August 30th (Sunday)At Jaspers, you would usually run into your close friends, old high school classmates, and new faces eager to have a good time. They played a variety of music: classic rock, alternative, and some pop. This club definitely met a lot of people's needs in the area, and the best part is that it was nearby, so you did not have to travel outside of Ashville to have a good time.Sunny had taken a cab to meet up with Finn at Jasper’s to have some drinks. She wanted to have some fun, as the next day her family would be returning from Ocean City. And she hoped deeply that, by chance, Layla would join them.__The sound of Sunny's favorite song started playing as soon as she walked through Jasper's in her little black dress. The atmosphere was lively and packed with people dancing and enjoying themselves. She couldn't help but feel excited for the night ahead, and she was hoping to clear her head with everything that was going on between her and Layla.Sunny moved through th
Sunny Sweeny-Summer of 1987At about 10:30 on the morning of August 31, 1987, Rory Collins went to visit his friends James and Sunny Sweeney. The Sweeneys were brothers and sisters in their twenties. James was twenty-three, and his sister was twenty-eight. They lived with their mother, Grace Sweeney, in a patio garden apartment in Ashville, Maryland, in Baltimore County. When Mr. Collins approached the apartment, he noticed that the patio door was ajar. He looked into the living room and saw Sunny's face lying face down in a pool of blood. The cause of death was discovered later.__Sunny was a stunning young lady with a slim build, a lovely button nose, an oval face, long, wavy auburn-brown hair, and stunning, piercing green eyes.Everyone in the room turned to look at Sunny when she entered because she was so incredibly attractive in her own unique way.But Sunny was even more beautiful on the inside because she loved unconditionally and cared deeply.She was vibrant and full of lif
Sunny had been sound asleep in her bed that morning when the phone started to ring.Sunny woke up and took the call. It was her best friend, Layla Bailey.Layla and Sunny have been friends for a long time. They attended Raven High and were pretty much inseparable. They had been through so much together, from the rough patches of their teenage years to the highs and lows of adulthood.Layla was a tomboy with chin-length brunette hair and hazel eyes. A lot of people believed that she was gay, but it was never really confirmed, and sometimes Sunny got a stigma hanging around her.Layla had called Sunny to make plans for a small Ocean City trip for the first weekend of August. The two friends had always loved spending time together, especially at the beach. They would spend hours lounging in the sun, playing in the waves, and exploring the boardwalk. After taking a deep bong hit, Sunny replied to Layla on the phone, "Yes!" I can't wait to be at the beach with you. " Sunny loved her morn
By one p.m., they had left for Verona.They had a lovely ride up there, and as they were passing through, it seemed as though they had suddenly traveled back in time to a calm, serene location free of noise and apartment complexes. Sunny was filled with joy and anticipation as she looked out the window, taking in the view of all the farmland.__The two young ladies got out of the car and walked up to Beth's parents' house. It was a beautiful colonial house with gorgeous white shutters. Sunny couldn't help but feel a wave of excitement as she looked at the fields of wildflowers and corn stalks that surrounded the area. As they went inside, Beth asked Sunny, "Let's have some cranberry and vodka drinks; my parents always have that around." Sunny couldn't resist the offer and eagerly agreed.The two friends were sitting in the living room on a vintage, cozy couch with a floral print, enjoying their drinks and catching up on each other's lives. By three o'clock, the girls had five glasse
It was a beautiful Friday on July thirty-first. This was the morning that Sunny and Layla headed down to Ocean City. Sunny's favorite place to be was Ocean City, a resort town about three hours away from Ashville. It was Sunny’s favorite place to be, so she was super excited.Ocean City is a great place to unwind because it has miles of beachfront and a wooden boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels.__The two best friends arrived in Ocean City on 9th Street at their hotel. It was a white and aqua-colored building called Starfish Royal.Sunny and Layla went into the room, where there were two colorful beds, a small table for eating, and a balcony that overlooked the beach. They were in awe of the beauty and immediately ran out onto the balcony, taking in a deep breath of the salty ocean air. They were transfixed by the beach view as they stood there and watched families playing in the sand, kids creating sandcastles, and surfers riding the waves. The sound of seagulls fil
Sunny and Layla then got out of the shower and put clothes on. Sunny was smiling uncontrollably as her hands were shaking. She felt butterflies in her stomach, and her surroundings felt like heaven. Layla felt like she was walking on clouds, as she felt like the luckiest person in the whole universe, but she was also afraid since they had been best friends since high school. It was a whole mix of emotions because Layla had been wanting to kiss Sunny for a long time.___Sunny and Layla went about their day like nothing ever happened as they took a walk on the boardwalk, got a bite to eat, played some arcade games, and then sat down together on a bench that looked upon the boardwalk and ocean.Layla looked at Sunny as she said, "I love that feeling when you've been lying on the beach all day and then take a shower before you go out." " I feel like I’m on top of the world!"Layla then nervously added, "Can we talk about what happened in the shower?"Sunny had a dull expression as she sa
Sunny's point of viewI'm lying here in bed with my very best friend, and she means so much to me. Did I make a mistake? These thoughts keep swirling in my mind, but deep down, I know that what we have is special. Our bond goes beyond romance. My nose is stuffy. I hate this feeling, but I’m with Layla, and that makes me happy. She's always been there for me, through thick and thin. I do, however, despise her at times. After the car accident, I was left with scars, and she doesn't have a scratch on her. It's not fair, and I can't help but feel a pang of resentment toward her. But then, I remember the countless nights she spent by my side in the hospital, holding my hand and reassuring me that everything would be okay. She is my rock, my pillar of strength, and my biggest cheerleader. I just love her.Sunny squeezes Layla tight:She smells so good, like coconut sunblock. Mmmm!_______Sunny then starts thinking about her father and how she
After they had finished their appetizers, Sunny was prepared to share the truth about her father.Sunny looked at Layla with watering eyes as she said, "My father committed suicide when I was only 5 years old." He was married to another woman and to my mother. You see, he couldn't take the idea of being caught. He had a beautiful family. My brother and I needed him. There had to be another way, but he just left us. " Layla listened attentively, her heart aching for Sunny's pain. She reached across the table and gently held Sunny's hand, offering comfort and support. "I'm so sorry, Sunny," Layla whispered softly. "That must have been incredibly difficult for you and your family." Sunny nodded, tears streaming down her face. "It was devastating," she replied, her voice trembling. Layla looked at Sunny with kind eyes as she said, "I’m sure he loved you very much."Sunny then said, "If he loved any of us, he wouldn't have killed himself. “ It was a carbon monoxide suicide from car exha
August 30th (Sunday)At Jaspers, you would usually run into your close friends, old high school classmates, and new faces eager to have a good time. They played a variety of music: classic rock, alternative, and some pop. This club definitely met a lot of people's needs in the area, and the best part is that it was nearby, so you did not have to travel outside of Ashville to have a good time.Sunny had taken a cab to meet up with Finn at Jasper’s to have some drinks. She wanted to have some fun, as the next day her family would be returning from Ocean City. And she hoped deeply that, by chance, Layla would join them.__The sound of Sunny's favorite song started playing as soon as she walked through Jasper's in her little black dress. The atmosphere was lively and packed with people dancing and enjoying themselves. She couldn't help but feel excited for the night ahead, and she was hoping to clear her head with everything that was going on between her and Layla.Sunny moved through th
August 30th:Prior to Sunny and Finn going to a nightclub together, Sunny had invited Finn and Layla to come hang out for a while. It would be the first time Sunny saw Layla since their argument, which made things a bit awkward. Two people in a room shared a love connection that they could no longer explore due to it not being accepted. Despite the tension, Sunny hoped that spending time together would help mend their friendship and ease the awkwardness between them.Sunny and Finn chatted away while taking bong hits, while Layla sat across from them in a chair, drinking beer and keeping quiet. Every now and then, she would chime in and act like everything was okay, but Sunny knew that it wasn't. Sunny was aware of Layla's forced attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the underlying tension was palpable.Sunny begged Layla to come out with her and Finn to a nightclub nearby that they often enjoyed going to as a group. Layla hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between Sunny
August 30th:Prior to Sunny and Finn going to a nightclub together, Sunny had invited Finn and Layla to come hang out for a while. It would be the first time Sunny saw Layla since their argument, which made things a bit awkward. Two people in a room shared a love connection that they could no longer explore due to it not being accepted in their social circle or really anywhere. Despite the tension, Sunny hoped that spending time together would help mend their friendship and ease the awkwardness between them.Sunny and Finn chatted away while taking bong hits, while Layla sat across from them in a chair, drinking beer and keeping quiet. Every now and then, she would chime in and act like everything was okay, but Sunny knew that it wasn't. Sunny was aware of Layla's forced attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the underlying tension was palpable.Sunny begged Layla to come out with her and Finn to a nightclub nearby that they often enjoyed going to as a group. Layla hesitated fo
August 19th:Sunny was battling heartbreak all through her work shift, with Beth being different than she usually is. Sunny couldn't help but notice Beth's distant and cold behavior, which only added to her sadness. As the day went on, Sunny wondered what could have caused such a sudden change in her friend. And then it hit her, as she had thought to herself, "I really hope she did not see Layla and I kiss on her balcony." She then reconsidered, saying, No, there is no way she saw that." Sunny's mind raced with worry as she replayed the memory.When Sunny arrived home from work, she soon saw that her brother was doing much better and that his cough was nearly gone, which meant he would have a successful Ocean City trip.Later that evening, Grace Sweeny pulled James and Sunny aside to have a talk, as she was seeing someone new and wanted to share the news with them. Grace explained that she had met someone and wanted to take things slowly. It was a difficult conversation to have, espec
August 16th (Sunday)Sunny wanted to visit Layla, so she took a cab to her apartment. Sunny walked up to the door and gave it a knock. Layla shortly opens the door with a surprised face as she says, "Sunny! "Come on in."Sunny and Layla sit down on the sofa together as Sunny explains the paranormal events that happened to her at night. Layla listens intently, her eyes widening in disbelief, as Sunny fills her in on the Ghostly gray smoke that went right through her body and the strange whispers that filled her room.Layla rubs her arm almost as if she felt goosebumps from hearing Sunny's story. She leans in closer and says, "That sounds absolutely terrifying." She comforts Sunny and tells her everything is going to be okay. However, Layla happens to have a lot on her mind, so she gears the conversation in a different direction. "Luckily, you're safe now, and I'm here for you," Layla reassures Sunny. "But I actually have something I want to talk to you about."Sunny nods and says, "Oh,
August 15th (Saturday)Finn came by to visit James, Sunny, and, of course, sweet Mrs. Sweeney. James happened to have a bad summer cold. He kept coughing and sneezing as his mother looked at him and said, "Boy! That awful cold better be gone before the trip, and I sure hope I don’t catch it! "Finn then looked at Mrs. Sweeney as he asked, "When are you guys going?" “And for how long? “Mrs. Sweeney kindly answered, "From the twenty-eighth to the thirtieth. " We will arrive home on Monday morning, the thirty-first to be exact. I just wish Sunny would go with us! "Finn then looked at Sunny, confused, as he said, "Why are you not going?" Sunny grinned and replied, "I need some alone time. “ Finn nodded understandingly and said, "Ah, I see. Sometimes we all need a little break from each other." ___Finn and Sunny chatted on the couch for a while before they departed to get a quick bite to eat at an outdoor bar in Ashville. Usually James would have gone along, but he was not feeling we
Friday, August 14th Toby went to Beth's parents' house in Verona, knocked on the door, and showed up with beautiful red roses in hand. When Beth opened the door, she was happy to see Toby, but she played it off like she did not know what was going on as she said, "Why thank you, Toby, these are beautiful, but what are they for? "Toby giggled and replied, "Silly goose, I talked to Sunny, and I think you know what is happening? “Beth wiped the sweat from the top of her forehead. She was feeling nervous. "Okay, you got me! “ Beth exclaimed.Toby then said, in a compassionate tone, "It seems like you’re fidgety." You do not need to be nervous. It’s just me. “__Toby had brought a picnic blanket, a bottle of wine, and some sandwiches. Beth's eyes widened in surprise as she realized Toby had planned a romantic picnic for the two of them. She couldn't help but feel her nerves dissipate as she saw the effort he had put into
Finn had shortly followed Blake outside and asked why he looked so pissed off. Blake glanced at Finn, his frustration evident in his eyes as he replied, "Because she's a fucking bitch, that’s why."Finn then solemnly said, "Hey now, that's my friend you're talking about! “Blake then slightly laughed and said, "She’s a bitch! "That's some petty ass shit. " Finn raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Blake's harsh words. Finn stood there silently after the comment Blake had made, but he did have one too many drinks and started laughing loudly. Blake looked at Finn with a smirk as he said, "What’s so funny? "Finn laughed and replied, "I honestly don’t know. Maybe it's because of how mad you are! " Blake rolled his eyes and took a sip of his drink, trying to hide his annoyance. He muttered, "Whatever, man. Just drop it." Finn smirked and said, "Alright, alright. I'll let it go... for now." Finn's laughter slowly subsided as he realized the tension from Blake, and he could see why someo
Halloween 1986On this special Halloween night, Sunny, James, and Rory had made plans to go to a nightclub located in Baltimore City. This nightclub was called The Golden Hammer, and it was a very fun place to be as it had big hair bands that performed rock music on stage. The Golden Hammer was a former brewery built of solid brick with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams, which gave it a really unique look. This club brought the biggest names in the music world together for packed, sweaty, and unforgettable performances. It was known for throwing spectacular Halloween parties every year, with elaborate decorations and costumes that added to the overall atmosphere. It was truly a hotspot for music lovers and partygoers alike, making it the perfect destination for a night out in Baltimore City. At this particular Halloween party, bartenders were costumed as horror movie characters, Play Bunnies, and the club was decked out in festive decorations, including a fog machine in the rea