do after meeting your Best Friend after a long time?—I was sure it hasn't been that long, but it sure does feel like it.

You talk. Gossip. And just talk. Throughout the whole day, Shira never left my side and I didn't leave hers. We talked nonstop about stuff that happened the past few days. I told her everything that happened during the ball and she listened. But, never once did she show sympathy to me. And, I loved that about her. She only looked at me as a strong person and I felt warm inside. I told her about my past too. She listened, placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it, giving me an assuring glance. Talking about the past, made me feel free. Like heavy baggage being put down. The words of my past lingered in the air now. And the wind brought them away from me. Far, far, away.

Theo had come along with her. Theo and Auden were out, to buy some groceries. So, Shira and I had the whole house to ourselves and we sat on the beach. Nope, scratch that. Well, I sat on the beach, a few centimetres away from the water while Shira was drenching her feet in the salty water and squealing when too much water pushed her away.

This little goofball.

The gentle breeze of the wind brushed my skin like the soft hands of Auden, teasing me and pleasuring me. Making me hug myself tighter as I smiled in delight.

I felt at peace.

I always thought I was a weakling. A girl who doesn't know anything about the world. I cried almost every night to sleep back in my house—Randa's house now. It takes a huge effort to free yourself from a memory. I have to be strong enough to let go of the memories.

Am I weak?

But, something told me that I am strong. I never was weak. That I was made strong. I remember thinking of moments where I can just stab myself with the kitchen knife and nobody in the world would care. It was easy. Just a small stab and peace comes. But, something pushed me to never do it. To never give up. To fight back.

Maybe, it was just the pent up anger that was never shown. Maybe, it was hungry vengeance. Maybe, it was just undying hope for a better world. Maybe, it was all of them.

But, I am glad that it didn't happen to me. I am glad that I didn't end my life. Because, if I had, I would have never gotten these. It's true what they say. Don't worry if you are ever in pain. God is always watching. And, he is writing a better story for you. And, I got the best story in the world.

For the first time in my life, I can confidently say, I love my life. My past made me strong. And, I would never change any second of it. I smiled, feeling a surge of relaxation boost through my veins. Peace. I thought it could only be attained after death. That peace is never a permanent thing. But, here I am, finally at peace. Maybe there are still problems and confusions here and there, but they can be solved.

"Shira?"

She turned around, her green hair was bright as the last rays of the sun fell on her. She looked beautiful and I think Theo would feel the same too.

"Yeah?" She asked, her hands placed on her hips. "Oh my god! There is a crab beside you!" She squealed and I didn't have to be told twice as I stood up and ran away. I heard laughter behind me and stopped, realising that she had just played me.

This rascal.

She could flip the world around in just a second. From sadness to complete and utter happiness. I wonder how Theo deals with her moods. Quickly turning around, I ran towards her and she started running away.

I grabbed a rock from the sand and threw it right at her shoulder. She screamed. "You bitch!"

I laughed heartily. "I'm sorry, I don't have anything scheduled today in the form of giving a fuck. But, I can pencil you in for go fuck yourself later tonight." I shouted and she laughed before shouting, "Shut up you slut."

We ran around chasing one another and throwing rocks and a handful of dirty sand towards each other. Suddenly, she stopped, placing her hands on her knees and panted hard as she wiped the sand out of her forehead. I took that as my chance and ran towards her. She looked up and I laughed as I fell right on top of her. Both of us tumbled to the sandy ground and she groaned.

"I love you!" I shouted as I hugged her, lying on top of her. I smirked knowing that it would annoy the shit out of her. She pushed me back and I rolled onto the sandy ground with a thud. Both of us laid there, beside each other, as we panted from all the running. She turned and suddenly, her hands were around mine as I struggled for air. "I love you too, you ugly ass bitch!" She shouted and I laughed, before pushing her away. "Get off me, you little shit!" She rolled back and both of us laughed.

"Girls! Stop playing around, what are you guys? Five?" I heard Theo's teasing voice and both of us looked up. I looked at Auden who was just smiling happily at me. Like he was happy that I was having fun. My heart skipped a beat.

"We are five? Remember that time when you—" Before Shira could even finish the sentence, Theo had pulled her up and kissed her.

The only man who could shut her up and put her on her ass.

Auden held out a hand for me and I grabbed it, wiping the sand off myself and he kissed my forehead tenderly. His nose scrunched up at the sand that stuck to his lips now. He wiped them off and I chuckled. "I'm glad you are having fun." He smiled and I smiled back, giving him a short and sweet peck on his lips.

Soon, both of them left, to sit inside and play video games, they knew that we needed some girl time and they were giving a lot of space. Shira opened her mouth to say something when suddenly Auden jogged towards us. I looked at the small envelopes in his hands and narrowed my eyes. Reaching us, he handed me one envelope and the other one to Shira.

Shira started squealing in happiness and excitement filled me as I looked down at the invitation card to a camp. Camp Queens, held by The Association Queenistas. It was a three days and two nights camp. It was held for fundraising and the money collected will be given to the Child In Need Institute. I smiled. My first camp.

I looked at Shira who was still squealing in happiness. "The Annual Camp Queens! I am so excited." She squealed.

"Are you part of the association?" I eyed the invitation card in her hand. How is she invited? Is she part of the association? It's quite impossible to think of Shira being part of this sorority.

"My Mom is part of the association." She shrugged and my eyes widened. She never told me about her parents.

"I will leave you guys to it," Auden said, giving me a wink and jogged away in his beige shorts.

Both of us sat down. "You never told me about your Mom," I said.

"It never came up." Shira shrugged, looking at the sunset. "Well, I was supposed to be part of the association but, I refused. It was just not good for me. It was not my style. The only thing that I loved about this association was Camp Queens. It is very fun." She shrugged and her eyes looked far away as if she was reminiscing the memories.

"Most of the members there were just fake and all they care about is the latest make-up that Anastasia Beverly Hills has launched." She finished. "It was my dream to open a bakery shop and my mom didn't like that at all. She wanted me to be those perfect princess daughters but I just couldn't. I fought and left the house, to start living my own life." She said. "I still talk to my Mom though. She just doesn't like the idea of the bakery shop and also the colour of my hair." She hugged her knees towards herself and rested her chin on them.

"But, that doesn't mean I am going to dye my hair back to its original colour. I'm Shira Lili Quintana and I don't listen to anybody."

"Except Theo." I teased.

"Shut up bitch." She blushed.

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