First Meeting

Chapter 2: Ally's House

Alexa breathed a sigh of relief once she finally saw the black iron gates swing open, revealing a dirt road that led up to the giant, oversized house that Ally called home.

It's not that Ally's a bad driver necessarily, Alexa chided herself for the millionth time. She's just...animated. The car ride over had been filled with hoots, hollers and hand gestures - mostly by the driver, and it left Alexa sinking down in her seat in embarrassment.

"Did you see that jerk in the Honda that honked at us when we turned? Who does he think he is?" Ally huffed out, exasperated.

"I think he was a little pissed off at you," Alexa offered. "You did cut across two whole lanes of traffic and almost took him out..."

"I had tons of room!" Ally shouted indignantly, cutting her off. "Plus that's what turn signals are for! So people get out of your way!"

"When you use them that is..." Alexa muttered. Hopping out of the SUV and slamming the door. She moved to grab her bag out of the back seat, but the car lurched forward before she could reach for the handle!

Startled, Alexa looked up to see Ally bent over, tears of laughter streaming down her face. "That's what you get for siding with Honda Boy over your own bff!" Ally managed to choke out between gasps.

Ride or die...no, more like Ride and die, Alexa thought. The number of close calls they'd had over the years was enough to give her a headache if she thought about it too hard. But they always made it, somehow.

Alexa looked at the breathtaking scene in front of her. No matter how many times she'd been there before, the view never got old. At the end of the dirt road stood an impressive oversized wood and stone house. Flanking either side of the main entrance, stood 2 well-looked after maple trees surrounded by beautiful landscaping. To the right of the house, you could find guest houses, a pool, and storage facilities. To the left, a densely wooded area that seemed to go on forever. That forest never seemed to bother her; Ally and Alexa had played all sorts of make-believe games there over the years. Behind the house, she knew you would find the sports dome, and multi-use space. It was the perfect place to plan a summer party.

It's so beautiful here, Alexa sighed contentedly to herself. If she was being honest, as soon as she passed through the iron gates a sense of calm and peace washed over her. Having spent the last 10 years of her life here made it feel a little bit like her home too.

Ally ran up the walkway and pulled her keys out to unlock the front door. With Alexa right behind her, the girls dropped off their bags in the closet, toed off their shoes and made a beeline for the kitchen.

"Hi Mom! Alexa and I are in the kitchen!" Ally yelled, head already buried in the back of the fridge.

"Looks great in here as always Mrs. Lopez!" Alexa added. She grabbed a glass and filled it with water before making her way to a random seat at the farm table that ran the length of the kitchen. Each detail was meticulously planned and the space always looked like the cover of a design magazine.

"Thank you my love, but please call me Lucy," she said walking into the kitchen. Passing by Ally, Lucy playfully swatted her daughter and spoke again. "Alejandra ! What have I told you about the fridge? Get your head out of there before your father sees you!"

Ally laughed but did as she was told. "He's not even here Mama, but okay fine. We're not staying - I'm going to Alexa's for dinner and a sleepover. I just gotta grab my stuff so we can get ready together tomorrow." She paused, then added, "I better bring accessory options, I can't be expected to decide on an empty stomach!" With that, she turned and headed up the stairs to her room.

"I think you should wear that gold bracelet your father and I gave you. It's in our bedroom closet. You know the one!" Lucy called out after her daughter. She sighed and looked at Alexa warmly. "Alexa, are you excited about your birthday tomorrow? We're so glad we were able to host it here on your behalf."

Alexa replied, "Yeah thanks again Mrs. Lop- I mean, Lucy." Lucy beamed at her.

She continued, "It was so nice of you guys to reach out to my parents and offer. Especially since we're leaving Sunday morning for my surprise trip. This way, I can at least see everyone for my birthday."

No longer beaming, Lucy looked down sadly at the table. An awkward moment passed before Lucy spoke again. "Don't worry honey. Just know that everyone loves you so very much and wants to protect you." She gave Alexa a hesitant smile.

Wait. What was that? Alexa thought to herself. Do they know where I'm going? Why would she even say something like that? Alexa opened her mouth to ask a question, but closed it again, unable to formulate a clear thought.

Quickly, Lucy continued, "Oh! I meant to tell you. Jace will be home in time for your party tomorrow too."

Jace, Ally's older brother. Just a few years older than the girls, he had spent the last 3 years learning the family business. With offices all over the country, Jace and his father were often away on business trips.

"Cool! I'm so glad he could come - I haven't seen him in ages. He's been working pretty hard." Alexa said warmly. Her eyes caught movement coming from the stairs. Finally Ally was ready to go.

"Um, Ew. Could you try not to drool over my brother? Thanks." Ally quipped. Her hands were full with her garment bag and a rolling silver suitcase. She flounced off towards the SUV left parked outside. Alexa figured that the suitcase was chalk full of options... options for her.

Resigned, Alexa rolled her eyes. She stood from the table, placed her now empty glass in the sink. Heading for the wide open door, she hastily called over her shoulder, "Thanks for having me! See you tomorrow!"

Lucy Lopez watched the girls from the front window. Rolling the gold bracelet she wore on her right wrist - she worried about the daughter she did have, and the child that felt like her own. Turning briskly away from her worries and doubts - Lucy headed back outside to continue preparations for tomorrow's event.

Alexa made her way to the gray SUV and found Ally already in the driver's seat furiously skipping songs until she found the one she wanted. Soon high energy music flooded out of the SUV. Hopping again into the passenger seat and strapping in, Alexa prepared for the 10 minute drive into the city.

"Ready? Let's Jet!" Ally yelled over the music. Not bothering to wait for a response, she punched the gas, rocks flying as they headed back down the dirt road again towards the black iron gates.

The weird moment in the kitchen already forgotten, Alexa gripped her seatbelt and placed all of her energy into hoping they made it back in one piece.

Somewhere in behind the tree line, a pair of sharp green eyes watched the SUV careen towards the highway. The smell of cedar and and campfire that grew fainter as the SUV disappeared out sight, sent little shocks of pain throughout the strangers body every so often. Shaking off the feeling of disappointment, the stranger retreated deeper into the woods and began to make their way back towards the towering house.