*Sammie’s POV (The Next Morning)

I wake up at dawn and my eyes are killing me. They must still be puffy from me crying my eyes out last night. It’s amazing how in just a few days, my world crumbled to the ground in front of me. Hannah and Susan are gonna be in Europe all summer, and Mackenzie and Emily will be living in LA and NYC all summer but Mackenzie for long term. My only friends that I have won’t be here when I’m out of school, and those girls are basically my family too…since the little family I have is dead. Maybe I should explain.

My parents are both the only children in their families. I have no aunts, uncles, or cousins and both sets of grandparents have passed now, plus I’m an only child. The only family I had left was my parents. Then the night came that changed my life forever. It was a year ago when our house was robbed. Living in Chicago, it’s not exactly the safest place.

It was later at night and we were all sitting in front of the TV. The next thing I knew, I heard glass shatter. I looked up and saw two masked men holding a sack and a gun. They asked for all our money and when my parents refused, they dropped the sacks, grabbed my parents putting their arms behind their backs and pointing their guns at my parents’ heads.

My father told me to run. I didn’t want to, I wanted to save them, but he told me to run and not look back. That’s what I did. I ran through the broken window and as I was running away, I heard faint screaming and then two gunshots. I knew in that moment that my parents were dead. I still had all of my possessions at the house, but I knew I wouldn’t be safe to go back there that night, so I ran to the first place I thought of where I could stay the night: Susan’s house. It was late, but she answered the door, I told her what happened and she took me in. I lived at her house for at least a few months so that I wouldn’t be homeless in a city like Chicago.

After those few months, a teen modeling agency discovered me at the mall and from then on, I was getting paid big bucks to basically just look pretty. Eventually, I got enough money saved up to lease myself a decent apartment. It’s the best job I could’ve ever asked for and things were going well except for occasionally when I would go into a depression about my parents and start cutting. But through those times, my girls were always there to lift me back up. Now, I’m seventeen, a junior in high school, and I haven’t wanted to say anything to the girls yet because of all the good things happening for them right now…but I lost my job.

Things were going just fine and I was doing everything they told me to do, wearing everything they told me to wear, and I was really happy with my job! Then that day came. It was the day they called me wanting me to do a Victoria’s Secret ad for a magazine. I told them I didn’t want to, and told them my reason but they wouldn’t have that. They told me if I refused this assignment that they would fire me. I didn’t think they were being serious but they were and sure enough they fired me. I’m officially unemployed.

I have enough money to keep my apartment for a few more months, but my lease is up on August 1st. I was hoping at least one of my friends would be here with me this summer so that when my lease ran out, I could arrange to live with one of their families until I found another job. In other words, if I don’t find a job within the next few months, I’m gonna be homeless.

I also wanted someone here just in case my unemployment combined with my usual depressive episodes made me attempt to cut again. I don’t know what is gonna happen to me if this lifestyle continues. I at least hoped Susan was gonna be here with me, because out of all four girls I feel the closest to her. She has helped me the most since my parents’ murders.

I hope the girls don’t think that I’m mad at them. I know it isn’t their fault that they’re getting these amazing things happening to them and I’m getting the short end of the stick. I’m gonna text them all right now just to assure them I’m fine. I know they all worry about me since I’m the baby.

“Hey girls, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for logging off abruptly last night. I really am happy for you all that you’re getting to do these great things this summer. I just have some news to tell you that might shed some light on why I’m feeling really down lately. Let’s have another hangout tonight when you’re all free. I love you! xox <3” Now for me to get cleaned up and conquer another day of high school before I go out job hunting…

That Night…

“Hey, girls.” I wave at my laptop. “Hey” they all chorus back. “It’s great to know you’re okay, Sammie. I was really worried about you.” Susan says. “I know, thanks girl.” I say. “What’s this news you have? Good or bad?” Emily asks. “I’m assuming it’s bad considering you just about cried last night…” Mackenzie says. “Yeah it’s not exactly good news. …a few days ago I lost my job with the modeling agency.” “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, Sam.” Hannah says sympathetically.

“I have enough money to live in my apartment till the lease expires on August 1st. That’s why I was hoping at least one of you would be home this summer so that in case I don’t find a job before then, I could get permission to live in one of your houses until I did.” “Oh my gosh, why didn’t you tell us when it happened?!” Susan asks. “Because it happened on Friday when Hannah told us about London. Then more good news from the rest of you kept flooding in and I didn’t want to put a damper on everyone else’s happiness.”

There is a pause before Hannah says “Okay, here’s what we’ll do. We're gonna call our parents and ask them if you would be able to stay at our house until you got back on your feet again. There’s no way that we can let you be on your own and unemployed!” “Yeah I like that idea. We’ll do it tonight as soon as we end this video chat.” Mackenzie says. “You are our little sister after all.” Emily says. “We promise that you’ll be okay. We’re gonna make sure you’re in great hands while we’re away. We love you so much, Sammie.” Susan says.

“I love you guys too. You’re the best friends and family I could’ve hoped for. I’m gonna go to bed so I can rest up for school and then more job hunting. Good night!” I say waving again. We all exchange good nights and log off. I literally don’t know what I would do without those girls. I’m so thankful for them. Hopefully one of their families will let me stay with them if I don’t find a job. I thank God for the girls like I do every night before I go to sleep, and tuck myself into bed. I fall asleep and find myself dreaming about a world where everything in my life goes right for once.

Notes