CHAPTER ONE: ELICIA

Class of 2015 (July 16)

We threw our red caps in the air celebrating the end our high school years.

“Happy end of high school babe.” My boyfriend, Jason said kissing the top of my head as we walked out of the gymnasium.

“Oh please, go do your PDA somewhere else,” Jeremy spoke as he took me out of Jason’s grasp. Jeremy, Jer for short was my best friend since I could remember.

“We should go to the after party,” Madison, my girl best friend said as she removed her gown. “Dinner reservations with mom and dad.” I say looking towards Jer, my best friend to back me up since I did not want to look like I was ditching some quality time with my friends.

“Yeah, dinner. I almost forgot.” Jer said and I mentally facepalmed myself for Jer’s awkward back up.

“You guys could join if you want, I will just text mom.

“No, it’s fine. I could use the alcohol.” Maddie says looking at Jason.

“Jace, are you coming?” I ask my boyfriend.

“I promised the boys that I would be there with you but since you aren’t going at least one of us has to show up.” he says and I nod. I thought he would come with me but I guess not.

“No, it’s fine. Enjoy we have to go now.” I say a bit disappointed; I have been observing this for quite some time now. Jace has been distant.

We made our way to Jer’s car as Maddie and Jace went to theirs.

On our way home

“I wouldn't be too surprised if Jace is fucking Maddie.” Jer says and I feel an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

“Stop being a jerk Jeremy” I say looking out the window not wanting to have another one of our unending quarrels about Jason.

“I have never liked him; I mean what kind of a guy ditches her girlfriend for alcohol?” he says as he increased the speed. “You are not the one dating him, I am.” I say raising my voice at the end.

“And boy am l glad.” He says his voice laced with disgust.

“You know what? Fuck you, Jeremy Martin.” I say angrily. Jeremy always did this; I know him and my boyfriend got off on the wrong foot and they don’t like each other for God knows what reason but it didn’t give him the right to bash him like that. The rest of the drive home was silent, I was super mad at Jer that when we got home, I just got off the car and went to bed all the thoughts of dinner long forgotten.

And of course, Jeremy being himself could not let me sleep angry at him.

“El, I am sorry. I promise not to be a jerk anymore, he just gets on my nerves a lot.

He should have agreed to come with you here for diner but he gave a stupid excuse.” Jer says from the other side of the door trying to apologize.

I stay silent and after a few moments he goes on to add, “I take back everything I said after apologizing. You know l am sorry El, please just forgive my sorry ass and talk to me, I miss you already.” he says.

“I am really sorry El, please forgive me. I will do anything.” he says and I could hear the desperateness in his voice.

“Say you will drive me everywhere I want.” I say and he repeats after me.

“What else? I will buy you ice-cream every day for two months.” He says and I open my bedroom door for him. Of course, he would use ice-cream on me because he knew I would cave.

If there wasanything I loved without question that would be ice-cream.

“I want ice-cream now.” I say and he groans but nods nonetheless.

After getting ice-cream we head home all smiles, the argument long forgotten.

As soon as we got home both my mom and dad were already dressed

up.

“We said no in-between snacks before a proper meal.” Mom snaps and I point at Jeremy. “It’s his fault,” I say and mom sighs.

“Dress up, we are picking up Ryan on our way.” Mom says and we

both nod. Ryan is Jeremy’s dad, his mom passed away a long time ago. Jer barely remembers her face outside of pictures. I always felt like Jeremy was my big brother from a different mother at least that would explain why half of his clothes were

at our house and half of mine were at his house.

We went to my room to change and soon we were picking up Jer’s

dad to go for dinner.

My name is Elicia Rae the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Rae. Life could not be any better, my dad loved both me and my mom to the moon and back. My dad and l were very close, we had dad's and daughter day almost every week. Mom and dad had date night every two weeks since mom was sometimes busy at the hospital. We live in California, Vinz on Fairfax apartments and mom was a surgeon at Cedars Sinai Medical Centre and so was Jer’s dad, Ryan.

Jeremy, Jason, Madison and I went to Fair Fax high school. Jer and I had both applied at UCLA in hopes of following in our parent’s footsteps, pursuing medicine.

“I am really proud of you kids.” Ryan says patting Jer’s back and we both smile. We were all seated on a big round table enjoying ourselves, waiting for our food at the restaurant our parents had chosen.

“And for that I will be giving you this,” Ryan says handing me a small black velvet box.

I squealed because I had overheard them talking about a black Cadillac. So, if I was right, they bought us a car.

Of course, I was right the moment we got home after dinner we found our car near front porch roundabout.

“This is so mine,” I said snatching the keys from Jer who had taken them as we were coming home.

I got in and started the car, I felt a surge of happiness as I drove right round the roundabout returning back to where the car was parked. I got out and walked to where everyone was standing.

“See, mom. El bullies me.” Jer complain-whines to my mom and she

scolds me a bit.

“The car is for the both of you, no claiming ownership.” She says right after slapping me lightly.

I swear she was Jer’s mom in her past life, I love how natural it is for us all to be one big family.

We complete each other well and we get along just fine.