Notes:

Additional Cast:

Chris Wood as Daniel Alexander Nelson

Paget Brewster as Laureen Nelson

Sophie's POV

My watch reads 6:30 a.m. when I get up from bed. College is about to start in a week and I will admit that even though I am ready to start this new chapter of my life, I am very nervous about it. It's not that I don't like school or anything, I am what you would call 'perfect student' after all, but the way I see it, it's just another 4 years of my life filled with anxiety, pressure, studying for pre law and then 3 more years for law school...I'm just so tired of this.

I put my clothes on and get ready for my daily run. Running has always helped me with my anxiety (that and a few valerian root pills here and there to be honest), it's a hobby I picked up after my mother suggested we run together for bonding time and even though we had to wake up really early, I still liked all the time I got to spent with her. It was nice to have something of our own, just the 2 of us.

While mother and I had running as a hobby, my dad is a different case. Our thing is the movies. Even as a little child when the only movies I could watch were animations mostly, he would always take me to the movies, to have a father-daughter date as he called it. I adored those moments with him. We would always talk during the movie and people would glare at us but we never stopped. He would answer all the naive questions I would have, like I was a grown up even though I couldn't understand a thing...Damn,I will miss my daily routine, I will miss them and my little brother Ben, but I have to do this, everybody does it, education is important ,as mother always says, but that doesn't mean a thing if you are mediocre...no.. you have to be the best out there or else you are as good as nothing.

Just hold on Soph, it's only four more years...You got through 12, you can handle college...Oh God, then I will have to get a master's degree right? Mother says I should go to England or something...How many years is a masters again? Damn Soph stop, it's only 7:00! Just get out of the house and start running!

The streets are quiet this time of the day, and peaceful, but soon people will get in their cars and start the day. I stop at the park that's a few miles away from home and look at the flowers. I am not much of a flower lover but I do appreciate their beauty. I take a picture of them and with the right filter I will post later on Instagram for all of the 300 people following me, to see. I do enjoy social media, especially Tumblr but not all of its content, I mean why would people post girls kissing each other or people in general doing worse than that? God, some people just have no filter to what they post! And all the mature content..Straight or not... Who does that in real life? It looks so gross! Well I guess if I had a boyfriend I would know why people are so hyped about it but such distractions can get you in trouble. All the heartbreak and the disappointment, and the drinking to forget your pain, it's just so messy. Thank god I never had to deal with it. Zero distractions, zero teen drama, zero pregnancy scares! Well done Soph!

I would never let such things mess with my career and my perfect school profile, if only I had been the valedictorian, but you see, the teachers had to give that to that... Vanessa Adams. That girl has always pissed me off, miss valedictorian my butt! I deserved it as much as she did!

Well to be fair, her GPA was slightly better and I think I would have liked her if she wasn't my rival, but high school is a battlefield and only one survives the grade war. And I might feel a little guilty for causing a scene when the principal chose her, but thank god I won't have to see her again! Thank god I won't have to see any of my classmates, I never really bonded or hung out with them.

I have one best friend, my Joss. We have been best friends since forever, being neighbors and all, but due to the fact that he is 2 years older, he left me with all these horny teenagers. I missed my Joss and his persona those two years, but I was happy that he got into the college he wanted, which thank god was only 3 hours away from home.

We have a special bond me and him, that's why when I got accepted to the same college, saying no was out of the question. My dad went there too, so SCU has always been part of the plan. Fast forward three months of summer and now I will officially move to Joss's apartment and we will be roomies! We will have the best time I am sure! Me and my Joss make a great team... Well, apart from the times when we play board games and especially monopoly . There, we are enemies and although he knows how much of a competitive player I am, he pisses me off by buying every freaking lot I need. He ends up winning but I think he is stealing money from the bank when I am not looking. I mean, how else would he win?

I smile breathing in the fresh air. I am a spring person but do love autumn and the rain, it's poetic. It reminds me of home and the times when my dad and I sat in his office drinking hot chocolate watching the rain, while mother was in her study room grading papers. I don't blame her though, being a professor is demanding, not as demanding as being a lawyer but dad never brought work home. Mother would stay up late and spend Sundays caught up with work, while dad and I spend time drawing and watching movies. I guess that's why I chose law as a profession. So I can be like my dad. His world seems balanced.

Joseph's POV

I can smell my mum's cooking right here in the upper floor bedroom. I wonder what she's preparing for breakfast. Dude I hope it's pancakes! I fucking love pancakes. I am getting dressed, still tired from last night's flight.

Why do vacations have to be over so soon? I had such an amazing time with my douches. I passed one week in Cali. It was like I was in heaven. Well except this night that I found myself in hell. This stupid girl came with her sassy face and her big mouth and ruined a very promising night. Everytime I think of her I want to punch the wall. Grant and Matt got really bored of hearing me complaining about her the rest 2 days of our vacations. Normally I wouldn't give a fuck, but this girl really took me off my limits. I didn't mind this much about losing a really good laid(I can always find it whenever I want), but because she offended me like no one had done it before. At first I've found our little chat really entertaining, but then she really pulled some sensitive strings, that I had no idea that existed and that really pisses me off. That chick just came out of nowhere and threw an Armageddon of words on me without even blinking. I don't want to admit it, but that really irritated me.Especially when I remember her obnoxious smile. No no no, I shouldn't let her ruin my days anymore. Tasty breakfast is waiting for me. I find my sweatpants and a white T- shirt and I am going downstairs to the kitchen.

When I walk in I see my mother Laureen fetching the honey and the chocolate from the cupboards. My prayers were heard! I am gonna eat pancakes.

"Good morning mum." I say with a smile crossing my face.

"Hello honey!" She comes and gives me a kiss on my cheek. "I've made your favourite." She tells me and she puts in front of me a plate with 3 pancakes.

I sit myself and I reach the chocolate,when suddenly I hear footsteps coming from the stairs. This should be Daniel, my big brother, who spent the past 2 weeks home, since my dad should be at work. Dan,as I call him, is tall and thin with dark hair and gray eyes. He should leave tomorrow, to go back to Boston, because he's doing his Phd in Applied Mathematics, in Harvard University. My father wanted me to go there as well, but I won't do anything my brother does as perfect as my father thinks he does it. Anyway my relationship with my brother is pretty good, although I think he doesn't do anything else than studying. If I hadn't caught him in the middle of sex one day,which was one of my worst experiences ever(my eyes still hurt), I would swear that he wouldn't have had sex before.

"Good morning family." my brother greets.

"Good morning,bro" I greet him back. "You're late today" I say putting a suspicious look.

"Yeah! I decided to take advantage of my last day here to sleep a bit more." he answers stretching his whole body. "Ooooh pancakes!" his eyes widen as he looks down at my plate.

"Back off! This is restricted area! No trespassing." I threaten him and cover my plate with my arms.

"Come on boys, you're not 5! There's plenty for everyone!" my mum burges in exhaling. "I want to take care of you as long as you're here. Then you're going back to your colleges and I will be all alone....again!" she frowns putting her hands in front of her chest.

My mother, who looks very good for her age with dark hair and eyes, really loves me and Dan and everytime we come here she tries to spoil us. She feels guilty, because she wasn't around as much as she wanted while we were growing up, since she had to work many hours at the aquarium since her job as Marine biologist demanded it. I believe she did more than great in the way she raised us, since both her kids turned out to be fine. Well we are not serial killers, so this defines fine by me.

"You're overreacting mum! Dad's here!" I encourage her, putting a giant piece of food in my mouth.

"Well it's not the same, but since you're out there chasing your dreams I can handle it." She huffs and she bends to give a kiss to the top of our heads. "I've got to do the laundry, before I go to work. These clothes aren't going to wash themselves on their own" Then she leaves the kitchen and I am left with Dan.

"Soooo, how's college going?" He asks me putting his hands under his chin.

"Good. I passed all my exams, so that means success!" I smirk and stab another piece of my pancakes.

"Have you talked with any of your professors for your senior thesis?" He continues questioning me. Or better interrogating me.Just bring the lamp already.

"Dude I still have 1 more year for that! And it's 10 am in the morning! My brain doesn't process without coffee and a good breakfast! Oh God, you sound like Sophie!" I exasperate and I flip my hair.

Then I hear the doorbell. Totally saved by the bell. I am in a state where I will even give my pancakes to thank my rescuer. My mother goes for the door and I can tell who it is right away, by the voice. My rescuer is my best friend Sophie. She's greeting my mother and then she shows up in the kitchen.

"Joss! Oh how I've missed you, you dork!" she is hugging from behind almost choking me.

"Soph can't breathe, can't breathe!" I try to say, before she suffocates me.

"Good ,more pancakes for Dan. Hello to you too Dan!"

"Hello Sophie! How are you? Don't joke with the pancakes. Little Joss is going to murder you." He laughs.

"I know, he is such a drama queen!" She says and kisses on my cheek as I chew my bite.

"You know you won't get away with it that easily. You will pay for that. Retaliation is coming!" And I stand up to catch Sophie and start tickling her on her stomach.

"Joss, no wait, stop ok, I surrender." I stop laughing at her and she pinches my arm. "I will smash your phone if you do that again, and Dan and I will make sure you won't be driving your car anytime soon." She threatens as Dan joins her as well.

"Like you're capable of doing that, you nerd." I say ironically, hitting her slightly on the forehead.

"Pfffff I can easily take you down, goldilocks." she grimaces with a come-at-me bro, look.

"You're not tired of calling me that? FYI ladies dig it." I wink at her.

"I will stop calling you that once you get rid of that mop you have for hair, and FYI the girls that dig it, have no class."

"I don't need them to have class, only big boobs and a nice ass." I answer back knowing she gets annoyed when I talk to her like that.

"Ew Joss, that so gross!" She says making a face. Ms. Prude here is being a knew-it all. "But I guess you are right, they don't need a brain to get Mr. playboy here. He is not picky at all" She says again.

"I am picky. Only 8s and higher get to spend a night with me." I tell her showing me, like I am being advertised.

" And you think you are a 10?" She sassies back.

" I think I am an 11, but I am trying to be modest." I tell her pinching her cheek.

"With or without the mop?" She smirks swatting my hand away.

"The mop gives extra credits darling!" I comment while waving my bangs with my right hand.

"The mop makes you look like chewbacca." She crosses her arms in front of the chest looking smug.

"What's wrong with Chewbacca? He's the best character in Star Wars. After Han Solo of course. He speaks always to the point." My nerd culture barges in.

"Princess Leia is the coolest and bravest character my dear. No one wants to get lucky with Chewbacca. I rest my case, case closed." Her future lawyer is showing.

Dan looks really entertained while eating his breakfast and couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Guys after all these years nothing has changed. Thank you for this morning show, because nothing interesting was playing on TV." He jokes and he adds "I will leave you 2 toddlers alone, as I need to go check up on with my professor on Skype. Sophie nice seeing you." Then he stands up, leaves his plate in the sink and goes upstairs.

"Bye Dan, see you later!" She waves at him and finally we are alone! "So tell me everything! The summer was pretty much the same after you left."

"Well it was amazing! California is the best place I've ever been. The sea, the sun, the parties, the girls." I start saying enthusiastically "But one day will haunt me forever! You have no idea what happened"

"Please tell me you were being safe. I would hate to be an aunt at this age." She asks seriously.

"Look who's got humor" I stare ironically at her.

"Well you never know. Good to know that this isn't the deal. So... What happened?" She eyes me curiously.

"First I was at a club with the usual suspects. Then I found a girl, so smoking hot. Her legs were endless-"

"Ok ok we got it, she was hot! I don't need a mental picture. Get to the point!" she pressures.

"Fineeeee! So I was about to have a terrific night with this Heidi Klum girl."

"Of course she was blonde! That proves my point. You like them dump. Carry on." she waves her hand.

"So stereotypical of you. I like all the hot girls no matter the color of hair. Anyway I was about to get laid, but then SHE came and ruined it all! She was the biggest cock blocker in the world. If the cock blockers had a community, she would be the president." I start flipping out, even with her memory in my head.

"Awww, my poor Chewbacca, someone ruined your night! She lived to tell the story? I hope you didn't kill her, I mean my dad would get you out, but you never know.." she shrugs.

"I was so close. She opened her big mouth and started acting like she owned the place. God I think about her right now and scenes of the Saw movie pop up in my mind. Who did she think she was?" I continue saying making angry gestures with my hands.

"Ok , a) you make innocent words like big mouth sound dirty in my head, so from now on no more describing mature content with me and b) you should really look into that killer side of yours. There are people that can help you." She is being a moron right now.

"But you didn't see her.She told me that a) I was pulling 9.5 weeks in the elevator and b) I am not a 5 star irresistible guy. She has seriously mental problems or she's blind."

"Ok, let's be honest here. Knowing you, you were definitely pulling a 9.5 weeks, so thank God she stopped you. And like I said, if you cut that mop of yours, you would be a 5. I am on her side in this." She says patting my shoulder.

"You seriously have a death wish right now. I am sure she was just jealous, because another woman was tasting this." I smirk showing me. "And no, I am not having my bangs cut Sophie, especially now that you're using this pestiferous girl as an argument."

"Oh yes every woman wants a taste of the badass Boss cologne I got you for Christmas." She says grabbing a glass of water and a cookie from our counter, eye rolling at the same time.

"Not only the cologne." I wink at her putting my seductive mode on, while taking the cookie from her hand.

"Hey that's my cookie. You know I hate sharing! And that wink might work with the other girls, but not with me, moron." She says taking another cookie.

"Anyway the result of that night was disappointing, because as it was natural I didn't have sex, since this stupid brunette twit insulted and knocked down my fling; she left like the Queen of England!" I exhale in the memory of the worst night of my vacations.

"The girl sounds like a badass. Damn I missed it. Anyway, so now what? Get over it, you will probably never see her again, so stop complaining. Let bygones be bygones." She remarks.

"You're right. That girl troubled my life this once and never again. Too bad vacations are coming to an end. I wish I could stay in Cali longer... So much better than this place. Thank God we're leaving on Sunday. Things are much more excited in college. You'll see for yourself." I tell her and I put a cup of coffee.

"Are you kidding? This is going to be the most stressful year of my life. I have already packed 3 bottles of Valerian pills with me." She says sighing, going for a hug.

"Sophie just chill, ok? College is nothing to be scared of,especially since you're going to be staying with me. Just go there and enjoy yourself like I do. These years are not coming back you know?" I try to reassure her hugging her back.

"I know, I will try, I promise. Now, do you wanna go spy on your brother?" She says trying to be cheerful again.

"Trust me there's nothing more boring than spying on my brother. Except if you are interested on learning about equations that dead people made up. Better shoot me." I say putting my index on my head like a loaded gun.

"You are right. This week is gonna be so long! Kill me now! Alright I got it, let's go pick on my brother instead!" she points smugly.

"Way better. I've missed Ben. Let's go play with his lightsabers and give him his present. Dibbs on Darth Vader"

"Whatever, Chewbacca! Come on, let's go." And with that we leave the house to go next door.

A/N Note: Thanks for reading, any feedback is welcome. :)