The Beach Party. (edited)

As Mom and I pulled away from our house, in a moving van, I bit my lip to hold back the tears in my eyes. I was thinking about all of my friends that I am moving away from, especially Carrie. She is my best friend and now I have to move away. If we weren’t moving today I would be either going to the mall or the movies with Carrie, Britteny, and Abby. It was our routine that every Saturday we would go. I feel bad, because now their group at school would be smaller, they said that they would never replace me. The thought of that made me cheer up a bit.
Mom turned on the radio to 99.9 kiss country, it’s her favorite station, and she asked me to sing along to a Shania Twain song.

“Come on Bethy, its our Favorite. Man! I feel like a woman”
I wasn’t in the mood, and I didn’t feel like a woman, I felt like a depressed ball, that had no air in it.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” my mom asked.
“No, it’s just that i'm going to miss my friends, and Carrie the most. I am not going to have any one to talk to at this new school.”
“Oh, that’s not true, every one will like you, and you’re a good kid.”

After that comment, I thought about it. And yes, I make great conversation and have a sense of humor. But I am “popular" at my old school, and I’m sure there is already a group of girls at the new school. You know, the one’s that every one wants to be. Some people say I was born to be “popular” but I don’t know how, I am just me.

Around 12:00 p.m, my mom and I stopped at a rest stop. My mom got lunch, but I just got a coffee, I was too nervous to eat.

“What color do you want to paint your room?” my mom asked, trying to start a conversation.
“I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about that.” And I really didn’t care. I was too busy thinking about Carrie and the other girls having fun with out me.

The day after we arrived at my new house, another moving van came. All day our house was being put together little by little.
By the time they were done, the house looked really nice. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two family rooms, and the kitchen. Of course mom got the master bedroom. But I got one of the rooms up stairs. It’s actually very nice, it has a balcony looking over the pool, and my own bathroom.

Mom and I had to sleep on the couch because we were going to Rooms to Go the next day and picking out new bedroom sets. I told mom instead of a regular twin bed, I would like a queen size. She said it’s possible because with her new paycheck we can afford it.
In the morning we measured our rooms to see what we could fit. At the furniture store I chose the bed I wanted. While mom was paying for the new beds, I couldn’t help but notice that I was being stared at. It was this kid in a denim jean jacket and a baseball cap. I couldn’t make out what he looked liked, but he had long hair. I liked it. When we walked out of the store his back was toward me, was he hiding his face from me?

“Well I’m satisfied.” I could tell mom was happy because our furniture would be at our house tomorrow, no more lumpy couch.

Well this was it, the day before school. I planned out my out fit, my new ripped jeans, and this new shirt that had rime stones and hearts on it. I also had heart diamond earrings to match, with my silver ballet flats. I was prepared.

I woke up around 5:00 a.m. I set my alarm early because I wanted a lot of time to make my self look good for a first impression.
When my mom told me to “hurry up, its time to go!” I walked down the stairs. I knew I looked good by the look on my moms face.
“ You better watch out because those boys will be dropping like flies for you.”
“Mom you are so embarrassing!” I was blushing, but we were both laughing.
I was glad I didn’t have to take the bus because I didn’t want people starring at me like that kid was.

When I entered homeroom, every one was looking at me. But surprisingly there were no dirty looks. I was even offered a seat next to this girl; I didn’t want to be rude so I sat down.
“Hi I’m Emily, are you new here?”
“Yes, my name is Beth. Its short for Bethany.”
“That’s cool, so were are you from?”
“I’m from Washington.”
“ Well Beth, welcome to L.A!”
“Thanks.”
The teacher walked in, Ms. Sydner. She was wearing a maroon suit, with black pumps.
“Good morning class, I am your home room teacher Ms. Sydner.”
She is very nice. She is also young; with her glasses she looks very professional.

Through out the day I was meeting more and more people, I was so relived. Every one is so nice in L.A, I thought to my self. And at lunch I was offered a seat a table with a bunch of people. This was good. I was the ringleader at the table; every one enjoyed my stories and laughed at all of my jokes, before I know I actually had plans this weekend! I was invited to a beach party, there was going to be music, dancing, and swimming. Mom was so happy, and of course she had to say “ I told you so.” But I didn’t mind. And I was also happy because a guy asked me to go. I never new that my senior year of High School was going to be great! I called Carrie right away.

“Hey Beth, its so nice to here your voice!”
“It’s nice to here yours to.”
“So how is it?”
“I thought it was going to be terrible, but its not! I got invited to a party already, isn’t that awesome?”
“You are so lucky! And I am happy for you.”
“Thanks, the only thing is though is that I miss you so much.”
“Same here.”
After a long conversation, mom needed the phone so I had to go.

It was Friday and I was already popular.
“ I am so glad you are coming to the beach, I bet you look amazing in a bathing suit.” Said Ryan. I Blushed. Ryan was really cute, he’ been flirting with me since the first day of school.
“Oh quit it!” I told him with a smile on my face.
“Hey Beth can I talk to you for a sec.” Emily said.
“Sure.”
Emily and I walked away from the group.
“You wont believe this.”
“What Emily?”
“Ryan is going to ask you out tomorrow at the party, isn’t that great?”
“Wow, um I don’t know what to say, I mean I just met him.”
“Yea but I would, look at him, he is so cute.”
“Well I’ll see how he acts tomorrow. But wow I can’t believe that!” I really couldn’t. It was all going buy too fast. But honestly I didn’t mind.

After school Emily and I went to the mall and got new bathing suits. I also got board shorts and sunglasses to go with it. Emily and I were going to be the hottest people there. I knew it.

Emily was invited to sleep over, and she accepted. We talked all night. One thing made me nervous, she said that some one is bringing alcohol to the party. Not only was I nervous about getting in trouble, I also didn’t want to be peer pressured into drinking. I remember staying up all night puking from a crazy party I went to. And I was scared of that happening again.
“Hey I won’t peer pressure you Beth, but what’s one drink? Were going to collage soon and most of the kids do.”
“But I’m not in collage, not yet. But maybe one drink, that’s it.
“Ok, ok.”

Emily and I decided to be fashionably late, it’s cooler than waiting for every one to show up. I had butterflies in my stomach thinking about every one that is going to be there and how lucky I am.
“ Hey, hey, hey, look who decided to show up, my two favorite girls.”
“Hey Ryan.” Emily and I said in perfect unison. Ryan picked me up and swung me in the air.
“See, I knew you would look great.” He has the cutest smile, I told my self. I blushed and smiled back at him.
“Hey ladies, how about a drink?” asked a guy named Ron
“No thanks.” I told Ron
“Sure, thanks.” Emily accepted the drink.
While she was gabbing away, it thought of the perfect excuse to tell some one if they offer me a drink, I could say that I’m driving tonight, yea they would understand. I’m also going to want to remember this party I joked to my self.

Well the music is great and I am a swell dancer. Guys keep cutting in one after the other. I saw Emily; I knew she was already drunk. At the end of the party I only had one drink, and it was Water. I was to into dancing, I never really thought about being thirsty.
Some guys invited Emily and I over their place for an after party, I knew it was a bad idea but Emily insisted and said she knew them. I was still suspicious but I said ok.
When we go to their apartment I could tell the were in collage. One of the guys gave me a drink. I didn’t want to be rude, so I drank it. I started to feel dizzy. And I was laughing non-stop. Then I passed out. I woke up tied to a chair next to Emily. We had duck tape on our mouths. It was hard to breath, and move. I saw tear drops rolling down Emily’s face. Then I was balling to. But I stopped because it made it even harder to breath. One of the guy’s comes in the room. He started to talk.
“Hello Beth. I’ve been watching you.” He said.

I was creeped out. I wanted to puke. Then I saw his hair. It’s that kid from the furniture store! I wanted to smack him so hard. I started screaming, but he pulled out a gun. I stopped. I started to think of my mom. I felt bad, she is probably worried sick, I don’t even know how long its been since the party. I wanted to go home. If only I had Dorothy’s shoes.
“Stop moving! Stay calm, and do as I say or you will have to die.”
I wanted to cry so badly. I’m so stupid! Why didn’t I go home? Then I noticed that Emily was still crying and yelling. He shot her in the heart. I closed my eyes. And counted to ten, wishing this was just a dream. He took her body.
“Well we wont go hungry now will we?”
What? He was going to eat Emily! This guy is sick. I wanted out so badly. I wanted Carrie, and mom. My life has changed so much right now. I might not even have a life after today. He walked back in the room. He untied me and yelled, “Get up!” I got up. I didn’t fidget either; I was as straight as a soldier. He ripped the tape off of my mouth. It stung so badly. But I thought that I am luckier than Emily right now. He through a dress at me, he said “put it on.” Why on earth dose he wants me to put on a dress?

“Dinner will be ready soon kitten. Stay put and make your self look pretty for me.” He walked out of the room and locked the door. There were no windows in the room. Crap! There wasn’t a phone either. And I couldn’t find my phone. He probably took it. I spotted a camera. I decided to do as I was told. A couple hours later he opened the door. “Well, well, well, aren’t you stunning?” the gun was still in his pocket. He showed me the way to the dinner table. I was grossed out to see Emily on the table; of course it didn’t look like her. But I knew it was she. I looked in the kitchen and saw her head. I gasped. There was blood every wear.
“What’s wrong kitten?” why did he keep calling me that? It reminded me of Ted Bundy. I saw the movies last summer and thats what he calls one of his victims.
“Um, its just that this meal looks so beautiful.” I lied. I wanted to puke.
“Why thank you. Try it and tell me how it is.”

Oh no. What should I do? I can’t eat my friend! He took out the gun. Ok, come Beth, don’t die. I took a bite. Not thinking it was Emily. He smiled.After that discussing meal, which I hardly ate. He pulled me on to his bed. No! I was going to be raped. He was on top oh me. Ew! I thought. Then I realized the gun was in his pocket. I grabbed it put it to his head. BAM! He was gone. I ran out, crying I got home. My mom was worried, I told her the story; she was hugging me and crying. We called the cops. I wasn’t in trouble. There was funeral held for Emily. I will never forget that night, never.

A few weeks after this night, I was still going to the same school. I still have the same friends I made, and Ryan and I are going out. He has been helping me through this though time, he is the best boyfriend I have ever had.

Every one felt so bad for me, and i cryed if they ever asked or talked about emily. Oh and the other kid that was there, he was found burried in the back yard.

Every one also says that i am a hero, but I dont feel like one. I mean, I killed some one. My new Tharipist, Dr. Goldburg, says that I did do the right thing because I saved my self, and some other bologna like that.

Also Carrie came down to L.A, I told her the whole thing. We were sobing when I finished. But the visit really lifted my spirits, and I am thankfull for that.