I pulled into the "Local Coffee Shop" and walked in, surveying the place as I looked at what I wanted. The waiter had seated me at a booth right by the window with a striking view of the street.

"What do you want today ma'am?" A young waitress asked me.

"I would like a coffee with sugar and cream. Plus could you add whip cream?" I loved whip cream on coffee, don't ask me why.

"Of course ma'am. Is that all you want?" She smiled sweetly at me.

"Yes. Thank you very much!" I smiled and handed her the menu.

I looked on my phone to see a text from Lola.

Glad to be traveling with you! Hoping to see an inside look on your next book!

Thanks Lola. Happy to be traveling with you too.

I put my phone on vibrate and went to Facebook. Once I found nothing there, I went to Snapchat. I still loved Snapchat, seeing that I was only 20. I posted on my story that I was moving to France and that I would miss everyone. Then I went to all my other social media apps and posted the same thing. Once I did that my coffee was ready, so I sat there for almost an hour enjoying the peaceful tranquility.

Once I was finished I drove to the hotel to find Carli already home and at her computer. I walked in and looked over her shoulder. She was emailing her mom, telling her that I was moving to France and she was going to come see her soon. Her mom lived all the way in California, since Carli was born there. She had chosen to move to Tennessee with her father at a young age. I was so tired because of the events of the day, so I told Carli to get 30 dollars from my purse to get something to eat for herself, and then I changed into sleep clothes. Carli did as I said and left soon after I had gotten done changing. I was left in peace and darkness, so I fell into a fitful sleep quickly.

I had dreamed of my parents before, but nothing like this. I found myself in the very first home we lived in after I was born. We lived there for 6 years before we moved to build our own house. I was walking down the dark hallway towards my parents room. I had heard screams of terror coming from there. I didn't want to disturb them, so when I found their door in the dark I put my ear to the door to hear what was being said.

"Christy! You can't really believe that I wouldn't know?!"

"I didn't mean to! It wasn't my fault!"

"Now guess what you did?"

Silence.

"What did I do Colby? Tell me." Even as young as I was I could hear the edge in her voice.

"You've killed us. You have killed Casey."

"And how is that?" She was still angry, but a hint of fear was in her voice.

"They will come after our family, after Casey. We have to move, immediately. I'm sorry Christy, it must be done." He sounded like he was about to cry.

"One day, when Casey is gone, we'll die, you know. They will come get us. Then later, they'll go after Casey. I just hope we can talk to her, before she moves out, but old enough to understand what is happening."

"Christy, we're drug dealers. Or at least our parents were. We've been pulled into the others plans. We can't stop anything now; we just have to protect Casey."

I could feel the tears rolling down my face, wether in my dream or in real life, I couldn't tell. They were killed because they were drug dealers. Their parents were at least. They wanted to protect me, but they never got the chance to tell me who they really were. Who I was. Now no telling who wanted to kill me, anyone with money, or those who killed my parents.

I couldn't believe that I had seen that as a child and forgotten about it. It was such a big detail that I wasn't able to connect until now.

I woke to someone yelling my name and shaking me half to death.

"Casey! Wake up!" I leaned up on my elbows as Carli held my shoulders. A nightlight was on so I could see her terrified face. I squinted my eyes at the intrusion.

"What is it Carli?"

"You were screaming in your sleep, and I didn't want you waking anyone. I didn't want you hurting yourself either."

"Well thanks. I'll be going back to sleep now" I more like mumbled to her instead of said. I was still exhausted and now upset about my sleep being interrupted.

"Okay. See you in the morni-" And that was when I finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

I woke up early and saw that Carli was still asleep. I needed to go home and pack soon, so I decided we would have to begin our long ride home later tonight. I left Carli asleep and got ready for the day. I put on a pair of skinny jeans, and a tank top. I easily matched it with converse. I then went to the bathroom and did my daily routine.

I felt like a walking zombie, the thought that my parents were related to drug dealers, and that my life may be in danger, kept running through my head. It then found that maybe it was a good thing I was heading to France, but knowing my luck someone there will in touch with someone here and will already be ready for my arrival. Therefore, I could die either way. I heard Carli stirring in the bed, so I went in there to find her slumped over the side, barely awake, and drooling. Gross.

"Carli! Wake your fat ass up." She woke up quick after that and made eye contact with me. A scowl came over her face as she rolled her eyes.

"Bitch." She mumbled.
"Dickhead." I stuck my tongue out while my nose scrunched up.
"Asshole." She rolled onto her back while still hanging off the bed.
"Short ass Mexican bitch."
If looks could kill I would be dead. She absolutely hated when people called her Mexican because her dark skin tone. She also hated when you called her short, even though she knew she was. She would get so pissed of that you could see steam coming from her ears.
She flipped me off. Hey, I deserved it though.

"Alright, anyway, time to get up. I have to travel back home to get packed tonight, so if your coming with me you have a lot to do." I started towards the living room before stopping and turning to her again. "Also, I have a weird story to tell you. It's about why I was screaming and crying last night."

"Of course I'm coming with you, idiot. You think I would ditch you just because your leaving early?" She looked at me with a sad yet pissed expression.

"Okay, I sort of figured you'd hate me for having to leave early." I looked guilty. I just felt it. She pouted.

"Well, anyway, let's get this day started and stop the depressing shit!" The one thing she was always good at was that she could be asleep one second, and then the next act like she's had 10 cups of coffee. I always thought it was really weird, but it's Carli we're talking about. I guess you could expect that.

"Alright, you know I'm already ready, right?" She looked over my attire for the first time this morning and saw that I was, in fact, ready. She put her bottom lip out in a pouting way.

"But that's no fair!" She wined, sounding like a five year old who couldn't think right.

"It is fair. Now get your lazy ass up and get ready. I'm not wasting time today." I yelled as I left our shared room and headed into the small living room.

"Yes ma'am."

Once she was done getting ready and all packed, we walked down the stairs instead of taking the elevator. I think it was Carli's idea, hence the reason it wasn't a very smart idea. I signed us out and the servicemen went to get our stuff. Thank goodness we didn't have to carry all our crap down the stairs. Once everything was in the car we were going to see Josh and then we would be on our way back home. We had already spent two hours of the day packing, and well, messing around. It was around noon when we got to Josh's company and walked in. We headed to Josh's office on the third floor. Carli had decided that she wanted surprise him. So when we made it to his door, Carli opened the door without knocking, since he was more than likely not busy.

What surprised me the most, and broke Carli, was the sight in his office. A blonde haired whore sat on his desk with no shirt on. Her bra had been unclasp but hadn't been taken off yet. Her skirt was ridding up her legs. It was a very disgusting sight, especially for Carli. He was cheating. I watched as Carli whimpered and took off her engagement ring. She then threw it, and with precise aiming hit Josh right in the face. Only then did he notice us standing there. His face twisted into many emotions. A face of surprise, sadness and wanting met my eyes as he stared at Carli.

"We Are Over Bastard." She turned and stomped out, making sure he understood what he just did. I walked over calmly to the couple with a smile on my face. The bitch had a smirk on her face and Josh continued to keep the same expression on his face. I rounded his desk, and I slapped the shit out of the girl. Then, I couldn't forget Josh. The bitch screamed profanities while Josh just took it.

"Next time you'll think twice before hurting my best friend. I hope you both burn in hell." I turned and walked out slowly. I hoped they learned their lesson. Not only does that hoe deserve to burn, but Josh did too for cheating.

I walked out of the company building to find Carli in the car. She was crying her eyes out, so I got in the car and reached over and gave her a hug. She hugged back slowly. She cried until she couldn't anymore and we immediately started on our way home.

"You know I could call Mr. McDaniel and ask him if you can come to France with me. If he won't pay for the ticket, I will." I looked over at Carli after about thirty minutes of silence. I wanted to give her space.

"You would do that? For me?" She looked over, scared and broken. A flash of hope went through her eyes.

"Of course Carli. Your my best friend, for heavens sake. I would love for you to come to France with me."I was actually happy she was considering going.

"Okay... Call him and see what he says." She was still whimpering in pain, not physical pain but mental.

I called McDaniel on my phone, and soon his voice came through the car speakers. Thank Heavens for Bluetooth.

"Mr. McDaniel?"

"This is he."

"It's Casey, Sir. I was wondering if Carli could join me in my trip to France?"

"Why of course she can. Why could couldn't she? Maybe she can help with getting you the inspiration you need. I'll buy her a ticket and make the apartment for 2 instead of 1." I smiled.

"Thank you so much, Sir! Sorry but I must let you go, we're on the road home to get packed."

"Okay, I'll text you when and were your flight is."

"Thank you again, Mr. McDaniel."

"Goodbye, Casey."

I looked over to Carli's sad but smiling face.

"You heard that didn't you? Your goin' to Paris, France with your best friend, Casey Rekela!"

Carli smiled but didn't speak, but I knew she was happy. Maybe this was a step forward for both of us.