Bastiana has a loving family, two amazing best friends, and a secret.
Over summer vacation, Bastiana and her besties do their best to focus on their bucket list in order to distract them from all the secrets they're keeping from one another. When a...
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My heart sinks as Bastiana's smile falls away, replaced by a blank look of surprise. I immediately miss the warmth of her smile and the sounds of her bright laughter from a moment ago. My chest constricts painfully at the knowledge that I did that. My presence drains the joy from her, and I hate myself a little more for it.
"So, come in and tell us what was so 'epic' that you were laughing about when you got here." Riggy says, interrupting my quickly spiraling thoughts.
"Right." Bastiana says quietly, gently shaking her head and refocusing on Riggy. "I guess Brittany's mom finally saw the email I sent on Tuesday." She smiles widely at her as she moves to sit on the ottoman in front of the coffee table.
Asher drops down on the floor next to her while Ryker perches on the edge of the recliner. I slowly sit back down on the couch and Riggy plops down next to me. She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she listens to Bastiana.
"She came up to us after 7th period and threw a fit." She smiles proudly.
"What email?" I ask carefully, pinching my eyebrows together and looking over at Riggy.
"Oh, right. I didn't tell you." She says to me before turning to Bastiana. "Is it cool if I fill Jax in?" She asks her.
"Sure." Bastiana says quietly with a gentle nod. "Wait, is mom here?" She asks quickly, her eyes widening.
"No, she went to pick up Dil and Car from school so they don't have to ride the bus today." Riggy tells her.
"Okay, cool." She nods. "Carry on."
"So, you remember that annoying blonde that's been harassing Tiana since middle school?" Riggy asks, turning to me.
"Uh, yeah. Brittany something?" I ask, turning to look at Bastiana. "Your arch nemesis?"
"Right." She nods and I turn back to Riggy.
"Well, Tiana sent an email to her mom with videos of all the nasty, and very un-Christian, things she's said to her this year at school." Riggy says with a smirk.
"Isn't her mom a pastor?" I ask, raising my eyebrows.
"Yep!" Asher says with a laugh. "And we edited the videos perfectly to make her look like the villain." He says proudly.
"Excuse me!" Bastiana cuts in, playfully shoving Asher's shoulder. "She is the villain!"
"Right, of course." Asher says, holding his hands up in surrender. "My bad, Doll."
"So, what happened after her mom saw the email?" Riggy asks.
"Oh my god. You're going to love this, Abi." Bastiana claps excitedly and sits up straight. "Her parents are leaving her behind while they go to Barcelona for Spring Break!" She grins widely.
