Promises...

Chapter 1

30 years earlier:
I was around 8 when my brother, Q, came round the house with his friends Joe, Murr and Sal.  They were 10 at the time as it was 2 years difference between us all. I was quite close with Q (my brother) so whenever his friends came over i used to hover around with them. Me and Q were the only kids of our parents.

One winters day, him and his friends came round. Our parents left Q in charge as they went out for the day. Him and his friends were in the living room, playing video games, when i sat in the corner and watched. Q was a caring brother but whenever his friends came over, I used to become so shy I would hide away.

When they were playing, Sal noticed me in the corner.
"Hey Alesha, wanna have a go?" He offered me, holding out the controller for me. I nodded and sat on the floor in front of the guys playing the game. At first, Sal helped me but eventually i learnt how to play and played against him. It was so much fun. Ever since that day, whenever the guys came round, i would hang out with them. I instantly became friends with them, especially Sal.

25 years earlier:
I was now 13, and the guys were 15, but Sal was 14. He was the youngest of them all, and i presume thats why i got on with him the most.
It was a summer evening and Q invited Sal, Murr and Joe over to our place for a BBQ,before he heads off to college. Mine and Q's parents sat on the end of the garden table, and Q sat by Joe and Sal, and Sal sat by Murr, who was by me. Me, Murr and Joe were also quite close friends as well. I was pretty close with them all. We all ate there, playing games and having a good time. When the sun was setting, Q, Joe and Murr stayed at the bottom of the garden, and my parents were cheating on the table, but i sat alone in the corner of the garden. I was facing the tree, when i felt someone's hand on my shoulder.
"Hey" i heard a soft voice say. I turned around to see Sal.
"Hey" i replied, as he pulled up a chair and sat next to me.
"Are you okay? You usually hang around with us" Sal said to me.
"Just a bit sad with Q leaving" i told him.
"Well me and him are living together in college, so you can always visit us! And its only for four years!" Sal reassured me.
"I suppose. But your both moving away to Brooklyn" i pointed out.
"Every summer I'm coming back to Staten Island, and Q will! And after college im definitely moving back to Staten Island" Sal told me.
"I suppose" i said.
"Follow me" Sal said, holding out his hand. I held his hand and followed him. He led us to a little lake, quite close to my house. We sat down in front, our feet just about touching the water. We sat there with the sun setting on the water. Sal's hand gently touched mine as we sat there and watched the sun set.

21 Years Earlier
I haven't seen Q in ages since he moved to Brooklyn for college. Come to think of it.. I haven't seen Sal either. I was now 17, and Q was 19 but Sal was 18. I decided to get my parents to drop me off to their college to visit them. I walked up to their dorm and I gently knocked it. I haven't seen them in two years! Ive texted Q but as i was busy with school i never had chance to visit.
Eventually Q opened the door and gave me a hug and let me in. I sat on one of the beds and waited for Q to come back as he popped out for a few minutes. The next thing i know their bathroom door opens and it was Sal.
"Alesha? Is that you??" Sal asked.
"Yeah! Sal!!" I replied giving him a hug. He lingered more than usual, but i didn't mind. I haven't seen him since the BBQ.
"Your all grown up!" Sal said with a laugh.
"Well i am 19! And your grown up too! Last year at college right?" I asked.
"I'm leaving next month" he told me. " then im going to find a business i can manage with my management degree!" He told me.
"Like what?" I asked.
"I don't know.. maybe a bar?" He suggested.
"Sal as a bar tender! Well, i hope it goes great for you" i said to him.
"Are you going?" Sal asked.
"Yeah, Q is taking me out for lunch" i said to him.
"I suppose I'll see you.. in a few years" Sal said.
"I suppose. We are growing up now" i said with a laugh.
"I suppose. Bye" Sal said, sounding a little disheartened.

I left and spent the day with Q. We went for lunch, watched a movie then he took me home. It was a great day.

17 Years Earlier:
Today, i went round to Sal's bar. It was my first time there. I walked in to see him behind the bar, cleaning a glass.
"Ill have an orange juice please" i said to him. He turned around as he recognised the voice.
"Alesha!!" He shouted, walking around the bar to hug me.
"Hello" i said.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Im moving into a flat with my friend, Katie" i explained.
"Thats great. Do you need any help?"  He offered.
"Only if your free!" I replied.

He nodded and helped me move some boxes into my flat. I was beginning to fancy him a bit. I had no clue why! I tried to ignore those feelings for now...

15 Years Earlier:
I was now 27, and Q was 29. I was now living in London. That was one of the last times i saw Sal, so those feelings for him kinda vanished. I had a job as a professional writer. I usually wrote novels and a couple of teen books. I moved away when i was 21, went to university for an English Degree and got a contract to be a writer. Q was living in Staten Island and I haven't seen him in person for 5 years! I met up with Murr a few years ago when he visited the UK, but I haven't seen Sal or Joe in years. I knew they were still friends as the have formed a comedy troupe together. I bet in a few years they would get a job on a show together. At least that was their big dream.

5 Years Earlier:
I was now 37 and Q was 38/39. I was still living in London. I was sat at home watching Impractical jokers. I watched it, feeling very proud for the guys and my brother. I rang my brother to congratulate him. It was so great to see Sal too. I promised myself I would visit them soon..

Today:
It was now 2018. I haven't seen the guys since around 2006! I was sat in my office one day, writing another book, when my boss walked in.
"Are you okay Alesha?" He asked me.
"Not really. Im having really bad writers block!" I told him.
"What have you got so far?" He asked.
"A girl, who has just moved to New York.. and thats it!" I said in frustration.
"I find when i have writers block, to visit the place I'm writing about" he advised me.
"You want me to go to New York?" I asked in surprise.
"You've always said you wanted to visit your brother again and you need to get rid of this writers block. Count it as a business trip. The company will pay. Stay as long as you wish!" He said to me. At first it sounded stupid. Me just packing up and leaving. But the more i thought.. maybe it wouldn't be so bad...