After leaving Jessica's Ella went into town to pick up a few things at the all-night pharmacy. She liked to shop at odd hours, like late Saturday night, when there aren't many people around.
On the way home she spotted a familiar figure on the side of the road. It was Lexi, looking lonely and vulnerable on a poorly lit side street, her blonde hair peeking out from underneath a pink knit cap. Ella pulled up alongside her and rolled down the window.
"Hey, Lex," she said. "Give you a ride somewhere?"
Lexi nodded and climbed into Ella's SUV, which was pleasantly warm and fragrant. "Just home, please." She'd had a bit of a rough night. Alone in the house, again, she'd decided to attend the party a classmate had invited her to. But she didn't know anyone there except for Kat, who was preoccupied with Kaci. Lexi felt shy and out of place, and after wandering from room to room for awhile, she eventually just drifted away into the night and began the trudge home.
She directed Ella to her house, which was just a few blocks away, but when they pulled up in front, she made no move to get out.
"Could I ask you a favor?" said Lexi.
"Of course."
"My dad's out of town, and I hate going into the house when there's nobody there. Would you come in with me for a minute?"
Ella agreed and turned off the engine. Inside, Lexi switched on a few lights and poked her head into each room to make sure no intruders were lurking. "How about a cup of tea?" she asked.