A LIFE WORTH LIVING??

CHAPTER ONE: CHIARA GETS CRUSHED

It has been two years since mum passed away which means I am sixteen and junior in high school; one more year and goodbye high school life and hello real world. Ever since my mum died, my dad had locked himself in work and only notices us when it’s our birthday or a family holiday. I do not blame him though I mean he lost the love of his life. I remember the story of how they first met; mum and dad’s family hated each other because of an event that happened in the past and that meant dad and mum could not be friends even if they wanted to. One day, mum was dared to spend a night with dad without telling him the reason and well mum agreed; she went up to dad and flirted and they well ended up in bed where they ended up creating William and Alex. Months later, mum found out she was pregnant and decided to tell both families; dad’s family took it surprisingly well while mum’s family disowned her for the disgrace as they call it. Dad’s family decided to take her in and well that was it.

“So are you going to go out with him?” Gemma asked Chiara bringing me out of my thoughts. I know you’re a little bit confused so I am going to take you back to a few minutes ago. Well Gemma, Chiara and I are hanging out in Chiara’s room and Chiara is talking about her crush who had just asked her out.

“I don’t know I mean he is a good guy but he’s also best friends with the guy that crushed you” Chiara replied

“Let’s forget about me a minute and think about if he really likes you or is using you” Gemma said shocking the rest of us. Gemma wasn’t one to give relationship advice or any advice that includes having feelings. Ever since Chad told her he did not feel the same way she moved on with her life and left feeling behind.

“Why don’t we find out?” Chiara suggested

“But what if this date is the real embarrassment like he might be trying to humiliate you” Gemma pressed on once again. I am kind of seeing her point I mean this guy came out of nowhere and asked her out.

“You are just jealous because the boy I liked asked me out while yours crushed you” Chiara screamed angrily before realizing what she had just said. Gemma took her bag and stood up from Chiara’s bed.

“You are right about one thing; he is your crush but remember he didn’t even know you existed until today so think about that” Gemma said leaving.

“I did not mean to say that” Chiara said softly.

“But you did Chiara. She was just trying to help” I replied.

“But you have to admit that she might be jealous I mean who in their right mind doesn’t support their friend’s decision”

“Someone who loves and care for their friend” I answered leaving her deep in her thoughts. I cannot believe she actually behaved like that.

It was now two weeks from the incident and that is Monday; Gemma and I are seated in our normal table in the cafeteria with some of our friends. I know you’re wondering where Chiara is well after the incident, she had stopped talking to us.

“Do you think she’s still mad at you guys?” Summer, our friend said. Summer is a girl in our grade who we decided to make friend with meaning she does not really know what goes on in our lives unless we decide to tell her.

“That’s her problem” was Gemma’s short reply

“What even happened?” Summer asked

“Look Summer we appreciate you concern but it is not needed at least not right now”

“oh” Summer said ashamed. I was about to say something when I got cutoff by a voice I knew far too well.

“I cannot believe she actually thought that you didn’t like me or that you were using me” I heard Chiara say to Larry who was laughing hard along with Chad.

“Just because Chad crushed her doesn’t mean I will crush you” Larry replied still laughing

“That is exactly what I told her” Chiara replied back.

“I feel sorry for her” Gemma said softly. Not only you Gemma not only you.

“So Chiara, how’s Kelly” We heard Chad ask

“She’s good. Why?” Chiara replied

“Well we wanted to know if she’ll be at the hangout tonight” Chad answered

“Well I think so I mean she never misses those types of event” Chiara replied shrugging.

“Okay” Chad said ending the conversation

“They are planning something” Gemma said seriously.

“I know that but what?” I asked. I cannot believe this was happening to Chiara and she is too blind to see it.

“I do not know but whatever it is we need to stop it before it’s too late” Gemma said running out of the cafeteria with me following behind her. We ended up in an empty class after finding out we couldn’t go home.

“I think they’re going to humiliate her by insulting her in front of the whole school”

“No, that’s not it” Gemma said.

“If we don’t know then there’s only one thing to do, be there when she falls” I said

“Yeah” Gemma replied still thinking.

It was finally time to go to the hangout, Gemma and I were dressed in crop tops and high waisted shorts not wanting to draw too much attention. We got into the car and Gemma drove off.

“So what’s the plan?” I asked

“We go in and act like a wall flower and then when Larry shows any sign of action, we move” Gemma explained

“great plan but we still have to keep our eyes on the two boys instead of one” I suggested

“Yeah, that’s perfect” Gemma replied. If we’re doing anything we have to do it fast and right to save the girl who was once our friend or is still our friend depending on her decision. We got there just in time to see Chad and Larry standing where everyone could see them.

“How do you think they’re going to get everyone’s attention?” Gemma asked unsure of their plan or what was going on.

“I see a small microphone next to their mouth” I said noticing the black microphone like thing. These were one of the things dad had taught. He said most of those things are microphones used to record our conversations and that we could never be to careful.

“Are you sure?” Gemma asked

“Yeah, dad taught us” I explained. She just nodded her head and looked back at the unfolded scene. From what I am seeing, Chad had just called Chiara to come sit with them. They are talking and she is laughing.

“It’s about to go down but what?” Gemma said having a thinking face on. What could they be possibly planning that we cannot figure out. Then I heard it, the statement that was bound to leave a mark in Chiara’s life forever.

“I thought you said Kelly was going to come. Where is she because as far as I know it none of the girls here look like her.” Larry shouted angrily threw the microphone.

“I don’t understand” Chiara said confused. I looked at Gemma and she shook her head, there was no way we could get her out of there when I am the person he is looking for.

“Did you really think I like you? I was just using you to get to Kelly and you ruined it. You were meant to make sure she comes so I could ask her out” He shouted again louder than the last. The whole school laughed

“She wouldn’t do that to me. She’s my best friend” Chiara replied with pride making Larry and chad laugh.

“Your best friend? After you backstabbed them? Come on Chiara that’s impossible” he said. Chiara looked like she was about to break any minute.

“You talked about them all the time and you think they’ll forgive you?” Larry continued. It was time to end this and save our best friend.

“We will” Gemma said coming out from hiding. I was still in there waiting for the perfect time.

“We? Or you because I only see one person and would you really forgive her for being an asshole to you?” Larry asked. Gemma couldn’t reply because he threw another question at her.

“I mean after everything she had done?  Did you ever find out that the night Chad crushed you, Chiara and him were meant to go on a date or that Chiara kissed him that same night because she wanted me jealous?” and he had done it. Gemma was getting angry.

“Do you think Kelly would ever go out with you?” Gemma asked calmly

“Yes, she will because to her I am a good guy and have never done any wrong” he replied proudly. And that was my cue to come out.

“That’s where your wrong Larry. I would never go out with you even if this never happened. I have always hated you and always will not because you are friends with Chad but because your entire personality disgusts me” I said leaving with Chiara and Gemma behind me. Chiara crying and Gemma boiling. I needed to sort themselves out so I left them and walked back home.