Lexie's Chapter

morning sun.

One of the things that Bree and I enjoyed doing was taking walks. She and I both were often up early in the mornings, even after parties—while the others slept in for hours. Loi, especially—his work started around noon (he illustrated book covers), and he stayed asleep right up until he had to quickly get ready and leave.

It was nine in the morning when we left the Party Place, a clubhouse by the beach which was owned by my dad. I had changed into a tie-dyed crop top, with cutoff shorts and a pair of white Converse. Bree's outfit consisted of a blue, light long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of black high-waisted shorts.

We took our usual route, straight down the street, and then we took a right—passing by the arcade and the farmer's market. The town was already filled with life, as usual. There was rarely a time where something wasn't happening. Even if you couldn't see it.

About fifty percent of the town was woods. The outskirts were surrounded by trees, like a thick wall of bark and leaves—as if it was meant to keep something out, or something in. However, there was a subway station which could be entered from various spots—and a couple roads leading outwards.

A friendly smile appeared on my face as I turned to talk to Bree. "So, where are we going?" I asked, leaving her the option to decide.

"Well, it's been a while since Star Grove Woods," she replied, with a slight, nervous laugh.

I failed to notice her sarcasm, and didn't realize she was joking about her offer until later on.
"Oh god—y'know what, let's do it!"

"No, Lexie," she paused with a grin. "I wasn't being serious. It's still morning, so it's a bit scary."

"Oh!" I realized. "Of course, it is dangerous in the mornings anyway, we can dash somewhere else."

Star Grove Woods was basically a criminal hangout spot. Most newcomers to the beach never expected there to be crime, since the prices for rent and housing had absolutely skyrocketed. At least from what I've heard, from the news app on my phone, and from Annabell, the girl at all of my parties who gives out an unofficial newspaper she writes herself, it's been like that since 2008. There's a whole different city hidden underneath the thick, leafy canopy.

Bree looked up, as if she had finally come to a decision. She turned her head in my direction, her dirty blonde hair floating in the breeze.

"Let's just go to IHOP," she suggested. "Can't go wrong with pancakes, amirite?"

"True, true. I'm hungry anyway."
I was—I hadn't eaten anything since last night, except a bowl of Froot Loops. Somehow, I didn't burn my cereal.

We stepped down the crosswalk, paying little attention to the glowing red stop sign symbol. It didn't matter much if we jay-walked—most people's daily commute occurred earlier. Besides, it was a walkable town and not many people owned cars—aside from those who were very wealthy, and a few people who had scraped up enough money for a used truck.

Who would want to run over us, anyway?

After some conversation and a quarter of a mile, we made it to the large strip of restaurants. Though IHOP was pretty cheap, it was something of a Saturday morning tradition for our group of friends. We knew most of the workers by name.

I could tell that Bree had missed all of this. Partying, going out with the squad, and eating food aside from lettuce wraps and green shakes. After asking for a table for six, in case Liz, Miyu and Blaze could get Emmy out of bed, Bree and I were led to a booth next to a clear glass window, sunbeams seeping into the crowded building.

-

"Did you read Annabell's newspaper from yesterday? The gossip column is totally crazy," the blonde questioned, holding a printed copy. The gossip column was unfortunately about my friends and I, most of the time. It didn't bother me much—but it wasn't what I preferred.