***
///Party, Drinks And Accident///

"Fuck off" I showed the finger to Kimberly.

She instead started to roll in laughter on her bed. I was really pissed of by this. Anytime I had a fight with my parents, I came to her doorstep to have a sleep over since we were neighbours and best friends and her parents were not always at home.

Having the wealth and popularity was a part of me but I lacked freedom, since I'm the heiress to my father's company. I'm always surrounded by bodyguards.

If I was going to school, my parents would be so worried they'd bother to call the principal if I was at school already. I was always made fun of being the rich brat but I was not even the type to spend money lavishly. I knew my parents work to earn all these and I try to be the good girl by being good in academics and keeping away from bad companies. I don't even have a fucking boyfriend. All my school years I've always kept the fact that I liked Cross a lot and only Kim knew about my never ending crush for him.

It was just last week we were informed of the vacation to Miami. We would have the chance to have fun and see new places. This has not been the first school trip but I'm always deprived of going because of my overprotective parents. Throughout my elementary age, I was home-schooled and it was because I was stubborn before I got to attend middle school with my mates. This was just my only chance to have the long yearned for freedom and do all I've wanted to do but that is also about to be ruined.

Anytime I came, I'd start to whine and rant to Kimberly what new drama happened. She just also decided to be annoying today too by ignoring me.

"But seriously... " I pouted climbing on the bed, fold my legs in and peeking at her nails as she painted them. She had the habit of painting her nails every now and then. Just two days ago, she had the obsession to paint it peach because Justin Beiber dyed it that colour in his new release album, YUMMY. You could guess she's a crazy fan of Justin's. And now upon seeing his recent tweet with his hair black, she's about to paint her nails black too.

One thing I don't get is why her nails, and not her hair? Whatever she is, she's insane. I don't even understand myself sometimes as to why I chose her to be my best friend. Maybe it was her crazy behavior I loved to have in a sister that I never had or I just love it around her or because I needed a confidant.

She's the crazy girl who, on her first day at high school got into a fight when Bryson, the annoying quarter-back called her red-headed devil because her natural hair was red. Maybe that was why she always preferred to leave her hair that way and never attempted to dye it, I don't know.

I remember the second time I met her, I was traipsing the hall when I saw the girl who was lashing out at a guy for openly flirting with her, trying to help her with her books and I found it amusing. She's the first girl I'd see that hated it when a guy liked her or showed any affection towards her. I was silently smiling when she appeared in front of me suddenly and confronted me. We started to make small talk and I didn't know how but we clicked!

Getting to be friends with her, she was the annoying girl who didn't give a fuck what anyone thought about her. She would dress like a tomboy, walk like one, speak like one and she was literally trimming her hair like a boy's! She was also always there if anyone tried to bully me, maybe another reason I love her. But I can't ignore the fact that she's seriously annoying right now.

"I'm not even allowed to go on a vacation with my friends. Kim, you're also going right? At least they should trust me that I'll always be their good girl. You're so lucky I'm sure you won't even have any restriction because your parents don't even bother. " I groaned into the pillow. "For God's sake, this is my first ever trip in my senior year and the last that might happen. I've always missed the previous ones and must I always miss the fun of a good vacation filled with late night clubbing without my damn parent's supervision, sessions of truth or dare, bonfire night? Like fuck it! " I ranted on and on.

Finally glancing at me, Kim stopped painting her nails. "It's okay darling. All you have to do is add some buttering, pester them, throw tantrums and you'll see! You'll also be on the flight to Miami! " she assured and side hugged me.

I shoved her hands off me. "Fuck off. You've been ignoring me. "

"Ugh!" she rolled her eyes and giggled. "Who wouldn't get tired of listening to your rantings. Let's sleep now please? I'm done with painting my nails. "

I refused to answer her.

"Summer!" she deadpanned and laid on the bed on her side and fixed her tilted head with her arm, elbow to the bed, her arm forming a perfect acute angle.

"Don't be such a baby please? I'm feeling really sleepy and if you thought you could handle this yourself, why come here and start to bother me with your whining. Believe me when I say if you definitely try to convince Mr Bradley, he'll allow you to come this time. "

I rolled my eyes. "When he's not always around. Always working and Mom? She's always obsessed with her modeling career and every now and then going with her boss. I'm fed up being alone at home with those three ugly perverted body guards." I huff and puff making the fringe at the edge of my eyebrow go up in a swing and then come down.

She sighed. "I don't know how to convince you but I have a feeling they wouldn't want you to miss the funs forever. You can definitely have your way"

She squeezed my hand softly and smiled. "It'll all be fine. "

With half heart, I lay on my side and turn away from Kim when I saw her turning off the light. "Good night. " I muttered and sighed.

*

I came out of the bathroom and stood in front of the vanity mirror. All what stared back at me is a chubby curvy girl with hazel brown eyes and shoulder length auburn caramel hair. I tilted my hair to the side and picked the hair blower.

I was once thought of as the big boned or fat girl as they said when I first resumed middle school. The first best friend I made, Kelly Carmen suddenly changed and started to become friends with Diana Ross, one of my classmates who I thought was lgbt.

It happened a day we had basketball practice and it was raining. My team had won against Diana's and she was annoyed. I've always noticed she had a problem with me but I never really knew why. I thought it was because I was on the big side. She'll pick at me in class, prick my locker and put scary insects inside like a frog, dead lizard, sometimes she would even paint my white Mercedes car in red writing the word fatso. It always hurt me but I never reported at home for fear I'll be homeschooled again. I'll always find a way to clean it off before I got home. I thought she'd eventually change and stop being cruel, but I was wrong. I didn't suspect even when Kelly started to avoid me, nor when she would also laugh or sometimes just ignore when someone calls me names.

The day after her team lost to mine, I suddenly saw Kelly smiling and talking to her. I went to meet my best friend and thought we could talk and find out why she was talking to someone who she knew loathed me. Diana slapped me and it became a thing of show to others at school. I was embarrassed and told that I was not worthy to be talked to nor loved. I couldn't even cry for the fear of being called a crybaby. I had to go home immediately thinking I'll finally tell my parents what I've been gorgeous through but as always, they weren't home!

Since then I kept to myself till I met Kimberly. I was amused by her actions and we became fast friends. When Diana saw I picked a new friend, she thought she could buy her off as she did to Kelly but Kim proved stubborn. She was a perfect match for her and for the first time I had someone to stand up for me and I had no reason to tell my parents I was bullied.

I look at myself in the mirror again and smirked. At least I'm happy and accepted myself the way I am.

Suddenly Kimberly came in from the door. She had been to the kitchen to get breakfast. She entered with two dishes of bacon, beef steak and banana milkshake, the sweet aroma of the food filling fast in my nose. I smiled immediately.

"Your mom called. She was asking why you left abruptly. " she replied and my smile fell upon hearing that. I don't want to hear this.

I sighed and dropped the hair blower. "She was telling me I'm not going as I have to focus on my studies. As if I'm the only one in the world who has to study and she says something could go wrong and all that. I wasn't ready to hear anymore of her shits so I left. "

Kim held her phone in the air and sighed. "Alright, eat quickly and let's go. But call your parents at least once. Who knows, your mom might actually approve of you going if you ignore her, girl. "

I laughed. "You use that tactic, don't you? "

She flinched her hair and passed a dish to me. "Of course yes. Now let's get going. We'll be late. "

"Um, " I nodded and started to eat.

We were both going to the mall to shop for things we were going to use in the camp already.

"I'll be done. " I said and with a smiley face, I gulped down the content of my milkshake.

My phone was right on the dressing table so I turned it on and not sooner did I saw I had an incoming call. I saw 'Grumpy Woman' right on screen and I knew it's my mom.

"It's your mom right? You haven't changed it yet. " Kimberly commented, peeping.

I nodded and dropped the glass cup as I picked up the phone.

"I haven't seen her any less than that. All she cares about is work, traveling and beauty sleep. Does giving birth to me really make her my mom now? " I dragged the green icon and put the phone on speaker. There was nothing to hide about my relationship with mom.

"Yes mom? "

"Hey, Summer! Why did you leave home like that! That too without your bodyguards. Your phone was also switched off! Did Kim tell you-"

"She told me. You called. I'm sorry but, I'm not coming home... " I trailed off and looked over at Kimberly for emotional support. She lifted her glass up and did as if she toasted it to me and smiled. "Well, I'm not coming home until you accept I go to the trip to Miami. "

"No, no stop being stubborn. Summer, you can't go alone! You're an heiress-" she said before I cut her off.

"I know... I'm the heiress to the Bradley family and I'm prone to danger. I have to avoid social gathering as possible and blah blah, I know! But mom, is fear what I should feel all my life and forget how to live life? Shouldn't I live my life the way I wanted because I am a Billionaire's daughter?... Mom! I've always missed these trips all thanks to these meaningless reasons anyway." I rolled my eyes.

"It's not meaningless, dear. How do I tell you that your life is important to your Dad and I."

"I can see but I'm sorry mom, my wish this time or... I'm out of your life? " I said almost on the verge of crying.

I really never liked my mom like a daughter should to a mother but I'm still that emotional girl who loves anyone related to her so dearly.

"Summer... what the hell are you talking? Is Kimberly the one influencing you now? "

Kimberly snickered and threw herself on the bed. I quickly shh-ed her placing my index finger over my lips in warning before talking into the phone again.

"How does it matter anyway? You only care about your job and beauty sleep. You'll never let me have the freedom I've longed for. You make me feel so caged always. I feel like a numb girl. I'm always around those huge men and thank God I got rid of them. Sometimes mom, you just have to trust me. I've never messed up, nor will I now. "

"Dear, you won't understand. You're mama's priceless gem. Of course I trust you! Don't talk like I don't care. " Mom's voice was breaking through the line.

I paused my lips and stiffled in the tears. But Kim coughed and showed me the stern face. I need to do this.

"I know you do but... I've been homeschooled for almost all of my life and yet you feel I can never be trusted to go on a simple trip alone. Mom, there are many of us that will go! Yet I'll be there only girl who wouldn't fucking go! If you never trusted me mom, then why let me come to high school away from you then deny me of freedom? It was even better off when I was being homeschooled! Bye. " I hung up the call. I didn't want to hear anymore of her excuses nor tell me I was swearing. I didn't want to hear her feel bad at my words.

After hanging up, I felt bad that for the first time in my life, I talked back rudely to mom. I look into the mirror and all I see is an unsure teenage girl, breathing heavily and sad.

"Dude, I did the wrong thing right?" I asked, directing it to Kim.

Kim sighed still lying on the bed. She has the habit of sighing. "Honestly to your mom or probably any other parent, you'll be wrong. But every teenager deserves to make their own life decisions not under excessive control and for what you did, you'll be right then... for speaking for yourself. And change, you see, is very hard to bear with. Sometimes you deal with rejection, loneliness or even disappointment, emptiness... but in the end, you'll be right if you still stand for what you believe in and your courage is unshaken. I'm sure your mom will understand too"

Nodding, I look away. "Okay... But, I don't want her to hate me. I've always been the good girl. And... "

"Oh c'mon babe. We have plans! And don't ruin it with your baby cries, okay? I'm tired of hearing them." she whined.

I laughed in an instant and look back from the mirror. "Oh really?" I started to fake cry. "Here you go! "

She blocked her ears and I trooped towards her and started to hit her with pillows. She also picked one of the throw pillows in an hurry and we started to have the pillow fight but I was on top, so I had the upper hand. I started to laugh at her misery.

"You're the annoying one! " she cried from under the pillow.

"You're worse. " I laughed and fall off her already tired from all the hittings.

I sigh and look at Kim. I hope everything falls right. I hope I'm standing up for something right.

"I'm glad ! " she announced and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

I laughed. "Crazy girl. "

*

Since dad wouldn't anyway be at home for the weekends and mom's chance of being around was by luck, I spent the weekend over at Kim's place. One reason being I was still mad at my parents and other because I wanted to spend more time with my bestie.

We were at the boutique, selecting which dresses and shoes to match together, some of which we were going to need on the vacation.

I was still ogling at the black dress I saw around the corner and what fascinated me about the dress was the fact it was short and simple with a sleeveless arm. I just loved it!

"Love it, huh?" Kim said from behind me.

I looked around immediately to find her just coming out of the changing room.

"Yeah. But... "

"What? Don't tell me you can't spend. Common, you have a billionaire dad. "

"That's the problem. I don't want to spend anyhow."

She rolled her eyes and came to pick the dress, examining it from different angles.

"Sometimes I wonder how I bare with you girl-" she stopped intermittently because I hit her by the arm. "I mean, seriously you're too good. You're just too simple! You do need to know that sometimes you have to be selfish in this world of ours and that's the reality of life, Summer. If you're not picking this dress already, trust me it's a very bad choice. "

I grin and took the dress from her. I searched for the price tag and saw it was just $25.

"Not much heh!" she suddenly screamed and I hushed her immediately.

"Sorry... I forgot were in public. Okay, what do you say about what I'm wearing? "

I laughed and my eyes ran through her petite curvy body. She was wearing a loose yoga pants and a tank top on it.

"Seriously Kim? Of all clothes you picked this? "

She shrugged and sang. "Me being me!"

I laughed again and packed all the things we shopped. "Total? " I asked the sales girl.

"250 dollars. " she smiled politely.

I glanced at Kim buy she was busy ogling another shoe collection so I returned the sales girl with a nod and brought out my card. She collected it and seemed to withdraw the exact amount. I collected it back as she offered it and prepared to go.

That was when I saw Kim unusually quiet and pale faced. Her fidgety hands barely gripped her phone and she looked around in alarm.

"Is she okay? " I mutter to myself and tap her shoulder. I could swear I saw sweat form at her forehead.

"What's it Kim? "

She quickly looks at me and her expression changed. "Huh, oh no! It's just a stupid prank. Just a random message from an unknown number. "

"What's it about? "

"I.. Huh, I'm not supposed to tell? " she gave me a pleading look and I really don't want to play the detective now. She seemed desperate though? I wonder why.

"Alright. Let's move it. We're visiting the aquarium next okay? "

She hummed. Strange!

*

After cruising in my car and just trying new food in new places, we decided to go clubbing in the night and call it a weekend. I was so excited so I agreed when Kim suggested it.

"Hey babe, what do you think, we go clubbing? " she suddenly asked breaking the silence in the car, oh, except the music from the radio which was Ariana Grande's Moonlight.

I tilt my head and my lips broke into a grin. "Why didn't I think of this earlier? "

She smirked. "Admit I'm the intelligent one here, miss"

"Okay fine, I might not be intelligent but I have a blue belt in Taekwando and a black belt in chess. How about that?" I lauded myself or else she'd continue to taunt me with it.

She gave a writhing smile before nodding. "Alright. So, it's decided we go clubbing? "

"No. " I look at her, and she was confused what I meant. I grinned. "Common let's paint the town red! "

*
I am partying away tonight with my high school best friend, Kimberly Clark. There she is, sitting on a stool and having small pep talks with a guy.

I move closer and try to overhear what they are saying but I didn't get a thing. When I realised she wasn't going to give me the attention I wanted, I grabbed Kimberly by the shoulder. She giggled aloud.

"Kim... You're going on the excursion trip right? " I said suddenly remembering I'm not going because of my parents.

Already drunk, Kimberly looked at me and giggled again.

"It's not funny yah... " I scolded and took one more shot vodka. My parents shouldn't know that their daughter is such an alcoholic. All thanks to Kimberly.

She shook her head and then a guy suddenly pulled her away from my grasp. Annoyed, I pushed her away.

"Forget it, you're drunk. What to say... My overprotective parents aren't going to let me go just because there's a threat to my life from my dad's freaking enemies. "

I glanced at her again and seeing the anonymous guy stick his tongue down her throat, I cringed and looked away immediately. She's just useless sometimes. I don't even know why she's my best friend sometimes.

"There she is kissing a guy while I've not even kissed any guy in my life talk less of my crush. " I took another sip and gagged, thinking of Cross, the guy who's been ruling my dream world.

"Cross Rey Cooper... " I giggled. "When will you even ever notice me? " I was sad and breaking from within. He's always distant yet so close when he's living just next door. I was always watching him and he never knew. Even at school when he would be in same class as I was or I saw him play football, he would never know I was there hiding and watching him.

I only talked to him once and that was when we had history project together.

I was just thinking of him when my sight started to get blurry and I embraced darkness. The glass dropped from my hands and I thought I should place my head on the table, until... Blank.

Not until I felt my hand swept off the table and someone tapping me vigorously.

"Summer! Summer! "

I groaned and tuned away.

"Summer! Wake up! It's Five a.m! " someone whisper yelled into my ears.

Immediately, I sit up and checked my left wrist for the time, my eyes widening once I realized the person wasn't telling lies.

"Shit... Five am? Five am! I'm.. "

"Forget it, we'll be late if we stay any longer. " Kimberly said and pulled my weak body up. "Your parents! "

"Oh no! They're here? " I asked, alarmed and looked around.

"No, dear. But they will sure be worried not to find you at home since the weekend is over. You'd be expected to be in your bed by six, so please... "

"Okay, okay."

We both headed for the door. My body was still light and I had a serious headache.

"Kim, please you drive. "

She didn't reply. I looked at her. "Kim? "

"I'm driving! Okay? Now enter the car. "

I nod and when we stopped in front of my black Mercedes car, I got into the second sear beside the driver straight away and rest my head on the headrest.

I just heard the other door open and slammed shut before the car started a few seconds later.

She's acting cold. What happened when I had slept off? I look at her but anyway she's just looking serious, driving the darn car.

"We'll have to fly the car right now. I'm scared for you. "

I just hummed in response and dizzily looked ahead. The car started to move down the road and I turned on the radio, listening to 'Moonlight' by Ariana Grande.

Suddenly I heard a screech and I open my eyes.

"What happened?" I asked when the car suddenly stopped.

"Oh no! Shit... " I heard Kim say and her hands fidgety. I knew then it's something serious.

I thought of all possible things and my mind went to only one place. I look at her suspiciously and then her hands, legs and then the windscreen of my car to see blood.

In panic, I sit back. "Oh God! Accident? You could've been careful! " I yelled.

"Listen Summer, we have to get out of here. We're already in so much mess. "

"What mess already? "

"Summer, I'd received a message earlier because..." she was interrupted by the scream of someone.

"Help me! Please! Help! "

I was scared and I look to the front when I realized it was coming from there. The victim. It's a she. She's dying. She needs help. She needs our bloody help!

"Kim, we have to help her, no matter what. We're at fault here. "

"Summer, don't act stupid. Let's go. " she wanted to start the car.

I had a guilty conscience this is something horrible and I don't want to be the cause of someone's death. I don't even know if I'm half awake or fully. I mean, this is too bad to be surreal.

Kim is determined to leave the crime scene and I understand. "Okay fine. " I say with a plan in mind to hit the police.

"I got your back. " I added and squeezed her hand. Her hand is so cold against the steering. Oh God! I quickly picked my phone from my backpocket and dial 911.

"What are you doing! " Kimberly yelled at me. For the first time, I see her scared and angry.

"I... The police? "

"Hello there? Why have you called the police? Was there an accident? Where is your location? " a lady spoke from the other line.

I exchanged glances with Kimberly immediately, whose eyes widened.

"This is risky but I have to. If we can't save her life, we can ring the the police and they'll call the ambulance, okay? " I whispered to her.

She shook her head at me and gave a signal with her hand, that meant NO!

I didn't listen. "Hello, ma'am. An accident has occurred. Please call the ambulance, I... my sister is in labour and I need to.. um, "

"Calm down. Wait a moment. Can you tell us your exact location? "

I told her our location and suddenly Kimberly launched at my phone and threw it outside into the thick bush beside the road.

"Are you mad Summer! If the police arrive, who will be their suspects? Us! We'll spend the rest of our lives in jail. Forget a stupid vacation. " she anxiously yelled.

"What the hell, Kim! My phone! Kim, you just threw my darn phone out! " I accused.

"So? "

Finding it hard to believe, I lean back. "Really, so? What's wrong with you? You're acting strangely and I'm getting scared! First the text and now you're trying to avoid this after you caused an accident. You know what? I'm saving the victim. " I unclasp my seatbelt and trudge out of the car, without waiting for her.

I hear Kim shouting after me to stop but I pay no attention to her as I was determined. I feel dizzy a bit but the job at hand is more important.

I slow down my steps when I hear low pants and instinctively I look back to see Kim standing at the hood of the car and reaching out to me to come back. I shake my head and look at the helpless body in front of me when suddenly she grips my leg.

"Help... me..."

I freeze and slowly bent down saying silent prayers hoping as well this is not some kind of a ghost story. When I look at the body, it's a girl because she was wearing a ragged gown and barefooted. Her pitch black hair was covering her face. She was no longer panting so I move my ear to her chest to see.

Realization dawned on me and I look back at Kim. "She's dead! " I whisper yelled. "We could've saved her!" I am angry my best friend for the first time in my life. "We killed her! "

Kimberly runs towards me and I thought that she was going to show humanity and help. Instead, she pulled me away from the dead girl.

"Summer, listen. We didn't kill her. We know nothing. Good thing we didn't see this girl's face. "

"Shut up, Kim. I'm not a liar. We killed her, accept it. We didn't see her ahead. It was an accident and we'll say exactly this to the police as well. "

"It's not only about the police. Listen, stay away from all these"

"And what in the hell are you hiding? There's something you're not telling me. "

"Help! Please don't kill me! " I suddenly hear and a hand grabs mine with force. I look down to see it is the dead girl.

"Kim! Help, I'm scared! She was bloody dead! And now... "

The girl refuses to let go of my hand and I'm scared. I let out a scream. My feet become cold and I just want to run away. I struggled to get my tiny hands out of her grip and suddenly she stops when Kim joins me and when I look at my hand, I saw she dropped something in it. My wrist hurts anyway.

When I looked around, I spot some red things glowing in a distant and a shadow coming towards us.

"K-Kim? Lo..ok... "

Kim looked over and she cussed. "GET IN THE CAR. RIGHT NOW. "

I figured this time I should obey.

"We eventually painted the town red. "
I mutter

***

Next update is 29th May, 2022.

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