Starfish and Roses

Chapter 1

"Ember, I love you. You are one of my bestest friends and I care about you, but can you please just stop ranting about Dante, you're making my brain melt!"

Ember's scowl towards the thought of Dante's existence quickly turned into the face of annoyance due to me interrupting her, but what can I do? The girl could win a debate over any topic she opposes to, and her constant rants can get repetitive when you've heard them every single day since birth.

She switches to a more controlled expression and clears her throat. "First of all, 'bestest' isn't a word," she exclaims while rolling her eyes, "and secondly, I had a point to my 'ranting', as you call it."

I throw my arms up expressively. "Oh, like every day where you finish with the words 'if only my family status and power were enough to rid him from my life for good'?"

Cori's usual straight-faced frown changes to a frown of disappointment. "Tabitha, she has an actual point this time. Dante has been a little more aggressive with his pursuing towards you lately, she's probably worried."

"And I DO NOT say that everyday!" Ember defended.

"Yes, you do, Ember. Yes, you do!" Cori and I retorted, the same way we always do when on this subject. But I knew, very well, that if Cori was defending Ember on the matter of her rantings, then I should listen.

You see, Cori is very talented at reading auras. She can always tell when one of us is worried, scared, happy or even horny (which is a little creepy and intrusive) so I know she can sense any real point that Ember has. Although, I have a feeling that she didn't just read her aura to know this.

"That's right, Tabitha. I discussed it with Cori and even she can sense something." I had a feeling they spoke about this earlier – they always do that. "Dante is definitely plotting something, and it could be dangerous for you. So, you must avoid him at all costs!"

I relax and give her a smile. "Ember, don't worry. I already avoid him but for you, I'll avoid him much more 'diligently', as you'd say." She gives me a smile back, which turns into another annoyed expression that we all imitate once we hear the annoyingly high-pitched voice of a girl we are, unfortunately, far too familiar with.

"Oh My GAWD! December how are you!? Oh, and Cordelia, you look as dreadful as always!" Urban, Miss Richest Brown Beauty in Ember's neighborhood, exclaims in the most fakest happy tone I have ever heard her use. She is, like the 10th rich kid, including Ember, to join this 4th rate college. I swear, Ember's family influence can get annoying sometimes. Ember groans and slams her head on the lunch table, hiding her face in her arms the way an ostrich would in the sand. Cori turns to Urban with deathly angry expression ever, and calmly exclaims, "Don't you dare call me that atrocious name."

Urban flips her curly dark chocolate brown hair behind her shoulder and laughs. "Oh darling, I'll call you whatever I want."

I cringe at her oh so pretentious attitude, but for the sake of Ember's sanity, I try the calm approach as well. "Urban, if you're only here to waste time then please leave." Her face switches to a scowl.

"For your information, I'm here to send a message to December." She leans forward, bringing her mouth close enough to Ember's face for her to hear clearly. "Dante said he'll see you Saturday at the country club dinner." She then walks away in confidence leaving us in a bad mood. Ember looks up with a scowl on her face.

"Have I told you how much I HATE DANTE!?"

Oh brother...

***

I walk down the halls alone, after giving my best friends a "see ya later", towards my next class. I'm distracted by my thoughts – I guess I'm still a little down about my ex, but it's hard to move on. Felix was my first everything – love, kiss and time. I know it's been, what, a year? Maybe two, since we broke up but we've dated for 3 years in high school and I can't get over the fact that he cheated on me with some random rocker chick that he met at one of his band's concerts. I always felt that he thought I wasn't good enough but that just hurt, plus...