The Missing Piece

[TUESDAY APRIL 4TH]
[8:00AM]

Caroline’s POV.
We gotten up early that morning. Bailee was the first to wake up because she was overly excited to head to Vegas for the first time in her life. She went into the bathroom and had gotten ready. She came out of the bathroom wearing a white loose short sleeve t-shirt, brown long warm cardigan, blue skinny ankle jeans, all black high top converse, pink beanie.

Then it was my turn. I wore a black spaghetti strap shirt tucked into high waisted rolled up jeans, dark green rolled up sleeve button up dress shirt, black and white adidas, long high knee socks.

After getting out of the bathroom, Jana went inside to get ready. She spent only 10 minutes in there and came out looking comfortable. She wore a black and white stripe long sleeve shirt, loose burgundy shorts, solid black long sleeve cardigan, dark brown flats, black prescription glasses, brown side bag.

The finally, it was Payton’s turn. She came out of the bathroom wearing a light pink style tank, light blue skinny ripped jeans, tan sandals, and a light grey long sleeve cardigan.

[8:30AM]
We were all ready and checked out of our hotel earlier than the actual time we needed to check out. Jana took care of the checking in and out part of our hotel situation because she was more pro at it than we all were cause we don't travel as much as her. By the time we finished checking out of the hotel, we had a lot of time to kill before heading to the airport. So, we took an uber to a cafe near the JFK airport. We ate some pastries and drank morning coffee together. Since the cafe was like across the street from the airport, we just walked there with our suitcases. Jana checked us in for our flight and had gotten our ticket and seat number. We were all sitting together on the flight. Jana was very lucky when she booked the tickets for us to stay in the hotel AND flight. We wanted to stay together and not get lost and that's what we got. We were so happy that Jana did such a good job in booking the tickets for us. Since it was bit early, we headed to our gate with our flight ticket and waited to board. Payton caught up with some sleep on the chairs while Bailee was talking on the phone with Marcel. I was just watching some game videos on my phone. Jana was in the corner talking on the phone with someone.

Jana’s POV.
While the others were in their seat waiting for the plane to board, i was in the corner charging my phone and talking to Alex. It was 12 in the afternoon in LA while it's still morning in New York, so i got a chance to talk to him before boarding the plane with my girls.

“How was New York? Did you have a lot of fun with the girls?” Alex asks.

“New York was amazing and we got to see everything in real life. We’re not having fun just yet.” Jana says.

Alex says, “Ahhhhh… you girls are waiting for Vegas to get wild.”

Jana says, “You know us, we have to get wild in Vegas.”

“Well, just know your limit Jana. you can't take so much like others.” Alex reminds her & worries for her.

“I know, Alex. we haven't had this much fun in a really long time and we would like to since we have the time now together.” Jana says.

Alex asks, “when was the last time the girl gang got together?”

Jana says, “it was three months after Bailee moved to Idaho. She came back to LA to visit us and that was the last time we all saw each other.”

“That was like 3 years ago.” Alex confirms.

“Right. A really long time for all of us.” Jana says.

Alex says, “i'm glad you're having fun Jana. you really deserve this trip with the girl gang. It's been a long time since you all been on a nice vacation.”

Jana smiles through the phone & says, “yeah. I'm just happy that i'm at that point in my life where i make enough to go on vacations with my friends and be able to work at the same time. Stable as can be.”

Jana continues to ask, “how are you keeping up in LA? Anything new happen yet?”

“I finished grading papers. Some of my friends are getting together tonight for dinner and a movie, i think.” Alex says.

“Are you going to go join them?” Jana asks.

Alex smiles through the phone & says, “yeah i am. I want to reward myself tonight after grading all of those papers.”

Jana says, “that's great. I hope you have fun tonight with your friends.”

“What about you and the girl gang? Any plans after arriving in Vegas?” Alex continues to ask after another question.

“Maybe get some late lunch and rest for a little while. Then possibly head out for dinner and stroll around the city. It all depends on how tired we are from traveling.” Jana says not sure of what they were going to do.

Alex says, “your health is far more important, so do whatever you can. You should spread out your days, you don't have to do everything today.”

Jana says, “yeah. We got it covered for the rest of the week. We have a plan.”

“That's more like you. I knew why we are friends Jana.” Alex says.

“Neat is my middle name.” Jana smiles & says over the phone.

Alex laughs over the phone & says, “okay Miss Neat. your boarding soon so go.”

Jana says, “Okay. i’ll call you once i land in Vegas, just so you don't worry about me all the time.”

“And Jana?” Alex asks.

“Yeah?” Jana questions Alex.

Alex says, “Call Max too. I think he would want to know that you are safe.”

Jana asks & says, “what's the point? He’s always busy and never answers his phone.”

“Just be the good girlfriend and call him, Jana.” Alex says worries for her.

“I’ll call him eventually.” Jana says in her sad tone.

Alex says, “you will promise me you’ll call him. Even if he doesn't pick up, leave a voicemail. He’ll get back to you once he’s not busy.”

Jana says, “Okay.”

“Have fun and bye Jana.” Alex says.

“Thanks. Bye Alex.” Jana says.

We hung up the phone and the flight attendants called the passengers to board the plane. Everyone boarded the plane and off we went. The flight took nearly 6 hours, but we made it safely in Vegas.

[1:50PM]
Bailee’s POV.
We arrived in Vegas. We got off the plane and headed over to the baggage claim area to get our suitcases. After getting our suitcases, we headed outside to look for our uber driver. Since Caroline just booked it after we got off the plane, it took a while for the uber driver to get here. After waiting for 10 minutes, the uber driver came and picked us up. The uber driver drove us to Caesar Palace where we were going to stay for the next few days. Once we arrived, the four of us walked into the hotel with our things. It was the most beautiful hotels I've stayed at.

Since Jana was in charge of the hotel stuff, she waited in line to check in. Me, Payton, and Caroline were waiting on the side.

Bailee says, “I'm so excited for the rest of the week here with you girls.”

Payton says happily, “yeah. I can't wait to go to the club late at night without my mom telling me to go home.”

Caroline says to Payton, “girl. Your 25 years old and in Vegas. Your mom can't tell you nothing.”

“Just so you all forgot, I still live with her so I got to listen to her.” Payton says in her attitude.

“Well, she's not here. Is she?” Caroline talks back to Payton playing around.

“I honestly miss you girls fighting. This is more like it.” Bailee says reminiscing of old times.

Then Jana comes towards us with the keys to our rooms and says…

Jana says, “we are all set ready to go.”

Bailee asks, “you got four keys to the room?”

“Yeah, just in case any of you girls run off somewhere. You'll definitely know the way back. here.” Jana says.

“She's talking about you.” Payton jokingly says to Caroline.

Caroline says to Payton, “not even. Just in case you get drunk somewhere with some guy.”

Payton says to Caroline, “what some guy. I have my heart set on Kevin.”

“Oh, how's that working out for you?” Caroline asks jokingly.

“Shut up.” Payton says as she slaps Caroline’s side arm.

Jana says to Payton & Caroline, “that's enough you two.”

Caroline and Payton was going at it each other. I know they miss each other to fight like that. So Jana took us to our room. We walked past the casino and into a new tower place.

Then we continued to walk through all of the shops in the back of the hotel. When it said to Palace towers, we were all happy since we made it to our room. We took the elevators up to the 27th floor. Once we arrived to the floor, we got off and walked to our room which was 2722. We wanted to stay together so we just booked one room for all four of us and to make it easier for all of us to go out or come back together.

It was the first room to the right after you get off the elevator. So convenient for us so we wouldn't have trouble looking for our room. When we got to the room door, Jana scanned her card key on the black screen thing and it successfully opened. Jana opens the door and we all walked inside behind her. We put down our suitcases and looked around the room.

When you first walk into the room, on the left side, there is a big bathroom with two sinks, mirrors, one huge bath tub, a private toilet with a door so you can lock it, and a clear tall shower.

Then walking out of the bathroom, across from it is a spacious closet with a secured safe. Walking pass that are cabinets to store your things and a fridge that was hidden in one of the cabinets on the right side. There was also a big screen TV as well mounted on the wall. In front of that were two big neatly made beds with purple long chairs in front of them.

Near the walls on the other side had work tables with pretty lamps and another table. Next to the two beds by the window had an L shaped couch with lots of pillows on it. There was a view of the Caesar Palace pools at the bottom where we look out the window.

Man, everything was like a dream. I felt like we were so lucky and living large. Everything was real and we were actually vacationing together as the four of us with no parents around. We had our freedom and we were going to make the most of it the rest of the week. You know i had to thank Jana for booking us the nice hotels. She was an expert because she traveled the most out of all of us here.

We wanted to settled in and rest before starting our vaca in Vegas. We all thought about going out for a late lunch together, but it was already too late and we wanted to wait to eat together at dinner instead.

Caroline laid on the L shaped couch looking through her phone for places to eat. Payton laid on the bed watching some TV. Jana unpacked, showered, and gotten ready for the night out. After a few minutes in the bathroom, she came out wearing a loose white short sleeve shirt tucked into her black velvet button down high waisted skirt, brown ankle boots, black leather purse, black leather watch.

Then she went out to make a few phone calls for work, as she says.

Notes