Succumb

Chapter One

Vivian

My cell phone chimes its standard ring tone I've been "too busy" to change. I click off my kindle and reach for the phone. Lizzy's name pops up on the caller ID along with a selfie of her eating ice cream. I swipe the accept button. "What's up?"

"Hey, Viv!" My little sister's voice is just barely heard over the tumult of all her friends in the background. "Hey, uh, can you come pick me up now?"

I look at my watch. Its glowing numbers say it is nearly afternoon. Liz had been there since the same time yesterday for her friend's birthday-slumber party. "Alright, I'll be right over."

"Thanks a ton!" The line goes dead with a click.

I grab Mom's keys. She's been out like a light for hours since her night shift at the town's only 24 hour diner. As yesterday was Saturday, she'd been busy. The door creaks a little when I open it and step out into the warm sunlight. I inhale the fresh air and stretch involuntarily. A smile soon follows and I hop into the small, old car Mom has driven since before I was born. It clunks a little when I turn it on, but soon gives its signature rumble as I pull out of the driveway.

It takes nearly twenty minutes to reach Kayla's house where Liz is. I know the route well - Kayla is Liz's best friend and I often act as chauffeur. Her house comes up on my left and I pull into their long driveway. Kayla's family comes from old money and it shows in just about everything they own. Their house, their cars, hell even their torn jeans scream designer.

The door opens and I see Liz step out, still talking to someone over her shoulder. It turns out to be Kayla, who grabs Liz before she reaches the steps. The pale-haired girl wraps Liz in a hug and leans in as if to whisper something in her ear. I can't see them well, but Liz noticeably tenses for a second before giggling and reluctantly pulling away. My little sister all but skips to the car, sliding into the seat beside me. Kayla stays in the doorway waving as we drive off. We wave back, though I don't know if she could see mine well, as I was focused more on driving. A new license in hand, I don't want to screw this up.

"So, how did it go?" I ask when we pull out of her neighborhood.

I keep my eyes straight ahead on the road, but I see Liz beam in my peripheral vision. Even if I couldn't, it sings out in her voice. "It was so much fun, Viv! OMG, we made cookies, and we ate some pizza for dinner, and we went swimming in their huge pool, and then we..."

Her babbling fills the car ride home. Once we get inside the house, she makes a bee line for the fridge and asks, "Hey, can we get eat some ice cream? You've got to hear some of this gossip!"

"You know I don't care about whatever gossip you freshman talk about," I tease. Still, I grab our bowls and spoons while she snags the chocolate ice cream.

"Even if it has something to do with you?" Liz asks.

I whip my head towards her. She smirks. I point a spoon at her. "You had my curiosity. Now you've got my attention."

She laughs long and loud. Liz begins shoveling cold, creamy goodness into the bowls and we slide into the bar stools at the small "island" counter in the kitchen.

"I'm listening," I prompt with a grin.

Liz swallows the huge bite she'd taken and says, "Well, what if I told you Mason has his eyes on you?"

I roll my eyes. "Is that what you wanted to tell me? That is hardly new gossip." Mason is Kayla's older brother and one of the more popular guys at school. And he has made his interest in me quite clear, but he gave up a few months ago and has had two girlfriends since.