High Life

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The salty ocean spray licked my arms, making me shiver for a second. The stormy waves crashed down upon the chain link fence, making it rattle. The damp beach was only inches away. I shivered again and wrapping my arms around each other.
"Hey," said a voice behind me. I turned around and saw a girl with her arms folded across her chest. Her long curly brown hair whipped in the wind. Her hazel eyes looked intently at me. "You won't gain anything by standing here. Come on. Taylor and Kaitlin are waiting."
I stood there for a moment longer, my eyes lingering on the expanse of dark blue waters in front of me.
"Rose," she said softly.
Reluctantly, I turned around, threw on my hood, and followed her into the black limousine waiting at the curb.
"High heat," Mira told the driver.
I reached forward and grabbed a bottle of sparkling water from the mini fridge. I took a sip, and after my throat wasn't dry, said, "Hi, Diego."

He smiled at me from the rear view mirror, then started up the limo and began to drive. "Where to?" he asked politely.

"West Village," Mira said, and leaned back into the cushy seat. "We have an important meeting."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Yeah, but they named their kid North?" Taylor asked, perplexed at the fact that Kim and Kanye had that kind of humor.
"Apparently," Kaitlyn replied, fluffing up her country-like blonde curls and rolling her aqua blue eyes at the ceiling. "I mean, there's so many nicer names out there..."
"I wonder how he'll face up at school," I wondered , leaning forward and helping myself to another celery and ranch dip.
"They probably ruined his whole life," Taylor snickered, joining me and grabbing a baby carrot, dunking it in the dip as well. She pushed back her long bangs irritatedly, as her brown hair swept past her shoulders. It was streaked with darker highlights, making it look like a waterfall of glossy chocolate.
"I heard that Taylor Swift chopped off her hair," added Mira, glancing at Taylor.
"Well, I honestly think her hair looks just fine," Kaitlyn argued. She looked around the room, daring anyone else to disagree with her. "It's her hair, right? Who cares if she's all pop now, and not country? Her albums still sound great."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and we all fell silent. I got up off the comfy couch, and slowly made my way towards the door. Who would be here now?
Peeking through the hole, I didn't see anyone out in the hall. So I opened the door, and immediately something jumped up on top of me. I screamed so loud, that everyone came rushing over.

"Roselyn, are you alright?" they chorused in screams, running down the length of my apartment.
I lifted the black fur ball off of me and stood up. "Yeah," I said gritting my teeth. "Perfectly fine."

Alex stepped in the doorway, shook off her snow covered umbrella, and grinned as she caught on to my sarcasm.
"Yeah, she's on the hardwood floor with a two pound dog holding her down and slobbering her face. She's perfectly alright." Alex tucked back a strand of fiery dyed red hair, with a blonde ombre. No one really knew what her real hair color was, since she dyed it funky colors so often. Heck, she didn't even remember her own hair color anymore. But that was just Alex. All fiery red and blonde with pretty, springy, green eyes.
I held out an arm and she helped me up, just as everyone came cascading into us.
"Sirius!" Taylor yelled, and dived for my dog.
I quickly stepped out of the way, and stumbled on my stiletto heels that were littering the floor. I looked up and saw Taylor petting Sirius gently on the head. He was a two year old furry black shih tzu, with a tail that curled up happily and constantly wagged. I swear I could see Sirius dog-smiling. He must have really enjoyed that $400 dog spa package I got for his birthday a few days ago.
I fished in my pockets, brought out a bone shaped treat, and threw it at him. He lept up with a small bark and caught it in his teeth, startling Taylor. I smirked at her.

Suddenly, my iPhone rang, playing out the tune to one of Beyonce's songs. I checked the caller ID and saw Larissa's name pop up. I groaned, holding up a finger to my lips, and glared at everyone to shut up. Then I pressed answer.
"Hello?" I asked, even though I already knew who it was.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Larissa screeched. I heard the swerving of tires in the background and lot's of honking. "DIEGO AND I ARE COMING RIGHT NOW, YOU ALL BETTER BE READY. FINISH UP YOUR DOWNTIME AND MEET US IN THE LOBBY IN TEN MINUTES. OKAY?"
I didn't know if she would hear me, so I yelled, "OKAY!" and hung up.
At this rate, I was never getting that vacation. Midwinter, and still no Christmas break. After this premiere, I was going to shout at Larissa to take a breather, and give me one too.
I announced to the girls in my most haughtiest big-girl impression, "Larissa would like moi, Roselyn Blissica, Mirabelle Monroe, Kaitlin Baker, Taylor Vane, and Alexandra Hue to report outside for their ride to the Season's Greetings premiere."

They looked at me, shell shocked, when Alex spit out, "You're joking!"
I smirked. "Nah, I wouldn't joke about this."
Mira believed me instantaneously. "You guys, the premiere! We can watch Rose's new movie! Oh, I've dreamed of this for like ever!" she gushed.
Taylor recovered, and Kaitlin's eyes were wide. "Seriously!?" she asked. "Wow, Larissa's like, the best agent ever. I really don't know why you hate her!"
I frowned. Wrong topic. As much money my career's made for me, I hated Larissa even more. Which, by the way, is greater than eleven million. A lot of hates.

Mira gazed sternly at Kaitlin. "Kait, just shut your mouth already. Go grab your stuff; I think Paul's gonna be here any second. All of you. He'll bring the makeup and dresses," she added. Everyone left, and I slumped against the wall. She gets me. She's the only one who's been in the high life long enough to know what evils lie underneath all the glamor.