West Coast Secrets

Chapter 1: Finally

"Farrah Robertson." The sound of my name caused me to jump out of my seat and a soft roar erupted from the crowd as I stepped onto the stage. A small tingle of excitement pushed me to walk across the platform and grab the diploma from the principal. After a quick picture and a handshake, it was all over. My suffering had finally come to an end, or so I thought. 

The graduation after party was a blur. After two shots I couldn't remember who I arrived with or what I had even learned in high school. When I woke up I was laying across from my best friend Marty, his blue eyes stared into my hazel ones. I jumped softly, not used to being woken up in this manner. I bumped my head on the hardwood floor and groaned. 

"Good-morning sunshine!" He exclaimed with a little too much excitement for my liking. My head pounded profusely as he spoke. I would never understand where he gained the energy to be so lively. Previously, I watched Marty take just as many shots as me even though I had never had alcohol before, unlike Marty who had been the school's party animal. 

"Marty, why does my head hurt?" I groaned slowly sitting up from my spot on the floor. Marty only let out another laugh before he hopped up to hold out his hand. I took his hand and allowed him to help me to the kitchen, which was a horrible idea. The kitchen had a bright yellow glow with white trims around the window and walls. The counters were a sparkly white along with the majority of the appliances. The light wooden floor madd a loud creaking noise anytime I moved. My head pounded even louder at the small noise being made from beneath my feet.  

"Oh my god, Marty." I groaned burying my face into his shoulder in hopes that the blinding colors would go away. His laugh is loud enough to brighten the room even more. Normally I would melt at the sound, but today was an exception.

"I tried to get you to drink water, but you kept refusing my offers." Marty shrugged before he lead me to a nearby wooden chair that matched the color of the floor. 

"I don't remember that." I stated raising an eyebrow toward the boy. Marty shook his head, his floppy brown hair an obvious mess. 

"You were too wasted." Marty smirked before finally finding the cabinet with the medicine. He pulled out a small white bottle which I assumed was Tylenol. He pulled out a couple of tablets before filling a nearby cup with water. 

"Who's cup is that?" I asked trying to focus on the sharpie blur on the side of the cup. 

"No idea." Marty chuckled before walking over with the cup and medication. He handed the two pills to me and leaned against the counter. Suddenly it hit me, the boy in front of me wasn't wearing a shirt. 

"Marty, where is your shirt?" I ask, my eyes widening. 

"Somewhere in the living room." He shrugged again, running his fingers through his messy hair. His green eyes sparkled mischievously making my gag reflexes retaliate. 

"Don't even act like you don't see these abs." He laughed running his hands over his overly built chest. 

"Don't, no, stop." I looked away and hold my head with a groan. This only causes him to laugh harder at my reaction. 

"Are you sure you aren't gay?" Marty continued to laugh and raise an eyebrow. 

"Yes, I'm just not into the football guys who workout every day of their lives." I told him finally looking back over at him. He bit on the inner part of his cheek before he sighed. I gave him a confused look momentarily until he lit up.

"So when you move out to California, this means you'll hook me up with all those beach babes?" He winked playfully. I shook my head with a painful eye roll, which reminded me that I have pain medication to take. 

"I'll consider it." I told him before finally taking the painkillers. California was going to be my new start, away from all the people in New York. I was tired of walking out to face city, it's finally time for change. My plan wasn't like most teenagers in my class though. The majority of them were all headed to colleges or had large plans. Instead I planned to live with my grandparents in a small town just outside of Los Angeles. 

"Farrah, if you don't get ready now you will miss your flight." Marty sighed again, this time more sad than the last. I nodded and smiled softly walking around the island counter to give my shirtless best friend a tight hug. He squeezed me back almost twice as hard in a bone crushing embrace which caused me tear up a little. 

"I'll call you when I land." I whispered not wanting to speak. He nodded letting out a shaky sigh. Only once have I seen Marty cry before and that was in the fourth grade when he broke his leg playing tackle football. 

"Take care of yourself out there, and remember I'm only a phone call away." He said taking in a deep shaky breath before stepping back. I nodded and punched his arm lightly before walking out of the kitchen. It only took me a few seconds to find my keys in his living room before I looked around at the place that was my second home. 

"Goodbye, I'll miss you." Was the last thing I said. Then I headed out of Marty's house to head to mine. In three hours I would be on my way to a new life. 

***

The plane ride wasn't anything special, just long and boring. I slept through the first flight to Kansas City, Missouri. The next flight I played card games with the small girl next to me. Her little blonde braids fell to her shoulders, and she had freckles that covered the top of her cheeks. Anytime she would win a game her dark brown eyes would sparkle brightly. I realized how much I would miss this little human once our flight landed. 

"Passengers please fasten your seat belts, we'll be landing in Los Angeles, California shortly." I smiled and looked out the window to see the city below me. Finally, life was going to begin.