Jackie's Personal Day

Chapter 1: A Not So Peaceful Morning.

It had been a few days since the blackout, Inez's arm was nearly healed, and everyone had made plans to go to Amber's diner for a bite to eat. However, someone slept on the wrong side of the bed that morning...

"I wonder where Jackie is?" Mariel said brewing a cup of espresso. "Hmmm yeah you're right, she's usually not one to sleep in." Inez replied before seeing a half awake Jackie standing in the doorway. "Hey guys...." Jackie said in a gruff monotone voice. "Jax? Are you ok? You sound like you're sick." Matt answered worryingly. Jackie just rolled her eyes and pulled up a seat at the countertop-styled table. "Hey, Mariel. While you're over there, could you brew up a hot cocoa for me? I'd really appreciate it." Jackie said. Mariel nodded and got a separate mug ready. Everyone then started talking about what they should do today, Jackie was not having it this time. 

"You know, maybe there are times where SOME of us wanna be alone." Jackie suggested. The other fell silent, with the exception of Mariel humming as she finished making everyone's beverages. ".... Everything ok over here, guys?" Mariel said giving Jackie her cup of cocoa. "Jackie said she might not actually wanna join us." Matt scoffed. "Well, Matt. That's her decision and its completely valid." Mariel started before being cut off by Matt. "VALID? Do you know what's VALID, Mariel? Us being together as a unit! We can't go out unless we are all present." Matt argued as everyone hid their faces. "So no, Jackie will NOT be having alone time, she will be staying with us unti-" he turned around only to find Jackie's seat was empty and the front door was slammed shut. The others looked at Matt angrily as he sunk into his seat. "Was it something I said?" He asked.

Meanwhile, Jackie was running off to the bus stop, trying to stay as far away from the group as possible. Suddenly, a brochure hit her in the face. "Hey watch it you- Huh? What's this?" She grabbed the piece of paper and opened it up, it was an ad for a town that was a little further away, it was known as North Oxbour. There were mostly people of color that resided there, no not because of racist pricks, but because it was mostly by preference of being in a humble town rather than the ghetto area that's Millstone. "This doesn't seem so bad..." Jackie thought before sitting on a bench. She began to read the brochure, seeing that it had been advertising places like clothing shops, a mall, and even a cafe that recently opened call "Bean Me Up." After 20 minutes, the bus finally arrived. "Oh good," Jackie said hopping on. "I should probably text Mariel first, and tell her I'll be out for a while.." she muttered. The bus driver asked Jackie where she wanted to go, only to get the response of "North Oxbour please." before driving off. 

Jackie then pulled out her phone and texted Mariel. "Hey, Mariel. Its Jax (obviously.) Listen, I'm gonna be gone for a little while, could you not tell the guys where I'm going or how long I'll be gone for? Cuz in all honesty, Idk when I'll be back. No, I'm not leaving for like, months on end. Just tell them I'm taking a....personal day of sorts! -Jackie"