Ashley
"Come on, Kristen. Please babysit Tyler just this one night," I pleaded with my best friend. Not only did I have my hands clasped together in a visual attempt to soften Kristen, but I said 'please'.
I never say please. I have a reputation to keep up.
I'm not entirely sure what I am, something between teenage spoiled brat and bitchy high school mean girl.
It's what keeps me popular and interesting. It gives me purpose and, above all else, it comes natural to me.
"Why can't you just skip this one party?"
Back to my reputation, I see. "Every junior at Baybarrow Senior High is going to be at this party, and clearly some seniors too. I have to go. I told you I'd pay you double for the night; that's thirty bucks per hour!"
"Don't try to bribe me, Ash; I've been looking forward to this party too. I, atleast have a valid motive: I need to meet some hot guys."
As if to prove Kristen's point, my completely hunky boyfriend, Jake, came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me - his sandy blond hair in my peripheral vision.
"Point taken," I agreed, "but I still want you to do it."
"Fine, fine, but you owe me an extra $5 for each hot guy I miss the opportunity to hook up with."
My best friend drives a hard bargain. Knowing how many people will be at this party, there goes my prom dress.
"How about, an extra 10 if we're not home by 3?"
"Can you like cut your bestie a break just this once?" Now look who's begging.
"Okay, okay, fine. Tyler is the most adorable 10 year old I know. I'll be by around 8."
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"Do you have to go tonight?" God, Tyler has always been such a whiner. I always figured he would grow out of it some day; that day has yet to occur.
"Yes, and besides, Kristen has babysat you before. Jake and I won't be out too late," I assured my little stepbrother.
"I know, but when I'm alone, weird things happen. I see things - things that aren't really there." Tyler was beginning to sound truly anxious.
"I just told you Kristen will be here with you the whole time. It's no different than if I were to stay."
"At least you're familiar - you're my family. Besides, mom and Kevin are away this weekend - all the way in Virginia Beach, a whole 4 hours. And I just have this- this terrible feeling. Like something horrible is going to happen tonight."
At this, I met his clear blue eyes, so very different from my light brown ones. This is the first time in the 5 years of our parents' marriage that he's acknowledged me as his family.
It honestly was making me reconsider the party. Then, Jake tugged on my hand, bringing me back down to earth.
"Love you, kiddo. See you when I get home. Don't stay up too late." At that last stentence, I shot Kristen a stern look.
"See ya, man," Jake released my hand and slipped out the door and into his truck.
I pulled Tyler in for a quick embrace. He returned my slight squeeze with a gigantic bear hug, causing my recently straightened mass of strawberry blond hair to create a curtain around us. Naturally, my hair is a curly flaming red, but I dye - and straighten - it to get the much preferred popular-girl look.
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A/N: I have absolutely no idea how I came up with this story, but I hope you continue reading it. It just starts kind of slowly...
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