The Missing Piece

[SATURDAY APRIL 8TH]
[5AM]
Payton’s POV.
We all woke up that morning getting ready to leave our one week trip. I had woken up early and packed my things into my suitcase. Surprisingly, everything fits in my bag. It was entirely full and no space to put anything else. I got up a little early that morning because i was happy to go home after a long week of traveling with my girls. I wore an orange stripe crop top, black skinny jeans, black loafers.

Then it was Jana’s turn to get ready. She came out wearing wore a loose white arm sleeve shirt, black leggings, tan ankle booties, and a fall like scarf around her neck.

After Jana was Bailee’s turn to get up and get ready. She got ready in the bathroom and came out looking very comfortable. She wore a loose blue t-shirt, white light knitted cardigan, black leggings as well, high top white converse.

While Bailee was packing up her things, Caroline went into the bathroom to get ready too. She came out wearing a white and black medusa graphic tee, black distressed skinny jeans, white converse.

When Caroline came out of the bathroom, Bailee immediately helped Caroline pack up her things into her suitcase. As soon as everyone was dressed and packed, we took all of our things and went downstairs to check out our room. It was so early that nobody was working yet. So we just used the machines at the lobby to check out. We dropped and paid for our hotel room and waited outside for our uber driver to get here.

After 5 minutes of waiting, the uber driver came and we were on our way to the airport.

When we arrived at the airport, we checked in and got our plane tickets. Bailee was on the other end of the airport to check in because she took another plane. So when everything was done, we met up together at the security check area to go through. When everything was successful, we stood on the side of the airport to say our goodbyes to Bailee who was going her separate ways.

Jana says to Bailee, “now would be a good time to tell them.”

Caroline asks, “what is this about?”

Bailee says to Payton & Caroline, “so someone has offered me a job in LA and i'm planning on taking it.”

Payton surprisingly asks, “what job??”

“It's a teaching job. I get to teach at this all girls school about art.” Bailee says.

“Thats been a dream of yours since you started working on your art.” Payton says.

“Right. I'm going to talk to my parents and move back to LA, where i was originally from.” Bailee says.

“So you’ve made up your mind already?” Caroline asks.

Bailee nods her head & says, “i have.”

Jana says, “and we can be together again.”

Payton asks Bailee, “so when do you sign the papers and officially move back?”

Bailee says, “the principal is coming to Idaho next week so i'm going to talk to her then.”

“And if you can't find a place to live Bailee, you can live with me in my apartment.” Jana offers.

“Only until i find my own place then i’ll leave.” Bailee says.

“Okay.” Jana says & smiles.

“It's time for us to go now.” Caroline says.

Payton slaps Caroline’s arm lightly & says, “don't say that. It's never time to leave.”

Jana says, “we should never say goodbye.”

Bailee says, “you girls have a safe flight back to LA. i have to go, my flight is about to board.”

Caroline says, “call us when you get home.”

“Will do. Bye girls.” Bailee says.

We watched Bailee leave to her gate. Me, Caroline, and Jana waited for our flight near the gate at the chairs. Caroline puts down her phone and says…

“Well, that was a fun week with you girls.” Caroline says.

“It was really fun. We got to see New York City and Vegas in one whole week.” Jana says.

“That’s the most i've traveled in a really long time.” Payton admits.

Caroline sighs & says, “and now, we have to get back to reality.”

Jana says, “i'm so not ready to go back to my life just yet.”

Payton says, “it means we have to work harder than better so that we can go on more vaca’s together.”

“Right.” Jana agrees.

“What are you going to do about Max and Alex, Jana?” Caroline asks.

“I'm not really sure what to say to them both.” Jana says.

Payton asks, “how about ‘i like you and i want to break up with you’”?

Jana asks, “which one of those questions belong to who?”

Caroline says, “the both of them.”

Jana’s POV.
We all laughed together and the announcement went on.

“Flight 2078 to Los Angeles, LAX is preparing to board passengers.”

Everyone got up from their seats and prepared to board the plane. The next thing you know is that we were in the air for an hour.

After an hour and 9 minutes, we have arrived home to LA. We got our suitcases and went out to the parking structure. I drove Payton and Caroline back to their apartment. Once they were home, i drove back to my apartment alone in the car. As i was doing so, someone called me. I picked up with speaker.

Jana answers her phone through speaker, “hello?”

Alex asks over the phone, “Jana, are you home yet?”

“I'm on the way.” Jana says.

“I really need to talk to you about something important when you come back.” Alex says.

Jana asks, “how about we talk over dinner tonight?”

Alex says, “okay. I'll make dinner then.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.” Jana smiles & says.

“See you, bye.” Alex says.

We hanged up the phone and i was already driving into the parking garage of my apartment complex. I parked my car at my space and grabbed my bags to go upstairs. I took the elevator and went to my apartment. I was so happy to be at home. I unpacked everything and did the laundry. I took the entire day cleaning up my apartment and getting ready for school again the following week.

[6:00PM]
I took a shower and changed my clothes for the night. I wore a black tight shirt tucked into a white polka dot lace skirt to my knees, with beige strappy heels. I didn't know what event it was at Alex’s house so i just felt like dressing up for it. Now that i thought about it, nobody has texted or say ‘happy birthday’ to me all day today. Did they forget or what? Anyways, i didn't mind because i got birthday wishes yesterday from the sister pact.

I was in my closet and i saw the yellow envelope about that job offer from the principal’s wife in London. I took it out and walked to the living room to look at it one last time. I thought about how it was be nice to be living in London and teaching at an all girls school. It was a good opportunity for me to teach there. I left the envelope on the counter and went over to Alex’s place. I rang his doorbell because i had forgotten to bring the key with me. I heard Alex yelled ‘it's open’ from the inside and i opened to go inside. It was entirely dark inside and i walked towards the living room in the dark. I was scared of the dark so i said to Alex…

Jana says, “Alex. i'm starting to get scared, its too dark in here.”

The lights turned on and everyone yelled ‘surprised’ out loud. I was startled myself to see everyone there. It was a surprise birthday party for me from everyone. Everyone came towards to say ‘happy birthday’. Caroline and Payton were there. Caroline wore this white collar shirt with a black bow, black high waisted skirt, black sandals. Payton wore this light pink crop top with white floral high waisted skirt, light pink heels.
Oh my gosh, even Bailee was there. She wore a long sleeve crop shirt, black high waisted skirt, beige bowed heels.

Everyone was looking pretty.

Jana says to Bailee, “you're here Bailee.”

Bailee says, “i had to come back to LA for your birthday, of course.”

“How are you here? I mean, you were on your way to Idaho at the airport in Vegas.” Jana asks & says in confusion.

“It looked like she took a flight back home to Idaho when she only took another flight to LA on the other side of the airport.” Payton says.

Jana says & asks, “wow. You guys are amazing. How long have you guys been planning this?”

Caroline says, “a couple weeks before our actual vacation.”

“You guys are awesome, you know that?” Jana says in happiness.

“We know.” Payton admits.

All of us laughed and began to party it up.

[Midnight]

Everyone had went home after a long night. I took Caroline, Payton, and Bailee back to my apartment. They were going to sleepover that night together. I grabbed the yellow envelope from the counter and went back to Alex apartment. I helped him clean up his place and finally told him about the job offer.

Alex asks, “so you know that thing I wanted to tell you about?”

Jana says, “yeah, I remember.”

“Well. I'm going to take some time off from work once the new school season starts.” Alex says.

“How much time?” Jana asks curiously.

Alex says, “5 months. I'm going to China to visit my family there and spend some quality time with them.”

Jana says in disappointment, “oh.”

“Don't worry Jana. I'll be back before you know it.” Alex says.

“I know. There's actually something I've been meaning to talk to you about.” Jana says.

Alex asks, “what is this about?”

Jana says as she puts the yellow envelope in front of Alex on the table, “Mr. Thomas Johnson wife offered me a job to work for her in London at this all girls school.”

“Have you make up your mind yet?” Alex asks.

“I wanted to know about your opinion first.” Jana says.

Alex honestly says, “it's a great opportunity for you Jana and you should take it. You really deserve it.”

Jana asks, “really?”

“Yeah.” Alex agrees.

“Okay. Then I'll do it.” Jana says.

Alex asks, “just like that, huh?”

Jana says knowing what Alex meant, “if you don't want me to go then you should just say it Alex.”

“No. I don't want to be the person who stops you from achieving your dreams.” Alex explains.

“Well. It's a little too late for that.” Jana says walking away upset.

I was a bit upset because I was falling deeply in love with him and he didn't even know it. I walked back to my apartment and cried my eyes out without the girls knowing.

Notes

Happy Friday Everyone!
I'm going to be out of town on Monday for July 4th weekend so I won't be posting until next Friday like my usual dates. Stay tune for more. :)