Ms. Popularity

Prologue

Silence fills the car, leaving a hostile atmosphere behind. Our holiday went well, but I knew it wouldn't last; it never does with my family.

Dad just told us the life-changing news that we are moving to America for his work. We are moving in 2 weeks, as if that's enough time to get everything ready and say goodbye to our friends. And the thing is, he had known for a month, yet didn't bother to bring it up until now, in car ride home after an argument free week. He ruined the good mood and we are all going to be stuck together for the next 4 hours. What a fun journey this will be.

"I don't want to move," Lisa my younger sister whines and I don't blame her. She has the most to worry about. I had to help her fit in and make friends after she started secondary school and she's definitely not ready to go through that again.

"I. Want. To. Stay. Here." Sammy cries. No surprise there. He always nags mum and dad until they give in, but as cute as it may be, I don't think it will be effective this time.

"It's for the best," mum replies half-heartedly. It's clear that she doesn't agree with moving, but she has no choice but go along with dad. The parents need to look united after all, "We'll have a bigger house, more money, and you can easily make new friends."

I don't get the point of moving to America. As far as I know, dad's been offered a prestigious, well paid job, but it's not like we need more money. We have enough. Probably more than enough. It's mainly to make dad look better; be part of a community full of people like him. Personally, I think rich is overrated. I prefer normal down to earth people.

"We can't leave everyone behind. We have a life here and I don't think I will meet anyone as good as the people I know now, " Nicole says, making her voice heard. By people, she means her boyfriend Tom. It's no surprise as they're destined to marry. That's if they don't move thousands of miles apart.

"There will be people there the same 'status' as us so you will easily make better friends and boyfriends," my dad replies carelessly. His dislike for Tom is clear, he believes Nicole is too good for him and should date someone of similar wealth. Even after four years of being together, he still wants them broken up.

Nicole's eyes harden in anger, but she doesn't reply as they've had too many arguments about this and now isn't the time. Instead she looks at me expectantly, along with the rest of my siblings. It's now down to me. I am the official peacemaker-- the bridge between the parents and children. I sometimes help my siblings get what they want and sometimes help my parents control my siblings. I do whatever will have the happiest and calmest outcome. Usually my solution is ordered and calculated. I plan for what could go wrong and any problems that could occur. However, I only have one argument and I know it will provoke further anger, but this time I am solely on the side of my siblings. I don't want to move any more than they do.

"I overheard dad on the phone a month ago about our move," I start.

"You knew for a month and didn't tell us?" Nicole exclaims, hurt in her eyes, "I would have preferred not to find out in a car journey home."

I knew she would be hurt as, although we are the stark opposite-- she is pretty and popular and I'm a shy nerd-- we are very close and tell each other everything. Well almost everything. And I was going to tell her, but I knew that she would have wanted me to come up with a plan, making me responsible for if we moved or not. I didn't want that huge burden on me for the next month and a half. Plus, if I failed, it would be my fault and I'm not sure if my siblings would trust me again. I was too scared about leading us to the wrong outcome. I was worried that I would lose them.

"It's because it wasn't guaranteed and I didn't want to worry you guys about nothing," I lie, "But that's not the point. I heard that dad could take the same job, same pay, but in England instead of America. However, he refused as he wanted us to be surrounded by people of a higher 'class', as he thought our current friends had a bad influence, especially Tom. He only wants what will make him look the best and our current community isn't selling that for him and we're not either. We are going to be sent to a boarding school so we know the proper way to acts as a rich man's child."

Immediately everyone starts to shout. Lisa about her friends, Nicole about Tom, and Sammy starts wailing, even mum joins in. Clearly, we weren't the only ones being deceived. I join in, letting my voice merge into the atmosphere of anger. There is nothing I want less than moving to another country. I have a life, friends, and a future here. Will I ever find the same thing anywhere else?

"Silence," dad yells, slamming on the breaks.

I hear a screeching behind us and I see the shocked looks on everyone's face. Time seems to pause as we realize what just happened, but it's too late to change the outcome. Too late to get the car going to miss the speeding car, although dad does try by putting his foot back on the gas pedal. There's a crunch and a sharp sensation fills me before everything goes black.

Dedicated to @InkStainedRebel for the amazing cover :)