Once the girls arrived at their destination, the first place they looked was Jerrica's office. No luck. Aja and Raya looked through the other rooms while Kimber called Shana for an update.
"Synergy's still working on it. Have you found Jem?"
"No, and I don't think she's here. Aja and Raya are checking right now, but she wasn't in her office."
The two bandmates said goodbye and hung up. While Kimber waited for the others to return from their search, she tried to think of where else Jem might have gone. When she thought of it, it was obvious: Jem went to see Rio! She was upset - of course she'd go to see her boyfriend. This was going to be tricky, though. They would have to get Jem to come with them without revealing the situation to Rio.
Across town, Jem was just arriving at Rio's apartment. She was so out of breath, having run all the way there, that she was having a hard time telling him what was wrong.
"Jem, come sit down on the couch and catch your breath. I'll get you a glass of water. Wait right here."
Jem smiled. She knew Rio would help her. Now that she had a moment to think, though, she wasn't sure what to tell him. Much as she wanted to, she couldn't tell him the truth. Not that he'd believe her story. While Rio was getting the water, Jem tried to come up with something plausible as to why she showed up at his door gasping for breath.
"Here you go. Drink this. You'll feel better."
Jem sipped, stalling for a little more time. "Thank you, Rio. I do feel better."
"So, do you want to tell me what's wrong?"
Jem opted for a vague version of the truth. "Kimber and I had a fight. I had to get out of the house, and I didn't know where else to go."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Of course you're welcome here, Jem."
"Oh, Rio. I knew I could count on you."
Just as Jem leaned in for a kiss, there was a knock on the door.
"Rio? It's Kimber. Can I come in?"
"Don't let her in," Jem pleaded.
Rio went to the door and opened it but didn't let Kimber inside. "Jem told me you two had a fight. She doesn't want to see you right now."
"Please, let me speak with her. I...I just want to apologize. Please."
Rio hated to see Jem in distress, so he stepped out of the doorway, hoping the two girls could patch up whatever disagreement they had.
"Leave me alone, Kimber," said Jem.
"Please, Jem. I'm sorry that I made you upset. Can't we go back home and talk this out?"
"NO!"
Kimber wasn't sure what to do. Aja and Raya were waiting for her in the car. They had to get Jem back to Synergy to try and fix everything. All of a sudden, Jem started to fall forward off the couch. Rio caught her before she hurt herself.
"Jem!" Kimber and Rio cried in unison.
"Uh," moaned Jem. She looked a little pale.
"I better get her back home. It's looks like she's caught Jerrica's cold."
Rio didn't argue. He helped Jem to the car and, if he thought it was strange that Aja and Raya hadn't come inside with Kimber, he didn't say anything. He was used to the girls acting strange at times. "See you tomorrow at the concert," he called as they pulled away.
"Jem, you don't look so good," said Raya.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel dizzy."
"She just collapsed while we were talking," said Kimber.
"Don't worry," Aja reassured them. "We'll be home soon. Synergy will know what to do."
I hope, she added to herself.
