If only I was there

Chapter 20

We were outside at the balcony, staring at the stars. Aishah came with a bunch of marshmallows and joined the circle. She suggested to play truth or dare. We agreed and the bottle spun. Scarlett was the first victim. She picked dare.

"I dare you to run across the street while singing wrecking ball."

"That's easy."

"Make sure we can hear you." The apartment was on the 10th floor so Scarlett's eyes widen but she nodded.

"Wearing this around your body." Syaz pulled out her fairy lights. Everyone laughed and Scarlett hesitated. But eventually, she wrapped herself with the fairy lights and went downstairs to run across the street. The others and I looked down and saw Scarlett running with shining lights around her body. Her singing was so loud until the neighbors started to walk out their balconies to see the show. Cars were honking but she didn't care. It was her time to shine, literally.The dares went on and the night was filled with laughters.
     ...

Everyone was now laying underneath the stars, enjoying the silence.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I ever did anything wrong. I love you girls so much." Aishah said breaking the silence.

"We love you too." All of us replied simply. My eyes started to close and I dozed off. I coud hear them snoring as one by one fell asleep.

I was the first to wake up. I took a shower and Ben called. I gave his number during the picnic months ago.

"Hello?"

"Hi Megan."

"I didn't know you were still alive." I joked.

"I hope you're glad that I am." He chuckled.

"Is everything okay?"

"Actually no, I dreamed to go for a camping trip but unfortunately I have no friends."

"I'm your friend, Ben."

"Well, do you want to join me?"

"Can my friends join as well?"

"Uh.. sure."

We planned about the trip and hung up. We were going to gather at Ben's place. I texted Dane and Calum about the trip. The girls woke up and I told them about the trip. They were excited about it.

We ate breakfast together at the kitchen. Chloe was talking about Dane and prom. As I said, prom wasn't my topic so I kept quiet. They were arguing about who would won prom queen.

"What if Stella won and Dane's the prom king?" Aishah said as she looked at Chloe.

"Not going to let that happen." Chloe said as she glared at Aishah. I could imagine Stella winning prom queen and Derrick being her escort. Chloe and Aishah continued arguing and the rest of them were just listening.

I sipped my coffee and my mind wandered off. I thought about Claire's death. I thought about her missing me so much that she didn't want to wait. If only I was there in California with her. She wouldn't miss me and never got involved with the accident. If only I didn't move to New York. If only I was there. If only she didn't adopt me, she would still be alive.I didn't realize that I was crying. My friends came to me and hugged me. I loved Claire so much. She was my mom by heart. I planned to visit her tomorrow.

My friends thanked me and left. They said they were excited about the camping trip which was 2 weeks away.