The Cheshire Cat Diamond

Chapter 4

As we passed the other rooms to the upstairs lobby, we passed one room with the nameplate "Stephanie's Room". I smiled and continued following Trisha. Trisha must have invited one of the girls from her college. Instantly, my mind wandered to the Stephanie I had met on the plane. Could she have stolen my suitcase? That lady did say that it was a blonde girl who took it. Nah. Probably just another one of the million blonde girls in the airport. I really wonder who took it? I hope I can find it. Trisha's voice cut through my thoughts like a hot knife on butter.

" Here we are! I'll introduce you to Kyle and he'll take care of you. I have to leave." Trisha said.

"Okay," I said, trying to keep the nervousness that was bubbling up inside of me out of my voice. I straightened out my shirt and tucked any loose strands of hair behind my ear. "I'm ready."

With another grand flourish (Trisha really loves dramatic entrances, doesn't she?) Trisha threw open the doors and quickly strode into the room. Inside, a dark-haired dude with glasses was lounging in a beanbag, (Desmond?) reading a book. On the beanbag across from him, a red-haired girl (Nancy!) was peacefully listening to music. 

Across the room, a strongly built blonde was writing something, and near him, a blonde girl was painting her nails on the sofa. At the sound of the door banging open, all of them turned around to face us. Desmond was regarding me with his dark eyes, Nancy was blearily looking around, the blonde guy started to turn around, and the blonde girl turned around. Wait, what!? The blonde girl was Stephanie!? I turned to Trisha and dragged out of the room.

"Just a sec guys!" Trisha called.

"Stephanie!? That's Stephanie and the girl your dad's friend brought!" I hissed, positively furious.

"Yeah," Trisha said, really confused. "Why? Do you have a problem with her?"

"Do I have a problem with her? Yes! She's annoying, and is a demon! I had to deal with her the whole flight!" I whisper screamed.

"Cia, stop overreacting. You'll survive. Now I really have to go okay?" Trisha replied.

"Fine. Be that way. See if I care." I huffed. Turning my back on Trisha, I marched back into the room.

In the room, everyone had resumed what they were doing. Clearing my throat, I announced. "Hello everybody. My name is Stacia and I'm here from Colorado. I've been childhood friends with Trisha for a long while, and I look forward to spending this Halloween with you all!" I managed to choke out. Now Nancy had woken up, and a spark of recognition flickered across her face. The next thing I knew, I was being bear-hugged by her.

"Cia! I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?" Nancy exclaimed.

"Noodles! (her nickname) You didn't tell me you were dating Desmond!" I replied. At this, Desmond raised his head and stared quizzically at me.

"What! We're not dating! Right Noodl- erm, Nance?" he stuttered.

"Okay, first of all, if I'm Nance, you're Dezzy. In fact, that's your name now. Second, Dezzy don't try to cover it. We are dating. You asking me to go out with you counts as dating. " Nancy commanded.

"No, we're not dating!" Desmond protested.

"Dezzy!" Nancy warned, a hint of impatience leaking into her voice.

"Okay, fine. Yes Stacia, me and Noodl- erm, Nancy and I are dating" Desmond said quietly, letting his bangs fall into his eyes as he resumed reading his book.

"What book are you reading?" I asked Desmond. He jumped a little, startled.

"Oh, it's the Cheshire Cat Diamond," he mumbled.