Wow, I never thought that I would ever be updating this again, but thanks to my amazing, AMAZING fiancée, I have. Hehehe! If you thank anyone for this update, thank Tracy (writergirl2003). She is my inspiration; she's what gets these fingers typing and, of course, then some. Thank you SO much for being my everything and my support and my backbone, baby. You are absolutely AMAZING! I am absolutely in awe of you.

Now, onto the fun! Welcome back to Otherwise. Get excited. The heat's about to turn up intensely.

This is for you, Tracy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hairspray.

Penny knew that there was going to be quite a bit of explaining involved once she went home, and yet, she had not cared. Something about facing her mother now didn't bother her. Sure, she had single-handedly ensured herself a lifetime behind barred windows and a multiple-locked door, but she just could not bring herself to care at this point. She had just spent the most amazing night with one of the few people in her life that actually made sense to her. Well, he did now, anyway.

It had been a spur of the moment decision, to be honest. She had come over to fulfill a promise that had apparently never been made, and ended up spending far more time over there than originally intended. Motormouth Maybelle and L'il Inez had both arrived back home at around fifteen until nine at night, only to find a seemingly empty house. Seaweed and Penny had long since retired to his room, making a vague and uncaring point to pick up that shattered glass eventually. All that Penny had cared about was being able to fall asleep in his arms after a such an incredible exchange between the pair of them. And, even though she knew there would be hell to pay for it the day after, she was so caught up in the moment, that she told herself that there was no point in caring.

Everything had felt so perfect and exactly like all of those obscenely cliché stories about someone's first time together. Only, with Penny, it felt a million times better than all of those put together. She had been in pure ecstasy, and had fallen asleep in a very similar mindset. Her mind had gone blank with emotion, and she could barely contain her excitement and admiration as she laid down to fall asleep with him for what felt like the first time. They had taken naps together before, sure, but this was different. The bond between them had been replenished, and there was a new sort of connection that threatened to make her heart burst with adoration and gratitude.

She had awoken the next morning, his arm still wrapped snugly around her waist, with his chin resting against her shoulder. It was early, she could tell that much, because the lighting was dim, and she could hear a few birds chirping noisily outside. Stirring slightly, she carefully stretched her legs, unable to hide her smile as she felt Seaweed shift behind her.

"Hey, sleepyhead," She cooed sweetly, her hand reaching for his to give it a quick, yet reassuring squeeze.

"Hey there, baby girl," Seaweed managed a drowsy smile as he let his fingertips brush over her hips. She had slept in one of his bigger, button-down collared shirts that went down to her thighs, and the fabric felt almost foreign to his touch on her, but in an extremely wonderful fashion. "How'd you sleep, angel?" He asked quietly, his chin still resting gently against her shoulder.

"The best I've slept in years, I think," She chimed happily, a smile practically glued to her soft, pale lips. Seaweed chuckled softly and pulled her closer to him, leaving no space between them this time.

"I hear ya," He concurred, his lips brushing idly against the skin of her ear. She couldn't suppress the giggle that followed as she gently inhaled. His scent was positively intoxicating. She smiled as she remained nestled up next to him.

"Mm…" She hummed quietly, her eyes fluttering slightly, debating whether or not they wished to fall shut, or stare absentmindedly across the room, inwardly squealing over the thoughts of the night before.

"What?" Seaweed wondered sleepily, yet curiously, as he shifted a bit in order to get even more comfortable.

"Last night was just so… so," Penny paused as she tried to conjure up the perfect description. Amazing just didn't cover it quite as well as she would have liked it to. It was so much more than that, after all.

"Shh," He allowed his thumb to brush against her right temple. A knowing smile pushed its way onto his features. "I know," Seaweed assured her, knowing full well what she was trying to say.

Penny blinked her eyes slowly a couple of times, trying her absolute best to shake the heavy feeling of relaxation that was presently coating them. She felt absolutely at ease and definitely was not keen on the idea of allowing this feeling to pass. Exhaling softly, she shifted slightly and soon found herself face-to-face with him, though his eyes were still closed.

"Hey, Seaweed," She began, her eyes fluttering open as she gazed at him curiously.

"Yeah, baby?" He echoed, his own eyes forcefully willing themselves to open. Though, they were instantly put at ease at the sight of the beautiful redhead still tangled up in his arms.

"You don't think that your mama will mind that I was here, do you?" Penny wondered honestly, her eyebrows furrowing against her forehead. She nor he had not thought about that before, if only because they were and had been far too caught up in the moment.

"Nah, darlin'—"

"Seaweed Jamal Stubbs," Bellowed the voice of the proud and prominent Ms. Maybelle Stubbs.

Penny cringed. Talk about irony, she mused slightly to herself, as she pushed herself up in Seaweed's bed. He followed suit and tossed his covers from him. Penny's pale eyes watched him in silence as he plainly walked toward his door.

"What, Mama?" He called, irritation clinging evenly to voice.

"That's ma'am to you, son," She countered with a sense of sharp affection. "Are you and your girl ever gonna come out here and get somethin' to eat, or did you expect a bed 'n' breakfast? 'cause I got news for you two, I ain't comin' in there and…" Her voice trailed as she apparently moved across the house to do something, or another.

Penny found herself giggling softly as she allowed her legs to drape off the side of the bed. She always felt so at-home here. The Stubbs' were incredibly welcoming and warmhearted people, and Penny absolutely loved when she was asked over to their home.

Seaweed grinned widely as he glanced over his shoulder and back at his girlfriend. He scratched lightly at his head, and then walked over to stand before her.

"Well, you heard her," He chuckled and extended his arms to her. "C'mere, baby."

Penny smiled and leisurely stood. She was instantly welcomed into his arms as he took her into a tight affectionate embrace.

"Seaweed," She laughed gently while he began to sway her very lightly. "I… uhm," Penny paused to glance up at him, her eyes brimming with soft and unyielding affection. "Thank you."

"What could'ya possibly be thankin' me for, angel?" He asked her playfully, as he placed a light kiss upon her head of gorgeous, red curls.

"Everything," Penny replied, feeling a little silly, but then just as quickly brushing it aside. "I just wanted to tell you that, and…" Her eyebrows twitched slightly before furrowing. Her tongue had suddenly become tied, and she had not the faintest idea why.

"Hm?" He blinked at her encouragingly, tenderly releasing his hold on her.

"Seaweed, I lo—"

"Seaweed!" Inez's stanch voice cut through the air as the young girl burst into her older brother's room. "Mama says that if you don't get yourselves into the kitchen right now, she's gonna cut you both off from breakfast. She's tired of waitin'!"

Penny's heart sank low in her chest as she allowed her eyes to gaze elsewhere. Dropping her arms dismally to her sides, she clamped her teeth firmly on the inside of her lower lip, and then watched as Seaweed rolled his eyes in sheer annoyance at his loud, younger sibling.

"There's a door for knockin' there for a reason," He countered with that fond, yet irritable air of sibling rivalry.

"It ain't closed. So, I didn't bother knockin'," She crossed her arms over her chest and threw a look of defiance in his direction.

Seaweed smirked somewhat as he warmly snaked his arm around Penny's waist.

"Still, we coulda been—"

"Ew!" Inez shrieked, her eyes wide with disgust. "I'm tellin' Mama! I knew somethin' was goin' on!" She declared boldly, as she swiftly stalked off toward the kitchen.

Penny blinked her eyes at a slow pace, her eyes rising up to meet Seaweed's.

"Are you sure that was—"

"A good idea?" He smiled knowingly.

"Well, yeah…" Penny echoed uncertainly. The absolute last thing that she wanted was for Ms. Maybelle to think any less of her. Although, it was not as though she was going to go around apologizing for something that she felt as though she was thoroughly ready for.

"It'll be fine, babe. Mama ain't gonna care," Seaweed dismissed the issue with scarcely any thought.

"But—"

He hushed her affectionately by placing a sweet kiss on her lips.

"Baby," He smiled and brushed a couple of strands of her hair from her face. "She trusts us."

Penny sighed and nodded her head.

"You're right. I'm sorry," She offered him quietly, before glancing back up at him. "I just… really don't want to give her any reason to hate me, or anything."

"Penny, that's crazy talk," Seaweed quirked an eyebrow at her. "How could you ever do that?"

"I dunno," Penny's shoulders fell into a shrug.

Sensing his girlfriend's ambiguity, he reached out and tilted her chin up slightly with his fingers. He drew her closer to him, and then pressed his lips softly and invitingly against hers. Penny melted instantly, her knees virtually buckling at the mere sensation of his lips pressing so warmly against her own.

"Seaweed," She breathed, soon after the kiss had briefly come to a stop. His lips were mere centimeters from her.

"Don't worry, my angel," He told her, his voice both soothing and calm. "Everything's all right. Let's just go and get somethin' to eat, a'ight?"

She nodded, an unconscious smile beginning to form on her lips.

"Okay," She replied contentedly, before glancing down abruptly as she realized a sudden chill. "Wait, Seaweed."

He turned, as he had already started toward his door.

"Yeah, darlin'?"

"I—uh—can I get some more clothes first?" She wondered shyly, a small, light pink blush creeping over her cheeks.

Seaweed laughed good-naturedly, and then made his way over to his dresser.

"Why didn't you say somethin', Penny?"

"Well, I didn't notice until just now!" Penny trilled, realization hitting her at full force. Inez had seen her in nothing but a long, buttoned-down shirt. She felt mortified. "I can't believe I didn't notice," She muttered, a heavy sigh soon following.

"Baby, you really need to just chill out," He told her fondly and with a smile, as he tossed her a pair of his red pajama pants. "People are gonna think somethin's goin' on with you."

"Maybe something is," She insisted purposefully, with a faux twist of melodrama. Grinning, she caught the pair of pants, and then slipped them on.

"Now, c'mon, before my Mama has a conniption fit," He took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

The breakfast had been wonderful. They had all laughed and joked about current and previous events, as well as whatever else happened to come up (such as something about some sort of rabies-infested cat making its home next door, or something).

This was about the same time that Penny painfully realized that she was going to have to head home and face the music sooner or later. Breakfast had winded down, and they were all finished; they merely remained for the sake of enjoying one another's company. Penny absolutely detested the idea of having to leave, particularly now.

"Penny, dear," Maybelle began, as she delicately wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "How long're you plannin' on stayin' with us, honey?" She asked, merely genuinely curious.

Penny's shoulders drooped significantly.

"I hate to impose, Ms. Maybelle…" She ventured quietly.

"Darlin', hush now! You ain't imposin'! I just asked you a question, sweet child," She gave a hearty chuckle.

"Well," Penny paused, thumbing her thoughts for some sort of intelligible reply. "I should really go home now, but…" She stopped herself again; she just could not shake the feeling of absolute dread and terror at the thought of remaining home. Prudy had most likely already called the police, and there was just no telling the effects of that.

The Stubbs family looked on at her expectantly, while Seaweed sneezed her hand, encouraging her to continue.

"I'll just get my… things together, Ms. Maybelle, if that's all right," Penny told her unfortunately, as she looked up at them.

Maybelle Stubbs hesitated momentarily, sensing that something was not quite right, but then looked toward her son.

"Well, you heard the girl. Seaweed, go get her things together," She began, politely silencing Penny's attempt a protest before she continued. "Penny, I'm gonna call Tracy. I want her to meet you and walk you home."

"Mama, I'm gonna walk her," Seaweed told her firmly.

"Son, now you know that you can't take that girl all the way up to her door, as idiotic as that is," Maybelle replied somewhat bitterly. She had heard the horrid stories that Seaweed had relayed to her about Penny's mother, and she was not going to risk either of them getting hurt.

"I'll be fine," He told her decisively. "I ain't gonna be seen. We've done this many times before."

Maybelle was diffident still.

"A'ight, son, but be careful. I don't wanna have to get a call from the cops sayin' some crazyass woman has my only son at knifepoint," She advised him somewhat humorously, yet still with a hint of an honest warning.

"Mama," He urged her, catching Penny's obvious waves of discomfort.

"You two are excused," She told them warmly, as she stood, beginning to gather plates.

As they began to walk in the direction of Seaweed's room, she called out to them one last time:

"Be careful."

"Yes, Mama," Seaweed droned, before leading Penny into his room. Her heart was pounding uncompromisingly in her chest, but she was not about to further worry him with that knowledge.

"Penny," He watched her with raw concern. "Are you sure you're gonna be all right? You know my mama was jokin'."

"I know," She sighed and swallowed. "I'm just… I don't know, Seaweed. I'm scared."

He immediately took her into his arms.

"I gotcha, baby," He told her tenderly. She curled her arms around his shoulders. "You're gonna be all right, okay? Tracy'll be right there, and I'll be just around the corner. You sound the call, and I'll be there."

Penny chuckled ever so slightly. She knew he would be. Seaweed was always there for her, regardless of the situation or the consequences. He would never allow her to suffer alone, not so long as he had any say in it.

"I'm ready," She told him, after a brief, much welcomed, moment of silence. "I'll go and change."

He nodded quietly to her and reluctantly released her.

"Thank you, Seaweed," She said softly, her fingertips just barely brushing against the skin of his arms as she moved back.

"You never have to thank me, sweetness," He leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead.

She smiled and nodded her gratitude one last time before grudgingly turning. Her dress was already in the bathroom. Now all she had to do was retrieve it.

"Hey, Penny?"

"Yeah?" She turned her head and stopped just short of his bedroom door.

"You were sayin' somethin' earlier," Seaweed watched her, his eyes edged with intense concern for her. "What was it?"

Penny's heart picked up an even greater speed. She had almost completely forgotten another one of her fruitless attempts at expressing her deeply rooted affections for him.

"I… don't worry about it," She forced a veiled, yet aggrieved smile upon her pretty features. "It's nothing." She immediately regretted the words, but did nothing to clean up the damage, as she moved out of the room and toward the bathroom to change back into her own clothes.

"A'ight," He blinked somewhat dejectedly. Seaweed had a feeling that there was something that she was keeping bottled up; and yet, at the same time, he felt as though he knew precisely what it was.

Seaweed and Penny had since left the house, much to both of their disappointment. Tracy had accepted the request, and had said that she would meet them just shy of Seaweed's house, about half a block away. As they silently walked, arm-to-arm, Tracy's form soon came into view. She waved a greeting, but was somewhat put off by the long faces of both of her friends.

"Hey, you two," She said guardedly, the tiniest of smiles on her face. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," They replied in unison, which startled Penny a little.

"Where's Link?" Penny asked lamely, inwardly glad that Tracy had not brought him with her. She did not necessarily wish anymore company with her than absolutely compulsory.

"He couldn't come," Tracy could not suppress the frown and sadness from her voice. "He's been really distant lately."

"Yeah," Penny offered dryly, shocking both Seaweed and Tracy, though they said nothing about it. Typically, Penny would have jumped at the chance to comfort her best friend, but she simply could not bring herself to that today.

"The whole Council has been really strange, Penny," Tracy continued, figuring that her friend just hadn't caught on to the urgency in her voice yet. "They keep grouping off; they've been whispering nonstop, you know, way more than usual…"

Seaweed muttered something agreeing with Tracy's observation. Then, after a brief pause, Penny rejoined in response.

"Can we please go to my house now?" Her voice was running on desperation, and Tracy finally got the picture that now was not the time to voice her own concerns. Seaweed wanted to cringe at this drastic personality change of hers. Though he was doing his best not to take it personally, he could not help but think that it was partially his fault, some way or another.

"Of course, Penny," Tracy sighed somewhat. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Penny began walking again, with both of them just as easily following. There was a thick air of discomfort in the atmosphere, but Seaweed and Tracy both seemed to catch Penny's unvoiced hint and kept silent.

Seaweed soon curled his hand around hers and could all but feel the tension that was radiating from her. Something wasn't right, and yet he knew not how to properly voice his concern now, in the wake of her brusque, but certainly unintentional replies.

He chose to remain quiet, for now, if only because he wanted to ensure that she was at least somewhat in her right mind once she arrived at her house.

Thus, as they drew closer and closer to the Pingleton residence, the group began to instinctively slow their pace; that is, until they issued an abrupt and cautionary stop before turning the corner onto Penny's street.

"It's okay, darlin'," Seaweed spoke to her reassuringly, as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Penny could feel a tingling sensation of dread flowing from the tips of her toes to the top of her head as she stared at the street corner.

"Seaweed…" Her voice broke slightly, and she had to force herself to swallow away a rather large lump in her throat.

"Shh, I gotcha, baby girl," He wrapped his arms around her as Tracy watched on with apprehensive eyes.

"Penny, you know… she called my house last night," Tracy began hesitantly. "She's called the cops seven times already," Her friend added carefully.

"I should have guessed," Penny murmured, her shoulders falling.

"But, we're here," Tracy reminded her. "We're not going anywhere until we know you're okay."

"Tracy's right, Penny. I ain't goin' nowhere 'til I know my baby's all right," Seaweed rocked her gently. She was eternally grateful for him right now.

"I know," She spoke as calmly as she could manage. "Thank you."

"G'on, darlin'," Seaweed urged her. "You know you'll feel better once you get this over with."

Penny's mouth grew dry. He was right, but she couldn't shake her fear.

"Yeah," She breathed, and then moved away from him slightly. Leaning up on her toes, she placed a quick kiss on his lips. Penny's tongue was heavy with the brilliant thought of uttering those three, overtly simple words, but she simply could not bring herself to do it.

"I'm going," Penny told them, before nodding her head to Tracy, who assumed her position beside her best friend. Glancing back at Seaweed one last time, she moved down her street, her heart performing back-flips in her chest in the most horrible of ways.

A rush of anxiety hit her suddenly, and Penny immediately stopped.

"Tracy," She started. "Go back with Seaweed."

"What?" Tracy looked at her incredulously.

"Please, just do it," Penny advised her with veiled panic.

"Okay…" She trailed off, her eyes wide with alarm at the sudden request. "If you're sure, Penny…"

"Please, go."

Tracy nodded quickly, and then swiftly walked back down the sidewalk to where Seaweed was hiding out on the corner.

Penny swallowed again and glanced back toward her house. Something wasn't right; she could feel it even more prominently now. Summoning up the last of her nerve, she started toward her house, her heart heavy with worry.

She was nearly up the walk entirely before she paused. She could hear conversation and even occasional laughter inside. Her mouth dropped open slightly; she could hardly believe what she was hearing. Furrowing her eyebrows, she timidly turned the doorknob and walked inside, only to be greeted with immediate silence by those inhabiting the living room.

"Penelope Louise Pingleton!" Prudy wailed as she thrust herself up from her place on the couch. Penny scarcely had any time to realize just who the other guests were, aside from the police officer reclined in the nearest chair, as Prudy snatched a hold of her. She could tell that she was inwardly seething.

"Heavens above, Penny!" She shouted at her, as she forcefully took Penny into her gawky arms into such a tight, unnatural embrace that the redhead knew that she was seriously in for it later.

"If it weren't for your friends here, Penny Lou, I would have had the entire Baltimore Police Department after you!" Prudy released Penny from the embrace, but kept a strained hold on her daughter's arms. "Those pesky officers don't listen to me anymore, you know, but Officer Clarksdale over here," She paused to cast him a courteous smile, which he promptly waved to. "He knew that this was serious and came right away!"

Penny paused and backtracked. Her friends? She craned her neck, and she nearly gave in to her fatigued knees.

On her couch, sat Fender, Lou Ann, and Mikey—all members of The Corny Collins Council. She could not believe her eyes. What in the world were these, essentially, complete strangers doing in her home? More appropriately, what in God's name was Fender doing in her home?

"Hello, Penny," Lou Ann cooed with composure, her expression unreadable as she snapped both Fender and Mikey back into reality.

"Hey," Mikey offered her, while Fender flashed her a tamed grin of sorts.

"Nice to see you again, Penny," He spoke as though they were old friends, and Penny could not help but feel a certain sense of rage brewing in the pit of her stomach.

"Penny, we explained to your mother how you had gotten stranded in such a… distasteful part of town," Lou Ann spoke, in such a manner that Penny knew that it was rehearsed—and better yet, not even composed by the speaker. She had never heard Lou Ann act, much less speak, with such poise during school, on the show, or even at rehearsals. "—and how you had to stay over at my house after my mother and I found you late last night, lost. She didn't know that we were friends, apparently, and that was why she didn't have the number to call," Lou Ann paused, probably to keep herself from laughing at the absurdity of her own words, Penny presumed. "I told her how you left early to meet with your advisor from the Stamp and Coin Club this morning, and here you are!"

As she drew her endless bundle of lies into a close, Lou Ann allowed herself a heavy exhale from all of the effort. Prudy eyed her daughter, and then nodded to Lou Ann approvingly.

"Yes. They were so kind to relay this to me," She began, as the three displayed their greatest, showtime smiles. "as my own daughter is clearly too incompetent to do so herself," She grasped Penny by the ear. "She will be grandly, permanently punished, you had best believe it!"

Penny winced at the sudden, sharp pain, and then warily rolled her eyes.

"She was so obviously lost in the wrong part of town," Fender continued, building off what Lou Ann started. "Lou Ann told me that some Negro was hassling her into coming into his home for shelter. I knew it was dangerous, just from the sound of it."

Penny could not believe it. Her fell mouth instantly agape.

"Mom, how can you believe them!" She spat, yanking herself free. "They're from the show that you absolutely hate!"

"Now, now, Penny Lou, in this household, we Pingletons do not hate," Prudy reminded her matter-of-factly. Her daughter stepped away from her doting, motherly hand and scowled. This was such a show. Prudy always acted like this around company; the front was virtually unbearable. She was so different behind closed doors.

"They are not my friends!" Penny retorted angrily, her eyes blazing as she particularly noted Fender with her eyes.

The three, save Mikey, pretended to be appalled at the notion.

"Penny, hush," Prudy grasped her daughter's arms warningly. "This is not how we act, especially in the midst of guests. Cut the attitude, young lady! You are already treading on thin ice."

"I don't even know them," She hissed beneath her breath, yet still loud enough for her mother to hear. "I wasn't with Lou Ann last night." Her name felt foreign to her tongue; although, she could not take the time to care.

Prudy's eyes flashed and narrowed.

"I beg your pardon, young lady?" She began to say, her fingers baring down painfully against the skin of Penny's arms. "I do not believe that such an honest girl as Lou Ann would lie. Her mother and I attend mass together from time to time. She is a wonderful girl."

Penny was fuming, at this point. Her mother did not. Whatever these three had told her, they were completely wrong for doing so.

"I was at Seaweed's, Mom. I stayed the night, and I was there this morning," She spoke recklessly, her eyes aflame challengingly.

"You were not," She said frankly, her fingernails digging into Penny's arm now.

"Yes, I was!"

"No, Penny Lou, you were not," Prudy assured her, a dark shadow coming over her expression. Penny's chest tightened. "Shut your mouth this instant, young lady. You are already deep trouble for lying to your mother and embarrassing your entire family in front of our guests."

"What family?" Penny challenged her. "And what guests? These people aren't welcome here."

Prudy whipped Penny around and stared her threateningly in the eyes.

"Penelope Louise Pingleton, get upstairs to your bedroom right now," She demanded her. "I don't want to hear a word from you. I will take care of you later."

"Fine," She growled, breaking away from her.

Lou Ann smiled with faux kindness as Penny ascended the stairs.

"Goodbye, Penny!" She chimed. "We hope to see you again soon."

"'Bye," Mikey managed with a roll of his eyes.

"I'll see you at school," Fender guaranteed her, with that troublesome grin of his. "'Bye."

"Goodbye, Miss Pingleton," Officer Clarksdale, who had been quiet and virtually unconscious with sleep this entire time, spoke with a small wave.

Penny trudged up the stairs, her shoulders squared with anger. She could not believe it; she just could not believe it. Who were they to invade her personal life? What in the world did they have to do with anything? Fender, she could almost understand; he was just asking for trouble. He knew that he could make her blood boil, and that there was essentially nothing she could do about it.

She did not understand. She did not know these people. They were Tracy, Seaweed, and Link's coworkers. She had, in no way, attempted to associate with them. In fact, when her friends would go places with some of them and Penny would attend, as well, she felt awkward and out of place.

Now, out of nowhere, they were trying to push their ways into her life, uninvited. She groaned in frustration as she slammed her bedroom door shut.

She had never been so angry and frustrated and thoroughly confused in her entire life. None of this made sense; none of this added up.

Penny plopped down, face-first, onto her bed. She did not want to think about it. She did not care to. Rolling over onto her back, she stared up at her ceiling aimlessly. She could hear the unfamiliar sound of her mother's laughter from downstairs, so loud and boisterous, that she wondered how any of those 'guests' could stand it.

She sighed heavily, and then rolled over to look at her nightstand. Much to her surprise, an unopened letter poked out of a book that she had never finished reading. Curiously, she sat up and reached for it, her fingers grasping a hold of it with uncertainty.

There was no return address that she could see, and it was addressed to her in the most plain of fashions. Blinking slowly, she carefully opened the letter, and then retrieved the piece of paper. After unfolding it, she began to read it.

"If you are reading this, then congratulations. You have been gratefully spared from some catastrophic fate by the hands of your mother, I'm sure. However, I would advise not getting too comfortable. You still have a lot coming in your direction. I would be careful trusting those friends of yours, if I were you. Things are about to get nasty.

Try not to take this too personally. It is strictly business. Though, in the meanwhile, enjoy the calm while you can. We're not finished.

Watch yourself. We don't play kids' games. You have just landed yourself in a realistically, ill-fated, adult crises. Either figure it out, or learn to live with it.

Good luck getting anyone to believe you now, when all of them have already begun to turn their backs on you.

Have fun trying."

Penny stared at the letter in disbelief. Her mouth was as dry as cotton, and her hands shook with anger and distress. Everything was beginning to piece together in her mind. All of those times that she had felt eyes on her, that Fender had sought her out, that people had looked at her and treated her more differently than usual: she was beginning to understand. She felt as though she now finally understood almost everything, though to what extent, she was vastly uncertain.

Tracy, Seaweed, and Link were the budding starlets, though—not her.

It didn't sit well with her: why would anyone, particularly the Council members (if she could even rightfully give them credit), have any business trying to sabotage her?