This was how it was gonna end.

Me sulking under my turquoise fluffy blanket on my bed with only my phone to keep me company.

I scrolled through instagram, wiping away the tears I received as soon as I got home.

I entered my room only minutes before, tearing up the dress whilst wearing.

It was designer and probably cost a fortune, but I didn't care.

I didn't care that Erika was probably gonna ground me until the end of time.

I didn't care that Justin stood me up.

I didn't care that I was gonna be a starting freshman on Monday morning.

All I cared about was all the booty shots people were posting about me.

Every one of them was worse than the last.

I. Looked. Like. A. Slut.

I literally trashed my reputation before anyone actually had a say in it.

A soft knock came from my door. "Go away." I mumbled, throwing my pillow to the door hopelessly.

Hope peeked in. She was eating a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream, whilst asking, "Did something happen?"

"What do you think?" I replied. I knew she was trying to help, but I seriously didn't need it. Not right now.

She stood by the door, a thinking expression forming on her face. That's Hope for you. Always thinking.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked awkwardly. I looked up. Being the confusing girl that I am, I didn't know how to answer that.

My phone buzzed. I quickly caught sight of an anonymous number calling me. I kind of hoped it was Justin...

"Justin?" I asked desperately into my phone. Stupid. Hope's eyes widened.

She suddenly made room for herself so that she could 'obliviously' listen in on our conversation.

Her hands made swaying motions, convincing me to go on.

"Hey, Jess." a clear voice said on the other line. It was Justin!

"I'm so sorry, I can't come to the party, my mom needs me to go with her to her doctor's appointment. I'm probably gonna be a while. " He said, sounding embarrassed.

"No, it's fine, really." said passive aggressive me.

"I just feel really bad, could we meet up again soon? I promise I'll make it up to you." I blushed.

Justin always had a way with words. Even though I met him yesterday.

I know, I'm crazy.

"Definitely, plus that party was a drag, you didn't miss anything major." I said.

"Except my butt being the next Kim Kardashian on social media." I added as an after thought.

After my heart felt goodbye, and Hope staring at me wide eyed, I hung up.

"So, what did he say?" she asked excitedly.

"Nothing major." I replied, squeezing my pillow tighter.

"Okay, what happened at that party?" she asked, desperately trying to figure out the source of my emotion.

I told her everything.

Cause that's what girls do.

They gossip.

Probably.

I even showed her the pictures, yes, I know, I'm pathetic.

But I did it for a good cause, sister bonding and stuff.

"What I can't understand is, mom made that dress, she's never made a mistake with a dress before, it was in mint condition." she finally said.

I looked her in the eyes, I knew she wasn't lying.

My face paled, "But that means..."

"The dress was tampered with." we said in unison.

I poked at my lasagna. This was probably the biggest meal I ate since I got here.

After the starter salad, we had escargot, followed by soup, followed by Beef Extravaganza, followed by my current meal.

Yup, just an average Sunday afternoon middle class meal.

I know, rich people are ridiculous.

I was currently thinking about the horror movie me and Hope watched last night. As if we weren't scared enough as it was.

"So, how's everyone doing?" Erika asked, all of a sudden, playing with the diamond bracelet she had on. Rich people.

"Well, if you must know, I have been practicing for the school play, you know, mom, since I'm the lead and all." said my know-it-all-b**** of a thirteen year old sister.

Stealing the spotlight, as always.

I may not have been here that long, but I'm an excellent judge of character.

"Mommy, daddy, yesterday I was in Wonderland, but then some eggs fell on my dress so I looked ugly, luckily Cinderella came and made me pretty and now I have to throw a tea party, but no one would come!" said my cute little sister, sobbing.

"It's okay, Emma. I'll come to your tea party." I said reassuringly.

She just glanced at me, saying, "You don't know how to use a teacup."

I sighed. Whe did being nice have to be so tiring?

"Emma, sweetie, don't be so mean to your sister." said Ryan, standing up for me.

"No, it's fine -" I started.

"Please, she's not my sister." Nikki said, interrupting me, once again.

"Nikki, totes not cool." Kayla said, wide eyed.

Tears started filling in my eyes.

Don't cry.

I sniffed.

"Nikki, apologize to Jessica right this instant." Erika said sternly.

"Um, I think I should go..." I said, standing up.

Erika looked shocked.

Nikki smiled for once in her life.

Hope stayed silent as usual.

"Thank you for the meal." I forced out a fake smile, and turned around, toward the corridor.

I quickly pulled out my phone, typing a message to the girls, whilst ignoring the rude whispers coming from the dining hall.

"Peppie's Pizza in 15, need to talk."

***

"So, what's wrong?" Emily asked, choosing an option on the menu.

Both Ashley and Gabby also showed up, I had no idea where Lexi was.

"I think my family hates me." I said softly.

There was an awkward silence, then Emily started to chuckle, Ashley started giggling and Gabby made a sound that couldn't be identified.

"We thought this was something serious." Ashley told me in between her laughs.

"It is!" I yelled. A deafening silence fell, and all eyes were on me.

"Um, Jess, I know you're new in the group, but we don't talk about 'personal' stuff, that's gross." Gabby said, applying lip gloss, again.

Suddenly, Lexi appeared, forcing her way into the booth.

"Like, what'd I miss?" she asked dismissively.

That. Was. It.

I ruined my reputation.

I made the most awful friends.

My family hated me for no apparent reason.

And the guy I thought I liked probably gossiped about me 24/7.

All in the same weekend!

"You know what..." I said, facing them all.

"If I'm not 'popular' material, then you fake b****es can find the next deperate girl to join your obnoxious crew." I blurted out.

I didn't regret it.

As I made my way to the door, I turned around, mimicking them, "Like, totes bye!"

And called a taxi.

I didn't want to go home, so I went to the only other shop I knew of.

Maybe I should just give up.

I could call Becky, leave New York for Australia, live a whole other life.

Yet, would that really make me happy?

The car came to a stop, slowly. I tipped the guy and climbed out onto the wet pavement.

It was pouring outside, as I quickly pulled the door open.

The Cafe smelled like croissants and pumpkin spice latte's.

Just the way I remebered it.

It would've been foolish to forget, I was only here a few days ago.

I walked to the counter, quickly regretting my choice to have come here.

The all-too-famous auburn haired b**** from the party was working here.

I silently moved to the second line, it was twice as long, but totally worth it.
"Hi, welcome to Pizza With A Side Of Coffee, how can I help you?" the barista asked me.

"Hi, can I have a mixed berry smoothie, with a blueberry muffin, please?" I asked, smiling.

She nodded thoughtfully, as I made my way to an open table.

I wanted to call Becky.

I wanted to end all of this lying.

I pulled my phone out of my hemingway bag, hesitating.

The screen flashed, I saw a text message from Hope.

"Jessie, please come home, you know you're my sister, even if it's just half. I miss you. :( "

Knowing someone cared about me, made me feel a whole lot better.

I stared at Becky's number for a minute, thinking if it would be the best choice.

I shook my head, burrying my phone deep inside my bag. Not today.

"Here you go, on the house." the barista said next to me, pointing out my order.

"No, I couldn't..." I started.

"Trust me, you look like you need it." she said, smiling.

"I'm Jessica." I said, raising a 'hello' hand.

"Bella." was her introduction.

And then she left me.

I smelled the sweet scent of the blueberry muffin, maybe this wasn't so bad.

"Can I have a vanilla latte with some cinnamon and extra wipped cream, please?"

I froze.

I knew that order, better yet, I knew that voice.

"Justin?" I asked, turning.

It was him.