𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | RAFE CAMERON

Seven | A F T E R M A T H

— One year later

A year ago, I was the spoiled trust fund kid, the queen bee of the sorority. It seemed my life was set on a fast track to success, paved with privilege. But that did last long, it left me adrift in a sea of financial uncertainty and the crushing weight of my mother's illness.

The money that had flowed freely, like the champagne at our sorority parties, had dried up. My mothers investments, once a safe haven, had turned into a financial black hole. Her treatments were expensive, and the bills were piling up faster than I could imagine. I'd gone from shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive to scouring the clearance racks at the mall.

"Oh my god" Lilah groaned while turning into the drive way of my house, just coming back from the mall, "That tramp almost hit my car," she exclaimed.

"No, I'm pretty sure you almost hit their car." I laughed, "And that's my mom, she's not a tramp."  I watched as Carla pulled up next to us.

"Oh... sorry." She quickly apologized. She then turned to face me with a devious look, "So... There's this party tonight at Toppers house."

I shrug. "Okay?" Not giving her the answer she hoped for. I haven't been to a party since the incident. That night still haunts me everyday, I lost everything and it's been weighing me down like a ton of bricks.

She rolled her eyes and tucked her long curly hair behind her ears. "Scarlett, you can't be scared of going to parties because of what happened, Mason won't be there. I mean what else is there to do?"

I looked at her, "Well, I could be looking for jobs."

She sighed, "Boring... lets go have some fun, pleaseeee." She begged.

I sat there, thinking about it, but ultimately knowing my answer already, "No, I'm sorry. I have jobs to look for and that's my priority right now."

"Ugh. Fine." She said, her expression defeated, "I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Okay." I nod, going into the house. I open up my computer sat on the kitchen counter, scrolling through job postings.

Summer was officially here, and my bank account was officially empty. The girl who used to scoff at the idea of a part-time job was now desperate enough to apply for one at the Country Club.

My mom, Carla, emerged from the front door, her trusty walker sticks clacking with each step. "Still looking for jobs honey?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'm thinking something at the country club," I mumbled, "Hopefully, they pay well."

"I'm sure you'll get the job. Just don't work yourself too hard." She placed a hand on my shoulder before going off into her bedroom.

She was right, I didn't need to work too hard, but I would take any distraction to stop thinking about Davis and how empty this house feels without him. I felt a tear roll down my cheek, catching me by surprise. I blinked it away, unwilling to let myself succumb to the emotions that were overwhelming me, and then I got ready for bed.

I was nestled in my pajamas, ready to drift off to sleep. But just as I was about to close my eyes, my phone buzzed. It was Lilah.

"Hey, you asleep?" She sounded slurred, her voice thick with something that wasn't just sleepiness.

"Almost. What's up?" I sat up, my fingers wrapping around the phone tighter.