Fresh Start

t h r e e

Aria

It was the next day and Mariana, Maddy, and I were on our way to baking and pastries. On our way there, we saw Ava coming from the opposite way. She was talking to Jackson... Oh boy. Their conversation was full of grinning, giggling, and flirting. I better warn her about him.

Ava is very sweet and we were talking in lunch. She moved from Toronto, Canada to Florida for her parents' job. She informed us that she plays volleyball and cheer, she likes gymnastics, she's vegan, her parents have a lot of money, she enjoys shopping, and she prefers pink over any other color.

"Hey, girls. I'll catch up with you later, Jackie. Text me," Ava winked.

"See you, cutie," Jackson returned and then looked at me up and down, a look of disgust was shown on his face. Someone is still mad.

Mariana and Maddy gushed as Jackson walked away. They began telling her how lucky she was and that everyone is in love with Jackson. Yeah, everyone except me. He's always murmuring dirty things in my ear, looking at me seductively, and touching me in places where I don't want him to. I swear, I'm always screaming at or hitting him.

"He's super cute and nice. He asked me for my number yesterday and we texted all night. We got to know quite a bit about each other," Ava blushed with a hopeful look in her orbs.

"I'm not trying to tell you who you should and shouldn't talk to, but I'd stay away from Jackson. He's a total fuckboy and a jerk. He's just trying to sweet talk you so he can get in your pants," I cautiously warned.

"You're no fun, Aria. Leave the girl be. Her and Jackson would be adorable!" Maddy commented.

"It's fine, M. Thank you for telling me about him. I know you're just looking out for me. I'll be careful. Promise. Let's get to class now, though."

In class today we're baking macaroons. We get to choose our group for baking, and of course Maddy, Mariana, Ava and I are together. Everyone wanted to be with Ava, but she stuck with us. We go to our kitchen, put on aprons, sanitize the counters, wash our hands, read the recipe, and get out all of the ingredients. I loved to bake food. My mom, dad, and  I would cook and bake things to consume all the time when I was little.

"I'm not sure if you girls heard about it yet, but Jackson is throwing a back to school party and invited all of us. It's this Saturday. You girls in?" Ava proclaimed.

"Of course! We've never been to a party like this before. There were a few open invites but Aria would always suggest something different because of drama taking place at other parties, fights, and the police showed up before. Aria also doesn't drink or smoke," Mariana imparted.

"You don't drink or smoke either," I retaliated. "Plus, you don't need to drink or smoke in order to have fun. It's illegal at our age. Not to mention it's nasty and damaging to your body."

"Do you have to be negative about everything? Don't be a buzz kill. I'm down to try to new things," Maddy simpered.

Ava apprised that we would be going shopping on Friday after school for our outfits. She also came up with the idea of all of us doing each other's hair and makeup. She wants to do makeup and hair for celebrities when she's older. I want to do something involving mental health counseling or a professional singer. I'm taking singing lessons and I have been since I was little. I would write and sing songs dedicated to my mom when she passed. Singing makes me feel like apart of her is still here with me and whenever I'm feeling down in the dumps, I watch old videos of us synchronizing. 

My mom was the type of person who could light up a room just by walking in. She was always so optimistic, loving, and genuine. She wanted the best for everyone and she never wanted to see people hurting. Her laughter and smile could cure everything and everyone. She always kept hope and was strong while she was battling the ugly disease. She is and always will be someone I want to be just like when I'm older.

"Sounds like a plan then! Can't wait. We're gonna have a great time. Don't worry, Ari," Ava flipped her hair and got to work.

Skip to Friday After School

"Let's go get our shopping on," Mariana screeched as we grabbed our frozen yogurt and linked arms.

"We gotta go to Brandy first!" Ava has us lead her to the store since she hasn't been here yet.

A few boys were staring at us and asked for our number and Snapchat so we could all hang sometime. They were cute so... Why not? Hopefully they don't just want sex because if they do, they're getting cut off real quick. I plan on saving sex for the one, I just haven't met him yet. We then walked into Brandy Melville and searched for our dream outfit. I eventually found something super hot and something I knew I would look like a babe in. I grabbed the clothes and went into the dressing room.

"Let's see it, babe," Maddy called from outside the dressing room.

I roamed around until I reached my best friends. Their eyes popped out of their sockets as their mouths dropped down to the white tiled floor. A smile was tugging on my lips and I twisted around. I also fluffed out my hair, did a few poses, and some different facial expressions. My friends clapped their hands together after my fashion show. I suppressed a grin.

"If I were a guy I'd totally smash. You have to get that shirt and skirt!" Ava pushed me back to the room so I could change and buy the outfit.

"I do look pretty sexy," I admitted while checking myself out in the mirror.

Our last stop was Gucci because Ava really wanted to go in there to get some shades. We were looking around until Ava found the ones she wanted. They were hella expensive but her parents could afford them. My dad makes money too, but I don't want to take it all away from him. He deserves every penny. I'm applying for jobs and I even have an interview next weekend for Bath and Bodyworks here at the mall. I want to give back to my dad and of course keep some for myself.

"I want these so bad," I held up a pair of sunglasses that had black with brown specks around the frame. The sides were gold and had the word "GUCCI" written in black on them.

"Ooh I like those. You should get them!" Mariana reached inside my purse and realized I didn't have enough money. I only brought enough for the black sheer top and the pink bottoms.

"Just take them. It's not that hard," Ava grabbed an extra pair for herself and took off the price tag. She then stuck it in her Michael Kors designer bag.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not a thief and I don't want anything like this to go on my permanent record. I don't want you getting in trouble either."

Ava told me not to worry. I just sighed and continued to look around. The girls got me after Ava paid for one of the shades and we headed to the parking lot. I was the one driving this time. We were all turning up to the tunes and screaming at the top of our lungs. We decided that we should all have a sleepover and I recommended my place. However, Mariana and Maddy insisted on Ava's since we've never been there. I gave in and texted my dad at a glowing red light.

"You all can just borrow some of my sleepwear. I have way too many clothes."

We arrive at Ava's and I am completely blown away. Speechless. She wasn't lying when she said her parents had money. The driveway was massive and had a pool of flowers planted in the middle of it, protected by bricks. A black Bugatti and a silver Lamborghini were parked on the brick driveway. The house looked like it had three stories and it was surrounded by palm trees. I also eye two mini water falls at the end of the driveway.

"Am I dreaming? Someone pinch me," Maddy swooned. "Ow!"

"What? You said to pinch you," Mariana shrugged. 

"Welcome to my home, girls. There's a pool in the back for us to swim in. Come on, don't be shy," Ava got out of my car and we were now in front of her door.

I just have one question... How!? I reached into my bag for some gum and instead, I felt something else. Curiosity took over and I pulled out some Gucci sunglasses... The ones I was looking at at the mall.