Hidden Flames

Chapter 10

[Thompson's Rental Property]

Juliette parked in the driveway of the massive lake house. Both girls got out of the car, "You never said your parents were this loaded" Noa said

"Well my mother's an asshole, which you've had the opportunity to witness. But she did inherited this nice ass house from my grandfather when he died and I have the alarm code" Juliette told her before they headed inside

The two girls walked into the house, Noa being entranced by the gorgeous inside. Juliette had kept walking but stopped when she saw Noa still standing in the foyer. Juliette chuckled, walking back to grab Noa's hand, pulling her towards the living room. The two walked towards the bar, Noa grabbed out the expensive tequila bottle before they started doing shots.

They started to fool around; playing pool, throwing limes at one another, drinking more and more, having a pillow fight. Juliette finally felt like things were getting back to normal between the two. They were having a great ass time, raiding the closets, having fashion shows, just messing around.

Then they put on some bathing suits and headed into the hot tub, "How come you've never told me and the girls about this place?" Noa asked

"Well, technically I'm not supposed to be here" Noa raised an eyebrow, "My mom's a psycho as you know" Juliette said

"Understatement of the year" Noa joked

Juliette chuckled, "Facts. Basically, she uses this place to host her stupid parties with her rich friends just to show off how good she's doing. In her words, uphold the Thompson Name, which is something I don't do well enough for her" Juliette explained

"God, fuck her" Noa said

"You'd think she'd be nicer to me since I basically died but all she cares about is me being the perfect daughter. Anything less than that and I'm just a disappointment" Juliette said, downing the rest of her drink

"Hey, you're not a disappointment" Noa placed her hand over Juliette's, "If your mother can't see just how fucking amazing you are, she's crazy. Because you, Juliette Thompson, are the best, most awesome person I know" Noa told her causing Juliette to smile

[Wednesday - Thompson House]

Juliette's mind was racing as she walked through the front door of her house, her thoughts still lingering on the afternoon with Noa at the lake house. It had been the first time in a while where it felt like they were back to being normal, the best friends like they were before.

As Juliette went to walk towards her room, the voice of her mother stopped her in her tracks, "Juliette, come here now!"

Juliette internally groaned as she walked into the living room to see her mother standing there with a cold expression on her face, "Care to explain where you were yesterday?" Hadley asked

Juliette gripped the strap of her bag, "Well, um, I had a shift at Pinball—" Juliette stammered

"Don't you lie to me young lady!" Hadley raised her voice

"Fine, I took Noa to the lake house. We just needed a break from—" Hadley cut Juliette off in a fit of rage, "You what? You had no right to bring that delinquent into my house!"

Juliette's temper flared as she set her bag down, "Noa's not a delinquent, Mom. She's my friend. You have no right to talk about her like that!"

Hadley's eyes darkened, "How dare you talk back to me!" Hadley gripped the letter opener in her hand tighter, "I am your mother! You will show me some respect!"

"Respect? That's rich coming from the same person who can't even show her own daughter human decency! You treat me like I'm a puppet at your disposal to be the perfect little daughter who never speaks her own mind and can't do anything she wants! You're the disrespectful one not me, so don't—" Juliette seethed