It's been a week since we visited Kai in the hospital and within that short period a number of events have happened, Sophie's been arrested and sent to juvie after she admitted her crimes, Kai's awaiting trial while being kept in a rehabilitation center in the state under strict police supervision and Mr Anaki's hoping for a way to reduce Kai's penalties, Liana decided on speaking to her dad on his behalf just in case.
Cedar Creek High..
Hey, Liana called from behind as I stood by my locker
Hi, I replied, turning around, how's your day going?
that's not the question you really want to ask but you're trying to be polite aren't you, she asked knowingly
I smiled, you're getting good at reading faces, I guess I'm really starting to rub off on you and we're not even dating yet.
She grimaced at me while I continued to stare innocently
Stop being so petty, she smirked
I chuckled in response, To my real question, I continued more seriously, how'd it go with your dad?
He said he'd look into it after I told him the whole story, she replied, it shouldn't be so hard to achieve since Kai admits being guilty and didn't actually kill the last victim.
Hopefully, I replied. That reminds me, Sophie called the other day,.. and not the Sophie you're thinking, I added noticing her reaction, I meant Sierra's sister. I explained to her how everything went with Kai and she broke into tears
Wow, Liana exclaimed
She was so happy her sister's killer was eventually caught, she kept thanking me.
Reminds me of Peter, Taylor's brother, Liana added, I mentioned on the phone that we already had the killer and he cut the call. He later called back to say he was so overjoyed, he didn't know what to say.
I guess we all got what we wanted in the end, I replied
Yeah, but somehow I don't feel as happy as I thought I'd be, she said
that's because you feel bad for Kai, I replied, and you're not the only one.
...............................
Hey, Piper said dryly as I sat next to her in class, I observed her for a while
she's thinking about Kai too, that makes three of us..
Don't worry we can all check on Kai at the rehabilitation center once he's allowed to receive visitors, I said causing her face to light up
Have I told you how nice it is that you read faces, she responded making me smile proudly,.. I don't have to ramble on and on just to express my inner thoughts for you to understand, unlike some people, she glared at Sebastian who sent her a stink eye
..though you can also be very annoying Amari, she added.
I've been thinking, Sebastian spoke up, when Sophie confessed, she said she didn't just kill Adrien to help Kai but because she also had beef with him
Yeah, he dumped her sister after getting her pregnant, causing her to drop out of school, I added
And before doing that, she told Kai she would need a favor from him in return, he continued, did she ever mention what that is?
No, Kai never found out, I replied and neither would we.
unless you wanna go see her in Juvie, Piper playfully suggested
I'm good, I think I've had enough of killers and solving their twisted puzzles he replied, after all this, we deserve a vacation
You know,.. we never got to celebrate my being ungrounded, I added
Yeah, let's do that and enjoy ourselves too, Sebastian said
Okay, how and where, I thought
and when, Sebastian added
Tonight, Liana's family restaurant, Piper cut in, waving her phone, I texted her, she said this one's on her
Alright!, Sebastian seemed pleased, tell her we'll have everything on the menu.
Same day..7:02pm..
Welcome to Vespera Diner A.K.A The Basement..Liana announced as we walked into the fancy looking restaurant all dressed in Dinner wears..
The last time you guys were here you didn't get to taste the five star meals we usually offer so I wanted to invite you back here, Liana continued
at least you packed up some food for us, I said
actually those were leftovers from the night before, she replied...sorry but we weren't exactly friends then
But we are now so we want the best of everything!, Sebastian huffed causing us to stare at him in suprise.. sorry, I'm just really hungry, he added.
Come with me, Liana continued as we followed behind her....We walked into a separate room that looked more like a private lounge and dining area,..This is where we'll be eating tonight.
cool..
Good idea Lia and it looks really nice by the way, Piper commented earning a thank you from her..
Minutes later, waiters began swarming to our table with plenty of food, which we began to dig into..I'm pretty sure I'll be taking some home tonight, it's the least I can do after convincing mum to allow me have a night out with my friends.
After a while of eating, Liana suddenly spoke up, I have an announcement to make, after getting our attention, she continued, So my Dad reached out to me this evening, he found a reduced sentence he can insist on in state law for Kai and even shared Kai's story with a lawyer friend of his who's ready to defend him to make sure he gets a fair trial
Oh my God, that's great..
That's good news..
we chorused simultaneously.
Thank you Liana, I added gratefully
One more thing I want to say, she continued, One of the reasons Taylor's death hit me so hard was because she was the only friend I had, I'm not one to make friends. And when I joined this little group, my intention was to get the information I need and find my friend's killer, but you guys turned out to be more than just alliances to me, you became my best friends
um.. I'm pretty sure you can only have one best friend, Sebastian interrupted
And I'm pretty sure it's not you, I retorted, causing the girls to chuckle
what I'm trying to say is thank you guys so much for your friendship, Lia continued, and I love you all
Some of us more, I replied smiling as I reached out for a hug
We love you too Lia, Piper joined in the group hug
Sebastian aren't you gonna join us, I asked
I would but I don't think I can move right now, he replied, I may have overeaten a little
a little? I wondered at his understatement
Okay, maybe a lot, we laughed at his antics
I'm with you guys in spirit, he added.
Amari's residence...
I got home feeling quite cheerful and satisfied, I shared the good news with Mr Anaki and I've never heard someone sound so happy, his reaction really completed my joy tonight
On getting to my room, I met Alaya sitting on my bed
You're back! she exclaimed
Yeah, what're you doing here? I asked in a playful tone
I'm not sure, I think I came to pick up something..I don't even remember, she got up and began making for the door
You miss me, I stated, it's been a while we spent time together isn't it?
doesn't matter, she replied, I'm going to my room now
would you like to hear a story? I smiled at her
I'm fourteen Amari, she replied, I don't need a bed time story
It's not a bed time story, more like a true life story actually,
I'm not in the mood for history, she continued to walk away
I meant a story of me and what I've been up to lately
really? She turned back in excitement, you'll tell me?
as long as you promise not to tell anyone, I replied
I swear! she immediately chorused, taking her seat
Alright, I replied, taking off my shoes and sitting on my bed.... I'm gonna call it,...'The killing game' and it all started with a crazy dream..
Amari, be serious, she cut in
I am, It actually started with a crazy dream, I insisted
Oh!, she exclaimed, continue
...So there I was, standing in front of what looked like an old school building...