spring break ~david dobrik~

prologue

university of illinois

urbana-champaign, il

-

i never really understood why spring break for students in the us was in march. almost everywhere in us is still cold, and traveling across the globe for less than a week isn't a smart choice. beach day? where? we're in the midwest. 

the towns are filled with cornfields, not a bucket of water in sight. usually my friends and i just stay in our college town, drink, watch movies, and keep each other company and support each others procrastination. but this year, plans were different. 

my aunt marina, my dad's sister, offered to fly me out for spring break to visit her in la for my high school grad present....three years late. and of course, i said yes. 

i could remember the family trips when i was little to la, her houses were always huge and luxurious. i remember having to get buzzed in to drive down her street. she is a very accomplished businesswoman and shows it by buying whatever she dreams of. usually aunt marina works all day, which means the house would be alone, and i could really relax and try to come back stronger for the finish of the semester. 

i'd be dumb to say no. she could finally escape the unpredictable and bleh weather that described the midwest. always gloomy, but i kind of liked that. until i just beg and beg for a ray of sun to hit my skin to remind me of the most beautiful days. 

i hope she takes me shopping. she knows my family struggles for money, and i am only at my school because i got myself an academic scholarship, and tries to buy things she knows i need that my parents can't cover right now. i need new clothes. they were wearing thin, no matter how closely i took care of them. 

"do you think you can bring me back some of that cali weed people are always talking about?" one of my roommates, andi, asked walking into my room, and sitting next to my open suitcase on my bed. 

"im pretty sure tsa would be on my ass," i responded while picking up my makeup brushes to pack them away. 

"nah, i think there are ways! stuff tylenol bottles or roll it in cotton, i don't know," andi described as i tried to picture either scenario. 

"you just want me to get caught so you can get the bigger room," i joked zipping up my stuffed makeup bag, and sliding it to the middle of my carry on. 

"she better not cause your room is mine," my other roommate, kat, came in while speaking in the middle of an inhale. she then let out the air she was holding from her blunt and sat down in my fuzzy white bean bag. 

"i'm coming back, assholes. it's just 10 days. i'm surprised you guys aren't releaved i'm leaving," i laughed folding some of my jeans to be as flat as can be. 

"who's going to feed us? and clean for us? and go to the liquor store when no one else wants to? and take us on adventures?" andi complained from my bed, almost as if having a tantrum. 

"i'm leaving the place spotless and i expect to see it just as clean when i come back. im gonna be real pissed, guys," i warned. 

"shut up, we aren't animals," kat laughed while reaching her hand out to me. 

"i know," i laughed and sent her kisses from a few feet away as she laughed. i took a deep to inhale, feeling smoke fill my lungs a bit, then slowly releasing towards the ceiling. "by the way, just because i am going away doesn't mean i wont facetime you. im going to be alone most of the trip."

"alone? i thought your family was flying you out?" kat questioned while lighting a candle near my desk. 

"my aunt marina is. i have cousins there my age its just that they aren't on spring break yet or work and stuff. my aunt lives alone in her huge ass mansion, my cousins all live with my dad's brother," i sighed knowing that i would have my moments of absolute boredom.

"you better come back tan. you lost all of your summer color. plus, all of your freckles went away," andi teased while meeting my outstretched hand. 

"i know. i used to be beautifully bronzed," i sighed looking at my arms. i had a natural brown to my skin because of my mexican background, but the sun makes my skin glow. it's like the perfect product. 

"hopefully she leaves you a car so you can drive around and do whatever you want. maybe you can go out and meet a celebrity!" kat screamed picturing the idea in her head. 

"or go to disney! that would be so cool," andi pointed out to which i gave her a strange look.

"disneyland? im 21 years old. what would i do at disney?" i laughed.

"i dont know, explore. do something you would never do in your wildest dreams."

"please i beg you, exploit your aunt. take her money and get some new damn clothes, girl. they are all so plain and basic, not colors, no patterns, nothing. and with all those curves, all you do is wear sweats and a long tee. switch it up, miss," kat pointed out. i sighed knowing she was right. i always get basic colors of clothes so they can all match each other. 

"i know. she always takes me shopping though, so im not worried. it has to happen, im desperate to look different."

"you look beautiful regardless,"andi stated sending me an air kiss. 

"ay, stop hogging," kat laughed standing up and going towards the edge of my bed to meet andi's outstretched hand.  

"you know what you should do? make a tinder and find a little romance on your trip," kat suggested as i smiled at the thought. 

"romance? in 10 days? what could be romantic in 10 days?" i asked tossing my bathing suits into my suitcase. 

"bitch i don't know but for real, you need an ugly betty makeover. how are you ugly betty but beautiful? it hurts me and my eyes and my soul," kat pointed out making us all burst into laughter. everything i owned was black, grey, or white or super light colors, like super pale pink. 

"i'll work on it, i promise. chill," i laughed in defense mode. 

i will come back a different person, that is for sure.