“What do you mean you lost them?” Cassie spoke to Quana in her calmest voice. However, that frightened Quana more than Cassie yelling.

“Just that! I really didn’t think I would lose them!” Quana defended.

Cassie sighed and went past Quana to look inside Keris’ car once again. Keris and Quana remained outside talking.

“You really fucked up now.” Keris said with a snicker present in her voice.

“Oh, be quiet! They have to be in there!” Quana fumed.

“Well, if they aren’t, what are you going to do?”

Quana stood there before shaking her head furiously, “I don’t know! She can’t stay with me ‘cause I’d never hear the end of it from my parents, and apparently you have no room.”

Keris just chuckled. Cassie walked back to them.

“I really can’t find them and it’s too late to call a locksmith.”

“What about your spare key?” Keris asked.

“My old one doesn’t work anymore. There was a robbery in the apartments near ours, so just to be safe, our landlord replaced all the locks. They got to mine last week and I was waiting for a spare to show up.”

Quana made a noise. “That had to be planned!”

“Well, regardless if it is or not, what am I going to do?”

Quana pouted before letting out a small gasp and walking away from the pair. Cassie sighed.

“Maybe you can just get a hotel for the night.” Keris suggested.

“I know, walk into a hotel and pay who knows how much just for one night.”

Keris shrugged. “Got any better ideas?”

“Yes, finding my keys! Besides, if we don't do them I’m gonna have to get my locks changed again just so no one breaks into my place.”

Quana then came back. “Okay, Ankara said he’d-”

“What?” Cassie nearly yelled.

“Calm down! Let me finish.” Cassie sighed. “Ankara said he’d be willing to let you stay with him.” Of course he would!

“Quana, we’re only two years apart, so you can’t even pretend like you don’t get why he’d be happy about me staying with him.” Cassie said quickly.

Quana rolled her eyes, “you’re not gonna screw him so who cares? It’s just one night!”

“Why didn’t you call someone more appropriate?”

“Like who?”

“Shugi maybe?” Quana pressed her lips together then suddenly stole Cassie’s bag. “Quana!”

She threw back the bag and Cassie scrambled to catch it. Quana then kept running until she was far enough away. Cassie gave up and sighed before returning to Keris’ side.

“So are you really gonna stay with him?”

“No. I’m better off calling Shugi since he might have some cop lock pick thing.”

Keris laughed, “yes, the ‘cop lock pick’ thing is sure to help you.”

Cassie let out a small smile, “Quana needs to stop just doing whatever she wants.”

“Well, at least she’s trying to help.”

“You’re right there…” However, Quana returned with a guilty look on her face, she held out Cassie’s phone. “What did you do?” Cassie asked.

“Nothing bad!” She paused, “I just called Shugi and told him-”

“Oh my God, but you didn’t tell Ankara I don’t need his help?”

“I tried to, but he said he wanted to be sure nothing bad was going on for some reason.”

Cassie sighed and rested back against Keris’ car. Quana stared at her with a small pout, Keris went over to her and touched her shoulder.

“Don’t feel too bad, this will be some great entertainment.”

…

After a little while, Ankara finally showed up to pick Cassie up. Cassie then explained she was better off just going home. Despite Ankara being against that, he let her do what she wanted and simply drove her back to her apartment. He decided to go up with her and when they did, they found Shugi sitting on the floor near her apartment door.

Ankara spoke, “oh, you called someone else?”

Cassie huffed, “I swear I didn’t, it was Quana… sorry if I’m wasting your time.”

“Your safety isn’t a waste of my time.” He explained.

Cassie gave a small smile before Shugi spoke.

“Well, regardless of who called, you made the right choice.” Shugi looked to Ankara, “thanks for picking her up though.” Ankara nodded and Shugi took out something from his pocket. “This should help us though.” Shugi got down in front of the door and stuck it inside of the lock.

“You know how to pick locks?” Ankara asked in slight curiosity but partially in concern.

“Yep, busting down doors is sometimes too loud, the element of surprise is much better.”

“I don’t know if I should be worried about that or not.” Ankara said. You should be worried for sure.

Shugi chuckled,“I’m not gonna break into someone’s house. I’m an undercover cop, not a crooked one.” Shugi went quiet for another minute or so until they heard Cassie’s door unlock. “There we go.” He said getting up and opening the door.

“Thank you… You both really.”

They both smiled.

“But, if Cassie doesn’t have a key, it means she can’t leave her place at all.” Ankara surmised.

“That’s true, unless Cassie wants to call me again?” I don’t. “Still, maybe one of us should just stay here?”

You’re a cop and you’re pretty much running part of a monopoly, don’t you two have work or something?

“I’d be fine with staying.” Ankara spoke up, “I gave everyone some vacation time this week, I won’t be doing anything until then also.”

That’s right, that’s why I’ve been at home not stressing out for once.

“I’ve heard way too many stories of something bad happening when a girl is left alone with a guy.” Two isn’t any better! “How about we both just stay? I’m free for the weekend anyways.” Shugi explained.

They both looked at Cassie.

“Though we should let Cassie give us her input.”

She gave them both an awkward smile as they expectantly watched her.

“I-I mean… if it’s not too much trouble.”

They both smiled, having a more than hard time hiding their excitement as she walked into her home hearing them not far behind.

Fuck this, fuck me… just fuck everything! For sure, I’m locking my bedroom door tonight!