When they were in the cab, they realized they were holding hands and let go immediately.
"So what are you doing in Sunny Town?" they both asked at the same time.
"I asked first, answer me!" they said at the same time again.
"Ok, you go first," said Theodore.
"I came to visit my parents. It's their death anniversary," she said with a sad face.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's not your fault. So why are you here?"
"I came to visit my grandfather with whom I have a strained relationship."
"Oh."
The atmosphere became awkward and they both looked out the window. Starry spotted a restaurant named "Happy Belly."
"Um... do you want to eat?" she asked.
"Sure, why not," he replied.
They stopped the cab and Theodore paid for it.
"I will pay you back later."
"You don't have to. You know we're friends, right?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, let's go in then."
As they walked into the restaurant, Starry bumped into a girl.
"I'm so sorry," Starry apologized.
"Watch where you're—" The girl looked at her, shocked.
"Star, are you okay?" Theodore asked, concerned.
"Starry Knight?" the girl asked, amazed.
"Mitchell Topper?" Starry said.
"OMG, I thought you left town, parent killer!" Mitchell said with a grin on her face.
"What did you just call her?" Theodore asked, his voice going cold.
"Is this your boyfriend? He's so handsome. What charm did you use on him, parent killer?" Mitchell asked as she drooled over Theodore.
Theodore looked at her with contempt and said, "Get lost."
Mitchell felt a chill run down her spine and quickly left. Theodore dragged Starry to a table and they sat down. *The waiter had already placed their food on the table*, but Starry didn't touch it at all. He noticed that Starry looked incredibly pale.
"Star, what's wrong?" he asked, but she didn't reply.
"Star! Star! What's wrong?" he asked again.
Then he noticed tears flowing down her face. He went closer to her and hugged her. He gently patted her back until she finally stopped crying. He also gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
"Thanks. I'm sorry, I know that I've been a burden to you," she said as she wiped her tears.
"No, you haven't. What's wrong? You never told me that your parents are late."
"Well, it isn't something that one can easily say."
"Sorry, I was being insensitive."
"I know you are wondering who that girl was and why she called me parent killer."
"A bit."
"Well, it's about my parents."
She told him her past—
- _ _
*Three years ago — Emerald High, Valentine's Day*
Starry walked into Emerald High School. A school for the rich and affluent. It was Valentine's Day.
_Hmm, my first Valentine's Day as a high schooler,_ she thought.
She went to her locker to drop her books when someone tapped her on the back. She turned and saw it was Tyler, a senior who was in his last year.
"Um, how can I help you?" she asked, confused.
Tyler had something behind his back. "Here."
He gave her a bouquet of red roses, a box of chocolates, and a card.
"Um, what are all these?" she asked, shocked.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Star. Will you be my girlfriend, Star?" he asked with a smile on his handsome face.
He had a really beautiful smile and was the most handsome guy in the school. He was also Star's neighbor and she had known him for years.
"Um, Ty—" she stuttered and he interrupted her.
"I will give you some time. I know it's pretty late since I'm already in my last year. But I can't leave without letting you know how I feel for you. So you should not take a long time to give me your answer," he said and gave her a pat on the head.
"I will give you my answer soon," she said.
"Okay. Bye," he said and left.
All the girls were looking at her with contempt and she quietly walked to her class.
She sat down, put on her headphones, and started listening to some music.
Her friend rushed to her and screamed in her ear.
"Star! I knew that Tyler liked you. Oh my gosh I'm so happy for you."
"Sarah," Starry said as she took off her headphones.
"Don't Sarah me. I heard you haven't given him an answer. So what are you going to reply him?" Sarah asked with excitement written all over her face.
"I don't know, I never thought of Tyler in that way. He's more like a brother to me," she said indifferently.
"What? How can you think of the Tyler Moore as a brother?" Sarah screamed in surprise.
"Shush, keep it down. The walls have ears, you know."
"Sorry," she whispered.
Later that day, it was the end of school. Starry was walking home by herself. She had her headphones on and was listening to some music when four girls blocked her way.
"What's the meaning of this, Mitchell? Tell your lackeys to get out of my way," she said as she recognized their leader.
"I heard Tyler asked you out," said Mitchell.
"So? How does that affect you, Mitchell Topper?"
"How dare you? Tyler is mine and mine only."
Starry laughed hysterically and said, "You are a damn fool for assuming that. He even doesn't know you exist. Keep dreaming, then maybe your dreams will come true." She said it and walked past Mitchell while hitting her on the shoulder with hers.
Mitchell gnashed her teeth and pulled Starry back by the hair. Starry smiled evilly and grabbed the hand that was holding her hair. She twisted Mitchell's hand and kicked her fiercely in the stomach. Mitchell fell to the ground and groaned in pain.
"What are you waiting for?" she asked her minions and they immediately rushed towards Starry.
Starry kicked one in the face and she went tumbling down. She used the other two to slam each other and they fell down pathetically.
"How can you come to fight me with these pathetic losers? Guess birds of a feather flock together," she said as she blew on her finger leisurely, mocking them.
"How dare you call me a loser when you're the loser, Starry Knight!" Mitchell screamed as she clenched her stomach.
"It's like you have forgotten who's the boss around here," Starry said as she smiled evilly.
Mitchell rushed over to her and Starry held her by the neck. She pushed Mitchell to the floor and looked at her with a sinister look on her face. She bent down slightly and held Mitchell by the hair.
"Let me help you refresh your memory, dog," she said.
She gave Mitchell a sharp slap across the face.
"Aah!" Mitchell screamed in pain and tears began to well up in her eyes but Starry didn't stop there. She slapped her repeatedly across the face until Mitchell's face was swollen.
She pushed her to the ground and put her foot on her head. "Next time you won't forget your place, dog. Or forget that I, Killer Queen, am your owner." She walked over her and continued her journey.
The next day, Starry was in class listening to music as always when their form teacher Mrs. Rivers forcefully removed the headphones from her head.
"I've been calling you for a while now and you didn't answer me at all," she said angrily.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Rivers, as you saw I had my headphones on."
"Shut up. You are required in the principal's office."
"What did I do wrong?"
"Shut up and go now."
"Geez, Mrs. Rivers, is it that time of the month again?"
Mrs. Rivers looked at her with contempt and Starry went to the Principal's office.
She saw Mitchell and the three other girls she had beaten up with their parents.
"Good day, Mr. Peterson, am I in trouble?" she asked, confused.
"I know that you are going to deny what I'm going to accuse you of, so just watch the video," said Mr. Peterson with disappointment written all over his face.
He played a video and it showed Starry beating up the four girls.
"So what do you have to say about this, Miss Knight?" asked Mr. Peterson.
"Well, that's me but I wasn't bullying them if that's what you are implying," said Starry coldly.
"What's with the attitude, Miss Knight? If you weren't bullying them then what were you doing?"
"Oh please, how can I bully four people at once? It was clearly self-defence."
Mitchell's father, Mr. Topper, hit the table violently and said, "As expected from a delinquent like her. She had the guts to lay a finger on my precious angel and call it 'self-defence'. Take a good look at her and anyone can clearly tell who the bully is. Mr. Peterson, if this is how you run your school then I will have no problem removing my daughter and arresting that delinquent."
"What delinquent?" Mr. Knight asked as he walked in with Mrs. Knight.
"Mr. Knight, good day, please have a seat," said Mr. Peterson hurriedly.
Starry's father was a very influential man. Many trembled when they met him. He always had a frown on his face.
Mr. Peterson showed Mr. Knight the video and he said, "How does this prove that my daughter was bullying them? Anyone with a brain can tell that they are the ones at fault."
"But sir, we have a witness," said Mr. Peterson. Mrs. Rivers called in July, who witnessed the incident.
"Go on, July, tell us the truth," said Mr. Peterson.
July was about to lie when she saw Mr. Knight.
_Mr. Knight? No wonder Starry's name sounded familiar. She is the daughter of the Mr. Knight. My father works in Knight Enterprises. I don't want him to lose his job. Mitchell and her lackeys are fools,_ July thought.
"Go on, Miss July, and tell us what happened," said Mr. Knight, getting a bit annoyed with her delay.
July told them the truth and Mr. Peterson asked, surprised, "But why did you say otherwise before? And what about the video?"
"Mitchell made me tell you those lies. She threatened me," replied July.
"Then why do you tell the truth now?" Mr. Knight asked, suspicious.
"I… decided... to be brave and... do the right… thing," replied July as she trembled.
Mr. Knight laughed hysterically and said, "Lies. Isn't your father Henry Gold? You decided to tell the truth because he works for me and you are afraid he will lose his job if you lie, isn't that right, Miss Gold? Last time I checked, you are here because of the scholarship my company gave you. You are indeed a smart little girl. A little bit too smart."
July immediately went on her knees and begged, "Sir, please forgive me. I didn't know that Starry was your daughter. Please don't fire my dad and take back my scholarship. It's all Mitchell's fault. She beat me up a lot and promised she would let me go if I did this for her. I just wanted to be free. Please sir, please."
"It's alright, get up and leave," said Mrs. Knight.
"So you see, my daughter isn't a delinquent but yours are. So Mr. Peterson, you wasted my time and my precious daughter's own as well," said Mr. Knight.
"Sir, I'm really sorry. The four of them are suspended for a month," said Mr. Peterson.
"What about his daughter? She clearly beat them up," said Mr. Topper.
"She is suspended for a week," said Mr. Peterson.
"For what? Standing up for herself?" asked Mr. Knight.
"Honey, Star needs to know the repercussions of her actions," whispered Mrs. Knight to her husband.
"Fine, it's fair that way," said Mr. Knight and the Knights left the principal's office.
Starry went to get her things and she saw Sarah and Tyler waiting for her.
"Is everything alright, Star?" they both asked at the same time.
"It's fine. I'm just suspended for a week for beating those idiots up," she said as she smiled.
"It's all my fault, Star. I heard what happened," said Tyler, feeling guilty.
"No, it isn't your fault, Tyler, and I will give you my reply when I come back. So you guys shouldn't worry about me. It's going to be a nice vacation. My dad will probably take me with him to his company, so no sweat. Just know that I'm coming to your house for notes, Sarah," Starry said.
"No problem, Star. I'll visit every weekend," said Sarah.
"It's only for one week, Sarah." The two girls chuckled and hugged.
"Bye, later losers," she said and went to where her parents parked their car. She was wearing her headphones so her parents thought she wasn't hearing what they were saying.
When she got in, she heard her parents quarreling.
"This is all your fault, Andrew, if you hadn't spoilt her and made her take karate and taekwondo classes this wouldn't have happened. Now her perfect record is ruined," said Anna.
"Anna, would you have preferred my daughter to be the one beaten up?" Andrew asked.
"No, but I don't want her to get in trouble. She's becoming a delinquent slowly. She's headed straight for destruction. Didn't you see the look in her eyes as she slapped that girl ruthlessly? I was a bit scared of her."
"Don't talk like that, honey. Our daughter is great."
"Hmph, like father like daughter. Just start the car and let's get out of here," said Anna as she looked at Starry and she saw her looking out the window.
Andrew started the car and they were soon on the road. He had driven a low-key car and taken no bodyguard so that nobody would recognize them.
Starry was troubled by what her mother said so she decided to confront her.
"Mom," she called.
"Yes, baby?"
"Are you afraid of me?"
"What? What makes you think that?"
"I heard everything you and Dad said."
"What?"
"Mom, I'm your daughter, aren't I?"
"You are, but sometimes you act too aggressive. If you continue this way you will end up tarnishing our family's reputation," said Anna.
"Anna! How can you say that to Star?" asked Andrew.
"What? It's the truth."
"So you want her to be a weakling and get beaten up?" Andrew asked, annoyed.
"No, but she's going down the wrong path. This isn't the first time. When she was nine she beat up her cousin Anaise. When she was eleven she beat up our neighbor's kid. That's why she only has one friend, because she's turning into a monster!" Anna said, pouring out her frustrations.
"That's what you think of me? A monster? Then you're the mother of a monster. You're the one who raised me. You said it is Dad's fault but it's yours. You were never there, you always had your meetings and business trips. Dad's the CEO of the company but he still has time for me, unlike you. You made me the monster, Anna," she said coldly.
Anna removed her seat belt, turned and gave her a slap. "How dare you sprout nonsense from your mouth?"
"I hate you, Anna. I wish you were dead, 'cos there's no difference anyway!"
"Star!" Andrew screamed and faced her.
That was the last thing Starry heard before their car was hit by an oncoming truck.
- _ _
Starry woke up in the hospital with Sarah and Tyler by her side.
"What happened?" Starry asked the nurse that was attending to her.
"You were in a coma. You just woke up," replied the nurse and she left.
Starry noticed that Tyler was sad and Sarah's eyes were red.
"Don't tell me you have been crying, Sarah. You're such a crybaby. Can you help me get up? I want to see my mom. I'm sure she's worried and angry at the same time," Starry said as she was about to get up.
But Sarah burst into tears instead and Tyler told her to go outside.
"Tyler, what's wrong with Sarah? I know she's a crybaby but that's too much," she asked.
"Star," Tyler said. He sounded as if he wanted to cry.
"What's wrong? You only use that tone when something is wrong," she said, a little bit scared.
"Star, your… your parents… they— they… they are… gone," he said, trembling.
"Oh, they went on a business trip. Geez, they couldn't even wait till I was awake." She laughed, but her hands were shaking on the blanket. "Well, I guess they are still mad at me."
A tear dropped down his eye as he looked at her warily.
"Tyler, what's wrong? I've never seen you cry before," she asked as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"Star, your parents… they are dead," he finally told her.
"You must be joking. They just went on a business trip because they are mad. Don't ever joke like that," she said and got up from her bed.
She went to the window side and her knees gave out. Tyler quickly caught her and tears fell down her face.
"No! No! Mom! Dad! No! It's all my fault. I wished mom was dead and dad followed her."
She stopped crying and started laughing hysterically.
Tyler got scared and screamed, "Doctor! Doctor!"
Soon Starry's parents' funeral was organized. Starry threw a lilac-colored rose and said, "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry I disappointed you guys. It is all my fault. I promise from this day onwards I will make it up to you. I will not fight in school anymore. I will let Uncle Edward and his wife Jane raise me right."
- _ _
Present — Happy Belly Restaurant, Sunny Town
Theodore didn't say anything. He just pulled her chair closer and kept his hand on her back while she finished telling him.
"I haven't told anyone else," Starry whispered. "Not Gretel. Not Sarah."
"I know," he said. *"That's why you don't smile with your eyes."*
She looked up, surprised.
*"You do it in photos. But not in real life. Not since then."*
Starry didn't answer. She looked down at the untouched food between them.
Theodore pushed her plate closer. "Eat. You promised James you would."
She picked up her fork with her left hand. Her right arm twinged in the sling, but she took a bite anyway.