My mind was relaxed as I curled my body up in the comfortable fetal position. The softness of the cotton blankets engulfed me as I lulled away. I was in utter bliss. That was until I started hearing a voice in the distance.

"Daisy, Daisy."

I grimaced upon hearing my name being called out. Either I'm having a lucid dream again, or some dummy is really trying to wake me out of my beauty sleep!

"Daisy, get up!" 

I quickly sat up from my sleeping position when the cozy blanket ripped away from my body. I frowned as the cool air tickled my bare thighs. Looking up, Natalie was holding my blanket in her hand. Her face was fresh and awake, consisting of only a little eyeliner and lip balm. Her hair was done up in its usual high ponytail as she was already fully dressed, wearing a red jacket and dark blue jeans. "Are you crazy?! It's like 5 a.m."

She raised her eyebrow as she looked down at me. "No. It's already noon. Stop being lazy and get up."

I rolled my eyes before yanking the blanket back from her, wrapping it around myself as I laid back down. Facing the direction away from her, I curled my knees upwards once again. "Psh, so what? I'm still tired."

To say I was tired was an understatement. I was both physically and mentally exhausted. It was already late November, and Ryan and I had finally finished up the huge project that we'd been working so hard on. With both of our intelligences combined, I'm sure we'll score the top grade in class.

I mean, sure, it was a little awkward sometimes when we were alone, considering how he never brought up the kiss. His aloof and vague behavior about it was driving me mad, so I ended up telling him that it was just a dare from my friends to kiss the first guy that came my way. I didn't think he bought it at first, because he looked at me as if I'd said I was a ten-foot-tall pink care bear, but he soon simply nodded his head at my response. Leaving me to never mention it again.

Oh, and let's not forget about my clique. Ever since Gwen's overnight a few weeks ago, all of the girls have been wanting me to hang out with them. Sure, it's been fun to still attend exclusive parties in the hills and soak in jacuzzis on yacht rides, but trust me, living two separate lives is a lot of hard work. If I wanted to just lie for a living, I'd become an actress, or maybe a defense attorney. Either way, life has been taking a toll on me.

I began to involuntarily rock back and forth as Natalie started shaking my shoulder. "Come on Daisy, my mom needs us to go shopping for more pie crust."

I furrowed my brows when I heard the idiotic statement. "Who the heck cares about pie crust?"

She stopped shaking my shoulder and sighed. "Well I guess you don't want any dessert for Thanksgiving then."

My left ear perked up at the name of the beloved holiday. Have I been so busy that I forgot today was Thanksgiving? The one day in which I allow myself to indulge in sweets and fattening foods, before crash dieting the next day!

"I have to go get ready!" I sprang out of the bed to rush into the bathroom. I have to make sure that I'm hotter than usual today. Why is that, you ask? Well obvi because photos will be taken. And if it wasn't blatantly clear already, I'm the Kim of the family. Meaning, I have to carry the responsibility of being the most photogenic in all family photos.

After a lot of complaining from Natalie about my three hours of getting ready, we were finally on the road. "You do realize that everything is probably already closed by now, don't you?!" she expressed, speeding down the street. 

I rolled my eyes as I applied the rosey pink lipstick onto my luscious lips, looking at the overhead mirror. "And you do realize that perfection takes time, don't you?"

"Grr!" She gritted her teeth. "You know, Daisy, sometimes you just!-"

"Stop the car!" I roared out, completely astonished as I looked out my window.

Almost immediately, the old, janky car came to an abrupt halt as Natalie slammed on the breaks near a curb. A wide eyed face of terror etched upon her as she huffed panicky breaths. "What?! What's wrong?"

"Oh," I shrugged as I began to file the broken nail on my ring finger. "You almost passed up a Starbucks. But don't worry, you can just pull in to the side here to go back around."

"What?!" She grabbed the top of her head in frustration. "I almost had a full on panic attack, all just because you want a friggin cappuccino?!"

"Hey man!" I pointed the sandy nail file in her direction, my face hardening into the utmost serious expression. "This is the last week that they're serving the pumpkin spice frappuccino. And I want that pumpkin spice frappuccino!

"Psh, forget it," Natalie rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she started the car up again. "There's only one shop that's still open today, and it closes in an hour."

"Argh, no!" I yelled as I grabbed the wheel with my left hand, turning it to the right. "This Starbucks closes in ten minutes. We have to go now!"

"Daisy, let go of the wheel!" Natalie screamed in horror as she struggled to move my hand. "Are you serious right now?!"

I tugged at the wheel once more to turn us into the empty drive thru. "We can make it!" 

"Daisy, let go of the wheel this instant!" 

"Fine," I smirked as I successfully led us into the line, right next to the speaker. 

Natalie put a hand over her heart, probably trying to stop its racing. Flinging her head back onto the rest, she closed her eyes. "You. Almost. Murdered. Us. Over. A. Frappuccino," she panted, out of breath."

"Oh, stop complaining, Natalie. Being the drama queen in this family is, so, my thing," I told her. 

"Just order your stupid drink," she deadpanned.

Leaning over her, I ordered the delicious pumpkiny delight. Soon enough, we were finally on our way to get the stupid pie crust for the dinner. 

••

I looked around the heinous, fluorescent lit up building in confusion. "Ugh, this place is so cluttered and big. Do they have, like, a map or something so that we can find what we're looking for?"

Natalie arched a brow up at me. "Uh, no? They have different aisles for different products. Don't tell me you haven't been to a grocery store before?"

"Okay. I won't tell you then."

"Oh my goodness, Daisy," Natalie said disbelievingly. "How could you have never been to a grocery store before?"

I rolled my eyes at her as she led us down the pastry aisle. "My dumb, old maid used to do all the grocery shopping."

"Must be nice," she chuckled as she grabbed the two pie crusts we needed.

"Yeah, it was." I gave a half smile as I started to reminisce on my old lifestyle. I didn't even realize how good I truly had it. Now look at me. Walking through a horribly lit up grocery store, forced to listen to the awful elevator music playing from the ceiling. Ugh, and don't even get me started on how it reeks of poor people and plastic bags.

Finally, we made it back just in time for Aunt Hana to fill the sweet potato and cherry pies. Much to my dismay, mother had the audacity to ask me to help Natalie set the table. Like, ugh, do I look like a cheap butler to her, or what? But what truly shocked me most was that she actually cooked most of the dishes! Not once in my seventeen years have I seen that woman prepare a single entré for Thanksgiving. She used to live by the words, and I quote, "Why do what you could pay those who are less fortunate and pretty than you to do?"

"Picture time!" Aunt Hana called out from the living room. My eyes lit up in excitement as I hurriedly made my way into the living room. Fluffing my wand curled hair out, I rightfully took my place in the center, in between Natalie and mother. Aunt Hana rushed to the left side of Natalie as the camera's timer was ticking. I angled my angelic face slightly, putting on an adoring smile as the camera flashed. 

I ran up to the camera to see how the picture turned out. "Awww, adorable!" I smiled as I looked at the taken picture. 

"That's sweet of you, Daisy," Aunt Hana smiled. "I'm sure we all do look great."

"Hm?" I was a bit confused. I clearly was only referring to myself. "Oh. Uh, yeah, you guys look nice too," I lied, still gazing down at the picture of myself.

We all then sat around the slightly chipped wooden table, covered by a white, lace tablecloth. Aunt Hana sat two tall, slender candle lights to frame in the middle of the mouth watering feast. "Okay everyone, we can all dig in as soon as I take the turkey out of the oven," mother chirped as she happily bounced into the kitchen.

The delectable aroma of cheesy macaroni, honey baked ham, and sweet buttery rolls before me soon wafted up to my petite nostrils. My mouth began to salivate as if I had just walked into the Prada store during a huge blowout sale.

Every second that passed by was seriously testing my self control. I waited as long as I could, about eleven and a half seconds, before I craved into the temptation. Hastily, I took the big, silver scooping spoon sitting beside the pan and dug out a pile of the perfectly baked mac and cheese, dumping the mountain on top of my plate. Greedily taking my fork, I impaled the pasta through it. Just as I was about to let my taste buds come alive, mother's stilettos came clicking back into the room. 

"Daisy!" She gasped. Oh no, I must be in trouble if she used my actual name instead of another cutesy nickname she always gives. "Put that fork down, young lady. You know that we have to say grace first."

I frowned as I sat my fork back onto my plate. Ugh, what is going on with her today? First she helps make Thanksgiving dinner, and now she's scolding me like an actual parent?! Mother has always been more of a sophisticated older sister, or the "cool mom" as my clique would call her. But now look at her. Wearing an apron instead of some fitted mini dress that she would "borrow" from my closet. Reading Betty Crocker cookbooks instead of vintage Vogue magazine. The sight was sickening to say the least.

We all bowed our heads as Aunt Hana said grace for the dinner. "Alright, how lovely, sister," mother smiled as she clasped her hands. "Now how about we go around the table to say what we are all thankful for."

I quietly groaned as I rolled my eyes. I'll be thankful if I don't die of starvation in the next thirty seconds. I mean come on, let's all say what we're thankful for on Thanksgiving?  How cliché.

"Natalie, would you like to start us off?" Mother smiled at the girl seated to her left. 

"Sure!" The kiss up smiled, standing from her seat. "I would like to just say that I'm thankful for family." She put her hands over her heart as she looked around the table, eyeing mother, aunt Hana, and I. Ew, please don't tell me she's about to get sentimental just because of a turkey dinner. "And, Daisy," she turned to my right, gazing down at me with near teary eyes, "even though we may not always see eye to eye, I'm glad that we're finally becoming friends."

I was, like, so uncomfortable. I mean, was the speech sweet-ish? Yes. But she seriously was overdoing it with the dramatic gestures and waterworks. It was like she was serenading me or something, and the only person who I want to profess their gratitude for me is Harry Styles. Or maybe Ryan. Either way, neither of them are here at the moment.

"How nice of you to say, dear," aunt Hana smiled across from her daughter. She then stood up, getting ready to make her speech. "Just like, Natalie, I'm also thankful to finally have our family reunite again." Her face then softened some as she looked over at me, "I know that it's not under ideal circumstances for you and your mother at this time, Daisy, but I'm so happy to get the time to spend with the both of you again."

A sad smile tugged at the corner of my lips when I lowered my head down some, looking at the folded hands sitting on my lap. Aunt Hana was right. Mother and I haven't kept in touch with them for many years now. The last time I remember seeing Natalie was when she came over to play in my childhood play house when we were seven. I guess you could say that we soon got wrapped up in the socialite lifestyle, thus leaving everything- everyone that didn't match up to that behind us. 

"How about you go next, Cupcake," mother gestured towards me.

"Ugh," I rolled my eyes, standing up. "Well I could say that I'm grateful for being pretty, smart and skinny," I put my finger up to my chin in thought, thinking out loud. "But I guess what I'm most thankful for is my makeup and fashion. Makeup enhances my already drop dead gorgeous looks, and fashion is what separates the elite from the wannabes."

I sat back down as mother clapped for my speech. For some reason, Natalie and Aunt Hana just sat there with a stupid, blank look on their faces. I don't know why they didn't cheer for me like how mother did. So far, my speech has been the best out of everyone's. 

"I guess it's my turn," mother said as she stood, smoothing her black pencil skirt out. "I have a few announcements to make," she smiled in my direction as she clasped her hands down. "First and fork most," she began. I internally rolled my eyes. It's the very beginning of her speech and she's already butchering it up. "I would like to say that I'm oh so very grateful for my daughter. Daisy I'm so honored to watch you grow into the beautiful and brilliant young woman that you are today." 

I smirked at her words. You know, maybe this whole 'say what you're grateful for' speech thing wasn't such a bad idea after all. All night has basically been all about me. I'm getting honored for being the number one fabulous queen that I am. 

"And I'm sure that if your father wasn't on the run from the mob somewhere in South America right now, he would say the same thing," she added. 

I nearly choked at the last part as I was sipping on my glass of sparkling water.  Subtlety is not one of mother's attributes.

"And for the big announcement," she grinned. "I would like to announce that Hana and I will be starting our very own environmentally friendly, vegan jewelry line!" 

Okay, this time, I definitely did choke! "Mother, wha-? You can't be serious!"

She tilted her head as she gave me a confused look. "Why, no, pumpkin. Your aunt and I have decided that it's time to put our best feet forward and take inivitit."

"It's pronounced initiative," I folded my arms under my chest, correcting her. See what I mean? This woman couldn't possibly run her own business. We're already broke, and now she wants to run our little remains into the absolute dust!

"The deals have already been done, Princess," she smiled. 

"Well how did you two even get the money to start up this 'business'?" I questioned, although it came off more as a demand.

"Well," aunt Hana started. "I used the last of my savings and your mother got a generous loan from the bank."

Now it was Natalie's turn to freak out. "WHAT?!" She gasped. "Mom, no! Do you not remember how long it took for you to save up just that small amount?!"

"Of course I do, dear," she sighed. "But that's why we have decided to do this. With the payoff that this business will give us, we won't have to just get by anymore."

I hesitantly looked over at Natalie on my right. Her arms were folded as she slumped back into her seat. Her face was molded in the most stern way that I had ever seen her be in. She knitted her brows in frustration as she glared at her mom. Her nostrils flaring some when she breathed out what looked like dragon flames. "And what will you do if it doesn't pay off?"

Aunt Hana took a breath, running her hand through her dark brown hair. "Please try to be optimistic, Natalie. But, even so, I guess we would have to cross that bridge if we get there." 

Natalie sneered as she turned her head to the side. She tightly closed her eyes as if the conversation was physically painful to hear. "You know what," she paused. "I'm not hungry at the moment." With that, she hastily pushed her chair back, the four wooden legs screeching against the dark hardwood floor. I watched as she quickly paced out of the area. The loud impact of her door slamming closed caused me to slightly jump in my seat.

The room fell silent as no one dared to utter a single word. I could tell that Aunt Hana felt guilty from the hurt expression that fell upon her face. I didn't really know how to feel about everything either. I mean, of course I think that what they are planning to do is a big risk, but there was still one remaining feeling that was tearing in my gut.

And that feeling was hunger. Let's not forget that I still haven't eaten yet. "Well since she's not going to be joining us, can I have her slice of pie?"

"Daisy!" Mother scolded, again.

I rolled my eyes as I cut an extra slice of sweet potato pie anyway. I came to eat, not feel like I'm starring in an old family drama soap. 

Oh, but if I thought that this was bad, then I had no idea what the real drama waiting ahead for me was about to be...