I toy with the spoon in the ice cream cup and watch as the chocolate goodness melts slowly.

Alex brought me to a cute ice cream shop by the ocean. So far I'd learnt that he went to one of those prestigious boarding schools, where uniforms are mandatory. He'd also told me about most of his new friends, who in my opinion are quite funny.

"And then she threw her bowl of soup directly on my head... right in the middle of the restaurant" I burst out laughing. He was telling me about how he broke up with his recent ex-girlfriend. Once I calm down, I notice his eyes boring into mine.

I smile nervously out of habit "What?"

"Is this boring?" he runs his hand through his hair "It's just that, I noticed you barely had more than 4 bites of your ice cream and you keep fidgeting"

I open my mouth, unsure of what to say "No, it's not that, it's just..." I toy with spoon "I can't eat too much of it"

"Why, are you watching your weight or something?" I gape at him. Taking a moment to hold my tongue from lashing out in sarcasm, I then answer him.

"I'm lactose intolerant" His eyes widen in realization.

"Shit! I can't believe I forgot that. I'm sorry Ellie"

"Don't worry, it's been 5 years. I don't expect you to remember everything... or keep in touch" I mutter.

"Even though I remember everything about you" I add in my head.

I turn my head towards the window as my heart sinks in disappointment. Alex places a hand on mine and rubs affectionately. A casual gesture which drives the butterflies in my stomach crazy.

"I've really missed you Ellie" he retracts his hand "I was busy, but that's no excuse. It feels like I lost a little sister"

That one word sends a stab to my heart. Reminding me once more that Alex will see me as nothing more than as a sister or his best friend's baby sister. Out of experience, I quickly recover and plaster a practiced smile on my lips.

"I've missed you too Alex" he smiles genuinely "Alright, tell me more about England. I mean, what's the obsession with tea?" he bursts into laughter.

"Well first of all we do not have an obsession with tea, we just really love it" he leans forward and whispers. I catch a scent of his cologne, it smells really good. "But between you and me, I can't stand it"

"Why are you whispering?"

"I don't want to be attacked by any of my people. They could be hiding around" he leans back in his seat and I laugh and take a small bite of my ice-cream.

"But, honestly England was amazing, I mean from the people to the experiences, I miss it already." He looks out the window as if reminiscing a fond memory.

"Then why did you come back?" I question, hoping it didn't come out rude. He looks into my eyes, his hazel eyes spelling the confusion on his face.

"Justin didn't tell you?" I shake my head "I'm transferring colleges; I'll be going to UCLA with him"

Damn you Justin

Trust my brother to always forget to tell me big news. Especially one this big. I make a mental note to get him back for this.

"But why?"

"I wanted a change of scenery" he says, looking absently at the table "Besides you can only stay at a place for so long, before you get tired of everything and everyone"

Curiosity gnaws at me, urging me to probe further. But I resist the temptation and direct my focus to my hair, twirling a curly piece around my index finger.

"So how about you? How's school?"

"School's stressful" I answer truthfully. He remains silent, so I take that as a cue to continue "It feels like everything is caving in on me. My parents expect me to maintain a perfect GPA, or something close to it. My teachers just assume I'm a robot, and keep piling on loads of homework. And don't get me started on college"

I finish my mini rant with a sigh. It feels good to let out all those pent up frustrations. Alex stares at me, a little too long, as if he's trying to piece together a puzzle.

"What about college?" he inquires after a few seconds. I take a deep breath. The source of my frustrations coming to bite at me.

"College" I scoff "My dad wants me to attend Harvard, but my grandparents are pushing me to Yale" However I don't add the fact that they both expect me to study business and economics.

"And you?" he asks, his gaze never leaving mine "Where do you want to go?"

"MIT"

"Do what your heart desires. Not all of us have that privilege" I note the hidden meaning behind his words, but I don't question them. The topic brings a wave of nausea on me, so I change it quickly.

"You know; you always find a way to make conversations become deep" I joke in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. He chuckles and leans back in his chair.

"Only for you Ellie"

Suddenly a loud ping sounds, bringing both our attention to Alex's phone. He takes his phone, reading the message, a frown marring his face. He gives me an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry, I have to get home" he points at my cup "Are you done with that?" I nod and get up. We stand up and head to his Hyundai Accent then drive off.

"So when are you starting college?" I ask, in an attempt to fill out the uncomfortable silence hanging in the car.

"Next week. Luckily I've already done 4 of the courses already in England, so I'm only left with 2 of them."

"So I won't be seeing you much?"

"Yeah, for the first month or so"

"Oh okay" I say and leave the conversation hanging there. Silence falls on us once more, but Alex turns on the radio. The car is then filled with Ed Sheeran's soothing vocals.

As I listen to the lyrics of Happier, I spare a glance at Alex, taking in every detail. From the way he subtly sings along, to his hand casually resting on the gear stick. I force myself to look away and observe the scenery passing me by. People in little clothing, enjoying the LA atmosphere, trees whooshing past in a green blur.

We finally arrive in our neighborhood. Alex swipes his keycard through the machine, and large gates open to allow us into our gated community.

The one thing about my neighborhood is, no two houses have the same design, though all have two stories. There's no lack of diversity. All the houses stand on large plots of land, with impressive driveways and backyards. Dividing each home, are high hedges, decorated with creeping flowers. In total, there are 4 streets and about 100 houses in the community. Each street decorated with lots of trees.

Alex circles around the fountain in the middle of his driveway and parks under a car canopy.

I bid him goodbye to which he replies "I look forward to another time of catching up"

I hurry to my house before he can see the stupid smile on my face. I notice my mom's white Range Rover parked behind my car.

My house has a modern style, with plenty of glass windows surrounding the house, allowing for plenty of sunshine. There is a 4 car garage off the side of the house, which sits under the kitchen.

"I'm home!" I yell walking into the living room, enjoying the cool air. I respond to a maid's greeting as she passes by me.

"No one gives a shit!" I roll my eyes. I'm already used to Ingrid's responses. Lying on the couch, with an opened bag of Cheetos on her swollen stomach, is my sister.

Does she ever stop eating?

"How was your date?" she mutes the TV and gives me her full attention.

"It wasn't a date Ingrid" I steal a cheeto from her hand but she slaps my hand making the snack fall on the carpet. I pick it up anyway and plop it in my mouth.

"Then why do you have that dumb smile on your face?"

"I had a good time" she smiles knowingly.

"Noelle, is that you?" my mother's voice calls from somewhere in the backyard. Thank goodness.

"Yeah"

"Come here" her tone was clipped. Uh oh.

"We're not done with this conversation" Ingrid shouts as I leave the living room.

I follow the sound of her voice to the garden. Our garden is every landscaper and gardener's dream. There are flowers of different species and colors, all arranged according to their type. A cobblestone path leads from the sliding door, all around the small fountain in the middle of the garden. It then branches in two directions to form a 'T'. There is a small hedge on the right separating the garden from the large pool.

My mother stands by the marigolds, her arms folded across her chest. Once she sees me she gestures me to her side. Her lips are pursed tightly in a thin line.

"Noelle, can you tell me what you see?" she gestures at the flowers, whose petals are turning pale due to lack of irrigation. I smile sheepishly remembering the task I forgot to carry out.

"Beautiful flowers?" I try, knowing already that I'm in deep trouble. My mother massages her forehead, as if she's developing a headache; but suddenly retracts it when she remembers that her face has a light layer of fresh makeup.

"I give you one job in this house. Just one" she states, her Scottish accent ringing out. "Water. The. Flowers. It's that simple! Now look at my garden, it's dying because of your laziness"

"It's just three flowers mom. I was tired from school" she narrows her eyes at me.

"I guess I'm not tired then?" Oh boy, here comes her rant "I work all day, come back home and cook and clean after you lazy children. And you say you're tired?"

I keep quiet, knowing that anything I say would be used against me. Even though I'm itching to correct her that the maids clean the house, not her.

"Get a watering can and water all the plants. When you're done, come to my room" with that she leaves me and enters the house, closing the sliding door behind her.

I mutter a string of curses before carrying out the task at hand. In fifteen minutes, all the flowers show signs of proper irrigation. I dump the watering can in the grass by the fence and go to mom's room.

I don't bother knocking and just enter my parent's room. Sitting in front of her vanity, is my mom, still in her silk robe. She tasks herself in putting on a pair of diamond studs as I sit on the edge of her bed.

"Where are you going?" I ask when I see a gorgeous black dress lying on her bed.

"I have a work function tonight." She applies a coat of red lipstick and pats her cheeks with powder.

"That's cool" I mumble and look around awkwardly.

"I hope you don't have plans tonight" she says as she stares at me through the mirror on the vanity. Unless you count watching Korean dramas and studying as plans. I shake my head. "Maria, my coworker, needs a babysitter for her daughter tonight"

"And you told her I'd do it?" I whine "But moooom, I'm tired" A sharp look silences me. Because of the expertly applied mascara and eyeliner, she looks even more fierce.

"Either you do this or I take your phone for a week" she smirks "Your choice"

I sigh in defeat, knowing this is a battle lost. There's no way I'm giving up my phone, and she knows this. At least I'd be getting paid for this. I just hope the kid doesn't talk too much. I can't stand that.

"Text me her address"

Another chapter completed again. I hope you all loved reading it. I would love to hear your opinions about everything so far. If you really enjoyed it, don't forget to show it by clicking that vote button for me :)

Until next time.