Rules of a Rebel

Chapter 45: Keep Secrets

"I know. I'm saving a couple of pages for later sketches." 

"Like what? Nevermind," I interrupt myself, catching the smirk that appears on his lips. "Let's talk about something else - like, uh - Dr. Robinson gave me some more homework." 

"Yeah?"  

"Yeah. She says that I have to make amends with people that I have a tendency to get into arguments with." 

"That'll take all week." 

"That's what I said, " I say, causing him to grin. I shuffle through my backpack for my phone. "So Dr. Robinson told me to focus on people I argue with the most. She says that sometimes insecure people tend to project their faults onto somebody else." 

"Interesting. Who are you calling?" 

"Bettie." 

Archer glances at me, startled, then turns back to the road when he accidentally yanks the car to the right. "You're calling Bettie? With me in the car?" 

"Yeah." 

"Shouldn't this be a conversation between the two of you?" 

"No, I need to have you next to me," I scroll through my contacts, which aren't that many, until I hit the letter D (for Demon). "You're a reminder of how nice of a person I can be." 

"I'm surprised you didn't come up with an entire script beforehand." 

"I did, but it's better to be safe than sorry," I click the button to dial Bettie, then place it against my ear. The phone rings. "Now, be quiet. I have to focus on the conversation." 

Archer pretends to zip his lips. 

A click comes from the other end of the phone, and then, "...Peyton?" 

"Hi Bettie. This is Peyton," I start, shifting my weight, and begin to recite my script. "After some consideration over my past actions, I realize that I've been a bit of a jerk. Sorry. Now, I'm going to list all the things I appreciate about you."

"What?" 

"One: I appreciate your Christmas present. I had a lot of fun playing with the animal toys, especially the rubber pig," I say and glare at Archer when he snorts. "Two: I appreciate the fact that you actually answered the door for Archer and Sebastian on Christmas Eve when I asked you to do it." 

"What?" Archer says. "You asked Bettie to -" 

I shush him. 

"Is this a joke?" Bettie demands. 

"No. Three: I appreciate the fact you told Archer about the nudes because I probably wouldn't have the guts to tell him about them myself." I continue, really getting into it. "Four: I appreciate that you made that plastic star that we always put in front of the Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun to burn." 

"That was you?" 

"Now, I will get to the root of my problem with you. I think it's because you remind me of Gwen from high school. You're both cute nerds with an evil side. Gwen went after Xavier. You went after Archer -" 

"What does Archer have to do with this?" 

"Oh - um, nothing. Forget I said that part," I say and Archer snorts for a second time. "Anyways, what I meant to say is that I was so insecure about myself that I got angry at you instead. So, it's not you. It's not me. It's the both of us. I forgive you -" 

"Why? I didn't do anything."

" - and I forgive myself. Good bye Bettie. I hope we will be better cousins in the future -"