Killer Unknown

Chapter 1: Friends for Life

"So I put my hands up! They're playing my song! The butterflies fly away~" 

Miley Cyrus blasted through the speakers in the car as Penelope drove her red BMW 330i down the highway. She was accompanied by her three best friends, Beverly, Jules, and King. The four of them were inseparable from middle school and even resided in the same neighborhood from birth. Growing up, they perfected the saying, "You saw one, you saw all" and "You mess with one, you mess with all." At school, they were the most envied among their peers. Mostly because they were the wealthiest at the preparatory school and their parents didn't do much parenting to them. The four of them didn't mind their family dynamics; they chopped it up to their parents being busy providing for them.

Beverly had one living parent, a father who was a very popular lawyer all over the southern states. Jules' parents were doctors and had several practices, while King was the adopted son of a well known singer. Penelope is the daughter of two divorced state governors and wealthy business owners. The friends recently graduated from high school and just turned 19. They decided to start their new life on their own in Hollywood and were on the road making the 35 hour drive. Thus far, the drive was fun. However, within a moment's notice something changed and it showed all over Penelope's face as she drove. She suddenly realized that they were so young, they didn't think about all the details that went into moving, let alone moving across the country.

"Guys, let's talk about money. What are we going to do?" Penelope asked as she turned down the volume on the radio.

"Well, my papa and ma left me a pretty hefty trust fund. If I'm wise, I don't have to work until I'm 45," Beverly said.

"I've got a nice trust fund too, though mines will last longer even if I am not wise," Jules added.

"Being the kid of a famous star has its perks, I have a black card," King bragged, holding the card up for all to see.

"Well I have our lake house, so I guess I provide the home and you guys pay the bills?" Penelope suggested.

"Whoa, the bills should totally be split even. I mean you're living there too," Jules snarled.

"Yeah, but I don't have the hefty trust fund to keep me good and comfy. My parents were upset with this move and are only willing to provide the bare necessities as punishment. They took away my credit cards and are giving me an allowance of only $2,000 per month. I got that much because they are divorced and don't talk to each other. I'm sure that they would've repossessed this car if my aunt didn't give it to me," Penelope explained.

"So? You can pay a water bill with $2,000,"Jules snapped.

"Shut up, Jules! You can be so selfish sometimes. I think that it's fair," Beverly agreed.

"Well, no one asked you, Bev," Jules rudely replied.

"Look, everyone can't have perfect parents, Jules. Unfortunately, Penelope's parents care enough to punish her into a good life. Remember, they actually wanted her to go to college and be like them. Don't take it out on her. Now, we are not paying for our own home which means that our trust funds can last for more years. Think about how expensive real estate is out there and I know your parents are not going to buy you a house because they said so. Neither is mine or Bev's, so be quiet and at least pretend to be a fair or decent human being," King lectured.

"Don't worry Penelope, we got the bills. If that don't work, we'll just sell negative Nancy Jules," Beverly said laughing.

"Not funny, but I'll do it. We will cover everything else, since you have the house," Jules sighed in defeat.

"Look at us, our first fight and we didn't kill each other. We really are the true definition of friends for life. I love you guys!" Beverly said.

Beverly was always the one who looked at the bright side of things and showed a lot of affection. Penelope turned the music up and began to smile, now that the burden was lifted. She was the logical thinker in the group. She thought of stuff that the others didn't most of the times, building a strong trust and bond among them. It was like they depended on each other to survive. Penelope lowered her driver side window and placed her left arm out of the car. She wiggled her fingers as the wind blew on them. "Look out world, here we come," Penelope said to herself as she returned the music on her radio to its original volume.