Chapter 1: Blackville Bound
The hum of the moving truck vibrated through the floorboards, a low thrumming soundtrack to the chaos of our move. Boxes overflowed from every room, their contents a jumbled mess of my life, meticulously packed yet somehow still feeling like a disaster waiting to happen. My parents, bless their well-meaning hearts, bustled around like frantic squirrels, directing movers and barking orders with the efficiency of seasoned generals. My dad, Rhett, a man whose charm could melt glaciers, was currently attempting to negotiate the placement of a particularly ornate antique clock. My mother, Mersia, the elegant and ever-composed owner of Meria Jewelers, was overseeing the inventory of our precious family heirlooms, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Nia, darling," my mother called, her voice a melodic counterpoint to the cacophony. "Have you remembered to pack your legal textbooks? Your first year at Thornblack is going to be demanding."
"Yes, Mom," I replied, shoving a silk scarf into a suitcase already overflowing with clothes. "Everything's packed. I even managed to squeeze in my entire collection of questionable novels." I smirked, knowing she'd disapprove, but she just sighed, a small smile playing on her lips.
My phone buzzed, a cheerful ringtone cutting through the air. It was Zenny.
"Hey, Z," I answered, leaning against a stack of boxes. "How's the apartment? Ready for the Carter invasion?"
"Girl, you wouldn't believe the chaos," Zenny's voice crackled through the speaker. "It's like a hurricane hit a designer boutique. But hey, at least the champagne is chilled. And guess what? I snagged us VIP tickets to The Giant Pool Party – TGP – tonight!"
"Seriously? You're the best," I exclaimed, a genuine grin spreading across my face. The thought of a pool party, a chance to escape the suffocating pressure of the move, was a welcome distraction. "I'll be there, swimsuit at the ready. See you in Blackville."
The drive to Blackville was a blur of passing scenery, the anticipation building with every mile. The new mansion, a sprawling estate that dwarfed our previous home in Noirhill, loomed before us like a gothic fairytale castle. Zenny was already there, waiting on the porch, a whirlwind of energy and designer chic. She hugged me tight, her excitement palpable.
"Welcome to Blackville, bitch!" she exclaimed, pulling me inside. The house was even more impressive up close, a testament to my family's success in the jewelry business – a success I still didn't fully understand.
After a quick lunch, a much-needed nap, and a frantic attempt to unpack enough to feel somewhat human, Zenny dragged me upstairs to her room.
"Okay, so, TGP," she began, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's going to be epic. Think sun-kissed bodies, ridiculously attractive college boys, and enough champagne to drown a small elephant. And, of course, our killer swimsuits." She gestured to a selection of dazzling bikinis laid out on her bed. "I've got a feeling tonight's going to be legendary."
I couldn't help but laugh. Zenny had a knack for making even the most mundane events feel extraordinary. And tonight, I had a feeling she was right. Blackville, here I come. And with a pool party and a whole new life waiting, I was ready for anything.
