She took of her boots and jumped on her bed, holding her phone tightly, giggling as she talked to Phoebe while swirling her strands of hair.

"Wow, I can't believe your flight was delayed, we missed you at school today" Lacey answers.

"Sarita too?" Phoebe said sarcastically.

"Even Sarita" Lacey says trying not to laugh. "Don't worry you didn't miss anything.. same old same old"

"GAH,I couldn't text you before cus I had Absolutely no service at the hotel I was staying in, it was soooo lame, but let me tell you Mexico has very cute boys …. Ah! there were many of cute boys! I even have pictures, muy bonito!

"I can't wait to see all the pictures Pheebs, sounds fun!" she says very excited to hear Phoebe happy.

"Yeah we need to get together ASAP when I get back, well Lacey I have to go because I'm actually using my brother's phone and he wants to use it!" Phoebe sounds frantic "Hold on Tyler you're so annoying, ugh"

Lacey laughs " Yeah no worries!" then she stops herself "Wait Tyler is with you?"

"Yes I know lame family trip" Phoebe says annoyed.

"He is there right now? Like he went on the trip?" Lacey asks inquisitively frowning her eyebrows.

"Hmmhmm yeah why?" Phoebe asks back.

Lacey sits up in her bed and pulls her hair back "Oh, um nothing I just thought he was in school"

"Oh no he's here, wish he wasn't but he's here, ugh, you probably mistaken with someone else … yet I don't think there's another person in green grove that is this annoying" Phoebe declares.

"Ha! .. right" Lacey responds in a low tone " Okay see you soon!"

"Bye!"

Lacey just sat there, wondering why had Jo said earlier today she was going to meet up with Tyler if he wasn't even there, was she avoiding something… or maybe she was going the facetime with him?

She threw herself back and started thinking about how so much has changed. Not only with friends, but her family as well, she hasn't spoken to her dad since she heard he was getting married. How dare he? She feels her whole life has been a lie, but then she remembers she has had very beautiful memories as well. She misses Regina also, she hates they had a small fall out the night she died, and she regrets it.

Lacey sighs and closes her eyes. This is how she mostly spent her winter break, calm. Sometimes it was so quiet she could hear her breathing. It felt good, yet it got very lonely. Her mom was working and Clara was always at her friend's house or in gymnastics practice. Other Christmas she spends time with her grandma, or go to the cabins in North Carolina, sometimes attended every party possible with her friends, they sure had fun, but even then sometimes she would remember how her late childhood years were disturbed. Sometimes she felt afraid.

*Cellphone Text tone and vibration*

"ugh" Lacey wrinkles her nose, not really wanting to be disturbed. She lifts her head a little and stretches her arm to grab her phone, making it seem like it was the hardest thing to do. She picks up and helds it up to read

*If u want 2 meet up at J.C., Jo n I will be there after school*

Lacey bites her lips and puts her phone down and tires to relax, but she fails. She gets off her bed. Decides to take off the her dress and jean jacket. She puts on some jeans, white peach long sleeve shirt, puts her boots right back on, makes her way to the mirror, picks up her hair in a pony tails, grabs a sweater, puts her phone inside her bag and is off to her bedroom door.

As she makes her way down stairs trying to put her sweater on she gets stopped by her mom.

"Hey sweetie, I wasn't sure you were home yet" Judy smiles looking at her daughter.

"I didn't hear you come in" Lacey says looking at her mom up and down "Why are you here so early?"

"They called from Clara's school, she wasn't feeling well..so I went to pick her up early and now she's down here on the couch"

Lacey rolls her eyes "Again?" and makes her way to the living room and sees Clara comfortable on the couch reading something on the ipad.

"She looks perfectly fine time to me" Lacey says shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well I'm going to go back to work, so you can look after her" Judy affirms.

"What! No, I was just on my way out to Johnny Cakes to meet up with some friends" Lacey defends.

"I'm sorry no can do, you have to take care of your sister" her mom commands.

"She is not even sick, she's just trying to cut school mom, don't you see her she's doing fine" Lacey points to Clara. Clara puts her headphones on.

Judy looks at Lacey and sighs "Here is what we are going to do, I'm going to go back to work and you are going to go to Johnny Cakes and get us something for dinner, maybe soup for your sister …. Definitely it's going to be too late to cook when I come back home, I have many paperwork to catch up on, so while you are over there you get to see your friends while you wait for your food, and then right after you come back and watch over Clara"

Lacey folds her arms "Seriously?"

Judy heads to the door "Take care babies!" and looks back at her oldest daughter "Love you"

"Me too" Lacey in monotone.

Lacey heads back to the living room "Clara"

"Clara!"

Clara ignores her. Lacey perks her lips mad and goes forcefully and takes Claras headpones off and grabs the ipad.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Lacey's sister finally reacts.

"Listen, I'm not stupid, and I know your are Not sick, you can't keep playing this little game" Lacey says loudly.

Clara looks at her sister " I do not know what you're talking about, back off!"

"Don't tell me to back off! … Ugh … Well I'm going to Johnny Cakes to get food, so I'll be back" Lacey says annoyed.

"Oh yummy, get me a turkey burger with some onion rings please? … Oh and a strawberry milkshake, and tell the guy to give you a swirly straw"

Lacey licks her lips and smirks "Hmmm… let's see I don't think so, In fact I'm going to get you Soup!"

"Soup?!" Clara quickly asks

"Yes soup! A nice vegetarian soup …. I want my little sister to feel better" Lacey smiles.

Clara squints her eyes "You know I hate you right"

"The feeling is mutual kiddo … so just call me if anything" Lacey says leaving.

"What about if I can't call you?" Clara asks.

Lacey looks back "What do you mean?"

"Regina didn't have a chance to call anybody … and now she's dead" Clara says quickly.

Lacey's heart almost stops "Clara! Why would you even say something like that, that's not funny!"

"I'm not trying to be funny, I'm being serious" Clara says looking at her sister.

Lacey shakes her head no and walks over to her sister "Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you, never, because I'm here to protect you, as well as mom and dad" she kisses her sister in her forehead and starts walking out.

"Swirly fries okay!" Clara yells from behind and they both giggle.

Lacey goes inside Johnny cakes and immediately spots Lacey and Danny, and they spot her; she decides to mildly wave at them, Danny sighs lookin somewhat releief and Jo looks down.

Lacey makes her way to the counter and orders the takeout. She receives a text from Andie *Would you like to come w. me n Rico 2 Johnny Cakes, we r on our way over there*

When Danny had invited Andie to come, I;m sure he didn't mean today she thought. She texts back *Here right now, leaving soon though, sister is sick*

Lacey slowly walks over to the booth Jo and Danny were sitting in "Hey!"

"You actually came" Jo didnlt hold her breath,

"Thanks for coming" Danny sincerely says.

She licks her lips "Well, what ever needs to be said and done … it has to quick because_"

Jo interrupts her immediately "Of course, of course, are you afraid you might be seen with us or … you already had plans with your popular friends right?!"

Lacey gives Jo a dirty look "Actually, I have to go back home because Clara is sick, this was probably a dumb idea to even come … excuse" she says getting up from the table.

Jo slightly opens her mouth.

"Lacey" Danny pleads.

Jo look at Danny then at Lacey "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it …. Is Clara okay?"

Lacey sits back down annoyed "Stomach flu apparently,"

Jo nods her head.

"So your getting her food?"Danny looks warmly at Lacey.

"Guys, what do we need to talk about? … Andie texted me she's coming over with Rico … and I know Rico is kinda onto this but she is not … so"

"Rico? … he's coming" Jo asked very curiously.

"She texted me they were" Lacey says shrugging her shoulders.

"Great" Jo says under her breath,

One of the employees at Johnny Cakes makes his way to the booth and gives Lacey a Pink Lemonade. "Oh I'm sorry … I didn't order this, I'm actually getting takeout" Lacey affirms nicely.

"The guy over there send it over here" The waiter points.

Lacey, Jo, and Danny immediately look over.

"Isn't that your friend Danny?" Jo whispers.

Danny instantly felt his blood warming up and stared intensely at Charlie who was looking back with a smirk.

Lacey scratches her forhead, probably feeling awkward somehow.

Jo starts laughing "This is scuha a cliché" she rolls her eyes having fun.

Danny looks at Jo and then slowly moves to Lacey, who was already looking at him.

"You know him?" she asks.

"…..Um" words can't come out of his mouth.

"Hello All" Charlie approaches their booth.

"Hi" Jo and Lacey say at the same time.

"Danny." Charlie nods his head to the once very gragiled boy he had met in juvy, yet he had murdered his aunt.

Danny nods his head back.

"I don't think we have met yet" Charlie says looking at Lacey as she was the most precious thing on this earth "My name is Charlie" he extends his hand out.

Lacey smiles and extends her hand "Lacey".

"My friend here doesn't want the pink lemonade" Danny says straight out.

Charlie looks at her "I need to be honest, I just needed an excuse to come here and talk to you"

She lifts up her eyebrows and opens her mouth "Oh" smiles "It's nice to meet you … Charlie"

"Lacey hun would you come with me to the bathroom, I don't want to wonder the hall alone" Jo says sarcastically as she gets up.

Lacey bites her lips "Excuse us" as she tries to get up Charlie has her practically blocked, their bodies touch

'sorry excuse me" Lacey says in a quick low tone.

"Sure" Charlie seizes her up and down and sits down at their booth.

Danny keeps staring forcefully at the table and clenches his fists "What do you think you are doing"

"Remember I told you I had a girl in one of my classes … it happens to be your friend " Charlie points the way the two girls went.

"What?" Danny says enraging.

"She is beautiful …. I mean Danny you have these two girls … don't be selfish let me have one" Charlie says grinning.

"I am gonna suggest you to get up and leave, you are not welcomed here" Danny says with menacing.

"Desai Desai, being a little protective aren't you?" Charlie gets up and whispers "It makes me want her even more"

He didn't know how he was restraining himself from punching Charlie in the face.

"Thanks for the save … out there" Lacey sighs washing her hands.

Jo tires not to smile " That was actually an awkward atmosphere" she continues "Obviously Danny doesn't really like his "friend""

Lacey looks down and then back up at her former friend "Jo, I just we never really have been able to talk about …. I'm sorry I never told you about Danny, I was scared you know .. and I wasn't sure what I was doing. Not just with that situation, but with my friends and family, I was not being myself anymore. I don't know what happened. I want to be like how we were before Jo, I really do, even though that seems impossible.

"I obviously was very irrational trying to believe in Danny from the start, I want it to be like how we were before too .. it will take time"

Jo and Lacey hug each other, it was instant.

"Funny thing how we talk about life in the bathroom …. " Jo says

Both girls start laughing.

"It all goes down at Johnny Cakes" Lacey replies