The Ugly Duckling

Chapter 22

Around midnight, Tyler woke up due to some peculiar noise he heard coming from next door. He got out of bed groggily, with one eye barely open as he looked down the short hallway. He noticed it was coming from Ivy’s room. One hand scratching his back while the other hand opened the room door “Ga Jei?” his eyes adjusted to the moonlight “What are you doing?”

She was propped upright in her bed and her window was opened. Sitting on her bed stand was a carton of eggs. She took one and hailed across to Ben’s room window. It splashed against the window “Jerk!” she muttered before turning to Tyler “That’s what he gets!” She closed her window and changed her alarm to another half hour.

“What’s that for?” Tyler asked before widening his mouth for a yawn.

“If I can’t sleep, he can’t either.” She said evilly.

Tyler shook his head “What if the noise doesn’t bother him?”

Ivy crawled back under her warm blanket “Don’t worry…it’ll bother him when I run out of eggs and use balloons filled with chocolate pudding.” She closed her eyes with a wicked smile on her face “Now get out of my room before I throw an egg at you.”

He immediately closed the door “I feel sorry for Ben…” he whispered and returned to bed.

The next morning, Tyler heard his sister making too much noise in the kitchen and it instantly woke him up. His left eye opened to look at the clock, it was only 9am. What was she doing up? Curiosity got the best of him as he walked towards the noise. Surely, she wasn’t serious about the pudding? He asked himself. But his guess was way off, she was making pudding and stuffing it in small colorful balloons “Wanna help?” she asked without looking up.

He shrugged “Okay.” Together the two made about 20 pudding balloons “What are you going to do?” asked Tyler when they were done.

“This is for tonight.” She pointed to half of the balloons that she separated “And these are for today.”

Tyler let out a long sigh, “When are you going to get sick of this?”

“I don’t know.” Ivy answered, “Why do you ask?” she looked up at him curiously.

“Because you have to help me get Tara back!” he whined.

Ivy laughed at her sad little brother “You are so pathetic. Who told you to blow her off? If you want to blame, you should blame that little traitor Vicki!” she spat disgustedly.

“Wow…you’re serious about this huh?” his eyes widened.

She used her t-shirt to carry the balloons as she marched out of the kitchen and on the way pushed him out of the way “No one messes with me.” Her words were muffled. She walked out to the dining room and opened the window. She saw Ben adjusting his tie in the living room. He seemed to notice she was staring at him. He turned to her and gave her a smile along with a wave of the hand “Hi to you too.” She snickered before picking up a balloon filled pudding and aimed it at his window. It made a huge splash and Ben was startled as he jumped back eventhough his window was closed.

His eyes widened “What are you doing?!!” He yelled from across the way.

Ivy pretended she didn’t hear as she curled her hand around her ear as if she couldn’t comprehend what he was saying “One more?” she asked with raised brows and before Ben could object, she hailed another one into his window.

Tyler stood there watching casually “You missed that part.” He pointed to an area that didn’t get splashed with pudding.

“I’ll get that.” Ivy nodded and threw another balloon.

Ben put up his hands “Wait!!!” he yelled.

But Ivy wasn’t listening as she hit the spot with perfect aim “Wow…you’re good.” Tyler grinned, “You should have played little league. I bet you could be a start pitcher by now.”

Ivy turned to him slowly with narrowed eyes “Are you being sarcastic little boy?” she asked carefully.

Tyler backed up fearfully “Um…no…I was being dead serious…” his eyes wandered to the balloon in her hand “Come on Ga Jei…I’m on your team remember?”

“Okay.” She nodded grimly before returning to her position. It was then that she noticed her was gone “Where’s the freak?” after her question, the doorbell rang.

Tyler turned to his sister “Speak of the devil.”

“Oh, he’s got some balls to come over here!” she stomped her way over to the door and opened it.

Ben looked like he was trying to control his frustration “Ivy…please, can we talk about this? Let’s not play this childish game anymore. I didn’t complain when you were throwing eggs and you know its hell to clean off when it dries! But pudding??”

Ivy’s lips curled to the left crookedly “Ty!!” she brought out a hand and he quickly retrieved a balloon as he handed it to his sister, without saying anything she stepped back and threw it at Ben roughly. It splashed against his white collared shirt and gray tie.

He let out a sigh and nodded at her “So it’s like that, huh?”

“Yeah!” She retorted.

“Can we be adults about this?” Ben asked peacefully but his smile was forced. She could easily read it on his face.

“No.” she shook her head firmly.

“I’m really sorry, Ivy. I don’t know how many times I have to say it before you can forgive me!” he looked aggravated.

“One thousand.” She answered coolly.

Ben nodded “Okay. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Ivy thought he would get bored of it eventually but after 50 'I'm sorrys', she realized he was not kidding.

Their apartment phone rang but Ben didn’t stop. Ivy turned to Tyler as he easily reached for the phone by the couch “Hello?”

“Ty? It’s me Vicki. Can you come out, I need to talk to you.” She said with urgency in her voice.

He covered the mouth piece and turned away “I can’t talk to you…Ga Jei is going to kill me.”

Ivy glanced back and saw Tyler curled into the corner of the couch. Her suspicion grew as she sprinted over to him and grabbed the phone out of his hand “Traitor, stop calling us!!!” she yelled into the phone and hung up. Tyler was gripping onto the arm rest for dear life when Ivy turned to him with a pointed finger “If I catch you talking to her again, I will make sure the Yung family name cannot be carried on.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” suddenly Ben stopped “Are you even counting?” he asked Ivy.

She turned to him with a laugh “Why should I? You agreed to do it.” He was flabbergasted by her response and not to mention speechless. Ivy waved him away nonchalantly “Anyways, I don’t feel like listening to you right now. Be gone!”

“Fine! But I’ll be back.” Ben vowed.

“Whatever!” Ivy rolled her eyes. When Ben left, she had a sudden great idea “I should go down to the market and get some fish scales!!” Tyler looked at her strangely but Ivy was already in her own revenge world “I should paint his door with fish scales!!” she giggled deliriously while skipping back to her room to change.

Tyler didn’t mention that Vicki asked for him to meet her down at the deli shop they were at the day before. He snuck out of the house after Ivy left, when he got there he found not only Vicki but Tara. His face lit up like a million candles as he ran over to her, never seeing the waiter with the tray of drinks in his hand as it toppled over him. Tara gasped and Vicki covered her mouth in shock “Ty!” Tara got up and rushed over to help him.

He didn’t care because he was able to see her again “Tara.” He took a hold of her hands “You’re not mad anymore?”

She shook her head with a smile while using her hand to wipe off the dripping water from his face “Vicki told me everything.” She helped him up and led him back to their table.

“Thank you.” He said sincerely to Vicki.

The girl smiled warmly “I guessed I owed you one.” Her lips curled downward as she asked, “How’s Ivy? Besides that she’s obviously not going to get over this.”

Tyler shook his head “I’ve never seen her so mad before. Well the last time was during her senior year in high school. She locked herself in her room after prom night. Daddy and I didn’t dare ask her what was wrong. But when she eventually got out, she was normal…and now that I think about it, her attitude changed.”

“Worse?” Tara asked.

He nodded “Yeah. She was meaner and snappier, not to mention she began to pick on daddy a lot. Something about all men are bad.”

“But she wasn’t mean to you?” Tara asked.

“It wasn’t any different from the tricks she’s always pulled on me.” Tyler recalled.

Vicki tapped her chin thoughtfully “Hmm, maybe because she doesn’t consider you a man?”

“Maybe!” Tyler pointed at her “So what do we do now? And I was meaning to ask you, why didn’t you and Ben just come out to tell her the truth before? Why all the mystery and games?”

Vicki sighed, “We didn’t want it to be like this. You see, Ben and I work for a talent agency. Part of this year’s project is to choose the least likely person to become a star and make them over. The plan was for me to get closer to Ivy and then Ben would come in afterwards. He had the tougher job because he had to earn her trust while I already did. But the longer I hung out with Ivy, the more I knew this was a wrong thing to do. She would never accept this from her friends. That’s why I suggested Tyler to be our Plan B.”

“Me?” Tyler’s eyes widened “I’m gonna be a star? Wow…I’ll be in my own movies, sing songs that I’ve written, live in a mansion and have fancy parties…what a life.” He sighed.

Tara giggled “Back to earth, Tyler!” she snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He shook his head as if returning to reality “Sorry…kinda lost it, didn’t I?”

“Too bad.” Vicki said sadly.

“Why do you say that?” Tara asked, “Isn’t it good news? Since now you have your project and Ivy would not have to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”

“You guys don’t understand.” She began explaining, “The project should be the most challenging thing that you can do. Ivy is obviously a challenge but we cannot just give in. Ben is a well known scout and I am just starting in the business, we both can’t afford to lose this. Our futures are at stake, not to mention our company’s reputation. We can lose our jobs if this project fails.”

“Well can’t we just explain that to Ivy? I’m sure she’ll understand.” Tara was convinced.

Tyler shook his head “You know how Ga Jei is. She can’t stand people that betray her and worse lie to her. You guys don’t know what she’s doing to Ben.”

“That bad?” Vicki asked with fear in her eyes.

“Let’s just say, you’re lucky you don’t live next to us.”

Tara and Vicki exchanged scared glances “Well, we still need a plan to win back her trust.” Vicki pressed, “I can’t live with this conscience knowing that I hurt her.”

“Let’s put our heads together and think of something.” Tara suggested. The three nodded in agreement as they thought long and hard.

Chapter 23

Ivy returned home with a bag full of fish scales. The guy thought she was crazy when she asked for them and he reluctantly sold it to her for ten bucks. She changed into an old t-shirt and put on plastic gloves. She knew Ben had returned to work and he would not be home until later in the night. She took her time spreading the smelly fish scales along his door trim and doors. On the knob, she left him chopped up fish guts. Wrinkling her nose from the smell as she snickered “Enjoy.”

Later that night, Ivy and Tyler were watching television while their father fixed dinner. Tara also came by with dessert, she was in the kitchen helping out. Ivy nudged him with her feet “Hey… how’d you get her back?”

He stuck his chin in the air “I’ve got plans too.”

“That’s a bunch of bull!” she stuck her big toe on his cheek “Who helped you?”

Tyler wrinkled his nose and his neck arched away from her toe “You don’t want to know.”

Ivy pulled her feet back as she moved closer to him “Ty, don’t tell me you ask the traitor for help.”

“What if I did?” he dared to ask. Her eyes widened and fear quickly took over as he stammered “I…was kidding…he he…” he moved away from her and brought out a hand to separate the two of them “You misunderstood Vicki. She’s not in on it at all, she didn’t want to pressure you. It was all Ben’s fault.”

“She told you that?” she scrutinized him and he nodded with wide eyes “Fine, I can forgive her but don’t think for a second I’m gonna let that freak off the hook.”

Tyler smiled mischievously “Don’t worry…its being taken care as we speak.” Ivy turned her head at him curiously while he called his father in the kitchen “Dad!! Hung Suk just called, they need your help down at the restaurant!”

Mr. Yung shook his head “Why do I have to do everything?” he placed the soup bowl on the dining room table and headed for the door “I’ll be back kids. You can start dinner without me.”

The minute he was gone, Ivy pointed at her brother “You lied!!!” She accused “Oh my God…what happened to you Ty? You wouldn't even say the white lie when dad caught you trying on my clothes when you were ten. What's going on?”

“This is very necessary.” He concluded and turned to Tara for her cue. He nodded at her as she left the apartment.

“You guys are not planning to kill me are you?” Ivy asked secretively.

Tyler threw his head back laughing “No…but if this doesn’t work, we might have to.” The last comment was solemn and it almost gave her chills to see the serious gaze in his eyes.

“What are you…” her words faded when the door opened and appeared Tara along with Vicki as they pulled in Ben, who was gagged and tied up like a kidnapped person “Oooh, you guys brought me a present!” she gushed giddily.

Vicki nodded as she walked over to Ivy “This is my apology to you.” She gave a bow “He is yours to punish, your majesty.”

Ivy climbed onto the top of the couch as she nodded down at Vicki “Good job, kind peasant, I now announce to you be Lady Vicki. Now off with his head!!!” she waved her hand at Tyler.

Ben began to mumble something incoherent through the gag in his mouth “Wait…he wants to say something.” Tara pointed out.

“Let the prisoner speak his last words.” Ivy waved to Vicki.

She pulled the gauze out of his mouth as he frowned at the group “You crazy…” he muttered “Look Ivy—”

“How dare you!!!” Tyler walked over and pushed at Ben’s face “You have to address her as your majesty or highness.”

Ben began chuckling “Okay guys, you’re taking this a little too far…” but his smile faded when he realized the four of them were serious.

“Is that all you have to say?” Ivy asked haughtily “Off with his head!!” she yelled again.

“Wait!!” Ben yelled as he backed away from Tyler and Vicki’s ready hands “Please listen to me. I am very sorry. Seriously, I had no intentions to lie to you, I wanted to tell you that day at the beach but you poured your heart out to me. I couldn’t allow myself to break your heart again. So tell me what I have to do for you to forgive me? I will do anything.” His eyes were earnest and she sensed his genuine apology.

Ivy crossed her legs and straightened her back “Go on, prisoner.”

“I…” he frowned “That’s all.” He ended “Do what you want with me.” He closed his eyes as his chin reached the air.

Tyler clasped his left fist under his right palm and bowed his head at Ivy “What should we do, your majesty?”

“Shall we feed him to the lions?” Tara asked with the same motion.

Vicki on the other hand knelt on one knee and proposed an idea “How about we parade him down the street for the people to ridicule him?”

Ivy’s eyes never left Ben’s as she realized deep down in her heart, he was already forgiven “No…” she said slowly. The three looked up at her strangely “You say you would do anything?” Ben nodded vehemently “Okay. Put on a fashion show for me. Right here, right now.”

“That’s all?” Ben asked.

“But your highness…” Tyler began.

She raised a hand at him “I’ve decided!” She turned to Ben “A fashion show with my clothes and the makeup will be done by yours truly.”

Vicki turned to Ben who had an apparent smile on his face, he didn’t care what he had to do, she forgave him. Vicki used her feet as she pushed Ben from the back of his knees causing him to kneel down unexpectedly “You have not thanked the Princess yet.”

“Thank you…princess.” He added with a crooked smile.

Ivy hopped off the couch and helped him out with the ties “Vicki can you get my make up bag and Tara, get my clothes out here. Ty, you set up the living room into a runway.”

“Yes mam!!” the three saluted her and rushed to their posts.

“Thank you.” Ben said again when the three were gone "I'm still very sorry."

Ivy smiled “I know.”

Within 15 minutes, the small living room was transformed into a stage. Tyler used blue and white tape to make a runway like form from the hallway to the living room. On one side, he used the coffee table as a podium when he set it to stand upright. Inside the room Ben was forced to change into skirts too tight for him as well as shirts that could barely go over his neck. Ivy and Vicki were having too much fun with the makeup while Tara was busy adjusting the lights in order to make them flash.

Tyler looked at her with special envy “How did you learn to do that?”

She shrugged “My father is an electrical engineer.”

“We’re ready!!!” Vicki announced from the hallway. Tara took her seat on the ground since the couches were pushed to one side.

“Wait!” Ivy sprinted out and landed next to Tara “Okay, now go!” she pointed at Tyler.

He cleared his throat while waiting for Ben to walk out into the taped runway “Here is our famous model Benny Lam, sporting a beautiful sky blue skirt with what seems to be white daisies imprinted. I believe the material is silk, what do you think TyTy?” he shifted his stand to the left side “Why yes, I believe it is silk.” He answered his own question with a high pitched voice and then quickly returned to his place. Tara giggled while Ivy cackled and at the same time pointing at Ben when he shifted his hips and posed at the end of their ‘stage’. Tyler cleared his throat to get their attention “The top is from Jean Paul Gaultier, a fabulously darling ensemble of white cotton and lace and don’t you just love the plunging neckline?” again he shifted his place “Yes, I think he needs a little more boobs but it still looks gorgeous.”

Vicki had to cover her laughter while Ben kept his cool and took his role-play to perfection. He returned to the room to put on a black and red dress that he made Ivy buy a few weeks ago. The dress was made from stretchy material so he was able to fit into it with much help from his partner. Ben appeared at the hallway and nodded to Tyler, who then announced “Oh, I absolutely adore this dress. Black with red roses all the way down to the knee. The collar was inspired by the Chinese long dress. Isn’t it gushingly beautiful?” he asked the audience. Ivy was rolling off the floor in giggles while Tara was gripping on her stomach laughing painfully. Vicki was pounding her fists on the hallway wall.

Suddenly, the door opened and appeared Mr. Yung. He was startled by the lights and not to mention his entire living room looked like a freak show. The five of them froze in their place, no one made a single move “What the hell is going on here?!!” Mr. Yung demanded. It was Ivy and Tyler who began laughing and soon Ben, Tara, and Vicki joined in as they gathered together and laughed like children. Mr. Yung stared at them strangely as he glanced up at the ceiling “What’s wrong with the lights?”

“Oh please, like you never played ‘Runway Model’!” Ivy retorted with her hands on her hips while the other four hyenas laughed away. She wiped the tears creeping out of her eyes “We’re just having a little fun.” She explained.

“Mr. Lam!” her father pointed at Ben in the black and red dress “I’m shocked at you. I would expect this from Ivy and Tyler, not to mention they dragged poor Vicki and Tara into their madness... but you? You are the most sophisticated of them all.”

“Sure, cause he’s wearing the cocktail dress.” Tyler pointed out causing another ripple of giggles.

Mr. Yung shook his head at them “You’ve guys have gone mad.”

Ben raised his hand at him “Actually, Ivy found out the truth. This was my way of apologizing.”

“Ever heard of the word ‘sorry’? I’ve found in the past that it works.” Mr. Yung said with sarcasm.

Ben turned to Ivy “You know, I never noticed it but you got your sarcasm from your dad didn’t you?”

Her eyes closed slightly and her lips pressed together “Yeah.” She nodded slowly “I did.”

“Well, if you clowns are done with the freak show, put my living room back to normal.” Mr. Yung scolded as he returned to his room.

“What a party pooper.” Ivy muttered as she motioned for everyone to start cleaning up. She pointed at Ben “You, get out of the dress, you’re stretching the waist.”

“Really?” Ben placed his hands delicately on his waist “I suppose I’m stretching the butt part too then.”

Ivy shook her head casually “No, you have no butt.”

Tyler laughed “You asked for it.” He said to Ben.

Vicki wrinkled her brows curiously "By the way, why does your door smell like fish?"

"Yeah, and what's that weird cakey stuff on your door knob?" Tara chimed in.

Ben crossed his arms and turned to Ivy "Ask Santa."

She covered her smile with her hand "Ooops...You might want to clean your hand, Tara. It's fish guts." Tara's face curled in disgust as she rushed to the bathroom.

Chapter 24

It was smooth sailing after Ivy decided to forgive Vicki and Ben. She returned to work the following morning and was startled when Ben patted her on the shoulder “Damn! Stop appearing out of nowhere!”

“Is that eight hundred?” he kidded.

She laughed “Maybe, if the jar was still there.” She rushed to the kitchen and came back to serve a customer.

Ben stood by the counter and waited for her to come back “What happened to it?”

“I was mad after that one night. So I knocked it open and took all the cash.” Ivy shrugged casually.

Tyler overheard as he snickered “Then she gave me back the five hundred she stole from my secret stash of cash.”

“If you call hiding it between the mattress a secret hiding place, then the money deserves to be stolen!” Ivy quipped.

Ben smiled at her way with words, she always managed to squeeze herself out of a jam “Okay, I can let you go on that. But what are we going to do about next Sunday? You want me to pick you up?”

She wrinkled her brows “What?”

“You know…I told you about the new talent convention.” Ben explained.

Tyler’s attention was instantly caught when he walked backwards, standing near Ben and Ivy “Did I hear talent convention?” his eyes beaming in the light.

Ivy pointed her thumb to Tyler “Take the girl, she obviously wants to go.”

“Okay.” Ben nodded and Tyler began jumping up and down happily “Wait!” he pointed at Tyler “You can go under one condition.”

“What?” Tyler’s face fell.

“Convince Ivy to go too.” Ben smiled when Ivy raised her brow and Tyler instantly put on his puppy face.

“Please, Ga Jei!! It’s my only chance at fame and fortune. I promise, when I get famous one day, I’ll buy you anything you want.” Tyler was practically groveling.

Ivy’s lips curled up slyly “You don’t have to buy me anything…hmm…but I would like a slave.”

“I’m already your slave!” Tyler pointed out.

“Hmm, you’re right. Well, the deal is off then.” She said nonchalantly and began walking away.

Tyler reached out and pulled back by the arm “Wait!! Okay, I’ll do anything…just tell me and I’ll do it.”

Ivy crossed her arms “Okay…this should be fun. Hmm…I feel like tapioca milk tea from Chung Kei…”

“Done!” Tyler began to peel off his apron.

“In Kowloon.” Ivy finished.

Ben muffled a laugh while Tyler looked appalled “It’s miles away!!” he whined.

“Hmm…okay, deal’s off.” She took one step and he put up his hands.

“Fine. I’ll go.” He rushed out of the tiny restaurant.

Ben shook his head at her “You are unbelievable.”

Ivy turned to him with a wicked smile “I know.”

“How long are you going to torture him?” he felt sorry for the young guy already. Who knew what she had hidden under her sleeves.

“Just until next Sunday. I’ve got to enjoy this moment while it lasts.” Ivy sighed dreamily. He laughed at her with obvious adoration.

****************

That night, Ivy came home being carried on the back by Tyler. It was a few blocks down that she decided her feet were too tired. By the time they walked into the apartment, Tyler was exhausted beyond belief. He crawled over to the couch while Ivy smiled “I’m not that heavy.”

“No…not …at all…” he panted “But right about half a block, you felt like a rhino.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes as she walked over to the couch where he was sitting and crossed her arms “Ahem!” clearing her throat.

“Water?” he asked while wiping off the sweat from his forehead.

“No. You’re in my seat.” Ivy sounded annoyed.

Tyler sighed as he got up and bowed at her “Yes, your majesty.”

“And while you’re up. I’m a little thirsty.” She coughed a couple of times and waved him off into the kitchen when the doorbell rang “Wait, get the door!” she pointed. He spun his feet back and rolled his eyes before getting the door. It was Ben and Vicki “Who is it?!” Tyler was covering the door.

Tyler turned his head to her “Your best friend and my future brother in law.”

“Brad Pitt found me?!!” Ivy jumped up and rushed to the door only to be disappointed “Oh, it’s just you.” She slumped her shoulders and dragged her feet to the couch.

Ben shook his head with a laugh “Who did you think it was? And Brad Pitt is married by the way.”

“Don’t crush my only hope!” Ivy scolded “What do you want?” she noticed Tyler was about to sit down as she wagged her finger at him.

“Coming.” He sighed and went to retrieve her water.

“What’s with him?” Vicki asked.

“Slavery should be brought back.” Ivy commented with a grin and Vicki laughed, knowing what she meant.

Ben frowned “It’s cruel if you ask me. She’s going to take him along anyways so I don’t know why she has to torture him.”

“What’s a brother for?” Ivy chuckled and she stopped when the two were looking at her intently “What are you two doing here anyways?”

“We’re here to give you a few tips on how to act this Sunday.” Vicki said calmly but flinched when Ivy moved closer to her “Don’t hit me!!” she shielded herself.

“I won’t!” Ivy argued “But I should. What do you mean tips on how to act? I act very naturally.” Her hands leaning on her thighs and her eyes bulging out.

Tyler came out to catch her last comment “Yeah, if you were a gorilla, you’d be considered classy.” Vicki laughed as she pointed to him but one glare from Ivy, the two were solemn as can be “Here you go, princess.” He handed her the cup.

Ivy stared at it in disgust “I want ice in my water. Evian would be preferred.”

Ben rolled his eyes when Tyler whimpered a cry “Don’t mind her, Ty. She told me she’s gonna take you anyways. She just wants to torture you.”

She pointed at him with her forefinger “Lesson number one, keep your mouth shut until spoken to.”

“Is it true, Ga Jei?” Tyler asked wide eyed in shock.

She turned away “Yeah…whatever.”

He squealed with delight and reached out to hug his sister while she pushed him away “Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I love you!!”

Ivy managed to push him away “You do that one more time and I’m not going. And if I don’t go, you don’t go.” She warned.

Tyler took a wide step back “Yes, mam!”

Ivy settled in her seat as she pushed her leg up on the couch and acknowledged Ben “So what do you do at this ‘convention’? Is there any food? Or drinks?”

“Open bar.” Ben nodded.

“Hell, I’m going!!” Ivy clapped her hands.

“Okay, you really have to stop the cursing.” Ben clasped his hands together “There will be rich and well educated people there. Not to mention, your challengers will be wishing that you trip and fall. We cannot let them win!”

Ivy sat upright “A contest?”

Ben shook his head vehemently “No, no…nothing like that. This is about picking a talent and changing the person to look and act like a star.”

Vicki nodded “I think you can totally do it, Ivy. You’ve got the look and the style down. But it’s just the attitude…and all the cursing…that won’t earn any points with the judges.”

“Judges?” Ivy frowned “You guys didn’t tell me about that.”

“But they told me!” Tyler chimed in “Vicki explained everything and I think it’s gonna be so fun!” he gushed “Can I take Tara?” he asked eagerly.

“I don’t see why not.” Vicki turned to Ben for agreement.

He nodded “Yes, that’s okay. The more to support Ivy.”

Ivy slumped back in the couch “If you’re thinking that I’m gonna win this freak contest, you’ve guys need to be reported to the insane asylum.” She snickered “I have a hard time hold my tongue when talking to snotty rich people that come into the diner thinking they are gonna have filet mignon or something. But more rich people that are there to judge me?”

“Yeah…can you imagine the massacre when one accidentally calls her the ‘b’ word?” Tyler added.

“It won’t be that bad.” Ben assured her “How about I don’t leave your side?”

She frowned “Then I might as well take my dad along too. Fine then, I’ve got three rules if you want me to go.”

Ben nodded “Done.”

“One, I hate taking pictures, if a photographer gets near me within three feet punch him out.” Ben exchanged glances with Vicki but reluctantly nodded “Two, if one of those stars touch me, chop their hands off and lastly…can I have as many drinks as I want?”

Ben laughed, “That’s what open bar means.”

“I’m there!!” Ivy cried happily.

“But I don’t want you to get drunk.” Ben warned.

Vicki shook her head “Don’t worry. Ivy doesn’t get drunk that easily. Not like Ty who takes a gulp of cognac and wakes up the next morning thinking he just had sex.” The three laughed together while Tyler pouted.

“You tricked me!” he yelled making the other three explode even louder.

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