"So what is this mysterious mission that you dragged me into?" Michelle asked as they came to a stop in a sunny parking lot. It was a windy day and the palm trees that dotted the boulevard walkways swayed slightly as if they were doing the hula.

"Mission talk later. First, we make good on our word," Paige said as they got out of the car.

"Huh?" Michelle looked confused. Paige pointed to a nearby mall.

"We go lingerie shopping - if both of us don't go back with bra bags, the boys are gonna suspect us. Payton is already too suspicious of me."
"Wait, you actually meant that?" Michelle asked in wide-eyed amazement. "I thought that was just a ruse."

"It was - but you already promised Brook a fashion show, didn't you?" Paige said with a wink. "Can't disappoint him."

"Oh boy, what did I get myself into?" Michelle groaned as Paige pulled her inside the mall.

After spending considerable time going through various pieces of lingerie, the girls finally came up with a few items.

"What do you think? Lace and satin, or lace and fishnets?" Paige asked Michelle, holding up a couple of two-piece lingerie.

"You're asking my opinion?" Michelle asked in surprise.

"You're right, what was I thinking?" Paige shook her head. "Besides, I know for a fact Payton likes me in fishnets."

"Ugh, Paige? Can we not share the details?" Michelle said, wincing. Paige grinned.

"You're the kind of girl who covers her eyes when watching R-rated movies, aren't you, angel face?"

"Heh heh, I'm gonna go try something on." Michelle ducked into a dressing room to hide her red face which would confirm Paige's words.

"Okay, that should be enough," Paige said when they came out of the store loaded with bags two hours later. "Wanna get some lunch? I'm starving."

"Sure. The food court's on the top floor—"

"Nah, we're not eating in a stuffy, crowded food court. Come with me." Paige led Michelle out to the car. They deposited their bags in the back and after a quick drive, they stopped at a little park.

"Food trucks. Of course, I almost forgot." Michelle said as they walked past dozens of trailers that sold all varieties of food from various international cuisines.

"Lebanese? Really?" She asked as they stopped in front of a quaint truck run by a beautiful black-haired woman. She looked up at the two girls with sparkling blue eyes and smiled.

"Wait till you try it, Miss." She said with a slight foreign accent. She handed them two dishes. Michelle took a bite out of the first and moaned.

"Damn, that's good! What is it?"

"Shish Tawook," Paige answered. "Try the other one."

"Mmm, that's so good too! I love the lemon flavor - what is that?"

"You've never had a shawarma before?" Paige asked, appalled. "You were so missing out!"

"Wow, Lebanese food might be my new favorite," Michelle said happily. Paige shook her head.

"Don't let Brook hear you say that — he's a Mexican through and through."

After a very satisfying lunch, the girls drove into the heart of Reno city and parked some distance from a slightly rundown alleyway. Nearby was a building with a neon light sign now turned off that read 'Inked Glass'.

"Okay Paige, you wanna finally let me in on what we're doing here?" Michelle asked.

"Here, put this on." She said, passing Michelle an earpiece.

"Of course, because this isn't 'mission impossible' without earpieces," Michelle said skeptically as she put it on.

"Okay, here's the story." Paige took a deep breath before speaking.

"Someone's after us again."

"Us?"

"The crew, the Night Blazers, keep up, Michelle. You remember those arson cases involving Jackson last year? Someone's taken up his mantle and is continuing the dirty work, blowing up a bunch of places associated with Soriano. Someone's got it in for us and it's only a fluke they haven't found us yet."

"Isn't that only a matter of time?" Michelle asked, her expression sobering as she realized the gravity of the situation.

"It is - at the moment, the arsonist is leaving clues to his whereabouts being somewhere in Vegas. They haven't gotten wind of our hideout here."

"Why didn't you tell everyone else about this? Shouldn't they know? Shouldn't Soriano know?"

"No, those pigheaded boys will rush headlong into this if they knew and get themselves in serious trouble! I wanna protect them, and you're the only one I can trust with this." Paige insisted. Michelle sighed.

"How long has this been going on?" she asked.

"A few months. I caught a whiff of this at a - ahem - shady bar one night. I couldn't tell Payton either. When I started investigating, I found things that didn't add up - things that didn't look like mere coincidence."

"I really think the crew can help -"

"No, Michelle, you can't tell them! Swear you won't tell them, I can't get them involved! This is something I discovered and I'm gonna be the one to end it without dragging everyone into this. They've been through a lot; they don't deserve to live like hunted animals again." Paige sounded so earnest and desperate that Michelle nodded understandingly.

"You do care, huh? You're just like Payton, hiding a mushy heart under all that leather." Paige punched her arm for that.

"Ow, hey!"

"You tell anyone and I will personally give you a tattoo in your sleep." She threatened.

"Alright, my lips are sealed. So anyway, what are we doing here? And if you didn't want anybody to know about this, why bring me along?"

"We're here to persuade a certain gang called the 'Nightshades' to give us information. I'm hoping they'd team up with us, but that's a pretty long shot..."

"And the bringing me along part?" Michelle asked with narrow eyes, feeling like Paige was avoiding that subject. Paige coughed and looked away.

"Oh, that. I er... needed help getting into their nightclub because I've been bahhh..."

"What's that?" Michelle didn't hear.

"Banned, okay?" Paige grumbled loudly. "I've been friggin' banned from the club for breaking the owner's arm—"

"Ah, now everything's starting to make sense," Michelle said with a smirk. Paige gave her a push.

"Shut up and wipe that smile off your face."

"You better play nice if you want me to pull this off for you," Michelle said smugly. Paige squeezed her eyes shut, groaning.

"Fine."

"Okay, now debrief me. What do I need to know?"

"The Nightshades are an all women's gang. They don't take lightly to men inside their joint. The owners are Trish and Jada Alvarez - sisters. Jada's tolerable - you can get a fair conversation out of her if she decides to talk. Trish - not so much."

"Why?"

"Let's just say she's got issues and only talks to people who engage her competitive side. DON'T get on her wrong side."

"Okay... What else?"

"Trish is blonde, spiky-haired, pierced, and tattooed. A real freak show. Shouldn't be too hard to find. Jada's human-looking but deadly with a knife - don't let her get behind you."

"Wait, what?!" Michelle said in alarm.

"You need to persuade them to join us without mentioning my name - with their resources and skills, they'll be useful in tracking down whoever's out there."

"Can we go back to the part where knives are involved?!" Michelle asked in a high voice.

"Focus, Michelle!" Paige said impatiently. "She's not gonna try anything in a public place so relax. It'd be bad for their business anyway, trying to dispose of a corpse."

"Not reassuring, Paige!" Michelle grumbled.

"Forget it okay? I shouldn't have mentioned it... Anyway, think you can handle them?"

"I guess," Michelle said doubtfully. She raised inquiring eyes at Paige. "You really can't do this yourself?"

"No! I told I was ba—" She stopped when she saw Michelle snickering.

"Ugh, I can't believe I fell for that!" She groaned. Michelle burst out laughing.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing," she said.

"Oh, and one more thing." Paige looked a little apprehensive.

"What is it?"

"Trish - is Brook's ex-girlfriend."

"WTH?!" Michelle gaped as she dragged out the three letters. "Paige! Way to leave out important info!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know how you'd react!"

"Brook never even told me he dated anyone before!"

"He didn't exactly date her! She had a thing for him, he couldn't really stand her and eventually, he made it clear when he broke her heart. Hopefully, she's not holding a grudge... I'm counting on her feelings for Brook to come through with helping us..."

"Excuse me?" Michelle said in disbelief.

"Don't worry angel face, even if Trish does agree to join us, you and Brook are an inseparable team. He's only got eyes for you. Trust me, I've never seen that boy more in love."

"Well..." Michelle knew that was true and calmed down. "But it's gonna be so awkward talking to her! What if she finds out I know Brook?"

"I'm counting on that happening. Only—"

"Only?"

"Don't let on that you're his sweetheart until after the deal is sealed."

"Urgh! I'm gonna hate this!"

"I know, angel face, but it's for Brook. You wanna protect him, don't you?"

"Yes..." Michelle trailed off petulantly.

"Good."

"So do I go in now?"

"Not now - we wait for nightfall. They come in then." Paige said, checking her watch.

"Wha- but that's hours away!"

"I know, we stakeout until then." Michelle yawned and snuggled into the seat, closing her eyes.

"Call me when it's time to go, I'm taking a nap."

"Seriously?" Paige rolled her eyes. A sly grin spread on her face.

"Did Brook keep you up all night?"

"Drop it or I'll tell everyone about the mission and how you've been banned from the Nightshades' club," Michelle replied without even opening her eyes. Paige grunted and settled back in silence.

Hours passed. Paige's keen eyes kept watching the building in front of them. By nightfall, the neon sign light came on, and slowly patrons started arriving and entering inside.

"Michelle, Michelle, wake up." Paige shook Michelle vigorously.

"Hmm, what?"

"Get up. It's showtime."

Michelle gulped as she entered the bar, now filled with various kinds of women, all bearing a certain resemblance to the punk rock genre with their ripped clothes, colored hair, tattoos, and piercings. Michelle thought Paige wasn't half bad, these women could scare guys off.

"Are you in? Can you hear me?" Paige asked through the earpiece. Michelle automatically pulled her hair in front of her ear, covering it as she was afraid it might be seen.

"Loud and clear." She mumbled as she made her way through the women. A few women gave her keen looks as she stood out in her less trashy-looking clothes but nobody minded her much. Paige spoke again.

"Good. Do you see an empty barstool? Grab one, sit on it, don't make eye contact with anyone, and just order a 'Death in the Afternoon'. That should get some attention."

"Excuse me?" Michelle asked in confusion.

"It's Trish's favorite drink, she'll warm up to anyone with similar tastes!" Paige said impatiently. "She likes her drinks extra stiff. Just don't drink the whole thing or you'll pass out."

"Gee, thanks for leaving that out!" Michelle hissed. She went to the bar and did exactly as Paige said. She sipped it and set it down as she felt the kick.

"Ugh, last year you almost killed me with 'death by chocolate', now this? Paige, go easy on me!" Michelle whispered. She heard Paige chuckle.

Don't talk too much, someone may be watching—"

"You look a little lost, sweet cheeks." A tough-looking woman came up to Michelle. She swallowed.

"Er..." Michelle trembled. The woman's eyes flickered to Michelle's glass.

"Ordering the boss's favorite for the first time? Think you're special, do you?" The woman leered.

"I - I..."

"Don't antagonize our paying customers, Lorna." Michelle turned to the woman who appeared by her side - she was very beautiful with exotic features and honey-colored skin, reddish brown wavy hair, and green eyes. Her well-defined curves stood out in her tight black cocktail dress, exhibiting an admirable figure. She didn't appear to have any tattoos or piercings and looked like the least intimidating person there. Except for her feline gaze which gave her a predatory look.

"Hi, Jada Alvarez. You're new here, aren't you?" She asked. Michelle got a jolt of recognition at the mention of her name but kept her face straight.

"Think she's after the boss?" Lorna asked, gesturing to Michelle. Jada eyed Michelle's drink and smiled.

"At least you're not groveling. Come with me." She said, beckoning Michelle. She got up and followed her, nervous as Lorna was still staring at her.

Jada led her through the bar to a large winding staircase. She climbed it and Michelle found herself in a private bar room - more like a lounge, tastefully decorated with lush carpets, sleek leather couches, glass tables, and numerous rock band posters on the walls. The room itself was dimly lit with colored purple and red lights giving off a soft muted almost blood-colored hue on everything.

"This way," Jada said, leading Michelle to a couch behind a curtain. On it was seated a young woman with short blonde hair and pink highlights, her face filled with piercings and her bare arms tattooed till the wrists. She wore a cropped white shirt and ripped denim shorts. Her feet were clad in army boots that looked like they could crush glass. In her hand was a cocktail glass filled with green liquid. Michelle blinked apprehensively as she met her cold blue eyes.

"Well, what do we have here?" Trish asked in a pointed voice. Paige heard her voice through Michelle's earpiece and sucked in a breath.

"That's Trish, she's allowing you to meet her already! Don't panic!" Paige said. Michelle wanted to retort and say that saying that only makes a person want to panic, but with Trish's watchful eye on her, she had to keep silent.

"Newbie, ordered your favorite," Jada replied.

"So you know the ins and outs, huh?" Trish stated. For a polite voice, Michelle got the feeling that was actually a danger sign.

"Wonder where you learned that? I don't give my secrets away to just anyone..." Trish observed Michelle with serpentine attention.

"Say you're with Soriano's crew!" Paige said.

"I'm with Soriano's crew!" Michelle blurted out. Trish's eyes flickered with animation.

"Soriano's crew? You don't say..." she looked interested. "Take a seat." Relieved to be off her feet and out of the hotspot, Michelle sat down on one the couches. Jada sat beside her, silent but attentive.

"How is the old buzzard? I heard he had a run-in with Kromer. He's not still recruiting kids, is he? You look kinda young to run with that crowd."

"Er I - er..." Michelle stammered, not knowing what to say.

"Don't stammer! She'll suspect you're a fake!" Paige hissed in her ear.

"But then he took Havens right out of high school..." Trish continued. Michelle's ears pricked up at Brook's name.

"Tell me, you ever run into a guy in Soriano's crew named Brook Havens, tall, tanned, long brown hair, blue eyes, and a body sexy as hell?" Trish asked, laughing a little at the last part. Michelle's hands fisted into balls on her knees and something snapped inside her. All her confidence and attitude burst out.

"Yeah, Trish, but last time I checked, he was taken." She retorted. Paige groaned at the other end of the earpiece. Trish blinked at her for a second before bursting out in laughter.

"Ha, that's a good one! Oh man, this one has a sense of humor! I'm sure every girl who sets eyes on that heartbreaker would like to think so."

"Oh, I'm sure the girl he moved in with knows better," Michelle said with a triumphant smirk. Paige let out a yell making Michelle wince, wishing she could tell her to shut up. Trish's eyes widened and she squeezed her glass so tight it shattered. Michelle jumped, startled.

"Huh, Brook Havens moved on, settled down with another girl..." she said as if to herself. "I didn't think he was capable of it... of ever getting serious with someone..."

"We don't know that for sure," Jada interjected. Michelle glanced at her.

"You think I'm lying?" She asked with arched eyebrows.

"Yeah, we don't even know if you're a legit member of the Night Blazers! Hell, I'm inclined to believe you're a fake!" Trish said harshly as she stood up. Michelle also stood up, glaring at Trish.

"I'm more real than your stupid hair!" She retorted. Trish made a choking sound as she scoffed at Michelle.

"Was that supposed to be an insult? Because that was pathetic. But you know what? You made me angry anyway." Trish cracked her knuckles and suddenly a little fear crept into Michelle.

"Hold on, let's make her prove it," Jada said.

"What?" Trish turned to her with a disdainful look.

"Sure she needs a lesson for shooting her mouth off, but that won't prove anything. Let's give her the 'felony challenge'."

"Ooh, perfect," Trish said with a dark smile. Michelle swallowed. This wasn't looking good.

"Michelle, whatever it is, say no! I can't afford you becoming a criminal!" Paige shouted. Michelle winced but couldn't say anything.

"I heard Soriano's crew went straight... a pathetic rumor, I'm sure. The real Night Blazers would never turn back to the right side of the law. That's bull, and you are gonna prove it."

"What do you mean?" Michelle asked. Trish grinned eerily at her and Michelle felt the tension building up as she waited for her to speak.

"You're gonna steal a cop's car."

https://youtu.be/xYdvTR2Womw

'Girls just wanna have fu-un'... Inspired by Cindy's song, sung by Miley. Girls days out are so much fun, don't ya think? I used to enjoy them with my BFF when I was in school. And despite how radically different Michelle and Paige are with totally opposite personalities, they get along pretty well and make great friends.

Bonus, I had to add some Lebanese food as a throwback to the Lebanese mention from the original story! Anybody like shawarma?😋 I was actually reminded of it when watching a rerun of the Avengers where Tony Stark mentioned it near the end, lol. Craving a falafel right now...

Moving on, lotta developments in this chapter, how do you guys feel about Brook's ex? Comments below. Is your reaction one of these? 😑😤😡🤬🤯😒😖
Trying to keep a straight face while hearing another woman talk about your sweetheart is enough to rile up anybody! But Michelle kept it pretty cool, don't you think?

And final question, will Michelle rise to the felony challenge and steal a COP CAR??? 😲😧 Answer below!

✔️or❌.