NOTE FROM ELIZABETH STARK: I wish to tell you of the story of the events that occurred in the fall of 2008. Beginning when I knew what I was doing and had my life all planned out. This is the story of my tragedy...
I stared down at the grave. "Erica Grace James" it read, my mother. "January 12, 1967- August 9, 1992" as I read down. 16 years ago my mother died. I stood and watched as my father placed flowers next to the tombstone. We payed our respects. My mother and father met at MIT 18 years ago. Two months after my birth my mother died in a car crash a few months before my dad was going to marry her. I have many scars across my left arm from the glass that got in my skin during the crash.
The next day my dad had to accept and award in Las Vegas. Normally I would go with him to accept awards, but tonight I had plans with Katerina, my best friend. Pepper was in a rush to get my dad out of the house and my dad ended up leaving before I could say goodbye. "Jarvis call my dad," I said while driving to Katerina's house. "You left without telling me," I said as he answered his phone. "Sorry Pepper was just in a rush to get me out," he apologized. "You are known for being late," I reminded. "When I get back tonight I'll make sure to say goodbye," my dad said. "But I'm spending the night at Katerina's house," I said. "I'll stall or something, but I got to go," my dad said hanging up. I tried to say goodbye as I pulled in to Katerina's driveway but I got cut off. I sighed grabbing my bag and closing the door. "Hello Mrs. Anderson," I said to Katerina's mom when she answered the door. "Hello Elizabeth, Katerina's in her room," she told me. Katerina's house was smaller than mine but most houses were. Her father worked at Stark Industries as a department head. "Hey," I said as I walked in to Katerina's room. "Hey Les," she said looking down at her computer, "I hope you don't mind but I invited Kelsie from school." "Keslie?" I question not recognizing the name. "She goes to school with me, went to your birthday party," she suggested. "You know I'm terrible with names and the only sophomore I payed attention to at my party was you," I reminded since I was senior till I graduated in the spring. "Well she should be here soon," she said getting up, ''now let's go look for a movie to watch in my basement." We looked at the shelves of dvds. "I'm thinking chick flick," I said. "Mean Girls?" Katerina suggested. "Sounds good," I said as the doorbell rang. "That must be Kelsie," Katerina said as we got up. "Hey Kelsie!" Katerina said opening the door while I stood there awkwardly. Kelsie was much taller than me and much prettier with her long blonde hair. "So Kats, what's the plan for tonight?" She asked. "Kats? Since when has anyone called her Kats." I thought to myself. "Elizabeth and I picked out the movie Mean Girls, if that okay with you?" Katerina said. "That sounds like so much fun," Kelsie said enthusiastically. I sighed, Kelsie was too perky for me. "Why don't we make some popcorn," Katerina suggested after Kelsie put her bag in Katerina's room. "Totally!" Kelsie replied. "Elizabeth makes the best popcorn Kelise," Katerina told her, "she puts tons of salt and cheese. Mmm. I don't think we have any cheese though." "Normal's fine," I said before the timer finished. "Aww, it sounded so good," Kelsie complained. "Maybe next time,'' Katerina suggested. We went down to the basement to watch the movie. Kelsie annoyingly quoted all the lines before they were said. "What time is it?" I asked as the movie ended. "Eleven I think," Katerina answered. "I'm going to go call my dad," I said picking up my phone and going upstairs. The phone rang until the message came. "This is Tony Stark. This is probably Les or Pepper. Hey, you're pretty, want to say anything?" My dad said. I rolled my eyes. "How about we go to the bedroom," the woman said. "I can roll with that," The message ended. My dad obviously record this drunk. "Hey Dad, I was just calling to say goodbye if I don't see you before you leave. If you could call me asap that be great. Bye!" I said. I sighed, I was frustrated that my dad didn't answer my call. "How did it go?" Katerina asked. "No answer," I said going back to my seat, "I think I am going to go to sleep now." "But it's only eleven o'clock," Kelsie complained. "I might go to sleep, too." Katerina said. I knew Katerina could tell how much it hurt for my dad not to answer. When I woke up it was noon. "Shoot," I mumbled realizing my dad probably had left. I grabbed my phone. "One missed call from Tony Stark," was on the screen. I called him back but there was no answer. "Must be flying," I thought. Katerina and Kelsie were still sleeping. I gathered up my stuff and went upstairs. "Elizabeth, you're up," Mrs. Anderson said, "do you need anything?" "No, I'm actually leaving now. But if you could tell Katerina and Kelsie I had something to do with my dad, that would be great." I replied. "I'll be sure to let them know," Mrs. Anderson said as I walked out the door. "Jarvis what time did my dad's plane leave?" I asked settling in the car. "Your father's plane was scheduled to depart at 6:30a.m but your father left the house at 8 a.m." Jarvis answered. "Pepper must have loved that," I mumbled pulling out of Katerina's driveway.