CHAPTER 1: Ice Cream

9th September 202X

 The ocean glimmers beneath the melting sunset, as streaks of orange, pink, and purple splash across the sky onto the waves below, Layla picked up her sketchbook and began to draw. A subtle salty warm breeze flows through the open window, as the curtains, sketchbook pages, and the polaroids and photos pinned on the wall gently flutter. The sweet melody from the speaker on her shelf, mixed with the faint sound of waves and distant chatter from students at the beach below, an indicator of the new school term that awaits. Those transitioning from primary to high school, from high school to university and ultimately a career ahead.

 Dinner seems to be taking a bit too long today; I can't help but be lost in my own thoughts. Of all 17 years I've lived, the one before 18 seems to be the longest. My high school experience was what many would claim to be anticlimactic, 4 years passed by in the blink of an eye and the high school graduation I had fantasised about so dearly remained imaginary. All I do now is sit in my room looking out the window wishing my life was...more.

 Being the eldest sibling, careers such as art, aren’t regarded as 'prestigious' enough for my parents. Despite all the passion and talent, all the awards I’ve received, it will never be good enough. With no hopes for art, I’m only sent into a spiral of confusion, questioning every choice I ever made. Why can’t my parents accept me doing art? Will I ever be good enough for my parents? Will I ever truly feel happy? A subtle shiver went down my spine. I’m no longer in school to distract myself from reality. The emotions I bottled up, the masking I had to do, I’ll have nothing to do or anyone to be with but myself.

 Highschool wasn’t all too bad, I still have my group of friends, Lisa, Evey, Shan and Aria. Aria and I have been stuck at the hip from the moment we first met in junior school, we’ve been to every birthday, sleepover, and prom. In every school, team, class, and, hopefully, university together. Every morning I’m met with a “Good morning” text, and every night a wishful “Sweet dreams”. Aria got me so used to it that when it doesn’t happen, I can instantly tell something is wrong, and Aria is known to have... quite a few problems.

 While catching the sunset out the window, Layla spotted Aria, Evey, Lisa, and a new face passing by for their usual evening shenanigans. Aria glanced up towards Layla’s window, locking eyes with her for a moment before letting out a small smirk followed by a wave, telling her to open the window.

“Hey! Why don’t you come down here and hang with us?” shouted Aria.

“Shhhh. You don’t have to shout.” giggled Layla.

“Oh... ha-ha sorry.” Awkwardly chuckled Aria.

“But seriously though, come down here. Let’s go catch some ice cream, I’m buying.”

Every Friday at six o’clock, Aria makes sure to come to my window for our weekly ice cream break. It’s one of the little routines we kept from our childhood. Kind of like, a promise to always stay in contact.

“Sorry, I can’t today my mum is going out, I have to babysit. Maybe tomorrow, I’ll buy.” There was a slight hint of disappointment in Aria’s expression towards my answer, however, she bounced back with a smile on her face. She knows I always keep promises.

“Babe! What the hell! Why do you keep smiling at her!”

 The new face that Aria was walking with tugged at her arm with an upset look on her face.

“Babe?” Layla asked in confusion.

“Yes, you whore, babe.” She snapped back.

“Whoa what the fuck, Aria get your friend in check.” Layla scoffed.

“My name is Nelle, and I’m not her friend, I’m her girlfriend.” she angrily snapped as she turned towards Aria

“And I’ve had enough of watching you two fuck each other with your eyes. There’s no reason for you to come here every day. You don’t even see me every day! I’ve seriously had enough of it!” there was a slight shake in her voice, as tears welling up in her eyes.

“Please don’t cry...” Aria caressed Nelle’s face while gently trying to calm her down.

“But I told you already, you are not my girlfriend. Just because we talked at a party, it doesn’t mean we’re suddenly an item.” she walked closer towards the window and looked up towards Layla while releasing Nelle’s grasp off her arm.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” She firmly said to Layla.

 This is one of Aria’s problems. Each week a new girl falls into despair from the heartbreak known as Aria Trent. The same scene, the same words spoken, and the same reaction. I can’t say I’m not used to it by now, but each time I see those poor girls running away humiliated and dejected... I can’t help but wonder if it would be the same had I been in that position...

 Nelle walked up to Aria, with tears streaming down her cheeks, and released a hard slap across Aria’s face followed by her swiftly walking away.

“That went well.” Said Layla sarcastically.

“What a way to ruin the evening, Aria.” Said Lisa with Evey nodding in agreeance.

“It’s fine, she was lame anyway. Let’s get going before the shops close.” Aria said embarrassingly after getting slapped across the face.

“Ack! She didn’t have to hit me so hard though.” She winced after touching her sore cheek.  

“Bye Layla, see you later! Aria make sure to catch up!”  Evey and Lisa waved as they walked ahead, thinking of new plans for the night.

“Bye!! See you later Ria. Wouldn’t want you to be left behind.” Layla waved at Aria as she smiled.

“Bye, bye.” seeming disappointed Aria sent a kiss goodbye and sprinted to catch up with her friends.