California

Chapter Two

It took me a while to realize that since there was so much stuff that I would miss, I shouldn't waste any more time wallowing in self-pity. I texted my friends and they came over the next day. It was a Saturday, so we had plenty of time to do what we loved the most: going to this bar at the edge of the pier where we'd always score free first rounds. An older friend of ours worked there and usually turned a blind eye to us not being 18 yet. Of course we never got wasted or anything. Most times we only enjoyed a few drinks and headed home. 

Most times.

We sat on our usual table and our friend came over wearing the bar's all-black uniform. Since it wasn't really an age-restricted place, there were families with their kids sitting around, and that made our drinking even less conspicuous. We told her our picks from the alcohol menu and she winked, promising some fries too.

"So, what are you gonna do over there?" Asked Sarah, my oldest friend. 

We knew each other since preschool and our moms were really close. I wondered if it would be as hard for my mom to leave her friend as much as it would be for me.

 "I don't know. The same stuff as here, I guess." To be fair, that was a question I hadn't thought about just yet. "I mean, I'll go to some other high school and apply for college. They have some good colleges over there, I suppose. But other than that I have no idea."

"And your dad didn't say anything before?"

"I'm not sure, he might've," I said. "I remember him chatting about expanding the business over the Coast but I never thought he would have to go himself, you know?"

"Yeah, that sucks." Said Emma. I met her afterwards in middle school, but she became so close to me and Sarah that it felt like it had always been the three of us.

The drinks came and so did the french fries. I felt oddly hungry that afternoon so I attacked the snack before even sipping from my cosmo. The girls watched me go to town with the fries and we all laughed.

"Well, you know we're gonna keep in touch, right?" Said Sarah, tasting her own drink. "You have that California look, Liv, but don't forget about your girls up here."

I nodded, smiling. I did know. But it wasn't the same thing as being around them every day. People grow apart sometimes, and distance plays a huge role.

"But don't be a stranger." Said Emma. " I know you're not really fond of the whole facetiming thing but you're gonna have to get used to it."

I laughed, reminding myself that I should try that more often.

"Guys, relax! I'm gonna visit you whenever I can." I reassured them. "My grandma still lives in town, so I can stay with her when I come."

Emma smiled and sipped on her drink.

"And also," Sarah brushed her dark hair back, behind her ear. "I hear California has cute guys walking around, like, all the time. We're gonna want to hear all about that..."

I rolled my eyes and laughed the subject away. They chatted on and on about that HBO show that had premiered, or about how Betty Markles would run for student council that year and how Jonah Harris broke up with Naomi Lang over the weekend and was now leaping from one girl to the next. 

Still, I couldn't shake off Sarah's comment: I was no stranger to boys and their craft, but I had never had a serious boyfriend. Most girls tend to find someone in high school and form this lovely, adorable couple that lasted only until the end of senior year, with the exception of those sweethearts that everyone hated to loved. But that never happened to me. I had known a few guys who wanted to have that with me, but none that made me feel the same way. I guess I just wasn't ready.

But that got me thinking. What if there was someone in LA who would finally make me feel ready? I was never one to dwell on what could or could've been, nor to live my life waiting for some guy to show up and sweep me off my feet, but at least there was something about California that got me wondering. And that was good enough for now.

"What should we do next?" Asked Emma, checking her phone. We had already finished our second round. "There's this get-together at Tina's house tonight. Maybe we should go. I guess it won't go too late."

"Sure." I said. Tina was my friend too, although not that close, and this could be the perfect opportunity to say goodbye to some of the people I know.

"Let's get going, then." Sarah lifted a finger and some waiter went for the check. 

℘

I got home that night relatively early. We went over to Tina's and had a couple of drinks with some friends. It turned out it was a party rather than a "get-together", but I didn't mind. It might've been my last party in Seattle, and it ended up being pretty cool. I got to see some people who I'd really miss and managed to stay just the right amount of drunk - you know, when you're happy and excited but not enough so that you end up spending more time in the toilet than at the actual party.

I said goodbye to the girls and our Uber dropped me off at home. I went up the elevator hoping I wouldn't have to play sober for my parents. That was always tricky. I watched my long, golden hair and stared at the light green eyes I had gotten from my mom. My skin was lightly tanned, though there was hardly any sun in that town. I guess I did have that California look after all.

I went inside and the lights were off. Mom and dad were fast asleep. I filled up a cup of water but spilled some of it from still being kinda dizzy from the booze. Shit, I said, and then cleaned it up with a kitchen cloth. I scurried over to my room, where I switched over to my pajamas and fell on the bed. I was tired, but going out and being with the girls somehow lightened the load. I was feeling better already. 

I turned off the lamp and didn't take long to fall deep asleep while the rain kept falling outside.