Chapter 1: Lucky Palms

 

Chapter 1: Lucky Palms

 

Welcome to the beautiful Lucky Palms - or as I call it, home. It's where the sun always shines and the tourists pop up like crazy - everyone is just so eager to test their luck and bet their money.

 

I haven't always lived in the Palms, I actually used to live in Sunset Valley and Bridgeport. I've worked as an actress for most of my life, especially in my child and teen years. I was on a show called The Nerd Diaries, it gained quite a bit of popularity, but sadly it was canceled. On the show I played the main character, Summer Sparks, but my real name is Lillian Grace. I moved to Lucky Palms when I gave up on my acting career, deciding it was a pretty nice place to settle down.

 

This story isn't just about me though; it's also about my two best friends, Sofia and Erika. We met while I was living in Bridgeport and have been super close ever since, they are the two sweetest, most amazing girls I've ever met. This story is about the summer that they came to stay with me in Lucky Palms - and well, if you want to know more, you'll just have to read on...

 

I finished applying the last of my makeup, taking one good look at myself before deciding that I looked fine. My television past has made me extra conscious of how I look at all times, it can get pretty bothersome, but I guess it's for the best - you never know when you'll run into someone important.

 

Just moments after I'd finished, ding, the doorbell rang. I rushed to the front door, so excited to see my best friends!

 

Erika, the girl on the left, is probably the most outrageous girl you'll ever meet - and that's why we love her! She's crazy and fun in all the best ways, so whenever she's with us we know it's going to be a good time.

 

Sofia, the girl on the right, is pretty much the opposite. She is very shy and quiet - except when she's with us, of course. Whenever we would do things we knew we shouldn't, Sofia was always the one to be the voice of reason. I like that about her though, she keeps us grounded.

 

I anxiously slid the door open, greeting my friends with a huge smile and hugs all around. "I've missed you girls so much!" I exclaimed.

 

"Us too!" Sofia concurred, "Erika and I have been so sad without you in Bridgeport!"

 

"It's true, girl! Sofia keeps trying to get me to get a real job, it's terrible!" Erika teased, causing all to break out into laughter.

 

"Let's not waste any time - who wants to see the casino?" I asked, watching as both their faces immediately lit up.

 

Erika waved down a cab for us and we piled in, "To the casino!" She said excitedly.

 

"Please," Sofia threw in, scowling at Erika then smiling at the driver.

 

We arrived at the casino and looked around the entrance - we were the only ones there. The casino was nothing special to me, as I'd been many times before, but the girls flipped out over it.

 

"This place is awesome!" Erika exclaimed.

 

"Let's play blackjack, guys!" Sofia suggested, as during the cab ride here she told us about how she had been studying blackjack.

 

We shuffled in around the table and the robotic dealer dealt us our cards, we all put our poker faces on and the game began. It was so much fun just playing and laughing with my friends, it was so nice since I hadn't seen them in forever.

 

None of us were particularly good at blackjack, not even Sofia.

 

After about two hours of losing, we decided to call it quits. We lost more than half our money, but still had a great time. The girls and I decided we were exhausted, so we left the casino and headed back home for dinner.

 

I decided to "treat" the girls to my "famous" Mac and Cheese, but my cooking didn't turn out so well, and I ended up burning the meal. Nobody really cared though, we were all starving. I served the mess of a meal into three little bowls, and brought it over to the table to eat.

 

"That was really fun, I'm so glad we're finally here!" Erika said, stuffing her face with the burnt food. Sofia and I giggled to ourselves as we watched her.

 

"It was, and me too! This summer is going to be great!" Sofia exclaimed.

 

That was one thing we all agreed on: no matter what we did, the summer was going to be perfect.

 

I had to sleep in the living room because Erika and Sofia were occupying the bunk beds in my living room for the time being, so I was going to have to look forward to a summer of back pain. I didn't care though, it was a small price to pay for the company of my best friends.

 

Sofia and Erika both made themselves comfy in my room, and we all said goodnight and went to bed...

 

...and that night we got an unexpected, unwanted visitor.