A/N - Thanx so much for the reviews. I appreciate each and every one.
Hey Jaws, here's your intro. I changed it a bit from the last copy I sent you. And as for the review, it's not so much writers block, as it is a lack of motivation. I just haven't felt like writing anymore. I figure if I just put it down for awhile, maybe I'll want to finish it. So bear with me while I do something else for a change. This is stupid. I don't know why I'm answering you this way when I'll be at your house tomorrow. Just like I am every weekend. LOL. C-ya girl.
To everyone else - Here is the next chapter. Please read and review.
Chapter 9: The Best Friend
It was Saturday morning and Chanda awoke at eight. Eager to start her day. Today was her big date with Leon. She got out of bed and went to her small closet. Looking through her clothes, she decided she needed to go shopping. Maybe, buy herself a new outfit for tonight. Quickly she showered, dressed in a tank top and jeans, and grabbed her keys.
She found a shopping mall and pulled into the parking lot. As she got out of her car, she noticed a blue Mazda RX-7 parked not too far away. Surely not. It can't be her's. Chanda thought as she walked toward the entrance. Inside, she found a store with just what she was looking for. Clothing that was dressy but yet casual. She picked out a white short sleeve button up blouse and a blue jean mini skirt with white lace trim. After picking out a few other items, she went to the register and paid for them. As she was leaving the store, she accidently collided with another customer.
"Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry. I did not mean that." Chanda quickly said trying to apologize.
"Chanda!?" The woman said.
"Jennifer!? Oh my GOD! What are you doing here?"
Jennifer had been Chanda's best friend growing up. She was 5'4", had long raven black hair and brown eyes. She had a dark skin complexion due to her mother being from the Philippines. Four years ago, Jennifer had left for college at UCLA on a basketball scholarship shortly after graduation, and Chanda had not seen her since.
"Shopping with my friend, Mia." Jennifer said as she turned to introduce them. "Mia, this is Chanda, my best friend from San Francisco. Chanda, this is Mia. I met her in college."
"Hello. Nice to meet you." Chanda said as she extended her hand.
"Same here." Mia smiled as she shook Chanda's hand.
"So, what are you doing here?" Jennifer asked.
"Shopping. Duh." Chanda giggled.
"I meant in L.A.?"
"Oh, looking for Brian." Chanda then turned towards Mia to explain. "Brian's my half-brother. He doesn't know I exist."
"Wow!" Mia replied. "I hope you find him."
"Thanks, so do I."
"So, you're finally looking for him?" Jennifer asked. She knew about Brian but only that he existed.
"Yeah, dad had a mild heart attack a month ago and I promised to find him."
"Oh my god! Is he okay?" Jennifer grew concerned.
Growing up, Jennifer had always looked up to Chanda's father. Because her real father was gone so much with being in the military, she had always called him her second dad. Jennifer would spend hours in the garage helping Chanda's father as he worked on his GTO. Chanda always thought that that was the reason why Jennifer loved cars so much.
"He'll recover but he told me he wants to set things straight with Brian."
"Of course he does."
"And how is your family?" Chanda asked her best friend.
"Well, Dad is okay. I talk to him almost every night via instant messenger. And since Chris decided to go into full active duty a year ago, he, Megan, and Tarren have been stationed in upstate Washington. So, they're good."
"Good." Chanda replied. An awkward silence grew as the three girls stood there looking at each other.
Suddenly Jennifer spoke up, "So girl, how long are you going to be in town?"
"I don't know really. I've kind of hit a roadblock in the search. It could be months or only a few weeks."
"Good, then we can get together and catch up. So, where are you staying?"
"The Beverly Hills Plaza." Chanda replied.
Jennifer's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "No, your not. You're staying with me. I will not have my best friend go bankrupt." Jennifer said as she glared at Chanda. "How much stuff do you have?"
"Not much. That's why I'm here at the mall. I was getting a new outfit for tonight."
"Well then let's go grab your stuff and you can come share my apartment." Jennifer told her.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure." She replied.
"Thanks. Sounds like a good idea."
"Hey, Mia. Do ya mind if I go?" Jennifer asked as she turned toward Mia who had quietly been standing to the side.
"Not at all, Jen. I need to be heading to the store anyway. You two go have fun." Mia replied. "See ya later?"
"You know it." Jennifer answered as she grabbed Chanda's arm and the two of them left.
Outside in the parking lot, Chanda led Jennifer to her car. Jennifer saw the car and then looked to Chanda in shock.
"This, is your car?"
"Yep. You like?" Chanda smiled at her friend.
Jennifer smiled and shook her head. "Well, it's definitely you. You and purple. I should have known."
"Well, at least I love her." Chanda said as she ran her hand gently over the fender. "So, where's your car?"
"Right over there." Jennifer replied as she pointed to the blue Mazda Chanda had seen on her way in.
"I knew that car looked familiar. When did you have her detailed?" The reason Chanda had not totally recognized the car was because the last time she had seen it, it was just the solid blue. Now, her car had a shark design on it to match her friend's nickname, jaws.
"Just a few months ago, actually."
"You always claimed you were going to get that done. Looks great! Who did it?"
"A friend of mine helped me. The one who got me into street racing." Jennifer answered matter-of-factly.
Chanda looked astonished. Oookaay? My brother and my best friend both street race? Who's next? My dad? Chanda laughed inside at that thought. Sure, he was into cars. But, street race? Chanda shook her head with disbelief. "You, street race?" Chanda asked Jennifer with a raised eyebrow.
"I race on occasion." Jennifer answered with a slight grin.
"Well, that's interesting." Chanda giggled.
"Hey, why don't we finish this at my place? I'll follow you to the hotel and then you follow me to my apartment." Jennifer offered.
"Okay. Great idea. By the way, thank you sissy. You're my best friend and I love you."
"I know it. Love you too, sis. Let's roll."
"Let's roll, roomie." Chanda said as they got into their cars.
They both backed out and left the parking lot. Chanda in the lead. As she drove, her mind wandered. I can't believe my luck, running into Jennifer at the store. I also can't believe I forgot that she lived here in L.A. Now I have a place to stay for awhile without paying a fortune. I knew finding Brian was going to take some money but I was hoping I wouldn't have to use all of my trust fund to find him. Maybe, I should get a job? I need to do something with my time anyway. At this point, finding Brian has come to a stand still. I'll start looking for a job on Monday. Hey, maybe Jennifer could help me? Chanda thought.
About an hour and a half later, Chanda pulled into a driveway of a small two story home. Confused, she got out of the car and looked at her best friend.
"I thought you said you lived in an apartment?"
"I do. This house is two apartments. I live on the second floor. Come on, grab your stuff. The stairs are over here."
Chanda grabbed her luggage and followed Jennifer around the corner of the house. In the back yard there was a flight of stairs to a door on the second floor. As she got to the top, Jennifer opened the door and ushered her friend inside.
Chanda was surprised at what she saw. As she walked in, she was greeted with a very lovely, very spacious room. Not crowded like most places she'd seen. The living area had cream colored carpet with a burgundy couch facing an up-to-date home theater system. The kitchen and dinning area had hard wood floors. The kitchen was separated from the living area by a bar/food prep area. All three were connected into one room. There was a small hallway in the middle of the far wall that lead to two bedrooms and a bathroom.
"It's not much. But it's home." Jennifer said.
"Are you kidding? It's gorgeous." Chanda replied dropping her luggage near the couch. "How long have you lived here?"
"Since I left Frisco. I was lucky to find it."
"How much is it?"
"That's the best part. Only $375 a month, utilities included."
Chanda's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Oh my god! I did thank you for letting me stay, didn't I?"
"No prob, girl." Jennifer laughed. "Ya know you're my best friend in the world?"
"And you're mine." Chanda said giving Jennifer a bear hug.
"So, how have you been?" Jennifer asked as she pulled away.
"Great!" Chanda replied as she went to sit on the couch.
"Want something to drink?"
"Water?"
"Sure." Jennifer pulled two bottles of water out of the fridge and went to join her friend on the couch. "So, what have you been up to these last 4 years?" She asked as she handed Chanda one of the bottles.
"Thanks." Chanda said as she took the bottle and rolled her eyes. "Jeesh! Where should I begin?"
"How about your dad? You said he had a heart attack. Is he ok?"
"Oh yes, he'll be fine. I just talked to him the other day and mom is watching him closely. He just has to watch his stress levels and take it easy for awhile. After the heart attack happened, he was really shook up. I asked him what was wrong and he told me he was afraid that it will happen again. And it also made him realize that he wanted to set things straight with Brian. I told him that I would find Brian for him. That's why I'm in L.A. I tracked him here. Apparently his mother dying, while he was locked up in juvie, changed his life. He finished high school in jail. Then when he got out, he applied to the police academy and became an officer in the state of Arizona. He had such perfect marks and an exemplary performance record that just a few months ago he was up for a detective's badge. He was transferred to L.A. where he took an undercover assignment."
"So, he's here in L.A.?" Jennifer interrupted.
"Was. Apparently while on the assignment, he let his man go and then disappeared. The FBI is currently looking for him."
"Wow! So, now what are you gonna do?"
"I talked to his commanding officer, Sgt. Tanner, and he said he would see what he could do to help me. I gave him my cell number and he told me he would call if he found anything. That was three weeks ago. I haven't heard from him yet and I probably won't for some time. My search for Brian has become a waiting game."
"What have you been doing in the meantime?"
"Nothing. But now that I have a place to stay, I'm thinking I need a job. I figure, I'll start looking on Monday."
Jennifer thought for a few moments. Then said, "You may not have to. Remember the girl I introduced you to earlier?" Chanda nodded. "Well she runs this little store not far from here. We can run by there later and ask her if she needs help."
"Really? That sounds great!" Chanda said as she took a drink from her water.
"So, how did you get that car?" Jennifer asked changing the subject.
Chanda smiled widely. She had been wondering how long it would take for Jennifer to mention the car. "I bought it with some of the money my grandfather put into a trust fund for me. I got it when I turned 21. I liked it because it's purple and the guy said it was fast. I don't know what kind of engine it has but I can tell you it is a fast car. Troublesome lately, but fast."
"Troublesome? What's wrong with it?" Jennifer's eyes perked up.
Chanda grinned. Growing up Jennifer had always been into two things, basketball and cars. "I don't know. You're the car expert. You tell me?"
"I'm not only a car expert, I'm a certified mechanic. And I would have to drive your car and hear it run to tell you what's wrong with it. Would you let me drive your car?" Jennifer asked with that pleading look in her eyes.
"As long as you don't wreck my baby, sure." Chanda replied.
"Then let's go. I know of a garage nearby that will let me use their tools. My friends work there and I'll be able to introduce you to them. Then on the way home we can stop at Mia's and see about that job."
"Great. Let's go." Chanda said jumping off the couch.