Chapter 1

Jess POV

Tomorrow, I turn eighteen, and I've made a promise to myself the moment I do, I'm leaving this godforsaken town. I'm heading to another city, somewhere far away from here, where life feels like it has more to offer.

I live in a small town outside of Illinois with my mom, Elaine, and my little brother, Jason. He's eight years old. Our dad passed away when Jason was just three, killed in a car accident. Ever since then, it’s just been the three of us. But Dad? We don’t talk about him. It’s a forbidden topic. Mom refuses to bring it up I guess it’s too painful for her. Instead, she buries herself in work, pulling endless shifts as an ER nurse.

That means she’s never home. Most of my time is spent babysitting Jason or hanging out with my best friend, Ava. My life revolves around school, studying, and home. There’s not much else to do in a town like this.

Ava’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She’s like a sister to me. We’ve shared everything from her first heartbreak over that jerk Jordan, to her first kiss. I still remember the night she cried her eyes out over Jordan. We ate tubs of ice cream and watched classic old movies until the tears turned into laughter. After that heartbreak, Ava changed. She became this wild, carefree girl who doesn’t care about relationships anymore. I guess you could say she’s living her best life now, doing whatever she wants without looking back.

I’m walking to my favorite coffee shop to meet up with Ava. She’s got some surprise planned for my birthday, but honestly, I’m not that excited. I know Mom is working a double shift tonight. What’s the point of celebrating if the one person I want to see isn’t even going to be there?

Still, this is supposed to be a special day. Eighteen is a milestone. You only turn eighteen once, and it marks the start of adulthood. The day I can finally leave this town behind.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t even realize I’ve reached the coffee shop until I hear Ava shouting, “Hey, Jess!” She’s waving at me from inside, a big smile on her face. I shake off my thoughts and walk over to her.

As soon as I sit down, Ava starts talking excitedly about this new club that just opened downtown. Apparently, it’s a hotspot, drawing in celebrities and billionaires from all over the country.

“How do you even know all this?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. But then I laugh to myself of course she knows. This is Ava we’re talking about.

She grins. “Some guy I hooked up with his cousin works there. We can get in, no problem. VIP treatment, baby.”

I shake my head. “Oh, Ava, as much as I’d love to, I can’t. Mom’s pulling a double shift, and I have to babysit Jason.”

Ava waves her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about that! I can have my sister babysit him. I’ll promise to let her raid my closet, and boom, the deal is set.”

I laugh, but part of me is hesitant. I’ve never done anything like this before. But then again, it’s my eighteenth birthday. Maybe it’s time to take a risk, to do something I’ll remember forever.

Ava leans in closer. “Come on, Jess. You only turn eighteen once. Let’s make it a night to remember.”

Looking into her hopeful eyes, I can’t help but smile.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s time to start living really living.

“Alright,” I say, my heart pounding with excitement. “Let’s do it.”