Chapter One: Barbie Girl
Click
The camera goes off. I'm about to wriggle away when my father tightens his grip on my shoulder. I suppress a whimper and stay in place. "Cut it out" He hisses in my ear. I sigh and plaster my giant smile on again for the camera.
"You look gorgeous Christina! Did your mom design that dress?" I sigh and nod happily. "Oh of course. My mom would do anything for me. That's why I love her so much" I gush. My fakeness is enough to make even me gag.
I feel my mom's arm sling around my shoulder as she pulls me into a side hug. "Oh I love my daughter" She says sweetly. I try not to roll my eyes and laugh. The press continue asking dumb questions and taking annoying pictures.
"Sorry to cut this short but we must get going" My father announces. Suddenly, someone yells one last question that makes my whole body tense. "When is your other daughter, Riley, coming back from boarding school?"
"We don't know yet but we'll let you know when that changes" Mom says and pulls me inside with dad behind us. Riley died 2 years ago, but we had a private funeral and told everyone she went to boarding school for her terrible attitude and "bad choices". Car crash. She was in the car with my mother when mom's car drove into some lake and sunk. Mom claimed she tried her hardest to free my sister but it was "simply impossible" apparently and mom needed to save herself.
In all honestly though, I don't think that's the real story. Riley barely listened to our parents. She hated the act we had put up. All my sister ever wanted was to be real. She wanted to run away but she wouldn't leave without me. When I finally agreed....she died the day after. We never even got a chance to put the plan into action.
Her death is supposed to be family known only but I told my closest friend, Kenzie, and her brother Antonio. "You're such a disappointment" Mother growls when we get in the house. I roll my eyes. "At least I didn't kill my daughter" I mutter.
Next thing I know, I feel a stinging pain on my cheek. Dad hit me. "Don't you dare disrespect your mother like that Christina Layla Wayford!" He says angrily. I roll my eyes and huff.
You wouldn't be saying that if you knew what she did when you weren't home. I think to myself. "Whatever." I reply and childishly stomp to my room. I text my bestie.
Me-
Hey K. Can't wait for
Our annual last day of summer
Bonfire camping trip tomorrow!
I toss my phone on my bed as I wait for a reply. Sighing, I grin and pick it back up...texting Antonio.
Me-
Hey Loser
Toni-
Hey sweetheart.
Me-
Tsk tsk. Stop with
The damned nickname.
Toni-
But it suits you;)
Now, you might be thinking "awe he calls her sweetheart" but it isn't in that cute giggling way. Nope. It's because when we were younger I had a major obsession with the sweetheart candies. Still do.
Me-
Whatever. Your sister 'round?
Toni-
Aw babe. I'm hurt that's
The only reason you contact
Me anymore :(
Me-
Ur a big baby. Can't wait 4
Bonfire tmw!!
Toni-
Ikr. It's gunna be da bomb
Me-
Bruh...u sound like
A girl
Toni-
Shut up. Gtg.
C U tmw:)
Me-
Byezzz
I frown and get off my bed, walking over to my closet. I grab 2 pairs of shorts, white high waisted and black high waisted, 2 shirts, a black t-shirt that says in gold letters "Queen B" and a lavender off the shoulder top, and some flip flops. Packing for tomorrow seems like a good idea right now because I'm bored.
I yank off my ruffled pink dress with a flower design, that reminds me of something barbie would wear, and throw on ripped jeans and a black crop top. Throwing on my sneakers, I type Kenz a quick text that I'm coming over and grab my camping bag I packed.
Sneaking out my window is probably my best bet because my control freak, perfect parents would seriously disapprove of my casual outfit. So, I throw my duffle bag off the ledge of my balcony and climb up onto the edge myself. "1...2...3...JUMP" I launch myself off and roll once my feet lightly touch the ground.
It would hurt worse if I didn't. I grin in success and pick up my bag. Her house is only a couple houses away from me so I take the backyard way...basically walking along the edge of the woods so I'm not caught. My phone buzzes in my back pocket.
Kenz-
Can't wait either...
Kk c u soon babez
I don't bother replying since I'm not very far away. Luckily, her parents aren't uptight bitches, and they welcome me with open arms no matter the time of day or night.
"CHRIS IS HERE!" Someone yells from inside after I knock. Wild guess....Antonio fucking Cooper.
"THEN OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR MORON" Definitely Kenzie.
"BOTH OF YOU STOP YOUR YELLING" I chuckle. That was Mrs. Cooper. "You literally just yelled mom" I hear the sound of something, or someone, being hit then a whine. Most likely Toni.
The door finally opens and I'm pulled into someone arms. "Hey Little C" I grin at Mr. Cooper. "Hey dude" I giggle.
Mr. Cooper is like my second father, only father if you count the fact my biological dad is a douche. He's a successful businessman like my father except his family is actually picture perfect. They are the real deal. That's what I love about their family.
"Come in darling" Mrs. Cooper says, appearing behind her husband. I step through the door and I'm instantly engulfed in another hug. "Is everything okay?" My bestie asks. I shrug. "Same as usual"
"Why can't we adopt you" Toni whines. We all laugh. "Well you kids have fun. I'll make dinner and call you when it's ready. Are you staying the night Christina?" I nod and then leave the adults, following the siblings upstairs to Kenzie's room.
"So, what's the latest Wayford drama?" Antonio casually asks as he plops onto his sisters bean bag chair. Kenzie slaps him upside the head. "Don't you watch T.V you dimwit? They had another press conference thingy today" I nod and jump onto her bed. "Of course I watch T.V. Chris's acting is something I live for"
I hit him upside the head this time.
"Your father is a serious ass. If I didn't know you then I'd of think he was whispering something nice and fatherly like in your ear....but I know better. Btw, How's your shoulder?" She says.
I shrug. "First of all, did you just say btw? Whatever, second, my shoulder is fine and yeah my father is an ass. Third, he hisses like a cat I swear. I also think he spit in my ear" I shudder making them crack up.
"Omg and you could see your mother cringing as she hugged you. Hell even your face twisted up. I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't know you so well" Kenzie rants again.
Did she just say omg? This girl needs to get her mind off her phone and back in reality.
"Kenz....talk like a real person would ya" I snicker at Toni's comment. He read my mind I swear. She rolls her eyes and flips her brother off.
Okay hold up. Let me just clear something up, they aren't twins. Antonio is 18 and Kenzie is 17. They're months apart. We're all seniors at our school. Well, we will be in 3 days when school starts up again. Tomorrow, bright and early we head to our spot and set up everything. By that I mean lay our sleeping bags and pillows out in our tree house.
Yes...we camp in a tree house. Sue us. We usually spend the rest of the day preparing for the bonfire and swimming in the lake that's right at the edge of the woods our tree house is in.
"So you packed?" They ask simultaneously. I stare at them, creeped out. I slowly nod. "Yeah....you?"
"Yeah" Antonio says the same time his sister screeches "NO". We just blink at her. "I can't find anything to wear. And how am I supposed to pick some shoes when I have so many. Don't even get me started on what makeup to bring"
Again, we just blink at her. "Um sis....it's just a camping trip. Not a freaking runway show" Antonio says nervously, for fear of Kenz flipping out. Like always though....she does.
"Just a camping trip? Antonio listen to me! It doesn't matter if we're going to freaking crawl on the ground and search for bugs or walk the runway for Mrs. Wayford. We dress our best possible. Hair, clothes, shoes and makeup are the most important things to a girl-" Not me "-I tell you this every single year moron! Pay attention for christ sake. Jesus. We need to look fantabulous no matter what we do or where we go!"
We nod and smile in fake agreement. What? It's the safest possible thing to do. One year, Toni argued back and ended up being chased around the house with a bathroom plunger and broom. Don't ask. Kenzie is weird.
She grins and skips over to her closet happily. "Bipolar much" I mumble to Antonio. He bursts out laughing, causing Kenzie's attention to turn to us again. "What?" She asks and crossed her arms. I slap a hand over my mouth and Toni fiddles with his thumbs.
She huffs and turns to her closet. We watch as she rummages through it, tossing clothes behind her. "Well? Are you going to help?" We jump up instantly and join her. Toni grabs one of her favorite dresses and holds it up to his body.
"I'm a barbie girl! In a barbie world! Life in plastic! It's fantastic" He sings. I giggle and grab one of her other dresses. "You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation" I belt out. Kenzie wastes no time singing the next verse.
"Come on, Barbie, let's go party! I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world Life in plastic, it's fantastic!"
We burst out laughing. We throw the dresses into the pile and continue our hunt for the "perfect outfits". I grab a pair of denim booty shorts and a white tank top. "What about this?" Kenzie lets out an ear piercing squeal. "Perfect perfect"
I roll my eyes and throw it onto her bed. Antonio picks up a blue country girl dress and examines it. "What kind of hid-"
"Oh thanks Ant." His sister says happily and plucks the dress from his hands, adding it to the outfit I picked. "You two are life savers" My bestie says dramatically. Her brother rolls his eyes.
"DINNER"
We race downstairs to the kitchen where Mr. Cooper is setting the table and Mrs. Cooper is dipping up plates of....
"LASAGNA" I yell and scramble into a seat. The siblings laugh and sit on my sides. I scoff my food down quickly, and my phone goes off right as I'm finishing my last bite.
Demon Spawn is calling....
I groan loudly. The family stops eating and looks at me. "My mom is calling...." I say hesitantly. Mrs. Cooper and Mr. Cooper exchange glances and sigh. "Go ahead and answer. Watch your attitude or you'll make it worse" Mr. Cooper tells me. I nod and slide my finger over the accept button.
"Mother?"
"Where on God's green earth are you!" She shouts. I take a deep breath and hold back any sassy comments. "I went to the Cooper's house" I say innocently. Antonio and Kenzie stifle their laughs and shove lasagna in their mouths.
"You didn't ask!" She screeches. I flinch and hold the phone away from my ear as she rants.
"What would the public think? Hm? Wayford teenager going rogue? Don't be such a stuck up-" Ironic "-spoiled brat missy! You should fucking know better! You follow the rules and keep up a perfect record for the public and you'll be fine! Disobey and disrespect me and your father and we'll make your pathetic life a living hell!"
"IT ALREADY IS A LIVING HELL" I scream and slam my finger onto the end call button. I leave the shocked Cooper family and stomp upstairs to my room. Yes. My room. They live in a mansion so they could spare an extra room for me right besides Kenzie's. I'm over here a lot so it makes sense.
I slam the door shut and jump onto my bed, letting the tears fall freely. Someone knocks on my door but I ignore it. "Chris?" I bolt upright and violently wipe my tears away. One glance in the mirror tells me I need to fix myself up better. My stupid mascara is running down my face.
"One second" I yell and rush to the bathroom in my room. I quickly rid my face of the dripping makeup and splash cold water on my puffy eyes. "Good enough" I mumble. I then open the door for Antonio. "Hey Sweetheart. You okay?"
I nod. "Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. All's good. Where is Kenz?" I question, upon realizing he's the one that came to check on me. "She's uh...she wanted me to check on you." He nods to himself.
"She wanted you to check on me? Toni, in case you didn't realise, that's a kinda dumb excuse. She is, after all, my best friend" I say, crossing my arms. His face turns red and it takes me a second to realize he's blushing. I smirk. "No need to blush T." I tease. He scowls at me and crosses his arms. "I'll send her up" He mumbles and stalks away.
Okay weirdo.
