bed to answer it. She found Dan waiting on the other side. He stood there with an apologetic look, roses, and a DVD box set of the show Angry Housewives.

"I brought you the 'I'm Really Sorry' deluxe package," he said, holding up the items.

"What makes you think I want to binge-watch my favorite show with you? I'm still mad," Hailey said, folding her arms and staring at him. "Besides, Angry Housewives is streaming online."

"Yeah, but that version doesn't have commentary and bonus content," Dan said, shaking the DVD box and grinning. This broke Hailey's resolve, and she smiled.

"Fine, come in," she laughed.

Dan got comfortable while Hailey put the roses in some water. She stopped to smell them and smiled, but the smile faltered after a second. She looked at Dan. He read her expression and said, "I know. Roses might have been the wrong move, but I really am sorry, Hail. I screwed up."

"It's okay. I like the roses, but my feelings haven't changed, Dan."

"It wasn't about that. I wanted to cheer you up."

"Thank you," Hailey said.

They sat down to watch the DVD and occasionally spoke. It was more about helping Hailey relax than anything. However, Dan got an idea after a few episodes. "I know something to help ease your stress. Let me see your feet," Dan said. Hailey looked at him questioningly, but his intent dawned on her a moment later. She kicked off her shoes and placed her feet in his lap. Dan took her right foot and massaged it. "It's been a while since you had one of my famous foot rubs," he said.

"Dan..." Hailey said, giving him a look.

"I've given you plenty of foot massages as a friend."

"Yes, but I know what you're doing," she said. Dan didn't deny it. He silently continued the massage as Hailey kept talking. "I know you too well."

"We have known each other a long time," he replied. "I was thinking about when we first met. Do you remember that night my parents had dinner at your house for the first time?"

"Yes, I do."

"I saw you had video games and asked to play. You kept giving me a hard time because I sucked at it."

"You were pretty bad," Hailey chuckled.

"That's because I was distracted. All I kept thinking was the girl with the pretty eyes wanted to play video games with me, which was awesome."

"You did not think that. We were only nine!"

"I'm serious, and I still think you have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen," Dan said, looking into her eyes as he spoke. He watched a tear trickle down her cheek.

"To be fair, Barb has the same eyes."

"Yeah, but they look better on you."

"Dan, why are you making this so hard?" she asked, wiping the tear away.

"I can't help how I feel, Hail."

"I know. Please give me time to think. Be patient with me."

"Okay, I will."