"What happened? What's wrong?" Eric asked again.

"Ugh, I'm fine. I just fell, that's all."

"Yeah, Casey, I dated you for 2 months. Don't you think I can tell when you're lying?"

I ignored him and continued walking to .. I have no idea where the hell I'm going. Definitely not back to Billy's apartment.

"Come on, why don't you come over to my house and you can tell me. It's not very far," Eric suggested, putting his arm around me.

"No, thanks. I'm fine," I replied coldly.

"Shut up with the 'I'm fine' already. Geez, admit that you're not fine for once, damn it."

"Fine."

"You're admitting you're not fine?"

"No, you idiot. I'm fine. I meant 'Fine, let's go to your place'."

"Fine."

Well, it wasn't as though I had anywhere else to go, right? So he led me to his house and he was right. It wasn't that far, just around the corner.

Oh, Eric is a rich freak. He's the legal heir to his dad's million dollar company, JewelMe, as he's the oldest. He has two other brothers but they're with their mum. Eric's parents divorced a year back but somehow Eric still has hope that they'll get back with each other cause they don't argue much and still see each other from time to time.

So basically, the only people living in this huge mansion is five housekeepers, three cooks, two butlers, three gardeners, Eric and his dad.

When I was dating Eric, I used to get loads of free jeweleries that are REAL. Seriously, diamond, topaz, garnet, sapphire. You name it. But then again, relationships aren't all about money. He was a jerk, wait, he is a jerk and I just couldn't take his ego. Too much to handle.

So yeah, that's about Eric.

Oh, and just to brag a little more, he has a private jet, a beach house and a yacht. Yeah, every girl's dream man. Minus the ego of course.

"Harry?" Eric called out, as soon as he was in the house. His butler came in no time.

"Yes, sir?"

"Could you get the cooks to prepare lunch for two? Dad will be home later in the evening."

"Yes, sir. I'll get right to it."

"Much appreciated, Harry."

The butler left for what I think is the kitchen and Eric pulled me over to the living room.

"I'm all ears, babe."

'What? I said I was fine. Leave me alone will ya?" I quickly changed the subject. "Soo ... how's Jeremy and Mark?"

"They're fine. I see them thrice a week. Mum's okay too."

"Good, good. I miss them you know. They were too, like my little brothers."

"I know you do."

I sighed.

The rest of the afternoon was usual. We ate lunch, talked. Like old days. His dad called and said that he would be home late as he had to supervise a meeting. So we had the whole house to ourselves. Noon soon became night. I practically stayed there the entire day. Honestly, I kinda forgot about Billy. He'll be fine.

"Hey, come on." Eric held my hand and pulled me upstairs to his room. I followed him.

"You still have pictures of us?" I asked, looking around the room.

"Yeah," Eric replied, sitting on his bed.

"Oh my god! You still kept this! I told you to throw it away! I look like shit in here," I said, holding up a picture that showed the both of us hand in hand at the Hollywood Park. He took me there once. It was the best night of my life. We partied at Club Fret all night long and spent the night in one of the best hotels in Hollywood.

"It's memories I never want to forget."

I could feel Eric come up behind me and put his arms around my waist. I could feel his breathing on my neck. He turned me around to face him. Slowly, he lowered his lips to mine and he kissed me. Damn, how I miss his kisses. They were always so slow and relaxing and calming.

Kisses soon turned into more. And more turned into sex.

I left his house at 10 pm that night and made my way back to Billy's.

Oh no, what was I thinking? I did not just have sex with Eric. I did not.

But I did.


"What.. What is he doing here."

It was later that evening when i've finally reached home after an exhausting day out. Yes, i drived back without getting hit by a car. Proud, i'm indeed proud of myself.

No, i do not have my driving licence yet. My birthday is still months away.

My mum taught me how to drive earlier, just in case, Lance's too busy to drive me out. So, i tried driving.. to somewhere near of course. Casey's place, Billy's apartment. It's alright. But, the city? I can't.

I do not want to get into trouble of course. So i'm always careful. But, there's always this fake license in my purse, which Casey got me a year ago.

So yeah, i can drive. without having my actual license yet.

I have to admit, driving can be really fun sometime.

"Minnie, are you OK?"

I pushed my thoughts aside and nodded my head, "Yeah. yeah, totally."

Ashton dropped by to have dinner with my family. Mum was busy in the kitchen, preparing her famous dishes. Lance is nowhere to be found. Eurika is at my grandmother's place for the time being. The old ones (my grandmother etc etc) miss her so they wanted her to stay with them. They never liked me. In fact, they hate me. Well, ever since last Christmas, when i accidentally took the scissors and cut Aunt Mary's wig.

"It's not a wig!" her voice echoed in my head.

Yeah, hair.

"What brings you here?" i sat down on the couch and he followed.

He gave a sudden giggle. "Bored at home. Mike will be at his girlfriend's place for a week. I don't really get along with the other roommates. I mean, they're cool. Just, not as cool as him though." he took a sip of water from the glass and put it back on the table.

"Mike?"

"Yeah, you know him."

Oh yeah. Mike. How can i forget.

The only guy who talked to me at Denise's party. Hot. Charming. And, i didn't get his number. Damn.

"Oh.." i could feel my cheeks, turning bright red. I scratched my head and asked politely, "How is he?"

"Right. I know what you're thinking." he grinned at me.

"You do?"

"You're not his type so, get over it. "

"Oh really." i pushed him and he pushed me back. We ended up acting like little kids on the couch, screaming and pulling each other's hair. He tickled me and that's when i rolled down from the couch. Ow.

I laughed really hard. My stomach hurt after a while, but it was all good. It's been a long time since i've last talked to him. He hasn't change. Okay, maybe for the body. He has been working out. He's.. gorgeous. Wtf, okay now i'm staring at him.

"What?"

"No nothing." i shook my head, disapproving the thoughts of me having a crush on him.

"Is there something on my face." he asked anxiously. He took out his iPhone to check his reflection, to find nothing on his face at all.

"There's nothing wrong with your face," and i continued staring at him.

"Then why are you staring at me like that?"

"Er.." i looked down to think for the right word. "You're hot." i did it. i praised him.

"Well," he sniffed and rubbed his nose. He put his hand around my shoulder and whispered, "Did you just realize it now or did you realize it long time ago and never wanted to tell me that?"

"Only just now. Did you. Did you go for.."

"What?"

"You know.." i tried to explain, nose job by doing hand movements.

"No! i did not. This baby." he points to his nose, "is real."

"Dinner's ready!" mum called us from the kitchen.

"Hungry yet?" i asked. He was busy finding for the TV's remote control instead.

"Hm, not really. Wanna watch some tv first, stay here with me." he replied while taking the remote control using his other hand.

"Mum!" i took a glance at him, why oh why must he be soooo gorgeous.

"I'll have dinner later."

*

"Your mum is the best cook ever. HONEST, opinion." Ashton told me right after dinner. We were in my room, deciding on whether or not to watch a movie or just gossip about our friends at school.

"I know, right? She was famous for her cooking back at Columbus." i replied tiredly.

"Why did you move here?"

"Long.. story."

"We've got the whole night. Tell me." he had his 'oh-i'm-so-interested' face on.

I laid on my bed and flashed back. "Hm. Mum just wanted to move here. For no reason."

"Looks like it was fated for us to meet here."

I laughed.

"How was living at your old place?" he continued asking.

"It was.. awesome. My family was not torn apart yet. We were still living with my dad, i suppose? and Lance.. and David.. and of course, Eurika. My friends were great. I wasn't.. alone."

"Friends? Don't you have friends here?"

"Yeah i do, but not as much as i had back then. People here are different, you know. They're always going out, having fun. They don't bother about their studies. So far, i've only met a few of them. The guys are really friendly but.."

"They just don't do girl talk, right?"

"Yeah. And Casey is always busy with i don't know who. She has been ignoring my calls these days."

"Oh. I'm sure she has her own plans.."

"I guess so."

"So what is your dad like?"

Speechless, i was. I didn't want to talk about that old fag.

"Well, does he look like you?"

I got up to look at him and said, "I.. i, honestly, have no idea how he looks like. Mum hid all the photos and Lance wouldn't tell me anything so i didn't bother asking anymore. Got sick of pleading them to tell me."

"He must have missed all of you. A lot." he smiled.

"I don't really care about my dad." i sighed and looked away. "Hey wanna watch a movie?"

"That's it? No more story?"

"I don't want to talk about my past, Ashton. I didn't have a memorable childhood, really. I wasn't as lucky as you." i said.

"Fine. Wait!" he stopped my hands from flipping the booklet, full of DVDs.

"I want to watch this one." he pointed. It was a romance-comedy movie, entitled, "56 People."

"Good choice. I've always wanted to watch it with someone."

"Someone special?"

"No.. Just someone."

And come to think of it now, that someone was, him.


" Sophie , I'm home . " someone yelled .

Whose calling me ? Was that mum ? I heard footsteps outside the door , and soon , that person opened my room door .

" Sophie , wake up . It's already night time . Guess who i met a minutes ago ? "

" Mum . I'm still sleeping , can't you see ? And where have you been for the whole night ? "

" Wake up . Just for a minute , sweetheart . Can't you ? Oh , i went to sleep at Mary's house yesterday night , because she needed my help or something . And i came back home in the afternoon , but i saw you were still sleeping , so i didnt wake you up . Then i went to the mall for groceries . Anyways , get up ! "

" Right . Ergh , Fine . "

I followed mum down the stairs . And what ? It's already night time ? And i've been sleeping since yesterday night , till today ? Gosh , what was wrong with me .

" Close your eyes . "

" What ? Another surprise again ? Mum . Trace just gave me a surprise yesterday night , and it wasn't fun . "

" Just do what i said . Please ? "

I just closed my eyes with my pair of hands , while mum grabbed my waist while leading me in the living room , i guess .

" Now , Open . And see whose right infront of you . "

I opened , and guess who i met ? I saw Aunty Christine , and her daughter , Alyssa . I've never seen them , like , decades ago !

" Oh my god , ALYSSA ! " i sreamt , and ran straight to Alyssa to hug her .

Aunty Christine was my mum's god sister , which makes her , my god aunty . so indirectly , Alyssa was my cousin . Aunty Christine used to be my guardian when i was really young . She took care of Alyssa and I because mum and dad was busy with business and so on . Therefore , Aunty Christine and Uncle Matthew became my guardian , indirectly . When Alyssa and i were seven , Uncle Matthew left Aunty Christine and Alyssa , for i dont know what reason . Mum didn't tell me eventhough how many times i would ask her , because she said " i was too young to understand what adults are thinking . " Yeah right . Anyways , since i'm sixteen , i guess i'm old enough to make my own conclusion right ? The conclusion is , Uncle Matthew met a new hot damn lady and dumped Aunty Christine and Alyssa . No , i'm just joking .

Anyways , Alyssa was like a sister to me . We were like twin sisters . Almost everyone said that we look alike . But , we dont . She was more of the innocent looking type , but she's the evil meanie girl whereas i'm the one who gets the blame , most of the time eventhough i did nothing wrong . After few months when Uncle Matthew left , Aunty Christine brought Alyssa over to Los Angeles while , i stayed here with mum and dad in ... Brooklyn eventhough i begged mum to bring me to Los Angeles . Aunty Christine didnt want to stay here any longer because she claims that everything from or in Brooklyn reminds her back of Uncle Matthew . Furthermore , Aunty Christine got a job in Los Angeles . So i guess , there's no point for her , not leaving Brooklyn .

" Hi Aunty Christine ! Which wind brought you back here to Brooklyn ? " I hugged Aunty Christine .

" Hm nothing . I just came back here as Alyssa said that she wanted to school here and i've found a new job here . "

" Oh thats great . So , Alyssa , which school do you plan to go ? " I asked .

" Er , Sunny Dales Highschool . Heard of it ? "

" Oh ! that's where Sophie is schooling too . It will be perfect . " Mum interrupted .

" Really ? That will be great for both of us to catch up on each other lives , don't you think so , Sophie ? "

" Yeah yeah sure . So , mum , will they be staying over here ? "

" If you don't mind Alyssa sharing the room with you . "

" Obviously not ! It will be just like old times . Come , Alyssa , Let me bring you up . "

I brought Alyssa and her luggages , up to my room . She wandered around my room , looking at those photo frames i have . Yes , those with Martin .

" Whose this guy ? " Alyssa asked .

" My boyfriend ? well , sort of my ex , i think . "

" Really ? His good looking though . "

" Hah , yeah . So tell me , how was Los Angeles all this while ? "

" It was great . I mean , better than Brooklyn . "

" I bet it is . So , did you meet Miley Cyrus ? or or Jonas Brothers ? " I sound excited . Very .

" You meant , The Jonas Brothers . Yeah i did . "

" Oh my Gosh , Were they hot ? "

" Hm , yeah . Kinda . I guess . Hot as always . Like those in pictures . " Alyssa then made her way to the bed . "

" Right . "

I doubt she even saw them . Alyssa always loved to lie , cause she wants to make me jealous . Oh dear .

" So , tomorrow is my first day of school right ? " Alyssa asked .

" Well for you . But not for me . " I laughed .

" Are the people in Sunny Dales Highschool , nice ? "

" I'm sure they are . You'll have great friends . Don't worry . Come , lets get to sleep . "

Alyssa got ready to sleep , while i checked my phone . Yes , 27 missed calls , 5 text messages , all from Martin and Trace . Oh boy . I was so sick of talking to them , so i didn't reply nor answered .

I just needed more sleep , thats all .