[Chapter 9]
A Rich Girl Thing

     Before my mom died, we used to have this tradition where our whole family would spend the entire weekend together — no exceptions whatsoever. No matter what came up, whether it was work or school related, we'd always reserve our time for each other on weekends. It would be the highlight of my week and I was overjoyed to know that it was too for my parents.

     But ever since my mom passed away, my dad has abandoned that tradition like it was never even made in the first place. It's bad enough that I rarely see him during the week but it's even worse when the weekend approaches. It hurts too much to continue the tradition without her, I knew that. I fully understood that. What hurt even more was that he was being completely and utterly selfish. 

     My dad never once thought what it'd be like for me — for his only child to spend the weekend alone and grieve about the passing of her own mother, with no one to hold her and tell her that everything's going to be okay. For her to listen to everyone in class talk about the plans they had in stored for the coming weekend, while she had none.

     That's why, unlike everybody else in my class, I would never look forward to weekends.

     Other kids look forward to weekends because they get to sleep in or because they get to spend time with their friends and family. For me, every weekend reminded me how much I missed my mom and how much I missed the person my dad used to be before he became an emotionless, workaholic. 

     That's until I came to West Coast High and made my first ever, real friend in the longest time. It's been eight years since I've had actual plans for the weekend and I couldn't be more excited — especially since I get to spend it with a friend as amazing as Kathryn. She's probably the funniest person I have ever met and a total cinnamon roll. I would never want to do anything to upset her in any possible way. 

     And that says a lot, coming from someone who loves to rile people up. 

     For the past year, to distract myself from my hatred towards weekends, I've been working as a waitress at a restaurant called Shelly's Diner. My shifts were always on weekends so it was the perfect way to keep myself occupied. Although soon enough, it was a declaration of independence on my part to show that just because I was rich, I would rather earn small bucks through hard work than to simply ask for money from my wealthy father.

     It's a rich girl thing.

     So when I found out that I had to work this entire afternoon, which was also the only time Kathryn was free today, it instantly shattered my excitement into a million pieces. The restaurant's manager, Diane, was super nice and would usually let me off the hook if I explained to her my situation — especially since I was one of her most hardworking part timers, taking longer shifts and all. But that's if I haven't already promised her that I would work the entire afternoon, because some guy was having a birthday party and things are bound to get chaotic if there aren't enough people to help out.

     I sighed in disappointment as I called Kathryn to break the bad news. I listened as the phone rang, vibrating softly against my face. While waiting, I held the phone between my cheek and my shoulder as I searched my closet for my work uniform. I ran my fingers through my hair anxiously and mentally prepared myself. 

     My father has disappointed me for eight years, whether it was ignoring my existence or making empty promises to celebrate my birthday with me. Either way, it seriously sucked. I would never want to disappoint someone I cared about, which made this phone call a whole lot more nerve-wracking.

     I inhaled quickly when she finally answered. "Hey, Kat. Listen—" I'd only managed to get a few words out before getting interrupted by a loud, excited squeal. I instinctively pulled the phone away from my ear, wincing at the sudden high-pitched sound.

     Once she stopped screaming, I put the phone back to my ear to hear her already rambling. "Oh my god, I can't wait to drag you to all these shops! I saw this cute dress the other day and you would look amazing in it!" She squealed again.

     I huffed and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. "Um, Kat?" I tried interrupting her but she didn't hear me.

     She continued, talking at the speed of light. "Well, I kinda want to try it on too but I don't want us to clash, ya know? Maybe I'll get one in another colour and we can match! Ooh! I also saw these gorgeous five inch heels and—"

     "Kat!" I said loudly, finally capturing her attention.

     "Yeah?" She giggled. "I'm sorry for rambling. I'm just so excited! Anyway, what was it that you were trying to say?" I grimaced at the thought of pulling her down from such a high-spirited mood, especially after hearing her babble on so enthusiastically. "Flo? Are you okay?" Kathryn spoke up in a worried tone after hearing a lack of response from me. 

     "Kat, I can't hang out with you today." I blurted out.

     She paused for a moment and I bit my lip hard, anticipating her response. "What?" She asked, sadness laced in her tone. I could practically picture with a large frown and her lips forming into a small pout. 

     I could hear the disappointment and shock in her voice — I was immediately engulfed by the heavy weight of guilt on my shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Kat. I forgot I had work today. I promise I'll make it up to you!" I told her as my eyebrows furrowed in distress, forming slight wrinkles in the space between my eyebrows. I racked my brain for a solution and after a few moments of silence, an idea popped into my head. "Wait! Tomorrow's Sunday, right?"

     "Yeah?" Kathryn responded, now with a hopeful tone.

     "Tomorrow! I bet I can convince my manager to give me a day off tomorrow since I'll be working a really long shift today." I said optimistically, hoping it would somewhat lift up her mood. 

     "Really?!" She screamed enthusiastically and I once again, had to pull the phone away from my ear to prevent myself from becoming half deaf. 

     Well, that was easy.

     I laughed at her quick change of moods and placed my phone back to my ear. "Yes. I'll do whatever it takes." I grinned as I packed my work uniform into my bag.

     "Aw, that's so sweet." I could hear the smile in her voice. "Especially coming from someone who has no heart." She teased as she held back a snicker.

      I gaped at the phone in disbelief and let out an 'offended' scoff. "Hey! I have a heart." I said defensively as a small chuckle managed to escape from the back of my throat. I paused for a while and observed my reflection in the mirror. "Uh, somewhere. But at least it's there!" 

     "Really?" Kathryn asked, sounding absolutely unconvinced. "Flo, sweetie, I want you to think about everything you've told me this past week. About everything you've done to all those different people. I want you to really think about it." 

     For the past week when we were in the process of bonding as friends, Kathryn and I got to really know one another and that included an exchange of stories. Hers were hilarious as one would expect and I loved listening to every single one of them. But mine, well — let's just say that they weren't all as innocent as Kathryn's. And not to be dramatic or anything, but I think it's safe to say that Kathryn's reaction to all my stories is now the reason why I'm alive.

     I pursed my lips in thought and cheekily grinned. "Yeah, you're right, I don't." I admitted, letting out a sheepish chuckle. Kathryn laughed even harder when I played along with her joke, her contagious laugh ringing through my ears. 

     After rambling to me a bit more about all the clothes and accessories she planned on buying, I told her I had to get ready for my job. Before bidding goodbye, she told me about how much she's looking forward to tomorrow and I told her I felt the exact same way. 

      I smiled at the black screen of my phone after she hung up. Finally, a weekend spent with someone other than myself.

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