Goldmont Girls: Secrets and Lies

Chapter 3: Monica

That afternoon, Monica Teasherallen heard voices talking in the kitchen as she entered her family's five-bedroom brick house at the end of Losby Lane. The house had been standing since the early 1800s, but it had changed a lot since then. Her family had recently hired a remodeling company to add a front patio. It swirled around the whole house, and led to a garden in the back with tall sunflowers. They had also renovated the attic, turning it into a gorgeous bedroom that looked like something from Elle Decor.

She dropped her backpack on the floor in the hallway and walked to the kitchen. It, of course, neat and tidy with everything in it's proper place. The kitchen was always super clean and usually off-limits, because of her mom's cooking show: Cooking with Karen. The wallpaper was yellow and sunny with a red polka dots. The little island in the center of the kitchen had four stools. One of them was occupied by her mother, Gwendolyn Teasherallen. On the stool across from her sat an unfamiliar lady that Monica did not recognize. Monica couldn't recall Mrs.Teasherallen mentioning that she was expecting company today.

"Monica! I'm so glad you're here," Mrs.Teasherallen chirped, noticing Monica standing in the kitchen doorway.

The lady sitting across from Mrs.Teasherallen gave Monica a warm smile, her hazel brown eyes twinkled with friendliness.

Monica said hi to both of them.

"Nice to meet you, Monica. My name is Phoebe Mills." The lady introduced.

Monica smiled politely. "A pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Mills."

"What an adorable accent!" Phoebe gushed.

"The Mills moved in the empty house next door, Monica. Phoebe have three kids including a girl your age!" Mrs.Teasherallen exclaimed. After a pause she added, "She will be attending Rory Ann. I was hoping you can be her official guide to Goldmont."

"She's been so sad about leaving Los Angeles," Phoebe fretted, "I just want her to make some friends."

Monica huffed angrily. Why did her mum have to assign her as a guide for Phoebe's daughter? What if she was some geeky dork like Morgan Meadows; the nerdiest girl at Rory Ann?

"Where is your daughter, Mrs.Mills?" Monica asked sweetly, secretly hoping she wouldn't have to meet her now.

"Oh, call me Phoebe. Veronica should be here any second now," Phoebe replied.

"Let's go to the family room," Mrs.Teasherallen suggested. Phoebe nodded and followed Monica's mum to the family room. Phoebe's Chance Eau Vive Chanel perfume wafted throughout the room as she plopped down on the sofa.

"What a nicely decorated family room," Phoebe commented. Mrs. Teasherallen thanked her appreciatively and pushed some couch cushions out of the way to make room for herself to sit down. The big, wooden grandfather clock slowly ticked by the seconds Phoebe and Mrs. Teasherallen were talking about home decor. The two large windows had poop-colored curtains with two same colored corner sofas. The cushions on the sofas were red-and-brown plaid. There was a wooden coffee table that held a vase with yellow tulips. Monica was sure Phoebe just said that to be polite. Their family room looked like a scene from the pioneer times.

The doorbell rang just then, and Mrs. Teasherallen motioned for Monica to get it. Monica grudgingly pulled herself up from the couch and shuffled to the foyer. She pulled open the front door and held back a gasp.

Veronica Mills was standing there with a hand on her hip and a sly smirk on her face. She looked flawless. She had dark auburn curls, all shiny and glossy. She was wearing a black Juicy Couture sweatshirt that hugged her curves. She had navy blue ripped jeans and ankle-high, black Prada boots. Colored bracelets jingled around her arm. She tossed her curls and stared back at Monica.