*Klohie*

The mall. My favorite place to be. I was up to my neck in bags. Chanel, Gucci, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, you name it, I bought it. I have a problem... I know. I'd been perusing the mall since I'd left Starbucks with Lysh, not wanting to leave. I was just walking into Ed Hardy when my phone beeped.

Where are you? Lysh. Shit... what happened with that doctor dude?

The mall. Where are you? I asked, trying to be funny, grabbing a few pairs of jeans.

Your house. If you're not here, who's at your house? What the... No one should be at my house!

What does the car look like?

Beat up old pick up. White. Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! I hid behind a rack of really cute tops, as if she could see me. Why the hell does she do this?

It's the step-monster! Hide! Don't let her see you!

I'm already in the house. I haven't seen her yet.

Get out! Get out of there now! Maybe she'll go away if she sees no-one is home!

Okay, okay! I'm going!

Good. I'll be there soon.

"Excuse me, Miss. Can I help you?" One of the employees walked over to me, and I looked up, sheepishly at her. Damn.

"Sorry. Got a little carried away. Can you check this out for me?" I asked, thumping the jeans on the check out line but grabbing a few tops, a pair of boots, and a purse real quick too.

I walked out of the store with two more bags, ready to leave the mall. Then, I froze. I have to have those!

No, you have to go see what was so important that Lysh showed up without calling.

Just for a second!

No! Do the right thing, Klohie!

Fiinnneee!

Ignoring my conscience, I hi-tailed it into Christian Louboutin and bought the most adorbs shoes, ever! The exact shoes Christina Aguilera wore in Burlesque. They cost me a few thousand dollars but hey, you have to pay the piper sometime, right?

Don't make me feel bad. I'm a crappy friend. I know. But I swear, right after that, I rushed out of the mall and to my car. I drove the short five minutes to my house and noticed it was still drizzling from the rain storm we'd had earlier. Lysh was sitting in the grass, her knees pulled up to her chin, balancing her face on them.

"Hey, Lysh, what was the rush?" I asked, slamming my car door and locking it, leaving all the bags inside.

"I... I just..." And then she burst into tears. This may seem minor but Elysha doesn't cry. Ever. "I ruined it all and I think I lost him before it even started and I just can't do this any more!" All her words rushed out together and I didn't know what to say. I took in her rain soaked hair, plastered to her skin, her heavy, dripping clothes, the mascara running down her face, her red eyes. My babe is a mess!

"Come on, let's go inside."

"But Viv-"

"Don't worry about her. We need to get you cleaned up." I walked her in and had her sit on the floor in front of the couch. I love her to death but I can't have her messing up my suede couches now. Those are for movie watching. I was startled by my phone going off in my pocket.

Hey, it's Hunter. Hope I wasn't being too forward earlier.

You weren't. It was cute, I still owe you for the Hot Chocolate tho ;) I smiled to myself, reading his message over and over before a new one came in.

I told you it was on me. But you could always let me take you out. Are you busy tonight? I looked at Lysh, who was staring at me. For the first time, she managed a smile.

"Coffee boy?"

"Maayyybbee. His name is Hunter." I smiled, knowing I'd given it away when I corrected her.

"I like this one." She said, looking at the ground.

Actually yeah. Girl's night w/ the bestie. Free tomorrow and this weekend tho.

Can I take you out tomorrow? I smiled, knowing I had him hooked.

Sure. And then I turned my phone off and threw it on the table.

"Let's go g-" Then, the Devil herself walked in.

"Oh, my God, Elysha Paige North, what happened to you!" Vivien came over to us and began rubbing Lysh's back and saying soft words to her in her annoying voice. Lysh just gave me an apologetic look. I didn't know why, it isn't her fault my step-monster is trying to ruin my life even in my own home. I rolled my eyes at Vivien and began to walk away.

"Aren't you going to give your mother a hug?" She asked, now standing up. My back was to her and before she said those words, I planned to keep it that way. My mind clouded and the only thing I could feel was anger. I felt my face heat up and was sure it was flaming red. I spun around to face her.

"You, are not, nor will you ever be, my mother. You're my father's wife and that's all you will ever be to Julien and me. Don't forget it." And I stormed away, escaping to the kitchen, leaving her there with her mouth hanging open.

I angrily banged open cabinet doors, looking for the perfect pity party substances, alcohol and junk food.

"Who the hell does she think she is? Walking into my house, saying she's my mother, comforting my friend!" I threw everything sweet on the table, Ho-Hos, 3 bags of Lays, Twinkies, Swiss Rolls, a big bowl of mixed Starbursts, Jolly Ranchers, and Skittles, and a bottle of Strawberry Vodka. I made a mental note to come back for the Ben and Jerry's.

I made my way to the living room again, setting the stuff on the table. Vivien was telling some story about her first heartbreak. Like anyone gives a rat's ass.

"Come on, Lysh. We need to get you a shower and some dry clothes."

"Okay." She said quietly, sniffling. As soon as she started to get up, so did Vivien.

"I'll come too."

"No!" I said, shooting daggers at her. Lysh grabbed my arm, squeezing a little to let me know to be nice. I tried to ignore her but she squeezed harder, making me wince. "I mean... you can stay and pick the movie." She nodded her head, hurt evident in her eyes and made her way to my movie shelves. Bitch. It definitely hurt to be nice to her. I led Lysh up the stairs to my room.

"Here." I threw a pair of pajamas at her and grabbed a pair for myself, picking up my Hello Kitty slippers and setting my stuff on the bed.

Lysh ran in and grabbed a quick shower and I laid back on my bed. Just thinking.

I may or may not have a small crush on Hunter, which has never happened.

I need to go stress shopping.

I wonder what's making Lysh so upset.

I really wish the Devil would get out of my house.

I don't understand why my dad left my beautiful mother for a substitute made completely of plastic that's only five years older than me.

I wonder where Julien is. He hasn't called in a few months.

I wonder where Mom is... I miss her.

My phone rang, shaking me out of my thoughts. I thought I turned this off?

Then I realized my work phone was ringing. I grabbed the iPhone off the dresser and spoke into the receiver.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, baby sis." Oh, my God!

"Julien! Where have you been? Oh, my God! I haven't heard from you in forever!"

"I'm currently exploring Australia. What's been up with you?"

"The witch is here." I murmured, not at all surprised that he had left Europe already.

"Vivien? Why? Shhh! Just a sec!" I heard him talking to someone else and smiled. It sounded like a lady. Maybe my big bro is done sowing his wild oats.

"I don't know. She called herself my mom, though. I don't know who she thinks she is!"

"I can tell you exactly what she is but it's not appropriate in front of- I said hold on! You know what, fine!" He sounded flustered. New girl giving him a hard time, eh? "Someone wants to talk to you." He said, a smirk in his voice. Me? Talk to one of Julien's girls? No. Don't think so.

"Julien, I don't think that's the best-"

"Just listen then." He interrupted me. I let out a sign of defeat, knowing he'd catch on to the fact that I had given in.

"Hi, baby." The instant her soft voice came across the other line, I teared up. It's been... what? Three years?

"Hi, mommy." I smiled, trying to keep my tears in.

"How have you been?"

"Good, I guess. I miss you." I smiled sadly, wishing she could see me over the phone.

"I miss you too. Have you gotten me a future son-in-law yet?" I laughed, despite the steady tears streaking my face.

"No, Mom. I doubt it'll be any time soon."

"Well then you have to step up your game because June bug's got me one." I laughed again. So I was right about his lady friend?

"Calm down, Mom. I haven't proposed or anything." I heard Julien's voice come in.

"Don't let him fool you," Mom said, "He's gonna propose soon." I smiled.

"Is that so? How do you know, Mom. This is Julien we're talking about."

"For one, a mother knows. For two, he's never flown me to another country to meet one of his girlfriends." I could tell she was smiling at him on the other end.

"She lives in Australia?" I asked, my forehead crinkling.

"Only for a while longer. She's coming to stay with Julien in the States on our way back. You have to meet Karla! She's a sweetheart." My mom liking one of Julien's girls? This, I have to see.

"Well, I'm not in Australia so, yeah." I said, finally able to tamp down the tears.

"You won't need to be. Julien's bringing her out there and we can all have dinner and bring that lovely best friend of yours. Elysha. How has she been, what with her friend and father dying and all?" Mom sounded like she was about ready to shed tears herself!

"She's fine. Being the strong girl she always was." I decided not to tell her about today until she sees us.

"And your father?" Her voice hardened, as if she didn't want to know.

"I haven't spoken to him since the wedding. But his wife seems to think she's welcome in my house."

"She's there?"

"Yes. Regrettably."

"Why I oughta-"

"Mom, put Mama Bear back in the cage!" Julien said, making me laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Elysha came out the bathroom, dressed and looking better than before.

"Mom, Julien, I'll talk to you guys later. Having a girls' night with Lysh."

"Bye, sweetie," Mom said at the same time Julien said, "See ya soon, stinker." I rolled my eyes and hung up.

"Was that Shannon?"

"Yeah, and Julien. He's almost engaged." I smiled, remembering the thought.

"Wow."

"I know." I said. I grabbed a quick shower and when I was done and my hair was in a messy bun atop my head, I made my way downstairs, grabbed a glass and smiled to see that Magic Mike was just starting.

I took one look at Vivien, filled my cup, and chugged all the Vodka down as fast as I could. I need to be drunk like.... right now.

Notes

So you guys got a look at Klohie's life and background. What do you think? Sorry it took so long. Boy drama and my computer shut down THREE TIMES! Erasing everything I wrote :(

Pictures of Shannon (Klohie's Mom), Vivien, And Julien will be added to the character list soon

-Kay