All Too Well - Erik Menendez

Call Me

Beverly Hills. CA. 1988.

Whisper POV:

If Riley was not practically threatening me - tonight I would not be going out. Riley? That's my best friend, the sister I never had, the one person who possibly knows me more than I know myself. Me? I'm Whisper. Only child, future law student; if I can manage to get my grades in at least an adequate position. Usually described by friends, family and even acquaintances as having an aura that only brews positivity, the paragon of a child thriving in the American dream. My parents? Simply Romeo and Juliet, without the tragedy. High school sweethearts, married young, inseparable best friends. Went to UCLA Law school after they graduated, together. Pretty much the picture perfect couple. Now both working as attorneys. Lawyers for parents? really only brings around one issue, but that-

"Not tonight, you're exam in the morning takes priority!"

"It's Thursday, we know you aren't going to be studying at Rileys. We were your age once."

"Whisper? Whisp? Hunny?"

My parents finally disrupt my thoughts as they both stand in the kitchen, not believing my story about wanting to study with Riley instead of by myself. Now of course, it is a lie. Riley desperately wants me to go to this neighborhood party that's being co-hosted by a member of our friend group, Craig. But when your parents are lawyers - be prepared for mass interrogations and cross-examinations every time you try to lie to them.

"Mum, dad, we may go get some food somewhere, but we will be going back to hers, I can promise. We won't be out past 10!"

"So, you're telling me-" My dad takes a drink from his glass of freshly poured whisky. "If we call you around 10, you will be at Rileys, ready for bed?"

"Exactly." Oh christ.

"We'll be calling at 10 then. Go on, get out of our sight." My father already pulls me in for a tight embrace before my mother follows. I am well aware they are smirking at each other, still not believing my story.

That's the thing with lies, when you get into one, more will follow.

"Thank you!" It is simply the only thing that can come out my mouth. How will I get out of this when Riley wants a full-night bash out at this party?

Exiting the kitchen and snatching my bag that I placed on the bottom of our stairs, I walk past the long mirror that is placed just on the right side of the wall from where the door is. Fixing the position of my shorts that starts riding a little too high for my liking, and adjusting my socks before exiting my house. Welcomed by bright headlights shining in my exact direction, after a quick squint I can see it's Riley in her car, her arm out the window giving me an over-reactive and unnecessary wave.

"I can see you Riles, relax." I mutter with a chuckle while getting into the car before throwing my bag carelessly in the back seat.

"Finally! I've managed to pull you out, tonight is going to be so good!"

"Listen, my parents think we are getting food and going home, they think I-"

"Whisper!" She starts. "Calm down, just relax, forget your parents, focus on fun now." I guess she is right, given my parents reaction I couldn't imagine they would be angry especially if I wake up in time for my exam in the morning.

"You have no idea just how bad they can get!"

"I'm sure they wont be so bad-" She chuckles.
"I'm sure there's someone out there with worse parents."

Certainly not as controlling.

The car ride is filled with small chatter and gossip, it is not often I get to spend prolonged periods of time with friends outside of school - my studies simply prioritize most things in my life. Don't get me wrong, my parents are the best parents I could ever ask for, but they are also role models to me. My hunger for following in the footsteps of them triumph anything. I briefly had my first boyfriend last year, however I had quickly realized he was not the one for me, ever since then my focus is strictly school, at least, up until tonight.

Pulling up to the house that was situated on elm drive, 725 elm drive, I believe. Along this entire street is beautiful houses - no, mansions - beautiful mansions, that make this specific area of Beverly Hills, strictly for the most prestige. I'm no stranger to the glamour, having moved to Beverly Hills from San Diego 7 months ago, and myself always living in extravagant houses. However, elm drive was simply different, it was utterly ethereal.

As we exit the car, I already see our friends waiting and huddled amongst each other, already drinking, muttering catcalls at us as we walk up, greeting each of them with an embrace.

"Miss study-all-the-time is actually doing something fun?" Craig gasps with an over-exaggerated look on his face. Craig Cignarelli. One of my closest friends since moving to Beverly Hills; first impressions was me mistaking him for an entire douche bag. Conceited, arrogant, dumb-jock with no real emotions, no texture to his personality.

However, I was wrong.

Time proved what a passionate friend he is, full of life, adventure, and the next big thing. Our friend group was made up of Beverly Hills high schools most popular kids, with him being the star leader. No complaints from me though, I knew our group was full of genuinely good people. Me, Riley, Craig, Sienna, Gus and JJ. Me the youngest, of course that making me the somewhat bullied member of our group.

"Mr plays-tennis-all-the-time-and-doesn't-think-of-his-future trying to talk big game?" I tease back as we all walk into the house and become situated and familiar with this house.

Gorgeous was an understatement. The walls were asylum white with gold trims round every corner; a luxurious spiral staircase was the main centerpiece as soon as you walked in, unlimited rooms available to walk in so you were simply spoiled for choice, expensive merchandise and ornaments that were indeed in harms way from the massive gathering of hundreds of young people all intoxicated, liquor lined up on every counter as well as other substances.

Teenagers of Beverly Hills evidently knew how to party.

Hours later I'm a mixture of extremely tipsy and extremely paranoid. I'm sitting on the couch in what I presume is the main living room, waiting for JJ and Riley to come back after promising to get us some more drinks. My eyes weighing heavily on the clock in the room that currently is telling me it's 9:25pm.

I can almost hear my parents voices reiterate "10pm" in my head and vision the phone ringing at Rileys house that will have nobody to answer it.

'Jump' by Van Halen is blaring out loud for probably the 4th time in the last hour, further making me unable to hear anyone around me. I need to find Riley. I've got to get back to hers for that phone call. I rise to my feet; they're jelly, I would've tumbled if it wasn't for an arm around me that caught me and stabled me just in time.

I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes.
Bright blue, pure uncharted waters.

Oh, I've never seen such blue eyes.

~

(Starting off with a shortish chapter)
Enjoy!

[Coming back to note on here. Due to the volume of reads accrued from this book I want to make it known how deeply I support both brothers and encourage you all to advocate for them in ways you deem the best.
I have always been a creative person, therefore I felt starting this book could be a form of advocacy – bringing awareness to a TRAGIC real life event that should be not romanticised, but taking those elements in an "acceptable" form of entertainment for more people to hear about the case. And understand the detrimental effects on child abuse. (Coming from someone who also is a victim of CA).

Thank you for coming on this journey with me, if however if its too much or you don't agree with the trigger warnings placed in the bio of this book! I hope you can find your advocacy elsewhere! Thank you :)