Paradise (Season 1)

Episode 1: Leaving Home

Paradise

Leaving Home

Melissa

"Mom, I already told you. We're going to be fine. Andy, Gordon, and Carlos are going to be with us. They will protect us if anything happens." I tried to sooth my mother's nerves. My best friends and I are going on a road trip to California for the summer. We plan to go across the country, stopping in other cities along the way, and make our way to Los Angeles. I want to go to check the music scene. My best friends who are coming with me have their own reasons for wanting to go...beside to have fun. Isabel wants to make her way in music but for songwriting. Jessie wants to become a DJ/Choreographer. Her sister Lexi wants to become a singer. And lastly Sasha, she's all about dancing. Then there's the boys. My best guy friend Andy, Jessie's boyfriend Gordon, and our gay best friend Carlos. They're there to support and protect us. Almost like body guards.

My mother cupped my cheek. "Just promise me you'll be safe. And I mean in every way." I flushed and nodded.

"Promise, Mom. I love you. Say goodbye to Dad me. " I pulled her into a hug.

"I love you, too, baby. And I will." She pulled away and held me at arms length then turned to my friends.

"Oh come here you guys! None of you are too old for a hug." They laughed and took their turns hugging her.

"Take care of each other, will you? I don't want to have to hear of anything bad. And no sex, drugs, alcohol, any of that crap!" Andy chuckled.

"Come on, Momma G. You know with Melissa here, none of that is going to fly." They all laughed and I shrugged. I've been called the mother of our group for that specific reason.

"Sure that's true. But since you all finally graduated high school and finished your first year in college, y'all might have the mentality that you're grown. And I'm really talking about you boys. Your dicks belong in your pants. I mean it." Us girls couldn't help but giggle. I love how raw my mom can get sometimes. My phone sounded in my back pocket signaling for us to start leaving Connecticut to our first stop on the trip. I took it out and switched it off.

"Okay everyone. Time for us to start leaving. If we leave now, we could be in New York by 8 at night," I said. Everyone said their final goodbyes to my mom and loaded into the cargo van full of our things. Andy hopped into the drivers seat and I sat next to him. Everyone else loaded into the back. Andy pulled out of the driveway of my parents house and headed down the road towards the highway. Everyone else was laughing in the back and singing to the music playing on the radio. They were all relaxed and ready to have fun but I was stressed about getting to Los Angeles. What if I'm not able to make the cut for the record company? What if I'm not good enough? What if I-

I felt Andy's hand touch my hand of the arm rest. I looked at him and he gave me a quick look that said relax. He could see how nervous I was about this road trip. I gave him a small nod and leaned back against the seat. I closed my eyes and let myself drown in the music.

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"Are freaking serious right now?" I awoke to the sound of a frustrated Andy. I blinked a few times to help myself adjust to the bright blinking lights of ambulances and cop cars that look to stretch forever.

"Where are we?" I asked disoriented. He sighed.

"In traffic on this damn highway. We're in New Jersey now. We already went to New York and picked up and switched into the tour bus from Isabel's dad." I frowned. Did I really sleep through all that? Andy noticed my confusion.

"I was going to lay you down in the one of the beds but when I tried, you didn't want to let me go. You have a bad nightmare you woke from half way to New York so I guess that's why. Don't you remember?" I felt even more confused. I remember my nightmare but I don't remember waking up from it. I shook my head at him.

"You fell asleep before we even got on the highway. Half way to New York, you began tossing and turning about in your sleep. So I stopped the van on the side of the road to see if you were okay and you woke startled to see me and began to cry. It took me a few minutes to calm you down, then you fell out again. Once we got to the city and switched of the van to the bus, I tried to lay you down in one of the beds but your grip tightened on me self-consciously. So I sat you here in the front with me and you let go...are you feeling okay?" I nodded my head.

"Yeah... I don't know what happened. I don't remember anything." Andy grasped my hand and gave my a gentle smile.

"It's okay. As long as you're okay." I smiled back at him.

"What time is it?"

"Almost 2 in the morning."

"Wow... do you want me to drive? You've got to be exhausted." He chuckled and shook his head.

"No, I'm okay. You're the one who needs rest. You've been stressed lately. I want you to be your best when you audition for Capital Records. You deserve to make your dreams come true. You all do." I laughed humorlessly. He glanced at me.

"Mel, I'm serious. Sleep, hun. I've got this." I grimaced.

"Wake me up, if anything, okay?"

"Sure, sure." I stood up from my seat and pulled his face toward mine.

"Promise?" He was mere inches away from me. I could feel his breath fan over my face. I watched as his eyes trailed from my lips back up to my eyes and nodded. I kissed his cheek.

"Goodnight, Andy."

"Goodnight, Melissa."

I made my way to the bunk beds in the back of the bus and found an unoccupied bed. I laid in the bed staring at the bed above me. So many things clouded my mind but all I wanted to do is sleep. I took out my white iPhone and turned on Beyoncé's new album. Pretty Hurts came on and I bopped my head to the music before slumber finally took over my body.

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Hi guys! So this is my new story that I want to try out. Please comment and vote, you'd all be the best! :) Oh and check out my other story, Next In Line, a Harry Styles love story. Love y'all!