Chapter – 3

Four hours have passed and the plane finally lands in Los Angeles California. The three of us follow the other passengers through the door towards the front of the plane, and down a platform which leads into the airport. “Would you two like some dinner before we head home? There’s all kinds of restaurants to chose from.” Mom tells us. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m famished and can go for some Steak n’ Shake” Adam says with a smile as he rubs his stomach. “Geez Adam, do you always think of your stomach? You just got done eating a ton of snacks on the plane,” I kid. With a smirk, Adam looks down at his stomach and pats it gently, “Yup, pretty much. I’m a growing boy, who needs to eat.” We all agree that Steak n’ Shake is where we’ll have dinner. We then sit at the table, and chat away for what seems like forever about the plane ride and our new house. “It feels so good to feel like a family again, and it almost feels like old times. Now if my father would walk in and sit at the table to join us, it would be absolutely perfect.” I think to myself.

One hour later, after the three of us have eaten our dinner, and chat away at the table, Mom looks at her watch and notices how late it’s getting. She then pulls out her phone, and calls the limo driver, and tells him to meet us out front. We then grab our luggage from the bin in the middle of the airport, and head outside and get into the car. “Where to Miss?” The driver asks Mom. “I675 E. Palm Drive in Newcrest, “Mom tells him. The driver respectfully tips his hat, and tells Mom that it’s about an hour drive, and offers us all drinks and snacks in the small refrigerated compartments. I then rest my head on the back of the seat and look at the beautiful scenery as Adam grabs something to snack on. “Really? How can he possibly still be hungry after all that he just ate?” I think to myself.

One hour later, I’m being shaken awake by Adam who is extremely impatient, “Come on Faith! Wake up we’re home!”  “Just give me five more minutes,” I mumble and start to drift off again until I hear Mom yelling for us to bring our luggage into the house. I then rub the sleep from my eyes and get out of the car. It’s then that I notice the huge dream house that I had always wanted to live in. A small staircase leads down to the entrance, and palm trees over look the property with the greenest grass you had ever seen, which has been freshly cut for the final touch. Any girl would be lucky to live in a house like this. The driver hands Adam and I our luggage, and we bring it into the house. As we enter the large dream home, the living room which is fully furnished, is to the right, and a huge gorgeous dinning room to the left, which is also fully furnished. I head upstairs to pick out my bedroom and put my things away.

Upon entering one of the bedrooms upstairs, I immediately know this is my room. The room is beautifully decorated in light blue colors (my favorite) with some beautiful white drapes for the final touch. Whoever had this room before me, had put alot of thought into the decor. I put my bags down on the bed, and look out of the window to take in the beautiful scenery. My room is right above the back patio which has a huge swimming pool. I have to admit, this house is far better than the old house, but I really do miss my friends. My cell phone rings in my back pocket, and I look at the screen and see that it’s Heather calling me. Before I even get the chance to say hello, Heather blurts out,”Hey girl, did you make it to your new house alright?” “Yeah, we just got here. Dude, you should see this house! I can’t wait until you come to visit us over the summer!” I tell her excitedly. ” I can’t wait either! Oh my gosh, is it one of those celebrity houses?” she asks. I let out a giggle and say, “I don’t think so, but it is very nice. It has it’s own sauna, hot tub, and pool. My room alone I think was made for ten people, and the only thing that’s missing is a maid!” As our conversation goes on, I can hear Mrs. Morgan in the background telling her that she has school in the morning, and that she needs to get some sleep. “I have to go girl, tell Adam I said I’m glad you guys made it alright and that I love him.” Heather says. “I sure will, goodnight Heatherboo, sleep well.” I tell her and I close my cell phone. As I turn around to exit the room, Adam is standing in front of the doorway. “Oh my… You need to tell me when you’re standing right there! You scared the hell out of me! You know I don’t like anyone in my room after Craig pulled his stunt!” I say in a shaky voice.

“I’m sorry Sis, but I didn’t just wanna shout to tell you that I’m in the room while you’re on the phone. Was that Heather you were talking to?” He asks. I take a deep breath before replying, “Yeah that was her. She wanted to make sure we got here alright, and she told me to tell you that she loves you.” “I’ll have to call her tomorrow after school.” Adam says. Noticing me fiddling around with my fingers, and my hands trembling a bit he says in a gentle voice, “Hey, are you sure you’re alright? I didn’t mean to scare you like that.” “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m going to put my things away and get some sleep, considering our first day of school is tomorrow.” Adam nods and says he’s going to do the same, and hugs me goodnight. 

The following morning is hectic, considering Adam and I have to share a bathroom. I pound on the door and yell, “Come on Adam, you’re going to make us late on our first day. There are other people who need to take a shower in this house!” Mom enters the second floor when she hears me yelling, “What on earth is going on up here? What’s all the yelling about?” she asks. I begin to tell her about Adam hogging the bathroom, as he exits the room in a towel. “Oh for heaven sake, Adam there are women in the house, get dressed before you come out of there!” Mom scolds. Adam apologizes and goes back into his room. I give Mom a big kiss on the cheek and enter the bathroom to get ready for school.

After being forty five minutes late for school, Adam and I have finally gotten our school schedules from the office, and are on our way to our first class. “What do you have for your first class?” I ask. With a frown, he replies, “Physics. Wish they would have given me tech lab or something easier to start the day. What did you get?”  I smile and reply, “Science. I have tech lab afterwards.” “Lucky you! I don’t have that class until fourth block.” Adam says. “Well here’s my class, I’ll see you after school. Should we meet out front when the last bell rings?” Adam gives me the thumbs up signal and we part ways.

As I enter the class room, a very pretty brunette girl waves for me to take a seat across from her. I give a little smile and take a seat at the square table with her in the back, “I think you have me confused with someone else.” “I’m just being friendly. Hey, thanks for saving my butt. No one ever wants to sit with Beth who will be walking through that door at any given moment. When we have class projects to work on, she doesn’t lift a finger to help out, and claims she did all of the work. I’m Shannon by the way.”  she tells me as she gives a friendly smile. I grin shyly and give her my name in return. Mr. Linden then asks us to turn to page 168 in our science books.

Four hours later at lunch, Shannon and I are walking toward some picnic tables where three other girls are eating lunch. She greets them as she and I sit down to eat and says, “You know it’s a good thing you met me when you did. Newcrest High isn’t like other schools. The kids here are richer, and some of them have parents who are celebrities. So its definitely not your normal high school. Especially when it gets really intense. Make one false move and you’re history.” I smile and reply, You know I had many friends at my old school.” “You mean in New Jersey?” she asks. “But it’s so cold. I can never deal with cold.” she says. “Well you would learn to deal with it.” I tell her. She sighs and says, “Yeah but I would get fat.” 

I smile and explain how we could eat whatever we wanted in the winter and hide it under bulky sweaters. “Yeah well, that wouldn’t work here as it doesn’t get that cold here during the winter months. “Somebody is always throwing a pool party so you never really get the chance to pig out ya know” she explains. As the two of us are chatting away and enjoying our lunch, a small airplane with a banner attached to the end of it flies over the school which reads, “Back To School Jam Friday 150 North Billingsgate Lane.” Shannon gasps and says, “Oh my gosh, that’s Claire Riley’s house! She’s incredibly rich, but such a party girl. I hear her house is so big that you need a map to find your way around. “I can’t believe she’s inviting the whole school. I mean that must be eighteen hundred people,” I tell her. When the airplane turns around and flies back over the school one last time there’s a smaller banner that reads, “No Freshmen!!!!” “Shannon giggles and says, “Well make that twelve hundred. You wanna go together?” I smile and reply, “Yeah sure.”

Three hours later Adam and I arrive home from school. I head up to my room to do my homework with Adam right on my heels. He follows me into my room and says, “So did you hear about that party that Claire Riley is throwing on Friday night?” “Yeah I  was eating lunch with a friend when the plane flew above the school.” I tell him. “So do you wanna hit this party? I kinda thought we could go together,” he says. I smile slightly and reply, ” I kind of already made plans. I’m going with a few friends. You know, kind of a girl thing, but you can join us if you want to.” He chuckles and tells me that it’s alright, and that I should go and have a good time as he plops down on my bed. I look at him apologetically and say, “Really? I know you were really hoping to go to this party together. Are you sure you won’t be upset?” He chuckles before replying, Upset? Do I really look like the kind of person who gets upset? Really, it’s no big deal. I’ll see you there.”

Four days later after school, I head up to my room and immediately start looking for something to wear to the party. As I’m putting my makeup on, Mom enters the room and stands beside me. She smiles and says, “I don’t know why you girls wear so much makeup. You’re beautiful just the way you are.” I thank her and head downstairs to accompany my brother before he leaves with his newly found friend Brian. As the group of us are chatting away about how awesome this party is going to be, Shannon pulls up in her cherry red convertible and honks the horn. Mom escorts me outside and I introduce her to my three new friends. She then goes to asking when their curfew is, which is really embarrassing on my part. “Mom, I told you they don’t have a curfew here.” I tell her. Mom sighs and says, “Midnight okay?” Twelve thirty,” I argue. She smiles and says, “Twelve fifteen.” I sigh and tell her that it’s fine, and Shannon starts up her car and we head to the party.

Once we arrive at the party, I can’t help but notice how many people are here already. I don’t think there’s anywhere to even walk. There’s people swimming in the pool, drinking at the bar, and all over the yard chatting about who knows what. “Come on, lets go stand over there by that tree so we’re out of everyone’s way,” Shannon suggests. The four of us nod in agreement and head over to the little spot that Shannon was pointing to. As we‘re standing there chatting away, a few freshmen think that it’s a clever idea to sneak into the party uninvited, and try talking to everyone they come across. One of them walks off, I’m guessing to try and mingle with all the other popular students as the other freshman just kind of stands there. That is until one of the jocks pushes him into the pool, and everyone busts out in laughter as he scurries away. My brother Adam and his friend Brian, make their way by the pool and I give him a little wave. “Who are you waving to?” Shannon asks. “That’s my brother Adam,” I reply. “Ohhh, he’s kinda cute. Oh God, he’s hanging out with Brian Hamilton ” she says. “Who‘s that?” I ask. “He’s my ex-boyfriend. He’s having a hard time getting the message that it‘s over between us.” she explains.

“You know, what we really need to do is make some fake ID’s. Get into some clubs and meet older guys.” she continues. “Do you really think we’d pass for twenty-one?” I ask. “Definitely, it’s all in the act,” she replies but is quickly interrupted by Brian who is pretty drunk. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Do you wanna dance?” he asks her. “No thanks. I’m fine right here,” she tells him. “Come one, everybody’s dancing,” he tells her. “What do you want from me? I said I don’t wanna dance,” she tells him firmly. He then starts to get angry with her and says, “You are so cold. You know that?” “Get over it Brian!” she tells him. “No, no, no. Get over yourself.” he says and storms off. “Woooo! You go girl!” we all tell her and make our way to her car for the ride home. That Monday in science class, Shannon is making our fake ID’s. “Oh my gosh! This is looking really good! You are going to be able to get into any club in town with this. I’m such an artist,” she proudly tells me. Mr. Linden then clears his throat and says, “Excuse me ladies in the back of the room. I’m not in the mood to lecture preschoolers. So either have the courtesy to pay attention, or get out of my class now!” Shannon then whispers that she’ll show me after school. I nod in agreement and sit in silence as the teacher continues his lecture and Shannon continues making the ID. 

Later in the afternoon when school lets out, I meet up with Shannon and the others out front, and she shows us our fake ID’s. “Wow. Do you think anybody would really believe it? I mean that I‘m that old?” I ask. “First of all, nobody here really knows what a New Jersey license really looks like. Anyways, I think it really matters if the doorman thinks your cute or not.” she giggles. “Well hey, it’s against the law. I’ve never broken the law before,” I tell her with a slight smile. “Look the worst that can happen is they don’t let you in,”  Desiree adds. “So when are we going to test this out? I ask nervously. “Saturday night. At the Blue Lagoon. Are we there?” Shannon asks. “Definitely,” I reply. The others all giggle in excitement and they drop me off at home.

Saturday night has finally arrived. Mom walks in and says, “Oh boy. This place is a disaster zone.” I smile and reply, “This is just the way I keep things organized.” Mom sighs and says, “You didn’t wear this much makeup in New Jersey.” I smile widely and reply, “I know. It looks hot doesn’t it?”  “Honey, you don’t need a lot of makeup.” she says, “Mom, this is California. You gotta be a little glamorous. You know you can borrow any of my makeup anytime you want,” I tell her. Changing the subject she says, “Umm. Who’s party is it this time?” “Just a friend of Shannon’s.” I reply. “Is Shannon driving?” she asks. I tell her it is, and she says that she’ll just get the address from her. I then turn to her and say, “You know, parents in California let their kids go where they want and do what they want. They’re treated like adults.” “Except they’re not. You’re not.” she says. “Mom, you know that you can trust me.” She just gives me the evil mother stare as I put my ear rings in and say, “Fine. I’ll give you Shannon’s number.  Shannon then pulls in my driveway honks her horn, signaling that she’s here. “Mom gently puts her hand on my shoulder and says, “Listen, I want you home by twelve. I’m serious.” Twelve forty-five,” I argue. “Twelve fifteen,” she yells as I’m walking away. I greet the girls out in the car and we head to the club.

Twenty-five minutes later, we finally arrive at the club. Upon entering the front gate, the doorman asks for our ID’s and we all hand them to him. He looks at my ID and tells me to go ahead inside, and I tell Shannon and the girls that I’ll see her in a few minutes. Fifteen minutes goes by as I’m wondering around the club, waiting for Shannon who doesn’t appear to be entering the club anytime soon. I then notice the doorman standing inside of the front door. I walk up to him and ask him if he had seen my friends because they never came inside to meet me. He said he didn’t know who I was talking about. A rather handsome guy approaches us and asks if there was a problem. I about jumped out of my skin and he replies, “Relax, I’m not gonna bite. You just look upset.” “It’s just that my friends ditched me.” I reply. He smiles a kind smile, and says, “Can I buy you a drink or something?” “No, it’s okay. I have to call a cab or something.” I reply. “Oh come on, one drink? I’m a nice guy, honest. Come on,” he says as he tilts his arm towards the bar. I then follow him, and he asks what I would like to drink. “I’ll have a banana daiquiri.” I tell the bar tender. “Very interesting choice,” the cute man says and orders his drink.

He then turns to me and asks me my name, and I tell him in return. He smiles and says, “Hi Faith, I’m Kevin. So are you in school?” he asks. “Yes.” I reply. Curiously he asks which school I go to. I then tell him to guess. “SC?” he guesses. I shake my head no and he guesses UCLA. I then nod in response, and he says, “Hey, that’s where I went to law school.” Really? So you’re a lawyer?” I say. He smiles and says, “Yeah. So tell me, Do you live in a dorm or a house?” I go on and tell him I live in a house, and he asks me which one. Oh boy, is he really going to ask which house? I don’t know if I can keep this up, and even if I can I don’t know for how long. “Which house? I ask. “Yeah. I know all of the sororities there.” he tells me. “Oh ummm… It’s a new one, we just transferred from New Jersey.” I tell him. “The State? You mean to tell me the whole house just transferred from the state of New Jersey?” he asks. “Yeah, something like that,” I reply with a smile. He chuckles and tells me that it’s weird as he take a sip from his glass. 

As the evening progresses, and a few drinks later, Kevin takes me to his townhouse in Roaring Heights. Beautiful hard wood floors glisten as the florescent overhead lights beam on them, Real leather couches, a big ole fireplace, and a sixty-seven inch TV furnish the living room. He places his keys on a stand by the door along with his wallet and chuckles, “I’d offer you a drink, but I’m all out of bananas.” He then turns on some slow romantic music, and I say, ” So, uh, do you live here all by yourself?” He smiles and says, “Yeah. All by myself.” ‘How cool,’ I think to myself as he leaves the room for a split second to hang his jacket up. He then walks back over to me and kisses me passionately. His lips are oh so soft. He has the kind of lips I can imagine kissing over and over again. Not to mention he’s oh so hot! As his lips trail down to my neck, I push him back just enough to where I can face him, “Umm. Our house mother is really strict and I have to be home by midnight.” He winks and says, “Don’t worry Cinderella, I only live a few miles from Kansas.” 

He then starts kissing my neck again, and something doesn’t feel right. “Kevin, what are you doing?” I ask. “Taking your clothes off,” he says as he continues caressing my neck with his lips. “Kevin, Kevin I can’t,” I tell him as I pull the straps of my dress back over my shoulders. “Why not?” he asks with a puzzled look. “Because I just can’t,” I reply. “Relax, I can respect that. I don’t want this thing to go any faster than you do” he tells me. “Really? I ask now smiling, and I tell him that I’m sorry. He nods as if to tell me it’s okay and says, “There’s nothing to be sorry about. You’re very sweet, and very attractive, and if you really wanna go home, I’ll drive you right now. I thank him and he takes me home, but not to my house exactly. We park in front of a tall very tall house, and he gives me his personal number and work number so I can call him whenever I want. As he slips me the piece of paper, he asks if I’m sure that I’m not lying about having a phone. I lie and tell him that I honestly don’t have a phone, and that I would call him when I can. I’m actually surprised that he believed it. He then says that he’s sorry that I couldn’t spend the night, and I tell him that I’m sorry I couldn’t either. I then tell him that I’ll see him soon, and we kiss goodnight, and I walk up to the glass doors of the building, and wait for him to drive out of site. Once he’s out of site, I walk down to a phone booth and call for a cab to take me home.

Upon arriving home, I pay the cab driver what I owe him, and walk to the front door. As I’m fiddling around in my purse looking for my keys, Adam grabs my arm and asks me what I’m doing home so late. I fling his hand off of my arm and tell him that he scared the hell out of me. He then asks if I lost my ride because he saw the cab leave, and I tell him that it’s none of his business. I then asked him what he’s doing home so late. Then his smartass self says it’s none of my business, and we both point at each other at the same time and say, “Don’t tell Mom!” We then head into the house and get head to bed, only I can’t sleep at all, because all I can think about is Kevin.

Early the following morning, I call Shannon from my cell phone and fill her in on what she had missed out on. She asks me if I had told Kevin that I’m in high school and I told her of course I didn’t, and that I had told him that I go to UCLA. She then gets all excited and asks if I thought that he might have a friend. I tell her that I don’t know, and ask what I should do about this situation. She giggles and tells me that I should just have a good time with him, as that’s what she always does. Her mother then enters the room, and tells her that she needs to get off the phone because it’s too early, and that I had woke up her husband. Shannon and I then say our goodbyes and I roll over to get some sleep.