Chapter 27

"We should come up with a plan, guys. I can't risk this." I said to everyone in the room which consisted of Jenny, Cole, Xavier, and Carter.

When Carter showed me the text and told me it is something bad, we immediately drove to Jenny's house and called the boys to come over there too. Carter was whining about how stupid and naive he was to trust anyone without asking me about them and how the situation we are in is very dangerous. I asked him why would Leslie do that, but he didn't bother to answer. So now here we are, excluding Harris, talking and planning about it.

"It is not only you, I am also involved in this risk." Carter reminds me.

"What if we just kidnap her then threaten her dad? Easy peasy." Cole suggests. I glance at him to make sure he isn't being serious and is laughing it off, but he actually meant it.

"That is a good idea, Cole." Xavier speaks sarcastically, "Then we would just finish her and send those humongous gangsters to us by ourselves." Xavier said sarcastically. Jenny laughed loudly and looked at Xavier, "What do you mean by gangsters?" she asked instantly stopping, it was a bitter and a terrified laugh, making me hilariously laugh too.

"Dan is a successful businessman and owns everything. So it could be and is possible for him to have packs of loaded gangsters," he said.

"Do not make it look this much terrifying, fam. He is as rich as my dad, so do not think he will be any better or not." Carter says.

"I really don't care about the gangs or anything you are talking about, if Leslie leaks out even a little about me staying a whole night with a boy, then man, I'm dead along with you." I said locking my eyes with Carter.

"Wait what? Why would you include me?" he asks confused.

"WHAT?"

"You two slept together??"

"What the actual fuck??"

"Kate and Scott had sex?!"

All the three boys and Jenny asked at the same time. I took in a breath and released, what a shame I am circled with a bunch of children, "My dad is not merciful when it comes to 'his only treasure', so yes, he will hunt you down. And you two, it's not what you're thinking, we just watched some movies and I slept over at his."

"I am proud of you two, to be honest. But remember, I don't want to be an uncle anytime soon." Cole said.

"Shut up!" I whined and burrowed my face on the sofa's pillow, hiding my blush that is creeping up to my cheeks, "Why would you think like that?"

"Your actions talk it as bright as the sun, Kate. Don't be shy though, he can be rough and—"

"Ah! Cole!" I screamed on the pillow, this boy wants to kill me with embarrassment. I never even thought of it, how could he?

"You are passing the line, shut it." Carter shuts him up with his cold tone.

"Uh, Kate, your phone is ringing." Xavier tells me, making me look down beside me, indeed, it flashed an unknown number but I answered it anyway,

"Hello? Is this Kate Anderson?" a smooth male voice spoke, making me startle at the unfamiliarity and creepiness of the voice. Who the hell is that?

"Yes, who are you?" I ask looking at Jenny and giving her the look. She mouthed, "Who is it?" and I shrugged my shoulder.

"You still didn't know me? Boo-hoo me," my hands froze, fear etched on my face, "Anyway, I am calling to warn you, might count it as a blessing because I don't do with calls," he chuckles and continues, "Leslie is trying to get something from your boyfriend, and she is coming for you. I don't know how or why, but she is following you. Take a good look everywhere, Au Revoir." the voice says, and I wasn't even done listening to him, "No, wait! What the heck do you mean she is after me? Who are you? Hey! Fuck!" I yelled and threw my phone to the side.

"What the fuck did the person say?" Carter asks coming to me and grabbing my phone to see the caller's ID, "He said that Leslie is after me and is trying to get something from you. But I don't know who he is." I said starting to circle the room.

This is bad, if someone really called to warn me about someone who is trying to strike on me, then the harm that will occur will be worse. Oh my days, what will happen to my friends and my studies? What will happen if my parents ever knew about me letting a guy sleepover at his? What will happen if Leslie ever caught us? These bullshit of thoughts are making me confused, too confused.

"We need a plan as soon as fucking possible." Carter says, "I do not want anybody to be hurt because of me."

"But... what would a girl like Leslie who likes silence, books, and all the nerdy stuff want from a guy like him, who is labeled as the 'bad boy' at our school?" Jenny asks.

"I wish I could help, but I feel like I'm lost in the middle of the sea. I can't say anything because I don't know anyone that much except Dan, who I met once at some sort of party." Cole said looking at Carter.

"I have a great plan," Xavier suddenly says, "But this would need Scott's good attitude and patience."

"Right now, I would make anything happen whether it is by force or not. Tell us, what's that?" I question him.

"Well, as we know, Scott's dad is a businessman and will be invited to balls or some celebrations, right? What we will be doing first is, Scott will go to his dad and ask him politely if he can tag along with his friends to a ball he would be going to, and I am sure he will agree because he will think that his son is trying to bond with him-"

"But that is using Mr. Harrington and hurting his feelings." I interrupted, "The last fucking thing I am thinking about is his empty feelings, resume, Xavier."

"So when we leave for the party or anything then reach there Dan will be there for sure, so we will follow him to his place then say that we just want to hang out with his daughter. Then boom, ask her like an inspector what she is up to." he finishes and lays his head back.

"That is such a pretty decent idea except for the last part, I will no way in hell take myself to the danger zone." Cole said scoffing.

"It's really great, Xavier, I'm in," Jenny says, then puts her hand on his shoulder in a comforting way. He smiled sweetly at her and put his hand on hers.

"What do you say, love bunny?" Carter directs a question to me. I am mesmerized by the way Xavier made the idea this quickly in his head, but the only problem as Cole said is following Leslie's father and lie asking him for his daughter. It would be obvious that we came for something and not Leslie, leading us to end up in danger. And even if they don't notice our moves, Leslie would then tell her father, so either way, we will get in huge trouble. But again, coming to think of how much a hot mess will be trailing off from Leslie's mouth and her father's army, that is much worse than what said.

So I think it is much better to see what will be working than sitting and worrying about it all day and night.

"I'm in, team. Let's do it." I said puffing out a big breath. I know we are directly walking to danger and hassle by ourselves without any guide, but there is no option other than this.

"Does anyone want hot chocolate? I'm starting to freeze." Jenny asks standing up.

"Yes, plaese."

"Yep."

"Yeah,"

"I will help you in making them," Xavier replies and quickly stands up and trails behind her to the kitchen.

All three of us shared looks then smirked, these two lovey dovey's are up to something, and we will keep it as interesting as it should be for them.

~°~°~°~°~

"Hey, Lucille, I'm participating in a dangerous plan and was wondering, can you come and join me?" I ask the wall, "No, I'm crazy right? But there is some psycho trying to kill me..." I continued smiling and nodding my head, then shake it, slowly my smile turning into a frown, and put my head in my hands, "I suck at this shit. Okay, let me try with Ramzi," I take a breath and sit up straight again facing the turned off laptop, "Hey Ramzi, fun fact, I am going to go to a Richie ball and will probably fight for my life, want to join me...? Why? That's a very good question, actually, it is this girl who wants to take my man, while I don't have any." I kept talking to the blacked out laptop, "Okay, Aiden then, do you remember those adventures we had when we were little? Well, it is going to be real and I am asking you to come with me to a party to spy on someone then follow them, I know insane right??" I said then laughed, changing it to a loud groan, "This is going to be so hard," I said to myself, preparing the laptop and placing it in front of me.

After drinking our hot chocolate and chit-chatting about ourselves and how we have been, I told Carter to take me back home because I needed my private space to do what I need to do, but first I changed to Jenny's black jumpsuit and her hoodie. Carter complained as to why I took off his clothes because they looked cute on me, so I had to tell him again that my parents would be there waiting for me. As he was driving me back to my home, he started to give me advice on how to keep myself safe and the techniques on how to use a gun too. Scared, I told him that it is not important to know them... at the moment, but he insisted and said, "It is very much necessary than anything."

When I got in the house, mom and dad were sitting on the couch. Dad watching the television and mom typing something on her computer, I greeted them then had a little conversation about how my night was and who Leslie was, which I lied and told them she was my friend that I just made, then quickly ran up the stairs and closed the door of my room. I changed to my huge sleeveless shirt and leggings with my favorite fluffy white socks. Then while I was reading my book to relax my mind, my phone pinged indicating I got a message; it was from Ramzi from the group chat we have. He sent a message saying that we all should log in to skype and have a talk about the new stuff and how life is going, yay my life for me at this point. I was already stressed about how to call them and break the ice on what is going on with my life right now, but surprisingly as if they knew what I was up to, they beat me for that.

"It's easy, Kate, very easy. All you have to do is greet, tell them calmly about what is going on, then see what they are going to say," my eyes snapped to the caller on Skype.

Ohmygodtheyarecallingohlordgivemestrengh.

"Hi!!" I greeted cheerfully as I see Ramzi, Lucille, and Aiden's videos popping at the top of the screen.

"Finally, we got to see each other again! It felt like ages," Lucille said wiping something from her face, benefits of having poor internet are the best. (Note the sarcasm)

"I know, it feels like we are trying to push each other away or something," Aiden says.

"The main thing is that we are back again, right? So, cheers for us!" I said and picked the bottle of water next to me, showing it to the camera.

"Oh shit, wait let me get my juice!" Lucille says. Her voice is far, her figure at the far corner opening cupboards.

"Do we really have to do this?" Aiden asks annoyed, "Yes we should, aren't you happy you saw us again alive? Geez," Ramzi says and lifts a glass to the camera, "Got mine."

"Me too, Aiden? Come on, just do it." Lucille calls him, "Fine, cheers!" he says and all of us repeat the same, "Cheers for seeing each other again!" Lucille says then laughs.

"Why are you two at different devices?" I ask the twins as they always never leave the other usually.

"I'm at the living room, and she is at her room." Ramzi explains.

"I am certifying you two the laziest people I have ever met." Aiden says, "So, anything new with all of you?" I asked, seeing if I am the only one with stressful thoughts.

"As you know, this country is becoming more and more complicated. People of different tribes are fighting and killing each other." Aiden starts first.

"What about the family? Are you guys okay?" Lucille asks worriedly, "Nah, all of the chaos are not happening anywhere near us, but it really is messed up. Ethiopia is getting from better to bad at a very fast pace."

"One day, we will be taking the whole family and take them somewhere better and safe." Ramzi says, "Can you remind me how many years are left until you finish university?" Ramzi asks Aiden

"Now I'm at my first year, which by now, I have like four years to go."

"Why won't you travel and go to a better university? There are plenty of places to learn which has good quality and are affordable." I said.

"Eh, I really don't care, let me just finish what I have to learn then we will see what would be happening." he simply said.

"Don't listen to him, he is probably thinking of ways to how to get the heck out of the country and escape, right?" Ramzi says laughing. Lucille and I giggled but he grumbled, "I would have just told you plainly and with no hiding at all from you."

"What about you, Kate? What does being a senior feel like?" Lucille asks me, "It is your last stage of the so-called school that you will be experiencing."

"It feels great, but kind of sad because this is my last year of a system I have grown with my whole life, but I am coping well now, nothing to worry about," I said, neglecting the main topic I wanted to tell them about completely. I am such a chicken, even chicken is better more confident than me.

"And I have very exciting news for all of you! I am so so nervous but I am seriously about to go insane." Lucille gladly starts speaking, "Really? Share us the news then." Aiden says.

"I... am... getting married!!" she squeals and yells. My mouth instantly hung open. What the... Lucille is getting married? How is that possible for a cousin and also a sister I knew for so long to get married?

"Oooh," Aiden and Ramzi said and I squealed with her. This is so freaking great because, hello, another member in the house!

"And who is the lucky guy?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows, hoping they can see what I'm doing.

"Cuz, I swear he's one of a kind. He makes me feel good in my own skin and always treats me like a princess. I also never thought I would get married this easily, but I just found out this, we used to have a crush on each other for a while back at college. And you know what? It feels good to know that I was loved, it's such a special time of my life and I'm excited for you all to share the happiness practically with me."

"I am so thousand times so happy for you, Lucille. This is such a great step you are taking in your life because, this is where you will be starting your own family, then work hard to make them grow and last to be the better. This is crazy, we are going to have mini Lucilles?" I said and giggled.

"Hey Kate," Ramzi calls, "I was thinking of having a reunion where you are. It could be at this time because, for some reason, Lucille and I's school has shut down for some time." he suggests.

"I wouldn't mind if all of you came, but can you make it?" I asked.

"Maybe in December, I can't come anytime soon because I am trying to concentrate more on my school and it wouldn't close for any reason given," Aiden speaks.

"Fine, let us four have a break from school at around the same time, which will probably be Christmas and new year, then we will plan it out. Until that, let's just catch up and bring up some memories." Lucille says clapping her hands once.

"Hello? Guys? Can you hear me?? Hello?? I can't hear you!" I started to lie yelling.

"We can perfectly hear you, Kate." Lucille says but I ignored it, "Hello?? I think I'm losing connection here, I can't see any of you, well, I will talk to you later, I can't see or hear you!" I bid them goodbye and left the video call group listening to their waits and buts.

I couldn't do it, I am too nervous that my hands are slightly shaking. It's not because I'm an introvert or I'm insecure, it's just that the idea that they won't be taking me seriously and won't be giving much help worries me. It is one of the worst behaviors I have had, I tried to change it and think positively about what would people think about what I have to say, but failed miserably. I know that Lucille, Aiden, and Ramzi understand and know me the best from everyone, but the nervousness just kicked in. I feel lonely now, maybe I could just call Carter and tell him about what I feel... no, he is not close enough to tell him about my feelings.

But you told him your deepest secrets about yourself and your loved ones.

I know, it's just those little twigs of feelings growing for him are the ones pushing me to speak to him and rely on him.

But what if those little feelings grew and became a huge tree? What will you do then?

That is the biggest problem that I will have to face.