4

(Insert song: おなじ話by Humburt Humburt)

She was happier.

She felt great

It was now the best time in Tami's life; summer vacation. And she had her secret crush as her neighbor! It was the best point in Tami's life right now, as it was the very first week of June 2018. Lee and her are on decent terms, but she can feel his staring, his elongated staring right at her sometimes, and she and Megan still hate each other, she and Marc are still as close as ever, she hangs with Tony and his little geek squad, but at the end of the day, that all doesn't matter. She's somewhat happy. Her grades are up, she's going to more parties, she's dressing like herself more, music blasting everywhere, she just got invited to her cousin's party in Miami, and she was packing her things while singing, her room a fresh shade of blue with some books on her nightstand, some fairy lights near a corner, a simple snack storage so she doesn't go when she needs water, and accidentally bump into and talk to….him.

Sheena, one of Tami's closest friends, was on the phone with Tami, while they spoke about the arrangements that were being made, and doing their daily gossip sessions.

"So, since you moved, how have things been with Lee?" Sheen asked, her dark ocean eyes her cold-like aura, and her gentle nature, and tanned skin made her stand out in school, her eyes fluttered whenever someone spoke to her, staring into the phone like a butterfly wing. She was smart too, also in student council the vice president, and Marc's girlfriend. Her dove-like voice and charming personality is what make her so well-liked at their school, thus beginning their friendship. Tami was twirling around in her room, trying on sundresses, and spinning around to see what she was going to wear.

"Things are fine. I still hate how my room looks, but, but, on a lighter note, Lee and I went on a little walk in the park, he apologized for yelling at me, bought me some ice cream but he kissed my hand, and walked me home, so all is forgiven."

"HE DID WHAT" Sheena yelled out her jaw was on the floor, hearing that Lee, out of all people was this flirty. Lee was NEVER like this towards any girls at their school,Lee just seemed to be backed of, due to his status, knowing that any girl could'n.

"I know right, we're yelling at each other, face to face, and then he picked me up, kissed my hand, and ran out of the door. I was screaming on the inside."

Sheena sighed, her eyes gazed at Tami, picking up some books, classics down to some of the most gruesome books she had from the library, Sheena was excited for the amazing summer she had for her sheer, sweet, reading. But then, her gaze fell.

"I wish Marc was like that, or maybe it's because we just started...well..dating."

Tami stopped spinning around, and her bright smile turned in a sour one, seeing how Sheena's face turned cold. She sat down to have a serious conversation, and it hurt her knowing that Sheena had felt this was about Marc. She knew that Marc was loving,a bit clueless, but overall, a romantic at best.

"Sheena, don't ever, ever say that again. Ever since that time, he tried to ask you out, he tried his best to be a wonderful boyfriend to you, Since then, he has put in his best effort to be the ideal boyfriend for you. He finds you pretty, attentive, affectionate, popular, funny, and smart. In his eyes, you possess qualities that any guy would highly value. Marc is the guy for you. He is funny, charming, loving, sweet, and even a little nerdy. He may be shy, but he recognizes your outstanding qualities. Your qualities as a person make you a highly desirable girlfriend. You possess a good sense of balance, empathy, patience, and sweetness. You are understanding and have a nurturing personality. These qualities highlight your desirability as a girlfriend. Marc is head over heels for you. He cherishes you for who you are and what you love. Moreover, he understands how much you value romantic dates and enjoys them as much as you do. He is a total loverboy and is completely devoted to you. You just have to give it time, and he will make your relationship blossom even more." Tami said, her eyes showing with senserity, love, and warmth towards the girl on the other side of the screen, tilting her head as she fluttered her eyes, at her, giving Sheena a blush of color on her complexion. Tami gave Sheena a gentle, yet loving smile.

"That's a pretty shade on you, Sheena. I think it's my favorite shade on you."

Tami said, her eyes giving the sweet, glazing eyes, her blue eyes set on her. Sheena looked so sweet, so gentle, so rendering, that it was so...blissful. Sheena's reaction was surprising, her face,now covered with said redness, seeing that Tami, was giving her a smirk, her hands on her face, her eyes still gazing on Sheena, tilted head lipgloss shining, pretty party girl applying her lipgloss on you pretty girl, Tami was that type of pretty girl. So sensing this type of attention was very..off for Sheena, as her eyes averted away from Tamera, seeing that Tami was enjoying this, even more.

"I-Tami- you don't need to say much...-" as Tami leaned in close to talk to her, her pen circling around the girl in a heart-shaped motion, making Sheena blush more, feeling Tami's warmness on the other side of the phone. Tami tilted her head to the other side.

"hmmm, why not, Sheena? I love doing these things with you though, it's my favorite thing."

Sheena hesitated for a moment, feeling a rush of emotions, her eyes going back to Tami, their eyes connecting, and then gently replied with a soft voice, "You-you have someone in your mind right now, I don't think you should be bothering to do...such cutesy things and act like that. Besides, I'm dating Marc."

"But I am devoted to refining my techniques, both the ones I excel at and the ones I struggle with, whenever I see Lee, I have to make sure that whatever flirting technique would catch his eyes while collaborating with you. Your unique perspective, being the, well only,bi one in our friend group, and your role in this helps a lot, and you're within our group are truly valuable."

Sheena started at Tami, the words that just left her mouth were some of the strangest shit she had heard. Sheena, still blank-faced, tried to look as to what to say to Tami before bursting into laughter.

"THAT WAS THE WILDEST SHIT YOU HAVE EVER SAID WHAT THE HELL?!" Sheena said laughing as Tami joined in on the laughing with her youthful and innocent appearance, making her more beautiful than ever. Tami then hung up the phone and began the most important part! Packing for MIAMI! Tami ran to her closet, throwing things as struggling to find an outfit, and within minutes, she was already doing her last-minute packing

"Oh, I cant wait to see everyone, and the pictures well take together would be amazing, This one will be great for the lake parties, this one would look perfect for the party! And this one for the beach, going to the cruise, and this one for-"

There was a knock at the door, which wasn't strange for her, it was 4:30, on a Thursday, must be her mother-

"Tamera? The Uber is here to take you and your mother. Behave while you are there."

One of these days she will take a gun and shoot this man.

"I'm finished up! Thank you!" Tami said with a forced smile as she finished packing.

She grabbed her things, quickly tidied up her room, and walked so fast past that heathen that was the man who was in the house with them. As she was making her was towards the door, he who shall not have a name grabbed her.

"Take lots of photos, Tamera."

"Oh, I will I want to have lots of photos and videos."

"Stop resenting me"

"Whoever said I was?"

He tighten his grip on her small wrist. She was .

She was LIVID.

No man should touch her.

No man that isn't Lee, her father, any male family member, or ANY other man that she knows should be gripping her wrist right now trying to threaten her.

"Go ahead. Keep touching me and your wife will know what kinda man you are when she hears her daughter scream in pain."

He released her. He looked at her with a threatening look before sending her away to the car.

Determined to go to Miami for her friend's birthday party, she mustered all her courage and ran to the car. With her heart racing and adrenaline pumping, she cried small tears as she plugged her headphones in and started watching her shows, while her mom was on the phone.

That was the scariest shit ever.

Little did she know, this would not be the last time he harmed her.

Miami 9:30 pm

As the Uber was driving Tami and her mom to her cousin's house, Tami started texting her cousin, and she saw a notification that Lee had posted a photo.

He's posing with Megan, smiling, he's so happy next to her.

He loves her so much.

And she hated her.

He's so gorgeous, why wouldn't he be her's? His broad shoulds wrapped around her waist, his Spanish accent saying sweet nothings in her ear, the note passing, dates near the lakes. Why did it have to be Kat?

Kat was wild, and loud, with bright pink hair, ugly makeup, and worse of all; she was pretty. Kat had a button nose that any girl in LA would kill for, she had these sweet eyes, no wonder Lee fell for her. She is thinking about Lee, and how he doesn't seem to see her, the real her, not see her in the same way he sees Kat. Kat, with her wild pink hair and piercings, was so beautiful she could be like Juliet. Kat was a real-life Juliet - wild and pretty, confident in herself, calm, and always singing, she was girly, having the girliest voice, with a contagious energy and a vivacious personality. Her colorful hair and quirky piercings speak to her rebellious side, while her button nose and captivating eyes reveal a softer side. Her personality is like a whirlwind, always keeping people on their toes, whether through her bold fashion choices or her spontaneity.A real firecracker, a total wildcard, and it's all he seems to want. He did pick the right girl for him.

They arrived at the house, where Tami ran to see her cousin, in sweats and a dirty shirt, but that didn't matter to the pretty rich girl, as the two girls grabbed Tami's bags and went to her room.

"It's so nice to see you, it's been what? 5-6 years, since we saw each other? YOU, Tami, got so big, you have got the to tell everything" her cousin raved on, as they went to the bedroom.

"So, what about you, what are you up to these days?" Tami asked, setting her stuff down, her blonde hair was now past her ribcage, her jacket was huge and her sock was a mismatch, but she was sitting down on the soft carpet with gingham designs on it, holding onto a plushie, and she was so excited about this 4 house gossip session. The bedroom, being designed into a pink, girly room has a soft and comforting color palette, with shades of blush, coral, and mauve throughout. Pink bedding, furniture, and decorations set a soft, comforting atmosphere, with feminine elements like flowers, fairy lights, and lacy curtains adding to the look. A pink vanity and mirror were an amazing fit, no, it was a natural fit, with fluffy pillows and plush carpets making the space cozy and inviting.

"Soccer is at its best right now, I'm still doing AP classes, and I'm dating this junior guy, Darius. Tall, dark, total geek."

Tami, as so shocked as she was, wasn't all that surprised that her cousin was dating older men. She and Tami had been like this ever since they were small. Chasing after older boys who clearly didn't like them, while getting yelled at.

The thunderstorms kept brewing in, the clashing of the thunder and rain were getting more and more louder and more wetter by the minute. Tami was so unsure about the weather, but she spent the next few hours updating on her life.

Tami was scrolling onto her phone her hair was in heatless curls, dirty shirt, and shorts, still staring at Lee's Instagram pictures, his shirtless pics with Kat, smiling as they built fucking sandcastles together, Tami just rolled her eyes, the next one being him and the siblings together at the school table, Lee's tongue is out and he's so.. but anyways he's hot, the next one being of him at the school dance with Kat and more and more... she was so upset with life, but she decided that wasn't going to ruin her night. She turned off her phone. and shut her eyes, hopefully this Miami birthday three-week trip will make her 130% hotter.

Next day, 8:30 am Miami.

As she was unpacking and putting things away,Tami was in a good mood. She woke up to see her cousin and her are still as close as ever, she was updating her cousin on the things in her life, her crush on Lee, her hatred for Megan,how Megan was some know-it-all all, how she was better than Megan, how sweet and kind and loving Lee was, her friendship with Marc, cheerleading, her mental health, the clouds were starting to get heavy, large thunderstorms were clashing into the girl's room,b tu she was fine with all of that, she was so happy to talk to her cousin. Tami was feeling a little off about the weather, but she ran downstairs to greet the rest of the family to some warm breakfast but what she was was a worried looked on her mom's face. Tami looked confused, when her mom rushed into her saying that a tide was coming,

Tami was surprised and said that there was no way in hell that a tide wave coming in, that they had just arrived but her mom said so and they had to flee to a nearby hotel three hours away.

"CAN THIS DAY GET WORSE?"