Nicole paused for a minute. Why had she actually cut his hair? she asked herself. "That doesn't matter right now," she said to Peter. "What matters is Kayla. Is she really kidnapped?"

"Yes, definitely. Holding me for ransom sounds like a good idea. You really do need more money. You could buy a nice big house and a nice, expensive car and have everything you could ever want," Kayla said, trying to convince him.

The man only laughed. He obviously knew what she was trying to do. "Yeah, whatever. Still, I can get along just fine in this little ruined place. Killing you would be a good way to get you out of my way."

Kayla felt herself began to panic. Why didn't someone come to rescue her? Didn't they know she was gone? She closed her eyes and began to pray.

Peter took a deep breath. "Why would I joke about something like that?"
~~~~~~~~~
Jen looked around the room, fingering the pink, smooth walls. All of a sudden, she heard Justin say, "Kayla was kidnapped!"
Jen spun around, in shock. "What?!"

Nicole felt her stomach twist. She dropped onto her bed, gripping the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Peter was dead serious. He was upset, too. She could tell by his voice. This was no practical joke. "She's kidnapped?" Nicole tried to swallow and stay calm. "Where are you at? Do you want to meet together or something with Jen? We have to do something to help Kayla."

Peter was relieved she was finally getting it, but still scared for Kayla. "Come to Justin's house."

"Okay," Nicole said in a shaky voice. "I'll be there as soon as possible." She hung up the phone, fighting back tears. Kayla, her very best friend. Kayla, who was always loyal and never doubting. Kayla, who was kind and forgiving. Kayla, who she might never see again. Oh please, please, God, help us find Kayla, Nicole prayed.

She dashed out of the house, got onto her bike, and rode to Justin's house, pedaling furiously.

Jen rushed to Justin squeezing his arms. "SHe couldn't have been kidnapped! How did this happen?"
JUstin shrugged, "I don't know."
Jen looked aorund at RYan and Miley. "We have to do something!"

Peter heard the doorbell ring and let Nicole in.

Nicole entered and took a deep breath. Both Peter and Jen were staring at her, probably remembering how she'd scoffed and made fun of them and cut Peter's hair. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you two," she said in a rush. "I was jealous and upset and I didn't think right. I'm sorry."

Jen said, "It will take six months for it to grow just two inches. And the bullies are always making fun of it." She forgave Nicole, but wanted her to see the reality of what she did.

Peter held Jen's hand, then tured to Nicole. "It's okay. We forgive you."

Nicole smiled. "Thanks."

Ryan spoke up. "So, what are we going to do about Kayla?" He pulled out his cell phone and held it up. "I already texted Chrissa and told her about it. I'm gonna text Ashley now. She's Kayla's cousin. She should know about it."

Miley's eyes widened. "Ashley? We've forgotten all about her!" (love you NG )

Jen nodded. "Sound like a good idea to text her. I miss her!"

Peter said, "We have to find out where to locate her." He turned to Justin. "Call Kevin."

(((OOC: Oh my word! )))

Lucy was kicking her stall, but Meghan ignored her horse and stared at the TV. What was UP with this Kayla girl?

Kidnapped? Hardly, Meghan thought dismally. Young, pretty girl. Probably killed her after his fun.

Finally, Justin reached Kevin. "Hey, man. Kayla has been kidnapped. SHe's one of our friends. We were wondering if you could track down to where she is."

Kevin got on his military tracking device. "Let me look."

Peter texted Zach. Kayla has been kidnapped. Can you help find her?

In a panic, Jen called Meghan. "It's awful! Do you have the numbers of the guys who helped you when Will was kidnapped?"

Ashley was in in her room listening to her iPod when she got a text on her phone. Picking it up, she saw that it was from Ryan. She read the text and gasped, then reread it again to make sure she'd seen it properly.

"Kayla's kidnapped?!" she said out loud. She felt tears fill her eyes. Her cousin? Kayla? She texted back furiously: r u sure shes kidnapped??!?! where r u? what should i do?

Ryan received Ashley's text and replied quickly: come 2 justins house.

Ashley saw Ryan's text, flew down the stairs and into the garage, climbed into the car, started it up, and headed over to Justin's house.

Miley was suprised to see Ashley at the door and gave her a big hug. "Wow, your hair is longer! You look so pretty! I havent seen you in ages! Come on in!"
Peter was standing beside Ashley. "Hey, ready to help?"

Ashley's eyes were red from crying, but she forced a trembly smile and hugged Miley back. "Good to see you too!" She turned to Peter. "Is Kayla really kidnapped? By whom? What are we going to do?" Ashley remembered how close she and Kayla had been.