Page 41 of Crash

20 YEARS OLD

Present

Columbia University is beautiful. My mom and dad got me a nice apartment that they own with the McKnights. They wanted to get me a penthouse, but it was uncalled for, so I demanded this luxury apartment instead. It is the end of the second semester now. I haven’t been home since I left the rehab facility. The wounds are too fresh, and I can’t bear the family dinners or vacations. Monroe tried to drag me to Christmas, but Nixon told her to leave me alone. I was an adult and could do as I pleased, he said. Everett always said he’d stay behind with me, so I wasn’t alone, but I told him I was fine.

I miss Ezra, though. We text and FaceTime, but I can tell her patience is growing thin with me. So that is how I find myself packing a bag. Heading home.

Rumor has it, Easton also goes to college here, but I haven’t seen him. The campus is huge and I am grateful for that. My plan is to major in business and minor in art. I’m currently kicking butt at my grades, and my art teacher said my work looked promising. He doesn’t like many students, so I’m taking it as a compliment.

I wave to the old man who stands by the door to my building. His name is Benny, and he has gray hair, a wrinkled face, and the best jokes I’ve heard in all my life. He smiles. “Going home for the summer, Miss Andrews?”

I put my sunglasses on, thanking him as he opens the door for me. “Yeah, I need to see the folks. You know how they get.”

He chuckles. “Be safe, Miss Andrews.”

“You too, Benny.” My car pulls around and I get in, before traveling all the way across the country to get home.

* * *

After days of traveling by car from New York back to Texas, I finally make it home after taking many breaks along the way. I breathe in the fresh, Texas air, a sigh leaving the depths of my soul. Home.

I’m tackled to the ground. “What the hell?” I laugh as Ezra holds me tight.

“I’m so happy you’re home!” She hugs me tighter before finally allowing me up, only to envelop me in another bear-crushing hug. Breathing in her cherry scent, I close my eyes.

“I’m so glad to see you, Ezra. I missed you.” We break apart just as my mother tears out of the house, coming straight for me, my dad hot on her heels. It is still tense between us, but we’re trying. They both wrap me up in a hug, Mom crying, Dad laughing, me sighing, because I’m home.

* * *

I’ve just finished getting ready for the day. Pulling on high-waisted black shorts and a royal blue tank top. My black Vans on my feet. A light dusting of makeup, black hair falling straight down my back. Just casual. I finish brushing my teeth and adding some red to my lips when my doorbell goes off. Rushing downstairs, I throw the door open and launch my body into Mark’s. Mark and I have kept in touch the last few months, and I’ve been dying to see him.

“Marky Mark!” I scream as he laughs, spinning me around in his arms.

Leaning back, I look into his blue twinkling eyes and lay a kiss on his cheek. Mark was hot in high school, but now? Damn. He’s fuller, taller if possible. Wearing gray shorts and a white collared shirt. His blond hair styled perfectly. “Jasmine.” He smiles, letting me down. “Damn, girl, you’ve gotten even hotter,” he says as I do a twirl for him, ending it in a curtsy bow.

“Thank you, Sir Kelly. You’re not so bad yourself.”

Linking my hands through his, he takes me to his car, helping me in. “What kind of food are you thinking?” he asks as we drive out the gates.

“Seafood?” I raise my eyebrows in question, high hopes of him agreeing.

He smiles. “Done.”

We enjoy a nice lunch and then proceed to make plans to hang out tonight. There’s a party at Ian’s house and I can’t wait to go. To let off some steam, you know—live.

* * *

“Fucking goal!” Mark yells as I sink the ball into the plastic red cup.

Ian and Todd are frowning as I dance around Ezra, celebrating our win. She has on her signature black attire with fishnet tights and boots, and me? Well, I decided to borrow one of Monroe's short champagne sparkly dresses. Each of my arms are heavily covered in bracelets to hide the scars. Even got Marky Mark to match me.

“Wow” by Post Malone thumps through the speakers as I drag Ezra to the dance floor, placing her arms over my shoulders. She is so drunk she can barely stand up. She needs my support. We dance with each other; sweaty bodies press against us from all angles. Strobe lights flashing everywhere. I’m lost in the moment with my best friend. Her face gets closer. Wait… and then my eyes go wide as she pulls me against her tighter, her lips enveloping mine. They are soft and sweet, tasting like cherries. Her arms wrap around me as mine go into her hair. We deepen the kiss and her tongue teases mine before we both pull away, laughing.

“I love you, Jazzy,” Ezra whispers.

“I love you, too, Little Monster,” I whisper back.

Mark wraps his arms around us. “All right, troubles. Let’s get you both home.” We laugh as we lean on Mark, who leads us out of the party and to his car. Helping us both in, and trust me, I use the word help lightly because he basically tosses us in the back seat.

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