* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *LOS ANGELES, CASIX MONTHS LATER* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *JUDAH’s POV :Christmas used to mean nothing to me.My mom and I were too busy being in survival mode to care about stupid holidays like that. Plus, we didn't have any money for gifts or holidays. Usually, she’d work through Christmas, and I’d get high and pass it by.But not this year.This year would be our first Christmas together, Blondie and I. We went back to Hawaii for Thanksgiving, as we promised our friends, but we were staying in California for Christmas. Plane tickets were expensive and Blondie wanted to stay here and rehearse anyway. That’s right, my very own Blondie was chosen as the lead role for UCLA’s upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. That's fucking sick. I'm hella proud of her. The play would open in January, and Blondie would rather spend Christmas break practicing than anything else. Even though the school and the production were on break
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *NEW YORK CITYFOUR YEARS LATER* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *TAYA's POV :"Well?" Hallee came right in, bombarding my personal space as soon as I stepped out of the auditorium lobby.Her eyes were wide, full of hope and expectancy. I gave her a small, sad smile and sighed, "I didn't get in,""Aw, man! Are you serious? I really thought you had it in the bag. I mean, the Juilliard admission was all over you, flying you out to New York City for a damn audition too,""Meh, it's okay. I'll get it next time,"It really was nice of the Juilliard Academy to fly me all the way over here for an audition into their selective conservatory program. A representative of the school saw my graduation piece at UCLA and she loved it so much, she came to me after the show to talk about the possibility of me having a future in New York City — Broadway and all that jazz.I never even thought that something like this would be an option. So of course, I took
A/N: This book is a spin-off/prequel to "Dear Stepbrother". Look out for special appearances and easter eggs for those who love Ryder & Kara's love story. Enjoy ’s lunch, and Taya never even knew their names. There was the tall fat one, the short fat one, and the fat one with glasses, that was how Taya would refer to them."Now get outta here!" Ryder shouted again and the three kids scrambled away."I think you're too much, Ry. You're scaring them off," Taya said to Ryder, her older cousin, and they watched the three kids ran and fell on top of each other."That's the point. This is what you gotta do to bullies. You stand your ground, show them that you're not
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *PRESENT DAYKAUAI, HAWAII* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *TAYA's POV :Essay Question: "What's your story? What are your greatest accomplishments? What are your aspirations for the future?"Your answer: _None. Sorry College App, I have absolutely no stories to tell you.For the past two and a half months, I had been staring at the same set of questions. I had all summer to start writing my college essay, and so far the total word count was zero point pathetic.All my life, I’ve always lived by the rules. I obeyed authorities, I colored inside the lines, and I never got into trouble. So when it was time for me to think for myself and decide what I want to be in the future, I hadn't got a clue. My whole existence had been reduced to nothing but a blank white page.There was an episode on Friends where Rachel said, "All my life, everyone's told me, 'You're a shoe! You're a shoe!' Well, what if I don't want to be a shoe? What if I want to be a purse or a hat?"
TAYA's POV :The full moon party was a party like no other. They got everything from a live DJ to fireworks, to bonfire at the beach, and even private rooms for... you know.This was my very first high school party and I was beyond excited. Little did I know, I was about to learn the three most important rules of partying, and I had to learn them the hard way. Starting with Rule Number 1: Never drink anything they put on the drinks bar.Ryder had warned me not to touch anything, drink anything, take anything, or talk to any guys at the party. But of course, I wasn't taking his advice, because that would practically leave me with nothing to do, while he was off somewhere gallivanting.Now there was a big bowl of what I thought was fruit punch on the table, I was parched and the drink looked mighty refreshing. So I took down a few huge gulps, only to realize later on, those weren't just fruit punch.Fifteen minutes into my first high school party and I already felt like throwing up. Cou
TAYA's POV :"I am the furthest thing away to a Kate Winslet or Claire Danes. I can't possibly do this!" I stated firmly, tossing the script back to Hallee on the cafeteria table."I have faith in you, bestie, you can totally do this," she beamed. "Plus with your whole new blonde look, I could easily have mistaken you for a young Kate Winslet. And did I mention how much I love your hair, by the way, you are slaying it girlfriend!""Get your nose out of my ass, Hal. I'm not doing it," I rolled my eyes at her. "I can't act,""But you're so perfect for the part of Rose,"I sighed and eyed her suspiciously. "Not enough people signed up for the play, huh?"She replied with a sheepish grin."I told you I'm joining the theater club as a stagehand. There's no way I'm gonna be out there on the stage, acting, let alone be the female lead!"My best-friend Hallee had been a theater geek all her life. This year I finally decided to join her and the theater club, since I needed to impress colleges
TAYA's POV :"Well, hey there Blondie, we meet again," he stifled a laughed."I told you not to call me that!" I hissed under my breath, firmly but soft enough so that no one could hear us."Well, I never got your name," he shrugged.Being cheeky are we?"Everyone, we will take a short five minute break, and then we'll start rehearsals when we come back, alright?" Mrs. Zee's booming voice shouted over us all.Everyone started dispersing to different directions and Hallee raced over to us."Hi Judah, welcome to the theater club. I'm Hallee, co-director and writer of the play. And this is Taya, she's going to be playing Rose,""Taya?" he raised an eyebrow and nodded. "That’s a unique name. I like it,""It's Japanese. Her mom's half-Japanese, so—" Hallee was just
TAYA’s POV :Please, don’t tell me Judah saw Blake and me kissing behind the bleachers! Oh god, what if he tells other people? We live in a small town. Ryder’s gonna find out in no time and I’m gonna die!"Hey, how long have you been here?" I said nervously."Long enough," he raised an eyebrow at me playfully.Of course, he’s sneering. Pretending to be unfazed, I strode over and took the seat next to him. He leaned back and threw his gaze up to the sky. He was huffing and puffing smoke like a freaking chimney."Those things will kill you, you know," I commented."We all die in the end,” he replied. “This is just helping to smooth out the process,"I didn't expect that answer at all. What a crazy ass, depressing dude!"Wh