A Wild Ride

Before

"Are you so excited for our trip?!" The shrill squeal erupts before I even have a chance to process the thin, but very strong arms, of my best friend wrapped around me. 

"Yes, Nadia, I'm very excited," I laugh trying to push her off me. 

With how she's acting you'd think that we hadn't seen each other in weeks when in reality I saw her four hours ago at another one of our friends' open houses. We graduated high school about three weeks ago and ever since then it's just been open house after open house as we all celebrate the end of our K-12 career and the beginning of college. 

In just a month Nadia and I are finally fulfilling our dreams of being college roommates at NYU. We've been inseparable since elementary school so obviously we didn't plan on not continuing our schooling together. 

"Really because you don't look very excited," She pushes me back and raises one of her perfectly done brows in question, reading me a way that only she could. 

"No, I'm just a little nervous- we've never gone on a trip without our families before and I kind of have a bad feeling, that's all," I step back a bit and turn towards my suitcase, zipping up the bag. 

"Ugh don't be worried Gracie, this is gonna be a blast! Plus you've been with Harris for like two months now and you still haven't sealed the deal, this is the perfect opportunity!" 

"Yeah, you're right, this is gonna be great," it comes out as more of a mumble but she takes it anyway, grinning and grabbing my bag, "Let's go Tommy and Harris are waiting outside. We're gonna meet Rachel and Jemma at the airport." 

-------

I've never really been a fan of traveling, especially not cross-country. Honestly, I have no idea how Nadia convinced this Seattle girl to go to school in New York. I love my family, it's big and we're all super close. I don't want to be without them, but I also don't want to be without Nadia. 

I also just really hate flying. I know that it's safer than driving, but it really doesn't feel that way when you're up there in that giant flying tin can of death.  

"We're on the ground now, babe, you can open your eyes," Harris's soft whisper in my ear causes my eyes to shoot open, completely caught off guard. I shift in my seat and let out an uneasy laugh while Harris lets out more of a hearty chuckle. 

"Let's just go, please, I want to get off this thing," I stand from my seat quickly, ignoring Harris' laughing as I hurry to gather my belongings suddenly feeling claustrophobic. I hurry off as fast as I can, not checking to see if my friends are behind me. 

"Gracie, wait up!" Nadia calls after me, pushing past an elderly couple as she hurries after me. I turn and wait for her once I make it to the terminal, ignoring the odd looks I receive from the other passengers and flight crew. 

"Hey Sonic, didn't think to wait for the rest of us?" Nadia asks as she, and the rest of our group make it to me. 

I feel the heat creep onto my cheeks as they all look at me, "I'm sorry guys I just really don't like planes." 

Harris wraps his arm around my waist as we all start walking toward baggage claim, "Let's not think about that now. I mean it's our last time all together until college guys! Let's make this a trip we'll never forget!" Everyone hollers their excitement, drawing the attention of other people, except me. 

I still can't shake the uneasy feeling settling into the pit of my stomach. It's not necessarily an ominous feeling, but more of a feeling like nothing is going to be the same after this. Like something big is going to happen.  Obviously nothing is going to be the same, we're all going to college in around a month and a half, so of course, everything is going to change. 

Nadia and I are the only ones going to the same school. Harris is going to Penn State, which isn't too far from NYU where Nadia and I are going. 

Harris's arm tightens as he looks down at me, concern drowning his features, "You sure you're okay babe?" He says it quietly so our friends don't hear. 

I give him a tight smile, "Yeah, I will be." 

-------

Our hotel is nothing short of beautiful, not that I'm surprised by that at all. Harris's parents paid for the trip and they're definitely what I would consider being very wealthy. 

The high ceilings and beautifully made king-sized bed scream luxury. The polished tile floors and incredibly beautiful views are amazing as well. The best part of our room, however, is the shower. It's huge- you could easily fit four people in it. And the showerhead is one of those really fancy ones that mimic rainfall. I can't wait to use it. 

"This room is beautiful Nad, I can't wait to use this shower," I call out from the bathroom. I turn when I hear the footsteps against the tile walking towards me. My smile falters when I see Harris instead of Nadia in the doorway of the extravagant bathroom. 

"Oh, hey, um where's Nadia?" 

"She's in her and Tommy's room getting ready to go out," Harris steps closer, his eyes going up and down my body, which is still dressed in the leggings and tank top that I elected to wear on the plane. 

"She's sharing a room with Tommy?" Harris nods and my stomach drops, "I thought that Nadia and I were sharing this room." 

"No babe, this is our room," by now Harris is right in front of me, his hands coming to wrap around my waist. My breath catches in my throat at our proximity and I struggle to take in my next breath, the room suddenly feeling very small. 

Harris's hot breath touches my neck and my heart pounds against my ribs as I try to think of a way out of this, but the only thing  I can focus on is  Harris's unwanted kisses on my sweaty neck.

I can't do this. 

I really can't do this. 

"I'll take the couch then," I say before wiggling out of his grip and exiting the bathroom as fast as I can. 

This trip is not off to a great start.