The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as I anxiously observed the conversation between the tattooed man and me. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, unable to comprehend the danger we had stumbled into. The silence outside the car was deafening, broken only by the distant sound of passing traffic."What do you want from me?" I finally spoke, my voice filled with a mixture of frustration and apprehension. I strained to hear our exchange, my heart pounding in my chest.The tattooed man leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "You know exactly what I want. Don't play dumb with me."My eyes narrowed, my face a mask of defiance. "I told you I'm out. I'm done with that life."The man's lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing a set of yellowed teeth. "You think you can just walk away? We had an agreement. You owe me."A knot formed in my stomach as I tried to piece together our cryptic conversation. What agreement? What was I involved in? The man's words hinted at
I can feel the wind blowing while I lay down on the green grass. It’s been six months since I’ve broken up with my first love and it feels like nothing’s the same anymore. I shouldn’t be feeling this way.But yet I do. Just feeling lost in my own skin and I just can’t let it go. Sometimes I feel so sick of myself. Everyone keeps getting everything they want. I just feel full of humiliation and confusion, but no one understands me. Well, no one in my family. Am I just overthinking it all? I should be happier, ready to conquer the world and pursue my dreams. I should be feeling an urge of ambition.“Carolina, have you seen my script for tonight’s show!” Mom yells from inside the house. My mom, Emily, is on a famous TV show, Runaway Paris. It’s one of the best shows that’s streaming on television now! My Dad, George, on the other hand, is one of the most successful lawyers in all of New York. He’s always so busy meeting up with clients. My parents are very classy and wealthy people. V
Here I am packing up all my stuff, realizing I have way more clothes than I remember buying. Hannah is in the room next to mine; she’s packing as well. My father agreed to send me to Pennsylvania only if she comes as well. Guess my parents are still a little overprotective or they don’t trust me being on my own. Maybe they’re sending Hannah to spy on me just so I don’t get wrapped up over some guy. I hear knocking on my bedroom door. I throw the clothes back on my bed and walk over to open the door, only to see Hannah on the other side holding up two dresses.“What should I wear on moving day?” She asks.“Seriously? This was supposed to be an adventure, not some fashion show Hannah. They’re only sending you with me because you have no plans for summer.”“That’s not true. Kelly invited me to her beach house. I would have gone with the squad, but I chose my sister instead.”“Whatever, do you have your stuff ready?”“Stuff? Correction, you mean my collection of Chanel and Louis Vuitton
Is it just me or is it brighter here than New York? Well obviously it should be, no more tall buildings or skyscrapers blocking the gorgeous morning sunlight. I throw one foot after the other walking through the trail. If I remember correctly, there’s a mechanic shop down this path and a bakery or cafe next door. I pulled out my phone to find a signal. The only downside was that my phone had really bad reception once I left the house and began walking. “Shit, still no bars! What am I going to do?”The best part was, I kind of grew up here so I could never get lost, I think. I put down my phone and start to look around. “Wow it’s like I’m on a mountain.” I started taking a few pictures of the scenery and even some selfies. Hey, I never said Hannah was the only diva, I have my moments too! “These are adorable pictures.” I say. I text Hannah right away and send them to her. RING! RING!Mom’s calling, I answered immediately with excitement. Somehow, I was able to get some bars on m
Why did I have to be so cruel? All he did was bring us breakfast. I need to work on my people skills. Look, now she’s out with him, doing God knows what, where. What am I going to tell mom now? I promised mom I would be here with her, now. Ugh. I stomp my feet to the floor. How did I let this happen? Jack wasn’t all that bad. Now look, I must clean up after them. What a mess. Oh no! Am I turning into a mother? Why am I acting like a mom? I’m supposed to be cool, yet I’m thinking this way. This is scary, maybe I should go lay down. I walk towards the stairs having second thoughts about the dishes. Okay that’s it! Dishes first, rest later! RING RING! Is that my cell phone? Who could be calling? Wait, no that’s Carol's phone. Tanner? Why’s he calling? “Hello!”“Hey Carol, how have you been?” He says.“Nice try. You got the evil twin. It’s Hannah! Ha.” “What are you doing with Carol’s phone? Where is she? I need to speak to her. It’s urgent!” Tanner says angrily. “She’s out with som
As we drive through our town, the wind rushes through my hair. This is so incredible; it feels like a movie scene I watched when I was child. “You okay back there?” Jack asks.“Yes I’m fine.” Speechless to be honest, I don’t have a clue of what to say. “Well, we’re almost there. I’m not taking you far, just wanted you to have a look around your old town!” The rain stopped a bit but we’re both soaked. It’s been pouring rain the entire time.Jack pulled up by the corner and stopped the motorcycle.“Here we are.” Jack said.It’s a beautiful lake filled with ducks and swans. It’s so romantic and unbelievable. How could I have never experienced this before? The smell of nature. The pitter patter of the rain falls, as it lands in the lake. “I’ve never been here before, not even when I was a kid. I’m sure I would have remembered a beautiful scenery like this.” I say.“Oh dear, Carol, you're soaked. Come here take my jacket.” As we get off the bike Jack holds my hand and runs with me so
“Driving down at sunset, ohhhhyea!” I sing in the car.“You got a nice voice kid!” The driver says.“Ha. Thanks! I’m actually doing some vocal exercises, don't mind me.” I say.“So, are you a famous singer here? This area is all about fame! I think Jason Derulo lives here too.”I choke on the water I was drinking. “Really.”“Yes. Indeed.”“Wow, I’m here to start camp for Juilliard. They sent me here on a trip with a few other students, it’s very hard to get into the camp, they’re extremely selective!” I say.“Juilliard! That’s in New York, isn’t it? I heard it’s one of the best music schools in the United States.”“How cliche. I mean it’s a good school and all but there’s so much more opportunities here in LA. Don’t you think so?” I say.“True, people come here to pursue their dreams and passions in life. If singing is something you want to pursue, then you’ve definitely come to the right place!”I look around as the car drives down a road filled with palm trees on both sides. It’s e
“All I want is to fly with you,” I sing. Jack looks at me and continues the song. He starts singing as well. “All I want is to fall with you,” he says. “So just give me all of you,” we sing together.“It feels impossible” “It's not impossible”“Is it impossible?”“Say that it's possible”I stop and look into his eyes. It feels like faith has brought us together. Jack continues on singing the last part.“You know I want youIt's not a secret I try to hideBut I can't have youWe're bound to break, and my hands are tied.”I smile and he smiles back at me. How did we end up here? Where has he been all my life? The bond and connection we have is immaculate.
The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as I anxiously observed the conversation between the tattooed man and me. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, unable to comprehend the danger we had stumbled into. The silence outside the car was deafening, broken only by the distant sound of passing traffic."What do you want from me?" I finally spoke, my voice filled with a mixture of frustration and apprehension. I strained to hear our exchange, my heart pounding in my chest.The tattooed man leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "You know exactly what I want. Don't play dumb with me."My eyes narrowed, my face a mask of defiance. "I told you I'm out. I'm done with that life."The man's lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing a set of yellowed teeth. "You think you can just walk away? We had an agreement. You owe me."A knot formed in my stomach as I tried to piece together our cryptic conversation. What agreement? What was I involved in? The man's words hinted at
The car trailed closely behind us, and a wave of fear washed over me. This was undoubtedly the most terrified I had ever been in my entire life, and it was difficult to comprehend that this was actually happening. Just as I was starting to find a semblance of happiness, everything had to go awry.The sound of impact reverberated through the air as the person behind the wheel repeatedly rammed into our car. Panic consumed me, and I couldn't help but scream out Jack's name in desperation. Jack glanced up at the rearview mirror, and the expression on his face confirmed my worst fear - he knew who was pursuing us. "Would you relax already?" Jack's voice attempted to calm me down, but my heart pounded in my chest as I clung onto the leather seat, seeking some solace."Calm down? Really, Jack?" I retorted, my voice shaking with fear.Another crash resonated through the vehicle, intensifying my anxiety. I couldn't help but question the motives behind the relentless assault. "Why is he doing
The living room of the ranch house in Pennsylvania was now filled with tension, despite the twinkling lights and festive decorations. The air felt heavy with negativity, as my mother, Emily, continued her relentless efforts to drive a wedge between Jack and me. I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and sadness, knowing that this Christmas gathering was turning into a battleground.As I hurriedly set the table, my hands trembled with anxiety. Jack, sensing my distress, approached me with a worried expression."I can't believe how much your mother is trying to sabotage our relationship," I whispered to Jack, my voice filled with a sense of defeat. "I don't know how much longer I can endure this."Jack placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with determination. "Carolina, we won't let her tear us apart. We'll stand strong and show her that our love is unbreakable."Just then, Emily entered the room, her face contorted with a malicious grin. "Oh, Carolina, dear, I
Jack and I have been talking all evening, while sitting by the fireplace and listening to Christmas songs. Suddenly we hear the sound of the doorbell ring. “Baby stay here with Leland, I think I know who it is. It’s actually another surprise.” Jack says. “Babe you’ve already done so much! This is the best Christmas Eve ever; I couldn’t be happier!” I say while holding Leland in my arms. I hear so much talking, when I turn around, I see my parents, Jack’s parents, Hannah, Max, Tanner and Chelsea all standing there! My eyes open wide. “Oh my god. You’re all here!” “Yes indeed, it’s Christmas Eve after all.” My mom says. “It’s like a blizzard out there!” Dad says. “Leland!” Jack’s mom says, running up to hug me. She holds my face and looks at me. “You know every time I see you Carol, you're even more beautiful.” She says and smiles at me. “Let me see my grandson.” Jack’s dad says. I hand Leland over to Jack’s mom and she holds him. They’re both so excited, it’s their firs
After cleaning up the ranch house, I end up having so much trash laying around. I put everything into a garbage bag. That evening I opened the door to take the trash outside, it’s freezing here. But it feels like the holidays even more when it’s cold. It’s Christmas Eve so it’s normal. I think it’s even snowing a little as well. Snow makes everything more magical.I lift my head up and realize Jack is standing right there in front of my house. Is that really Jack? How is he here? Oh my god, it is him. His face looks so red, how long has he been standing there? Is so cold outside. I drop the garbage bag on the floor and run straight up to him. “Jack!” I say loudly, while running up to him.I hug him so tightly, like I never want to let go of him. Then I look into his eyes and kiss him. We both start crying, we’ve been through so much together. It was some adventure! “Carol, I love you so much, I never want to lose you.” Jack says.“I love you too Jack!” I say.“I’m so sorry for e
“Okay that should do it. Wow, wait, no, ahhhhhh.” I say, as I fall from the ladder.“Ouch.” I say.“Okay well I guess it’ll have to do after all.” Richard says.“Thank you, dad, the sleigh is perfect, just in time too.” I say.“Yep, Benny from the mechanic shop is one heck of a good helper.” He says.“Well, whatever you did, thank you so much!” “The house looks incredible son, honestly.” He says.“I’m so lucky I finished it in time too.” I say.“Well hard work pays off son. You know, I think it might even snow later this evening!” He says.“Awesome! The house looks incredible now but wait till tonight, it’s going to look even more beautiful because of all the lights.”“I know, it definitely will be gorgeous.” He says.The rest of the afternoon goes by and it’s starting to get dark. I think it’s even snowing lightly outside. I miss Carol so much; she’s probably having the best time in California with her family. I just miss her and miss my son. I want to meet him so bad. I walked dow
I finally arrived here in Pennsylvania again. As I walk inside the ranch house with Leland, I start to remember the moments when Jack and I first met. When he first picked me up and took me to the lake, when he threw pebbles at my window, when he proposed. It all happened here in Pennsylvania;I wasted my time moving with him to California. Being with him was the happiest moment of my life.I sit on the couch with Leland and look around, I just start crying. I miss him so much, how did we get here? Why did I move to California to begin with, Jack and I had everything here this entire time? I unpack my things and I see all our wedding pictures hanging up on the wall. I take out a framed picture of holding Leland in the hospital and hang it up on the wall. If I could talk to him again or see him again, I would just tell him thank you for everything because we did have special moments together. Moments that I could never forget. He showed me what it was like to feel loved by someone. G
“Finally, I think this is the perfect house. It's lovely. I’ll take it sir.” I say.“Great, it's all yours. Please sign here for me!” The real estate man says. “Sure.” I say. I skim all the paperwork and sign all the documents.“Great, the key is all yours now!” “Thank you, sir.” I say.As I enter the house it looks like it was made for us, Carol and Leland will love it. It’s so lovely and cozy for us, it feels like home. I don’t waste time at all, I get all my things ready to start decorating and designing it like a beautiful Christmas house. I have an image in my head, I want this house to be perfect. I want it to impress Carol, after all I need to win her back and I think this is the only way I can. I need to prove to her I love her and I love our son with all my heart. I pick up the hammer and start adding nails to the walls for the Christmas green garland. I’m also going to fill the entire house with holiday lights, starting from the front entrance and continuing. Wait, I
This is my favorite time of year. It sucks that it doesn’t snow here, I know Hannah tried her best making it her style for the holidays but it’s not the same without snow. Leland needs to experience his first holiday with white snow. I’m so lucky to have him with me but something inside me just feels completely empty. “Guys I need a vacation.” I say. “You’re leaving, great I’ll help you pack!” Tanner says. “Seriously Tanner, stop it.” Chelsea says. “Carol, why are you leaving?” Hannah asks.“I need Leland to experience the holidays with snow, I think I’ll just go stay at the old ranch house in Pennsylvania for some time.” I say looking at everyone. I don’t see anything but sad faces in the room. “Are you sure you want to go?” Chelsea asks.“Yes, I’m positive.” I say.“I’ll go with you.” Hannah says to me.“No sis, you have all done so much for me already. I just need to go by myself with Leland.” I say. Everyone gets up to give me a hug. We all form a group hug together. I can