Cold Cold Hearts

Chapter 1: Goodbye High School Days

Grace's POV

The final bell rang indicating the end of Year 12!

I was so excited to be heading out to Italy for the entire summer break again. I have spent 8 summers there with my dad. He manages a hotel branch and has been living in Positano, Italy since my parents split. The custody agreement is that my mom gets me for the entire school year and my dad gets me for the summer, till I turn 18. So, sadly this will be my last summer there before I head out to college coming Fall. I know I could always go back for my college summer breaks if I wanted, and my dad will happily host me, but I plan on being busy with internships to build up my CV.

This will be my last long visit to Positano, I thought to myself as I walked to the parking lot. My friends Emma and Casey were waiting for me beside Joel's car. Joel is my boyfriend and we have been dating since we met last year when he transferred to our school.

"Where's Joe?" I asked as I approached them.

"You know him, probably busy thanking the entire staff of the school for their exponential work for us and what not." Casey scoffed.

"Hey that's actually sweet." Emma defended.

Casey and Emma have been my best friends since the first grade. They were there for me through my parents split. Even though we were really young to even understand any of the emotions I was going through, they did their best to keep me distracted and happy.

"Hey guys, hi babe" Joel said as he reached us and kissed my forehead.

"AWWW!" Jake said from the side approaching us. Jake is Joel's best friend.

"Shut up Jake." I said as I hit his side. He likes to tease me and Joel every chance he gets.

"So everyone ready for the last year-end party?" asked Joel.

"Yup." said Casey, "Can't wait to be done and dusted with this."

"You will miss it when it's over." Jake said, "This is the last time our entire year will gather before we all head out into the world."

"So dramatic you are." Casey said

"It's true!" Jake cried, "I heard James and Dean will not be attending graduation."

"What?" I said

"Yeah." Joel said "Half of the year won't be it seems, some have their courses starting early and a few are going to study aboard so they are leaving by the end of summer." Our school holds graduation towards the end of summer to give the student time, through the course of summer, to process the fact that high school has ended and come back at the end for a bittersweet goodbye. It is actually a good idea if you ask me, unfortunately not all will be available for it.

"Oh!" Emma said.

"Anyways, the girls and I will be getting ready at my house, you guys can come back and pick us up by 7." I said as we all got into Joel's car.

*A few hours later*

"Hey sexy." Casey cooed.

"You look beautiful, Grace." Emma affirmed.

"Thank you guys." I said as smiled and I checked my make up in the mirror. I was wearing a light blue dress that hugged my body just right and was showing enough cleavage. I had my long brown hair in soft curls. [Reference image on top.]

"Well if you get lucky tonight, I won't be surprised."

"Ew, Case!" I shouted.

"She's not wrong." Emma smirked.