Pretty Dark Secrets
How it all began
Imagine it's two summers ago, the one between eighth and ninth grade. The scent of freshly mown grass and the light June breeze puts you at ease. You're thinking about how you could spend the summer and where you could hang out with your boyfriend without your parents finding out. Then you see a girl in the paper your dad had just put down. Missing. She's dangerously gorgeous; she has a knowing smile and could probably take your boyfriend if she wanted him. Suddenly, you become envious and think 'she probably deserved it anyway'...
Slowly, Heidi Porter dipped her feet into the rock lined pool that belonged to her best friend Abigail Du Mont. 'Wish we could have this kinda weather all year round," She sighed and looked back up at the clear blue sky.
"I don't know about that," Laura Wilde disagreed. "Chanel's winter collection is too cute!" They began to giggle amongst themselves. Abigail gave Heidi a devilish grin and got off her float.
"An outsider would really wonder how we get the money for all these things, right Laura?" Laura looked down and ran her fingers through her dark curly locks. Sofia Peterson tied her black strapless bikini up and stepped out onto the patio.
"Tiana said she's not coming but she'll see us in barn later,"
"I'm sooo ready for tonight ladies! I hope Tiana missed this for a good reason, like sorting out drinks or something," Abigail flicked her sleek blonde hair. "I think we should chill here for another hour then go over at seven?"
"That's cool as long as I can go home for a little while first" Sofia wanted to make sure she looked the best she could, but not too good. No one could outshine Abi...
Tiana Winters scanned the barn one last time to make sure everything was in place. It had just recently been renovated and stood up on the hills near old Queen's wood right near Tiana's house. Abi had called to say they would be over at seven. Before she knew it, seven o'clock was near and she heard someone open the door. Laura stepped in. "Hey, where are the others?"
"Abi had a prior engagement and Sofia and Heidi are still getting ready but they'll be here!" Laura said. She then went over to the leather couch and fell onto it. The skies darkened and thunder and lightning came out of nowhere as time went on. It was pitch black outside by the time Heidi arrived, kicking her beige knee high Gucci boots off as she entered. "Sorry I'm late I couldn't decide between-"Before she could finish Sofia burst in looking pale and very unwell. She grabbed some cherry vodka. "My sister just made me try the worst chicken ever! It has literally damaged my stomach and I feel like I'm going to die," Sofia wrinkled her nose as if she'd just smelt something bad. "Where's Ab-"The lights went off. Everything was pitch black and silent apart from the howling wind outside. The door was ajar and the air had turned chilly. All the girls stepped towards the open door waiting for something to jump out at them.
"Hello?" Tiana shouted. "It's probably just my brother," She whispered to the others. Nathanial Winters was Tiana's hot older brother so if it was him, the girls would probably be glad. Suddenly, the lights were back on.
"Boo!" Someone said behind them before they all let out a shriek. When the girls turned around, they realised they should have guessed who was behind this. Abi. Queen of pranks.
"What the hell Abigail, how did you get in here?" Tiana questioned with her hand on her chest. "How did we not see you come in here?"
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Sofia ran to the bathroom at the back of the barn.
"Window! Duh!" Abigail started giggling and the others did too. She went over the rocking chair in the centre and sat down. Everyone followed. Sofia came back and lay down on the leather couch quietly. "You okay Sof?" Abigail smiled at her "Best not to drink too much tonight anyway. This night is a night you won't wanna forget" Abi winked. As the night went on they all continued to drink anyway, with the exception of Sofia. They stayed up late talking about boys, makeup, clothes and how glad they were that eighth grade was over. "You know what guys?" Abi began before they went to sleep. "I think we'll be friends forever. Probably even after death too," And with that they all drifted off.
A cold draught awoke Tiana. "Guys," She whispered to wake the others. Laura stirred. "Guys!" she said a little louder and they all woke with a start. "Do you know where Abi is?"
"Wait, she's gone?" Heidi looked around. Shortly afterwards they all went looking for her. It was 3am, cold, eerie, dark and they were tired. They searched all night but never found her. The next morning they called her parents, field hockey friends, ex boyfriends and a load of other people. When her parents realised no one knew where she was, they called the police. Sofia, Tiana, Heidi and Laura were all questioned several times and news crews rushed to Roseford. Everyone seemed to be behaving nicer towards them. Even Tiana's brother Nathanial and Sofia's sister Nina were there to comfort their siblings every once in a while. Over the summer the four of them continued to meet up now and again and reluctantly discussed what they thought happened to Abigail Du Mont. She left the barn at some point that night and just never came back. Every time they thought about her they felt like breaking down but gradually they began to think of it as a blessing.
Sure, Abigail was Abigail. She was the one you would tell if you gained a few extra pounds, one of the only people who truly knew you and the only girl you told your deepest darkest secrets to. Her four best friends loved her, but she also made them very uneasy when they were in her presence. Abigail knew a lot-maybe too much about them and the things they wanted to forget. Even if there was something you were trying to hide, she'd always manage to draw it out of you. It hurt to imagine that she could be dead...but at least their secrets would have died with her right? Well it seemed like their secrets did. For two years anyway.