Teenage Dream

Chapter 1 - It's just the beginning

Hey, I'm Isa. Isa Rodriguez. I'm 18 and living in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, USA. I've always enjoyed living in this thriving city, but my heart begs me to explore the rest of the world! I just want to be able to travel with my friends all over the country, with the roof down in the car and hands in the air, living the moment! Sadly, I haven't ever had the chance to do so, as I've been so busy studying, but now, I've decided that it's time to live my life to the fullest. Yes, the Californian pink cotton-candy skies and tall palm trees are stunning, but I want to see what else the world has to offer. I see my suitcase sitting in the corner of my closet, pleasing to be filled with belongings! 

And that's about it. 

I've had enough of sitting in this dull house. I'm an adult now. I can make my own decisions! I start to pick up articles of clothing from the pegs on my walls and shelves in my closet and fold them then place them into my suitcase. From bralettes to hoodies, skinny jeans and converse, they all go into my bag one by one! I am still wearing the same comfy denim mom jeans, my Nike air force and a white t-shirt bodysuit I was wearing from earlier.  I am so ready! I grab my wallet with my credit card from my table top and $200 dollars from my desk drawer and grab a pen. When I get downstairs with my luggage, I sit down at the dining table and begin to write a letter. Nobody is home, as my dad is in his office working, and my mom went to get her hair done at the salon. 

"Dear mom and dad,

I hope you have had a good day. I apologize for letting you know at such a late notice, but I've decided to go on a road trip! I have no idea where I am going to go, but I will stay safe and I know that I have some money with me, my whole closet in my carry on and a car ready to go! I really hope you are not too upset with my decisions, but I have realized I need a break from studying and need to let my mind run free. I will miss you! 

Love,

Isa"

Now I set the letter neatly on the table, tucked visibly just under the flower pot filled with fresh red roses. I pick up my iPhone and call my best friend Alexander and she immediately answers. 

"Isa!"

"Alex! Girl... I have a crazy plan."

"Tell me, what is it?"

"What are you doing today, or well, for the next month or so."

"Nothing much, why? All I have planned is a boring family dinner in about a week at Uncle Thomas' restaurant downtown."

"Can you skip it?"

"I.. guess so?" she stutters.

I take a deep breath and mentally prepare what I'm about to say,

"Great, because I'd like you to come with me on a road trip for the next... I don't know, two weeks? We'll follow the road wherever our hearts take us! Party hard, explore new states and mountains, visit super famous places and stay in cool hotels! Please, Alex!"

"What, when?! You can't just leave Cali like that, did you even tell your parents?"

"Come on, we're adults now! We can do what we want! I don't have to ask for my parents' permission."

"-But I do. Although I must admit, that does sound amazing Isa! I have to ask my parents but I hope I can come!"

"Okay, go get em tiger!" and I hang up the phone. 

Ten minutes later, I find myself just two minutes away from Alexandra's house, down the end of her road. I pull up and park on her driveway. Her house is humongous! There stands a cyrstal clear glass door and rosebushes on her porch. Shame she only has two others to share it with, her mom and dad. I can see Alex running up to my car, with a huge grin on her face. She sticks her cheeky tongue out, puts her luggage in the boot and gets in the passenger seat. 

"Ayyyy! Let's go!" she yells,

"Let's go!" I chime after her.

I hit the gas and the car skids off down the road, leaving fumes trailing behind us. Next up, Aidens house. I tell Alex to call and tell him she's coming over.  Aiden lives alone in a small Californian Beach Condo that his parents bought for him, which they also use it as a holiday house. The condo is really is apartment GOALS! The view from his window is mesmerizing and the crystal clear blue ocean waves constantly crash upon the golden grains of sand that scatter on the Californian beach. Half an hour later, Alex and I arrive at Crystal Grove. I knew for sure that Aiden is home because he rarely ever goes out with his family and definitely never alone. Alex ring the bell to the 22nd apartment and Aiden picks up. 

"It's ya girl Alex! Let me in" Alex chuckles. 

The door buzzes open and we step into the building.

I must say, Aiden was a little scared when I popped my head in and surprised him through the side of the door but he laughed his nerves off. When Aiden laughs, a little mole peeks out from under his chin. It is SO cute! His dark, curly locks perfectly match and compliment his deep brown eyes and long black eyelashes.

"Hey Aiden," I say as I hug him.

"Hey Isa, what brings you?"

"You're not busy right?"

"I was actually planning to ask you, Alex and Oscar out to the beach club tonight if you wouldn't mind?"

"Oh, well, I see, but I have another plan!"

'What is it?" Aiden questions curiously,

"We're going on a road trip! A huge one, Alexandra and me. I really want you to come, Aiden! It will be great!" 

Aiden took a few moments to contemplate. First, his face was surprised, as I'm not usually the one to ask him out, but then, he lit up like a lightbulb! I now notice a little smirk growing on the side of his lips.

"Sure."

Alexandra and I pull him into a tight group hug and settle down on the sofas while he goes to pack his bag. Aiden always leaves his windows open, so I can feel a cool summer breeze on my bare shoulders. My best friend is looking jaw-dropping as ever with her eyes twinkling in the golden sunlight. It is so interesting how Alex's golden locks change colour as the seasons change too. Right now, it's the middle of summer, so her hair is a deep blonde with shiny platinum streaks. Her eyes are a light blue colour, similar to the colour of the ocean outside. They have specks of dark green and hazel in them, and her pupil is surrounded by a vibrant bright green colour.

 A few minutes later and Aiden is by the door and gesturing for us to leave. He packed his luggage and is rummaging for his phone. He grabs his wallet and a couple hundred dollar bills from the cabinet and goes out to call for a lift. I start to get way too excited but try to calm myself down. I am so hyped for this! Once we get out of the lift, Aiden calls his best mate and my good friend Oscar asking if he wants to come, but of course, he asks for our permission first. I tell him that it is completely fine because I was planning to invite Oscar anyway.

We all hop into my bright orange mustang convertible and pull down the roof. I already know this is going to be the best trip of my life. After successfully convincing Oscar to come, he finally decides to ask his parents. Luckily, Oscar has the world's coolest parents that allow him to do whatever he wants! We pull up at his house, help him stuff his little suitcase in the already full boot and pass him the aux. Oscar has one of the best music tastes of people I know, that's why we are now all jamming to his whole playlist! With the blink of an eye, we're driving 60 miles an hour down the highway towards the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with me and Alex screaming the lyrics to Teenage Dreams by Katy Perry accompanied with the guys' laughter and wind blowing our hair and the sun kissing our skin...

***About me! Hey guys, I'm Jasmine, 13. I live in Dubai and like to write! I hope you are enjoying this story so far, which to me and I'm sure many others, would be the perfect holiday with friends. I apologise for any spelling/grammer errors but I'll try as hard as possible not to make any. Please write what you think of the story so far down in the comments!***