Why Can't We? / Daniel Seavey

01|start

I gripped her hands tight enough for her to know that I would always be there for her. But it was my time. My sister. The one who I had always counted on my entire life. But there has come a moment in time where we both had to let go. I dropped her hands, "I'll call you when I land. I promise. This is where I belong."

"It's so weird seeing my eighteen-year-old sister move off this island before I had the chance to." She explained as I checked the time on my watch. 8:47 pm. I grabbed my suitcase from the backseat of her car and placed it on the concrete of the terminal of the airport

"I can't believe it either. I've spent my entire life on this island and now it's time to build my career. At this point, it doesn't seem real." Her phone rang and she walked away to answer. She stood about twenty feet from the car, her conversation seemed heated. Both of us grew up in a small town on Long Island, she's twenty-five and engaged to a well-invested guy who grew up about a half an hour from us. We moved around once a few years back, and it tore our family apart. Autumn was the one to pull me out of the relationship I had with my parents. This is the real reason I'm going to LA.

Autumn walked over after ending her phone call, "Well Alaska, I'll see you soon. I'll actually miss you." Then we engulfed each other in our arms. The moment was silent and all of the hustle of the international airport seemed to stop. Just for a moment, it felt like everything was okay. Reality crept up on us quickly, we exchanged our final goodbyes and she drove off. Leaving me here on the sidewalk outside my terminal. Where the darkness and mist consumed her car. I waited outside for a minute, just to make sure it was real. And surely it was, my sister didn't come back, she didn't text me, she left. I guess that's the end of it. For now.

-

I landed in LA at about six in the morning ate breakfast and grabbed a taxi into central LA. Where I would pick up my car at a local dealership. It took about thirty minutes to drive there, the sun was warm and refreshing. It was much different from New York. Everyone wasn't in such a rush to get everywhere. People enjoyed the time, It was still early, only about seven thirty. And unfortunately, as we pulled up to the dealership I saw I had about a half an hour until it opened. I grabbed my bags from the trunk and paid my dues, I opened my phone and searched for a nearby Starbucks for a pick-me-up. I got lucky and walked about a block to the closest one. There were palm trees everywhere, just like how you saw in the movies. Most of the people out were dressed in fancy attire. While I rocked a pair of jeans. The air smells like sunshine and honeysuckle. After months of preparations and secrets, I had finally made it here. I started back in January when I turned eighteen. I started looking for jobs. And soon enough halfway through February, I had gotten scouted by a popular modeling agency named IMC. I met with a recruiter, sold my car, and leased an apartment. And once everything was finalized I started shipping my stuff to LA. I had saved up money for years and eventually, after working full time and going to school I had saved up enough money for all of these expenses. One getting settled I leased my car, a Jeep Rubicon. Bad on gas, but super trendy. And it's nice to feel free after being in shackles for my entire life back on Long Island. Not only do I have money saved up, my modeling agency IMC helped everything happen and dealt with the things I couldn't handle from the east coast. I needed an out from that Island. Because literally, everyone you meet from there is a complete air head. I am one hundred percent better than that.

The green lettering of Starbucks met my eyes and I sighed with relief. I crossed the street quickly, dragging my suitcase behind me. I pulled open the door. Immediately I was pushed with cold air and a loud but peaceful sound of coffee grinders and casual conversation filled my ears. I stepped on the line, took off my sunglasses and read through the menu. Nothing sparked my eye so I decided on a black coffee. Meanwhile, I texted my sister that I had landed safely and that I was about to pick up my car. But I put my phone away, frankly, I wasn't interested in hearing from other people that didn't add meaning to my life.

The barista waved me up to the counter, "Good morning, welcome to Starbucks what can I get for you?" she asked with a bubbly smile.

"A grande black coffee would be great." She stepped away from the counter for about thirty seconds and came back. As she did that I dug through my backpack for my wallet.

"That'll be five dollars and fifty cents please." I handed the barista my money and walked out. As I put my sunglasses back on my face I turned the corner and collided with a tall slim body. My coffee fell to the ground.

"Oh my god your shoes, I'm so sorry I can pay you for them," I said quickly and defensively pulling out my wallet. His fresh white sneakers were now stained with coffee

He laughed, "Don't worry about it. I don't think I've ever seen any girl from LA drink a black coffee." He bent down and picked up the now empty cup and tossed it into a nearby trash can. he turned back to me.

"I don't think you ever will. I'm not from here." I said raising my sunglasses and chuckling. I was met with piercing blue eyes and a chiseled facial structure. He smiled.

"Well since you're clearly new here, let me treat you to another coffee." He said raising his bushy brow.

"No it's okay, maybe I should be the one offering," I said laughing and running my fingers through my hair.

"No, I insist c'mon coffee girl." I followed.

"Wow, not even a first name basis?" I said with a grin. He turned his head and laughed.

"I'm Daniel, and whats your name beautiful?"

"Alaska, I just flew in from New York." He opened the door for me and I walked in still dragging my suitcase.

"What are you doing here then? You look so young to be here by yourself." He asked scanning the menu

"Well I was born and raised on Long Island and I just needed an out. So I got a job here and I'm making it work."

"Interesting Alaska, you seem like an interesting girl ." He said pushing my hair behind my ear.

He ordered five coffees and added an extra one for me. The barista whipped them up quickly and handed them to him.

"Could you go get me a bunch of sugar packets?" He asked as he was gathering himself and putting the cardboard insulators on all the cups. I walked over to the counter and took a second to find them, I grabbed a handful and walked back over.

"Well Alaska, you're absolutely gorgeous." He said handing me my coffee. He was cute, with a touch of shy.

"Thank you, Daniel, I'll see you around," I said as we walked out, we walked in opposite directions. But I turned back to see where he has gone and he was walking towards a group of boys around his age. I shook my head and took a sip of my coffee. The insulator read, "Hello coffee girl, call me sometime - Daniel." And he left his phone number.