—When Lilith grew apart from Adam, she took their son Theon and parted ways with him.

[KARMA]

"IF YOU FORGET to text me Alex, I swear to god I'm driving all the way to Seacrest and I'm going to find you and kick your butt."

My best friend Alexandria who insisted on being called Alex, laughed as she placed her last bag in the car before turning to me with open arms.

"Come here, crazy."

Wrapping my arms around her, I sucked in a deep breath so I could get one last whiff of her smell while still holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Alex, let's go," Her mom called cheerily before getting in the car. I sighed as Alex pulled away to look down at me with a lop-sided smirk.

Thanks to her mom marrying some rich guy she met on a cruise, I was now losing my best friend of seventeen years.

Great.

There was nothing I wanted to do more than cry.

In fact, my best friend had probably been saving me from an emotional breakdown for the last two hours with her stupid ass jokes. But I swallowed it back and tried to crack a grin.

Alex is a little taller than me, standing at 5'6'' while I'm 5'3" and her brown hair was a mess of loose curls that fluffed out around her shoulders while my straightened mane had been bleached a striking platinum blonde. Now, though, I was wearing knotless braids to match. The color stood out against my warm complexion that I'd gotten from my Dads's side of the family.

She was wearing a summer dress that stopped just an inch above her knees, which I'm guessing was her mom's idea since, unlike myself, Alex wasn't one to wear dresses. She was the oversized T shirt and baggy jeans kinda girl.

"You know what, you're coming with me."

I couldn't help but burst out laughing as Alex pulled me into the car and pushed her face into the crook of my neck, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

"I can sneak you in the trunk," She offered, earning another giggle.

"I'm sorry," she sighed, "Everything was so sudden and I just... I don't want you to cry."

I smiled, "It worked."

"I'll miss you, twin" she mumbled, her earlier smirk wilting into a sad smile. The smile I returned was equally depressing.

"I'll miss you too, but don't worry I'll visit soon. I promise."

She nodded and we hugged for the last time before I climbed out of the car and closed the door, watching them drive away.

I waved frantically after her even when the car was out of sight and once I felt that I'd provided enough entertainment for the empty sidewalk, I sighed and turned to look at her old house before me.

It was now empty.

Alex had been my best friend for years, one of the only people who I could say truly knew me for who I really was and now that she was gone, it felt like an important part of myself went with her.

We were as close as could be, having grown up together. We were almost sisters.

And now she was just...gone.

Walking over to the breach in the fence separating our houses, I slipped into my own yard, heading up to the door and heading inside.

Mom was just coming out of the kitchen, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun that was covered with a mesh cap. She looked tired as usual but she still gave me a smile when she saw me.

"Are you doing okay, Sweetie?" She asked.

Mom knew how close Alex and I were and with the look I was sporting, she was right to ask.

"Yeah, I'm peachy," I shrugged my shoulders, feigning nonchalance even though I was sure the waterworks were only a blink away.

"Okay honey, go clean up. Dinner's almost ready," She wiped her hands in her apron and I nodded, tramping up the stairs and down the hallway to the bathroom I shared with my sister.

After washing my hands and face, I was about to head back down when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was my boyfriend, Chester.

Chet: Babe, I have this really funny joke

I chuckled before typing a reply.

Me: Okay. Tell me!

Chet: What do you call a cow with no legs?

Grinning, I texted back.

Me: I don't know. What?

Chet: GROUND BEEF

Snorting, I replied.

Me: Get out.

He was so stupid but did I care? I had the same humor as him, it was just hidden under layers of sarcasm most times.

Chet: I'M STILL CRYINFG

Me: . . .

Chuckling, I shook my head.

Chet is way nicer than his appearance suggests, with his broad shoulders and square jaw—and even though he was only funny in an ironic way, he's absolutely perfect in my eyes.

My boyfriend may eat, sleep and breathe sports, but he isn't your typical jock, at least not when you compare him to the rest of 'The Lab's male population.

You'd be surprised how many guys take up football just to get some ass.

Satin Ridge High is called Satan's Lab, or The Lab as a joke because it was rumored that some science teachers were conducting illegal experiments on the old chemistry block back in the 70's and our town is so boring that the rumor quickly spread like wildfire.

There was barely anything else to do anyways and everyone knew everyone. It wasn't too small of a town, but it certainly wasn't a big city either, though we lived right on the outskirts of one.

I was scared that if I didn't escape small-town life soon, though, I would actually wind up spending the rest of my life here, and that would be miserable. Alex and I had planned to leave for college and never come back after high school and I really thought we'd make it happen, but it seemed as if fate had other things in store for us.

At the beginning of my relationship with Chet, rumors sprung up that he'd gotten a serious head injury at his previous game and that's why he was suddenly interested in a nobody like me.

I found it funny because they weren't far off.

If you ask me how I scored the hottest guy in town, anything I say would be a lie since I have no idea myself—but sometimes I think it's a curse because he tells me corny jokes like those and expects me to actually be entertained by them.

I still remember the exact day I fell in love with Chester Ferrick.

I was in sixth grade, standing next to the broken water fountain that would always squirt you unexpectedly if you were ever in the wrong place at the right time.

It started with his best friend, Adam saying something about my looks that really hurt, though I don't remember what the actual comment was and all his friends ended up laughing and joining in.

But not Chet. He smiled at me.

"I think she's pretty," He'd said quietly, which led to an argument between him and Adam that ended when we were shooed off to class by a teacher.

Despite being called a simp, Chet never went back on his words and though it was a small gesture at the time, it was one I would never forget. One I would obsess over for years and years (and years) until finally, I manifested exactly what I wanted.

Me: I love you but you're the most unfunny person in the world.

Chet: Unfunny is not a word babe

It is now.

Me: It's a good thing you can play sports cause oof...

Chet: I can play football and still be a comedian

Me: Just accept that there's ONE thing you're not good at

Chet: But a joke a day keeps the depression kitty away

I smiled at my phone, pulling my lower lip between my teeth as I eyed his profile picture. In it, he was wearing a T-rex costume him and Adam had bought from a thrift shop.

Chet was goofy but he definitely knew how to nurture someone as well. For all the months we've been dating he's been a constant pillar of strength for me and I was grateful for that, even if it came with terrible jokes.

Me: It's okay to be hot and stupid

Chet: You think I'm stupid? :(

Me: Stupid hot.

Chet: But you still love me, right? Please don't be dating me for my looks. My people age like milk.

I chuckled before responding.

Me: Just because you're hot doesn't mean I only like you for your looks. That's only a bonus.

Chet: Why else would you like me if it's not my sense of humor?

Sir, you have the sense of humor of a five year old child.

Me: There are other things.

Chet: What things?

Me: Your lips. 10/10 best kisser.

Me: Your smell. Please never stop using that fancy soap your mom always gets.

Chet: Okay. I didn't know that. Glad you told me x

Me: And your hands are sexy af.

Chet: Lol how can hands be sexy??

Me: Idk but yours are.

Me: I think about you touching me a lot.

Chet: Wow!

Chet: Okay I did not expect you to say that

Chet: Wow that's crazy

Chet: In what way, exactly?

I knew he was flustered from the barrage of messages that kept coming in and I couldn't stop giggling at the same time.

The fact that he could go from the cocky star player who was the envy of every guy in school, to a shy clingy mess all because of me, was really adorable.

Me: You're such a tease.

Chet: What? How? lol

There was so much I wanted to say to him but I settled on a simple response.

Me: I miss you

Me: I'm gonna have dinner ttyl

I went downstairs to find that Mom and my little sister Kaitlyn were already seated.

My mom is a primary care physician at our local hospital and she was rarely ever home to make us dinner since she's always on call and works the longest shifts known to man. Because of this, whenever she could make it to dinner it always turned into a Q&A session.

I took my place at the table and we said grace. Then I knew what was coming next.

"How was your day, honey?" She asked as I grabbed a fork.

Her smile was warm, not forced, and I knew she was glad to see us, even if it was just for dinner.

"It was fine," I replied, "Despite everything. How was your day, Mom?"

She heaved a sigh, "Long and stressful but I'm glad it's over now," She then looked over at Kaitlyn, "How are things with you, Honey?"

"Fine, Mom," Kait groaned.

"Are you sure? Is there anything I need to know?"

"No, Mom," She drawled, stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork.

"You know you can always talk to me," Mom said, sounding a little hurt.

Kaitlyn rolled her eyes, "You don't need to know everything, Mom."

Mom only gave a downturned smile "Okay, sweetie. Just remember that this is a safe space. I want you to note that you can always talk to me."

Kaitlyn grumbled something before focusing on her food again and I sighed.

Kait is sixteen and still going through that phase where parents were apparently the enemy.

Mom turned her attention back to me, "Karma?"

Using my fork to push the food around on my plate, I gave her a reassuring smile, "Well, I got a B+ on my history report."

She smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she placed a hand over mine, patting it and seeming satisfied with my answer, "That's great news honey, I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom."

The table was quiet for a while as we ate in silence. I've learned not to lay bad news on my mom after she'd had a long week at work since her job was already so stressful. Usually something good, anything at all no matter how insignificant, will satisfy her.

After brooding for a while Kaitlyn finally spoke up, "There's a new boy in Karma's grade and everyone's saying he's a vampire."

I rolled my eyes at that but mom looked over at Kaitlyn with a forced smile, her brown hairfalling around her face as she shook her head, "A vampire?"

"I know vampires aren't real or whatever," Kait was getting excited now, "But you should see him, Mom. He's so hot!"

Mom raised a stern eyebrow at her, "You're not allowed to date yet, young lady."

"I'm not dating. I'm just saying he's really cute, in a weird emo-vampire-boy kinda way," Kaitlyn said in her defense and Mom looked over at me.

"Do you know this boy, Karma?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so."

"His name is Tyler. Tyler Parish," She grinned, "I swear, Kam, he's like a model. How have you never seen him before? He transferred a few weeks ago and he's always like really really mysterious and scary looking."

Tyler Parish?

I tried to conjure up a face for the name but I couldn't.

"I don't think I know him. Why are people saying he's a vampire anyway?" I questioned.

"He has fangs," Kaitlyn explained, waving her fork. "Like really sharp canines, you know? They stick out sometimes and De'Ante swears he saw it himself. He even sent a picture, I'll forward it to you."

"I'm sure that's only a silly rumor," Mom spoke up, "But in any case you should really learn to stay away from boys like that Kaitlyn. The 'mysterious and scary looking' types never have your best interests at heart."

"Yup," I agreed, "If you're going to date anyone, you should go for Matthew Fuller instead.”

Kaitlyn gave me the ugliest look I've ever seen her sport to date, "You can't be serious."

"What? He's good-looking, responsible, and he's like a genius."

My little sister looked ready to strangle me, "Yeah, I'm NOT dating a guy who's always too busy making out with himself-"

"You're such a hypocrite," I grinned playfully. We bickered like this all the time, "If I’d said Ashton Fuller you'd be foaming at the mouth and that boy only has like three brain cells total."

Kaitlyn started fanning herself dramatically at the mention of Ashton and I let out a laugh just as Mom's phone stated to ring.

Her face fell when she answered the call and from her replies I could tell it was work related.

She then hung up and gave us both an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry girls I have to-"

"We know, Mom," I offered an understanding smile, "It's okay."

Smiling back appreciatively, she came around to give both of us a kiss on the head then grabbed her coat. Pushing my chair back from the table, I followed her to the door.

"Remember to lock all the doors and windows Karma and make sure Kaitlyn doesn't stay up past ten."

I nodded.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," I smiled then closed the door after she left.

When I got back to the dining room Kaitlyn was gone. I wasn't very hungry so I left my plate in the microwave and headed upstairs to take a shower.

It was around ten pm when I finally got out of the warm shower and I dressed in my underwear and one of Chet's T-shirts that I'd stolen.

I left my room and went down the hall to peek in Kaitlyn's room where I saw her sitting by the edge of her bed.

"He can drop dead. Is that Toni? Hiii Toni-Ann! Where's Eliza?" She waved enthusiastically at her laptop and I heard a chorus of hey's back at her over loud music playing in the background.

My brows furrowed as I took in her appearance. She was wearing an absurd amount of makeup and luckily the webcam was only showing her top half since she didn't bother to put on pants.

What is wrong with today's kids?

"Um, Kaitlyn what-"

"Get out!" She whisper-shouted, baring her teeth as she slammed her laptop closed.

"Well, it's bedtime,'' I tapped the imaginary watch on my wrist and she groaned, throwing herself back against her downy pillows.

"But I'm at a party! Kam please don't do this."

I rolled my eyes. Just like mom, I had a hard time being firm since I hated confrontation and Kaitlyn would use that to her advantage.

"Fine," I sighed, "You have half an hour and then straight to bed."

She gave me a large fake smile before shoo-ing me out of her room and I shook my head, closing the door behind me and headed back to my own room as I stifled a yawn.

After such a long day I was exhausted.

I had helped out when Alex was packing to leave and we'd separated the things she wanted to keep and all the things she would be donating. Alex didn't really care to bring much with her and would have even preferred to leave it all behind since she was ever the pessimist and didnt grow emotionally attached to things or people easily.

She had a blunt kind of personality and an odd sense of humor that could be off-putting to the wrong people, too.

Knowing Alex like the back of my hand helped when I sorted through what she would bring with her. You see, packing (and everything else under the sun) was a chore for Alex who could not pay attention to anything around her for more than five seconds.

And Kaitlyn too who helped out for the same length of time before she curled up in the empty corner of the bedroom where the couch used to sit, texting.

I'd like to say Kaitlyn and I are pretty close despite our differences. We had our usual fights because of her explosive temper but in the end we were still sisters who would always be there for each other.

I sometimes feel like we're two completely different species though.

She was very close to becoming one of those airhead populars and it made me sick to think about, but still, it's her life.

I can only pick her up if she falls.

Climbing into bed, I stifled yet another yawn and pulled the blanket over my head.

I laid there for a long time before I pulled it down again and let my eyes wander to my phone which I had left on my nightstand to charge.

Okay maybe another hour and then I'll sleep.

I scrolled through my social media feed without really focusing on much of the content and just when I was about to lock my phone again, a notification popped up.

Chet: Baby

Chet: Come back I'm having withdrawals or something ;(

Me: Hii

Chet: Hi loml!

Chet: Are you okay?

Me: Yah just tired

Chet: Aw :( I wish I could cuddle you

Me: Me too :(

Chet: Well if you're too tired to stay up you should get some rest beautiful. I'd love to talk more but I'll just have to wait until I see you again

Me: Okay gn

Chet: I love you, goodnight Princess :)

Me: I love you tooo

I really was about to sleep but after a few minutes my phone pinged with a notification, and instead of Chet like I was expecting, it was a text from Ashton Fuller that had me raising both brows.

Again?

This is the third night in a row that Ashton's messaged me out of the blue and it was never anything of substance either.

Ashton was one of Chet's friends.

One I knew all too well.

For a while before Chet and I started dating, Ashton took a slight interest in me. Nothing serious because Ashton Fuller was never serious.

He had the reputation of being a shameless, for lack of a better term—fuckboy.

Ashton and his fraternal twin Matthew were both good looking for sure with their lustrous reddish hair, striking green eyes and chiseled faces that made them look like some kind of Abercrombie models. Sadly, Ashton was one of those jerks who got into football to get ass.

I shared a few classes with Matthew, and though they were alike in some ways, Ashton was definitely more of a 'people person' if you catch my drift.

Mathew on the other hand, was a closed book. A mystery no one seemed to be able to figure out quite yet, and he was almost Ashton's complete opposite, being as antisocial as they come.

Ashton Fuller: You up?

Me: Yeah, why?

Ashton Fuller: Cool, same.

Once again, Ashton didn't seem to have anything better to do than strike up meaningless conversations when normal people were trying to get their beauty sleep.

I sucked my teeth and set the phone down just as another notification came in .

Ashton Fuller: So wyd?

Me: Why the hell are you texting me?

Ashton Fuller: I'm just bored. Why the hell are you so crabby?

Me: Because I know you.

If Ashton was hitting me up for no reason at these odd hours, he was clearly looking to hook up.

Why did I even waste my time responding?

Ashton Fuller: Okay.

Me: What exactly is your reason for texting me in the middle of the night?

Ashton Fuller: I need a reason now?

Ashton Fuller: Can't I just come over? I hate texting.

I stared at my phone with furrowed brows and the most befuddled expression.

Me: Ashton, I have a boyfriend.

Me: One you know very well.

Ashton Fuller: So that means I can't come over?

Me: What part about me in a whole relationship aren't you getting?

Ashton Fuller: The part where I don't give two shits about your stupid boyfriend, Summers.

Ashton Fuller: I'm just trying to hang out.

Me: I'm not interested. If you're bored, then you can read a book or something and leave me out of it. Goodnight.

THE UNFUNNY BOYFRIEND

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