The True Colours Of L.I.F.E

Hello there, I’m Scarlett from Los Angeles. I was born to two rich and most influenced business magnets in the whole city. Growing up I rarely saw my parents at home because they were abroad to settle collaborations with other companies and take care of them. And even if they were back home, they never spent time with me or my sister and kept working, so I grew up with a bunch of nannies who took care of me and my younger sister, Sarah. While I was the popular kid in school, Sarah was the complete opposite, she was a quiet nerd and the target for bullies.

One fine day I went shopping in a Gucci store for the latest handbag which I liked a lot, when I got a call from Sarah, she sounded like she was crying and there was a lot of chaos in the background. I got worried and I asked “What happened dear?” Sarah said “Scarlett come home quickly, I’m scared…. Please hurry up…” before I could question her further, she hung up. My heart was pounding so fast. I immediately took my car and raced home. I reached home in a couple of minutes, the sight in front of me froze my nerves, my mom was arrested, our house seized, Sarah crying not knowing what to do, the people with whom I was once friendly and cheerful were giving me disgusted looks.  I couldn’t process what was happening and before I knew it, I blacked out.

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in a hospital,the first thing I saw was a weeping Sarah and a nurse. Sarah seemed happy when I opened my eyes and hugged me tightly. I broke the hug and asked her “What happened to me?” Sarah seemed hesitant but replied “You fainted seven hours ago and now you finally woke up” without wasting any time I questioned her “What happened? Why was mom arrested? What exactly happened?” She seemed sad and her happy face turned pale. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I asked her impatiently, “Please don’t give me this silent treatment and reply.” Sarah said “The Police department claimed that mom and dad were involved in the recent seven hundred million theft from the Ally bank headquarters. So, the police officers arrested mom and informed us that dad escaped because he was guilty. They also seized our mansion and our wealth, ” I was astonished, I couldn’t believe that mom and dad would do such a thing. I said “So, now we’re homeless and our parents are criminals?” Sarah nodded her head with a disappointed look. “Wait, is there any proof that they stole the money?” Sarah replied “Yeah, the officers came with proof against mom and dad.” Then the doctor came in and prescribed me some meds to make sure I am alright and sadly we didn’t even have money for those medicines as Sarah used up all her pocket money on my hospital admission and I on the Gucci handbag which was worthless at our state. We walked out of the hospital slowly; we didn’t even have a penny with us. We were numbly roaming on the streets when I saw my bestie, Summer along with her group. I went up to them with Sarah, and spoke “Hey bestie, what’s up?” to my utter surprise she gave a disgusted look and walked away acting as if she never knew me! So, all this while she was just pretending to be my friend, just for money! Sarah placed her hand on my shoulder and said “C’mon Scarlett, let’s get going.”

We walked and I saw a small café,I took Sarah’s hand and dragged her in and went to the café’s manager and I asked her pleasingly “Hello ma’am, I’m Scarlett and this is my sister, Sarah. Ma’am may I work here as a waitress, please let us as we’re really short of money.” The manager nodded gladly as she also needed a waitress. Then I asked her for some advance and we got $70. My joy was short-lived though, as I never did a job and made a mistake on the first day, shattering a coffee cup into multiple pieces and splashing coffee all over a customer’s hand. So, obviously I got fired on the spot, I also had to return all the advance amount to the manager. And Sarah felt disappointed, and I also felt sad to find myself and my sister in such a horrible situation with no roof on top of our heads, no money and no food. For the first time I felt so useless and helpless. It was about 8 o’clock at night, when a tall figure with a black hoodie approached me. I was frightened for our safety and I took a branch from the tree nearby and started hitting the hooded figure. The hooded figure started speaking, he said “Ouch, Ms. Dog why are you hitting me with that stick instead of biting me with your sharp teeth?” I was shocked, I said “Skyler, is that you?!!” Skyler was my childhood best friend who shifted to New York with his parents because of their business and now he was back in L.A. “Wow! You recognized me? He said removing his hoodie. I replied “Yes, after all you are the only one who calls me dog.” He sarcastically said “Ha ha, very funny.” I asked “You came back here for a trip?” He replied “Nope, I shifted here again.” I squealed in excitement as my childhood bestie whom I thought I would never meet was back here and this time, forever. Skyler said “Whoa, Stop barking dog.” I just hit his arm playfully and said “Stop calling me a dog!” Skyler said “I’m sorry for you and your sister. I saw the news on the television about your parents. Come let’s go to my place. You both can stay there till you both are financially stable and I’ll ask my parents to help you both to school. I am sure they’ll agree.” I replied “Don’t be sorry, my parents committed a crime. And are you sure your parents won’t be mad at you for bringing home a criminal’s daughters?” He replied “No, not at all they liked you and Sarah since we were young additionally, it’s not your fault your parents are criminals.” I hugged and started sobbing. He consoled me, and Sarah thanked him and we boarded his car and we had a lot of fun chit chats on the way home.

By the time we reached his house it was 9 o’clock and their house was the biggest mansion I’ve ever seen. It resembles a king’s palace. We slowly entered through the main door and we saw Skyler’s parents and his younger brother, Charlie sitting on the huge couch in front of the T.V. and his grandmother was sitting on her wheel chair as she was paralysed since we were young, as soon as they saw us coming along with Skyler everyone except Charlie warmly welcomed just like Skyler had told us. I felt Charlie was just looking at us like the children of two criminals and he also seemed annoyed at our sudden presence. Skyler’s mom said “Come on dears, we have a guest room ready for you both. You both are allowed to stay here as long as you want to.” “And additionally, you both can continue to go to your school. I will pay the fees along with Skyler’s and Charlie’s fees. Be sure to show them both around, as they are new to the house.” I nodded and thanked them. Skyler was showing the way to the guest room. I asked him “What’s up with Charlie? He seems annoyed at out presence.” Sarah also agreed with me. Skyler rolled his eyes and replied “You know him since he was a baby, he always feels uneasy when anyone is around but, just ignore him.” I said “Well, if he feels uncomfortable around us then we can stay in the small hut in your garden, we’ll make ourselves at home there plus, you people also need your privacy for family matters.” Skyler looked disappointed and said “No, you’re not staying in the small smelly hut, if you insist then I’ll also come to stay there along with you people.” I said “Chill, dude it’s only a matter of days don’t feel sad. I’m telling you we will be comfortable there.” Skyler firmly said “Ok, I am not forcing you, Scarlett but my condition for you to go there is, I’ll also accompany you both in that hut.” I sighed and said “Okay, master we’ll stay here in your home.” Skyler smiled and said “Obedient girl.” The room given to us was gigantic and beautiful. I couldn’t thank Skyler enough for his help in our current situation.

 After about half-an-hour we were called for dinner. The dining table was filled with a variety of mouth watering dishes and they all seemed like mine and Sarah’s favorite dishes. As we didn’t eat lunch in the afternoon we gulped all of the dinner served to us very quickly. We thanked them again for the delicious dinner and headed towards our room. Me and Sarah slept after the dinner when we were in deep slumber, we heard a knock on the door it was 12am who would come now I thought but mustered up my courage and opened the door there was no one I closed the door and was about to off the lights when I heard a louder knock again this time. I opened the door and found no one yet again. I got worried and I went and slept on my bed and covered myself with a blanket head to toe. There was a knock again on the door. This time I wanted to scream my lungs out but I was scared to disturb everyone’s sleep so, I ignored the continuous loud knocks and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sleep so I gathered myself up and took a baseball bat beside the bed and opened the door. As soon as I opened the door, I saw a white tall figure with a scary face. Me and Sarah screamed on top of my lungs and started hitting the ghost suddenly, the lights were on and everyone assembled near our room. They looked at the ghost suspiciously and removed the mask of the ghost. I was shocked it was Charlie and he tried to scare me and Sarah but why did he do that? Charlie spoke up “Hey, chill everyone it is April fool’s day so I thought to have fun with the guests.” Skyler got mad and scolded Charlie for scaring us the day we came here everyone except Skyler dispersed to their rooms. Skyler said “I’m sorry on behalf of my brother, he was always like this. You know, right?” I nodded and said “It’s just his childish nature, you need not apologize and it was just for fun, chill.” Skyler nodded and said “Sleep well.” I nodded and shrugged it off and slept till 9 in the morning. I saw Sarah was already done bathing and got ready for school and here I am still the sleepy head who just got up. I pushed Sarah aside and rushed to the bathroom and got ready very quickly. 

We both went down, at the same time and we ate breakfast and boarded their luxury car and drove off to school along with Skyler and Charlie. As we all got out of the car. All the eyes were on us, I could sense it. Me and Sarah parted ways near her classroom. Me and Skyler were in the same class so we sent Charlie to his class and we both went to our class room. I went to my friend, Suzy to sit beside her as I was about to sit, she kept her bag on the seat and said “Sorry, criminal’s daughter but this seat is occupied.” I wanted to slap her hard for saying that maybe, I was a criminal’s daughter but I am not at fault that they are criminals plus, it doesn’t mean I am a criminal too. And so, I protested for myself “Hey, who do you think you are? The Princess? You are a mere useless girl who can’t even score a mark in an exam without cheating. Use your brain and study rather than meddling in other people’s work and lives. Additionally, my parents are criminals but they at least are not like you who just insult a friend and utilize friends for their money, how cheap of you.” Suzy replied “OMG! Now you’re blaming me that I wasn’t a real friend to you. Dude come to reality no one’s a true friend. Stop this drama.” I scoffed in disbelief and at her stupidness just sat beside the nerd, Mark. Mark was just so mysterious, he sleeps the whole day in the last bench and is still the class topper and he is also not regular to school and he is quiet. But hey, I had no option as Skyler sat beside Jake, a gossip master and there were no other seats empty so, I had no other choice.

 After about 4 hours, it was lunch break and everyone was heading towards the canteen when I heard Suzy’s scream. I turned to see what happened, she was dazzling in glitter. I asked Mark what happened as he saw everything that had happened. He replied “Oh, basically she opened her book in which we did our recent English Grammar project with gold glitter spread all over her face. That’s why she is screaming like a mental patient. I couldn’t stop giggling at her condition, not because I am a sadist but because of what a fake friend she was. Then Mark came up on the scene and said “Oh, poor Suzy’s beautiful face is now more gorgeous, now it looks like she is the Shimmering Sun in the day. Now, no one will dare look at her. It’s as if staring at the Sun does damage to our eyes, and staring at Suzy makes us all look as filthy and contaminated as her heart. I here-by would love to inform everyone not to communicate with her as she just thinks friendship is fake and just uses her so-called friends for their money.” Everyone’s mouth was wide open at the way Mark spoke to her and I was amazed and couldn’t thank him enough for teaching everyone about what kind of a person Suzy is. He simply told me “Ms. Scarlett, don’t be too kind as far as I remember you used to hate me and this sudden thanking programme doesn’t suit me. I just didn’t like the way she behaved with you this morning. That’s all.” So, basically, he didn’t care whether my parents committed a crime or not as far as he is concerned, it is whether the person is clear as glass by heart or not. So, he is not like Summer and Suzy, the people who only share the good in a friend’s life and run away like a coward in bad times, he is a totally different person. So, I thought that we both could be friends and I asked him “Umm…. Mark, can we be friends?” He looked at me with a face full of doubts and nodded. I didn’t expect he would agree to be my friend but, anyways I was happy.

Me, Mark and Skyler sat at the same table to have lunch together in the canteen. We all shared our lunches with each other and chit chatted. After we all ate till our stomach’s content, we went to class and after the completion of classes, Mark left for his home. Me and Skyler went to take Sarah and Charlie from their respective classes and we went home in Skyler’s car.

 After freshening up, Skyler’s mom called me and Sarah to eat evening snacks. Charlie was present but Skyler wasn’t there. I asked his mom about Skyler, she replied “Scarlett, he doesn’t like to eat snacks in the evening.” But, in our childhood he always used to have snacks and it was his favorite. I thought that after many years maybe his habits and favourites changed. I was about to have the snacks when I heard a loud thud from upstairs and it seemed like it was from my room. I tried to go upstairs but as soon as, I heard the loud cracking of a vase from my room upstairs, I got up from the couch to make my way upstairs, when Skyler’s mom popped out of nowhere and said “Scarlett dear, why are you heading up and downstairs exhausting yourself? I’ll send a maid to check if anything broke in your room and if anything did then, she’ll clean it up and it’s quite windy today. Maybe, something broke due to the heavy wind. Don’t worry.” Sweat was dripping down her forehead as she was telling all this. I felt something was going wrong but I shrugged the feeling off and started enjoying the snacks.

Later, I went back to my room and surprisingly, the things in my room were misplaced. I thought it was Sarah who created this mess as she came to the room 10 minutes early and Skyler was also upstairs but he wouldn’t check through my stuff, I trust him more than myself. I cleaned the mess and I started my homework when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to find Charlie. I warmly welcomed him in but he refused to come in and said “Scarlett you’ve got to be careful you’re in danger.” He dashed away before I could question him. I felt unsure of the incidents that recently took place and I decided to take it this time seriously. After a good amount of time, at the dining table after eating dinner Skyler’s mother asked me to help her with the dishes. I swiftly answered, “Sure aunty, it’s my pleasure to help you.” Before leaving to the kitchen, I told Sarah to go to our room at any cost using any sort of excuse. Sarah looked at me confused but she nodded. As I expected, Skyler’s dad tried to stop her but she said “I have a stomach ache, uncle. I want to sleep.” She managed it nicely. I am proud to have a sister who has a brain. 

The following day, the sun was shining brightly on top of our heads, before going to school. I locked my room because of my suspicion on the family, which is not yet confirmed. In school I went to the restroom. By the time I came back, I found Skyler snooping through my bag. I went up to him and asked “Skyler what are you doing?” He seemed shocked to see me return quickly. He stuttered and came up with a quick excuse “M…me? M…my pe…pen fell down…It’s not on the f-floor so I’m searching if it fell in your bag. Yes, that’s all. Do you think I am a thief?” He said and seemed like he was lying. I said “Nah, why would I think so? Just asking out of curiosity.” It was lunch time when Mark pulled me aside and said “Scarlett your so called BFF seems doubtful of something and he seems like he is doing the duty of a detective on a suspect. So, basically all I want to say is, be cautious. Not because you are doing wrong but the boy seems to be up to something suspicious!” I nodded as I saw the concern in his eyes and words as a typical friend and I also felt suspicious of him.

 The same night I was twisting and turning in the bed, unable to let sleep take over me due the suspiciousness in the environment around me. I wondered why my bestie and his family are all behaving all doubtfully?  Countless questions crossed my mind the time when the vase broke leaving the room all unarranged. When Charlie told me to be careful, Skyler snooping through my bag, these instances made me more and more restless. Unknowingly, I drifted into sleep. 

The next morning, I was heading downstairs when I bumped into Charlie, who was carrying a bunch of files to his father’s office in the house. All the files were miscarried due to me bumping into him so, while I was giving him a hand to clear the mess a red file caught my attention which had my parent’s name in it. I quickly shoved the file in my school bag while I avoided being caught. I made my way to my room to check the file because of the doubts I had. The content I saw in it made my hands tremble and mind go blank. I felt terrible, disgusted and betrayed by every single person belonging to Skyler’s family. I realized my own friend, who I trusted more than myself, could betray me this badly. They were backstabbing me and acting like my well-wishers. 

I went to school in a rage of anger at Skyler’s family including him and I thought a million times if I have to share this matter with Mark. In the end, I knew Mark was trustworthy. I went up to Mark and showed him the file, a recent discovery which I have made. After reading the entire file, he looked at me and said “Don’t mind the backstabbers, you are always ahead of them that’s why they are at your back. We’ll make them regret the loss they cost you and your sister.” I felt a wave of good emotions washing through my heart. That was the time I felt the best thing about the worst time of life is that you get to see the true colours of everyone.

 I wanted to show that file to the cops and get justice and the family a good lesson that they deserve but unfortunately, the evidence to put the family behind bars wasn’t enough to prove the family’s bad deeds. I got so frustrated by this, that I wanted to confront them face to face, but Mark stopped me and told “Wait Scarlett, if you want the family to rot the rest of their lives in jail you mustn’t go and confront them, they might harm you or your sister. So, think carefully before you take a step. I told you what I had to tell as a friend of yours. After that it’s all up to you.”  Then he started walking away, I looked at his fading figure. I went to their home and decided not to inform Sarah about my recent discovery as she gets panic attacks easily. I was browsing through my phone when I remembered the family searching my room and bag as if I had evidence of their crime. I thought carefully and searched my entire room in case I had forgotten any sort of evidence handed down by my parents. Unfortunately, I didn’t remember or find any sort of clue.

 Then I told all of this to Mark the next day. He gave me a genius idea. I agreed and went to confront the family with a xerox copy of the red file. I called the entire family to assemble in the living room as soon as possible. After all of them gathered, I went to Skyler, who was looking tensed. I gave him a tight slap on his left cheek which was all red now along with my hand mark. He was taken aback by my sudden action and looked at me with eyes of horror. Skyler’s dad came to me with clear anger in his eyes and shouted “What’s wrong with you Scarlett. How dare you raise your hand on my son?”. Skyler’s mom replied instead of me saying “Maybe this girl is all so excited to sit behind the dungeons under the case of cruelty like her parents who went to jail because of stealing money.” I shouted “Keep your stinky mouth shut! And yeah, it’s you and your family who are excited to spend the rest of your life in jail!” All of them looked at me, stunned. I threw the red file at Skyler’s face, which he immediately took and checked. Skyler said “Dad she got to know that we are also the people who stole money from the Ally bank headquarters.” As soon as Skyler finished his dad started laughing loudly and said “Child, I thought that your parents gave some evidence of our involvement and I made my family search for it in the room you and your sister are living but apparently, by the information I received you’ve got no evidence and this file also may be fake so, the officers won’t consider it. And yes, we are also involved in this loot from the bank. I am the one who manipulated your parents into stealing money and that’s the reason we moved back to LA again. We informed the cops that your parents stole the entire money along with the evidence. I had to escape the consequences, which was partially true. Your parents are also criminals here. I have the whole $700 million that we stole as a group.”

 “I acted like I helped you to check if your parents gave you any clue that we are also involved and now that you have no evidence we’ll go back abroad and start a new business as our old company went bankrupt. Helping you and your sister in your hard times, showing pity, taking care were all parts to complete this mission successfully.” Said Skyler. I calmly said “You’re not the Skyler I knew from kindergarten; you are an emotionless monster in his disguise! An honest enemy is better than a fake friend! Officers now that they confessed that they are also involved in the bank loot, please throw them in the dungeons!” All of the family members were dumbstruck and unable to process what had just happened. Skyler pleaded “Scarlett, we’re BFFs from when we were three years old, you can’t send me to jail just like that! Please, I beg you!” Tears were dripping down my cheeks as I saw my BFF, sorry “FAKE BFF” being dragged by the police officers but, I knew they all deserved this. Mark patted my shoulder and said “Well done, Scarlett you sent the backstabbers to a place where they belong. Bravo!” Sarah, who was all blank, came to me and hugged me tightly and started sobbing. Later, Me, Sarah and Mark got $70 thousand as cash prize for getting more criminals caught in the bank loot case. We took in Skyler’s grandma with us as she was kind to me when I was a toddler and like a cherry on the top. She’s old and paralysed as well, so I took some pity on her. All of that was 7 years ago in the toughest time of my life. I set up a small restaurant with the cash prize along with my sister and Mark. Now I am the proud manager of a chain of star restaurants in the whole of California. As of Skyler and his family, all of them are still in jail except Charlie, who was guilty that his family members were criminals unlike the rest. 

The road to success is not a straight one; it is full of turns, ups, and downs. Remember to never give up and carefully choose which curve you want to take, keeping an eye out for the ups and downs. It is essential to success. The word “L.I.F.E.” itself is among the most significant lessons that life has ever given me! “Living incredibly, forever evolving” is what L.I.F.E. stands for. Living extraordinarily does not include a life of luxury or comfort; rather, it involves living with integrity, decency, and respect for others as well as always changing to become a better version of oneself at every turn.

I hope my story changed your negative opinion on life. This is Scarlett signing off.

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – Copyright Free, Royalty Free images from pexels

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