100 Years to Live (Completed)

Chapter 25 : Century

My name is Noelle Grey. This has been my unlikely love story of wizards, werewolves, and vampires. This is not based on a true story. This is a true story...

"I can't believe the publisher rejected this!" I shouted as I reread the formulaic business reply that uses two well written paragraphs to say "you've been denied." I took the letter and angrily marched into the room where Jonah was packing his clothes into his suitcase. "What is this outrageousness?"

Jonah sighed and read the letter. "Sorry Noelle. It says here that you weren't…creative enough."

"What are they smoking? Not creative enough? Falling in love with a vampire, finding out your werewolf best friend is in love with you, and then ending up with a wizard is not creative enough?!"

"Apparently not. Says here that a series called The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer has about the same plot and beat you to it."

Defeated, I sat down on the bed and sulked. "What? There can't be more than one mythological creature romance in the world?"

Jonah laughed.

"What?!"

"First of all, you're cute when you're angry. And second, maybe this is what you get for trying to make your life into a story and selling it."

"It's called a memoir. Duh."

"Stop pouting and finish packing. We're leaving in 15 minutes."

"Yeah yeah."

I thought I was okay. I thought I could handle it. But turning that last corner and seeing my old house again really did it. Nostalgia hit me like a sucker punch. For nearly four years now, I've attended Julliard and never returned home in fear that I wouldn't have the guts to ever leave again.

"They're waiting to see you," Jonah said.

"Psychic vision?"

"No, there are balloons and a big 'welcome home, Noelle' sign outside."

"Ah."

Slowly, I stepped out of the car and into the place I thought I would never return. Home.

"NOELLE!"

Amy was the first to tackle me down. After she succeeded in squeezing the air out of me, I gave Benjy a small hug before Lindsey came running out towards me. A group hug with my sister, Kelley, Megan, Natalie, and Janice followed. God, is this what I was missing? I felt so full of energy and excitement, I've been apart from my friends for far too long.

I followed my friends back inside the house where, I swear, the whole town was waiting for me. I greeted all the old faces and it was just like old times. I was caught up on the whole town's affairs in the past years I've missed. Turns out I missed the best prom this town has ever had.

Somewhere in the crowd, I found Garret. And, after waiting years, I said it. "I missed you, Dad. Sorry I left without saying goodbye."

The way his face broke into a smile, it was enough to never call him Garret ever again. A father isn't only defined as your paternal side of genes, but a parental figure in your life that cares for you and loves you. And I was a fool to not realize it sooner.

When I couldn't possibly drag it out any longer, I walked to the corner where Clarence, Ethan, and Frankie stood. Like a chicken, Frankie sensed the awkward heart-to-heart-to-heart coming up and ran off with a quick hug before he was caught in it too.

"Hi," I said.

They both returned a half-smile.

"I guess I owe you guys an explanation?"