They finally left the mall after what was apparently several hours of shopping. As they approached Stephanie's car Karyn noticed that it was beginning to get dark out. She hadn't thought they had been shopping nearly that long.
The ride home was uneventful, although it took longer than the ride to the mall because they had to drop Stacey and Jessica off at their houses. To Karyn's surprise, Sarah elected to leave with her, but then, her house wasn't too far from Karyn's.
After they'd said their goodbyes as Stephanie sped off, Sarah turned to her.
"Not bad at all, blondey. I don't think they suspect a thing."
"It got a bit easier once I started." Karyn admitted, a little embarassed. This was the probably the least hostile Sarah had ever been to her.
"Well look, here's my number," Sarah said, handing her a scrap of paper. "Call me if you have a way to get this fixed tonight. If not..well, you better wear something you bought today to school tomorrow."
"Fine." Karyn grimaced.
"Anyway, see you, Karyn."
Karyn stood there shocked. That must have been the first time Sarah had ever called her by name. But then she reminded herself how late it was and opened the door to her house to get another shock.
"Where have you been young lady?" Her mother was standing in the living room looking extremely annoyed.
"I..I..was.."
"Shopping? I can see that. You went shopping last week. That credit card is almost at the limit. And what about "Dinner will be ready in about an hour." did you not understand?"
Crap. She had totally forgotten about that in all the confusion over the stone.
"Don't have anything to say for yourself? You're grounded for a week."
"G-grounded?!"
"That's right. I want you in your room now."
Thinking fast, Karyn thought of what she knew about this reality's Karyn. She had to get out of this.
"But I was going to try out for cheerleading the day after tomorrow!"
Karyn's mother sighed. "Fine. I know how important that is for you. But if you make it I want you home as soon as practice is over, do you understand me?"
"Yes mom..."
So much for talking to Jon tonight, Karyn thought as she put her new clothes away, disgusted at how her plan had backfired. She was excused from being grounded...but only for cheerleading practice. Fortunately she and Jon had agreed to meet tomorrow morning at school to try out the stone some more. Hopefully she could still get this fixed then.
