The Rich Girls Club.

Chapter One.

The chirping of birds and cool breeze through the leaves was what made Green Park the most gorgeous view in Denver. I sat on the bench waiting but she hasn't arrive. I wonder why she is late. A car honks behind me, I turn my head backward, then she comes out of her silver ford car.

‘Elizabeth!’ I said and quickly ran to her. I gave her a big bear hug. ‘Kia, it's been so long!’ she said giving me a hearty smile.

~~~~~'~~~~~

We strolled through the park, ‘so why did you move to Colorado?’ I asked kicking the sand to bypass the minutes she wasted before she spoke. ‘Oh, we didn't move here permanently. Just here for vacation,’ she said. ‘You could have gone for vacation at other places like Hawaii or Los Angeles,’ I smiled. ‘From England to Colorado was 3-days trip so of course Hawaii could be a 5-days trip, plus I thought I'd visit my twin sister, ’ Elisabeth giggled.

‘How's your family?’ I asked. ‘Mom and Dad are fine, happy to be here and yours?’ she said. I frowned, she noticed my silence and repeated her question. ‘And yours? What's wrong kia?’ Tears rolled down my cheeks, ‘Dad, dad has lung cancer, now he's slowly dying and I'm running 3 jobs to provide for Penny and his fees.’ I cried. Lizzie frowned, ‘Why didn't you tell me earlier, I'd have help. Has he been admitted into the hospital?’ she asked worried. ‘Yes but the fees … ’ I mumbled. ‘Don't worry, I'll take care of it,’ she reassured.

After mom's accident, dad has been depending on cigarettes to comfort him and now he has lung cancer. I lost my biological parents when I was 4, I can't lose another.

‘Shit! I forgot. I'm going to Boulder tomorrow. How about this … we switch lives, you pretend to be me at the party - -’ I interrupted her. ‘You're telling me to go for a party while my father is in the hospital!’ I yelled. ‘I can't help you if I'm stuck in Boulder for 5 DAYS.’ she sighs. ‘I know you're scared but trust me, I'll take care of Penny and your dad. I promise.’ she smiled then I smiled and we hugged.

Our twin pinky promise, a never broken bond.

~~~~~'~~~~~

I lied on my bed thinking, thinking of my dad, thinking of my decision to leave them, thinking of … there was a knock on my door. ‘Come in,’ I said.

A beady eyed Penny walked into my room,scared. I jumped out of bed and picked the 6 years old up. ‘What's my little princess doing here?’ I smiled. ‘Were you scared?’ I teased. ‘I'm scared daddy won't come back,’ she said in little meek voice. I frowned ‘Don't you ever say that, he loves us so he'll come back for us,’ I said hugging her tightly. ‘OK?’ I pulled away and smiled.

How about I make you something?’ I said. ‘Yes! I want ice cream!’ she squealed. I chuckled as I carried her to the kitchen. This is the last time I'll see Penny.