Page 10 of Fake for 7 days

"I really don't understand why you don't just ask your sister for help. Then your problem would be solved within hours," Hayley replied.

I took a deep breath. "I've thought about that too. Joanna would surely help me. But I got myself into this mess alone and I want to get out of it alone. It's a matter of honor for me. Besides, I can't reach Joanna right now anyway. She's in the Australian Outback with her husband and their little one. She's been looking forward to this trip for years. Being far away from civilization. She had to work on Chandler quite a bit to make it possible."

"Too bad for you," Hayley sighed. "But you'll manage. Even without Joanna. You'll see, in the end everything will be fine. Your SITUATION won't improve if you sit around here tonight. But your MOOD will significantly improve if you go out. Believe me."

I had to agree with my friend, like it or not. Hayley grunted briefly, put the watering can on the windowsill, and came over to me. She looked at me with pursed lips.

"You look perfect, Isabella Abbott. Just be careful not to steal the show from the bride."

The compliment cheered me up now and I giggled. "You're mixing something up, Hayley. This is just the bachelorette party. The wedding is next month. THEN I mustn't steal the show from the bride."

"You might do that anyway." Hayley grinned at me encouragingly. Then she pulled something out from behind her back. "Here, the car keys. So you don't have to search for them forever again and at least arrive on time now. You more than deserve to have fun and enjoy yourself, and you shouldn't miss a minute of it." With these words, she pressed the key into my hand and kissed me on the cheek.

Touched, I cleared my throat and hugged my friend. "Thank you, Hayley. You're really a sweetheart. I'm lucky to have you as my neighbor."

"No sentimentality," Hayley said with mock sternness. She smiled. "Go and have fun. Since you kicked out that idiot Owen, you haven't really been out partying. Every time I wanted to take you out, you hid in here like a snail. Now don't let your boss ruin your mood. You'll find a new job! And now think about something else."

I closed my eyes briefly and tried to get into a party mood. I wasn't quite there yet. Nervously, I took my green bag and checked if I had forgotten anything. "I really haven't done anything like this in a long time. No money. And before, that idiot Owen always made a huge fuss when I wanted to go out and played the jealous one here. And he was the one who cheated on me!" My voice grew louder.

"You shouldn't think about that anymore. That's long gone. Today is for celebrating!" Hayley looked at me with mock sternness. "Weddings don't happen every day. So go on."

I smiled. Hayley had stood by me when I kicked Owen out. She was standing by me now. I would never forget that.

A little later, I was sitting in my dented Toyota, driving towards Lower Manhattan. Thousands of thoughts were swirling through my head.

You're too impatient, Isabella. Remember what Joanna always said: Focus on one problem. ONE. Solve that. Then move on to the next.

But that was easier said than done.

Losing my job worried me much more than I had let on to Hayley. The next loan payment was due in two weeks. If I couldn't come up with it, I'd have to move out.

But where to?

Calm down, Isabella, maybe you're looking at everything too negatively and you'll find a job. And you can ask the bank to give you a little extension.

I had already done that several times, though. It wasn't very likely that I'd get another extension. That left friends and family. But I was determined to make it on my own.

It's time to show the world what you can do and that you're capable of surviving on your own and overcoming tough crises without running home to someone who'll protect you and take care of everything. It's time to grow up, Isabella Abbott! Now you can prove that you ARE an adult and not just pretending to be one.

"But first, it's time to celebrate!" I scolded myself out loud. How could my thoughts always wander like this?

Think about the party, Isabella. Fiona doesn't need someone who's moping and worrying about a thousand things while everyone else is laughing, celebrating, and drinking!

It had been a while since my last bachelorette party. Judy had gotten married over a year ago. I giggled at the memory. Back then, I had to sing karaoke. "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez. Oh yes, my performance had been loud. And it had caused great amusement. The girls had literally doubled over with laughter because the song was unrecognizable."If I hadn't known what you were singing, I... I don't think I would have even thought you were singing at all,"Judy had spluttered, slightly tipsy.

The karaoke had been my punishment for forgetting the crown at home, which was a mandatory part of the outfit.

Wait!

Did I have the crown with me now?

I felt the top of my head.

Nothing.

Damn it!

As I drove through New York's busy evening streets, I tried desperately to remember if I had put the crown in my bag. I glanced to my right. The green bag was on the passenger seat, looking as it always did. I couldn't tell from here if the small, foldable crown was inside. It might still be at home in a corner, along with Joanna's necklace.

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