ONCE IN A LIFETIME ≫ h.g

Chapter 1

Brooke's P.O.V:

7 AM. I woke up to the sound of my alarm going crazy on the other side of the room. It was a Saturday and waking up earlier than ten felt like a crime. However, Nash was going to pick me up at 8:30. I was finally going to meet his family, the Griers. The excitement rushed through me like adrenalin and I jumped out of bed, turned off the alarm that was placed by the door, so that I'd have to get up, and rushed into the bathroom. I washed my hair in the shower and proceeded to my closet to pick out an outfit after that.

Today was the day I was going to meet Nash's infamous brother Hayes, the one he spoke so much about. I knew Hayes was my age, but other than that I didn't know much about him. It was funny, how much but also how little I knew about Nash. I had only known him a year after all, we became friends right after he moved to L.A with Cameron. The friendship with Nash had been a savior for us both, a knight in shining armor, and we had grown unbelievably close in such a sort amount of time.

To get to North Carolina, where Nash's family lived, we could either drive or take a plane. Since the drive took thirty eight hours straight, which would result in at least a two days drive, I opted that we flew. I therefore decided to dress up in a pair of grey sweats and the crop-top that said "Mentally dating Nash Grier". Which was kind of funny, because he was my best friend and brother, and not at all anything like a boyfriend. Our love consisted of a fellow understanding that we were friends and would always be just that, friends. Furthermore, I was sixteen and he was nineteen, so anything else would be weird. For now, at least.

I used around thirty minutes to finish all my affairs in the bathroom, and sat down at the kitchen table with my mom as the clock hit 7:30. "How's dad?" I asked my mom, as a way to start the conversation without talking about the trip to North Carolina. Not that Mom had anything against Nash, I mean, she adored the guy, but I knew me being gone for several weeks would be tough on her. It was tough on me too, but I had a million things going on, where as she, after the separation with my dad, only had one - and that was me. I felt sort of guilty that i had to leave her here all alone, but I was too excited, and maybe also a little bit too selfish to let it stop me from going. "Oh, he's good, I think", Mom responded. " Haven't really talked to him in a while though. Think he's traveling somewhere soon, don't remember where. You should give him a call".

I decided to do what my mom suggested, and gave my dad a call. I called him upstairs in my room, because I had things to pack, but mostly because Mom and Dad often got weird around each other. It was like they made it a competition, who knew me the best, who was the best parent, and because I lived consistently with Mom, Dad always felt threatened as a parent. It was ridiculous. I put the phone on speaker and it rang while I packed the last few necessities, such as my charger and toothbrush. 

"Hello?" my dad answered the phone. "Hi dad", I responded, unsure if he heard me because of the insane background noise that came through the speaker. "Hi Brooke. Listen, I can't really talk to you right now. Angelica and I are about to board our plane. I'll call you later. Okay? Bye". My dad hung up and I sighed. It was the same story every time, he always promised to call me, and it never happened. It was whatever, and it didn't really matter that much to me, but it still felt a little hard to drift away from him. To distract myself, I went downstairs and watched some TV with Mom and just waited for Nash to come and pick me up.

...

At 8:32 the doorbell rang and my mom ran to the door to up for him. Nash and she chatted while I grabbed my suitcase and purse. Her eyes watered when I came downstairs with my luggage. "Bye mom, I love you so much and I'll miss you", I said and kissed her cheek. She embraced me. "Thank you honey, but I doubt that you will. Now, don't worry about me, just have all the fun you can have. I love you so much". We exchanged a few more hugs, kisses and "love you's" before Nash clarified that we had to leave now. It was already 8:45 and our plane left at 10:00. 

Nash, being the gentleman that he is, grabbed my suitcase and carried it out to the cab we were taking to the airport. "Damn girl", he said as he leaped it over in the car. "You're only staying at my place for two weeks, but it seemed like you brought your whole closet!" I laughed and seated myself in the car. As soon as Nash got in, the cab driver set off and we drove to the airport in what must've been record time.

...

Luckily, we made our flight with plenty of time to spare, due to the cab driver's efficiency and  the fact that I managed to talk Nash out of going through tax-free. He flew enough as it was, and I was confident that he did not need to use our time together as well on it. When we boarded, I took my phone out of my pocket, and put my headphones in. "Oh, really", I heard Nash say. "Are you planning on being an unsocial ass the entire plane ride? It is four and a half hour, you know that right?" I smirked. "Imagine you not being entertained by someone for that long. That is a nightmare". Nash smiled sarcastically and started to play a game on his phone. Calming music played in my headphones and I took out my neck pillow. As sleep took over me, I heard Nash's voice above the soft music, like a whisper, a blessing. "Sleep well, sweetie".

NASH'S P.O.V:

It took Brooke maybe three minutes to fall asleep on the plane, which was understandable because she had been up earlier than she's used to. I enjoyed to look at Brooke while she was asleep because she looked so peaceful and calm. She always had this calmness over her, but underneath it she hid unspoken issues. It was scary, actually, how a person could seem that calm, but have a storm inside them and most people wouldn't even know. But I knew, and I was there, and I'd like to believe that I helped her in some way or another. God knows she helped me at least.

... 

My mom had left her car in the parking lot at the airport for me to drive, because she herself traveled just a few days ago. The ride from the airport to my house took approximately an hour and a half, but Brooke started complaining fifteen minutes in. "Man, this drive takes forever", she said just as the display on my phone rang and the name "HAYES" lit up. I handed Brooke the phone and she answered it for me and put it on speaker.

"Where are you man?" Hayes didn't bother to say hi, but jumped straight to the question. "We're like an hour away dude. You have to hold your breath a little longer", I answered. "Well, hurry up. I miss you bro". I smiled. I had missed Hayes too. "You know I'm bringing a friend right?" I asked. "Yeah!" Hayes practically screamed. "What the hell is up with that, Nash? You can't date someone that's my age". Both Brooke and I burst into laughter. "We're not dating". I was quick to settle the subject. "Oh", Hayes responded. "Too bad for you, she looks pretty. Maybe I'll steal her- Gotta go. I'll see you soon".

"Tell me about them", Brooke said after ten minutes of silence

"Who?" I said sleepy. The flight had really taken on me.  She giggled. "Your family, idiot". I couldn't help but stare at her. Man, she was beautiful. Although I knew Hayes was joking when he said he'd steal her, I wouldn't be surprised if he actually did. At least fall for her. It was kind of hard to not fall for her. I viewed her as a friend, and only a friend but I'd still feel a bit of jealousy for the boy who'd get to be her one and only, the rest of her life. And I didn't even know who that boy was yet. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked and ripped me out of my deep thoughts. I turned my head back on the road. "It's because you're really beautiful. You know that. Wanna stop and get something to eat?" I answered. We were close to iHop. "Nah, I'm fine", she said, and we drove for a total of ten seconds before she broke the silence again. "WAIT, OH MY GOD, IS THAT STARBUCKS? STOP THE CAR!" I laughed as I drove into the parking lot in front of the infamous café.