Rowen:

It was raining as we boarded the private plane. I was the last one aboard, after dealing with the ungodly amount of luggage. Whoever decided it was a great idea to let a bunch of 18-year-old rich kids ride solo across the Atlantic and across a majority of the continent was out of their minds.

Well, I guess we have discovered some of the perks of absentee parents.

"Good grief, Rowen how did you make it out of that house alive?" Caspian said, rolling his eyes. He looked more put together than I had seen him in a while, sporting a grey sweater and maroon colored wool coat.

"Sheer luck," I offered half teasing, half telling the truth. I shook my head, trying to shake off all the stress that was a by-product of my familial interactions.

"Rowen!" A couple of voices called out in a way of greeting, alerted of my presence as the airplane doors closed behind me.

I waved before taking a seat in the main cabin. I glanced around the room to see the colorful group of friends I had come to call my own.

Sitting next to Caspian was Ivy. She wore a soft-looking, pink jumper that was so large on her it fell over her hands. Her brown curls were sticking out from under a white hat with a pom-pom on it. Her head was rested on Caspian's shoulder, and her eyelashes were lowered as if to give the illusion she was sleeping, but she insisted she was just "resting her eyes".

Her half brother, Matteo was sitting next over. He was nodding his head to music that undoubtedly flooded into his ears from the red headphones he was wearing. His arms rested on his knees as he leaned forward, staring straight ahead. I swear he looked like a vein was going to pop in his brain from the strain he was seemingly exerting.

It didn't take a genius to realize that this was India had stuck her head into his lap, and laid there, stuck against his chest and his arms. I prayed for him and his struggle.

India's silky smooth brown hair fell over his lap and she looked at her phone. A black woolly hat was placed upon her head and she wore all black except for a pair of huge, giant shoe boots that said "MOONBOOT on them.

What? I mean we're going halfway around the world but not the moon. Odd.

I glanced at Ivy. She was also wearing them, except hers were a sky blue color.

Did I not get the memo or...

I glanced over at Laurent, the one person who was the biggest fashion snob of the group. Considering he was not wearing a pair I assumed I was not in peril of creating a fashion faux pas.

He sat alone, a thing of brandy in his hand. Dark circles appeared under his eyes and he wore a black turtle neck and a black peacoat- not dissimilar to mine.

He looked completely worse for wear, so I made my way to sit next to him, tossing Matteo a teasing wink as I did so.

"You look..." I started, unsure what to say.

"Tais-toi," He snapped, throwing me a horrible glare.

I studied his twitchy fingers and hair that was a little messy compared to its normal careless perfection.

I think Magnolia doesn't think I notice the little things. Trust me- I do.

"I see you're having withdrawals from your addictions," I commented while quirking an eyebrow. If he were going to behave like a child, I would give him hell for it.

"Addictions? And what would those be?" He snickered, looking away and into the vast skyline, our window showed us.

"Cigarettes and Colette," I said, referring to his vices he entertained for far too long. I think Magnolia beat the Cigarettes out of him, I have no clue why he gave up on his favorite french girl (who probably tasted like the cigarettes he so loved). Maybe he found love somewhere else.

He sneered, "Those were not an addiction, they were a distraction."

I paused surprised by his answer, "A distraction from what?"

He glanced at me for just a moment- but the moment was long enough for me to stare into his brown eyes and see the utter agony he was in. The moment lasted but a millisecond before he glanced back towards the endless eternity of sky.

I didn't say anything for a moment, trying to rack my mind for what it could be that was putting him through that. I had known Laurent my whole life, but I knew seemingly nothing about his family or what went through his calculating mind. He seemed happier when Magnolia was there- but I couldn't figure out why he was so ruined now.

I mean sure, we hadn't seen Magnolia in a week or so, but I mean, he was in pain. And if anyone should be in the most pain about the distance (that we were quickly closing) it should be me, right?

Right?

I missed Magnolia more than anything in the world. How could I not? I was utterly and completely head over heels for her. Her, and her long blonde hair, soft and sweet voice and quit witt.

"Well, hopeful you can look less gutted by the time we land in Montana," I said lowly.

Suddenly, India popped her head up out of Matteo's lap, almost knocking her head into his as she did so.

"How come no one told me that buffalo were real? And they exist in Montana?" She practically screamed.

I stared at her dumbfounded for a moment, honestly surprised at this outburst.

Matteo took a deep breath, and patted her on the head condescendingly, "India Laneswood: one of the top girls in her class and didn't even think Buffalo were real creatures."

We all laughed at that hysterically, even Laurent and his red-rimmed eyes smirked in mirth. 

Howdy! How is everyone doing! While we are just getting this sequel started, I would love for you to comment on what you want to see in this book! 

Comment! Vote!

Also, I turn 17 in almost exactly a month! Yay!