1. Leaving home

****6 weeks earlier****

I never sleep much. Last night, I kind of nearly skipped sleeping totally. Emily and I texted way into the night. And the rest of the night, my mind was simply going crazy due to all of the excitement.

Today is the day, I finally get to leave this fucked up village behind me. To be honest I don't even intend on coming back, not even for a visit. Grams doesn't know yet and it's probably going to break her heart. I will just have to make sure to have plenty excuses and invite her down to Oxford instead.

It's not like I could go without her. In fact, I need her in my life. She's all I have. But I need to get out of this place for good.

Looking out of the window, I can see dawn is breaking while I yawn and rub my face. Ok, an hour and a half of sleep might be too little. Then again, I need to get used to it anyway. Seriously, I am really not the type to get up early, but today it's a different matter.

Emily and I have set our plans, and besides sleeping in after a great party, we haven't scheduled up for sleep.

Feeling restless, I might just get up already and take a decent long shower while I am wide awake anyway.

My thoughts drift off to Emily, she has already moved into our new apartment on the weekend. It's been five years since I have seen her for real. Gosh, that's a long time. We never drifted apart anyway. Thanks to modern technology, it was no problem to still be best friends, even living far apart.

We shared everything over the mobile or laptop. She knows every detail of my life, and I know hers. It's going to be awesome to be together again. There are only a couple of hours to go, and I can finally hug her again. This is definitely going to be the best time of our lives.

Grams would get mad if she knew what our plans as freshmen look like. Of course, I know I need to keep my grades up with a full scholarship. There's no doubt I know I can make it easily, though. Once something is set as a goal in my mind, I work hard to make it as it's best.

But what I really need is time with my bestie on parties, behaving reckless, simply being a normal student. I never thought I would ever think this way. Well, as life changed so abruptly, my plans changed with it.

Once I am finished showering, I already hear Grams in the kitchen. Surely, she is making me a way too big breakfast again.

All my bags are already packed, damn I forgot to leave something out for today. Shaking my head about my thoughtlessness, I grab my suitcase and pull out some of my favourite stuff. I know Grams is going to hate this, but she'll only need to see it a couple of hours until I leave so she can deal with it. Not that she isn't used to my style anyway.

Once I enter the kitchen, it smells awesome. Taking a deep breath in, I enjoy the scent to the fullest. Fresh baked fruit scones, crumpets with cheddar, and scrambled eggs are waiting for me. Among with a pile of fruit and my black tea with milk and two sugar.

To be honest, the scones and the tea would do me just fine. I daren't complain, though. Grams would be nagging about me being way too thin in her opinion.

Besides, I know I am in for a rant first anyway, and it starts as expected before I even get to take a seat. My eyes dart up to her, to receive my rant.

"Samantha Jones, you are not going to leave for college in those clothes," she eyes my outfit with displeasure evident on her face.

"Grams, to be precise, I am not leaving to go to college in these clothes. I am only going to my new apartment, so it's no big deal. College starts in one week's time and I am sure not going to wear it that long. That would be gross", I can't keep back a light chuckle.

"Samantha, this isn't the attitude you should have to start a new life. You should make a good impression."

"You should know by now I don't give a damn about a good impression. It has never helped me in the past, has it? So, what? If people don't like it they can fuck off."

Grams scowls at me, before she starts talking.

"Don't you dare swear in my house Samantha Jones."

Oh yeah using my full name twice she is definitely pissed off. Well I don't care as my clothes are my comfort zone.

Looking up I simply shrug. "What's so bad about what I am wearing anyway? Should I rather get out some hot pants and wear a very tiny short crop top?"

"You are making fun of me", Grams complains.

"Nope, just pointing out I could wear worse, than jeans, a t-shirt and my Chucks."

She glares at me, I know I am pushing it. But to my defence this is how I managed to get through the life here in this village. Without my attitude this village would have killed me years ago.

"It's not about wearing a simple jeans and t-shirt. First of all, those jeans belong in the trash, and secondly, I am not reading out what it says on your t-shirt", her nose scrunches up in disgust.

"Can't blame you for not reading it out loud. You'd get yourself into trouble for swearing in your own house. Then again, I am not sure it is accounted as swearing, as it only refers to a certain body part I don't even have", I chuckle with a big grin on my face.

"It's not funny", my grandma glares, but I can see that slight twitch in her lip she's trying to contain. Secretly, I'm sure she's a little amused too.

"Oh, it so is", she knows she can't change my mind anyway.

Gosh, it's just a black tight fitting t-shirt with some writing on it.

People will know how to handle me right away when they read it.

Once we've had breakfast in peace, I start packing my bags into my rental car. No denying I would have liked to have my own, until I have earned enough of money it will have to do like this, though. Or I will buy a motorbike, something I've always wanted. If I do, I might just think about coming back here, just for the gossip and to scare the shit out of some people.

In Oxford, it's kind of hard with a car anyway, so I guess I'll be fine without it. It's only a fifteen minute walk to college, I can handle that.

And my job in the bar I'll be starting is about just as far, maybe a little longer distance, but not much.

Once my car is packed, Grams makes sure for me to take plenty of scones and drink along. She's worried I could starve on my way. After all, it's a little over two hours ride. Note the ironie.

I do take another look at my room and the house, knowing I don't intend on coming back it's a weird feeling. The only thing I am going to miss is this house and perhaps the beautiful landscape.

The hardest thing is saying bye to Grams. I'll miss her like hell, I know I will.

"You take care of yourself, Sweetheart. Enjoy the college and try to leave everything else behind, ok? I know you'll do just fine. You deserve it, my baby." Her face is full of worry and empathy.

Overwhelmed by my feelings and missing her already, I shed a few tears while I hug her. "Thanks for everything, Grams. I love you, I really do. And I am going to miss you", I sniff.

"I know my Sweetheart. I love you too. But now don't think about your Grams, just go and have fun." And I can hear the senserity in her voice.

Oh yes, I sure intend to have fun. And be very, very naughty, but I am sure not telling you that, I think to myself.

One last big hug before I leave. Some of the neighbours wave, and I don't give a shit. Let them gossip about me not waving back, I don't give a damn anymore about what they say or think.

Once I reach the M1, it's a fairly smooth drive. What I need right now is some good music. I decide to go for my rock mixture, with Nirvana, Guns'n'Roses, Limp Bizkit, but also Rap like Eminem. This is getting me in the right mood. I sing along loud during most of my drive.

The A43 is quite packed. I guess I am not the only one heading for college. Even if it's one week to go.

Finally reaching the apartment, I decide to only drag one suitcase up the stairs first. First thing, I need to hug Emily before getting the rest of my stuff out.

Clumsy, me of course, needs to go flying down the stairs, crushing right into a guy.

"I'm so sorry", I stutter as I look up to the extremely good-looking guy.

Gosh, he's a god, hazel coloured eyes, dark brown wavy hair looking hot, messy, high cheek bones, and a very masculine jaw line. My eyes automatically start going down, but I stop at his broad chest as he starts talking.

"You ok? Looked quite nasty that fall", his deep voice causing me to look up again.

"Yeah, I am kind of used to it" I chuckle a little embarrassed. "Sorry for bumping into you."

"Anytime again", he chuckles deeply in return. "I hope your jeans don't look like that due to the stairs?"

I blush a little, thinking about all the tears on my jeans. "Ehhhm nope, I just kind of like wearing matching jeans to my clumsiness", causing him to laugh full heartedly.

Wow, that rough laugh is quite intense, and I like it. He reaches me a hand to help me up.

"Nice shirt, sure it's meant for your gender?"

"Hmmm, guess this size would look a little funny on you", I can't help but laugh at this thought.

"Well, you obviously have a good sense of humour", he states with a huge grin on his face, while I blush. "I'm Evans, by the way. I've never seen you here."

"Hi, I'm Samantha well actually just Sam. I am new, just moving in today."

Just as I finish my sentence, Emily comes rushing down the stairs.

"Sam", she squeaks in an ear shattering tone full of excitement. Giving me a suspicious look, she laughs. "Don't tell me you tripped again."

"Yep and nearly tore down Evans with me", another small chuckle escapes my lips. This girl simply knows me too well.

"Hey, Evans", she greets him, and I see her checking him out too, before she turns back to me.

She laughs out loud while looking at my shirt. "Let me guess, you were into trouble with your Grams this morning." I just shrug while Evans looks a little confused. "You don't like me? Then suck my dick!" she reads out loud. "Honestly? What dick?", her arms wrap around me tight while she talks. God, I've missed her.

"Well, I at least have more balls than some guys", I defend my shirt with a mischievous grin on my face.

"You're hilarious Sam", she laughs, making Evans join in.

"Emi, you coming to the party tomorrow?", Evans directs his question at Emi, only averting his gaze from me for a split second.

"Sure, it's the masked one, right?" Even if I didn't know Emi, it's clear to see she's excited about it.

"Yep and bring Sam with you", he gives me a wink, causing me to blush again.

"Masked, honestly? You wouldn't even know if I am there", I answer.

"Honey, even masked, I'd recognize that hot body right away", he says, biting his full lips while staring at my chest.

Okay, I am now officially as red as a tomato. Gosh, he is so damn hot. It takes me a second to reply.

"Uhhh, is this how you get the ladies to your party and make them drop their panties?"

His eyes widen at my words. "Well, I usually just invite them. But if you feel you need to drop your panties at me, I can't say I would mind."

"Wishful thinking, Evans", I chuckle, and move my suitcase up the stairs again.

"We'll see about that", he replies in a sweet but also cocky way and takes the case off of me.

Once he drops it off at our door, he turns to me. "Need to go, see you soon, Sam." He also turns to Emi. "Emi, see you tomorrow."

Once we close the door behind us, Emi gives me another huge hug, nearly squeezing the living shit out of me and starts chuckling.

"My god Sam, you just enter the place and fall into the hottest arms here in the house. Gosh, and how he was eyeing you. Someone's sure getting laid tomorrow. There were absolute fuck vibes in the air."

I burst out laughing at her boldness. This is my Emi and I love her for it.

"I just entered our apartment for the first time. And I don't even know that guy", I try to play it down.

"Who cares? He is fucking hot. He is probably taking cold showers right now. And Sweetheart wasn't that our intention in the first place? We both want to have fun. And it's been far too long you got laid, right? And I definitely need to get laid. So, we better get some hot outfits and masks."

"I don't get it's masked it's not Halloween or something."

"Who cares? At least like that, you can stay hidden", she smirks.

"Oh yeah, and then I get to fuck a guy who is absolutely ugly."

"Well as long as the rest is fine, you'll never get to see the ugly face anyway. He might be full of horrible acne nearly jumping at you but you wouldn't now as it sticks all in the mask."

"Gross Emi that sounds disgusting. I am not that desperate." My nose scrunches up in disgust just with the thought of it.

She just shrugs it off. "Just saying, but at the moment, I guess you'd end up with Evans anyway. Gosh, I'd like to drag my tongue down his body."

I laugh at her. We've not seen each other in five years, yet it's like we've never parted. Emi shows me my room and the rest of the apartment. Our rooms are on the opposite end from the apartment, which might be good if we bring someone back.

It doesn't take us too long before the car is unpacked, brought away, and we end up with a pizza and N*****x on the couch. Even knowing it off by heart, we go for Shadowhunters. Jace may not be so tall. His muscles, eyes, and smile are hot, though. Not to forget about Alec.

A real girl's night after five years. We even end up falling asleep leaning against each other on the couch.