“Finals are finally over!” Blake yelled when our group stepped out of the school. The students that were hanging out all expressed the same feeling as they cheered.

“Party at our house tonight!” Lucas announced which earned him another round of cheers. These twins never changed.

“Have fun with that,” Drew rolled his eyes, slinging an arm around my shoulder.

Let’s just say that after his little confession back at prom, I just became shell-shock. He stated that he already knew what I felt and that I didn’t have to say it. Even though he told me that, I still want to say – heck, I want to yell it from the rooftops.

I love Drew Everett.

“You’re coming too,” Blake said, pulling Jessica with him as we all went down the stairs.

“Are you really trying to convince Drew to come to a party?” I laughed.

“We know he’s coming,” Lucas smirked, “Because you’re coming along.”

I shrugged because we all knew he was right. It was the few last fun moments of being a high school student so I might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

“We’re still up for that road trip this summer,” Lillian grinned, “It’s a nice way to bond before we all say our goodbyes.”

“It’s not yet goodbye until we’re never going to see each other again,” Annabelle stated.

“Leave the sappy speeches on graduations,” Blake waved off, “My brother and I still have to get the alcohol for tonight.”

“There’s no other way to celebrate the end of finals than getting drunk,” I said with my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Good to know you feel that way,” Lucas winked and I rolled my eyes at him.

We parted ways after we all agreed to come tonight and I even convinced Drew to tag along.

“I got accepted to both the local college and the university I applied for,” Drew informed, handing me his helmet.

With much persuasion from his mother, Drew applied for a university that he claimed that he was dreaming to go. Due to his stubborn love for his family, he insisted that he attend the local college so he can keep an eye on both Ariel and Savannah.

“Where are you heading to?”

He was silent for a moment when we drove out of the school’s parking lot, “I don’t know yet.”

My grip on his waist tightened and I leaned my head against his back. Our separation was inevitable but he told me that he’ll do his best to make this relationship work out. The problem was, we don’t even know which college he was attending and I was doubtful of my own choice.

He stopped in front of my apartment and helped me off of his bike. Somehow, I got rid of my terrible phobia of that metal death trap. I shook my hair out of his helmet and gave it to him, “So are we going to take my car or your bike tonight?”

“Your car,” he responded without a second to think, “One of us might get tipsy and I want to get both of us home alive.”

I nodded in agreement, taking a motorcycle wasn’t the safest thing to do. Both of us will surely enjoy a drink or two during the party and if one of us fell down the bike, it’s going to be a horrible problem.

“I’ll go to your house tonight,” I said, pecking him on the cheek before I got inside the building.

When I stepped inside my apartment, Jazzy quickly pulled me into the living room where the phone was waiting. I gulped because I already knew who was on the other line judging from Jazzy’s face.

“My parents?” I questioned.

“Your parents,” she confirmed with a nod, holding up the phone for me to take.

What I didn’t get was why didn’t they just called me through my cellphone.

“Celeste,” my dad greeted with absolute formality, “Can you check on some business there for us?”

Like I had any choice. They probably already planned every single meeting without my consent.

“Sure,” I answered with a monotone voice.

A sound of approval came from the other line as they laid out everything and everyone who was involved. They said that it was good training for me when I take over the family business.

“Then you have to meet with our lawyer,” he droned on. An idea popped into my mind when as they started to talk about their lawyer. A lawyer means he was responsible for anything that happened in the court with them.

“Dad,” I stopped him mid-sentence.

“Yes?” he seemed annoyed that I halted his instructions but I couldn’t care less. This was probably a long shot but it was still worth a try. I sat down on the couch to get myself comfortable – this is going to be a long and hard discussion.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Then and there, I told him everything that I needed to say. I explained my thoughts and I asked – no begged – for him to comply. At least in that tough business act he has on, the father that a daughter needs can shovel through.

“It’s not easy,” I heard him sigh from the other line, “But it’s not impossible.”

My eyes brightened in anticipation as my posture straightened from the slouch I was sporting earlier, “So you’re saying…”

“I’ll think about it,” he decided and I almost screamed with joy. I grinned at his response before I sank back on the cushions of the couch.

“Thank you,” I said with all the sincerity.

He was silent for a moment before finally speaking again, “You’re welcome but you have to finish all of these meetings first.”

He continued to lay on the various works that I had to do but this time, I was actually listening to his instructions. With a few business talks here and there, he finally concluded his long information log.

“I trust that you’ll do it all to my instructions,” he stated sternly and even though he couldn’t see it, I nodded my head.

“Yes, I will.”

We both said our goodbyes and I placed down the phone. Jazzy was sitting next to me the whole time with her arms crossed over her chest. She didn’t even flinch when I started to yell with the happiness I was feeling.

For the first time, things might actually go right.

“There are consequences to face, Celeste,” she spoke once I toned down my excitement.

The smile that was on my lips was slowly slipping away. As much as I want to celebrate, reality will find a way to slap me right across the face.

“Your parents may be extremely powerful in the business world, but even they can’t wave their magic wand to make this happen,” she continued on, “This is harder than most of the favors you asked of them.”

I threw my head back and rested my head on the back of the couch as I closed my eyes, thinking. I wasn’t stupid enough to ask this all out of the blue without the slightest idea what’s going to happen. This has been an idea that’s been running through my mind for a long time. The opportunity presented itself to me and I just went for it.

I stood up as I had a staring battle with her, “I’m going to prepare for the Smith Brothers’ little celebration,” with that, I turned on my heel and headed to room.

My door slammed closed and I opened the light, revealing my messy bedroom. On my desk, various college applications were laid out. Due to my parents’ persuasive demand, I finally got to apply for the university they approved of.

Like I said before, I was extremely doubtful if this was the right choice.

*

*

*

“Nothing beats the sight of teenagers getting drunk and having dry sex on the dance floor,” I joked as Drew and I entered the nosiest house in the neighborhood.

A drink was instantly shoved into my face and deciding to let go for just one night, I took it and gulped it down.

“You really should lay off on the stuff,” Drew muttered as we tried wound through the crowd of sweating bodies.

“I know you’ll take care of me,” I shrugged carelessly, refilling my cup with the beer from the large keg.

He looked away after I said that and I tilted my head to the side to get a better view of him. Did I say anything wrong?

He placed his hand in mine and pulled me to the kitchen where two girls were currently making out and was being cheered by a huge mass of guys. Drew groaned and continued to drag me out until we reached the garden. Funnily, this was the quietest part of the house with the least people hanging out.

I tilted my head back and allowed the alcoholic beverage to slip through my throat.

With everything happening in my life, this is exactly what I needed.

“Here,” I urged the cup to Drew, “Have a drink.”

He instantly took the cup from my hands and as I was about to smile with victory, he dumped the beer into the grass and carelessly threw the cup on the ground.

Oh those poor grass.

“Why did you do that?” I asked dumbly.

“I want my girlfriend sober, thank you very much.”

“I’m your girlfriend!” I blurted out with enthusiasm.

And here’s the part where the alcohol gets the better of me.

Drew paused on his actions for a moment before shaking his head, “If you don’t hush down, I’m taking you home.”

“Spoil sport,” I huffed, turning to go back inside the house again, “I’m going to get another drink.”

He grabbed my hand before I could even take another step, “You’re not drinking again.”

I gave him a huge puppy dog face, he took a step back before groaning under his breath, “What am I going to do with you?”

A guy was passing by and I tapped his shoulder, he whipped around to face me. Jackpot, he had a full cup in his hand.

“Can I have that?” I asked sweetly, gesturing to the drink in his hand.

He stared at my face before grinning and handing it to me. Giving him my thanks, I sipped in the cup, savoring the taste of the alcoholic beverage.

“That’s it,” Drew ripped the cup from my hand, “We’re going.”

“But it want to stay!” I protested, struggling in his steel hold of my wrist, “Just give me some time before we leave.”

Even though he looked hesitant, he agreed but he dragged me to the bedroom area, claiming that he’s going to isolate me until I was a little bit sane.

Just as we passed the bathroom, I saw Jessica leaned over the toilet with Blake holding her hair away from her face while rubbing gentle circles on her back. When he caught the two of us, he examined my stand before turning to Drew, “You too?”

What are they talking about?

He nodded and mumbled a ‘good luck’ to Blake before he finally opened the bedroom. A couple was making out in it but luckily, still fully clothed. Drew made them leave before he dumped me on the bed.

“Nice and warm,” I sang, fisting the sheets in my hands.

I looked at Drew and saw that he was just standing there, observing my every move. I grinned and sat up, patting the spot next to me.

After he had a mental debate with himself, he slowly lowered himself on my side.

I smirk found its way on to my face as I crawled closer to him. My face was inches away from him and his eyes grew wider.

“What are you doing?” he asked, leaning away but I grabbed his collar and pulled him to me.

My lips molded into hiw and I pressed myself closer, if it was possible. He groaned in response and even if I felt hesitation, he kissed me back. I escaped his lips and started to trail little kisses down his jaw to his neck. His breathing hitched and he let out another groan.

“Celeste,” he breathed out, “Stop.”

“I love you,” I mumbled, kissing his neck, “I love you so much.”

He held my wrist and scooted away. A flash of hurt crossed my face as I stared at him, “Don’t you love me?”

He laid me down, pulling the covers over me. He wasn’t saying anything and I didn’t if I should take this as a good sign or not. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead, “Rest, I’ll listen to whatever you have to say when you’re no longer drunk.”

Like my body was responding to his command, tiredness started to take over. My eyes started to droop but I didn’t want to sleep just yet. The music was still audible even if we were already upstairs, I want to have fun.

I want to savor my freedom while I still have it. When I graduate, I would be nothing but a puppet to be held by my parents. They’ll control my every move, even with my thoughts nowhere near, my body would still move because of the string attached.

Drew laced his fingers in mine and stayed there by my side, “I’ll still be here when you wake up.”

“I don’t want to be a puppet,” I whispered, slowly lulling into a slumber.

 -----------------

How was your New Year guys? One more freaking chapter and we're done. i already finished typing the last chapter, we'll just wait until next week for you guys to see it. 

The cover on the side was made by XxSwinterxX.

Question: This is going to be the final decision, I'm making a spin-off and who will be my main character?

a. Jessica

b. Lillian

c. Annabelle

d. Savannah

e. Anybody you want

Voting ends when I upload the next chapter which is next week.

Again, have a wonderful year. Vote, comment and follow.