We Were Family Until the Jewelry Went Missing

I took the mic from an old classmate, and I belted out three songs in a row.

All throughout, my phone, on the other hand, wouldn't stop buzzing with calls.

By the time I put the mic down, the internet was blowing up with news about stolen jewelry worth over 13 million bucks.

My classmates had seen my Instagram posts before. So when they caught sight of this livestream—someone screaming and dragging my name into the crime—they recognized her instantly. My bestie.

"Her Uncle Hubert treated her better than her own parents ever did. Like, he literally gave up having his own kids just so he could give her the best life! In return, she stole the jewelry and left him and his wife facing 13 million dollars of debt! I mean, what happened to her conscience, right?"

"I've called her so many times, and every single time, she either ignores me or hangs up. If that's not guilt, then what is it? After everything her uncle and aunt did for her—everything—they're stuck in this big mess, and she won't even have the decency to show up! Is she even human?!"

Her voice was full of righteous fury, and she made sure to put on a show for the camera. To really sell it, she scrolled through our chat history and displayed it on her phone for everyone to see.

The brightness was maxed out, and 10 different livestream devices aimed at her screen, broadcasting every word to the world.

[Hey, bestie, you gotta lemme take the shift tonight, ok? Please?? Seriously, I've got something super important to do! I've got to be there!]

[Ugh, why won't Uncle Hubert just give me the damn jewelry??? Gosh, it's sooo pretty like it's literally perfect for me!!]

[Well, if he won't give it to me, I'll just take it myself lol. Whatever. They're gonna depend on me when they're older anw! I mean, they're gonna cling to me someday, so the least they can do is gimme what I want even if that means they end up in jail, right?]

When Cheryl read that last line out loud, Chuck suddenly showed up, his hands clutching his head like he couldn't take it anymore.

To make it more convincing, she pointed at him.

"Oh, this guy's Adaline's boyfriend! He's been with her 24/7! If you don't believe me, let him tell you himself!"

Chuck took a deep breath, his jaw clenched in anger as he replied.

"Yeah... Yeah, it's true. Adaline's actually asked me to help her steal more than once—fuck! I turned her down every single time 'cause I'm not a fucking thief, alright? And I sure as hell ain't gonna be literally her partner in crime!"

"I've tried talking some sense into her, you know, but dammit, she really wouldn't change! And now? She's out here with the goddamn jewelry, and instead of owning up to it, she's hiding like a fucking coward! Honestly… I should've, I really should've gone to the cops the first time she pulled some shit like this!"

That jerk's words just made the viewers even crazier. Comments were flooding in, and literally every single one of them was aimed at me.

Some "helpful" idiots were even already digging up personal info—my address, contact number, everything!

In less than five minutes, my socials were completely bombarded with curses!

[Damn, girl, you're a trash! Your mom and dad didn't bother raising you, yeah? No wonder they died early. I mean, they probably couldn't stand the mess you turned out to be!]

[What a piece of shit! Why don't you just go to hell already?! Bruh, you keep taking what's not yours. Hope you're ready for it 'cause maybe karma's gonna run over you one of these days to stop you lol]

My classmates were freaking out. They advised me to give my statement now before things got even worse.

Me? I just stared at my phone, keeping a straight face. I double-checked I had all the info I wanted from the hospital, and then I slowly got up.

With a smirk, I looked at them. "Wanna come with me? If y'all miss this kind of drama now, you might not get another chance!"