Anything for Love

I find it interesting to hear what people will do for their girlfriend or boyfriend or even friends. For example, in Youth in Revolt by C. D. Payne the main character, Nick Twisp, is adopting his girlfriend's dog because her family does not want it. Well, after the dog destroys Nick's house, Estelle Twisp (mother) wants the dog gone. Nick then proceeds to ask his friend, Lefty, to house the dog. The girlfriend, Sheeni, thinks that Nick is still taking care of the dog when, in reality, Lefty is taking care of the dog. Lefty just happens to be allergic to dogs (Gee, go figure) and therefore must keep the dog outside until his mom discovers the dog. Mom found out about the dog when Lefty's sister, Martha tattled.

Parallel to this issue, is the sibling-rivalry issue with Martha. Martha is currently trying to make Lefty's life a "living hell" by playing music he dislikes and tattling on him for various reasons. This revenge is a in response to Lefty's actions of reading Martha's diary that contained some "Rated-R" details that Mom and Dad need not know about. Lefty asks for Nick's help in taking revenge of Martha. Nick agrees if Lefty will take care of the dog.

Nick's plan is for Lefty to pretend to runaway but really stay in the RV parked outside of Nick house. Lefty will also have the dog staying with him. So, Lefty wrote a runaway note and then began staying in Nick's RV. Well, Nick had other ideas and took Lefty's note, backpack, and some of his clothes and staged a suicidal drowning. The neighbor found out that a person was in the RV, so Nick lied and said it was a Mexican trying to find a job etc. Well the neighbor was happy to help and provided food and electricity for Lefty "the Mexican." The family became distraught, police and coast guard were searching, and they held a funeral for Lefty. Nick wouldn't let Lefty watch TV for fear of Lefty discovering his plot. Lefty then got transported by bus to Clear Lake where Sheeni (the girlfriend) lives and he had to stay there for a few days. He went by the name of Lef Ti and pretended to be Asian (he looked Asian when he was swollen from the allergic reaction.)
Martha began to feel guilty because she thinks that she caused Lefty's "suicide" with her sibling-bullying.  Eventually the family found out that Lefty was not dead but a "runaway," because they received a postcard in the mail from Lefty's visit at Clear Lake. Idiot. But then again Lefty wasn't aware that he "died."

Nick set this entire scheme up just so he could remain on good terms with his girlfriend. It's amazing what people will do for love.