Not everything is meant for public consumption. Some things are just for one specific audience.

Finally, after months of secretly searching, Jake found Olivia's collection of secret thoughts and wishes. On her lap desk. Unlocked and open. Which, now that he thought about it, seemed a little strange, but whatever. 

5/19/2012

I felt really bad tattling on Jake today. I guess maybe I was just jealous because Gramma bought him a great new toy train and only got me some stupid dress which is ugly and makes me look dumb.

Of course, she'd been jealous! Jake knew it all along! He flipped forward in the diary, making sure to look over his shoulder (just in case) before continuing.

6/28/2012

Jake tried to run away, Diary!

Heh, Jake thought. This should be good.

I was so worried!

Wait, what?

No one knew where he was for a long time! If Uncle Alex hadn't brought him home, I don't know what I would've done. I give my little brother a lot of trouble, Diary, but the last thing I want is for him to leave forever.

Jake felt a twinge of guilt in the pit of his stomach. Had she really been worried? She'd acted so awful to him when he'd come back. Was it all an act? Did she really care about him that much? All 180 lined and decorated pages of the hardcover diary started to feel heavier in his hands, but he pressed on.

7/22/2012

I have to admit something to do, Diary. The thing I did with the Band-Aids? I didn't do it for any science fair project. I did it because I wanted Jake to think I was cool.

Oh. My. Lanta, Jake thought.

He's such a free spirit! So bright and full of imagination! All I do is read books and use big words to make myself look smarter than him, but deep down I know the truth. Jake's just better than me at everything. That's why Mom focuses on me so much. She wishes I were more like Jake.

Jake closed the diary and placed it back on the sturdy wood lap desk, just below the handle where he'd found it. Poor Olivia, he thought. It must be so hard for her to live in the same house with someone as awesome as I am. How could she ever begin to compete? No wonder she was so mean to me sometimes. Her inferiority complex is causing her to lash out!

Jake made a mental note to be a whole lot nicer to Olivia. Maybe he'd even take her under his awesome wing and teach her a few things about being cool. After he'd picked up the diary and read the last entry, of course.

Dear Jake,

Nice try, loser, but I know you've been snooping around for my diary. And now, thanks to the camera Dad let me borrow, I can show Mom what a jerk you are. Thanks!

- Olivia

Suddenly, he heard footsteps race down the hall away from Olivia's bedroom and the voice of his sister call out, "Mom! Guess what I caught Jake doing in my room!"

Jake hung his head, ashamed of himself for not seeing through her clever ruse. Well, if it was war Olivia wanted, that's what she was going to get.

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