Casey was really bummed when I told him he couldn't walk me back to Grams' apartment. Although I would have preferred it, I didn't want to risk Heather finding anything out about my living situation. And plus, if Casey came home late Candi would get suspicious.

So we exchanged goodbyes and I walked home in a spirited mood. It even smiled to perfect strangers on the street. But that all turned when I walked into the small apartment with Lady Lana sitting daintily on the couch I sleep on. She had a smile on her face.

That was NOT good. I know I shouldn't worry purely because my mother is happy, but with Lady Lana, it's almost an omen. A bad one that precedes a storm. I slowly put my backpack down and looked at Grams, my eyes demanding an explanation. Awkward silence ensued.

Lady Lana finally opened her huge, unnaturally puffy pink lips.

"Hello darling. Look how much you've grown!" She said it like it was an order, not an observation. Give me a break.

"Growing tends to happen during long periods of time in which you never bother to visit. And don't "darling" me. May I be so forward as to ask the reason of your unexpected visit?"

I don't even know what was up with my formality. But looking at the woman who would rather be on gas commercials than raise me, I was filled to the brim with contempt. She didn't bother to form a motherly connection with me; I wanted to show her how it felt.

Lana chose to ignore my cutting comment. "Samantha, I have big news and I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you in person. And I don't appreciate that hurtful attitude."

She glanced at Grams. By Grams' bewilderment, I drew the conclusion that nobody but Lana knew what she was talking about.

"You're moving to Hollywood with me!" Lana said, like it was the dandiest, most exciting piece of news possible.

Grams gasped. After staring at my mother for what seemed like eternity, I bursted and raced to Grams' bedroom and slammed the door as hard as I could. I didn't even care that everyone else in the building could hear. I was leaving this place against my will anyway. I threw my face on the bedspread. Would I have to say goodbye to Hudson, Dot, Marissa, Billy, and Casey? CASEY. Omfg. I would have to leave Casey.

I took off my shoe (the one without the horseshoe on it) and chucked it across the room, aiming at the door Lana was behind. Walking to pick it up and possibly throw it again, I caught sound of the conversation in the next room.

"Lana, can you for once think about someone other than yourself?"

"How DARE you. Samantha is MY daughter. It's time she moved with me to get a glimpse into my business."

"So this is about your business?! Glorifying yourself? Sammy's not going to want to go ANYWHERE with a woman who tears her apart from the only place she's ever known! What do you want to be? Some mother-daughter duo?"

It was quiet for a moment. Grams had been correct in her assumption; I couldn't believe her restrain. I opened the door a little and saw my mother, hands crossed tightly, eyes furrowed and squinted, like she was a teenager again defying her mother.

"I can do whatever I want with her. Sammy isn't under your jurisdiction. She's living illegally; THAT sure isn't good for her either. I've made up my mind. Samantha will be joining me in Los Angeles. I'll come back in three days; I need to meet with my agent. Excuse me."

And with that, she stormed out of the room.


I texted Casey to meet me behind the school the next day before I fell into the uneasiest sleep ever. The next day, when I walked around the concrete trash corner, Casey was waiting there with a really worried look.

"What's going on Sammy?" He asked.

I ran into his arms stuffed my face into his chest. He smelled so good. Memories with that scent came flooding, and I cried them out. Casey was attempting in vain to soothe me. When I had calmed down somewhat, we sat down on the steps. Casey gave me his sleeve to wipe my eyes on. I was pretty embarrassed, since I considered myself an ugly crier.

I looked at my jeans and stammered out, "My mom...came..yesterday." I sniffed.

Casey rubbed my back. "What happened? What secret did she tell you this time?"

It hurt to meet his gaze.

"I'm moving to Los Angeles in a couple of days."

Casey inhaled a sharp breath of air. He didn't speak for a couple of minutes. And then he pulled me into a super tight hug. Great. It would be a lot easier to leave him if he wasn't so perfect.

We stayed frozen like that for a while.


Marissa, Dot, Holly and I had a sleepover that night, because we were positive it would be one of our last as a group. I didn't know the cause for Lana's sudden change of heart with me. One day, she didn't want anything to do with me, and the next, she's forcing me to move to Hollywood.

That is until one day I caught a glimpse of that week's gossip magazine front page. LANA KEYES - "I HAVE A DAUGHTER." I quickly bought it and flipped in shock to the correct page. I couldn't believe my eyes.

My own mother planned to ship me off to Hollywood to make money!

Inside, Lana told reporters how she secretly has a daughter, and that she's "beyond excited" to introduce her to the industry. She stated that nobody believed she was a mother because of her anti aging skin products. Which she planned to sell by the thousands.

I was furious. I tore the article to shreds. No way was I going to L.A. to become a pampered princess and help my rich mother become richer. I was so dejected; I couldn't believe I didn't have any options. Was that really going to be my life from now on?