The worth of friendship

LAX

I felt the LA vibe as soon as I got off the plane. Beautiful, super-rich people everywhere. A few tourists in between, but that's actually rather rare. Before I make my way to the baggage claim, I desperately need to freshen up a bit. So here I am, standing in front of the mirror in the women's toilet. My dark blond hair falls messily out of my ponytail, my eyes are underlined darkly and I have sweat stains under my arms. I look like a wreck. I don't really fit into the glamorous world of the LA super-rich anymore. I grab a fresh outfit from my backpack as well as my wash bag. I swap my sweatpants and sweaty jumper for a yellow summer dress that shows off my curves, which I mostly like. I use deodorant, perfume and wash my face with cold water. Afterwards I take my hair out of the ponytail and let it fall loosely over my shoulders. One last look in the mirror and I feel good again. That way I can see Joe and Sophie again.

Leaving the restroom, I make my way to the baggage claim area, collect my 4 suitcases and load them onto a trolley. Then I slowly make my way out with the trolley.
I see them grinning from a distance and I have to start grinning immediately.
"Liaaaaaa!", Sophie calls my name and runs towards me. I leave the trolley of suitcases and run towards her "Soph! I missed you so much!" We hug deeply and for a long time. Geez, have I missed this girl. She grins at me. Her long blonde hair falls loosely over her shoulders. She looks gorgeous, as always. Soph, or rather Sophie, is my best friend. We've known each other since 2016, sort of since she started dating Joe. Ever since he introduced her to me in the summer of 2016, the two of us have been inseparable and share everything together.

"Lia! Come here pumpkin," Joe beams at me and takes me into a warm hug. " You look good babysis!" Joe usually calls me pumpkin and when he doesn't I'm called babysis. I'm not his sister at least not his biological sister. I have known Joe and his brothers Kevin, Nick and Frankie since I and they were born. Our parents were super close friends and we spent almost every day together. Until 2010 when my life changed and my parents died in a car accident. I was 16 and from then on I lived with Joe, Nick or Kevin.

"Hi Joseph! I missed you too!", I break free from his hug and look at him and Sophie. "Wow, you guys have really changed since Christmas." I look at Joe's short hair and Sophie's perfect body.

"You really think so?" Sophie and Joe look at each other and laugh.

"Yeah, you guys look awesome!"

"Thank you, thank you we can only say that back. But now off to the car," Joe says, grabbing my trolley. On the way to the car we talk about my flight and trivial things to bring each other up to date again.

"How does it feel to be back?" Joe looks at me in the mirror as he pulls out of the car park.

"Still totally weird. I'm super happy to be with you guys though. The last few weeks and months have been really hard." I sigh and lean back in my seat.

"Everything will be better now Lia. You have your best friend and your best friends back." Sophie turns to me and smiles.

"I hope so... "I mutter to myself.

"Definitely pumpkin! Nick has been asking all the time the last few days if we know when you're coming back. He misses you and we'll get the Pri thing sorted out too. Nick and you're relationship can sometimes seem really strange to outsiders. You share everything and have been through pretty much everything together. You have to give Pri time to get used to it."

"If you say so Joe." I sigh again and shrug.

" That' s the way it is Lia. You and I were on the same level right away, well your relationship with Joe is different too but still. At first it was weird for me too to see what a close and intimate relationship you have with all the Jonas boys," Sophie strokes my leg and smiles cheering me up.

"You guys are right. And that's why I want you to go to Nick's now Joey. I would like to surprise him."

"Your wish is my command," Joe winks at me in the mirror and grins.

I grin too. The joy has gripped me. Suddenly I have no doubts. All is well between Nick and me. We will always be best friends. Just like we have been since day one.

Nick is two years older than me. When I was just a few days old, he and his family came to visit us. According to Denise's stories, Nick was totally fascinated by me from the first second and never left my side. Joe and Kev also felt that I was special, but it was never the same bond as with Nick. Nick and I are inseparable. We've been through everything together, we've hardly been apart. We're best friends. Best best friends. We know everything about each other, every little detail of each other's lives.
My relationship with Joe is also intimate, but different. Joe and I goofed around a lot and he was more of the fun best friend. In fact, Joe and I have done some silliness together. I drank alcohol with him for the first time and we made out with each other out of boredom. But never with feelings, really never!
And Kevin, Kevin is like my big brother. He is 7 years older than me and has always been the reasonable one of the group. He always tries to be serious and take responsibility. And Frankie, Frankster is like my little brother. I am always there for him and am super proud of everything he has achieved. Gee, I'm glad to see everyone again.

"We're here!" Joe's joyful yell snaps me out of my thoughts. I look out of the window and see us driving towards Nick's house. Wow am I excited.