My Way To You

"Ariana . Ariana . Hey, it"s time to wake up . " Edlyn called out gently . "N-o . 5 more minutes please . " Ariana groaned as she rubbed her face against the pillow . "Sorry but you said that 20 minutes ago . Time to get up . " Halina said as she jumped on to Ariana"s bed . "But I"m so tired . " Ariana whined . "Ya but we held up our end of the bargain and now you got to pack us a picnic before it gets too late . " Talisha stated as she grabbed the ends blankets near Ariana"s head . With a hard tug Ariana was brought up in a sitting position . She had wrapped herself up like a burrito, determined to stay in bed .

"You look worse then before!" Halina gasped as she partially covered her mouth with her hand . Ariana raised an eyebrow at Halina then looked at Ophelia . "She"s not scolding you?" Ariana said with a head nod . "Oh . . . No, not anymore . Not since Tuesday morning, she"s been kinda out of it . Not sure why . " Halina said indifferently as she shrugged . "Right . So I need to get up and . . . what am I supposed to be making now?" Ariana asked as she tried to squirm out of the blanket and comforter . "It"s okay . You just make what you think will be good . " Edlyn said as she gave Ariana an awkward smile . Ariana froze and stared at Edlyn .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"What happened?" Ariy asked as she turned her gaze to Halina and Talisha . "Icarus said no but Xander is going . " Halina said with an awkward laugh . "But?" Ariana said as she started to squirm out again . "But Lobo won"t go unless it"s an extravagant feast with meat . " Talisha said with a heavy sigh . Ariana scowled at the idea of Lobo demanding something so ridiculous . "What time is it?" Ariana asked . "11 in the morning . " Edlyn said as she dropped her gaze in shame .

"Okay, I got an idea . " Ariana said as she finally got free and climbed out of bed . The moment she had her feet on the ground her legs buckled . "Ariana!" Edlyn shouted as she caught Ariana an inch away from the ground . "I"m okay . " Ariana said as she patted Edlyn on her hand . "No you"re not! Let"s just forget this picnic thing and try to think of a new plan . It"ll be alright, we can make Lobo . . . I don"t know . Um, go to the library or you take Vanessa out instead!" Edlyn suggested as she slowly helped Ariana back up .  

"No . I need him out of the way . If we leave he"ll just follow . I can do this . " Ariana said firmly . She was not going to give up on her plan, she needed them to leave with the guys and no one was going to stop her . "Fine . . . Then let me help . I won"t just sit around as you make everything . " Edlyn said sternly as she glared at Ariana . "Alright . " Ariana laughed . She couldn"t say no to such a cute determined face . "Well if Edlyn"s helping count me in . " Talisha said with a smirk . "Me too!" Halina said enthusiastically .

"Perfect with everyone"s help we can make this work the only problem is the cafeteria, it"s almost lunch . " Ariana said as she started to drift off in to thought . "We could always wait for after lunch . " Eldyn suggested . "There would practically be no time to make a feast . " Talisha pointed out . "Can we make something simple but make a lot of it?" Halina asked . "No, Lobo would come back running . " Ariana mumbled . "Then we"ve stone walled . " Talisha groaned . "No, not necessarily . I think we have to go visit my father . " Ariana said with a wicked grin .

. . . . .

"What are you doing here?!" Gregory shouted after he opened the door . Ariana and her friends were happily standing in the hall, holding bags and a giant picnic basket . "I need to use your kitchen . " Ariana stated before walking in . "My kitchen? Why do you need my kitchen?" Gregory asked as he stepped aside to let the girls in . "I need to make a feast in about an 80 minutes and the cafeteria is currently being occupied . " Ariana said as she made her way in to the kitchen . Gregory"s place, like Ms . Hadley had an apartment style room . There was a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom and bathroom . The living room was small but his bedroom was huge .  

"I don"t get a say in the matter?" Gregory asked rhetorically . He knew the answer but he had to try . Ariana confirmed his answer when she turned to him and smiled . "Fine, do what you want . I"ll be in my study, reading . " Gregory said as he walked off . "Study? He has a study room?" Halina asked in awe . "No it"s his bedroom . He just shoved a desk and shelves of books in it . " Ariana explained in a monotone voice . "Got it . " Halina replied .

"So what are we making?" Edlyn asked as she rolled up her sleeves . "I need two pots of boiling water . Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Edlyn I want you to make some plain white rice, a lot of it . Talisha I need you cut up one onion, four tomatoes, two cloves of garlic, one green pepper and one chili pepper, in quarters . Halina I need you to cut up 6 chili peppers in half . Wear gloves the oil is brutal if it soaks into your skin . "

"Got it . " The girls said in unison as Ariana started to get to work . They were lucky to be able to go grocery shopping in the cafeteria before people showed up . So everything was washed but they still had a lot to do . Which was hard as Gregory"s kitchen was made for only two people . Ariana grabbed onions, chives, fresh basil and started chopping like a pro . Everything was in tiny pieces and she dumped it a bowl with ground beef . She mixed everything together with one hand and had Edlyn sprinkle in seasoning when she finished her task .

Every once in a while Ariana barked out orders but they worked well and with ten minutes to spare they were able to get everything done . "I"m exhausted . " Halina said as she lazily fanned herself with a dish cloth . "We still have to get ready to go out . Let"s go back . " Talisha said as she slowly got up from her seat . "Gregory I left you a plate of food as thanks . " Ariana shouted as they headed for the door .