Letting Go!

"Now, tell me. What secret are you and Mom hiding from me, Belly?"

Belly scoffed and began to laugh. "I have no idea what prank you are pulling, but you can trust me Scar, Mom and I are not hiding anything from you."

Slowly, Scarlett nodded. "Okay. I'll end the conversation if you say so. That's Mia you're looking for." Scarlett said as she peered over Belly's shoulder. I will find my way back to the car." She whirled around and started moving once more. When she arrived at the car, she unlocked the door when a recognisable head suddenly emerged and startled her by blowing confetti in her face. "What are you two doing here? You scared me." It was her very best pal. Cornelia and Avery.

Cornelia and Avery have been Scarlett's friends right from childhood, and their parents are also each other's best friends.

Avery has long black hair. She wore ankle boots over her short, pink leather skirt. She was standing next to Cornelia, who was petite. She wore long blue jean trousers with an open back top, and she had neck-length black hair. Her earlobes were pierced three times each.

"I'm sorry, but I warned her against it. She just wouldn't listen." Avery said while giving Cornelia a scathing glare.

"Scar, I'm sorry. I thought it would make you feel better." Cornelia said.

After rolling her eyes, Scarlett made room for her friends to exit the vehicle. As she cleared the last of the confetti from her face and clothing, she questioned, "How would confetti make me feel happier on a funeral day? And how did you two enter the car without using keys?"

The keys were brought out, and Cornelia jiggled them in front of her. "I kind of stole the extra one from the driver." Scarlett gave her a look. "When he wasn't looking." Feeling awkward, Cornelia said what she had to say.

"We just want everything to go well for you today, Scarlett." Avery said.

"Well, no, it isn't." She put the umbrella away inside the vehicle after closing it. "Guys, I just need to be by myself. Please."

Avery gave Cornelia a brief glance before turning to face Scarlett. "Because of you, we chose to attend a party today. You need the distraction. It will help you. Please do not decline."

Scarlett groaned. "You don't understand! He was my best friend. I can't go to a party because my dad was recently buried. I need some space, guys." As she entered the car furiously, she slammed the door behind her.

As she started to sob, she leaned back against the chair. The window wasn't transparent, so she won't even be seen if anyone tries to peer through. With her necklace in hand, Scarlett started thinking back on old times. That was a gift from her father given to her for her birthday last year and she hasn't taken it off since. Scarlett couldn't help but cry as she recalled that her dad also owned the same necklace. Her father won't be visiting her anymore. He won't be returning with a lot of presents or hugs anymore.

She picked up her phone and sent her friends a text. "Does the invitation still stand?" As soon as she asked, she heard a knock on the door. Scarlett opened it, and in front of her were her two best friends.

"I had a feeling you'd turn around." Cornelia said. "But we can't allow you to attend a party wearing funeral clothes," she added.

Scarlett looked down at her outfit before turning to face her friends. "I don't have any clothes with me. I will have to go back to the mansion to get some." As she spoke, her voice was shaky.

"Well, luckily for you, Cornelia and I brought something you might like." Avery gave Cornelia a signal, and Cornelia gave Scarlett the bag she was holding.

Scarlett looked inside and then turned to face her friends. "I don't know, guys. I kind of feel guilty."

"Because of your dad?"

She became silent.

That evening, she had called her friends to inform them of her father's death and the detective who had brought his body home. Scarlett never hid anything from her friends and Cornelia and Avery came to visit her the following day after school.

"Everyone at school knows." Avery clarified. Scarlett needed to get ready to know how to compose herself once she got back to school. "But they all sent their greetings. They are also aware that today is the funeral, so once you return home, I bet you will find a lot of gifts waiting for you."

Scarlett sighed. She was a good person, and she knew it, but she wasn't good to her mother and there were good reasons for that. She thought she could forgive her mother after what her father said but she just couldn't.

Scarlett recently found some wine and alcohol under the kitchen cabinet and she was aware that her mother was still using alcohol to escape her problems. She also knew that now that Edward was gone, her mother would likely continue to drink.

"Cheer up, Scar. I promise, you will be fine. You just need to get to the party and enjoy yourself. Tucker will be there."

"Tucker will be there?" Scarlett inquired, in disbelief.

Since they were young children, she has loved Tucker, and she was sure that he felt the same way. She still believes it.

"Scar, don't worry. Tucker will be with you tonight." Avery and Cornelia both laughed, and Scarlett had a hunch that her friends were up to no good.

"I don't know what you guys are up to, but he can't. He is still with Cassy. I'm curious as to why he seems to be unaware that she is cheating on him."

"Well, perhaps you can tell him at the party, and then he will officially be yours." Cornelia said.

"You are right. I will make him mine tonight." Inhaling deeply, Scarlett reached for her necklace and kissed it. "I'm sorry, Daddy, but I guess it is time to let you go."