Pentatonix and the Celebration

Chapter 1

I stood enjoying the warm July sun looking over the city of Downtown Gatlinburg. There was a warm breeze that made it comfortable. I glanced at my hand and smiled at the promise ring on my finger. It had been about two weeks since Jacob Stevens, a local K9 officer, asked me to be his girlfriend and future wife. I told him yes, but we hadn't gotten to do much together because he had been busy. My mind drifted back to the beginning of June. The cabin I now lived at belonged to one of my best friends, Kirstin Maldonado. When she brought me up here to show it, she had been attacked by Jessica Peterson. Jessica had mercilessly beaten her and had tied a rope around her neck so tight that it had to be cut off. Kirstin had been in the hospital for about two whole weeks. At one point, she had gone into cardiac arrest after I had been rushed into surgery due to an infection in my right arm after Jessica had stabbed me with a sewing needle. The injection stemmed from a stage collapsing that Jessica caused. After she had been released, we were ordered not to leave the property until further notice. That notice came quicker than I had expected, all thanks to my amazing boyfriend, Jake. He had taken me on a date then they found Jessica guilty. She has a warrant for her arrest, but they still haven't arrested her. I shuddered slightly as I thought about what that meant for me. Will she strike again? My mind raced as I looked around for the evil girl. My heart ached as I wished Kirstin was beside me. She had gone back to Los Angeles to get some of her things. Kirstin was going to leave a few of her things to have for tour, but other than that, everything else was coming to Tennessee. During that week's time frame, Jessica attacked me. Scott had caught her and made her wish she had never looked at me. I laughed as I remembered hearing Scott Hoying's anger-filled voice, the weight lifted off of me, and the sight of Jessica being slammed onto the ground several times. I had to admit that's what I had wanted to do to her but never dared to do so. I spread my arms as I felt the breeze blow again. I inhaled deeply before wincing. I accidentally overspread my arms. I still had pain in my right shoulder from where Jessica threw a dart at me. But that wasn't the only reason I had pain in that shoulder. Jessica had caused a stage collapse at the end of May and caused a problem in my shoulder and side. When Scott came to rescue me from Jessica's death blow, she purposely dropped the knife, and it landed on my bad shoulder. I shuddered in pain as my shoulder continued to ache. I wish that this pain would just go away. I thought as I sighed. My mind drifted back to when we had been released from the cabin and had decided to go downtown. On the way home, Kirstin started having pain, and her skin grew ice cold. She started gasping for air, and I was scared. She lost consciousness, and I thought that she had died. I flung myself onto one of my other friends, Mitch Grassi. He held onto me as Scott quickly got us home. I was so scared that I refused to let Mitch carry me home. At one point, I kicked him in the side, trying to stay with Kirstin. I had pressed my body against her limp, motionless body, trying to warm her up. Mitch stayed calm as he tried to help me settle down. I stood alone with this cabin behind me and Downtown in front of me. I turned around after taking another deep breath. My phone was inside, and I was going to get it and see if Jacob would answer. I hesitated when I thought I heard the gate opening. Kirstin? Suddenly I felt fearful that it was Jessica. I instinctively walked closer to the house, so close that I could run inside and lock the door if it was her. My heart was pounding with fear as I quickened my pace. The blood roared in my ears as I braced myself for Jessica to reach the top of the hill and try to kill me again. I crouched on the front porch, keeping my eyes on the crest of the hill. Please be Kirstin. Please. I hoped silently as I braced myself against the house. Now my legs seemed not to work because I collapsed, bruising my knee when I fell. Knowing that unless it were Kirstin, I wouldn't be able to get up. I grabbed the doorknob and pressed my body against the door. This is taking an eternity! Groaning as I waited impatiently for the car to reach the top. Jessica wouldn't dare to mess with me again after what Scott did to her. I decided but kept my hold on the door. I squeezed my eyes shut as the car reached the top of the hill. Opening one eye, I saw the car I had been waiting for. Leaping to my feet, I jumped off the front porch and bolted to my friend. My voice shook with relief.