If only this dinner had fancy music. The eerie ambiance wasn't what Zillah expected. She held her fork angled, tapped it on the mahogany table. The sounds felt like shaky thuds, almost as if she was knocking on the surface. Yet it hasn't disturbed everyone else.

Her mother—the raven haired, light skinned female—and father—the tan skinned male with the brown faded cut—sat on the opposite side. They rather ate their food than paid any attention to their daughter bored. The hosts, Mr. Craig sat on the left end while his wife—who has a face of a model and fiery hair—sat on the right end.

So far the dinner has been running smoothly. There haven't been any alarming concerns. Mrs. Harp has delivered a solid meal. The smell of the steamed roast beef bristled through the air. The creamy potatoes fluffed like whip cream. The striking aroma of the buttery, flaky bread rolls. The vegetable salad shined in its festive colors, what Mrs. Harp believed is the highlight of the dish.

"You have done a beautiful job, Mrs. Harp." Saoirse Cord said.

"Aw, thank you." Mrs. Harp replied gratified. "And call me Emilee."

The ladies continued their talk. Zillah stood by listened to what they said, but this was adult talk. She don't look the part, being in this party—that has been suited more for them than for her. As she tried to swallow her pride, she overheard Mr. Craig.

"So Zillah told me you guys went to Baton Rouge, the trip I recommended. How was it?"

"It was amazing." Saoirse said. "We went to the campus. The people are great there. Like they always are."

"You had been to Baton Rouge before?" Emilee asked.

"Many times, I had a residency there, at the Baton Rouge Medical Center." Saoirse mentioned.

"I forgot. My husband told me you were a nurse."

"Yes. It has been hard for me." She looked at her husband, Jonah Cord, held his hand on the edge of the table. "It's been hard on us."

The Harps are taken back. They understood based off what Mr. Craig already know from what Zillah told him. It's unusual to have a student talk to a guidance counselor about this, but he has been a great mentor-like figure for her. So she at times mentioned the difficulties she and her family have been facing.

Especially her father, Jonah.

While the others are speaking, Zillah spotted her father. At times his voice quavered, he struggled to communicate for a long time. While times he spoken clear, he quickly stuttered for minutes to even hours. Mostly because of his illness, Parkinson disease. He was diagnosed two years ago. It appeared fine at first, but he rapidly descended as the months passed. First his voice and then just last year, his mobility.

The disease struck his nerves in his legs, and it forced him to be wheelchairbound. According to his doctors and other specialist, he would be stuck in this condition for the foreseeable future.

Mr. Craig looked to Jonah. "Hey man, I know it's been rough on you."

"That's an understatement." Jonah stuttered.

"Have you seen that Blackhawks game yesterday?" Mr. Craig tried to change the subject to something positive.

Jonah tried to respond, but a spontaneous twitch in his face and his right arm shook him. Saoirse—being the nurse first—hastily got Jonah's medicine out of her bag. She took two salmon-colored, oval pills—the Stalevo pills his doctor prescribed. She knew he hate taking it, knowing the risks. However, she convinced him it's better for him to take it than to see himself brain dead. She helped him swallowed while letting him sip his glass cup of water. Zillah showed a brave face, but how long she has been doing this.

She would've easily forgone this dinner invite and just stayed home, but that Dream Scholarship has gotten to her. She can't be angry at Ava. She was helping her. Zillah talked to her parents' right before their trip here. Not just about this dinner party, but as well be part of the running for the Dream Scholarship. However, the hard part was to see how Mr. Craig will react.

As dinner wrapped up, Mrs. Harp expressed her desert course. "I got a lovely, sweet pecan pie in the back. Freshly baked."

Saoirse surprised. "Pecan Pie is my favorite." She turned to Zillah. "You told your counselor?!"

Zillah not sure if she ever did, she looked to Mr. Craig. He shared the same confusion.

"He didn't tell me. I guessed we both love the pecan." Emillee said.

They both chuckled as she offered Saoirse to help her get the plates. Saoirse momentarily checked her pager. Not knowing if she has to go back to the Lulling Hospital, her shift could begin any minute based off that beep.

She decided to help Mrs. Harp get the pie and plate. As the ladies exit to the back to the kitchen, Jonah turned to Mr. Craig.

"I got to see about Sky, excuse me." He maneuvered his wheelchair away from the table.

"You need help dad?"

"I'm fine sweetie." He stuttered a little bit. He grabbed his phone out of his side pants pocket, rolled toward the foyer and ready to call the sitter.

Sky—Zillah's eleven-year-old sister, currently being watched by the Cords' most trusted neighbor, Ms. Luselli. The Cords aren't that far from the Harp residence, it took them only fifteen minutes to get from there to here. So if there was an emergency regarding Sky, it wouldn't take that long to get to her. Zillah felt responsible for taking care of her sister and father, most of the time her mother has been busy with work. Zillah knew her father tried his best, but he can't do most of the duties because of his difficulties. Zillah and Sky had to take most of the slack. It has been rough, and Zillah hoped things would be better before she headed to college. However, deep down there are a seed of doubt that still linger inside her.

What would happen if things don't end well without her? Sky taking the rest of the load is tough, but it only depended if her mother be there for them.

With Mr. Cord checking up on his youngest daughter, the ladies are in the kitchen prepping for desert, Zillah has a chance to get to talk to Mr. Craig privately—mostly about the scholarships. She mentioned about the scholarship, and Mr. Craig looked wide-eyed. He quickly rushed to his office yards away from the dining room. He came back with a parchment letter.

"This is the Westwill Group scholarship." Mr. Craig said, passed the letter to her.

Zillah viewed the information, and glanced at the header. The big professional logo, the letters WG formed in a cube. She read what the letter has to say.

"If you took this, you would get $30,000. Nice start seeing how tuition is costing these days." He observed her looked deeply at it; it seemed she could be going to that way. "So you're interested. I have a few applications. If you fill it in right now, I can fax it to their offices. And you could get a response before the week end. "

As much as Zillah looked happy, she respectfully declined it. And she gave him the reason why. "I can't. I'm in the running of the Dream Scholarship."

"Interesting. I didn't know you would be a person to take that opportunity."

"Something I need to know."

"Nothing." He then sighed wanly. "There is talk about the senator treating his scholarship as a race."

Zillah felt a bit worried, but wanted to take it regardless. It would be a great risk and a grander reward. Saddened at first, Mr. Craig knew the Dream on has a bigger grant. Mr. Craig appreciated the truth.

"That's great Zillah. I'm excited for you. I'm still waiting for my LSU contacts."

She understood, while they wait she can focus on that getting the senator's scholarship. A few minutes later, the ladies returned with the pie. As Mr. Cord returned as well, Mrs. Harp begun the cutting while Saoirse instructed Zillah to help passed the servings.

As they began the desert course, Zillah noticed her cell ringing. She ignored it a couple of times. It has to be Ava and Sammie wanted expressed their fun they're having at Jackson's party. She tried to ignore the continuous ringing, but can't anymore. While her parents and the Harps discussed over a funny show they seen this season, Zillah took the time she needed to explore who texted her, and why.

And she looked flabbergasted once she learned who sent here these recent texts.

Miles.

She didn't expect that. However, she couldn't ignore what Miles wanted. Zillah felt stunned when she read what Miles texted. She looked at the screen.

Miles: Get here quick @ Jackson's place, he has something you need.

She replied back.

Zillah: Talk later.

Miles: It's about those cameras you like to collect.

Zillah couldn't believe it. She told him about her passion, the same one her grandmother done during her photography career. Following her grandmother, she has a fond of collecting antique cameras. She even has the ones her grandmother collected before she passed away. Zillah viewed the new message Miles texted.

Miles: Got word from him. He has the camera you need to complete the collection. You know. What you called it...the Hasselblad thing.

She left stunned. She always wanted the Hasselblad 500c. Can it be possible, the Wizard of Baseball—who knew everything about Mickey Mantle's HRs than Dorothea Lange's Dust Bowl collection. Amazed by the news, she noticed another text.

Miles: Better get here before Jackson chickens out.

Zillah don't know what to do until she decided a couple of minutes later. She glanced at her parents.

"Can I take a taxi? I need to go home early for something. I can watch Sky once I get there."

"Maybe we all should go." Saoirse wondered.

"Just let me, please." Zillah pleaded.

Jonah leaned his head over to his wife, talked about it. He then glanced at Zillah. "Go on, we'll be there in another hour."

"Good." She then turned to Mr. Craig and his wife. "Thank you for this dinner."

"Thank you for coming." Emillee said.

"Have a good night. Be safe. See you tomorrow." Mr. Craig said.

"Looking forward to it." Zillah noticed her father already calling for a taxi. However, what they think was a trip home. They don't know the real reason she needed that taxi.

She lied to them. Rarely had she done this.

She hated lying, yet she loved her cameras.

~~~

The cab stopped near the corner of Evegrove Street and Brewster Lane. Both streets are very popular neighborhoods, and at the south end of Brewster Lane laid a circle. And right in the middle was the two-story, Victorian house...aptly the West Residence. Yet the circle can't be recognized so well because of the many cars parked literally around the area; like it was a cramped parking lot.

Zillah walked down the street, it was safe no cars are passing her by. And what has rocked this busy neighborhood has been boisterous party music playing. As she got close to the front yard, she quickly spotted her fellow high schoolers partying inside and outside.

She tried to get through the raucous crowd and toward the front door, but these party-crazed teens are having fun, and there are some that are even rude. Zillah wanted to get towards the opened doorway, but got pushed back by an annoying male, drinking from his yellow plastic cup.

"Bug off!" He said.

Another irritated voice mentioned. "You're not supposed to be here."

Zillah don't even know most of them here, she of course have seen them at school. But she hasn't been in any of these popular circles. However, there was someone else she knew personally.

It was Ava.

"Oh Ava! You came at the right time!"

"I saw you from afar. Come on, follow me. It likes a zoo here."

They ventured inside while blasted by even louder music, they passed the small foyer and then to the family room. And as they get through the rooms, their eyes couldn't veer them from the tall male with his blonde curly hair and chiseled jaw. That was Jackson West. He locked lips on—what stunned Zillah and Ava—a sophomore girl. Jackson then noticed the females.

Zillah felt nervous, does she want to ask him about the camera. The only reason she came here.

"Hey..." He bit his lip. "I forgot your names. Sorry."

"It's okay." Ava said.

"Listen; let me show you around my place."

Suspicious at first, Ava wouldn't mind. Zillah though tried to be cautious. Yet she understood this was her chance for him to give her that camera. They both accepted. Jackson guided them all the way upstairs. Bypassing a lot of wildly partygoers, they headed towards his bedroom.

Zillah looked around and then glanced back at him. "So that antique camera you told Miles about."

"Excuse me?" He questioned

"The camera." Zillah wondered.

"Camera?!" Ava said quietly confused.

"I don't know own any camera. Look around!" He showcased them his collection of signed baseballs, Boston Red Sox player posters, and trophies he had since he was in little league. He then looked back at Zillah. "The only camera I have is this." He pulled his gold covered iPhone. He then positioned himself and took a selfie with him and the girls.

Zillah can't fathom why Miles would lie to her. While she doubted Miles' texts, Jackson as his typical jock self tried to hook up with them. For him getting two girls will be legendary amongst his fellow guys. Ava initially nervous took the chance and made out. How awesome it was to kiss Jackson West. After he kissed Ava, he then glared at Zillah. It was her turn.

Zillah felt insecure about this, made the door ajar. Jackson tried to reason with her.

"You can't leave this party without a Jackson West kiss."

She started to get disgusted out, knew this wasn't right. She then noticed someone walking by, she glanced back at Jackson.

"Sorry, this was a mistake." She said. "I should go."

Annoyed and frustrated, Jackson replied. "You should! Can't believe you don't want any of the Jax..." Ava intervened.

"Continue making out with me. I'm not leaving."

"Alright." He said satisfied.

As they resumed their kissed, Zillah seemed happy Ava got her chance to make out with the most popular boy in school. But that wasn't her. Zillah don't want to be like that. She was burned before. She hated to do these quick riffs. She exited out to the hallway where she paused shocked.

The dark skinned male with the straight fade, wearing his long sleeved flannel shirt, is her friend, her ex...Miles.

"Hey!" He said.

Zillah, still everytime, she has seen him she can't usher one word.

"What're you doing here? I heard from Ava you didn't want to come."

"You made me come here."

"What?!"

"Remembered you text me." She showed him her phone and those texts.

"Wait, I didn't text you."

"Are you dumb that is your texts!"

"It wasn't me. I didn't use my phone once."

She shook head not believing this. "Unbelievable, you're lying to me like you were lying then."

"Then?!" He then understood what she meant. "You mean what happened last year."

"What you did to me!"

"Come on Zillah, this isn't the right place."

"When is when you screwed another girl in my face?"

"That's not fair!" He hollered.

"It wasn't fair back then, and you want to make this as your excuse now."

"Zillah, please stop this!"

"You lied to me. Jackson never had the Hasselblad!"

"What you mean? I didn't talk to Jackson about your camera collection."

"You did!" She showed him her phone and the texts again. "Your stupid texts put me here!"

"I told you once, I never texted you! Why don't you just head out to the pawn shop and get that camera yourself. I'm not the old camera lady."

And then like a snap, Zillah felt insulted. Almost as if he insulted her grandmother. Miles then realized what he done.

"I didn't mean it."

Not taking any more, she bolted downstairs. Miles yelled again, "I'm sorry Zillah!" He rushed to stop her. Once she got to the first floor, the way out has been blocked by a lot of party guests. The music has been beating louder and louder. She noticed a way out toward the back. She sprinted pass the kitchen and then to the breakfast room. She exited out the large glass doorway. A lot of teenage guests have remained by the backyard, and then nearby a pool. But something don't look right about that pool. It looked darker and had a brownish tint.

As she tried to turn around, she got stopped by Jackson.

"Hey, I'm giving you another chance."

"Sorry Jackson, I need to go."

He didn't take no likely, and tried to force a kiss. He leaned over until Zillah did the unthinkable. She slapped him. The guests outside and some inside are left stunned. And then out of nowhere, a female striked back. The blonde female with the looks of Jennifer Aniston—she was Liz Apple—pushed Zillah back. With such force, Zillah landed into the pool of what was supposed to be water, but it has been filled with mud and worms.

Zillah look horrified, covered in mud and worms wiggled through the muck, as several kids laughed at her. She can't believe it. This was a set up. She fell for it. All of it.

She walked right in the trap. A trap masterminded by Liz. Jackson distracted Zillah with his charms and hospitality. And Miles, those texts he sent.

She took the bait.

Now she wished she went home.