Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Elisa’s POV
It was finally the weekend after a week of hell, I needed something familiar then I decided to call my best friend. It had been a while since we spoke.
“Hey.”
“Elisa! Oh my God, I was just about to call you. Our friendship connection still works!” she squealed.
I smiled, even though she couldn’t see me. Faith had always had that effect on me. Just hearing her voice made everything feel a little better.
“Yeah, I guess it does,” I said softly. “I really miss you.”
“I miss you more, bestie. So—how’s the new town? The new school? Any hot guys? I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.”
I paused, gripping my phone tighter. “Slow down, Faith. Geez. Where do I even start?”
I couldn’t lie to her. She’d hear it in my voice and pry until the truth spilled out anyway. So I decided to give her a bit of the truth.
“It hasn’t been easy,” I admitted. “Senior year so far has been… kind of hell. Although I knew being the new kid would come with a lot of disadvantages, I just didn't expect it to be this hard. I know I shouldn’t blame my parents, but if they hadn’t divorced, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be with you. We’d be living out our senior-year dreams together.”
My voice cracked. “I’m having a rough time, Faith. No friends, I miss us. And now the chances of making any are basically zero. Things aren’t looking up.”
“Oh, Elisa,” she said gently. “I’m so sorry. Why don’t you talk to your dad? Maybe your mum would let you come back if she knew how hard it is for you.”
“I can’t,” I said quickly. “She’d let me go because she loves me—but it would break her heart. She needs me right now.”
Faith sighed. “Okay. Then let’s look at the bright side. We’ll still see each other during the holidays,and Uni remember. We’re going to make those count. And hey—senior year just started. Just because things suck now doesn’t mean they always will.”
She paused dramatically. “Also, don’t forget what the tarot reader said. You’re supposed to meet your true soulmate this year.”
I laughed weakly. “You know I don’t believe in that stuff. There’s no such thing as soulmates.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” she said. “I believe in it. And I know I have one.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course the drama queen believed in soulmates.
“Enough about me,” I said. “How’s your senior year going?”
We talked until midnight. At some point, I fell asleep with my phone still pressed to my ear.
---
The next morning, I dipped into my savings and decided to go into town. I needed something—anything—that would make me feel like myself again. I was reaching for a deep blue gown when another hand grabbed the same hanger.
“Oh—sorry,” a voice said. “Were you about to take that?”
I looked up and froze. The girl standing in front of me was stunning—ginger hair, bright green eyes, and an easy smile.
“Uh… yeah,” I said, glancing between her and the dress.
She laughed. “It’s all yours. It’ll look amazing on you anyway.”
She stuck out her hand. I stared at it for a second, confused, before she grabbed my hand and shook it firmly. I blinked, amused. Who still shook hands?
“I’m Angela,” she said brightly. “And you are?”
“Elisa. I just moved here.”
“Oh, I know you just moved here,” she said easily. “You live near my family’s house. You probably see our roof through the trees.”
“Oh. Yeah, I do.”
Mystery neighbor solved.
“I just got back from a trip,” Angela continued. “The house felt stuffy, so I came shopping. But I’m alone, and shopping alone is boring. Want to keep me company?”
I hesitated. Then shrugged. “Sure.”
That turned out to be a mistake—Angela, who insisted I call her Angy, was a full-blown shopaholic. She bought shoes, bags, accessories—and forced me to accept half of them.
“No is not an option,” she declared.
When we were done, she invited me to a party at her house that night.
“I think I’ll come,” I said. Maybe it was time to stop hiding.
---
“You look lovely, honey,” Mum said as I headed out.
“Thanks. I met our neighbors today—she invited me to a party.”
“That’s wonderful,” Mum smiled. “No drinking, and don’t come home late.”
“No promises,” I teased.
Music grew louder as I followed the path through the trees. Soon, I reached a clearing—and a massive house pulsing with lights and sound. Inside, people were already drinking and dancing. Then I saw her, Becca.
“Why the fuck are you here?” she snapped, stepping toward me with a red cup in hand.
“I was invited.”
“By who?” she sneered, eyes narrowing.
Before I could answer, Angy appeared.
“I invited her. You got a problem with that?”
Becca stiffened. She starred at Angy, It almost felt like they had a staring competition, then Becca looked away scoffed, and left.
“Thank you,” I breathed.
“Ignore her. She’s a total bitch.”
“How do you know her?” I asked.
“She’s dating my cousin.”
My stomach dropped. “Your cousin?”
“Yeah. I live with him and his family. They threw this party for me.”
My fingers tightened on my blouse. “Your cousin’s name wouldn’t happen to be Drake, would it?”
“Yeah,” she said. “You go to the same school.”
Wow I could not believe I was neighbours with the pain in my ass Drake.
“He’s an ass,” I blurted. ‘Sorry’
‘Nah it's okay. He is’
“He threatened me—told me to leave town.”
“What? Why?”
“No idea.”
Angy smiled reassuringly. “Well, as long as I’m here, he won’t try that again.”
She dragged me toward what looked like a mini bar. “It’s a party. Have fun. And guess what? I start school next week.”
She grinned. “I’m really glad I already have a friend.”
I smiled back—surprised by how much I meant it.
For the first time since moving here, I felt something close to relief.
