Learning A Lesson
As Veronica watched her daughter walk off, papers and pencils spilled all over the floor as she tossed her bag onto the ground. In the end, she had no choice but to give up, but she hoped that it would be the last time she faced this issue.
Despite not listening to her mother, Marli was about to learn a valuable lesson. A smirk spread across Veronica's face as she waited for her daughter's bedroom door to close. Minutes later, it happened.
She’s Had Enough
As Veronica snuck into her daughter's bedroom, her hands trembled. A small clock on the wall caught her attention, and she nodded. There was no time to waste. Marli would be home from school any minute now.
She stumbled over multiple piles of clothes and trash as she approached her daughter's bed. This was too much for her.
What She Needed To Do
The duvet was slowly thrown to the side before she reached for the container. Despite her fear, she knew this was her only chance of getting her daughter's attention.
Holding her breath, she opened the tub to discover the legs moving. The terrified woman turned over the tub and watched its crawling into the covers.
Setting It Up
She quietly slipped out of her daughter's room after placing the duvet back in its place. It was impossible to ignore the question in her mind: how would the teenager react to her prank? Hopefully the girl would be affected by it in some way.
While rushing to the kitchen, she pulled ingredients from the refrigerator. To keep things casual, she made her daughter a sandwich for lunch.
Her Prank
Soon, she heard a loud bang coming from the front door. In her bedsheets, Marli found a special surprise after coming home from school. Her smile could not be suppressed no matter how hard she tried.
As she walked by the kitchen, the old girl said, "Hey mom." "I made you lunch," she replied. She didn't know what she was in for.
This Stops Now
Watching as her daughter threw her school bag aside, papers and pencils spilled onto the floor, Veronica glanced out of the kitchen. Before walking into her bedroom, Marli rolled her eyes, saying, "I'm not hungry.".
“Hey, come back here and clean that up!” Veronica called her daughter, but she ignored her and went into the bedroom. Too long had this pattern continued.
Waiting Patiently
It was Veronica's hope and prayer that her little prank would change her daughter's attitude. The stubborn teen had been a challenge for far too long. Though it might have been a little overboard, the prank was necessary.
Standing in the kitchen, she stared at her daughter as the door closed behind her. It was now just a matter of waiting.
Things Change
Veronica Smith thought she had finally found happiness when she had her first daughter, Marli. After years of turbulent marriage, she thought a baby would help her and her husband resolve their problems.
It seemed like everything was going well for the first few months. After a while, things fell apart between them because of Marli.
A Fresh Start
As soon as Marli turned one, Veronica decided it was time for her to leave her husband. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska, as soon as the divorce was finalized. The single mother's life improved after she moved.
Marli developed a nasty habit as a teenager. Her daughter refused to pick up after herself no matter how much Veronica pleaded.
A Worsening Situation
She only became more prone to this habit as she aged. For Marli to make her bed, Veronica would eventually have to threaten her with grounding. She loved being a single mother, even though it was hard.
In the end, Veronica decided that enough was enough after finding a week-old bowl of pasta in her daughter's bedroom.
She Was Ill
On that day, Marli was at school while Veronica had taken the day off of work. She was feeling rather ill and needed a day to lounge in front of the television with a nice cup of tea.
But as soon as she settled on the couch and looked around her, she noticed how messy the place was. Marli’s things were sprawled all over the place. Veronica couldn’t rest knowing that the house looked like a pigsty.
Her Job
She huffed as she got up from the couch and began gathering her daughter’s things. She had shoes, coats, homework, and random little items all over the floors and counters.
Veronica’s blood was boiling as she stacked the items on top of each other. She had asked her daughter to clean this mess the day before, but as usual, she ignored her. Now, it was her job to clean it all up.
Cleaning Up
A prominent frown sat between her eyebrows as she trailed through the house, picking up random items of trash that her daughter had dropped and just left on the floor. She was fifteen years old, and she was refusing to do the chores her mother had set out for her.
With a trash bag in hand, the tired mother ventured into her daughter’s bedroom, sighing aloud at the state of the small room.
Spaghetti
But as she walked further into the room, she noticed the bowl of spaghetti. The spaghetti she had made a week ago. Her stomach dropped as she got closer to the bowl. Part of her wanted to dump the entire thing into the trash.
But it got a lot worse when she looked into the bowl and shrieked. There, on top of the spaghetti, were two large cockroaches eating the old food.
Getting To Work
Veronica knew that she had to sort this problem out immediately, and she had to start with the cockroaches first. Not being the type to hurt living things, she decided to grab a container.
This way, she could catch the cockroaches and set them free outside, somewhere far from their home. Once they were secure in the container, she took the bowl to the kitchen and washed it with soapy water.
She Tried Everything
She spent two whole hours cleaning up after her daughter, and by the end of it, she was tired and fed up. She had tried everything to get her daughter to start cleaning up after herself, but what could she do?
All her daughter ever did was say “no” and walk away. But as she began cleaning her daughter’s room, the cockroaches came to mind, and suddenly, she had a plan.
A Mothers Plan
Dropping her cleaning supplies on the floor, she quickly made her way back to the living room where she had placed the tub with the two cockroaches. She slowly walked closer to it and picked it up.
She couldn’t help but wonder what her daughter would think seeing two cockroaches in her bed. She was feeling a little guilty, but it was the only way to get her to listen.
A Fast Move
Taking the container into her daughter’s room, Veronica’s hands shook. It was almost time for Marli to come home from school. She had to be quick.
She approached her daughter’s bed, nearly stumbling over the piles of clothes that lined the floor. She had had enough, and it was time to teach her daughter a valuable lesson.
A Hidden Surprise
She placed the first one under her daughter’s pillow before moving on to the duvet. She pulled it back, gently tossing the second cockroach onto the bed. She felt sick as she watched it crawl into her daughter’s sheets.
She then placed the duvet back where it was a second ago and quickly slipped out of her daughter’s room.
Teaching Lessons
She wondered how Marli would react to her punishment. She just hoped that it had some kind of positive impact on the girl. She was just trying to teach her daughter a valuable lesson.
Rushing to the kitchen, she removed ingredients from the fridge and tried to play it casual by making her daughter a sandwich for lunch. As soon as she was done, she heard the front door open.
Marli Is Home
Marli walked right past the kitchen, greeting her mother with a quick “hey” as she made her way into the living room. “I made you some lunch,” Veronica informed her from the kitchen, trying to act as normal as ever.
“I’m not hungry,” the teenager shrugged, tossing her school bag messily on the floor before heading straight for her bedroom. Veronica wondered how long it would take her to notice the bugs.
Wait For It
Veronica had been at her wit’s end for far too long. She hoped that after today, she would never have to deal with this problem again.
Marli wasn’t listening to her, and now, she was about to learn a valuable lesson. Veronica waited until she heard her daughter’s bedroom door close, smirking silently to herself. Just a minute later, she heard it: a high-pitched scream.
She Saw Them
The scream echoed through their home, and Veronica had to cover her mouth with a hand to stop herself from laughing aloud. A second later, Marli’s bedroom door opened. “Mom!” she called.
Veronica composed herself, pretending to be worried as she ran to her daughter’s bedroom. “What’s the matter, honey?” Veronica knew that her plan had worked.
A Dirty Room
Marli stood frozen near her bedroom door, her face drained of color. She pointed at her bed, stammering, "There are... there are bugs in my bed!" Her eyes were wide with horror.
Veronica pretended to be surprised, her heart racing with a mix of guilt and satisfaction. "Bugs? What are you talking about?" She feigned ignorance as she approached the bed. Her acting skills were put to the test. Would her daughter suspect her?
Panic In the Bedroom
Veronica decided to play along and gasp. She didn’t want Marli to find out that it was her just yet. Her surprise appeared genuine. "Oh my goodness! How did they get here?"
Marli, trembling with fear and disgust, had tears in her eyes. "I don't know, Mom! This is so gross! We need to get them out here immediately before they start breeding!" She had no clue that it was her own mother who caused her all the distress.
Feeling Sorry
Veronica maintained her façade, but inside, she felt a pang of guilt. She had hoped this prank would teach her daughter a lesson about cleanliness, but now she was starting to question whether it had been too extreme.
It was not her intention. She just wanted to teach her daughter a lesson she would not forget.
A Hard Game
The woman's heart was breaking as she watched her daughter scurry around her bedroom. But Veronica knew that something had to be done. She was no longer even listening to her, and now she had to learn that if you didn’t listen, there were consequences.
She wanted to see what exactly her daughter was going to do about the mess. Would she finally realize that she could no longer sleep in a messy room?
Cleaning Up Her Act
Or was all of Veronica’s effort for nothing? Only time will tell. She watched as her daughter scrunched up her face in disgust.
She waited. It would only be a matter of time before Marli would have to clean up. Veronica hoped that Marli would realize her mistakes and finally take charge of her room.
Her Surprise
“I can’t believe I have cockroaches in my bed! Look!” She stepped out of her doorway and let her mother glance into the room, and there they were. The two cockroaches had reunited and were now sitting on the duvet, staring at them.
“I’m not surprised! Look at the state of this bedroom!” Veronica gasped, “Who knows what other bugs could be living in here? You have to clean it right now!”
She Realized Her Mistake
Marli rubbed a hand across her worried face as she nodded at her mother’s words. “You’re right. What if those two had babies?” She was completely freaked out, and Veronica had to hide her satisfaction.
“Come on, strip your bed, and toss the sheets into the wash. It’s time to sort this mess out,” Veronica told her.
A Sorry Teen
As Marli reluctantly began to strip her bed and gather her dirty sheets, Veronica felt a mixture of relief and triumph. It seemed her prank had finally gotten through to her daughter.
Over the next few hours, mother and daughter worked side by side to clean Marli's room. They vacuumed, dusted, and organized, making the space look more inviting than it had in months. Veronica used this opportunity to talk to Marli about the importance of responsibility and cleanliness.
Listen To Your Mother
"Marli," Veronica began, "I didn't do this to be mean. I did it because I want you to understand that taking care of your space is important. It's not just about keeping bugs away; it's about creating a comfortable and healthy environment for yourself."
Marli nodded, still embarrassed by the cockroach incident but starting to see the lesson in it. "I get it, Mom. I'll try to do better."
Life Is Hard
Veronica smiled warmly at her daughter. "That's all I ask, sweetie. We're a team, and we need to keep our home clean and safe for both of us."
As Marli cleaned, Veronica couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Maybe, just maybe, this experience would mark a turning point in their relationship. She knew that being a single mother was tough, but with open communication and patience, they could navigate the challenges together.
Talking It Out
Veronica just hoped that Marli would be able to keep her room clean at all times. She didn’t want to be forced to do something even more drastic next time.
Even though the communication lines were a bit more open between mother and daughter, Veronica knew that teenagers were still unpredictable. She didn’t know if the room would be staying clean for the foreseeable future.
Did You Learn
Marli seemed to really be taking the job of cleaning up her room seriously. Veronica hadn’t seen her like this before.
She was determined to make her space spick and span. It looked like the cockroaches had given her a good and thorough scare. But Marli had no idea of what her mother had done behind her back. She would never forgive her if she found out.
Hard Work
For the next few hours, Veronica sat happily in front of the television with a warm cup of tea while her daughter cleaned her room. She folded her clothes, swept, and washed the floors until everything was spotless.
For the entire time, Veronica sat on the couch, smiling at the scent of soapy water in the air. It worked this time, but would Marli finally learn her lesson?
Everybody Saw
Proud of her accomplishment, Veronica went onto her favorite app, TikTok, and posted an entire video about the situation. She gave every last detail and waited for some kind of response.
When Marli was done with her bedroom, she joined her mother in the living room and sat beside her. “Mom, that was so disgusting. I can’t believe I let my room get to that state,” she sighed.
Yes
With a smile on her face, Veronica scooted closer to her daughter and threw an arm over her shoulder. “That’s okay, honey. This is how you learn. From now on, you should keep your room clean so that this never happens again,” she told her with a soft smile.
Marli nodded. For the first time, she agreed with her mother about cleaning her bedroom. But was she just trying to act nice?
Going Viral
The following morning, Veronica awoke to thousands of notifications on her phone. Sitting up in her bed, she opened TikTok and found that her video had gone viral overnight.
The post had thousands of likes and comments. The majority of the comments were from mothers calling Veronica’s idea “brilliant” and “genius,” but others weren’t as positive.
In The End
Many people seemed to think that she had gone too far with her little prank. But that didn’t really matter to Veronica. She did what she had to do.
As far as she was concerned, everything worked out. Since that day, her daughter kept her bedroom spotless at all times. Veronica would still have to get her to pick up after herself, but the entire situation improved thanks to her little prank. But what would Marli do if she found out about the video?
She Found Out
It was long before Veronica’s household would be turned upside down once again. The moment Marli found out that her mother had recorded and posted the whole thing online, she flew into a rage.
“How could you do this to me? How could you come into my room, violate my privacy, and still post my room online?” Marli yelled.
The Shame
Her face was red with anger, and she hated that her mother had done this to her. Now, everyone could see her messy room and how it was overrun with cockroaches.
She felt a wave of embarrassment flood over her. She couldn’t face going to school. She was convinced that everyone would find the video and make fun of her.
You Don’t Know What It’s Like
“My life is over! It’s all because of you, Mom. You weren’t thinking about me at all. All you were thinking about was going viral!”
Veronica stood looking at her daughter in shock. She couldn’t believe that she was accusing her of not caring about her. All she ever did was care about her, and now she was furious.
They Can't See Your Face
“Calm down, honey. No one knows that it’s me, and no one knows it’s your room. I made sure not to show your whole room. If you watch the video, you’ll see I only recorded the bed,” Veronica assured her.
At that moment, Marli composed herself. She listened to what her mother was saying this time. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, she thought.
So Bad
When Marli eventually watched the video, she realized that her mother had not exposed her at all. Instead, she usually captions and subtitles instead of using her own voice in the video.
She knew her mother was only looking out for her and only wanted the best for her. But people weren’t so kind. Some of her so-called friends from school figured out that it was her and posted it online. Eventually, her identity was known to everyone as the ‘cockroach girl.’
A Bad Image
Mari had to fight back. Something shifted as Marli started cleaning. She realized how much she disliked the old, worn-out items cluttering her space.
The more she cleaned, the more she noticed the stains on the carpet, the chipped paint on her desk, and the sagging mattress. "Mom," Marli said one evening as they sat down for dinner, "I think I want to redecorate my room."
In the Public Eye
Veronica looked up, surprised by the sudden change in her daughter's demeanor. "Redecorate? What brought this on?" "I don’t know," Marli shrugged, "I just feel like I need a fresh start. New things, you know?"
Veronica was taken aback but pleased that her daughter was taking an interest in her surroundings. "Alright," she agreed cautiously, "but let’s not go overboard. We’ll do this together and stick to a budget."
Worse Than She Imagined
At first, Marli just wanted a few items. However, as the days passed, Marli’s desire for a "fresh start" turned into an obsession.
She spent hours online, browsing for the latest room decor trends, making lists of what she needed—new bedding, a desk, a vanity, shelves, lighting, and more.
Way Too Much
Her mother was getting worried that she couldn’t keep up. It was costing her way too much. "Marli, some of this is unnecessary," Veronica said one evening, reviewing her daughter's extensive shopping list. "We can’t afford to replace everything."
"But, Mom, it’s all about the aesthetic," Marli argued, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is how I can finally change things. I want to be proud of my room."
She Won’t Stop
Reluctantly, Veronica agreed to some of the purchases, hoping this would be a phase that would pass. But Marli’s enthusiasm only grew. When the packages started arriving, Marli eagerly unpacked each item, posting TikToks of her room transformation journey.
"Look at this! New bedding, new desk, and check out these fairy lights!" Marli gushed in one video, her room sparkling with brand-new items. Her followers quickly noticed the transformation, and the views started to climb.
What She Wanted
Soon Marli had a different online persona, one where she was the star. She loved the attention. Comments flooded in. "Your mom must be rich," one user commented. "Wish my mom would buy me all this stuff," another added.
But not everyone was supportive. "Spoiled much?" and "This is just wasteful," some criticized. Would it change her behavior?
More Things
Veronica watched the reaction online with growing concern. "Marli, I think we need to slow down," she said one evening after noticing the growing pile of empty boxes in the garage.
"Slow down? Mom, this is amazing! Look how many views I’m getting!" Marli exclaimed, showing her the skyrocketing numbers on her TikTok account. "It’s not just about the views, Marli," Veronica said firmly. "This has gone too far. You’re turning this into something unhealthy."
You Wanted This
The teenager became obsessed with buying every latest accessory for her room. Despite her mother’s warnings, she kept changing the look of her room. Marli was too engrossed in her newfound popularity to listen. The room was immaculate, every item carefully curated and placed just so.
Yet, despite the pristine space, Marli’s obsession with cleanliness began to consume her. She spent hours rearranging her things, ensuring everything was perfect.
A Costly Change
After Veronica had spent thousands of dollars on new paint and wall fixtures. She realized that her daughter’s greed was never-ending.
"Mom, I think I need a new rug," Marli said one afternoon, eyeing the perfectly fine one she had just purchased a few weeks earlier. Veronica frowned. "Marli, this has to stop. You’re not even enjoying the things you have before wanting something new."
It’s Not Fair
The spoiled girl started to pull her face and sulk at her mother. She didn’t want it to turn into another screaming match. "I just want everything to be perfect," Marli replied, her voice tinged with desperation. "People are watching. They expect it."
Veronica realized then how far things had spiraled out of control. "Marli, this isn’t healthy. You’re losing yourself in this. We need to talk."
I’m Your Mother
Marli had no choice but to listen to her mother. She was the one paying the bills. The conversation turned into an argument, Marli accusing her mother of not understanding, while Veronica tried to make her see reason.
The tension grew until Veronica finally put her foot down. "No more purchases. We’re done. This has to end."
A Hard Lesson
Marli, devastated by the sudden halt, retreated to her room. The space that once brought her joy now felt suffocating. She scrolled through the comments on her latest TikTok post, feeling the pressure to maintain the perfect image she had created.
Veronica, heartbroken to see her daughter like this, tried to reach out. "Marli, I just want you to be happy. But real happiness doesn’t come from things."
Being Responsible
Marli didn’t respond, but the words lingered in her mind. That night, she lay in her bed, staring at the fairy lights twinkling above her. The excitement of her new things had worn off, leaving her feeling empty.
The next morning, Marli made a decision. She picked up her phone and recorded a new video. "Hey guys, I want to be real with you all. I got caught up in making my room perfect, but I lost sight of what really mattered. It’s not about the stuff. It’s about being happy with who you are."
Growing Up
Veronica watched the video later that day, a tear slipping down her cheek. She entered Marli’s room, where her daughter sat on the bed, no longer obsessing over every little detail. "Mom," Marli said quietly, "I’m sorry. I just wanted people to like me."
Veronica sat down beside her, pulling her into a hug. "You don’t need to change who you are for others, Marli. You’re enough just the way you are."
A Happy Teen
Marli nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. The room around her was still clean and tidy, but the pressure to maintain a flawless image was gone. She realized now that her worth wasn’t tied to her possessions or how others perceived her.
Veronica smiled softly. "Let’s take a break from the shopping for a while. Maybe we can focus on something else, something that makes you happy." Marli smiled back, a genuine one this time. "Yeah, I think that sounds good, Mom." And they focused on cleaning up their relationship instead.