Beverly Hills Brat

Chapter 7

"Rosie..Rosie can you hear me?"

The gentle voice echoed through my throbbing head as I groaned awake.

I felt a soft nudge at my shoulder and finally opened my eyes to see who this mystery person was and why they would dare to interrupt my slumber.

It was the brown eyed boy with the kind eyes and strong arms.

"Nate?" I asked, the confusion clear in my voice.

He smiled, almost surprised that I recognised him.

I blocked my eyes with my arms as I realised that crowds of people had gathered around us.

"Nate.. the waiter?! What are you doing here?" I demanded angrily, slightly confused as to why I was laying on the ground.

Embarrassment flashed across his face as my harsh words registered.

"Here, let me help you up" he said gesturing towards my arm.

The crowds seemed to be sparkling. It was pretty, sort of like the night sky in Summer when stars dotted the universe above.

I looked at Nate, leaning down to help me up. The crowds continued to sparkle, but it was more sinister this time.

Suddenly, a horrifying realisation dawned upon me. They were taking pictures of me.

I was alone, lying helpless in a Versace dress that suddenly seemed to have lost it's shine. My closest friends and family had abandoned me to avoid the likes of the Hollywood paparazzi. And my only friend in this situation was a waiter with ketchup stains down his shirt.

I slapped Nate's hand away, determined to stand on my own two feet.

My dress was soaked from dew that had settled onto the lawn. The flashing lights were relentless. Picturing myself on the covers of magazines tomorrow made my stomach twist in painful knots.

Ethan's menacing laughter rang clear in the background as he snapped a picture of Nate's pained facial expression.

"Face it pal, even when she's broke, she's way out of your league" said Ethan was a smug grin on his face.

The word "broke" made me feel physically ill. The recollection of tonight's events came crashing back and it was horrifying.

My parents has been arrested in perhaps the most dramatic Beverly Hills takedown ever. Our family name had been dragged through the mud with allegations of tax evasion. My reputation as the Beverly Hills princess was shattered because I was somehow BROKE. What on earth did that even mean?!

Being a Lockwood meant that I always got whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it. I had no idea how to be poor. I wasn't trained for poverty and budget cuts. The concept of restraint was foreign to me.

It felt like my former self had just been murdered. And now I was born into a hell hole, where people looked at me with pity instead of envy.

A hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my breakdown. I looked up in time to see Nate leaving the mansion, obviously upset by the taunting and cruel mockery from Ethan.

The soft hand belonged to Lila and she was hugging me now. Lila never hugged. She hated physical affection. But here she was, arms wrapped tightly around me, in front of everyone.

"I'm so sorry R. I'll be here okay, no matter how hard they try to keep me away, I promise I'll be here for you."

Her hot, wet tears were soaking through my dress and it occurred to me that I have never seen Lila express such genuine emotion before in her life. She was here for me, like a true friend should be.

Our hug was interrupted by Mr and Mrs Bentley who yanked Lila away, shielding her from the flashing cameras. Behind them was Jessica and her family. She flashed me a sheepish smile and mouthed "sorry" before blending into the protective barrier of wealth and status.

I guess it's true what they say. It's only when you hit rock bottom that you get to see who's really there for you.

The crowds were dispersing now. Nosey neighbours in luxurious robes and slippers has slipped sheepishly back into their homes. They seemed to be more upset that the show was over, rather than the fact that I was stranded here by myself.

The Davenports had gathered their purses and were heading towards their chauffeur who waited in a silver Rolls Royce.

Surely Ethan wouldn't leave me here. Surely the Davenports would realise that this was all some huge mistake and that things would be back to normal tomorrow.

"Ethan! Ethan could you please take me home?" I called out, ignoring the persistent paparazzi.

He kept walking. He probably didn't hear me.

"Ethan!" I tried again, my voice cracking this time.

He spun around impatiently.

"Look doll. Things have changed. I can't be seen with you anymore..You know how this town works."

His words were poisonous as they seeped through my very being. I watched him laughing with his family as if nothing had happened. They all hopped into their multi-million dollar car and rode off into the night, completely unaware of the broken girl left behind.

I was numb. I knew I was meant to feel burning rage, but I couldn't feel anything at this moment.

Even the paparazzi began to feel sorry for me. They packed up their gear and rode off on mo-peds to catch the next juicy headline for tomorrow.

The Bentley mansion went pitch black as the lights were shut off, an indication that I should leave the lawn.

Well and truly alone for the first time in my life, I picked up my purse and started walking.

The thing is, I had absolutely no idea where I was meant to go.

***

Copyright © (2018) All Rights Reserved to Author