Abducted

23 days: The Double Date

While I sat around in an active minefield, my sister was about to experience something life changing. After her free, makeover from Demi and I, she got
a ride to a yogurt shop from her friend, Kierra Fisher. She's the opposite of my sister. Blonde straight hair, light blue eyes, and ninety pounds of long, model legs. She's the most popular freshman on the Volleyball team at Hemingworth Academy. Some people questioned why she was friends with my sister, but their bond is the only other bond that reminds me of Demi and me.

My sister was invited to her first double date. Kierra's boyfriend, Donny, told her his friend from the soccer team asked for her specifically. She'd been looking forward to this all week.

Anica stepped out into the front yard, making her way to Mrs. Fisher's Prius. "Hi, Mrs. Fisher, my sister said politely. "Hello, dear. Don't you look pretty," Mrs. Fisher replied. "Thanks. Hey, Ki,"Anica greeted. "Hey, yourself. You look amazing! Who are you and what have you done with Ani?" Kierra said gasping. "My sister and her friend gave me a makeover. I'm glad you like it, Ki," Anica replied, turning red.

Mrs. Fisher drove her daughter and my sister to a little yogurt shop in Long Beach. The girls got out of the car, walking towards two boys sitting outside at a table. "This is a good idea, right?" Anica whispered to Kierra. Her friend nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Hey, baby," Kierra squealed as she kissed her boyfriend, Donny. Anica, exhaled sharply.

Donovan Mathew, aka Donny. He was the same height as Kierra. He was naturally a brunet with brown eyes, but he got a mohawk and dyed it orange.

"Hey, babe," he greeted back. "This is my boy, Derek. From the team."

Derek Andrews was a brown, curly haired, blue eyed, soccer player. His entire family played their entire lives. He was also one of the more popular freshman. I didn't know who he was at the time, but I knew of his older brother.

Derek shot Anica a warm smile, revealing his braces. "Hi, Derek. I'm Anica," she said, holding out her hand. "I know. I've seen you around school. You seem... cool," he replied. A new found confidence ran through her as Derek gently kissed the top of her hand as he grabbed it, causing Kierra to tremble with excitement. "You look beautiful," Derek complimented. Kierra could tell there was chemistry brewing between them. "Let's, get a booth," she suggested, linking her arm with her boyfriend's.

The group sat down with their orders, the girls on one side and the guys on the other. Anica comfortably chatted with Derek, attempting to get to know him. He seemed genuinely sweet and she began warming up to the idea of him. "So, they're putting together a little winter dance before school lets out," Kierra announced. "We get out in two weeks," Anica said, confused. "I know. The dance committee forgot to hang the flyers. So, tickets are only five dollars. First come, first serve," Kierra explained. "I wonder what fine, lady is gonna be on my arm that night," Donny said sarcastically. "Spoiler alert! It's me!" Kierra beamed, interlocking her fingers with Donny's. Derek and Anica simultaneously pretended to dramatically gag. They both looked at each other, instantly cackling out loud. Their voices filled the almost empty Yogurt shop. "They're so lame," Derek joked. "So, lame" Anica agreed. "You two don't know it yet, but you'll end up just like us. Lame and in love," Kierra warned.

Kierra and Donovan had been together since the sixth grade. For years, they've stuck by each other even through middle school chaos.

"Yeah, right," Derek blurted with a loud laugh, sending a feeling of doubt through my sister. "I'm gonna freshen up," she said, getting up. Kierra got up, following behind her.

Entering the bathroom, Anica began looking in the mirror. Kierra walked in, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you good? You seemed like you were having so much fun." Anica chuckled, shaking her head. "He doesn't like me, dude." Kierra rolled her eyes, "He so does. Come on. Get back out there." Anica didn't move. "What if I don't care if he likes me?" she began. "Well, even if he doesn't, another guy will. You're hot," Kierra shot back. Anica smiled, looking up into Kierra's eyes. For a moment, she felt alright. Anica felt better just being in that bathroom with Kierra. "Thanks, Ki," she said softly. Kierra held out her hand, cupping  Anica's as they walked out. They approached their booth from behind, catching half of a devastating conversation. "She's cool, but this is all a part of a plan. I'm here for Rockwell," Derek confessed to Donny. Anica stopped in her tracks. Donny began turning his head towards Derek. "Come on, dude. She likes you.  Give her a chance! You just said..." His voice trailed off as his eyes met with Anica's. "I told you," she whispered to Kierra. "You, dickheads," Kierra spat, smacking both Donny and Derek on the side of their heads. "I'm leaving," Anica announced, walking away. Kierra followed behind, glaring at her boyfriend and his friend.

Anica stood outside, hands resting in her jacket pockets. The sunset made her skin glow and her eyes the color of a bowl of honey. The cold air stung her skin as the wind blew past her. "Ani, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I swear," Kierra apologized as she met Anica outside. "It's not your fault," she replied, looking down. Kierra swung an arm around Anica's shoulder, resting her head against her's. "Are you okay? Truthfully," Kierra asked. My sister's eyes began to well up in tears. She quickly blinked the tears away, sniffling. "Yeah. Fuck him. Let's just bail," Anica said nodding. "My mom isn't gonna be here for at least fifteen, but your mom can pick us up," Kierra suggested. "Impossible. She's in Napa with my dad and Jamie." Kierra made a face. "Sounds awkward," she joked. They bursted out laughing and hitting each other. "Seriously, though. I don't even understand their divorce," Anica said between gasps. The girls stood there for a moment, collecting themselves and trying to find their next move. A moment later, a silver Kia pulled up in front of them. The passenger side window opened to reveal Minji. "Hey, double stuff. Need a ride?" she slurred out. Before they could answer, Donny appeared next to Kierra. "Babe! Wait," he pleaded. "You told me he wanted to meet her because he liked her. Fucking liar," she snapped back at him. Donny placed his hands on her waist, looking deep into her eyes. "I know. I'm sorry. He's just my boy and-" Kierra held up her hand cutting him off. "And Ani's my girl. So, you and 'your boy' are gonna figure out how to make this up to her. Until then, none of this," she declared, snatching his hands off of her. She opened the car door, pulling Anica inside behind her. The door shut, leaving a speechless Donny standing alone. Derek joined him a moment later, placing a hand on his shoulder. "So, we good now, bro?" he asked. Donny stepped back, taking a deep breath. "No, bro. We are not good," Donny answered, shoulder checking Derek as he walked past him.

Kierra and Anica sat in the back of the car, arms linked together. The car reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. "So, rough night I see," Minji groaned from the passenger's seat. "Sucked," Anica confirmed. "I hear ya. My day sucked too. I tried being a good friend to your sister, but whatever. I don't need her or fire cooch," Minji slurred. "Are you drunk?" Kierra asked. "Are you both, drunk?" she corrected. "It's okay. Paul here has a high tolerance," Minji assured. "Hey, I'm Paul," Paul said. "Hi, Paul," the girls said in unison. "Oh my god you're right," Minji blurted, "I should be her enemy! Not her friend." Kierra and Anica looked at each other and then at Minji. "We didn't say anything," Anica said. "Thank you guys so much. I know exactly what I'm going to do," Minji continued. The girls shrugged, too tired to care about what she was talking about.

Kierra called her mom from the car, telling her to meet at Anica's dad's house. She was waiting in the driveway by the time Paul pulled up. "Thanks for the ride guys. See you, Ani. I'm so sorry, again," Kierra said, hugging Anica, tightly before getting out of the car. Anica's heart began to beat out of her chest, and she felt hot all of a sudden. "See you tomorrow," she whispered. "So, what happened anyways?" Minji asked, leaning back in her seat, eyes shut. Anica thought back about the boy and realized she didn't actually care. "Nothing important. Just a bad date. Thanks for the ride," she said before getting out of the car.

The headlights disappeared as Anica entered the dark house. She could hear the sounds of Josh and Becky hanging out upstairs. "Jason? Denny?" she called out. No response. "Bianca? You home?" Still no response. Anica sighed, placing her keys on the counter. As she walked upstairs, the day began to weigh down on her. She walked past her room, entering mine, flicking on the light, revealing a disastrous room. The window wide open. "This shit is a mess and it smells like skunk in here," she said shaking her head, nose scrunched up. My sister began cleaning my room, putting everything back in its place. She reorganized my makeup and put away all my clothes and shoes. The whole time, she wasn't thinking about Derek. She was thinking about Kierra. You see that night, Anica realized something she didn't notice before. Kierra was the only person whose opinion she cared about.

She sat down on my bed thinking about Kierra, looking around the newly, cleaned room. Her phone buzzed, displaying and new message. "Kierra," she whispered.

Ki: Hey. Feelin any better?
Ani: Yeah. Just cleaned my sister's room lol
Ki: Haha! U r so lame :)
Ani: ur lamer
Ki: Lol just checking on u. See u tmr <3
Ani: <3

Anica closed her eyes, smiling at the mental imagine of Kierra. She peacefully fell asleep in my bed, phone still in hand.