The next day, Celeste arrives at the abandoned warehouse as per Jasmine's directions from the previous night. She had been careful not to let anyone see her as she made her way over. She went up to the second level as soon as the guard on the first floor let her in.
Brianna smiled as she opened the door to Celeste.
"Hi!" Brianna greeted, "You must be Celeste."
She looked at the brunette in front of her and kept reminding herself not to ask her any stupid questions regarding her identity. Jasmine had already told her about who she was but seeing her in person made Celeste a little starstruck.
"You-You're… You're Brianna." Celeste said
Brianna smiled, "Yes, I am."
"You-You're really here." Celeste said
Brianna chuckled a little, "Yes, I am really here."
She tugged one of Celeste's arms lightly, "And you better come on in."
Still holding onto her arm, Brianna led Celeste into the house before closing the door behind her.
"Who's-Oh! Celeste!"
She looked up and saw Bryan standing over the stove in the kitchen. He waved at her with a spatula in his hand and she hesitantly waved back.
"Bryan's preparing breakfast." Brianna said, "Would you like some?"
Celeste wanted to politely decline but her stomach rumbled and Brianna smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes." Brianna said
"Thanks." Celeste said
"Don't mention it." Brianna said
Just as Brianna made her way to the kitchen to help Bryan out, Phil came out from his study. Seeing Celeste now standing in his living room, he walked over to her.
"You must be Jasmine's friend." Phil said
Celeste looked at him, "And you must be Phil."
"Yes." Phil said, "If you're looking for Jasmine, she's still in her room."
He pointed at the door down the corridor and Celeste mumbled a 'thanks' before heading towards that direction.
"You are one crazy and lucky girl." Celeste said
Jasmine merely shrugged as her best friend got comfortable on her bed after entering her room.
"I know." Jasmine said
"Your brother is going to kill you when he sees that." Celeste said, pointing at the sling that was acting as a support for her shoulder.
Jasmine looked at Celeste, "How did he respond to your call?"
"He was okay about it…" Celeste replied, "Didn't hear any tone that is a cause for worry."
Jasmine nodded, relieved that at least her brother wasn't suspicious.
"So, you're gonna tell me how you injured your shoulder?" Celeste said
"Well… I got kinda roughed up by that two guys I told you about." Jasmine said
"The ones that hustled you on your way back from the supermarket?" Celeste asked
Jasmine nodded, "Lucky me, huh?"
"How in the world did that happen?!" Celeste said, "Weren't you with Colby?"
"About that… Uh.. Colby wasn't with me." Jasmine said
Celeste sat up and looked at Jasmine, "Come again?"
"He got a call from his mom and needed to go…" Jasmine said
"And you let him go off without seeing you home?" Celeste said
Jasmine smiled sheepishly, "You guessed it…"
"Why?!" Celeste exclaimed
"It seemed kinda inconvenient…" Jasmine said
"Did he think it was inconvenient?" Celeste asked
"Well… No." Jasmine said, "He did offer to send me home but I said no and told him I was going to catch the movie…"
"Which you didn't! Because you were about to star in your own horror movie!" Celeste said
She looked at her friend angrily, "You should have just let him send you home, Jas. You were very lucky Phil was around that area or I don't even want to imagine what would have happened!"
"I know…" Jasmine said, "I swear that this will be the last time it happens."
"You better." Celeste said, "Because you may not be so lucky next time."
Jasmine nodded and just then, they heard a knock on the door before it opened. Brianna popped her head in.
"Hey girls… Sorry for interrupting! But, breakfast's ready." Brianna said
Jasmine smiled, "It's no problem. We'll be right there."
After breakfast, it was time for the girls to leave so as to not get Randy suspicious. They just about walked out the door when Jasmine stopped.
"Uh… Celeste… Give me a minute, 'kay?" Jasmine said
Celeste shrugged, "Okay, I'll wait out here."
Jasmine smiled and squeezed Celeste's wrist lightly as a 'thank you' before heading back in.
Seeing her come back in, Brianna instantly knew what Jasmine wanted to do.
"He's in the study." Brianna said
Jasmine smiled, "Thanks, Brianna."
Brianna smiled back as Jasmine walked pass her towards the study.
When she arrived at the study, she found the door open. Not wanting to seem rude, she lightly knocked on the door first, to get Phil's attention.
He was sitting on his chair with his head resting against the top of the chair, with his eyes closed. As soon as she heard the knock, he opened his eyes and stood up.
"Uh… Sorry…" Jasmine said, "I didn't mean to startle you."
Phil looked at her, "It's alright…"
"I thought you were leaving?" Phil asked
"Yup… I was actually on my way out…" Jasmine replied, "But I couldn't leave without thanking you again."
She looked at him, "So, thank you… Again."
Phil chuckled, "You're starting to make me a big-head."
Jasmine laughed a little before saying, "Well, you saved my life twice so I have to thank you at least a million times."
Phil smiled, "It's what a gentleman does, right?"
Jasmine merely smiled and was about to leave when she said, "When's the next rally?"
Phil blinked in surprise before asking, "You've changed your mind?"
"Maybe." Jasmine said
"Well, if you have, the rally is next Wednesday at 7pm." Phil said, "If you're coming, be sure to come with Bryan."
Jasmine nodded and was about to walk off when Phil stopped her.
"I hope to see you there." Phil said
She shrugged, "Well, that depends… If I don't get saved by you again… I'll consider."
Phil chuckled and Jasmine smiled back at him before taking her leave. If she wasn't sure she'd be going at first, she was damn sure now that she was attending the next rally.