Chapter 1: The News
Chapter 1
I strolled along the hallway to my locker to see Luke and Matt talking, “Hey, guys!” I greet, putting my books in the locker. Matt smiles and nods a greeting my way.
“Hey sis,” Luke greets back, hugging me, “How was your day?”
I shrug, “It was okay,” I say after we hug, “How was yours?”
“Eh...” he shrugs in response, “Listen, I’m gonna go hang out with some friends, so I’ll see you at home.”
“Bye, Love you,” I say, kissing him on his cheek, he groans rubbing his cheek in embarrassment, “See you at home, Luke-y”
“Eve!” he cries, looking around to see if someone heard it, “Please don’t call me that, you know I hate it!”
“Of course, I do!” I smirk, “That’s why I said it!” I say with a cheeky grin, sticking my tongue out to him.
He rolls his eyes as he mutters ‘Immature’ under his breath; before I can retort, he ‘bro-hugs’ Matt and leaves.
I divert my attention to Matt, who casually leans against the lockers with one hand in his pocket, “So, how was your day?” I ask, pushing away the strand of hair that falls over his eyes, “And where are Sal and Ri?”
“Same Old,” he shrugs smiling, “And they will be here any minute now.”
Speaking of the devil, both Sally and Ricky join us, “Hey,” Sally smiles greeting Matt and me, as she too, keeps her stuff in her locker next to mine.
“Hi,” I greet back hugging her,“I’m not even gonna bother asking how your day was, cause I know it was probably boring like the rest of ours.”
“Yeah,” they both shrug, “Anyways, gotta go,” Ri adds. I hug them all a goodbye and head to my baby, a custom-made Lamborghini with Galaxy patterns.
I love my baby more than anything, it was a birthday gift from my parents for my sweet 16th last year. I always wanted a Lambo and I finally got one, while Luke got his favourite a typical red Ferrari.
It’s not like my parents can’t afford them, they can probably buy five more Lambo’s and it won’t even make a slight difference in their bank account.
Now my dad is one of the most well-known lawyers worldwide and my mom, on the other hand, is also a world-famous designer, Which means, I am supposed to look perfect at all times and places, people always expect too much from me and it’s like I have no room for making mistakes.
“Ahh I’ve missed you” I smile getting in my car, “Now let’s go eat lunch!”
I drive to the nearest McDonald’s and order a chocolate milkshake with a Big Mac. I was peacefully munching on my burger when a voice says, “Excuse me?”
I look up to see a very cute guy no older than eighteen looking down at me, “Is this seat taken?” he questions pointing to the chair facing me.
“Umm, No,” I shake my head, he nods, dragging the chair about to sit down when I add, “But you can’t sit here.”
he frowns, “Why not?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, you see you’re a stranger” I shrug, taking a sip of the milkshake, “And why would I let a stranger sit with me?”
“Oh, I see, well my name is James,” He introduces taking a seat, He offers his hand to shake but I look at it and I raise an eyebrow, “What?” he questions.
“You’re still a stranger!” I point out, “And ever heard the term ′Stranger Danger? ′ you might as well be a rapist, or worst, a murderer!”
He looks offended for a second but smiles as he says, “I’m no danger,” He chuckles, “You see, I’m just a handsome eighteen-year-old boy who studies in New York.”
“New York?” I question and he nods, “Umm, so what are you doing here in LA, Forty hours from home?”
“I’m here to visit my grandparents; we had a long weekend so I was like why not?” He smiles, “So what’s your name?”
“Evelyn,” I reply finally shaking his hand that was still hanging between us, “I’m 17 years old and I study in Westwood high here in LA.”
“Nice to meet you, Evelyn,” He grins showing off his perfect white pearly teeth.
I bet, he had braces...
“So how’s it there?” I question, taking another bite of my burger.
“Oh it’s amazing,” he replies, “I swear that city never sleeps!”
I chuckle nodding, “Well then, I bet you miss all the noise?”
He nods, “I do, but a little bit peace is nice too.”
“So, what made you sit here? There are so many empty booths here,” I point to the nearly empty McDonald’s.
He looks around and smiles, “Well...” he trails, “You looked so lonely, so I decided to keep you company.”
“More like you were the one who was actually lonely,” I remark smirking.
He sighs, “Yeah, well I don’t like sitting alone,” He admits, “Plus it’s good to make new friends here and there.”
“I agree,” I say, taking another bite and drinking some milkshake to swallow it before I continue, “but making friends in a different state is also hard.”
“Yeah,” he nods, “but, you can always visit each other and stay in contact.”
And just like that, we discussed random things, and his company was not bad at all. In fact, he is very pleasant to hang out with.
Time passed by and before I realized it was 5 P.M. already.
“Gosh, look at the time!” I say, gesturing to my wrist-watch, “It’s already been 2 hours!”
“Oh yeah, I better head home,” He says, getting up from his seat, “Perhaps we should meet again sometime?”
“Yep, I totally agree,” I reply getting up as well, “You’re a great company, here save your number,” I say handing him my phone.
Wow, Eve, first you thought he was dangerous and now you’re handing him your phone?
“Okay, save yours in mine as well,” He says, taking his iPhone out and handing it to me. Well, he gave me his too!
I quickly typed in my number and saved the contact under ‘Eve’.
“Here,” We exchange back our iPhones, “I hope to meet you soon!”
We say our goodbyes and I head back to my baby and drive back home.
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“I’m home!” I shout opening the front door and tossing my bag on the floor.
“Where were you, young lady?” My mom approaches me with a stern look.
“Um hey! I didn’t know you were back,” I smile, hugging her, Mom and dad were out on a business trip as usual, “I was at McDonald’s.”
“Hmm I see, well quickly go freshen up, I have to discuss something once you come downstairs,” She smiles, picking up my bag and handing it to me, “And please take care of your things.”
“Okay,” I grab my bag and go upstairs to my room. I remove my makeup and shoes, change into my Pyjamas, and tie my honey-blonde hair into a messy bun before going back downstairs to find Mom, Dad, and Luke all seated in the TV lounge, but the TV was switched off.
“Okay...” I trail, “So what was that you needed to discuss Mom?”
“Take a seat Eve,” she says pointing to the couch. I quickly sit next to Luke and she nods continuing, “Okay, so your Dad and I decided that its better if we move.”
There was absolute silence in the room before our brains actually registered what Mom had just said.
“WHAT?!” Luke and I shout in unison.
“But Mom it-”
“But I can’t just-” Luke and I start objecting at the same time.
“No buts!” She cuts us off, “I have a very excellent job offer in New York and your Dad has more partners and clients there. So it’ll be better if we move there instead of coming back and forth.”
“Wait, New York?“I question, “We are going all the way to New York?”
“Yes,” Dad finally decides to speak, “And pack up because we’re moving by next week.”
“WHAT!” Luke shouts, “But what about my friends here, and my basketball team? I just can’t leave it all!”
“I’m sure you’ll find new friends in New York and they definitely will have basketball teams there too,” Mom assures him, “And before any of you say anything; our decision is final which means it won’t change,” Mom ends the ‘discussion’ leaving us no space to object, “Now head to your rooms and start packing.”
We both nod our heads, defeated and go upstairs to our own rooms. I grab my phone and text the group chat, which consists of us 4; Matt, Ricky, Sally, and I.
ME: Hey guys, shocking news, we r leaving 2 NYC in a week... will talk in details 2mr G2g pack RN.
My phone instantly buzzes with replies.
Sal: are you kidding? Like forever? Not comin’ back?!
Matt: is this some kind of joke? You’re leaving?!
Matt: In a week!? It’s a joke right...
Matt: HAHAHA...😂😂😂
Matt: yep definitely not funny. 😶😶
Rick: 2 NYC? I always wanted 2 go there! cool. U r so lucky!
Sal: Shut up Ri, it’s serious.
ME: Yeah guys, I will go in a week... no ‘Buts’
ME: Mom and dad, let’s say got a transfer there.
Sal: God, I’ll miss you! Don’t forget us.
ME: of course, I won’t, I don’t even wanna leave like ugh!!!
Matt: should we come? Need any help?
ME: Yeah, help right now would really be appreciated and let’s have a party be4 I leave.
Rick: Yayyy party! I luv parties.
Rick: When is this party? N where @?
Sal: Ri for once be serious, Eve is leaving for goodness gracious!
Rick: Oh um... hve fun E! we’ll miss u
Rick: V LUV U! Txt us tho...
ME: Luv u guys too and I will obviously keep in contact...
ME: seriously guy g2g pack! Come and help me ASAP.
I switch my phone off with a sigh and start packing. Let’s just hope this decision will not be regretted. Let’s hope it will all be worth it, with that thought in mind, I continue to pack all my belongings starting from the fancy dresses that I won’t really need during this week.
Soon Matt, Ricky and Sally join me and start helping me with all the dresses.
After using two and a half of my bags, we were finally done packing all my dresses, it consisted all types of dresses from cocktails to my sundresses.
I checked the clock that was on my wall and it read the time ‘8:00’ wow almost two hours were used to pack, and I still have homework!
“Should I even bother doing my homework?” I ask my friends, who sat on the floor closing the bags.
“Eh...” Sally shrugs.
“You should,” Matt says, “After you still are here, and you should leave a good impression when you leave.”
“I’m leaving anyway, who cares?” I shrug, “But, you guys aren’t leaving, so you all better go home and do all the homework! We have tons!”
I smirk as they all groan; after whining about ‘How it’s not fair’ they all finally decide to leave.
“Evelyn, Luke come downstairs dinner’s here!” Mom calls, I close the closet and go downstairs to the dining room.
“Mmm, smells nice, what’s for dinner?” Luke asks entering the dinning after me.
“Oh, I ordered Pizza,” Mom smiles, placing three boxes of pizza on the table.
Of course, she ordered, I don’t even remember the last time she cooked us dinner.
“Yum,” I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes when she was not looking.
You see I might not be a normal teen, after all, I do NOT like pizza, it tastes really weird and its so chewy and the tomato sauce is absolutely disgusting.
“Umm Eve, darling I ordered you some Chinese take-out, it’ll arrive any minute now,” Dad whispers in my ear once I sit down in my seat right next to his, “Just go stand outside and hide it upstairs, you know how your mom is.”
“Thanks, Dad!” I grin in relief, at least this time I won’t have to pretend to eat the pizza but instead throw it away when no one is looking, “I’ll just go now,” I add getting up from my chair.
“Where are you going, Eve?” Luke asks, taking a bite out of his slice.
The smell of the dough and sauce is killing me!
“Ummm,” I turned around facing him, “I er...ate a lot in McDonald’s and I’m actually not hungry, save for me, I’ll eat later, Okay?”
“Or I can eat yours...” He suggests, with a smirk.
“Yeah okay,” I shrug, “No probs.”
Just as I was about to open the front door Luke calls out, “Wait a second! You don’t mind me eating your food?” He questions raising his eyebrow, I nod shrugging,“But you never share!”
Yeah, But its pizza and I don’t like it!
HOW COME YOU DON’T REMEMBER?! You’re my twin, you are supposed to know this!
Yep, I have a twin, who just happens to be this idiot.
“Luke, there’s a first for everything right? And as I said, I’m really not hungry so um enjoy!”
With that, I walk out the front door to my yard, lucky for me the delivery guy was already here and he was about to ring the bell when I opened the door.
“Umm thanks,” I smile taking the bags from him, “How much?”
“Your dad, I think, already paid so enjoy!” He smiles walking back to his bike.
“Oh, okay,” I shrug closing the door. I love my dad!
I run upstairs entering my room and closing the door behind me, “Let’s see what he ordered,” I mutter to myself opening the box. Inside it was Chow mien noodles, “Oh how much I love you Dad!” I smile taking the plastic fork and enjoying my dinner.
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I was about to head to bed after finishing my delicious dinner when my phone vibrated indicating a new message.
James the stranger: Hey Eve! I hope you still remember me.
ME: Of course, I don’t have a weak memory.
James the stranger: so how are you?
ME: I’m great, u?
James the stranger: I’m good too, so I was just on Tumblr and I read something can I try it?
ME: um yeah sure...
James the stranger: okay, let’s try this one: Are you a magician?
ME: No...
ME: Why?
James the stranger: ’cause whenever I look at you everyone else disappears 😉
ME: Do u think these pick-up lines actually work?
James the stranger: not really but I was like, Eh why not give it a try?
James the stranger: I have another 1
James the stranger: Do you have a sunburn?
ME: Um no...😶
ME: Why? Do I look sunburned?
James the stranger: No, but it means you’re always this hot 😉
ME: That I am!
James the stranger: yeah.... sure.
James the stranger: anyways what were you doing?
ME: Nothing much, just finished packing and eating dinner...
James the stranger: packing? For what?
ME: oh right...
ME: my mom decided to drop the bomb that we are moving to NYC.
James the stranger: NYC? That is so cool!
ME: why? it’s not...
ME: I won’t even have friends there!
James the stranger: Do you consider me a friend?
ME: Yeah..why?
James the stranger: then I’ll be there...
ME: OH! Right, I forgot... I guess you’re right, sheesh we are meeting again sooner than I thought.
James the stranger: yep, and I thought you said that you don’t have a weak memory -_-
ME: Opps 😜
Just like that we continued chatting till we both were sleepy, so we said our goodbyes; I checked the time to see it was five minutes past one.
Wow, time really flies fast with James.