STEALING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

bang bang bang bang bang

Tessa Arellano, currently in Columbia, studying for her bachelor's degree in law.

Tessa Arellano, heiress to, as it stood right now, over thirteen billion, the disappointing daughter of Parker Arellano, CEO of Arellano Industries, Incorporated.

Tessa Arellano, who was standing on my front porch, pleading with me to attend the Arellano Industries, Inc. Christmas party that night as her "+1".

"Tess, no," I said, crossing my arms to ward against the freezing cold. "Your parents hate me."

"Good," Tess said fiercely. "Good. Let them."

"Your parents hate me," I said, putting extra emphasis on the word this time. "I don't want to give them more reason to hate me, let alone showing up to their damn Christmas party."

"They would've hated you if you were some other girl, anyway," Tess waved a hand in front of her face. "Trust me, they like that it's you and not some random-ass hoe bag."

"Either way, they treat me like some random-ass hoe bag," I said. "Give me one good reason why I should go."

"Because you love me?" Tess said, giving me a look. 

"Not good enough. Not to brave your parents, anyway."

"...because without me you'd be like every other broke college student?"

"...but I have nothing to wear," I said, making one last ditch effort to convince Tess to leave me out of her ridiculous family drama.

Tess grinned. "Leave that to me."

>>> <<<

"Watch where you're... Grace?"

"Yeah, hi," I said, hurriedly gathering all my things into a pile from where they'd fallen. "I'm really sorry about..."

"Grace! It's me, Tess!"

"Tess?" I looked at her. "Didn't we go to high school together?"

Tess nodded happily. "I think I have your number tucked away somewhere in the back of my math binder..."

"I'll text you," I said, scooping up my things and running off.

>>> <<<

"Tess," I made a frustrated sound when I saw where she'd taken me. "Tess, this is... no. You already pay for practically everything I own, this is too much."

"What's mine is yours," Tess said, repeating the statement as she had a million times before. "My parents will hardly notice. Won't even be a dent in their accounts."

"Yes, but..." I trailed off. "This place? Really? The windows are encrusted with- are those diamonds?"

Used to the display of wealth, Tess dragged me forward. "C'mon. I still need a dress, too. This'll be fine."

"You're..." I couldn't find the words for what I meant but Tess seemed to understand, because she punched me. 

"I have money. Like hell if I'm not going to use it."

>>> <<<

"No, I'm serious," I whispered. "This is a good plan. We use your family's fortune to build a Death Star, and then use it to conquer the galaxy!"

"I give it fifteen minutes before they notice the money's gone," Tess whispered back.

We dissolved into giggles right there in the movie theater.