"Ah, Mabel honey? We called some of your friends for a sleepover tonight." Grunkle Stan said out of the blue as I walked in for breakfast the next day.

"Huh? Why?" I asked.

"Well... You haven't actually left the house in weeks. And I know it's because Poindexter doesn't want you to, but its not right for you to spend your whole summer with us all cooped up in here. So we had a talk and you'll be spending the night at Pacifica's with your other two friends. Y'know, the pro-wrestler and the nerd." Stan said as he pulled a carton of milk out of the fridge and sniffed it. Then poured it into his coffee.

I frowned. I had left the house in the past four weeks. Not that my Grunkles knew. But still. It was sweet of Grunkle Stan to arrange that. And... I hadn't seen Pacifica or Grenda or Candy in ages. Who knew? Maybe I'd have... Fun.

"Alright? When am I going?" I asked.

"Well, she said to come over any time this morning. But-"

I didn't wait for him to finish. I bolted out of the kitchen.

"Oi! At least eat breakfast first!" Grunkle Stan yelled.

"OK!" I called back, and took the steps three at a time.

All of a sudden I was really really excited! My people! My friends!

I rushed into my room and started packing sweaters into a rucksack. And then paused. Looking over at the papers strewn over his bed. I bit my lip, hesitating. And then grabbed the journal and his hat. Carefully packing them in next to my clothes.

Roughly fifteen minutes I had changed into my pink sweater with the shooting star sewn on it and a purple skirt. A butterfly decorated Alice band in my hair. I felt happy today. Happier than I had all... Year...

I frowned. I had been happier here than I ever had in California after... He... Never mind.

Died.

My mood fell and I cursed myself. Stupid! You ruined it! You were feeling so... Happy...

I sighed and pulled the rucksack onto my shoulders and left my room.

"Bye Grunkle Stan I'm going!" I called out.

"Alright! I guess I'll just have to eat alone then. Like I do everyday..."

I laughed. "OK bye!" And walked out the back door.

The walk would take a while, so when no one was looking I stole the Golf Cart. The trip was a breeze after that.

About twenty minutes later I parked the Golf Cart outside the Slightly-Larger-Than-The-Average-Two-Storey-House New Northwest Manor.

I dinged the doorbell and Pacifica opened it, a piece of toast in her mouth. "Oh! Mabel! I-" she hastily his the toast behind her back, "I wasn't expecting you till later."

"I can come back later if you want." I said. Shrugging.

"Oh! No, its fine. We can go up to my room till my parents leave. They'll be gone all day so we can have the house to ourselves."

I smiled and we walked into her house. It was still pretty extravagant, but nothing compared to her old Mansion.

"So. Mabel, how've the last four weeks been?" Pacifica asked as she led me up the stairs to her room.

"Uh..." I rose an eyebrow. Oh right. Pacifica had been involved in the whole Alcor deal. Ugh. Everywhere I looked he was there!

"I-I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to!" Pacifica said hastily.

"No. Its fine. I still don't remember much. I always get a headache when I think about it though. And Grunkle Ford told me all about it." I replied. Pacifica opened the door to her room and gestured for me to come in.

"So... What did Ford tell you?" Pacifica asked.

"Everything. About how Alcor tricked us all and ... And tortured us. I mean, sorry. I shouldn't talk about it. He got you too didn't he?" I asked Pacifica.

Pacifica looked away, rubbing her arm. "Well... Uh... I guess so..."

"Sorry. I mean, I don't remember it. So I guess I'm kinda lucky in that way. I'm sorry if I'm bringing back any bad memories." I blushed and looked away. Sitting on Pacifica's Queen sized four poster bed.

Pacifica sighed. "Yeah... Uhm... Mabel... We need to talk about that..."

But before she managed to carry on speaking, the doorbell began ringing crazily and there was a series of loud knocking. -PACIFICA! ITS US! GRENDA AND CANDY! WE'RE OUTSIDE! WE'RE RINGING THE DOORBELL! OUTSIDE! PACIFICA! CAN YOU HEAR US?"

Pacifica sighed. "Heh. I better go open the door before those two break it down."

"Sure!" I jumped off the bed and we walked back down the hall together.

"So... What were you going to say?" I asked.

"Uh... Its nothing. I'm sure... Whatever it is Your Grunkle was thinking... Was the right choice... Maybe..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I frowned and there was a splintering noise downstairs.

"Oh no! Not the front door again!" Pacifica yelped and rushed down the stairs.

I waited at the top of the stairs. Was there something Grunkle Ford hadn't told me? I shook my head. Don't be ridiculous. You can trust family.  If there was anything I'd learned over the past year it was that.

Yeah...

I trusted my Grunkles. And I knew they would never ever lie to me.