CHAPTER 6

"Wow,this is crazy!" Andrea squealed as she stepped out of the airport. Erin grinned from ear to ear. "I knew this was a great idea! This is gonna be so much fun!" Andrea smiled and started feeling happy. As they picked up their bags and got Buster, Andrea asked,

"Erin,what does your cousin look like? When will he be here??" Erin briefly looked around and saw him with his phone waiting for them.

"That's him! Yo Eric!!"

At that moment Erin ran to him and gave him a huge hug. He hugged her back even though he was still in shock because the impact of the hug startled him.

"Well if it isn't my favorite cousin?! So nice to see you again.' He smiled and ruffled her hair. Andrea just stood with her jaw dropped and her eyes wide open. He was so cute! Erin saw her facial expression and giggled.

"Andrea, this is my cousin Eric. Eric,my bestie Andrea."

Eric smiled. "It's very nice to finally meet you Andrea. Erin talks about you a lot." Andrea tried so hard to wave back or at least say something,but she was so shy and was mesmerized by his face. Unfortunately her blushing condition gave it away. Eric looked at her with confusion.

"Uhhh Erin,is your friend okay? She's ...red. Should we be worried?" Erin just burst into laughter. "Nah she's fine she just has Idiopathic craniofacial erythema,but it's so long I just say she's on ICE. She blushes a lot. She's really shy." "Ohhhhh." Eric nodded and stroked his hair with his fingers. "I've heard about it but I've never seen a person who has it. Fascinating." Andrea's face got redder and Erin couldn't stop laughing.

"Alrighty, let's go!" Erin was about to run but then paused.

"Eric, where's our ride?"

"Follow me dearies!" He led them to the parking lot where his black Benz was parked. They were about to get in when Eric stopped them.

"Whoa whoa whoa hold up." He said, waving his hands. "Your dog's bladder is controlled right? I just cleaned this car yesterday. I really don't want another stressful day of washing, especially when it's dog pee." Erin rolled her eyes and sighed. "Chillax dude, Buster's really smart and he never messes up the car. Isn't that right boy?" Buster barked in affirmation and held his head high. Eric gave a sigh of relief and then they all got in. They took a quick tour of Washington DC and were on their way home when Andrea had an important thought.

"Erin,if Eric's parents see us aren't they gonna call your parents?"

"Oh don't worry about that. I live alone so it's cool." Andrea raised an eyebrow.

"Alone? Sorry to ask but how old are you?"

"20. Besides, mom and dad are barely home,so why even bother staying when I can even afford my own house?" He laughed.

"Eric's into coding and programming." Erin explained to Andrea. "He creates mobile games and he's also a web developer. He's also the one who created that anime game you love so much. It was a huge hit, remember?"

Andrea's eyes lit up and she almost jumped off her seat.

"You created Anime strikers?!!!"

"Yeah." Eric blushed, "I'm glad you like it so much." Andrea smiled so much she thought her jaw would fall off. Eric was so charming it made her heart flutter every time she looked at him. She thought he was perfect.

"Alright, we're here!" Eric parked in the driveway and they all started packing the bags into the house.

"By the way Erin, I'm sorry about what happened to your dad. I saw it on the news. But I didn't expect you to be here,did your mom tell you to stay with me for security reasons?" Eric asked but before Erin could even say anything Andrea yelled.

"ERIN RAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY!!!" Eric looked at Erin in utter shock while Erin frowned at Andrea.

"Dude!!! Did you really have to say that??"

"Well he's got to know!"

"Yeah but I wanted to tell him!"

Eric was still in shock.

"What crazy thing did you do now??" Again Andrea didn't let Erin speak and narrated the whole story about the criminal,the car chase,how they were just

announced missing, and their arrival. Eric just stood looking bewildered.

"Gosh Erin! I knew you were crazy but this is madness! Everyone must be worried sick! I really hope your dad's gonna be okay." Erin gave a faint smile.

"But you need to at least call your mom. You know how she is. I know she's worried sick right now. She hasn't heard from you for too long. It's the right thing to do, you know." Erin took a look at her phone, thinking about calling her mother and telling her everything,but she shook it off. "The criminal is somewhere in DC right now. I can't call mom or she'll ruin everything and tell the police. You know how incompetent they can be right? It's my father's killer we're talking about. He might come after us again if we don't catch him as soon as possible. We have to do this now." Eric sighed and nodded.

"But how would we face a criminal? He can take us out in a split second!" Andrea wailed.

"I can help. Even though all this is crazy to me, family first. I'll do anything to get to the bottom of this and let justice be served." Erin gave him a look of gratitude. "Your dad has helped me a lot during my programming journey. He made me feel better about myself and never give up even though I kept failing at it. It's the least I can do to make it up to him." Buster barked with happiness as they all hugged each other.

"Okay Eric,time to show us our rooms." Erin yawned. "I'm exhausted."

"Oh, well you girls go clean up while I prepare dinner." Eric facepalmed. "Gosh I keep forgetting to show you your rooms. Let's go ladies." He led them up the stairs to their rooms.

"Your rooms are opposite each other. Immediately you told me you're coming over, I tidied up a bit. Hope you guys love it. And Andrea, since you're new here, please feel at home." Andrea smiled and opened the door to her room. She was astonished. Her room looked so cute! It had a ready made bed with the softest duvet covers and the fluffiest pillows, lovely peach colored curtains and a beautiful vanity that lights up. It looked like a simple yet elegant bedroom and Andrea immediately felt warm and fuzzy because it looked so comfortable.

"Like I said, make yourself at home."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Just tell me if you need anything."

"Sure." Andrea smiled nervously as he closed the door. As she unpacked her bags,she kept fantasizing about Eric and how he was like a knight in shining armor. Sure they just met but it was love at first sight to her. Then her attention drifted to the bizarre situation they were stuck in and how busy tomorrow was going to be. They were teenagers tracking down a freaking criminal! Not just a criminal,but an assassin! Andrea felt so lost. Also,she couldn't stop thinking about Erin's parents, Samantha and her mom and how worried they are. Especially her mom who is so dramatic. Andrea felt guilty that she didn't call her mother,but Erin's talk about how their plans would get ruined kept ringing in her head. She stayed strong, knowing she's doing it for Erin and her family. Andrea said a silent prayer and then drifted off to sleep.