DOWNWARD SPIRAL- C.F

10

I spent the next 2 hours in my room. I was so angry. How could she think I didn't want to go to college? Did she ever listen to me? Did she even save money for me to go to college? I just wish my mother could start treating me like she treats Belly. Like a daughter. Not like a person who helps her with everything.

The laughing outside of my window pulled me out of my thoughts. I could see Jere, Steven, Belly, and Taylor outside playing chicken. I quickly changed into a bikini and ran downstairs because screw being sad, I want to have fun. Just as I was running to jump into the pool, I ran into something. No one. We both fell on the floor and when I looked up it was Nicole. I immediately got up and tried to help her.

"Oh, my god. I'm so sorry. Here let me help you," I offered her my hand.

She just ignored me and grabbed Conrad's hand for help," I'm fine." As she turned to me I could tell she was annoyed. But I was too, so I tried to help her. I just turned around rolling my eyes because of her rudeness.

As I was going to jump into the pool, I heard Nicole say, " Happy Birthday Belly!"

I could hear Belly say 'thank you' as I was jumping into the water. I don't know what it is, but Nicole really bothers me. I don't know if it's because she declined my help or because she is with Conrad, but I hoped it wasn't the latter.

As I surfaced I heard Belly say," You guys want to play a real game?"

I immediately knew what she was referring to and said," Hell yeah!"

I sadly got put on the team with Steven and Jere because according to them 'it wasn't fair for three volleyball players to be on the same team.' I just bit the bullet and decided to go on theirs. We played for a bit, but unfortunately, my team was losing due to Jere's horrible coordination and hitting. We were doing our last serve, luckily it was my turn, and went over the net easily, but when I turned to see where it went, I saw Taylor hit it straight to Nicole's face. I immediately covered my mouth to hide my laugh. 'Karma'. After that, everyone separated due to the mood being cut. Belly and Taylor went upstairs to get ready. Steven and Jere went who knows where and Conrad and Nicole went to his room. So, I definitely didn't want to go to my room, so I went to the beach. I surfed for a few hours and then ultimately decided to go back home to get ready.

I decided to wear a burnt orange corset top and white cargo pants for dinner since we were planning on going to a party later. I did my usual base routine but decided to do a dramatic smokey eyeliner so that my eyes would pop. I could hear Susannah yell, " Dinners ready!" I immediately headed downstairs, but I sat in a different seat. I sat between Jeremiah and Conrad since I didn't want to be near my mom at the moment.

Conrad could tell something was weird because of the change in seating, so he leaned over to me and whispered," Hey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah everything's fine, I'm fine," I said a little too quickly.

His face just softened and then turned to the conversation that was currently going on.

"Why don't you eat Cam Cameron," Jeremiah asked.

Cam happily answered his questions saying, "The meat industry is the number one contributor to global warming and I just, I like animals."

Everyone nodded. I had zoned out of the conversation after they brought up kissing. I was just staring at my plate until I felt an elbow in my side. I turned to my left and saw it was Conrad, " I noticed you zoned out, everyone is leaving for the party now if you still want to go," he said with a worried look in his eyes.

"Yeah okay, my bad," I said quickly rising from my seat to put my plate in the dishwasher. I then walked out into the front to climb into Jeremiah's car. I didn't want to be stuck in the car with Belly and Cam.

We arrived at the party before Belly and them, so I was left to wander. I soon came to find out that this was Nicole's party which made me want to leave immediately. I was standing by the punch bowl when Belly got here. She got surrounded by Nicole's friends and went into the room full of birthday cakes. Of course, they'd do that for her. I saw Taylor walk over to me and I chuckled.

"What," Taylor said clearly aggravated that her best friend ditched her and some other girls.

"Nothing," I said," It's just funny that you are finally seeing what happens when Belly makes new friends, she forgets all about the old ones. You see, I was you once Taylor, my sister and I were as thick as thieves. But when she got back from volleyball camp before she started freshman year, she ditched me. I know it's not your fault it's but it doesn't mean it didn't sting."

"I never knew that," Taylor said with a guilty face.

I just smiled," I knew you wouldn't, my sister doesn't really talk about the past." I walked away after that wanting to get some fresh air in the back. As I walked around looking for a place to sit, I saw him, Lo. At that moment I decided to give him a piece of my mind. Maybe it was the two drinks I've had, but if I'm being honest it was me, I wanted this, sober or not.

"Lo!" I yelled, with a hint of anger in my voice.

"Hey, Sophie," he said, smiling as nothing happened.

"Why didn't you ever call? Why ghost me? Why sleep with me if you were just going to do that?" my voice cracked as the questions came out.

He just smirked and said, " Because you were easy. You were clearly sad and just needed a warm body for a night and I was more than happy to help, but my attention has an expiration date."

I slapped him, I was so pissed off, " How could you say that? You know what, don't answer that, just don't ever talk to me again." I turned around and walked straight upstairs to find a bathroom. I wanted a quiet place to cry. Just as I opened the door to what I was assuming was the master bedroom, I heard kissing. I walked in with my hand over my eyes and said," Don't mind me just looking for a bathroom."

"Sophie," a familiar voice said.

I uncovered my eyes and to my surprise, it wasn't Sheila making out with Steven, it was Taylor.

"Oh my god! I knew it," I said laughing," Conrad owes me fifty bucks. I'm just going to leave."

They looked at me dumbfounded as I began to walk out. My smile quickly changed when Belly walked into the room.