Always

I held the frame in my hands and let me eyes glance at the picture in it. My dad held my legs as I sat on his shoulders and my mom was standing beside him, holding my hand just in case I fall. This picture was taken when we went to Disney World for my eighth birthday. Memories from that day slowly crept up to me as I stared at the frame covered in Minnie Mouse stickers with splashes of pink paint covering the blue.

The smile on my lips turns upside down into a frown as my fingers loosen around the frame. This used to be the perfect family picture but unfortunately, the family is no longer here.

“Zo, you ready?”

I snap out of my thoughts, drifting my eyes to Katty as I carefully place the frame in my bag and cover it with a few pieces of clothing so the glass doesn’t break. “Ready,” I say with a nod while zipping up the bag.

She smiles at me with her cat-like black eyes glancing at the bag in my hands.

“You sure you don’t need any more bags?”

I roll my eyes at her teasing remark and respond, “As if. I should be the one asking you that.”

She chuckles and turns around, her barbie blonde waves bouncing off her shoulders. I take the bag and carry it downstairs, placing it near the front door. I head to the kitchen with Katty and smile upon seeing her mom; Kelley. “Morning, Kelley,” I greet her as I sit down on a chair at the table.

“Morning, honey. Would you like some pancakes?”

“How can I ever say no to your pancakes?” I respond, with a chuckle. When I say her pancakes are amazing, I mean they are absolutely the best pancakes I’ve ever had in my eighteen years on this planet.

She places a plate of pancakes in front of me and I grab the maple syrup spreading it across the pancakes. I start eating them as Katty sits across from me doing the same.

“Did you all pack your bags? You got everything, right?” Kelley asks as she makes another plate of pancakes.

“Yup, we got everything,” Sara replies, as she enters the kitchen, taking a seat beside me as her fingers play with a strand of her raven hair. Kelley gives her a plate and she starts eating as well. I watch as a moan escapes her lips.

“These are really the best pancakes. Ever,” she moans out and I grin. “Told you so.”

Sara Montgomery and Katty Johnson are my crazy and only two best friends. We’ve known each other since middle school and today, we’re starting a new chapter of our lives on our way to Ryerson University. Fortunately, all the courses we wanted to study were available at Ryerson, so we applied there at the beginning of the year and found out, last month, that we all got accepted. This way we get to spend the next four years together as well. In the end, it all works out.

Katty talked about her dad, who was in the army and how he’ll be coming home next month. I smile at her. Her dad; Matt and I get along very well. To be honest, he’s like a father to me because he just reminds of my dad. Plus, he’s like super chill and loves to buy me food.

It’s been two years since my father passed away in a car accident as he was coming home from work. A drunk driver hit his car and the impact on his head was so strong that he died on the spot. As for my mother, she passed away three years ago. Unfortunately, she had brain cancer and before we realized what the symptoms were, it was too late. The tumour spread throughout her body and surgery wasn’t gonna help. She laid on the hospital bed, with a smile on her face reassuring everyone she was fine even when she wasn’t. My heart broke seeing the look on dad’s face when he held her hand right before her life slipped away. I cried every night and my dad would take care of me until he left me too. But, I don’t blame them. It wasn’t there fault. Things happen in life. Death is only natural. I know everyone will eventually die, but I never imagined I would love my parents this early in life.

But, ever since then I have been living with Katty and her parents. They’re amazing people and I feel like I’m at home when I’m with them. It’s not the same but it’ll still my family. And I love them.

Finishing up my pancakes, I place the dishes in the dishwasher before taking all the luggage outside. I load up the luggages and bags in Katty’s SUV. After I’m done loading the car, they come outside. I watch as Kelley hugs the two of them before turning to me. She hands me the keys to my bike and I smile, watching the tears form in her eyes.

“Oh, don’t cry now,” I say as I hug her. “I’m so proud of you girls.”

She pulls away and wipes her tears. “Now, go. Be safe and call me once you’re in the dorms, okay?”

“Don’t worry,” Sara assures her as she sits down in the passenger seat with Katty in the driver’s. I smile and wave at them. “You guys go ahead, I’ll catch up to you.”

Me and Kelley watch the both of them drive off. I turn back to her and say, “We’ll be fine. If there’s trouble or anything, I will let you know.”

She nods and grins at me. “You’re so grown up now.”

I chuckle at that and walk towards my bike. A Ducati V4S in red and black with 221 horsepower and top speed of 180 mph. It was a gift from my dad before he passed away which is probably why I’m so attached to it. I have so many memories of him teaching me how to ride it, arguing over who’s gonna ride it to the mall or the movies. I could never leave it behind.

I look back at Kelley and wave her goodbye as she does the same before I wear my helmet and ride off. It will take me about an hour depending on the traffic to get to Toronto, so it’s not that bad. Other than that, I’m excited. I can’t wait to find out what’s next.

Finally, I reach the destination. It took me an hour and a half, so I’m slightly tired. The traffic wasn’t as bad but there was an accident on the highway which delayed everyone. I have my bike parked in the student parking lot and I take my phone out to call Sara. They should be here since they left before me.

“Where are you?” I ask as she picks up.

“We’re just a few minutes away. We’ll be there soon, don’t worry,” she says and hangs up. I let out a sigh. My eyes roam over at all the other students walking in and out of the building. The campus is definitely big. The main building is on the other end of the road and this is the campus building with the dorms and apartments. The students are taking their bags and boxes with their moms holding their laundry baskets. It was a pretty amusing sight.

I heard a car running beside me, so I look to see someone parking a dark silver Lamborghini Centenario and holy-

This guy must be rich cause this car is expensive.

Right as I was drooling over the car, a boy wearing a leather jacket with a white shirt and faded jeans steps out and I heard myself gasp slightly. Needless to say, he was good looking with perfectly silky brown hair (they look so soft) and a sharp jawline: I could get a cut my finger if I touched it.

Knowing I was practically ogling him, I look away feeling my cheeks turn slightly red. Thank god I still have my helmet on. Instead, I decided to check my phone since I have nothing else to do at the moment.

“Where the hell are you?”

Oh my goodness! His voice was deep and a slight accent was audible. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes to see him talking to someone on the phone before looking at the building. I started feeling a little hot so I brought my hands up and took off my helmet. I shake my head as I let my long ombre hair fall off from the bun till my waist. I run my hand through my hair, untangling them slightly.

I felt someone’s eyes on me, so I looked back to make eye contact with the good looking boy. He was staring at me, top to bottom making me gulp. I looked away, feeling a little uncomfortable with the staring.

If I am being completely honest, he looks like a player. A bad boy who like playing with a girl’s feelings for his own enjoyment. I mean, he fits the criteria. Leather jacket. Rich. Good looking. Sexy voice. Confident. And cocky.

I glance at him only to see him looking at me with a smirk. Definitely a player.

I hear a horn from behind me, making me startled and I look back to see Katty waving at me. I watch her park the car and step out. She immediately hugs me.

“I missed you,” she whines, making me laugh. “You saw me less than two hours ago.”

She pulls away and pouts. “I know but still.”

I shake my head as I chuckle. Sara stands beside her, smoothening her bright floral dress and she smiles at me.

“Shall we?”

I nod and we all start to walk towards the building. For some reason, I glanced back the boy who had been watching us - me. He still had that stupid smirk on his lips and I couldn’t help but glance at his lips. He looked quite amused to be honest and I’m not sure why.

He looks like trouble and that’s enough of a reason for me stay away from him.

I continue to walk with the girls until we’re standing right in front of the building. I take a deep breath and follow them inside.

“We’re finally here!” Sara squeaks in excitement and I laugh. We finally made it.

Mom. Dad. I made it.