Everly
I was so excited when I found out Mia and I were chosen! Four days in the fabulous New York with my best friend! But I was even more excited for the masquerade ball! We could dance the night away in beautiful dresses and masks, and maybe even meet some cute guys to dance with!
"Mia? MIA!"
"Huh?!" She replied breaking out of her daze to see me shooting daggers.
"I was asking if I could borrow a dress!"
"Hm? Oh yeah sure," She said taking a pause. "Hey Everly...If you found out, my family and I wouldn't have a lot of money anymore, would you still be friends with me?"
"WHAT!? Who do you think I am? Of course, I would still be friends with you! You know I don't have much and money doesn't matter to me! Friendship does!"
"Just what I thought you would say." She replied with a small smile.
"Anyways...Why do you ask?"
"Well, you know my parents haven't been getting along lately and...They're getting a divorce, Dad owns the businesses, which means he's taking away our main income, mom and I won't have that much."
"Aww, Mia it's okay!" I said pulling her into a bear hug.
"Thanks, you always make me feel better."
"Hey isn't that what friends are for?" I said giggling.
Actually, I was awaiting it, Mia's parents had been fighting for years, I just didn't expect it to happen right now. Especially with the trip to New York in two weeks, which luckily Mia's mom said she could go. I needed to get home soon to start supper, and then I could bring it up casually to Kim and Joe while they were eating.
"Hey Mia, I know things kinda suck right now, but I need to get home to cook unless you want my face to get busted and bruised for the ball," I said sarcastically.
"No I suppose not," she said laughing. "C'mon, let's go."
________
As soon as I finished their supper I asked.
"So, if I said I would leave for four whole days, and you wouldn't have to see me. Would you let me do it?"
Joe cleared his throat setting his fork down.
"To where?" He asked menacingly.
"New York and you wouldn't have to pay for anything," I said stretching it out with emphasis.
"I suppose if we don't have to pay for anything...What do you think dear?" He asked turning to Kim.
"I guess it's okay...When would you be leaving?"
"In two weeks on Tuesday."
"Could you leave sooner than that?" She asked obviously not trying to hide her enthusiasm.
"No- actually, yes," I said giving a smile, a master plan already forming in my mind.
"Perfect, I expect you to be gone by tomorrow morning."
I was so happy, but first I needed to call Mia, to ask if I could crash at her place for a few weeks but I didn't have a phone.
"Light bulb."
I could just sneak downstairs and grab Kim's phone while she was sleeping. It would be risky but so worth it.
__________
"Hello, Mia Hemsworth speaking, who the hell are you?"
I snorted; of course, Mia would say something like that.
"Hello, this is the government speaking and we'd like to ask you to stop being a whiny brat."
"Everly?!"
I laughed; I could imagine her face right now as she'd said that.
"Yes, now if you would stop being a jerk. I would like to ask you a question."
"Since when did you get a phone?" She asked.
"When pigs fly. I'm using Kim's phone dummy."
"Sorry. Now, what do you need?"
"Well, you know how Joe and Kim are so I need a place to crash at until the trip."
"Sure. Let me ask my mom."
I heard a bunch of noise and some yelling.
"Yeah, my mom said that's okay, when do you need to come?"
"Um, before 5 tomorrow morning?"
The phone went silent for a while before she said, "Ugh. Fine. But I expect you to be ready so I can drive back to my house and sleep."
"Perfect! Thanks, Mia! I have to go now, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah...Girl you really need to get a phone."
_________
I ran back home and put almost all of my clothes into a huge duffel bag Mia gave me once. I also put in my favorite light blue hair ribbon, some lip gloss, hairbrush, toothbrush, and some other necessities. Then I grabbed my favorite necklace my dad got me when I was three. A thin silver chain that had a baby blue bird on it, with a tiny diamond in the center, it had the words ~Family Is Forever~ inscribed into a small slate.
I shoved everything in except for the necklace, holding it lightly in my palm, I used my other hand to sweep my hair back and put the necklace on. I'm not sure how, but all the memories from when I was with my mom and dad swept forward at once, it was too much for me to handle, I cried and cried as if it would bring my parents back but it didn't work. If only I could've had a few more years. I was young, hopeless...Why me?! Everyone else got to keep their parents! Why couldn't I?
_________
I cried for several more hours until I finally got the courage to get up and take a shower, after that I put on my favorite pajamas, light blue shorts with a white tank-top, I grabbed a cherry flavored candy from my secret stash and munched on them until I fell asleep.