Chapter 9.

The next morning, I loathed getting out of bed. "C'mon J" said Becca, "let's get going". I groaned as I slid out of bed. I put on some jean shorts, and a red tank top. I put my hair up and brushed my teeth. Then, Becca and I left. "Here's the plan," said Becca. "Were not going to say a word about last night… I've already talked to Elena, and supposedly everyone is trying to drop it". "Thank God," I said. We walked to the kitchen to be greeted by Lacy. "Morning girls, what's shaking?" said Lacy. "Hey Lacy," I said. "Sorry guys, I woke up late, and I have to run to the store later, this morning is cereal and donuts," said Lacy. "Oh that's okay Lacy, don't worry about it" said Becca.

Just then, Elena and Andi walked in. "Hey guys" said Elena. "What's for breakfast Lace?" said Andi. "You're on your own, I have to go to the store. The fridge is looking a bit empty" said Lacy. "No worries, we should all just go out for breakfast, then go shopping" said Elena. "That's a great idea" I said, "That way it's a win-win".

"Andi" said Claire as she came into the room, "have you seen Jesse this morning? I'm sure he's still upset over last night" said Claire, smirking at me. "Yeah Claire, he's doing what he does every morning… he's still downstairs. You should have seen him when you woke up still sitting at the bar…" said Andi. Angrily, Claire left the room. "Whatever, I didn't say anything anyone else in this room didn't already know," said Andi. "How about we get around and go, my treat" said Elena. "Elena, you don't have to do that, I can pay for my own" I said. "Jenny chill out, we all treat each other around here" said Elena. "If you say so Elena, thank you" I said.

We grabbed our purses, and we were out the door. As we headed to the garage, we were met by Luka. "Hey guys where are you going?" said Luka. "We're running some errands," said Lacy. "Don't worry, we can handle ourselves. Andi is coming with us" said Elena. "What? The infamous Andi Marinos is going out in public?" said Luka, laughing at Andi. "Watch it Harris," said Andi. I pondered for a moment what Luka meant. Lacy pulled out a red convertible out of the garage. "Get in losers we're going shopping" shouted Lacy, laughing after her statement.

We piled into the car and drove onto the freeway. Lacy blared the speakers so loud, I couldn't even hear myself think. The wind felt exhilarating as it blew across my face. After about ten minutes, Lacy pulled into a small diner. "You guys are going to love this place, we come here all the time" said Elena. We got out of the car, and walked in. Instantly, the waitress came over and hugged Lacy. "Hey Kenna!" said Elena. "Here are my favorites!" shouted Kenna. "I see some new faces," said Kenna, looking at Becca and I. "I'm Jenny" I told Kenna, "and I Becca," said Becca. "Oh, I've heard about you two" said Kenna, "all good things though".

"Just the normal, girls?" asked Kenna. "You know it," said Andi. "What about you girls?" said Kenna. "I'll just have some pancakes," I said. "I'll have an omelet," said Becca. "Okay, I'll have that right out for you" said Kenna as she turned away. "You guys will love it, Kenna has owned this place for years, and it's the best breakfast place in California" said Lacy. "That's good because I'm starving," said Becca.

A few minutes later, Kenna came back with our food. "Well that was super-fast," I said to Kenna. "But it all looks amazing!". Kenna handed out the plates and asked "Do you guys need anything else?". "We're good Ken, thanks!" said Lacy. The food smelled wonderful; Becca's eyes were as big as saucers when she looked down. The table was full of food. "Hey Lacy" said Becca with her mouth full "How often do you guys come here? This is great". "We normally come once or twice a week. Really whenever I don't feel like cooking" said Lacy.

After we finished eating, Kenna came over with the check. "Thanks Ken, I got it today," said Elena. Elena handed Kenna a twenty, gave her a hug, then we walked out. "Alright where to next?" said Andi, rushing Lacy. "Chill out Andi, you didn't have to come with us ya' know. You hate going out, yet you still come with us" said Lacy. "Let's just get groceries, then we can head back" said Elena. We pulled into a store a few miles down from the diner. "Let's go, we won't be long I only need a few things" said Lacy. As we walked into the store, we were blasted by the cold air. "Does it really have to be this cold?" said Becca, shivering. "Well, the heat will ruin all the produce" said Lacy, picking up a bag of apples.

I noticed two men in all black enter the store. The one, wearing a visor, covering his eyes. The other was wearing a scarf so his mouth was hidden. "Elena" said Andi, in a distressed voice. "I have to go". "The bathroom sign points over there," said Becca. "No... Elena, door, now". "Okay, here are the keys," said Elena. Andi quickly grabbed the keys out of Elena's hand, then walked out.

We continued shopping, getting the rest of the items on the list. "Lacy, where is the baking isle?" said Becca, quizzing her knowledge of the store. Without even blinking, Lacy said "Isle fifteen, everyone knows that". "Where are spices at?" said Becca. Looking at the donuts, Lacy said "Isle two on the end Becca". "Dang, you go here often," said Becca, surprised. "Do you guys want anything?" said Elena. "No I'm okay" I said, "Yeah thank you" said Becca.

Just then, we heard a loud noise from the parking lot. It seemed as if everyone in the store raced outside, abandoning their carts in the building. People were running everywhere. Through all of the commotion, we found Andi sitting by the car. "Andi!" shouted Elena "What are you thinking? Not here!" shouted Elena. "I know that was you!". "What happened?" I said finally catching up. "We need to leave," said Lacy. "Right now,". Lacy grabbed the unpaid groceries, threw them in the back seat, and we left.

"Andi, was it those guys who walked into the store after us?" I asked. "Did you see the guys face Jenny?" said Andi. "Barely, I caught a small glimpse.. he had a mask on" I said. "I need to call Jesse," said Andi. "Lacy turn down the radio, put the hood up". Lacy turned off the radio and put up the hood on the car. "Elena, what's going on?" said Becca. "Andi. That's what's going on". "Hey Jesse, it's me… we have a problem".