Cloudy With a Chance of Death

[Sydney Part I]

The five of us walk strode into Abercrombie & Fitch with our arms linked together like the 24kt gold necklace around Tara's neck. That was another thing of hers I wanted.

   Can anyone name a reason why you shouldn't be jealous of Tara Lobsta? She had gorgeous red hair and blue eyes, clear skin. And if you asked me if I envied her, I'd lie.

   Her features weren't the only thing that made me wish to be her every night at 11:11. The Hot List went to my head, as well. Of course Tara had to beat me out- her as #1 and myself as #2- but there was something way deeper than the Hot List that made me hate Tara.

   Ryan Rondonta. Our moms were best friends, causing our families to do everything together. Somewhere between all the cookouts and family game nights, I realized he stole my heart. I searched for his heart so that it could be mine... but Tara had it. Not that she intentionally snagged it, because she didn't. Tara was happily dating Mercy's love, Chase, and she didn't have a single clue that Ryan liked her, or that I liked Ryan.

   The reason why I befriended Tara in the first place makes no sense. I became her friend in the beginning of Freshman year so that I could feed information about her to Ryan. Somehow, I hoped that doing these deeds for Ryan would make him love me back. But here we are at the tail end of Sophomore year and my live for him remains unrequited.

   "These are so cute!" Tara squealed, snapping me out of my trance. She checked the side on a pair of light-wash short shorts then snatched it off the rack. "You guys should each get a pair too! We can all match on the last day of school."
   Chelsie, Mercy, & Sadie scoured for their own sizes while I casually leaned against a rack of skimpy bikinis and took a sip of my Frozen Hot Chocolate.

   Tara squinted at me with her curious blue eyes,

   "Money's tight," I explained with a sigh.