Safe Place

16

ZARA

Dear Dad,

I know we haven't spoken in a while but I have great news to tell you. I'm in a boarding school in New York and I have the best grades you can ever imagine! I thought I would struggle this year but so far I'm doing really good.

Do you remember the time you were trying to teach me how to read properly at 9? Yeah now look at me being obsessed with books at 18, almost 19! My birthday is coming up in less than a month. Also I think my dream of becoming a journalist is going to come true, my professor was talking about how I need to know about the English language throughly, knowledge of media production and communication and the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.

Welp...I'm not good with taking criticism. But I think I can do it, I'll make sure to get my bachelors degree in journalism as well. I'm far away from mom and Jameson, I know you said they would change. But Dad I hate them, I don't plan on going back to Canada ever again. In fact New York is working out pretty well for me.
Did you notice that, too? How we all just want to get through life as quickly and as easily as it can possibly happen? And even though we know that without risk there's no medals and trophy's to award us, we're still so terrified to give it an opportunity?

You know what,
I'm done with the whole loving my life act. I miss you dad, you might think I can do this without you. But the last couple years you weren't here have been so miserable, I know you hate when I curse but I feel like shit. I need you more now then ever. Please answer back,
I love you.

"Zara!! Get in the car." Sophie and Eli scream in excitement. I quickly press send on the message stuffing my phone into my back pocket.
I step one foot into Eli's car to realize Grey is here with us. "There's no more space for me." I pause.
"Well, since you and Aiden are dating now we figured you can sit on his lap." Sophie suggests.

Last night or this morning since it was 4am, I told Aiden how I felt about not telling my bestfriends about us being in this relationship. But I realized I would be making a mistake to tell them it's all fake, so Aiden and I both agreed to tell everyone that this is a serious relationship before the beach house. So we did.

"Uh, okay." I duck my head under the car before Aiden holds my waist readjusting me to his lap.
"Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anything." Sophie gives me a lopsided smile before I see Mae giving me a beaming smile from the corner of my eye.
"I'm sure. Overall he's my boyfriend." I say to see Aiden putting his head down softly grinning.

When I told them about me and Aiden, Sophie already knew because of the party and she was being so supportive of us. Mae was totally fine with it but the only thing she was confused with is that I would never date a player. And then Eli..
Eli was jumping around like a toddler to say the least.

"Dayummm, this car is spacious as shit. I could sleep on these floors." Grey mumbles pointing to the ground.
"Are you high again?" Aiden says moving me to the other side of his lap.
"Arghhh." Grey almost yells practically answering Aiden's question.
I grab both of his legs fixing my position before he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Stop being so flirty." I bend my head over to his ear.
"If we're going to tell the whole world about this fake relationship, we got to act like it's real. Everyone's watching." He grabs my waist tighter whispering back into my ear feeling his lips graze it a bit.

"We're all settled, let's go bitches!!!" Sophie squeals putting her arms high up in the air as Eli puts the windows down letting the breeze hit us.
I feel Aiden's heartbeat from how close I am to him.
"Am I making your heart race, Denny?" I joke.
"Don't tease me, Love. You make a lot of things race around here."
"Oh god, you're back to calling me love"
We're whispering into each-others ears over the loud music playing around us.
"Do you prefer pretty, pretty girl, my love, or what?" I watch him brush the inside of his cheek with his tongue.
"You call me all of those, that's not fair."
"That's the point-"
He gets cut off as I hear Taylor swift being blasted into everyone ears.