☕︎☕︎☕︎

Being sober has its perks. For example, waking up without a headache and waking up before everyone else. I woke up around thirty minutes ago and Roman was still heavily sleeping and snoring. I wiggled my way out of his arms as I got an idea.

Once I was out of bed, I walked outside to see drink cups, empty bottles and people (some strangers, even) sleeping on the couch. I make my way quietly to Grayson's office upstairs and pick out a sharpie from his stack of pens and pencils.

Once I'm downstairs again, I start with Roman's face. Then I go through anyone and everyone I can. Each time, I'm done an art piece on each of my canvases, I make sure to take a picture of the art and a selfie with the canvas for memory purposes.

I find Sebastian asleep in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs. His shirt off, he's sleeping on his back. The blanket sits lower on his chest revealing most of his upper body. I put my phone down on the nightstand next to the bed and I inch closer to him slowly. I get on the bed weighing myself down gently so that I don't wake him up. Once my body weight is settled in, I lean over closer to his face. As I'm about to draw on his face, he speaks startling me.

"Don't even think about it."

"You're awake?"

"Yes," he says opening his eyes. "That sharpie is still dangerously close to my face."

"Shit, sorry," I say pulling it away. I go to back away from him, but he grabs my arms and pulls me onto his chest.

"I was talking about the sharpie, not you. I like you close to me," he speaks. His morning voice is a little groggy.

"So does this mean you remember last night?" I question.

"Which part? The dancing? The singing? Or the kiss?" he questions ending with a smirk.

Our eyes in contact, I'm mesmerized at how light his eyes are in the morning.

"All of it," I speak as I smile like a complete idiot. Why am I so happy?

"Yes, I remember all of it."

"You do, huh? What was your favourite part?

"Mm. Can I show you?"

"Show me?" I question teasing him. "Depends, I'm not really in the mood to dance."

"Who said that was my favourite part though?"

"I don't know, I just assumed."

"Well, your assumption is wrong like usual," he says. His index finger and thumb pinch my chin as he leans forward kissing me again. There's no bitter taste of alcohol this time, only his sweet taste.

"Mm," I moan as we part. I'm left smiling like a psychopath and so is Sebastian. I watch as he licks and bites his bottom lip savouring my taste.

"So would it be right of me to assume that that was your favourite part of the night too?" Sebastian questions curiously.

"You'd actually be incorrect. My favourite part of last night was when Roman got flour all over himself, the kiss is like second maybe third the more think about it," I joke.

"Really? So you wouldn't want another one?" 

"Come on, I never said that," I smile mischievously.

"So then what are you saying? Come on now, speak up."

"Kiss me," I speak low.

"Whatever you say," he replies. His lips lock on mine again and his hand cuffs around my neck. His thumb caresses the back of my ear and I try to stay calm, but fear takes over me and I find it hard to breathe.

"Fuck," I say pulling away as I pry his hand off my throat.

"Are you okay?" he questions. His eyebrows knitted together, wrinkles form on his forehead as he sits up. I'm standing on the edge of the bed with my arms crossed over me in a closed-off and protective stance.

"Sorry, Sebastian I-..." I take a pause to articulate my words. "I have a past. A highly disturbing past."

"You're only sixteen, it can't be that bad," Sebastian says brushing his hand over his hair.

"I don't know how to explain it to you," I admit. "I'm not ready."

"That's fine. You literally just moved here and we hardly know each other. There's no rush, I'm sorry if I made you feel like that. I shouldn't have kissed you last night especially while I was drunk," he apologizes. His eyes
show his sincerity.

"No, I d-didn't f-feel like that. It's not you, I s-swear," I curse in my head as my stuttering gets worse.

"Reese mother fucking Price!" Roman yells bursting through the door. I turn my head in his direction and notice the dïck I drew on his forehead. The anger rushing through his veins is turning his face red so it looks like the dïck is red too and well I think you can put two and two together.

"Roman, b-before you kill me, in my defence, I had to get back at you for making me jump in the pool all clothed!" I yell as I jump on the bed and stand behind Sebastian.

"Ha! You think Sebastian's going to help you?" Roman scoffs as he stands at the end of the bed.

"Yeah, why wouldn't he? I didn't draw on his face."

"Only because I caught you before you could."

"But!" I'm at a loss for words. I try to run to the other side of the bed, but Sebastian grabs my ankle and pulls me down onto the bed. He pins my hands down on top of me and straddles me. "Sebastian get off me!"

He smirks in response.

"She's all yours," he instead says to Roman. While still pinning my hands, Sebastian gets off me and Roman takes his place. Sebastian still holds my hands by sitting on his knees at the end of the bed.

"I know your psycho ass took pictures, delete them," Roman accuses.

I fake gasp.

"Why would you accuse me of such a thing? I am mean, but not a monster."

"Bitch you came out looking like a monster, just because the air-filled your lungs and you look like a girl, kind of, now doesn't mean you're still not a monster!"

"Also very true."

"If you don't delete the pictures, I will tickle you," Roman threatens.

"You wouldn't," I dare him.

"I would," he says with an evil smile. A few seconds later, his fingers start to brush against the sides of my stomach and I burst into a painful fit of laughter.

Tickling is like the cruellest and humane source of punishment ever. Like who thought that laughing could hurt so much?

Imagine if, in World Wars people just tickled people into submission, it would have saved so many lives.

"Fuck! Roman! Stop!" I squirm for life, but Sebastian does not let go of my hands. "Le-lets make a deal!"

"I'm listening," Roman says. His fingers stop tickling me.

"Fuck, let... me... catch my breath," I say buying myself time to think of a deal. "I-I'll give you Landon's picture and you can blackmail him for anything, hold it over him and I won't blackmail you with yours, deal?"

"How can I trust you, though? That you won't threaten to release it?"

"I won't!"

"Fine," he groans as he gets off me. Sebastian lets go of my hands.

"Thank you," I say rubbing my wrists.

"Did I hurt you?" Sebastian questions concerned.

"No, just a force of habit," I admit.

"Mm," he replies deep in thought.

"Seb, Ev's asking for you," Sarah says walking in.

"Why would Ev be asking for Sebastian?" I ask without thinking. I sound like a clingy girlfriend, ew.

"You don't know?" Roman asks.

"Know what?"

"Bro-" Sebastian says but Roman cuts him off.

"Ev got way too drunk last night and was crying telling Sebastian how much he means to her," Roman explains. "I didn't even know they had history until that went down."

"Oh," I reply dropping my head to the floor. I really wasn't expecting to hear that.

"Yeah, but we haven't been together since summer," Sebastian adds.

"Is that why King and you got in trouble?"

"Yeah," Sebastian admits. "Ev was dating King when we were off. We were still friends though and King thought something else of it, so it caused a lot of tension between everyone. After everything that happened with King, Ev and I decided to just be platonic."

"But if she's still crying for you when she's drunk-"

"She's not over you bro," Roman says cutting me off.

"Yeah," I reply.

"I thought she was still in love with King," Sebastian claims.

We all look at Sarah.

"I don't know what to say. I thought she still had feelings for King too," she admits shrugging.

"Well, don't keep the girl waiting. She's a catch so I say fix it with her," Roman advises and I feel my heart drop.

Roman's a horrible wingman as you can see.

"I don't think that's gonna help the situation. She needs to get over me," Sebastian says. "I don't have any feelings for her."

"So you're just gonna leave her hanging?" Sarah questions, offended on behalf of Ev.

Sebastian looks at me.

"Go, she needs you," I say even though it does hurt me on the inside. Sebastian looks surprised. His eyes widen with shock and his lips slightly part, but he drops his head and rubs his hair.

"Bro, can you pass me my shirt?" he asks Roman.

"Yeah," Roman replies. He grabs Sebastian's shirt from the bed and throws it to him. Sebastian easily puts it on and walks towards Sarah.

"Let's go," he says without even looking back.

"That's awkward," Roman says once we're the only two left.

"Tell me about it," I comment.

"REESE FUCKING PRICE GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!" we hear Landon yell from somewhere in the house.

"Looks like Landon looked at himself in the mirror," Roman laughs.

"Fuck," I groan. I drop onto the bed as dead weight. "Tell him I went to go visit mom and dad."

"Okay," Roman replies. "Wait... bitch."

And we both start laughing.

☕︎☕︎☕︎

It's been two weeks since that party at our house. Someone actually sent videos from the party to the school website and well it went viral and now we're known as the coolest new kids on the block.

Besides that, nothing new has really happened. I've gained a lot of followers on Instagram and get random dms and Snapchat requests. I usually don't answer them unless I'm with Sarah and Everleigh and we just need to entertain ourselves.

Sebastian and I hardly even look at each other in the hallways and if he's ever over to hang out with Roman, we share a quick hey and move on with our business.

I talked to Ev about Sebastian and her past. Apparently, Ev has had a crush on Sebastian all through elementary and middle school is when Ev and Sebastian started dating. They dated on and off because they would fight too often and well that's when King was brought into the mix. She said she didn't cheat on King, but that's what King thinks happened.

She says she still has feelings for King and not Sebastian. The only reason why she kept saying she loves Sebastian while she was drunk was because she missed their friendship and how close they used to be. She loves Sebastian but not in a sexual way.

A part of me wanted to ask about how she would feel if Sebastian and I were together, but I didn't. At this point, I don't even think Sebastian and I are a possibility. Besides not talking to each other since the party, I don't even think I'm fully healed and ready to be in a relationship again. My past is also too much to be pushing it onto him.

Right now I'm at my first acting practise sessions for the play I want to audition for. I've decided to audition for the role of modern Juliet.

Ev was feeling sick today, so she's not here. I don't know anyone else besides Sebastian here. The leader has decided to pair everyone off himself and I pray that I don't end up with Sebastian.

"Well that leaves Reese and Sebastian, you two can be together," I hear once I zone back in.

"Bruh, I zoned out for two seconds," I mumble under my breath.

"Practice whatever scenes you want. I'll be walking around helping you guys if you need," the instructor explains.

"What scene do you wanna practise?" Sebastian asks as he looks at the script in his hand. He's wearing all black today with black sweats and a black hoodie.

"Any," I reply.

"Okay, how about the ending? It has the most emotions. I'm auditioning for Romeo's part and you're probably doing Juliet," he shares.

"Yeah, I am, but I don't remember those lines. I haven't gotten that far yet," I admit.

"It's fine, just read off your script. It starts on page ninety-five," he says.  I flip through the pages and struggle to find ninety-five. "It's ten pages from the last page."

"Thanks," I reply as I finally find the page.

"Yeah, no problem," he says.

"Okay, so we're at the airport. I'm about to leave and you stop me after you've just broken up with your fiancé."

"Um, okay," I reply. Sebastian gets into position by turning his back towards me.

"Romeo," I call. Sebastian turns around acting confused.

"Juliet?"

"Please, don't go. I-I love you?" I try to read off the script, but the words start to move around. "My parents won't accept us... but I need to live for me. For us."

"It's too dangerous, Juliet. They'll find us and kill us," Sebastian. "I can't let you risk your life like that."

"But... why... would... I-"

"But why would I wanna live a life without you?" Sebastian reads off for me. I look at him embarrassed. "You're dyslexic aren't you?

"Uh... it's that obvious?"

"Kind of," he replies. "You do great in English class though."

"Yeah, Roman helps me with the readings before class and I just memorize it," I admit sheepishly.

"If you want, I can always help you with your lines. It'll help me with mine too," he offers.

"That sounds great, actually."

"Okay," he smiles.

"So what gave it away though like just me having trouble reading the lines?"

"That and you usually struggle to talk for a long time. You start to stutter with easy words if you talk for too long, but that's normal. Speech can be affected by Dyslexia, you can thank Psychology for teaching me that fact."

"Oh," I laugh. "Why didn't you point it out before?"

"It isn't that obvious, trust me. You do great at hiding it and I didn't want to upset you if I was wrong."

"Oh, well thanks," I reply.

"For what?"

"For not making me feel... different."

"You're welcome, but if you ask me, I like different: different is worth remembering, different is unique and it can't be replicated," he takes a pause to see if I would say something, but I don't. "Do you wanna go out for a walk? I'm just not feeling this anymore."

"Sure," I reply. "I'll text my brother's that I'll be a little late."

"Yeah, don't forget that. We don't need a repeat of what happened last time."

"On it," I reply. I take out my phone and message in the group chat that I'll be home late because I'm going on a walk with Sebastian.

I instantly get a reply from Jaxson which is a thumbs-up emoji. Satisfied, I put my phone back in my pocket.

I grab my bag and shove the script in there and I find Sebastian already by the door. I walk towards him and he holds the door open for me as we exit.

"So, how have you been?" I ask first breaking the silence. It's cloudy today and a little windy, but still good enough weather for a walk. I'm wearing grey sweats and a grey cropped hoodie with white air forces.

"Nothing much, just been practising my lines and been busy with football."

"Oh, you play football?"

"Uh.. yeah," he laughs.

"Well, shit. I had no idea, I guess I missed that part. That's why you and Roman get along so well?"

"Yeah, but he also plays basketball, I don't."

"Oh," I reply. "Sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because I clearly have not been paying attention," I admit.

"How have you been?" he changes the subject.

"Good, struggling with being Dyslexic like always, but other than that, good."

"Oh, so were you just born with that? I mean obviously, you were born with it, it's genetic. What I wanted to say was, when did you find out you had it?"

"I found out when I was around six or seven. I was in grade one and I was way behind everyone in my class. I couldn't read a single word and the letters would move right in front of my eyes. I would literally yell 'look the letters are moving' during assembly and everyone would look at me like I'm a weirdo. My parents took me to a specialist and I was diagnosed with Dyslexia. The letters move around when I look at any words and so it takes me longer to learn anything and it's difficult for me to say things out loud repetitively because everything in my head gets jumbled too."

"So did you start talking late too as a kid?"

"Yeah, I think I spoke my first word at eighteen maybe twenty months. Normally, kids start saying their first words at around the age of one."

"I think talking is overrated anyways. I mean think about it, emotions and a person's body language, face and eyes say a lot more than words do. You and I would understand that the best because we act. I mean we don't have to say anything to show that the character is sad: drop your head and drop your shoulders, add a little pout and bam, the character is sad," Sebastian describes.

"That's true. That's why I love acting. Even though the lines are a struggle at times, just being on stage makes me feel so much better. And the opportunity to just be someone else for even a few minutes brings so much peace."

"Yeah, it's like getting a break from being yourself all the time, huh?"

"Yup," I breathe out feeling light. It's so easy to talk to him. It's silent for a few minutes again.

"I should've told you about my past with Ev. I just didn't think I had gotten the time to especially when we only knew each other for such a short period of time."

"It's okay, I'm not mad at you. Also, it's true we only knew each other for a week. I'm not expecting you to tell me your whole life story right after you kiss me for the first time," I let out a small laugh.

"Okay, good. I thought maybe you're actually psycho and wanted to know like every detail of my life including all my planet signs and placements."

"You know astrology?" I question.

"My sister is an astrologist," he shares. "She's also a tarot and palm reader."

"Well that's cool, how old is she?"

"She twenty-five. She lives in Washington though with her husband."

"Oh, still cool."

"It's whatever," Sebastian brushes off.

"I'm sorry for not talking to you. I thought maybe that you were hurt by what happened that morning."

"What? Why would I be hurt when you told me to go hang out with my ex when all I wanted to do was stay with you, psh," he sarcastically replies. "I was fucking choked."

"Yeah, I could tell. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just taken b-by surprise when I found out you dated Ev. I was also thinking about my past and at the moment, I just felt we would be better off just being friends and nothing else."

"I agree with you totally. I think for right now we should be just friends and get to know each other, but I do want to be more than friends at some point in the near future," he explains.

"But Seba-"

"It's a simple answer, Candy. Do you want to be more than friends with me in the near future, yes or no?"

Do I see him and more than friends?

Yes.

Do I have feelings for him?

Sure.

Do I think they'll last?

Maybe?

Am I scared of being in a relationship?

Fuck yes.

Am I ready to be in a relationship?

Fuck no.

Am I willing to open up to him?

Maybe.

"My parents are dead," I blurt. I facepalm myself instantly.

Sebastian halts and I stop walking too. He looks at me. His face has a slight stubble, but other than that his skin is flawless with only a few bumps.

"Um, that's not what I was expecting but um...-" he seems lost.

"No, I mean. My parents are dead. They died six months ago in a car accident in Singapore and that's only one of the fucked up things that have happened in my life. There's a whole ass list that follows after that one fact a-and I-I-" I take a deep breath. "Fuck this is hard. What if you don't like me for me anymore? What if you see who I was and you can't un-see it?"

"Reese, I think you're beautiful. There is no denying that there is a strong physical attraction between the two of us. I also can't deny that I want to kiss you every time I see you and that you're caramel cinnamon and woody perfume drives me fucking crazy. I literally smell and feel your presence before I even lay my eyes on you. Not to mention that you're sarcasm and witty remarks are to die for. I wish I had all those remarks up my sleeve. And your laugh? I have never heard anyone laugh so much with their heart. Your purity radiates off when you laugh. It reminds me that there are still people out there who aren't crushed by the weight of the world. Also, I know you lost your parents, Roman had explained that to all of us and if you Google the Price family a lot of shit comes up. What I'm trying to say is. Roman did mention that you've had a rough past, but haven't we all? Your story might be different, but I have my shit too. What if you don't like me for me? What if you can't un-see what you see in me after I tell you about my past? The thing is, we're here today and whatever was in our past, we were stronger than that and if it's meant to be, we'll be strong than that too."

I look at him dumbfounded and speechless.

"I... Sebastian, I can't," I feel my eyes start to water. "I can't buy what you're trying to sell."

"I'm not trying to sell anything, Reese. What we could have is priceless," Sebastian claims. "Who hurt you so bad, you can't even see someone's honesty and vulnerability?"

☕︎☕︎☕︎

"Babe, come on. Try it," Silas says handing me the blunt.

"Silas, I don't smoke."

"It'll calm you down, just take a couple of hits," he urges.

"Yeah, come on Reese. Or are you a püssy?" his friend teases. I glare at the guy mad at him for challenging me.

I have never smoked before. Roman's somewhere at the party, so if I smoke, it shouldn't be a big deal. Jaxson's going to pick us up anyway.

I take the blunt from Silas and inhale. I hold it in for about three seconds before I exhale and it itches the back of my throat making me cough.

"You'll get used to that," Silas says as he's amused by my reaction. He's in grade nine while I'm in grade seven, so he's a pro at this.

"I don't know if I wanna get used to it though," I cough.

"It hasn't hit you yet," Silas says. "Once it does, it feels so good like you're so light and everything feels so slow and calming."

"We'll see," I laugh.

"She's a cutie," his friend comments.

"She is," Silas replies smiling while looking at me. His eyes are red and I can tell he's already high.

☕︎☕︎☕︎

"Reese? Reese! Stop," Sebastian shakes me.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" he queries as he wipes away my tears.

"Reese?" Landon pulls up next to us with Roman in the car.

"Are you okay?" Roman asks as he gets out of the car. He rushes over to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. His eyes examine my face as I standstill.

"I'm fine, sorry. I just remembered something that's it," I explain.

"Did he say something?" Landon asks looking at Sebastian like he's ready to kill him.

"No! No no no," I repeat. "He-he's just as confused and worried as you guys. Even more, because he doesn't know."

"Oh," Landon says. "Sorry man."

"It's okay," Sebastian replies. "We were just talking one minute and the other, she's completely zoned out and tears just start coming down from her eyes. It was like she wasn't even here."

"It's probably good if we just take her home then," Landon says. "Right, Ro?"

"Yeah," Roman agrees examining my face again. "You're okay with that?"

"Uh, yeah can I just talk to Sebastian for a minute? In private."

"Yeah, we'll wait in the car," Roman shares.

"Okay," I say as I watch them leave.

"Don't scare me like that," Sebastian says engulfing me in a hug.

"My brothers are gonna kill you," I mumble as my head's glued to his chest and I can hardly breathe.

"Let them," he announces.

"But if they kill you how will we ever be more than friends?"

"What?" he asks shocked. He breaks the hug and holds onto my shoulders as he makes eye contact. "Are you saying you're giving us a chance?"

"I'm saying I'm ready to move on and go onto better things," I clarify.

"So that means I'm taken but no really taken?"

"Exactly," I agree even though I'm a little lost.

"Great," he smiles. "Fuck yes!"

He hugs me again.

"Okay, Seb I can't breathe."

"One more minute, Candy," he breathes out. "Okay, that's good."

And then he finally breaks the hug.

I watch as he can't stop smiling and it radiates over to me and I start smiling.

"You're crazy."

"Says the one who randomly started crying and almost got me beat up by her brothers."

"If anything, I actually saved you from them."

"You know if they weren't there, I'd totally kiss you. I don't know how I didn't talk to you for two weeks."

"They always ruin the moment, don't they?" I shake my head. "Do you need a ride home?"

"Nah, I'm just gonna walk."

"Okay, well text me when you're home and be safe."

"Whatever you say, Candy," he winks. I laugh as I walk towards Landon's car and get in. Roman bobs his head as a goodbye and I wave bye to Sebastian as Landon pulls onto the road and we head home.

"So the man finally told you that he likes you?" Roman questions. My eyes widen with surprise. "Come on? You really thought you guys were just gonna sneak around and I wouldn't know?"

"Uh... we weren't sneaking around," I defend. "But are you guessing or is this factual, because I'm not denying or accepting anything until I know the details."

"I walked in on you guys kissing in the guest room at the party," Roman shares. "I confronted him at school the Monday after and he explained what he felt. He also explained Ev and his situation."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just thought you guys would talk when you were ready and you did."

"You told Landon?"

"Yeah, I told everyone about Sebastian crushing over you."

"Wow."

"They all approve."

"That's good, but I don't know what I want."

"Yeah don't rush into anything. He seems like a good guy and all, but who knows," Landon warns.

"True, but he feels different too. I mean why would he tell Roman the truth if he had any bad intentions."

"Well, he's no Silas for sure," Roman concludes.

"I know," I breathe out.

"You deserve to be happy, Re. If he makes you happy, don't overthink it and ruin it for yourself. We're all here for you if he ever does hurt you, but I don't think he will give us a chance to beat him up," Landon tries to lighten up the mood.

"Let's just see. I wanna it take slow. At least I won't have to hide anything from you guys. I don't know how Ev is going to take it though."

"You don't need people's permission to be with the person you want to be with. I know you respect her opinion and her, but as a friend, she should be able to understand your feelings too," Landon explains.

"When did you become so wise?"

"It happens after all the shit we've all been through."

"Amen," Roman and I both reply and we all start laughing.

Maybe life doesn't have to be so bad anymore.

Maybe LA is giving us a fresh new start.

Maybe there is no more pain.

Just happiness.

A/N:

Hi, hope you're doing good and liking the story so far!

I'm going to explain a few things:

I know it's weird to think that Reese, Sebastian and their friends are all only sixteeb, especially with Reese's past. Where I live, we started getting assemblies and presentations on how to avoid getting into drugs in grade six, because that's usually when dealers or just older people start exposing younger kids to such things. Between the ages of 11-16 is when kids are the most impressionable and recruiting kids earlier benefits traffickers (I know this because I'm a Criminology Major).

I wanted to write about someone who did fall for those fake dreams for her own reasons. Most people who fall into the lifestyle are usually, well off and male, but I changed it a little by making Reese the star of this story. And as the story goes on, you'll find out more about why she continued to experiment with drugs and so much more about what makes her who she is.

There's a lot more to be known about Sebastian, King, Ev and Silas too.

You can expect more drama, fun, laughter, heartbreaks, fights, love, hate, dates, pranks, brother-brother love, brother-sister love, business ventures, Romeo and Juliet, crying, trips, friendships and SO MUCH MORE!

Also, I want to make a new cover for the book what do you guys think would look nice? Leave some recommendations!

My email is also open if you guys ever want to send me covers or artwork for the story! Your work will be featured in the A/N of the chapters and will be 100% credited to you so make sure to send me your username in the email!

[email protected]