Kaïwan

Prequel

Driiing!!

   -   Izzy, wake up! The bell just rang!" Livia shouted to her best friend

   -   No, already? I was having a really funny dream, there was...

   -   ISABELLA WILLIAMS!" yelled the teacher

For as long as she can remember, Isabella has been afraid of her maths teacher, M. Brown. He's British and therefore has an extremely strong accent. Izzy often finds it difficult to understand him, which doesn't help her because she has absolutely no talent in maths. He wears glasses that make his eyes look huge, which gives him a serious and threatening look. In fact, this man is often prone to giving Isabella detention, as she easily falls asleep during his lessons.

Seeing her best friend's hair all disheveled, Livia couldn't help but laugh quietly.

   -   Miss, were you sleeping during my class by any chance?

   -   No, no sir. I was just resting my head on the desk.

   -   So, if you were listening to me so well, you wouldn't mind giving me the answer to this equation!" the teacher replied with a light air of arrogance.

M. Brown pointed to a math problem written on the board. Seeing the endless numbers and symbols written, Isabella felt trapped. The girl had no idea how to solve such an equation and wondered how she would manage not to go back to detention for the thousandth time. She looked at the board one last time, the turned back to Livia with a look of puzzlement. Her best friend told her the solution by making the number 9 with her fingers. Izzy looked at her teacher and said:

   -   Of course! The answer is 9 sir!

   -   Well, you may go, replied the teacher, looking at the two teenagers suspiciously.

Isabella and Livia walked out of the classroom, giving each other a high five, with a sense of relief and a smile on their faces.

   -   Finally the end of the day!" said Liv

   -   It was endless! Nobody can do that to teenagers!" replied Isabella

   -   I know! First science, then PE, Spanish and..., Livia was cut off by her best friend

   -   MATHS! Days like this should be banned, it's way too busy!

Livia glanced at Izzy and she understood immediately:

   -   No, I don't want to go to the party tonight. Why don't you come to my house instead?

   -   Izzy, we always go to your place!

   -   Yes, but you have to admit that eating pizza while watching movies is awesome!

   -   Yeah, I agree, but a party with music and guys is better!

The joy was palpable in Livia's words. This party was the moment she had been waiting for. She would finally be 16 and she didn't want to live this important moment without Isabella, her best friend.

From the time they were born until the age of 5, the two teenagers were neighbors. Moreover, they were practically born at the same time, they are only 1 month apart. Since then, they have been inseparable.

Livia was so keen on this evening that she insisted.

   -   So are you coming?

   -   I don't know, I'll think about it, but you're still coming to my place tonight, right?

   -   Yeah

   -   Well then, see you tonight", said Isabella

   -   Bye!

3 hours later, Livia entered Izzy's house and greeted her friend's mother. Liv loved this woman, she had supported her through some of the hard times in her life in a way that her own parents hadn't been able to do.

When Livia's parents divorced, they hadn't found the words to tell their daughter. Liv was very young, so she thought that everything was her fault. Her parents asked Isabella's mother for help, and that's when she intervened. Izzy's mother considered Livia as her own daughter and was delighted every time she passed the front door.

Livia hurried to Isabella's room. She entered and wasn't surprised to find her friend lying in bed with a bag of chips in her hand, watching her favorite show:

   -   Izzyyyyy!! Are you ready for the party of the year?

   -   Liv! I don't wanna go... why don't we stay here? We can watch movies.. and order pizza!

   -   Iz, Iz, Iz.. you always skip! Maybe there will be some cute guys! Let's go!" said Livia, taking her best friend's hand.

   -   No, I'm not even dressed!

   -   You should start by making an effort...

Plunged into her show, Isabella didn't pay attention to her best friend's last words. Livia snatched the remote control from Izzy's hands, turned off the television, and joined her.

She took off her hair band, then brushed it. After taking care of her hair, the teenager ran to her best friend's walk-in closet and inspected each item of clothing, one by one. She pulled out a beautiful red dress with lace:

   -   Omg, this dress is perfect! You HAVE to wear it!

Livia tossed the dress to Isabella. Even though she didn't want to go to the party. Izzy didn't want to disappoint her best friend on the night of her party, so she took the dress and went to change.

A few minutes later, Isabella was radiant and ready to go.

   -   Ok fine, let's go before I change my mind, says Izzy.

   -   Come on, let's go!

No sooner said than done! The girls didn't waste another minute and went to the party. Just enough time to warn Isabella's mum and they rushed out of the house, ready to have a wonderful time.

...

The party is at Veronika's home, THE most popular girl in school.

Her house is huge; it's an inground pool, a spa, a pool table, a ping-pong table, and the BIGGEST living room anyone has ever seen! In fact, both of her parents are surgeons, so they have a lot of money. Of course, their daughter doesn't miss a moment to brag about her house. This one is comparable to Hollywood actor's houses. All this to say, Livia is really looking forward to this party, but also happy to celebrate her 16th birthday here.

The girls have been here for about 5 minutes...

   -   I told you Iz! There are a lot of good-looking guys!!

   -   Yeah, but Liv, do. not. forget. that we are here to celebrate your birthday, not for the guys!

   -   Yes I know, but guys are like... a bonus!

   -   Dear Livia, you will always make me so...

The music stopped and the house was plunged into total darkness. Isabella and Livia really didn't like this moment and started to feel anxious. At that moment, the girls felt someone put some kind of rough cloth over their nose and mouth. Without even having the time to say a word, they both felt themselves being pulled backward and lost consciousness...